Trainer Imanami's injury had no major impact on any of these developments; the evening surgery went very smoothly, and McQueen didn't have to wait long.
Imanami, having received an anesthetic, was already wheeled out, sleeping very peacefully.
After all, it was just a minor surgery for a broken nasal bone, with no risks involved.
But even so, Mejiro McQueen still had plenty of tonics and fruits sent from the Mejiro Family to replenish Imanami's nutrition.
Don't misunderstand; while Mejiro McQueen's apology was certainly a factor, even if it hadn't been Imanami but a passerby innocently harmed by her, Mejiro McQueen would definitely have done the same.
McQueen now understood that perhaps her apology and respect could no longer be expressed in words; therefore, she would use victories befitting a prestigious Racehorse Girl to demonstrate her respect for Imanami.
She had to win this Friendship Race beautifully, and then win the Debut Race, only then could she stand tall and, with the most solemn etiquette, ask Imanami to become her Trainer.
No, not just a Trainer, but a "one heart, one body" Trainer!
Within that week, McQueen behaved very steadily, taking her injections and medicine on time every day, and then carrying out her daily training—the weights had also been removed as per Imanami's request, but besides jogging, she never attempted to burst into a sprint.
She was accumulating a power, a power that could only be unleashed on the racecourse.
"Hehe, McQueen, you really seem very proactive."
On the training ground, McQueen was still jogging when suddenly, Tokai Teio, dressed in her training uniform, appeared from somewhere, jogging at the same speed as McQueen, and laughed softly:
"I heard your leg seemed to have a problem, and I was worried about you, but it looks like you've recovered very well; it seems I don't have to worry about not seeing you in the Friendship Race."
"But don't push yourself, okay, McQueen? You still have a more important Debut Race, right? Otherwise, how about taking a break and watching my invincible Teio-sama's performance?"
Tokai Teio's words carried a hint of provocation, yet in reality, this was Teio's way of caring.
Her nature was very proud, and she was inherently a kind-hearted child, but her personality was a bit unforthcoming, easily shy, and she liked to put on a brave front.
In this regard, many proud Horse Girls are quite similar, and McQueen is no exception.
Therefore, they would all use their unique ways to motivate their opponents or friends.
A Horse Girl cannot easily shed tears.
Unless it's a defeat after giving her all in a race, or encountering an unbearable tragedy, otherwise, Horse Girls almost always encourage each other to keep running in this way.
"Teio..." McQueen noticed Tokai Teio beside her, but this time, she showed a slight smile and said:
"Don't worry, even though I'm in recovery now, I will definitely make it to the Friendship Race."
"At that time, let's have a showdown, Teio."
"Hehe, then McQueen, you'll have to work hard, okay? Last time, I left you two lengths behind~"
Seeing McQueen so energetic and full of confidence, Teio's competitive spirit was undoubtedly aroused, but even more so was the huge weight lifted from her heart knowing McQueen was fine.
McQueen is so energetic, so she must be fine!
"Hehe, then I, Teio, am going to run ahead, McQueen, see you at the Friendship Race!"
Tokai Teio immediately accelerated and ran ahead of McQueen, who remained behind, swinging her arms and jogging lightly.
She really wanted to burst forward and overtake Teio right now; in the past, she would have definitely done so, but this time, after leaving Imanami, McQueen seemed to have changed a little.
She might not have listened to other things, but what Imanami said about "don't let your pride ruin your career" made McQueen suddenly realize.
Only by protecting her body could she continue to run; temporary humiliation was not an issue, and she would repay it with future victories!
"Teio, wait for me, I will surpass you, definitely."
McQueen calmed her urge to sprint, maintaining her steady movements and breathing, continuing to jog unhurriedly...
Meanwhile, Air Groove and Symboli Rudolf, who had accompanied Tokai Teio, were also standing on high ground observing this scene.
Air Groove nodded subtly and said with an appreciative tone:
"McQueen has truly grown. The old her would have definitely challenged Teio to a showdown, even with an injured and ailing body, but now, she can actually restrain herself and not do those impulsive things."
"It seems McQueen's choice to find Trainer Imanami was indeed the right one, President. This time, our Tracen Academy has really drawn three good cards."
However, Air Groove's words did not receive a response from Symboli Rudolf.
Air Groove looked over curiously and found that Symboli Rudolf's gaze was overly concentrated; following her line of sight, Air Groove noticed that Symboli Rudolf's eyes had been fixed on Tokai Teio's body the entire time, as if she were observing some rare treasure.
"President..." Air Groove was quite helpless.
Lately, Symboli Rudolf had been a bit strange; she would get distracted during Student Council work, her attention would wander, and she would often be seen spacing out.
At first, Air Groove thought it was just the effect of fatigue from the President's work, but recently, especially with Tokai Teio occasionally coming to the Student Council, Symboli Rudolf would fulfill Teio's requests regardless of whether she had anything on her hands, and she even stopped telling cold jokes as much, which made Air Groove feel a hint of something amiss.
The President... seemed to favor Teio more than before? But why?
... "Teio's running style... is problematic?"
"Yes."
That day, Imanami, representing Ikezoe and Wada, explained their thoughts to Symboli Rudolf—it should be said it was well-known experience, but for Tokai Teio, who had not yet debuted in this world, this was undoubtedly speculation and ideas.
"Tokai Teio's legs are incredibly flexible, extremely explosive, and their flexibility is practically tailor-made for a Horse Girl born to run the Japanese Derby—but the hidden danger behind this is that while the explosive power is strong, the flexible legs will accumulate immense pressure during bursts of speed."
"It's like a strong force constantly compressing a spring; the stronger the compression, the greater the force released when the spring is let go, but all of this has a prerequisite, which is that the spring doesn't break."
"The explosive power Teio can currently exert will not exceed the limit of pressure her legs can withstand, but springs rust, and human bones will experience increasing pressure with each compression.
If Teio's flexibility is her greatest weapon, then this flexibility is also her greatest drawback."
"So, she will undoubtedly be a dazzling new star, but unfortunately, she will inevitably run on a path full of thorns and twists."
... "Teio... what should I do?"
Symboli Rudolf's heart was incredibly conflicted at this moment.
Ever since receiving such news from Imanami and the others that day, Symboli Rudolf had been sleepless, repeatedly recalling every moment she shared with Teio.
She had witnessed her growth, becoming Tracen's new star.
She once held immense hope for her future, wishing she could surpass herself, and one day, they would gallop together on the racecourse, deciding who was the true "Emperor."
But until that day, when Symboli Rudolf heard those words from Imanami and the others, she rarely felt fear—not for herself, but for Teio's repeated runs.
Her mindset underwent a huge shift; the former Symboli Rudolf would only look at Teio's growth with a look of contentment, but now, every time she watched Teio run, it was as if she were watching a fragile piece of glass, cautiously, fearing that something might happen to her.
"Teio, do you want to keep falling and getting up on a thorny path, or live the life of an ordinary Horse Girl...?"
"Perhaps even if I don't want to, I'll know your choice for this answer, but... should I tell you all of this?"
Symboli Rudolf still didn't know the answer to this question, and she wasn't even sure if the statements from Imanami, Ikezoe, and Wada, three new Trainers who had just joined Tracen Academy, were entirely correct.
After all, no matter how talented they were, they were still new Trainers; even other more authoritative figures had never said such things about Teio.
Why were they so confident?
However, when it came to Tokai Teio, Symboli Rudolf would not be careless; she had to prepare herself mentally and for everything that followed.
As for how to solve it... perhaps, after the Friendship Race, she might have a clearer answer.