"Gold Trip? What are you doing here?"
"Oldest Sister?! Why are you here?!"
However, it wasn't just Symboli Rudolf, Air Groove, and Narita Brian; even Gold Ship was startled by the arrival of the Uma Musume named Gold Trip, who wore a long black dress and had a cool expression.
"Oldest Sister?! You're kidding me!"
On the other side, Gold Ship also noticed Gold Trip arriving at the racecourse immediately. She practically leaped over the railing and ran straight towards Gold Trip.
Imanami, Wada, and the others were confused, but they had been curious about the "Oldest Sister of the Gold Family" for a long time. After exchanging glances, they all ran towards the racecourse with their assigned Uma Musume.
And at this moment, Gold Ship, Gold Ship, and Gold Trip of the Gold Family had all gathered at the racecourse. Facing the surprise of her two sisters, Gold Trip appeared very calm and said faintly:
"Hmm, long time no see, Giant, and Xiao Jin Chuan. You both look very spirited."
"Oldest Sister! Why didn't you tell us you were coming back! Your room at home has been empty for you!" However, after realizing that it was indeed Gold Trip in front of her, Gold Ship's surprise quickly turned into extreme joy. She excitedly gesticulated as she said:
"That guy Nakayama has been clamoring to see you every day! We haven't seen you since we watched your race on TV! Where have you been?"
"...There were too many races outside. This return is just a brief stop." However, compared to her boisterous Gold Ship and a timid Gold Ship, Gold Trip's personality seemed much more composed. She merely said faintly:
"Xiao Jin Chuan, don't bother me for now. I came specifically for Giant and her Trainer, it has nothing to do with you."
"Oh." Gold Ship, hearing this, knew her place and automatically stepped aside. She knew that she wasn't the main character this time, and Gold Trip's current concern was Gold Ship and Trainer Ikezoe's matter.
After getting Gold Ship to step aside, Gold Trip also proactively stepped forward and introduced herself:
"Trainer Ikezoe, nice to meet you. I am Gold Trip, the current head of the Gold Family and the oldest of all the Gold Family sisters right now."
"I've learned about your situation with Gold Ship through various channels. I know today is this child Giant's Debut Race, so I specifically came to see it—now, I have made up my mind and believe you are the most suitable Trainer for Gold Ship."
"I even had the thought of entrusting more children of the Gold Family to you... but I understand how boisterous those children can be, so I don't plan to do that."
"Thank goodness... Oh, no, I mean—you flatter me."
However, Ikezoe, who had originally been looking forward to Gold Ship joining, was terrified and stiffened all over when he heard that the Uma Musume in front of him was the famous "Gold Trip." He repeatedly scanned his surroundings, and only after confirming that no more Gold Family Uma Musume appeared did he breathe a sigh of relief... Fortunately, he didn't see any other Gold Family Uma Musume... One Gold Ship was enough. If Ikezoe were to see "Dream Journey" again... he felt that, judging by Gold Ship's reaction, his future days would definitely not be easy.
"Trainer Ikezoe... the children of our Gold Family, as long as they have the potential to become Uma Musume, are never mediocre." However, at this moment, Gold Trip spoke very solemnly: "The potential of every Gold Family Uma Musume is astonishing; they are favored by heaven... but all of this comes at a price."
"The Uma Musume of the Gold Family all have potential, but they have always been confined by it. They are mischievous, irritable, or even insecure, but without exception, their potential cannot be unleashed, thus missing the opportunity to show their true strength."
"These years, I have traveled to various places and participated in all kinds of races. I am trying to prove the excellence of the Gold Sword bloodline, and also to show others that although our Gold Family's bloodline is not ancient, it is absolutely worthy of the future of Uma Musume."
"At the same time... I also encourage these children to bravely explore their potential and overcome their weaknesses."
"Oldest Sister..."
However, Gold Trip's never-before-spoken heartfelt words left Gold Ship and Gold Ship speechless. They had never heard Gold Trip say these things before... They only remembered that they had a reliable Oldest Sister who was constantly challenging and racing.
They all thought this was the path Gold Trip chose for herself, but they never considered why she did it—until today, they finally understood.
"To this day, I am still constantly striving, but the results... are barely satisfactory." Gold Trip neither belittled herself nor praised her contributions; she simply explained calmly, as she always did:
"But when I heard that this child Giant was finally going to participate in her Debut Race, I actually found it unbelievable at first, and even thought someone was playing a trick on me."
"It wasn't until I confirmed the news and came to the scene that I knew it was all true—and I've always been watching you, Trainer Ikezoe."
"...Watching me?" Ikezoe subconsciously pointed to himself. He had no impression of Gold Trip in front of him and had never met her. How was she watching him?
However, Gold Trip merely curled her lips into a slight smile and said faintly: "I put on makeup and gave a small reward to one of the staff members here. The staff member who notified you when you were trying to sneak backstage to find Gold Ship was me in disguise."
"Eh—?!" X2
Gold Trip's words startled both Ikezoe and Gold Ship. They never expected Gold Trip to act so quickly; neither of them had noticed that point just now.
"Then, that means—Ikezoe and I backstage—"
"That's right, I heard everything." Gold Trip smiled and nodded, responding to Gold Ship's thought, and even added, still feeling a bit unsatisfied:
"I also saw you looking shy, Giant. Really, Giant, I've forgotten when you last showed such a cute expression."
"Guh... just kill me..."
However, Gold Ship's face immediately turned crimson as she covered it with her hands. Fortunately, she was wearing a mask, so it was barely noticeable, but the sight of her horse ears turning blood-red and her tail wagging restlessly behind her already indicated Gold Ship's current mood.
Ikezoe was also stunned by Gold Trip's words. He instinctively glanced at Gold Ship beside him, and seeing her look so obviously caught, even a fool could tell, he couldn't help but smile slightly.
It seems... Gold Ship doesn't hate me that much; she just dislikes my face.
For some reason, a long-standing doubt was suddenly answered, and Ikezoe felt a sense of relief.
"This child Giant possesses talent that even surprises me; she just needs someone to unleash her potential." Gold Trip now turned her gaze back to Ikezoe, and the next moment, she suddenly made a surprising move in front of everyone.
Gold Trip knelt on both knees, bowing formally in a dogeza-style apology to Ikezoe, and said to him with utmost solemnity:
"Trainer Ikezoe, please become Gold Ship's assigned Trainer, and let her become an Uma Musume who goes out into the world—I beg you."
"Oldest Sister..."
Gold Trip's actions startled everyone, even Gold Ship didn't know what to do for a moment. And the next moment, Symboli Rudolf also stepped forward and said to Ikezoe:
"Trainer Ikezoe, I, too, as the Student Council President of Tracen Academy, ask you to be Gold Ship's assigned Trainer."
"As Gold Trip said... let this child go to the world stage, if she truly has that potential."
With that, Symboli Rudolf also bowed deeply to Ikezoe. And at this point, without a doubt, Ikezoe, who had no intention of refusing in the first place, had even less reason to refuse.
"Giant?" Ikezoe turned to Gold Ship, asking for her opinion.
"...In this situation, how can I refuse?" Although Gold Ship was deeply moved by Gold Trip's efforts and the importance she was given, she still forced a nonchalant expression to hide her true feelings, pouting and saying sullenly:
"—Alright, I'll do it then. Ikezoe, from today onwards, you are my Gold Ship's Trainer!"
"Although I am an Uma Musume who is not gentle, will kick you, and is timid and ordinary, if you think I will be the strongest Uma Musume in All Japan—then be prepared!"
"Before you make me the strongest Uma Musume in All Japan, I will absolutely not let you off!"
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