Upon returning to Tracen, Luo Cheng wasted no time heading to the Student Council. He wanted to ask about the requirements for signing a contract with a horse girl, and the best person to answer that was the Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf.
If Seiun Sky was a hidden treasure waiting to be found, then Rudolf and her peers were the "treasure chests" that spawned in the same place every day. Only someone with nothing better to do would go to a fixed location every day to open a chest. And as it happened, Luo Cheng had nothing better to do every single day.
Opening the door, he saw the legendary horse girl herself sitting in the center of the room. With her silk-like brownish-gold hair and the crescent-shaped white streak on her forehead just like Teio's, Rudolf exuded authority with her brilliant violet eyes. As the only undefeated Triple Crown winner in Japanese racing history, she carried an immense pressure.
Luo Cheng had felt that way at first too, but later, his impression of Rudolf shifted from "imposing" to "snug." Rudolf's waist and thighs were incredibly shapely—some of the best in Tracen. When he touched her, the soft, supple texture felt as if it were drawing his fingers in, followed by a wonderful, elastic bounce. Despite years of training in the elements and countless high-stakes races, her skin was as soft as a baby's. When she sweated, her skin took on a jade-like luster, accompanied by a sweet body fragrance.
Rudolf literally tasted sweet. And perhaps because of the contrast with her persona, Luo Cheng found her gasps more melodic than anyone else's—a magnetic, silky voice that was almost enchanting.
As he entered, those beautiful purple eyes turned toward him.
"Good evening, President Rudolf," Luo Cheng greeted.
Seeing him, Rudolf broke her stern image with a gentle smile that didn't match her reputation. She stood up, invited him to the sofa, and poured him a cup of tea. She sat right next to him, their shoulders touching.
"Is something the matter, Trainer Luo Cheng, coming here so late?"
"I have a question for the Student Council President." Luo Cheng sipped his tea and leaned in toward Rudolf. "If I want to sign a contract with a horse girl, what should I do? Do I just have her sign a paper for the Chairwoman, or are there other requirements?"
"Haven't you already signed one with Teio?"
That was a default starting setting; he hadn't actually "signed" anything. Luo Cheng couldn't say that, of course, so he made up a lie: "I thought the process for a second one might be different."
Rudolf stirred her tea with a spoon, took a sip, and explained, "The process is the same. Once the papers are signed and submitted to the Student Council, we coordinate with the instructors to transfer the student's management rights to the Trainer. If there's a student you have your eye on, you can submit the recruitment form to me, and I'll handle the paperwork for you."
"I see." Luo Cheng nodded. "And what if I want to sign someone who already has a Trainer?"
"...Who?"
"You." Luo Cheng said, "What if I want to sign you?"
Hearing this, Rudolf arched an eyebrow. After a brief moment of surprise, she let out an amused smile. "In that case, you would need the consent of both the Trainer and the horse girl to process a transfer. However, Trainer Luo Cheng, I think it's best not to do that right now. My Trainer is retiring next year; I am his final trainee, and I want to see him through to the end."
"Understood, understood."
"Once my Trainer retires, it won't be too late to transfer my training rights to you. Though, even then, I won't be able to participate in official races. I've already moved on to the [Dream Trophy] circuit. Training me would only be an added burden for you."
"That's fine. It's you I want, mainly."
Whether it was the Game Rudolf or the Real Rudolf, he wanted her. Moreover, having Rudolf meant having the Student Council behind him. It would make everything he did much easier. Even without "Player" permissions, with Rudolf by his side, he could walk through Tracen with his head held high.
"In July of next year, I will notify my Trainer."
That easy? Not just in life, but it seemed he was speedrunning the Uma Musume game as well. Luo Cheng was certain her easy agreement was due to her affection level. He couldn't remember exactly how high Rudolf's bond was—seventies? maybe nearly eighty?
Having confirmed the details, Luo Cheng left the Student Council. He decided to find someone to sign a contract with tomorrow and see how things stood after a month.
After he left, Rudolf sat back in her seat. She looked at the leftover tea Luo Cheng had left in his cup. After much hesitation, she carefully picked up the cup. Just as she was about to take a sip, Tokai Teio burst in.
"President!" she cried out in her cute, high-pitched voice, sitting down next to Rudolf. "I went out with Trainer today! He bought me new shoes!" Teio began to chatter incessantly about her day. Rudolf patted her head while somewhat awkwardly setting the teacup back down.
When Luo Cheng left the school building, it was already dark. Students were returning to their dorms. It was the hour when the "night owls" became active.
Who should I pick for a sleep companion tonight?
Every day, he would simply pick someone and take them back to his room. It was like opening a blind box. In this isolated world, Luo Cheng had nothing else to do but kill time with the horse girls. Seeing a black silhouette in the distance, he walked over.
"Eh..."
A soft sigh drifted on the night breeze. Luo Cheng led her back toward the dorms. As they entered the building and the light fell upon her, he finally saw her face clearly.
Her skin was so pale it was almost translucent. She had dark gold eyes that shimmered with a mysterious light and thick, ink-black hair that cascaded down, covering most of her body.
Manhattan Cafe... he had grabbed a familiar face.
She was also one of the few horse girls whose affection he had maxed out. If Yayoi and Tazuna were for convenience, Cafe was purely for his personal preference. Luo Cheng loved long, black hair. Her flawless white body and waterfall of black hair complemented each other perfectly, making her look like a finely crafted work of art. Her body also felt so delicate it seemed like it might break at a touch; he was always careful when holding her.
Seeing the confused expression on Cafe's face, Luo Cheng paused.
"Trainer Luo Cheng... this is the Trainer's dormitory, isn't it? Is there a reason you brought me here?" Cafe asked in a soft, slow voice.
"To be my sleep companion."
"Sleep... companion?" Cafe blinked her starlight-like golden eyes, her grip on Luo Cheng's hand tightening slightly.
"Yeah. Or you can choose the second option: chat with me for a bit. What do you say, Cafe? Talk to me. I'm feeling a bit different today."
Luo Cheng looked at her.
"...Trainer, the night is beautiful. Let's walk outside for a bit and feel the breeze. I also happen to have a few things I'd like to say to you."
The "Game Cafe" was always calm and stoic; Luo Cheng had only ever viewed her as a beautiful, exquisite doll that fit his tastes. But now, seeing her offer him a simple smile, he found himself dazed.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Uma Musume: Inside the Game (40 Chapters – Ongoing)
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