If Kitano hadn't been certain that he had entered a new loop, and if T.M. Opera O didn't clearly look like she had no memory of him,
then when she proposed the so-called "royal contest," he might have suspected that she was deliberately setting things up just so she could personally step in and dominate the competition.
After all, Kitano knew Opera O's strength all too well.
Aside from her Classic year when she hadn't yet reached her peak, and more importantly, when Kitano himself had clumsily forced Symboli Rudolf's training methods onto her, completely disrupting her rhythm with a series of misguided decisions Opera O's raw ability had always been exceptionally strong.
Among all the horse girls Kitano had trained, Opera O's pure strength definitely ranked in the top three. In terms of achievements, she was second only to Symboli Rudolf.
But from Kitano's perspective, while Rudolf's undefeated Triple Crown was dazzling, Opera O's accomplishments highest prize earnings, the first Autumn Triple Crown, and an undefeated year were no less impressive.
It was only because Japan placed such emphasis on the undefeated Triple Crown that Kitano reluctantly considered Opera O slightly inferior.
Otherwise, in every other aspect, the two were evenly matched.
Both Opera O and Rudolf had understood how to win races very early on, barely needing Kitano's guidance. However, Opera O had one particular advantage that Kitano appreciated greatly Her consistency.
Among all the horse girls he had trained, Opera O was the most stable performer arguably even more consistent than Symboli Rudolf.
She wasn't picky about track conditions, didn't have a difficult personality, and wasn't temperamental. As long as she was told to run, she would aim straight for victory.
It could be said that as long as Kitano didn't interfere with poor decisions, and Opera O found a suitable strategy without accumulating excessive fatigue, her participation almost guaranteed a win.
Even if Symboli Rudolf herself competed, she couldn't confidently say she would definitely beat Opera O.
And now, this "royal contest" had been proposed by Opera O herself.
So Kitano had every reason to suspect that she didn't just want to watch the fun she wanted to compete too.
"This idea… is actually quite good."
After hearing the proposal, Symboli Rudolf unexpectedly began to seriously consider it.
In her impression, Opera O had always had the potential to become a candidate for the student council.
However, her eccentric thinking and difficult personality made that impractical.
Though Opera O rarely caused trouble, whenever the student council collected feedback, she would submit long, eye-catching responses filled with things like "bigger and grander stages" or "let my brilliance resound across the world."
They had no choice but to read them carefully it was their duty but her suggestions often felt unreasonable.
Yet this time, her proposal struck Rudolf as highly viable.
More importantly, it aligned perfectly with her own goal to select a suitable horse girl for Kitano Ryuichi.
Initially, Rudolf had favored King Halo as the ideal candidate.
But with Mihono Bourbon's appearance, she realized that Kitano would likely become a highly sought-after trainer.
If that was the case, why not use the position of "first assigned horse girl" as motivation?
It could encourage untrained horse girls in the academy to actively participate in training and competition, striving for the title of "first knight."
This would not only boost motivation among the academy's newcomers but also improve their overall quality and strength.
More importantly, the one who emerged victorious would undoubtedly be among the best and someone willing to cooperate with Kitano.
After all, if they weren't interested in him, why would they join a competition centered around becoming his first trainee?
This method would also prevent upperclassmen from overwhelming the competition.
Most of them already had trainers, and it would be unrealistic for them to abandon established partnerships for a new trainer.
Thus, the participants would naturally be middle-division horse girls without trainers driven, ambitious individuals.
At the same time, the student council might even discover overlooked talent.
A selection method that achieved so many goals at once it was brilliant.
"Opera O, this is an unexpectedly excellent proposal. I didn't think you had such a genius idea."
Rudolf was clearly pleased.
"In that case, let's hold a friendly competition, with the position of Trainer Kitano's assigned horse girl as the prize. Any horse girl who is interested may register."
"Let this become a special event for Tracen Academy's newcomers.
Regardless of whether you've trained or competed before, as long as you're willing, you may participate."
The moment Rudolf finished speaking
The entire cafeteria erupted.
It was as if the ground itself trembled.
The gathered horse girls, who had only come to watch the spectacle, suddenly felt like they had been struck by a gift falling from the sky.
"As long as I win, I can become that genius trainer's horse girl?! I'm joining!"
"Count me in! A talented trainer and handsome too! I have to be first!"
"Looks like I'll have to start training seriously…"
"C-can I join too? Even someone as ordinary as me…?"
In an instant, countless horse girls regardless of their initial mood fixed their greedy gazes on Kitano Ryuichi.
At that moment, he felt like a piece of meat on a chopping board, surrounded by starving beasts ready to devour him.
Wasn't this supposed to be about him?
Why did it feel like he had absolutely no say in the matter?
"New objective updated: win the friendly match."
Mihono Bourbon, on the other hand, seemed unusually motivated, nodding seriously as she prepared to participate.
"Hmph, I suppose it can't be helped. I'm not entering for that guy's sake but a first-class horse girl never refuses a challenge."
King Halo flicked her hair and shot a provocative glance at Miura Bourbon.
"Just wait to be crushed by a first-class me, Miura Bourbon—oh ho ho ho~!"
Having formally declared her challenge, she left with a proud laugh, like a peacock displaying its feathers.
However, after leaving the cafeteria for a while—
She suddenly froze.
"…Huh? What was I trying to do in the first place?"
Slowly, she realized something was very wrong.
Wasn't she supposed to challenge Kitano Ryuichi?
So how did it turn into her competing against a group of second-rate horse girls?
And the reward… was becoming his first assigned horse girl?
Wait—didn't that mean if she proved she was first-class and won… she'd have to become his trainee?!
But if she lost… she had already issued the challenge and accepted Miura Bourbon's provocation.
Wouldn't that mean admitting she wasn't first-class?!
"Waaah!! How did this turn out like this?!"
Only now did King Halo realize she had fallen into a trap. Her face flushed bright red as she panicked, completely at a loss.
This match
Should she win or lose?!
Why did it feel like no matter what she chose…
she'd be the one losing?!