"So it looks like I'll have to entrust this child to you for now, Trainer Okino."
Walking along the academy path, Symboli Rudolf and Okino walked side by side.
"Don't mention it. If it's a request from the Emperor, how could I refuse?" Okino rubbed his hands together, a man in his thirties fidgeting with the restless energy of a teenager.
"Besides, if she's a child even the Emperor praises… she must be a top-tier, perfect Uma Musume. Just thinking about it makes me impatient. I wish I could see her right now."
He'd seen the footage of that child, Platinum's, debut race himself. Even for a first outing, to win by over ten lengths… that was a terrifying result.
What incredible natural talent! To think, the last one to win her debut by over ten lengths…
Was that emperor who ruled American horse racing for over a decade — Secretariat's beloved student, Flightline!
She'd announced the birth of a new queen with absolute dominance.
And now, just half a year after Flightline's debut, Japan had produced a Uma Musume who achieved the same feat.
This beautiful white Uma Musume had even signed a trainer contract with Symboli Rudolf.
Though Japanese Uma Musume racing still lagged behind America's… couldn't he let a spark of hope ignite in his heart?
Was it possible… that Platinum could become Japan's Flightline?
Seeing Okino's enthusiasm, the Emperor responded with a slight smile.
She didn't dislike a childlike trainer.
Personality doesn't change just with age; it changes mainly with experience. Often surrounded by girls in their teens, maintaining a naive and optimistic character helped him blend in better with the Uma Musume.
That was something Symboli Rudolf appreciated about Okino.
"That child is still quite shy, Trainer. Please don't startle her."
"Don't worry, don't worry, I know just how to handle it." Okino thumped his chest confidently. "I definitely won't betray the Emperor's trust. I'll find the running style that suits Platinum best."
Yes, this was precisely why the Emperor had asked Okino instead of her own trainer, Toudo Hibiki.
The Emperor herself was quite busy.
Forcing herself to train Platinum would only hold Platinum back. Besides, that talk of becoming her trainer back then was just a delaying tactic.
Let Platinum get used to school life first, and after she'd gotten familiar with everyone, hand her over to another trainer. In the meantime, let Platinum try training with various teams.
'Rudolf, right now, you're despicable!'
'What else could I do? What Uma Musume acts as trainer for her own junior? That control-freak granny Secretariat is the exception. Human trainers understand Uma Musume far better than Uma Musume do.'
The reason she chose Okino's Team Spica over Toujou Hana's Team Rigil was partly because Tokai Teio was also in Spica, so she could help look after Platinum a bit.
On the other hand, Symboli Rudolf knew Team Rigil better—it wasn't a team suited for beginners.
Sufficient strength, relatively gentle starting conditions, and a trainer with fewer signed Uma Musume… that left only Team Spica.
Chatting, the two exited the school building and headed towards the training room.
Originally, Symboli Rudolf had planned to have Platinum come find her at the student council later, but since Okino had come to the council first, and Tokai Teio had messaged her saying Platinum was already at Spica's training room, she might as well go explain things clearly to Platinum directly.
While they were talking happily, Okino's phone rang.
"Sorry, let me check this." Okino pulled out his phone. "Ah, it's a message from McQueen."
"We don't need to go to the training room. Those guys are in high spirits today and are already at the training track."
"High spirits are good, but they shouldn't overdo it." A faint smile also touched Symboli Rudolf's lips. Who wouldn't love seeing such a vibrant team?
"Let's hurry over. The school building is closer to the training track anyway. We might even catch Tokai Teio and Platinum's practice race."
Saying this, Okino turned and strode off in the complete opposite direction, brimming with enthusiasm.
Team Spica's training room was in the southeast corner of the campus, while the training track was north of the school building.
"Wait… who did you say is racing?"
Sensing the person behind him hadn't followed, Okino looked back to see Symboli Rudolf's smile frozen on her face.
"Tokai Teio and Platinum… What's wrong?"
Symboli Rudolf gripped Okino's shoulder tightly, her face clouding over.
"No, we have to stop them, now!"
"An opponent like Teio is far too early for Platinum!"
Okino felt like his shoulder was about to be crushed. "Emperor, get a grip, what's wrong? I've seen Platinum's race. Her speed is on par with yours. They'd be good rivals."
"That's not it!" Symboli Rudolf gritted her teeth. "You've only seen the footage. You haven't actually run alongside Platinum. You don't know."
"Platinum doesn't know how to run!"
"Have you seen her running form? It's not the form a professional athlete should have at all."
"Facing less powerful kids is one thing… but facing an Uma Musume like Teio, whose technique and legs are at their peak…"
"If she doesn't harbor a will to win, and just lets herself be overtaken, it might be fine…"
"But if she wants to win, if she desperately drives her legs forward… the disadvantage of her poor technique will show up quickly."
"I'm afraid something will happen as soon as they hit the first turn."
Hearing the Emperor's explanation, Okino finally realized the severity of the situation. Cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.
He hurriedly dialed Mejiro McQueen's number.
"Please, pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up…" Okino trembled with anxiety.
He didn't want to see a genius fall like a shooting star.
'It's fine if she doesn't have the will to win'… What Uma Musume steps onto the track without a will to win?
As the call finally connected, Okino's face turned pale.
"McQueen says… they've already started. It's too late to stop them."
Before Okino could say another word, a gust of wind whipped past his face. Symboli Rudolf was already sprinting, hundreds of meters away, the marble pavement tiles underfoot cracking like spiderwebs under the force.
It was about three thousand meters from here to the training track… the distance of the Kikuka Sho… Symboli Rudolf clenched her jaw, feeling her surroundings blur as the roadside trees flew past, only the path ahead remaining clear in her vision.
'Please… I have to make it in time!'
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.