After Symboli Rudolf made it clear that she wanted to bring Sakuraba Ryo to Central too, his favorability toward her took a nosedive.
Why are you trying to drag me to Central right off the bat?!
That's not how it works in gacha games!
You're supposed to talk to me more, raise my affection, occasionally help me lose some money, then have some special interaction with me on a special holiday, and finally form a bond with me during some mysterious personal event buried deep in my heart. Then I accept that bond, and we unlock a special CG together.
How are you just skipping straight to recruiting me?!
That's not how gacha games work at all. I refuse to accept this!
"Um… should I be calling you Rudolf, or Luna?"
The corner of Sakuraba Ryo's mouth twitched slightly as he tried to pull his hand free from Symboli Rudolf's grip.
But it didn't budge an inch.
Even with his enhanced strength, he was still no match for an Umamusume in a straight test of force...
"Sakuraba-san, you may call me whatever you like~"
"Symboli Rudolf or Luna, whichever Sakuraba-san prefers... so, what do you think of my proposal?"
"There are plenty of advantages to developing your career in Central~"
As she said that, Symboli Rudolf wore a bright, sunny smile—while both hands remained firmly locked around Sakuraba Ryo's.
"L-like what?"
"If you're employed by Tracen Academy, you get weekends off~"
So you mean I'd still have to work five days a week?
"Central offers generous compensation too, Sakuraba-san."
"For someone like you, I think one million yen a month would be entirely possible~"
You think a measly million is enough to make me work overtime?
"And if Sakuraba-san came to Central, I could also take especially good care of your business~"
Is this woman after my body or something?
After hearing those reasons from Symboli Rudolf, Sakuraba Ryo made up his mind.
To hell with it—Central was a place not even a dog should go!
How was becoming a wage slave in Central supposed to be better than staying in the regional circuit, lounging around as a hands-off owner while losing money in style?
So...
"President Rudolf, I understand what you're saying now, but..."
Hearing that Sakuraba Ryo seemed ready to give an answer, a glimmer lit up in Symboli Rudolf's violet eyes.
"But?"
"But I refuse!"
"Huh?"
Apparently, she had not expected Sakuraba Ryo to turn her down. For a brief instant, Symboli Rudolf's mind went blank.
And in that instant of loosened focus, Sakuraba Ryo yanked his hand free from her grip.
"If this were about sending Oguri to Central, I could still consider it..."
"But if you want me to go to Central and work there, these terms are nowhere near enough, dear Emperor~"
At Sakuraba Ryo's teasing refusal, surprise flashed through Symboli Rudolf's eyes—then was quickly replaced by even greater interest.
Not only did she fail to retreat in the face of rejection, she actually leaned forward slightly, fixing those violet eyes on him as she pressed on.
"Then tell me, Sakuraba-san—what kind of conditions would make you willing to come to Central?"
Looking at her serious expression, with just a hint of frustration mixed in, Sakuraba Ryo found her even more amusing.
He stroked his chin and pretended to think for a moment. Then a bright smile, almost prankish in its cheer, spread across his face, and in a light, pleasant tone, he stated a condition he considered completely impossible.
"Well now... how about this, esteemed Emperor."
He deliberately drew out the words.
"If Oguri really does go to Central, and—and I do mean and—she somehow manages to win a G1 race there..."
He paused, taking a moment to enjoy the sight of Symboli Rudolf listening with full concentration before leisurely continuing,
"Then when that happens, I might... possibly become just a little interested in considering a visit to Tracen Academy. How about that for a condition?"
To Sakuraba Ryo, the implication behind his words could not have been more obvious.
In his mind, Oguri Cap winning a G1 in Central was pure fantasy to begin with. The condition itself was basically a joking way of turning her down.
But after hearing that near-joking condition, Symboli Rudolf showed not the slightest sign of feeling toyed with. Instead, she nodded thoughtfully.
Her gaze lowered slightly, as though she were seriously weighing the condition.
A moment later, she lifted her head again. A sharp, earnest light shone in those violet eyes as she looked deeply at Sakuraba Ryo.
"How strange..."
She murmured it under her breath, a trace of confusion in her tone.
Sakuraba-san, do you really have so little faith in Oguri Cap's future?
No.
If Sakuraba-san truly had no faith in Oguri Cap, he would never have invested in her in the first place.
But if Sakuraba-san does have faith in Oguri Cap, then why would he set a condition like that?
I see!
Sakuraba-san actually has a great deal of confidence in Oguri Cap!
He's convinced she can win a G1!
It's just that my offer was too tempting, and out of pride Sakuraba-san couldn't bring himself to accept it outright!
That's why he gave me a condition like this.
Then there is only one thing I need to do.
She took a quiet breath, and when she looked at Sakuraba Ryo again, her gaze had grown even deeper.
"I understand... if that is your condition..."
The corner of Symboli Rudolf's mouth lifted slightly, forming a smile full of challenge, yet utterly serious.
"Then if the day really comes when Oguri Cap wins a G1, I'll be waiting for the honor of Sakuraba-san's presence~"
She's not winning one~~~~~
Whatever kind of mindset this Emperor had, Sakuraba Ryo only thought one thing.
A professional investor ought to make professional judgments!
If he said Oguri Cap could not win a G1, then she could not win one!
Trying to drag him to Central to work overtime? In her dreams!
At that thought, the corners of Sakuraba Ryo's mouth couldn't help turning upward.
And when Symboli Rudolf saw that look of absolute confidence on his face, she became all the more convinced that her guess had been correct.
So this really was Sakuraba-san's plan all along!
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T/N: author said goo goo ga ga, and i thought this guy is a genius