"Ssiiiiigggghhhhhhhhh… What a disastrous end for the year…"
"Yet you still look as healthy as ever, dear."
A month has passed since the Kikuka Sho race. The young man's description of Team Minaz's end-of-year campaign couldn't be more correct.
First, it was Haru Urara in the Tokyo Hai. Second, it was McQueen and Teio in the Kikuka Sho.
Then it was Goldship with the Autumn Tenno Sho. She took third after Gentildonna and Orfevre. And lastly, Silence Suzuka with the Mile Cup. She took second after the Strongest Miler, Taiki Shuttle.
"Most would try to argue that your end-of-year campaign is wonderful since most of your girls at least end in the top three. Why are you the one being depressed about it?"
"You already know why. Are you getting aroused from forcing me to explain why I'm sad, Ramonu?"
"I have been called a sadist before. Perhaps I love seeing you in pain."
The Treasure of the Mejiro Family has invited the young man to a romantic dinner. The young man had predicted that this would happen, considering how badly his team has performed lately.
Ramonu likely wants to terminate our contract based on what she saw.
Sigh… I can't exactly fault her for taking that route. It is a surprise that she is doing this in person. I thought she would do it through text or even one of her servants.
Maybe her sadistic side wants her to see my reaction as she dumps me.
"Sigh… Alright… Let's get this done with."
"Hmm? And what are you talking about, dear?"
"I know what you are, Ramonu."
"..."
"You cruelly dump people who do not meet your expectations."
"..."
"You enjoy watching them beg for mercy! For one more chance to prove themselves!"
"..."
"Just like your namesake!! You're a cold umamusume with mountain-high expectations!! An evil queen who would not hesitate to punish anyone who dares to disappoint her!"
"..."
"I know why you invited me here, Ramonu! You're not as slick as you thought you were!!"
"...I give you one chance."
"You gave me one chance, and let me guess, you are disappointed in me, no? Alright, let's get this over with!"
"..."
"I'm not going to beg for mercy or one last chance! So you might as well stop trying to wring it out of me! And here!!"
*Bam* *Slide*
"Here's your card." The young man slams Ramonu's black card, which she had given to him some time ago, and slides it toward the umamusume. "I'll find other benefactors for my goal."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Are you done?"
"Eep!!"
Ramonu, who had remained silent throughout the young man's entire ramble, finally spoke.
Her voice sent a shiver through his entire body. It felt as though he had suddenly found himself standing atop the French Alps, alone in the middle of a raging blizzard.
Her eyes remained closed, yet he could somehow feel just how thoroughly she had grown tired of his rambling. Her posture was relaxed and regal, but the presence she radiated was anything but.
It was the stillness of a volcano moments before it erupted.
*Crack* *Crack*
The teacup and small plate in her hands cracked under the pressure of her gentle fingers.
"I ask you one more time: are you done with your nonsensical rambling?"
"Urk!! Y–You are no–not sca–scaring me!!"
"Perhaps a lot more fear would be beneficial for our relationship."
The Treasure placed down her teacup and plate gently on the table in front of her, before crossing her arms under her breasts.
"It always surprises me just how much nonsense I can tolerate. I truly have grown as a woman."
"Uuhh…"
"Every single word you uttered just angered me more and more. I could imagine my younger self flipping the table out of anger if you subjected me to such hideous poetry."
"..."
"Answer me, who taught you to chirp in such a manner? Which annoying bird stained you with their hilariously bad love song? Surely a bird with a love song so horrible would have gone extinct by now. Perhaps natural selection required some assisting hands in that matter."
"..."
"Ugh… I've prepared myself for a wonderful dinner date. Now you have regurgitated your insides all over the food. I should've taught you table manners beforehand. I expect too much of you in this area. That is my fault."
"..."
"I will give you one more chance to puke out what is left inside your stomach. Remain silent if you have nothing else."
"..." The young man shifted uncontrollably in his seat.
"Good. You are cuter when you shut up."
"..."
"Now tell me, who gives you the idea that I was about to dump you? Which wording have I used before that gives you such a horrible idea?
I've reread my invitation messages to you, and I could not, for the love of the turf, figure out which part of the messages indicates such an idea."
"I–"
"Did I not tell you to regurgitate any sick you have left before? Are you wearing wireless earbuds? Did you not hear anything I said before? Did my words go through your head without even being registered?
Do you even consider me as your dialogue partner? Do you realize that a dialogue occurs between two people, with one talking after the other, and whoever is not talking should listen to the other? What do you want from me? Sympathy? Advice? Pity?
Do you even want to talk to me, or do you just want me to listen to your rambling? If you want the latter, then bring a wall next time."
"..."
"Sigh… I lost my appetite, so I'll be leaving first. I was really looking forward to our dinner date, darling. Keep the card."
"Sorry…"
"I'm also here because the Matriarch of the Mejiro Family asked me to invite you to our year-end ball.
Please… For the love of the turf… Do not embarrass yourself."