Early the next morning, McQueen sat down in front of Gold Legend.
"Oh, my dear McQueen, what wind blew you to my presence today?"
Gold Legend had probably guessed what happened and asked with a teasing expression.
"Yesterday afternoon, a Trainer came to find me with a specially customized Menu."
McQueen said expressionlessly.
"Oh, maybe some Trainer has taken an interest in McQueen. After all, McQueen is very noticeable."
Gold Legend pretended to be ignorant despite knowing the truth.
"That Trainer seemed to know about my physical constitution issues. He specifically brought a non-fattening Menu and explained a lot of professional knowledge about weight loss to me."
McQueen stared intently at Gold Legend.
The pressure shifted to Legend.
"Can you tell me why a Trainer I don't know would know about my physique and specially prepare a special Menu and weight loss knowledge? Legend-san?"
"Uh, is there a possibility that he investigated privately?"
"Then why would he know I recently gained weight because of Barbecue?"
"Oh, that's truly terrible. Maybe Teio accidentally let it slip?"
"Finally, how do you explain why the handwriting on this Menu is exactly the same as yours, Legend-san?"
McQueen took out the Menu.
"..."
"So, do you have anything to say, Legend-san."
"That Trainer is definitely a Scammer!"
McQueen sighed, looking at the exasperated Gold Legend in front of her.
"So why did you do this?"
"Well, look, McQueen doesn't have a Trainer anyway, right? I just thought we could pull McQueen into our team."
Gold Legend chose to tell the truth.
McQueen blinked.
"Although I am indeed looking for a Trainer, why would Legend-san want to recruit me?"
"Because I want to be on the same team as McQueen." Gold Legend answered without thinking.
And you were going to join this team anyway. Legend thought, but didn't say the latter sentence.
"!" McQueen's face immediately turned red.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing McQueen's expression was a bit strange, Gold Legend tilted her head and asked.
"Nothing. Cough. Since you wanted it so much, why didn't you come yourself?"
"Inviting team members is the Trainer's job."
That would be an overstep of authority.
"...Legend-san is quite serious about strange things."
McQueen seemed to understand Gold Legend a little better now.
"However, since this was your idea, you shouldn't have left it all to the Trainer. Don't you have anything to say?"
Since McQueen had hinted this far, Gold Legend couldn't continue pretending to be an ignorant genius.
"Then, McQueen, may I invite you to join my team and become one of us?"
"Hmph, well then, let me reintroduce myself. I am an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family. This name is entrusted with the obligation of achieving brilliant, elegant, and perfect victories. If you wish to be my teammate, you must possess the awareness of being a companion to a Mejiro Uma Musume. How about it, do you have that resolve?"
Why does that sound so strange?
Although she thought that, Gold Legend still chose yes.
"Heh, well then, Legend-san, please take care of me from now on."
"Oh, Osu!"
And just like that, Mejiro McQueen joined Spica... In the afternoon, during training time, Gold Legend explained the morning's situation to Gold Ship.
The Trainer, after learning the situation, happily took McQueen to complete the joining procedures.
"Just as Oba-chan predicted, we just needed the Trainer to be the lure, and then Oba-chan personally stepped in, and McQueen obediently took the bait. As expected of Oba-chan, you easily accomplished what we couldn't."
Gold Ship, holding a Rubik's Cube, highly praised how effective Gold Legend's strategy was.
"That's true, but honestly, my conscience feels a bit uneasy using McQueen's friendship toward me like this."
Gold Legend felt a little guilty.
"..."
You call this friendship?
Gold Ship was speechless, then changed the subject: "Anyway, McQueen doesn't have a Trainer, so this is a good thing! By the way, Oba-chan, the Student Council notified us that the team leader should go over there."
"? Shouldn't matters like that be handed over to the Trainer?"
"But aren't you our team leader?"
"...Since when did I become the leader? How come I didn't get the memo?"
"Doesn't matter. Point is, if you don't hurry you'll be late."
"...Got it."
Gold Legend rushed out in a fluster.
A moment later Trainer came back into the room with Mejiro McQueen.
"Legend-san, we're—why is Gold Ship here!?"
The daily chaos of the team continued... "Why did Legend-san show up? I asked for Trainer."
Watching Gold Legend in front of her, Symboli Rudolf voiced her puzzlement.
"...Trainer had something come up."
Just you wait, Golshi!
"Never mind, it's fine. You can pass the message along."
Symboli Rudolf didn't press the issue.
She waved Gold Legend to a seat and cut straight to the chase.
"I've asked you here for a personal favor. I know it's presumptuous, but I'd like Tokai Teio to join Spica."
"...May I ask why?"
"Ah, that child—because she looks up to me, she keeps asking to join my team, but that won't do." The Emperor's expression turned rare and troubled. "She doesn't suit a group like ours, and if my influence makes her lower her sights, it would be a tragedy for an Uma Musume aiming for the very top."
"So what are you saying?"
"I know Trainer Okino's methods—they're perfect for a prodigy like Teio. I hope you'll let her join your squad."
"We'd be honored to have her, of course, but what about Teio herself..."
"No problem. Come out, Teio."
A wild Tokai Teio sprang from behind Rudolf.
"Mmm, President~"
Teio protested adorably, all grievance.
"And that's that. I'm leaving her in your care."
Seeing her pout had no effect, Teio gave up.
"Then, Legend, I'm counting on you from now on."
"Mm."
Watching the still-sulking Teio, Gold Legend fought down the primal urge to pet her right in front of Rudolf. "It's okay, Teio. Even if you're not on the President's team, Spica's a great group."
Back at the training-room door, Gold Legend comforted Teio, who still hadn't bounced back.
"But the President..."
"It's fine, really. I know you'll love Spica." Gold Legend opened the door.
"Gold Ship, get away from me!"
"Don't be shy, McQueen." —the grandparent-grandchild pair in mid-scuffle.
"Watch me, Vodka—first place is mine!"
"Don't look down on me—victory's mine!" —the bickering rivals.
"Peaceful day, huh? Oh, welcome back, Legend." —Trainer, philosophizing.
"..." Gold Legend remained silent.
"Actually, it's a pretty memorable team," Tokai Teio quipped.
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