Wada Ryuji himself was unaware of the minor friction between Opera O and Meisho Doto; even Curren Chan didn't know how things ultimately developed. At least, when they emerged from the hotel the next day, Opera O was as high-spirited as ever, and Doto was as timid as usual, as if nothing had happened.
They quickly returned to Tracen Academy, but during the process, a small incident occurred.
"Ugh... it's a muscle strain. It's nothing serious, just a bit swollen because I didn't pay much attention after the race."
In the Tracen Academy infirmary, the attending doctor bandaged Doto's leg. After arriving at Tracen Academy, Doto suddenly felt some discomfort in her leg, and Wada naturally didn't take this lightly, immediately bringing her to the infirmary.
The final diagnosis relieved Wada; a muscle strain was a minor issue for both an Uma Musume and a person.
"Rest well during this period. Don't participate in strenuous training, and you'll recover quickly."
"Thank you, Doctor," Wada said gratefully, and Doto slowly stood up, supported by Opera O.
As the group exited the infirmary, Ikezoe was anxiously waiting outside. Seeing Wada and the others emerge, and Doto with a bandaged leg, his heart skipped a beat. He instinctively stepped forward and asked, "Doto, are you okay? How bad is the injury?"
"A minor issue, a muscle strain. She'll be fine after some rest," Wada's reply relieved Ikezoe. As Jockeys, their greatest fear was an issue with their Racehorse's body. Hearing that Doto was fine, he immediately relaxed.
"Ugh... I'm sorry, Trainer, but this means I can't train..." Doto said softly, feeling very wronged. She now regretted not reporting the discomfort she felt yesterday; otherwise, it might have healed faster.
Doto was worried that this would affect her race schedule. If training was delayed because of this, it would be a huge loss.
"Hahaha, my most beloved subject, Doto, there's no need to worry. You still have This Overlord!"
At this moment, Opera O laughed heartily, completely unburdened. This Overlord confidently declared, "Doto, you just focus on recovering. Leave the honor of our team to me!"
"Yes, Doto, rest well during this time. This isn't a very serious injury; you'll recover in a week at most," Wada nodded and patted Doto's head, soothing the anxious Uma Musume. He said, word for word:
"As for Opera O... even if I don't say it, you know where our next stop is, right?"
"Satsuki Sho, right?" Opera O answered the question with ease, full of confidence. She had now decided to pursue her Classic Triple Crown—although the Undefeated Triple Crown had eluded Opera O, she was determined to claim the honor of a Triple Crown winner!
The Satsuki Sho was approaching quickly, and Opera O only had a month to prepare. Based on Opera O's current performance, her qualification for the Satsuki Sho was assured, with no issues.
"Then, the opera starring me will be sung across the world with the victory of the Satsuki Sho!" Opera O said, completely engrossed in herself. She naturally grabbed Wada's hand and said with deep affection:
"Come, my Trainer, let's conquer that mountain together with me, This Overlord!"
"Okay!" Wada, rarely, got into the chuunibyou spirit with Opera O. Or rather, he was actively cooperating with Opera O's emotions.
Of course, Wada was determined to win the Classic Triple Crown this time. Last time, due to his mistake, he lost two legs of the Classic Triple Crown that should have been his. But this time, Wada would not make the same mistake again.
Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, Kikka Sho—he was determined to win the Classic Triple Crown! Not just these three GI races, but all the other GI races he had missed; he would reclaim them all this time!
The Seven Crowns were definitely not Opera O's limit. Wada was determined to make Opera O surpass the legend of the "Emperor," even if it meant facing several blockades. He would not hesitate.
So what if they blocked him? Did they think he had been slacking all these years? Even if all the other Trainers from Shadai united to protect their so-called "glory of the Seven Crown Emperor," he would personally break through that limit—together with Opera O.
"Um, Trainer... I also want to participate in the Satsuki Sho."
However, at this moment, Doto, who felt somewhat ignored, quickly tugged at Wada's sleeve and asked anxiously, "I, I should also be qualified for the Satsuki Sho, right? After all, I beat Opera O in the Mainichi Hai... and so on..."
"Satsuki Sho... this..."
However, as Wada spoke, he suddenly noticed something was amiss—Meisho Doto and Opera O's race schedules almost completely overlapped. Their clash in the Mainichi Hai indicated that their current races would almost all be very close. Opera O finished second in the Mainichi Hai, but with her victory in the Yukinayanagi Sho, she was certainly qualified for the Satsuki Sho.
As for Doto, her first-place finish in the Mainichi Hai meant that the first race of the Classic Triple Crown would be quite difficult. But even if she started... wouldn't that just mean Doto would once again begin a history of competing against Opera O?
And most importantly, Wada had been working hard with the goal of Opera O winning the Classic Triple Crown. He was somewhat worried that Doto, whose overall strength might be slightly stronger than Opera O's right now... would snatch Opera O's Triple Crown at the Satsuki Sho a month later.
But if Opera O won, wouldn't Doto be sad? What if their race schedules clashed again? Wouldn't that be unfair to Doto?
For a moment, Wada couldn't help but ponder, but his silence was interpreted completely differently in Doto's eyes.
Doto instinctively bit her lower lip. She thought about how Wada had just been so spirited, saying he would challenge the Classic Triple Crown with Opera O, but when it came to her, he hesitated so much... her chest felt a little tight... "What's wrong... can Opera O participate, but I can't?" Doto uttered this sentence with a sour tone. However, as soon as the words left her mouth, Doto was startled by herself.
What had she just said? Why would she say such things to her Trainer?
Her Trainer had been so kind to her; his hesitation just now must have been out of concern that she would affect Opera O's dream of the Triple Crown. She... she shouldn't affect Opera O's dream.
"—Alright, Doto, I will register you for this Satsuki Sho."
However, unexpectedly, after some thought, Wada ultimately decided to let Doto participate in this Satsuki Sho. Meeting Doto's slowly regaining luminous eyes, Wada said encouragingly:
"Whether it's you or Opera O, I will treat you both equally. If you, Doto, want to participate in the Satsuki Sho, then I will register you."
"But before that, you must first heal your injury. I will not allow my Uma Musume to step onto the track with a hidden risk. Therefore, prepare well, Doto."
"—Mm!"
Doto, having received Wada's approval, nodded heavily with joy, and the gloomy feeling in her heart instantly vanished.
Indeed, the Trainer was truly a kind person. She, an Uma Musume like her, was so lucky to be with her Trainer.
"Oh, is it another showdown between This Overlord and my most beloved subject? How—exciting."
After seeing Doto and Wada's intimate actions, Opera O, who was holding Wada's hand, instinctively tightened her grip even more. She used an exaggerated gesture to hide her emotions and said:
"But next time, I, This Overlord, will face the enemy with a brand new attitude! Alright, my Trainer, come with me to practice leading!"
Opera O's mind involuntarily recalled Doto's words to her yesterday. He hadn't slept well that entire night, repeatedly replaying Doto's words... and those memories of hers, like shattered glass.
Although he didn't quite understand, Opera O had already made up her mind... She felt that by staying with Wada, she would definitely figure out the answers to these questions.
I'm sorry, my most beloved subject.
What belongs to This Overlord, if not bestowed upon you by This Overlord, you cannot take away.
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