"I'm sorry, Miss Tokai Teio, but I don't quite understand what you mean."
At this moment, Imanami was surprised by Tokai Teio's words, but he quickly grasped the key point of the sentence, which was "Prez."
"I haven't received any notice from President Rudolf, and Miss Tokai Teio, your Debut Race... at least it's not this year, is it?"
"Hehe, Trainer Imanami, you don't need to act so formal. Since you'll be my Trainer in the future, you can just call me Teio!" Tokai Teio completely disregarded the hidden meanings in Imanami's words.
Why? Because she had already decided that Imanami would be her Trainer in the future; thus, she approached Imanami with the intention of building a good relationship.
Do not misunderstand her; Tokai Teio isn't like this with everyone. On the surface, she seems easygoing and gets along well with everyone, but in reality, she is quite a prideful individual. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone so long without finding a Trainer to guide her.
There was only one reason: she didn't think highly of them.
Even Hana Toujou, the Trainer of Tracen Academy's strongest team—who even taught her beloved President Symboli Rudolf—Tokai Teio felt dissatisfied with. One can imagine how strict her requirements were. Not everyone had the chance to make Tokai Teio feel that she should actively show favor.
But Tokai Teio felt Imanami was qualified because he was the Trainer chosen by her biggest rival, Mejiro McQueen. Tokai Teio believed McQueen's judgment was definitely not bad, and coupled with her dominant victory in this race, it further solidified Tokai Teio's belief. (T/N: Guess McQueen's plan worked, just not in the way she intended)
"No, no, no, what I mean is, Miss Teio, you have no plans to even participate in a Debut Race for a long while, do you? Isn't it a bit too hasty to look for a Trainer now?" Imanami was momentarily speechless, then subconsciously glanced at McQueen beside him, and couldn't help but say:
"Besides, I still have to train McQueen. This was a personal request from the Madam of the Mejiro Family, and it'll be quite difficult for me to..."
"It's fine! You can just teach both McQueen and me at the same time, can't you?" Tokai Teio, however, completely missed Imanami's implied meaning and continued to speak with a delighted expression.
"As for the Debut Race... boo hoo hoo! It's all the Prez's fault!"
"Did the President do something to you, Teio?" McQueen, hearing this, was also slightly startled and asked curiously.
The near-family relationship between Tokai Teio and Symboli Rudolf was well-known throughout Tracen Academy. While the common jest among many Uma Musume that the two were "as close as father and daughter" might have been a slight exaggeration, it also indicated that Symboli Rudolf was personally involved in almost everything concerning Tokai Teio.
With such a deep bond, what could Symboli Rudolf have done to make Tokai Teio so dissatisfied? And even directly interfering in her Debut Race?
However, it was better that McQueen didn't mention it. As soon as she did, Teio's face crumpled in a wronged expression as she said, "Listen to me, McQueen~"
"I could have had my Debut Race this year. With my skill, I could easily win my Debut Race, then go for this year's Classic Triple Crowns like T.M. Opera O, and then I could even compete against you, McQueen!"
"But—but, the President insisted I wait another year! She wants me to debut the year after T.M. Opera O and Orfevre have finished running all the Classic Triple Crowns races! Why is that?!"
"T.M. Opera O and Orfevre are amazing, but I'm the invincible Tokai Teio! Honestly, the Prez has so little confidence in me~~~!"
Tokai Teio's sweet voice, even when complaining, sounded like she was pouting. Even Imanami, a man of his mental age, couldn't help but feel a little swayed, wanting to dote on this seemingly overgrown child—but of course, Imanami wouldn't do that.
Yet, Tokai Teio's words made Imanami understand Symboli Rudolf's plan. Tokai Teio could have debuted smoothly this year, but Symboli Rudolf wanted her to avoid competing against T.M. Opera O and Orfevre, which was undoubtedly the correct choice.
Tokai Teio was an Uma Musume of miraculous genius; that was very much true. However, if Tokai Teio's goal was to be an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume, then having her avoid the years where T.M. Opera O and Orfevre were running for the Classic Triple Crowns was a very valid decision.
Because these two were quite something: one was the "Overlord of the Century's End," and the other was considered the strongest Racehorse in Japan. Tokai Teio would not have an easy time against either of them. In fact, if she encountered them at their peak... Tokai Teio might be utterly defeated and become a mere background character... Symboli Rudolf also considered Teio's dream when having her avoid these monsters. Once Orfevre's classic year passed, Tokai Teio would emerge, not only having a higher chance to achieve her dream of being an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume but also having the opportunity to compete with T.M. Opera O and Orfevre in their senior years, who had not yet left the Racecourse.
This was undoubtedly a perfect choice, but the prideful Tokai Teio now simply didn't understand the concerns of adults. She was like an egg, stubbornly insisting on hitting a hard rock, refusing to stop until her protective shell was broken—even worse, she didn't even know she was the egg.
"So, Miss Teio, what are your plans? Do you intend to disobey the President and insist on debuting yourself?"
"Ugh... I can't not listen to the Prez... though I really don't like it..."
Tokai Teio also mumbled in a small, wronged voice upon hearing this. She really wanted to refuse Symboli Rudolf's so-called "care," but when she thought of Symboli Rudolf's very serious tone at the time, she didn't have the guts to defy her. (T/N: Tazuna: Your trainee is lacking in guts!)
"Honestly, next year is next year then. Anyway, as soon as Orfevre's classic year is over, I'll debut immediately! Then it will be the era of me, Tokai Teio!"
"But, I can't be idle this year either. Since you're McQueen's Trainer, you must also be capable of training me, right?"
As Tokai Teio spoke, she once again turned her gaze to Imanami, her eyes sparkling as she said to him:
"I want to train with you and McQueen! This year, I'll train myself to become the strongest Uma Musume! And there are so many amazing teammates in your team, I believe I'll grow very quickly!"
"Come on, Trainer Imanami, please agree to it, please~"
As she spoke, Tokai Teio didn't forget to use a coaxing tone with Imanami. If someone familiar with Tokai Teio saw this scene, they would probably think that the Tokai Teio in front of them had been replaced by a skin-walker.
But in reality, this was also Tokai Teio's "tactic." To have the same Trainer as McQueen, she would do anything! Although Orfevre, T.M. Opera O, and others were undoubtedly stronger, Tokai Teio only considered one person her rival: Mejiro McQueen.
They were the best of friends and also each other's best rivals, so Tokai Teio would not allow herself to lose to McQueen in any way, even when it came to their Trainer!
"This..." Imanami was somewhat swayed by Tokai Teio's words. He, of course, knew why Symboli Rudolf would assign Tokai Teio to him: it was simply because, while he was experienced, he could also ensure Tokai Teio suffered as few injuries as possible.
For Symboli Rudolf now, Tokai Teio's Undefeated Triple Crown and such could be set aside. What she needed most was Tokai Teio's safety, which was why she had Tokai Teio avoid the two most competitive years. She feared Tokai Teio doing something beyond her capabilities, thus, as Imanami, Ikezoe, and Wada had said, embarking on a path full of thorns.
Imanami very much hoped and was willing to help, but of course, all of this was predicated on Mejiro McQueen, his current trainee, agreeing. After all, her grandmother's request was the most important thing Imanami could not ignore at the moment.
"McQueen, what do you think?"
"...This matter, I ask that you allow me to discuss it with my Grandmother."
However, McQueen's reply was lukewarm, neither showing much joy at Tokai Teio's inclusion nor appearing hostile. She merely said indifferently:
"Trainer Imanami, please decide for yourself. It's fine for Teio to join our team, but please, do not forget that my training comes firs—" However, at this point, McQueen's tone paused slightly, and she silently chose to stop speaking.
"...I'm sorry, please forget it."
What's wrong with me?!!!!! McQueen touched her head, feeling a bit off, but in the end, she merely attributed her slightly overly strong reaction to her sense of responsibility. She just hoped her Trainer would be responsible for her training... Yes, that's it.
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Man... having a sore throat sucks major ass.
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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.