After a night of discussion, it seemed both parties reached a satisfactory conclusion. Gold Ship then allowed Orfevre and her group to return home, stating that she would stay the night here, and finally, everything settled down.
Imanami neither joined the Mejiro Family nor gave up McQueen or Gold Ship; he simply accepted the established fact that Mejiro McQueen would become his Uma Musume. In truth, after that mock race, Mejiro McQueen could have invited Imanami to be her Trainer much earlier, but she stubbornly insisted on waiting until she won her Debut Race.
After the discussion with Imanami concluded, the Mejiro Family Head specifically called Mejiro McQueen for a talk. No one knew what the two discussed, but it seemed McQueen didn't sleep much the entire night after she left... It wasn't until the morning of the next day, when the sun rose, that Imanami habitually woke up early—though his body was much younger, Imanami's routine remained very much like that of an elderly man, sleeping and waking up early.
In fact, most Trainers, Jockeys, and stablehands wake up earlier than the Racehorses themselves. They also need to maintain their physique, thus requiring exercise, especially Jockeys, whose weight can affect the Racehorse's performance.
As a stablehand who retired from being a Jockey, Imanami also maintained this habit; morning exercise was mandatory.
"Trainer Imanami?"
Just then, a voice came from the side. It was Mejiro McQueen, wearing Tracen Academy's tracksuit, and seemed to be out for her morning exercise as well. Upon seeing Imanami, she slowly stopped, and asked gently:
"Trainer Imanami, did you sleep well last night?"
"Not bad, just a little unaccustomed to sleeping in such a large bed," Imanami replied, looking around after seeing McQueen before asking, "Where's Gold Ship? Did she not go for morning exercise?"
"No, Gold Ship rarely exercises in the morning. She's probably still fast asleep right now," McQueen said with a slight smile, wiping sweat from her face with a towel she carried, then added to Imanami:
"Trainer Imanami, if you've just woken up, why don't we have some breakfast now? I've already had the cooks prepare it. I'm going to take a shower first and will be right there."
"No need; how about we talk, Miss McQueen?"
Imanami waved his hand, then slowly walked towards an outdoor courtyard. After a slight hesitation, McQueen slowly followed him and sat down in front of Imanami.
Neither of them spoke. There were no teacups or desserts in front of them; they just sat there facing each other. After a long while, McQueen couldn't bear the atmosphere any longer and took the initiative to ask:
"Trainer, Grandmother... did she give you a hard time?"
"Not at all; she just told me a lot about you and the Mejiro Family," Imanami replied, shaking his head. "I have only heard many rumors concerning the Mejiro Family before, but after yesterday, I finally understood how difficult it is to manage a family..."
Imanami wasn't referring to the Mejiro Family of this world, but the Mejiro Ranch of his original world. The Mejiro Ranch in Imanami's original world had declined, and Imanami had heard many rumors, mostly revolving around "poor management" and "no talented Racehorses." But now, in this world, Imanami experienced it firsthand and realized the current predicament of the Mejiro Family.
It was no wonder that Madam went to such great lengths to secure him... Imanami could understand her; after all, this was crucial for the prosperity of an entire family.
"Madam told me a lot, including about you, Miss McQueen."
"...Grandmother must have spoken a lot about the Mejiro Family's mission," McQueen laughed, not bothering to hide it. "Yes, like other Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, I am aiming for the Tenno Sho."
"To dominate all long-distance races, with conquering the Tenno Sho signifying the Mejiro Family's continued legendary dominance in long-distance races—I have always pursued this goal; therefore, I absolutely cannot fail."
"The Mejiro Family's predecessors... Mejiro Asama and Mejiro Titan, they were both incredible Uma Musume. They dominated the Tenno Sho of their time, making the Tenno Sho the goal for our Mejiro Family."
"'If Titan's child can also win the Tenno Sho, I will have no regrets.'—These were the words spoken by a predecessor of our Mejiro Family, her last wish before her passing."
"But as time passes, this hope became increasingly distant... And though I am from a branch family, I too, have inherited this bloodline."
"And if I cannot succeed... then Titan's bloodline will likely never realize the dream of the Tenno Sho..."
At this point, Mejiro McQueen expressed no resentment towards her predetermined destiny and mission. She had carried this mission for many years and had never questioned why she had such a mission.
Since she inherited this bloodline, then this innate mission was naturally the responsibility her bloodline should bear. Because of this, Mejiro McQueen had no complaints, only persistent dedication.
"That's why I went to such lengths to have you as my Trainer, even using some... unfair methods." Mejiro McQueen candidly explained her initial wariness towards Gold Ship and many subsequent actions. She knew these things couldn't be hidden from Imanami.
"Trainer Imanami, please forgive me..."
"—Your forgiveness shouldn't be directed to me, but to Gold Ship," Imanami said, yet he didn't blame McQueen. After all, McQueen hadn't done anything to wrong anyone; she was simply just too eager—and besides, she later proved her strength.
"However, I think that neither Mejiro Asama nor Mejiro Titan, as Uma Musume, would want to see their descendants exhaust their entire being just to win the Tenno Sho," Imanami added at this point:
"If your wish is to keep running, then you should focus more on your health, rather than always putting your everything in a single race. After all, honor cannot be judged just by the win or loss of a single race."
"Imanami-san..."
This was the first time Mejiro McQueen heard a Trainer who didn't prioritize victory, and that person was Imanami, whom she had always highly regarded.
But then, McQueen remembered that before the mock race, Imanami had also advised her to give up the mock race and focus on healing her injuries. McQueen had finally felt that she understood everything.
"Imanami-san... you really are unique. No wonder Gold Ship calls you 'Old Man'." A different smile appeared on McQueen's face, then she stood up solemnly and, in front of Imanami, formally knelt down.
"Although this is not quite like our agreement, Imanami-san, I have thought it through now. I want to become your Uma Musume. For the goal of the Mejiro Family, I ask for your recognition," Mejiro McQueen's manners were impeccable as she formally stated:
"I will win races, and I will protect my body, Imanami-san, please, may I become your Uma Musume?"
"—Absolutely no problem, McQueen," Imanami said without hesitation. He had already decided to accept Mejiro McQueen as his Uma Musume from the beginning.
McQueen, having received the expected answer, smiled slightly, then pondered how she should respond in this situation... But soon, McQueen found a suitable phrase in her vocabulary. She bowed deeply and said, word by word:
"I am still inexperienced; please take good care of me."
"..." Should I tell this child that she used the wrong phrase for the occasion? Imanami felt like laughing. Although he knew that the younger generation generally didn't understand the meaning of such formal phrases, one couldn't just say them carelessly.
However, what Imanami didn't know was that although Mejiro McQueen didn't understand the meaning of that phrase, it was the Mejiro Family Head who had taught it to McQueen.
As for the purpose... perhaps the Madam had her own agenda.
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Trying to find out what affix to use is really annoying.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.