Poached away?
Hearing Ginjirou Musaka's analysis, Sakuraba Ryo fell into thought.
Come to think of it, that really was true. With how completely Oguri Cap was steamrolling the regional circuit right now, she was already performing on a level far beyond that of an ordinary regional Umamusume.
Not to mention anything else—quite a few people in the audience at Chukyo Racecourse today had come specifically to see Oguri Cap.
With that kind of drawing power, it would be stranger if Central didn't take notice of her.
"But the Emperor… you mean the student council president from Central? Would she really come all the way to Chukyo Racecourse because of Oguri Cap?"
"Of course she didn't come specifically for that."
Pushing up the sunglasses on his nose, Ginjirou Musaka explained,
"Today's one of the days Central inspects racecourses. She's mainly here to check on how this racecourse is being run, and only incidentally to watch Oguri Cap race."
"Kitahara!"
"Now do you understand how serious this is?! If Oguri Cap catches her eye, your dream of the Tokai Derby is finished!"
Ginjirou Musaka shot Kitahara a fierce glare, and the calm that had been in Kitahara's eyes until now vanished as well.
The Tokai Derby.
That was his dream.
He had always wanted to train an Umamusume who could win the Tokai Derby.
And now, Oguri Cap actually had the potential to make that dream come true.
If Symboli Rudolf took Oguri Cap away first, then that would all but spell the end of Kitahara's dream.
"This…"
Kitahara's gaze was clearly wavering. Noticing that, Sakuraba Ryo reached over and patted him on the shoulder.
"What're you panicking for, Kitahara? It's not like Oguri Cap is guaranteed to win the Chukyo Hai. Don't get ahead of yourself. Let's watch the race first."
"Right…"
Kitahara was clearly downcast, and it was hard to tell whether he had really taken the words in.
Sakuraba Ryo, on the other hand, did not particularly care. To him, this was not much of an issue at all.
If that Emperor wanted Oguri to go to Central, then let her go.
What was the big deal?
If anything, Sakuraba Ryo was dying for Oguri to go to Central.
Damn it.
Oguri Cap had been farming the regional circuit so hard she was practically bullying the other regional Umamusume numb, and the prize money was wearing Sakuraba Ryo numb right along with them.
He figured that if the other side really did come with an invitation, then Oguri might as well go race in Central.
He had heard that in the world of Umamusume, the gap between regional racers and Central racers was like heaven and earth.
An Umamusume who stood out in the regional circuit would only discover, after reaching Central, that girls on her level were as numerous as the stars.
For a regional Umamusume to make a name for herself in Central was said to be extremely difficult.
Sakuraba Ryo thought that even for Oguri, going to Central and trying to measure herself against those top Central Umamusume would probably be no easy feat.
And for him, that was perfect.
Heh heh.
Once she got to Central, Oguri would not be able to steamroll the field anymore.
And if she could not steamroll the field, she could not win prize money.
This is good news! Very good news!
The only possible hidden danger was that Oguri might somehow go and win a major graded race in Central…
But how was that supposed to happen?
Look—Kitahara only dared to dream as far as Oguri winning a single Tokai Derby.
As for Oguri going on to win a major graded race in Central?
Yeah, right~~~~
Ha.
...
To be honest, there was not much to say about the Chukyo Hai's result.
Even though it wasn't being held at Kasamatsu Racecourse, and the level of competition had clearly stepped up, it was still a race Oguri Cap won with almost no pressure at all.
Up in the stands, both Kitahara and Ginjirou Musaka looked grim after seeing Oguri Cap take the win with an outstanding performance.
Standing beside them, meanwhile, Sakuraba Ryo looked positively delighted.
And just then, a group of men in black uniforms and black sunglasses surrounded them.
"Are you Kitahara-san?"
"Yes…"
"Please come with us. Someone wishes to see you."
Kitahara's body trembled at the news, while Sakuraba Ryo reached out and patted him on the shoulder, signaling for him to stay calm.
Looking at the men in front of him, Sakuraba Ryo said, "We'll come."
"And you are…?"
"I'm Kitahara's investor, and Oguri Cap's investor as well. If the person behind you wants to see Kitahara because of Oguri Cap, then I imagine they'll want to see me too."
The men in black exchanged glances, nodded, then stepped aside and gave a slight bow as they gestured the way forward.
"Then please come with us, both of you."
And so, with that group escorting them, Sakuraba Ryo and Kitahara headed toward the VIP seating.
Watching their backs, Ginjirou Musaka let out a sigh.
"...Haa."
...
"Hello, Trainer Kitahara."
"I am Symboli Rudolf, student council President of Tracen Academy."
In the VIP seating area, Symboli Rudolf, dressed in Tracen Academy's uniform, greeted Kitahara from the raised viewing stand.
Standing at the front of the VIP section, Symboli Rudolf held herself tall and straight, her gaze sharp as fire.
She gave a slight nod, her tone calm yet carrying unquestionable authority.
"Trainer Kitahara, Oguri Cap's ability has already far surpassed the bounds of a regional Umamusume. Her performance in the Chukyo Hai has only confirmed that once again."
She paused briefly, her eyes sweeping over the slightly tense Kitahara below before continuing.
"Central is the stage where she truly belongs. Only the rivals there, and the racecourses there, can allow her to truly shine. I intend to bring her to Tracen Academy."
Below, Sakuraba Ryo had originally just been listening in silence, but his gaze lingered longer and longer on Symboli Rudolf's face.
That hair, those features, that cool bearing touched with a certain nobility…
His heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Wasn't this the very same Luna-san who had come alone to his shop a few days ago?
The corner of Sakuraba Ryo's mouth twitched involuntarily, his surprise gradually shifting into amusement.
So that was it… Luna was Symboli Rudolf herself…
Uh…
Am I supposed to say hello here?
But what would I even say if I did?
Hey, Emperor-san, I'm Sakuraba Ryo, the guy you met at the foot-massage parlor?
No matter how he thought about it, that was way too weird.
Symboli Rudolf's gaze happened to sweep past the young man beside Kitahara, who had kept his head lowered this whole time.
The moment she saw his face clearly, her composed cadence abruptly faltered, and a rare flash of surprise passed through her eyes.
"Saku…raba-san?" she blurted out, nearly forgetting even the proper form of address. "Why are you here?"
Called out by name, Sakuraba Ryo rubbed his nose. Under the astonished looks of Kitahara and the men in black around them, he stepped half a pace forward and showed a slightly awkward smile.
"Well… it's a bit of a coincidence, President Rudolf. I'm actually Oguri's investor, and Trainer Kitahara's partner as well."
He paused, then lifted his eyes to meet Symboli Rudolf's still-not-fully-hidden surprise, speaking with a touch of helpless humor.
"So when it comes to arranging Oguri's future… I figured I should probably be here too."
The surprise on Symboli Rudolf's face lasted only an instant. Then the corners of those usually imposing lips curved upward into a clear, genuine smile.
It was not a smile of politeness. If anything, it carried a joy she could hardly conceal.
Rather than responding first to Sakuraba Ryo's explanation, she stepped forward instead. Right there under Kitahara's disbelieving gaze, she took the initiative and clasped both hands tightly around Sakuraba Ryo's right hand before he had even lowered it.
"So it's true! Sakuraba-san—it's really you!"
Her voice was brighter and more forceful than it had been when she had declared her intention to take Oguri Cap, filled with the delight of someone who had just found a treasure.
"This is… wonderful!"
The movement was natural and solemn, and the strength of her grip came through clearly and firmly enough for Sakuraba Ryo to feel the sincerity and eagerness behind it.
And yet, Sakuraba Ryo could not shake the feeling that something very bad was about to happen.
"This only proves my eye for talent was not mistaken." Symboli Rudolf looked straight into Sakuraba Ryo's slightly stunned eyes, the authority she had shown earlier now replaced by pure admiration. "To be able to support an Umamusume like Oguri Cap—Sakuraba-san, your gifts and talent are something I have already experienced personally."
She softened the smile slightly, but the light in her eyes only burned brighter, and the invitation that followed left no room for refusal.
"Then this makes things simple, Sakuraba-san. Please bring Oguri Cap to Central with you!"
"Tracen Academy needs a pair like you."
Holy shit, this woman wants to drag me to Central and make me work overtime!
---
T/N: run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! overtime is evil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!