Noticing Rudolf Symbol's arrival, Lady's Secret greeted her with a warm smile.
Come to think of it, the two of them had actually been active in the same generation of horse girls, yet had never once had the chance to face each other head-on.
Perhaps this was their chance to make up for that "regret."
Rudolf Symbol gave a slight nod and returned the smile, then turned to Chihaya Yui.
"Trainer Chihaya, are you all right? You don't look so well."
There were two reasons for that concern.
First, Chihaya Yui was one of their own, and Rudolf felt she had a duty to look after her.
Second, Xingyun Liuge was plainly the sort of person who repaid kindness and never forgot old ties. Showing concern for Chihaya Yui would naturally earn her some goodwill. A small favor, at almost no cost.
Lady's Secret had of course considered the same thing. Besides, she had always been someone who treated others kindly.
She immediately followed up, saying, "Yes, Trainer Chihaya—if you're not feeling well, you absolutely mustn't force yourself. If you need anything at all, just say the word, so we can at least do our part as hosts."
"..."
With two legendary horse girls paying attention to her at once, Chihaya Yui felt sweat running down her back.
She was nothing more than an ordinary trainer. What had she ever done to deserve concern from these two?
Just as the pressure on her was reaching its peak, Xingyun Liuge cut in decisively.
"You're putting too much pressure on Yui. Anything you want to say can wait until after the Preakness Stakes. Better yet, after the Belmont Stakes."
Lady's Secret was a clever horse girl. She immediately changed tack.
"There's nothing in particular. We only wanted to welcome Miss Xingyun."
Rudolf Symbol picked up the thread at once.
"Miss Secret not having Little Xingyun's contact information is perfectly understandable. We've already arranged a welcoming banquet, and Little Xingyun already knows about it. She won't be free for the next few days."
She meant to imply: Xingyun Liuge is spoken for, so there's no need for the American elite to keep coveting her.
If possible, she wanted Lady's Secret—and the prestigious American interests behind her—to recognize the situation and back off.
But even without thinking too hard, she knew full well the American elite would never give up that easily.
And sure enough, Lady's Secret smiled even more gently.
"That's no problem. We had intended from the start to leave Miss Xingyun enough time to rest, so the banquet was scheduled for three days from now."
After a pause, she continued, "If Miss Rudolf is planning several days of receptions in a row, that would be even better. We can coordinate and hold them together."
"..."
Rudolf Symbol was instantly speechless.
This was America, after all—the home turf of the American horse girls. Trying to compete with them in terms of hospitality and material arrangements? That was practically a fantasy.
All she could do was cast Xingyun Liuge a pleading look, hoping the girl would give her a little face.
Xingyun Liuge smiled faintly at Rudolf, as if accepting the plea.
And just when Rudolf finally felt a little relieved, Xingyun Liuge said:
"That sounds great."
Rudolf Symbol's expression immediately turned rather subtle—like someone who had eaten a plate of what she thought were stir-fried potato shreds, only to discover after finishing that it had actually been stir-fried ginger the whole time.
Lady's Secret had completed her task with ease, but her composure was impeccable. She effortlessly suppressed the delight in her heart, chatted with them about Baltimore's local customs and attractions, recommended several places worth visiting, and then calmly took her leave.
She waved her sleeve and left without taking a single cloud with her.
Only then did the inexplicable pressure weighing on Chihaya Yui finally dissipate. Forgetting all concern for appearances, she collapsed face-down on the table—but still did not dare touch the invitation.
That was an invitation from the American elite. The pressure was crushing.
She could not help thinking:
Little Xingyun is way too fearless. She accepted their invitation that easily. What if it's a trap?
Granted, horse girls could not resist the call of racing and glory, so they would never retaliate against an opponent over a race result.
But the sheer pressure here was obvious, wasn't it?
As she was thinking that, Chihaya Yui suddenly felt something soft and warm brush against her lips. Instinctively, she licked at it.
She had thought Xingyun Liuge had peeled a crab leg for her as encouragement.
Instead, she licked a fingernail.
The girl's whole body instantly went rigid. Heat rushed across her face so fast that her bright flush made her look like a ripe, luscious fruit.
"?"
Suspicion flickered across Rudolf Symbol's face, her gaze moving back and forth between the two girls.
She thought: I really didn't expect this. So that's the kind of relationship you two have.
Chihaya Yui knew perfectly well how bad that looked—so bad it practically begged to be misunderstood—so she shot to her feet and blurted out:
"Miss Rudolf, it's not what you think!"
The urgency and panic bursting from her pink eyes were obviously genuine.
Rudolf blinked.
If you truly had nothing to hide, why panic like that? Besides, trainers and their horse girls being close was perfectly normal. What was there to be embarrassed about?
Still, she chose to feign ignorance and soothe her.
"Hm? Did something happen just now? I was thinking about the banquet."
"Oh? This one's quite the expert at playing dumb too."
Xingyun Liuge darted behind Rudolf Symbol and casually began rubbing her head with reckless familiarity.
"W-Wait... Little Xingyun..."
The blush that had just flooded Chihaya Yui's face nearly turned green on the spot. She waved her hands frantically while watching Rudolf Symbol's expression with extreme caution, terrified the famous Empress might suddenly snap.
This was Rudolf Symbol—the legendary Emperor! How could Xingyun Liuge be so casual with her?
Rudolf herself did not mind. In her eyes, this kind of interaction could be seen as proof of intimacy. After all, Tokai Teio used to cling to her all the time, and when she herself had been little, she had trailed after her mother's tail and pulled little pranks.
She was not afraid of Xingyun Liuge acting up. If the girl genuinely admired her, that only meant she had more room to maneuver.
What she feared was being ignored completely. That would be hopeless.
"Little Xingyun..."
Rudolf straightened herself, preparing to unleash the full force of her formidable personal charm and win Xingyun Liuge over.
Xingyun Liuge narrowed her eyes and said sweetly,
"I'm actually already an American horse girl~"
Rudolf Symbol's face instantly froze into an OAO expression.
Her widened eyes held three parts bewilderment, three parts shock, four parts chagrin, and ninety parts pure disbelief.
It was as if she had just eaten a direct hit from Cassiopeia's ultimate—Rudolf Symbol turned to stone on the spot, jaw hanging open.
Then Xingyun Liuge stuck out her tongue.
"Haha, just kidding~"
And then she added:
"But if rumors like that spread, it'll put even more pressure on the board, right?"
Rudolf Symbol's petrified state broke at once. Clutching her chest, she thought:
That's not just pressure. If word like that got out, furious racing fans would probably storm JRA headquarters and execute the higher-ups on the spot... My heart really is not built for this.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 138)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter160)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter98)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter175)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 163
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 150
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 100
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 170
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 145
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 125
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 69
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 90
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 100
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 70
Uma Musume: I Want All 90
I Can Copy Unique Skills 65
Summoning an Evil God, but the 52
Supernatural Multiverse 65
My Harem Is Indescribable 55
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 55
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 66
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 55
Still playing traditional Honk 35
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 35
What Should I Do After Switchi 24
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 35
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 27
Transmigrated as Sukuna 27
Checking In in Demon Slayer 32
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