The TCB Umamusumes huddled together, watching Maruzensky approach and exchange a playful, sly look with Obey Your Master. They whispered among themselves about what seemed like a dream to them.
"Why do I feel like our Trainer-san has suddenly become popular?!"
Tokai Teio muttered softly, looking at Sakura Baimu and the other two with a shocked expression, finding it hard to believe.
"I feel the same way! Before, when she walked around the academy, many Umamusumes would run away when they saw her, afraid of being caught by her," Mejiro McQueen whispered, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Yesterday, Maru-senpai said she was really interested in our Trainer-san and even blew her a kiss…" Smart Falcon's face flushed again, and she stammered a little. "And today, Obey Your Master said she really likes our Trainer-san."
"Actually, I think our Trainer-san is pretty great. Since Dia-chan and I joined TCB, it doesn't seem like anything terrible, as they say, has happened," Kitasan Black said to her teammate beside her, looking at Sakura Baimu.
"I agree!" Satono Diamond nodded. "Even when Father treated Trainer-san that way, she never held a grudge against me. I've always been very grateful to Trainer-san."
"Falco thinks so too…" Smart Falcon whispered, nodding as well. "If it weren't for Trainer-san, Falco wouldn't have regained her confidence."
Mejiro McQueen listened to her teammates' comments about Sakura Baimu with astonishment.
She leaned close to Tokai Teio's ear and whispered:
"Teio, something seems off. The new members all seem to really like Trainer-san."
"Our Trainer-san, aside from her episodes, seems pretty good, right?" Tokai Teio replied, speechless.
"It's the episodes that are scary!!" Mejiro McQueen exclaimed.
"What, McQueen, you hate her? McQueen, didn't you want Trainer-san to pat your head?"
Tokai Teio asked, looking at Mejiro McQueen.
"No, I didn't say I hate her! I just feel a little strange. How come she suddenly became so popular? I'm a little unaccustomed to it."
Upon hearing this, Tokai Teio turned and stared at Mejiro McQueen for a moment. Then suddenly, a smile crept onto her face, and her eyes turned into a comical expression.
Mejiro McQueen sensed something was wrong as soon as she saw Tokai Teio's expression.
Sure enough, she then heard Tokai Teio say in a loud voice that everyone around could hear:
"McQueen, so you're jealous because Trainer-san is popular, huh!"
Tokai Teio's voice immediately attracted the attention of Kitasan Black, Satono Diamond, and Smart Falcon. The three of them stared in surprise at Mejiro McQueen, whose face had suddenly turned slightly red because of Tokai Teio's words.
"Teio, what are you saying! That's not what I meant!"
"Eek~~ McQueen's being tsun again!"
Tokai Teio, seeing Mejiro McQueen's excitement, felt incredibly pleased with herself. Her goal achieved, she covered her mouth with a giggle.
Meanwhile, Sakura Baimu noticed that Maruzensky had also been drawn over. She felt that if these two were to discuss her past here, her teammates would definitely find out.
She quickly spoke.
"Obey Your Master, I really can't go to America. My trainees still need me."
"What a pity~!"
Obey Your Master sighed deeply upon hearing Sakura Baimu's repeated refusal.
She released Sakura Baimu's shoulder, waved goodbye, and walked past Maruzensky.
"Alright, alright, you can have her. I'm leaving tomorrow. So stingy."
Obey Your Master muttered to Maruzensky, hands in her pockets, and walked back toward the Pluto Academy Umamusumes.
"As expected of Maruzen-senpai, she's still amazing," Tokai Teio commented.
"After all, Maruzen-senpai beat Obey Your Master yesterday—a complete victory!" Kitasan Black said.
"So, why are they fighting over Trainer-san?"
Mejiro McQueen couldn't help but mutter another sarcastic remark, and the TCB members all shook their heads, somewhat confused.
"Maruzensky-senpai!" Tokai Teio called out directly to Maruzensky and, upon seeing her look over, asked:
"When did Maruzensky-senpai become so close to Trainer-san? And why is Trainer-san suddenly so popular?"
"Oh, well, that's because your Trainer-san is amazing~" Maruzensky chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Amazing? What do you mean, Maruzensky-senpai? Her trainer skills?"
"Of course not, you don't know. Actually, she..."
Maruzensky glanced with amusement at Sakura Baimu beside her, whose eyes had widened noticeably since her comment, her amusement continuing to rise.
"She's really nice; she promised to go racing with me tonight."
"That's it?" The TCB Umamusumes were immediately disappointed upon hearing Maruzensky's words.
They thought Sakura Baimu had done something truly extraordinary to pique the interest of someone like Maruzensky, a top student in the academy.
And it really was just racing her?
Hearing Maruzensky's words, Sakura Baimu's heart, which had been pounding in her throat, finally relaxed.
She gave Maruzensky a grateful look, but then their eyes met, filled with laughter.
Seeing Maruzensky's expression, Sakura Baimu's heart jumped again.
"Am I right, Miss Sakura? I'll take you for a ride around Tokyo Bay tonight~"
Maruzensky's voice was full of amusement, her words trailing off so long that Sakura Baimu could almost see the long, wavy line at the end of her sentence.
Maruzensky had a confident expression on her face. She knew Sakura Baimu didn't want to reveal her identity, so she certainly wouldn't refuse her various "little requests."
Obey Your Master had stolen her thunder last night; tonight it was definitely her turn.
Maruzensky excitedly imagined tonight's events; even the brown ponytail peeking out from behind her skirt swayed slightly.
She looked incredibly expectant.
"Uh, I guess not today," Sakura Baimu spoke awkwardly.
"Rice Shower is being discharged tomorrow night, and Mihono Bourbon is training extra hard and doesn't have time. I have to go take care of Rice Shower."
"Huh?"
Maruzensky's playful expression froze upon hearing this.