"My final goal for McQueen this year is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France in the second half of the year."
"But aside from the Arc, I'll also be choosing other overseas races along the way depending on the situation."
At that point, Kuroha paused, then continued:
"But a person's energy is limited, after all. I still have to come back home often to keep an eye on Teio and Bourbon's training."
"So for this expedition, I need a capable assistant!"
"An assistant?"
Darley poked her cheek with her index finger and thought for a moment before suggesting,
"Then why not just have Fumino go with you again? She was the one who stayed with you on the expedition the whole time last year too, right?"
Kuroha shook his head and explained,
"Last year, Fumino did stay with me and Oguri the whole time on the expedition, but that was because of Creek's situation back then, so she ended up following me around for more than half a year."
"But she can't really keep being my exclusive assistant trainer and only focus on raising my girls."
"So this time, I'm planning to have her stay here."
"If you count the timing, the next generation of Central's girls should be starting their True Blooming one after another around this period."
"She should have her own time and energy to choose and raise her own trainees."
Hearing that, Byerley more or less sorted through the logic and understood what Kuroha was getting at.
"Fumino is out, and Ai also needs to stay behind to focus on Teio and the others' training."
"So the only suitable candidates left are the three of us, the ones who once promised we'd take responsibility for McQueen's training. Is that right?"
"Yeah, just as expected of you, Byerley. Your thinking is very clear." Kuroha praised her without the slightest hesitation.
"..."
Faced with Kuroha's praise, Byerley instead turned her head away a little awkwardly, her gaze shifting slightly as though she was thinking about something.
"I see..." Godolphin lifted her head, her emerald eyes spinning thoughtfully.
Before the other two could even give their opinions, she raised her hand on her own initiative.
"Then I'll go!"
Kuroha was genuinely surprised to see the Blue Goddess volunteering so proactively.
"Why are you suddenly this motivated today? I thought you'd recommend Byerley instead."
"Why?" Godolphin tilted her head, putting on an innocent expression.
"Haven't you been slacking off this whole time?" Kuroha exposed her mercilessly.
"Ehh, so you noticed~"
Godolphin showed not the slightest embarrassment. Instead, she folded both hands beside her cheeks and smiled playfully.
Then she leaned forward a little, moving closer to Kuroha, and asked in a soft voice,
"Then... Ha-kun, do you want to know why I want to go?"
...Not especially.
That was Kuroha's instinctive answer.
But when he saw those dazzling green eyes of the Blue Goddess in front of him, practically overflowing with, Please, please, ask me already, he finally gave in and followed her lead.
"And why is that, Godolphin?"
"Mhm!"
Seeing Kuroha obediently ask the question, Godolphin nodded in satisfaction.
She dropped the teasing smile from before, and her gaze turned a little more serious.
"Because... I want to know what love actually tastes like!"
Darley: "?"
Byerley: "?"
Kuroha: "?!!!"
Looking at the three huge question marks that seemed to have materialized over their heads, Godolphin realized they had misunderstood and quickly explained:
"It's not like that."
"I haven't fallen for Ha-kun yet. If I really did fall for him, I'd definitely say it out loud directly, just like Oguri did."
"Oh..."
Everyone let out a sigh of relief in unison.
Then Godolphin looked at Kuroha at an unhurried pace and said softly,
"Ha-kun, you're someone surrounded by love."
"The excellent qualities you have always unconsciously draw the people around you closer."
"Mmm... Even though I can give the girls advice about their feelings like I know what I'm doing, I've never really experienced that kind of feeling for myself."
The Blue Goddess paused there, and the smile at the corner of her lips deepened.
"So on this 'trip,' I want to stay by your side, Ha-kun, and experience those qualities in you that can attract so many girls."
Byerley, who had been listening from the side, already had a head full of black lines after hearing that dangerously suggestive speech.
"Godolphin..."
"Mhm? What is it?"
Godolphin turned to look at her with a completely innocent face.
"..."
Byerley looked at Godolphin's face, which was filled with naked curiosity, then at Kuroha, who was currently rubbing his forehead with a helpless expression.
She opened her mouth, but seemingly thought of something, and the words of reprimand she had been about to say stopped abruptly.
The Yellow Goddess stroked her chin, revealing a thoughtful expression.
After a long moment, she turned to Kuroha and made her decision in a serious tone.
"I have no objections. Let Godolphin go."
Darley still looked a little puzzled, but seeing that Byerley had already agreed, she did not say anything more and simply nodded along.
Seeing that the Three Goddesses had already reached a consensus among themselves at lightning speed, Kuroha could only accept the result helplessly.
"All right."
Kuroha let out a sigh.
"Then for the time being, Godolphin, you'll follow me around first. Let's get the specific plans and itinerary for the expedition settled first."
"Okaaay~"
Godolphin answered softly, bright light shimmering in her emerald eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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