Having entered the hot spring before everyone else, Rei Zai and Symboli Rudolf came out early. After drying themselves, they sat in the courtyard in simple yukatas, chatting.
As more and more juniors joined the team, Rei Zai's personality became increasingly gentle. There was no trace of the standoffishness she once displayed, tensing up and preparing to kick or bite anyone she saw. However, this behavior seemed to be directed only at Uma Musume; she would relax considerably around humans.
So, Gold Ship, who was able to bag and carry off such a Rei Zai in the beginning, was truly no ordinary Uma Musume… Gold Ship, a terrifying Uma Musume!
Of course, these were just fleeting thoughts in Rudolph's mind.
"So, you're still holding a grudge about what happened back then?" She felt a bit helpless. This quiet moment with just the two of them was a good opportunity, as she still hoped to get along harmoniously with Rei Zai if possible… Privately, their bickering was a good way to relieve stress, aside from wanting to laugh at each other.
"Hmph, what happened then was then. Remembering it now is a later matter." Rei Zai naturally denied Rudolph's statement, and what she said was indeed true.
After all, they had been together for so long, helping each other out countless times with everything from Academy affairs to personal matters, and also pranking each other countless times. By all accounts, they were friends.
"Later? What did I do?" Rudolph became curious. What exactly had she done to be held a grudge against for so long?
"Hmph, none of your business." Rei Zai knew some of her reasons were a bit unreasonable, so she naturally wouldn't say them out loud.
"Alright…" Rudolph shook her head helplessly.
Neither of them spoke again, instead closing their eyes and enjoying the cool breeze of the late spring night and the quiet atmosphere.
"Ah, time should be almost up. We should head back," Rei Zai suddenly opened her eyes and said to Rudolph.
"Is that so? Let's go." Rei Zai was naturally referring to the fact that everyone in the hot spring would be coming out soon. Hearing the time, Symboli Rudolf also stood up.
Rei Zai seemed to have an extraordinary intuition for the passage of time. Even without a clock, she could calculate the exact time based on her last memory of looking at a clock, and the error was often only within a few seconds. When they worked together, Rei Zai was always responsible for reminding them of important times.
Thinking about it, she really was useful. Next time, she should ask her to endorse a new brand of clock; it would also increase their income, Rudolph thought to herself.
"You're definitely thinking something very rude!" Rei Zai, walking ahead, suddenly turned back and glared at her with an extremely fierce look.
"How could that be? Am I that kind of person?"
"Heh." A short word, filled with extremely complex meanings. Readers, please write in the comments what kind of emotions this 'heh' expressed from Rei Zai (not really).
The two started bickering again. Perhaps this was their most suitable way of getting along. The parties involved probably couldn't imagine a day where they spent the entire day harmoniously without bickering.
The two returned indoors and naturally saw some of the most energetic Uma Musume who had come out early.
"President~" Teio directly pounced on Rudolph.
Symboli Rudolf smiled helplessly and opened her arms to hug Teio.
In the Student Council Room, if Teio were to pounce like that, even the doting Rudolph would gently push her head away to prevent her from hugging. It was only in relaxed settings like this that she would allow Teio to pounce and act spoiled. Teio herself understood this well, so she naturally took advantage of the opportunity to act spoiled.
And the other one who loved to act spoiled naturally didn't want to be left behind.
Seeing Special Week looking at her with sparkling eyes, Rei Zai naturally walked over and sat beside Special Week. Special Week, understanding the hint, lay down towards her. Rei Zai, amidst everyone's slightly twitching expressions, skillfully caught her and placed her head on her lap, beginning to stroke her hair. Special Week always liked this after a bath, and normally, Rei Zai would also give her a massage afterwards.
For some reason, Rei Zai seemed especially doting towards Special Week… or rather, she seemed very doting towards anyone who acted spoiled towards her? Like a doting mother.
It was just that she was always very afraid of Oguri Cap, who shared the same motherly attribute. However, this was understandable; it was normal for small-bodied Uma Musume to have an unusual dependency and fear towards Oguri Cap.
"Speaking of which, President, did you mention that matter?" Air Groove walked out at this moment, wiping her hair.
"Hm?"
"The training camp matter = =" She must have completely forgotten.
"Ah, right, Rei Zai, there's something I wanted to discuss with you."
"?" As Rudolph began the discussion, everyone's attention gathered.
"It's about the training camp location."
"Training camp? Wasn't the usual training camp location just renovated a while ago? What happened?" The sensitive Rei Zai smelled the scent of something free.
"Ahem, there was a slight accident during the renovation of the dormitory building there, and it needs to be re-decorated."
"So that training camp building is just too old, isn't it = =" Hearing the reason, Rei Zai immediately understood what had happened.
The training camp location had always been by the sea, and this area was the Academy's private property, so there were no other tourists, making it a good spot. But the key was the accommodation.
The accommodation was similar to a guesthouse, offering a nostalgic feeling and atmosphere, but the crucial point was… it was a bit too old.
There had been many complaints over the years, mostly about certain parts of the training camp accommodation being too old. The Academy renovated it every year, but due to the humid climate there, it was always prone to dampness and aging.
"Just take some time to build a concrete house = =" Rei Zai had suggested this at the time.
"No, it's a feature!" She was flatly refused.
"So, what do you want to say?"
"Last time I visited your home, I found your training facilities to be very complete, and the scenery was also very good. So this time, we want to temporarily move the training camp location there."
The training camp ran from July to the end of August, with notifications usually sent out in June. So, with problems at the original training camp location, they needed to find another suitable place as soon as possible.
After all, canceling the training camp would be quite damaging to the Uma Musume's morale, and Rei Zai herself didn't want to see that happen. The key was… "Are you sure my training facilities are 'complete'?" Rei Zai raised an eyebrow.
As someone who had always trained there, she naturally knew the actual condition of the training facilities.
Leaving aside other things, the extensive field of wooden stakes she used for footwork practice were all cut and carved by herself, relying on an Uma Musume's unscientific physical abilities and the system's guidance. Other facilities were largely similar.
That plain in the mountains was a very good place, but because it was almost never maintained, she had messed it up terribly. It was only last year, when she had some money, that she started hiring specialized personnel to maintain the various areas there.
There were also things like the dedicated slope for incline training, and a large waterfall for grit and stamina training. While all of these were effective for training, they relatively lacked safety and were completely unsuitable for other Uma Musume to train there.
"Yes, so we plan to specifically hire some personnel for security, and also to slightly modify the area. Of course, the Academy will also provide sufficient compensation. How about it?"
In reality, it was just a request to develop the mountain area, but everyone in the Student Council understood that the mountain held an extraordinary significance for Rei Zai. One had to know that even development requests from large companies richer than the Academy had been rejected by her with the reason, "I don't want to see this mountain lose its original scenery."
"…If you promise me to only modify the 'training-specific' parts and only implement safety measures, I can allow it." After a moment of thought, Rei Zai still gave her answer.
It was impossible to preserve the scenery there forever. As her fame grew, this mountain, her Hometown, would sooner or later be opened as a scenic spot or someone would open a farm around it. Rather than letting strangers do it, it was better to authorize people she knew and who were capable enough to do it.
"Ah, right now we're just asking for your willingness. Once this team-building event is over, we'll formally prepare a contract and such."
"Hmm, rather, how could you forget such a thing? Has a comfortable life eroded your will, Rudolph Symbol?"
"Heh heh, even if that were true, running faster than a certain someone in a race is still no problem."
"Faster by one second, then overtaken?"
Suddenly bickering while discussing serious matters was also a characteristic of theirs, and everyone in the Student Council was used to it.
As for the members of Spica and Rigil, they curiously watched the two who, despite smiling, exuded a dangerous aura.
"Eh!? So this training camp location is Z-chan's home!?" Special Week, lying on Rei Zai's lap, suddenly exclaimed.
"…" xn
This child… how should one put it… "(Little Special) Your reaction is too slow!" Everyone almost simultaneously complained, but the fastest to react seemed to be Silent Suzuka. Indeed, she was a natural tsukkomi (straight man), and in that aspect, just like her running style, she had to be in the lead.
"Hehehe~"
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