King Halo couldn't bear it anymore, and both her emotional and rational sides were frantically telling her that she had to step forward now to stop all of this.
In truth, King Halo was very clear about one thing. At Tracen Academy, it wasn't unusual for a trainer to be involved with a horse girl who liked them. No calling it "unusual" would be wrong. It was practically everywhere in Tracen Academy. This kind of pairing was incredibly common.
King Halo had always dismissed this. Although many horse girls around her had good relationships with their trainers, and some even stubbornly claimed things like, "Tracen Academy forbids romance," and "Horse girls should focus on competition and training," they would still act intimately with their trainers while insisting it was all "normal interaction" that didn't cross the line.
To King Halo, this was utterly ridiculous, and she looked down on them with disdain. These second-rate people simply didn't understand restraint. As someone first-rate, how could she possibly be lumped together with them?
And this is still considered "not crossing the line"? Does crossing the line only mean going home together to meet the parents? Wake up!
Because of this, ever since King Halo entered Tracen Academy against her mother's objections, she had made a firm decision: not only would she complete her studies and become a first-class horse girl who attracted attention, but she would also break the long-standing rumor at Tracen Academy that "most horse girls will fall in love with their trainers," proving her own strength.
She, King Halo, was a true first-class horse girl. She would never be captured by emotions like those second- and third-rate horse girls!
She was a woman aiming to become first-class things like men were nothing but distractions!
King Halo was confident that she would never fall into the arms of any trainer. That was why, when she saw Mihono Bourbon and Kitano Ryuichi being so close especially when the atmosphere began to turn ambiguous she finally rushed forward without hesitation.
Even though she wasn't part of the disciplinary committee, and relationships in the academy technically had nothing to do with her, as a first-class horse girl and with Tracen Academy still explicitly prohibiting romance King Halo felt it was her duty to stand up and tell these two shameless people that this was not some matchmaking event!
That's right, that's it! The moment she rushed toward Miura Bourbon and Kitano Ryuichi, she found the perfect justification for herself, and her previously conflicted expression suddenly cleared.
"Hey, you two! I don't know why you're here at Tracen Academy, but this is a first-class academy! And officially, romance is forbidden here!"
King Halo stood with her hands on her hips, arrogantly taking the moral high ground as she spoke to Mihono Bourbon and Kitano Ryuichi:
"So keep your distance! Acting that intimately in a public place like the cafeteria how shameless!"
"…There is no intimate relationship between Mr. Kitano and me."
Before Kitano could respond, Mihono Bourbon spoke first, calmly saying,
"This is simply the normal mode of interaction between Mr. Kitano and myself."
"What normal mode?! Didn't you two just meet today?!"
Her words instantly struck a nerve in King Halo. Mihono Bourbon's flat, matter-of-fact tone only made it worse, and Halo's irritation flared up immediately.
Because King Halo was certain Mihono Bourbon was lying. Anyone could tell they had only just met today! Did she really think Halo couldn't hear what they were saying from outside? She was a horse girl her hearing was far superior to that of ordinary people!
However, she didn't completely lose her composure. Instead, she looked at Mihono Bourbon with a scrutinizing gaze and asked:
"Then who are you? You're not even wearing a uniform you're not from this academy, are you?"
"My apologies."
Mihono Bourbon slowly stood up. She was about the same height as King Halo, but her presence was more striking. While Halo's figure was undoubtedly of a golden ratio, Mihono Bourbon was no less impressive in comparison.
Even in casual clothes, her outfit couldn't hide the subtle fullness of her chest, and her jeans emphasized her long legs and short waist, creating a toned yet naturally curved silhouette.
But Mihono Bourbon paid no attention to such things. She simply spoke seriously:
"My name is Mihono Bourbon. I am a newly enrolled student. My objective is to become a Triple Crown horse girl."
"This is Mr. Kitano Ryuichi, a new trainer at Tracen Academy. When my positioning system malfunctioned, he assisted me. To express my gratitude, I am currently discussing with Mr. Kitano the possibility of becoming his assigned horse girl. If we have disturbed anyone, I sincerely apologize."
Though her tone remained calm, a faint glint passed through her eyes as she continued, now with a slightly more serious tone:
"However, I am currently in discussion with Mr. Kitano regarding assignment matters. Please do not interrupt us. Once we have finished, we will leave."
"Huh? A newly enrolled horse girl and a new trainer? What a coincidence.
King Halo raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. But it was the only explanation that made sense. Earlier, she had also seen Air Groove standing with Kitano if he was indeed a new trainer, then her showing him around would make sense.
But this only made Halo even more confused. How could a new trainer take one glance at her through glass and boldly evaluate her in every aspect? First calling her arrogant and misguided in her efforts, then saying her talent was limited and her work pointless.
Anyone would be angry if a stranger judged them like that. You don't even know me how can you make such arrogant, dismissive claims?
This only made Halo angrier. But there was another source of irritation hearing that Miura Bourbon and Kitano Ryuichi were discussing forming a partnership.
A third-rate trainer she looked down on, after provoking her, was now choosing to partner with an even more unimpressive newcomer? And she, a first-class horse girl, would have to challenge such a combination?
Wouldn't that mean a first-class person like her competing against a third-rate pairing? What meaning would such a match even have? Even if she won, there would be no sense of accomplishment.
With that thought, she shot Kitano a glare so sharp it made him shiver, as if some deep-seated PTSD had been triggered.
"Um… we haven't actually started discussing that yet,"Kitano awkwardly added.
Still, was that really Mihono Bourbon's intention? He was a bit confused. He hadn't gotten the impression that she wanted him as her trainer. Or… was that 10% favorability really what it meant? He wasn't sure.
But… training Miura Bourbon again? It might be possible. After all, he had already figured out a training method suitable for her in a previous loop.
Yet that was exactly why he hesitated.
That method placed too much strain on her body. It was effective but extremely intense. He didn't want to use it again. He had already seen how much she suffered because of it once before. He didn't want to witness that again.
As Kitano fell into thought, the standoff between King Halo and Mihono Bourbon continued.
"Oh? Then it seems there's only one way to settle this. Don't say a first-class person like me is bullying you later."
"What's going on here?"
At that moment, the cafeteria doors opened, and Air Groove strode in, followed closely by T.M. Opera O.
As soon as the vice president known as the "Empress" entered, the atmosphere in the cafeteria immediately calmed. She quickly identified the source of the disturbance and walked toward Kitano and the others.
"King Halo? Trainer Kitano? What's happening here…?"
"Oh ho ho! Perfect timing, Vice President Air Groove please be our witness!"
Unfazed by Air Groove's presence, Holy King Halo's eyes lit up as she spoke:
"I am issuing a challenge! This new trainer, Kitano Ryuichi, has insulted me a first-class horse girl. I want you to act as a witness!"
"Since this new trainer claims that my abilities are limited, then let us settle this with results. I will make him submit through my performance and wash away the insult he has made against me!"
King Halo pointed directly at the stunned Kitano Ryuichi as she issued her challenge. It wasn't just about clearing her name it was about proving that her abilities were not as limited as he claimed, and that she was not confined to short-distance or mile races.
Moreover, there was a stubbornness within her that even she didn't fully understand.
She wanted Kitano Ryuichi to see that she was not what he assumed. She would overturn his baseless "stereotype" and prove her true versatility.