The moment they pushed open the doors to the international class department, a brisk, lively atmosphere rushed toward them.
Sakuraba had not gone more than a few steps before a clear voice with a Kansai accent called out from diagonally ahead.
"Well, if it ain't Sakuraba! What brings ya wanderin' over here today?"
Tamamo Cross was standing beside an open bookshelf, organizing materials. Her signature long white hair gleamed faintly in the sunlight streaming through the glass windows, her ears perked keenly, and her face lit up with a delighted smile at the sight of Sakuraba.
She set down what she was holding and walked over with light steps.
"Tamamo, are you filling in here today?" Sakuraba replied with a smile.
"Yep. Just covering for Tony and the others for a bit."
Tamamo Cross nodded, then her curious gaze landed on the two unfamiliar Umamusume behind Sakuraba, especially the orange-red-haired girl with a steady air and the faint presence of a leader.
"And these two are?"
"Oh, let me introduce you."
Sakuraba stepped aside, his tone as casual as ever.
"This is Secretariat, the student council president of American Academy. She's here for a visit and exchange. And beside her is Easy Goer, Secretariat's younger sister. She's considering transferring to Nishikino."
"Huh—?!"
The smile on Tamamo Cross's face froze in an instant, then shifted into an expression mixed with disbelief and sheer shock.
Her beautiful eyes went wide. Her gaze swept quickly over Secretariat, then snapped toward the somewhat shy-looking Easy Goer.
Secretariat?!
That legendary... GOAT of Trace Academy (American)?!
That name, which rang like thunder throughout the Umamusume world, a symbol of the pinnacle and of legend itself, was standing here in the corridor of Nishikino Academy's international class?!
And her younger sister... was considering enrolling at Nishikino?!
Tamamo Cross felt her heart skip a beat.
This was no ordinary little incident.
This was major news that could shake the entire world of Tracen academies!
She quickly suppressed the storm surging inside her and tried to make her expression natural again, but a faint trace of excitement and solemnity still slipped into her voice.
"S-so you're Secretariat-san and Easy Goer-san! Welcome to Nishikino Academy! I'm Tamamo Cross, currently serving as a special instructor here..."
Her attitude unconsciously became a little more formal and enthusiastic, and her gaze lingered on Easy Goer in particular for an extra instant.
The GOAT's younger sister... That identity alone meant tremendous potential and attention.
If she really chose Nishikino, it would mean something extraordinary for the academy!
Wait...
Wasn't she Sunday Silence's Triple Crown rival?
Why had she suddenly started thinking of transferring to Nishikino Academy?
Had Sunday Silence beaten her into submission?
If you can't beat them, join them, huh...
"If there's anything you'd like to know about the international class's environment or curriculum, feel free to ask me anytime!"
When she heard the name Tamamo Cross, a faint light flashed through Secretariat's amber eyes.
Tamamo Cross... the strongest on the Japanese circuit last year.
Known as White Lightning, and in Japan, unquestionably one of the nation's top Umamusume.
Although Secretariat was far away in America, she always kept an eye on the movements of top athletes around the world.
And now this legend, who had once shone across all of Japan, had chosen to serve as a special instructor at Nishikino Academy after retiring?
Without letting it show, she quickly studied the smiling, approachable white-haired Umamusume before her.
That ever-taut sharpness of an active athlete was indeed no longer on her, replaced instead by steadiness and tolerance, but deep in her eyes, the clarity and wisdom of a true powerhouse still remained.
Could it be... that Sunday Silence's rapid growth had also come from her guidance?
The thought made Secretariat's heart tighten.
If that were true, then the hidden teaching staff at Nishikino Academy might be even more astonishing than she had imagined.
It was not only lavish investment in hardware and facilities, but also direct instruction from a top senior within the circuit.
That would completely explain how Sunday Silence had transformed in such a short time.
She had to treat Tamamo Cross with care.
As thoughts raced through her mind, the polite but distant expression on Secretariat's face quickly shifted into a more fitting smile, one even carrying just the right hint of respect.
She took the initiative to step half a pace forward and gave a slight bow, her posture elegant without losing its dignity.
"So you are Tamamo Cross-san. I have long heard of you."
Her voice was clear and sincere.
"I watched and studied your race footage from last year repeatedly, especially your acceleration on the final straight at Nakayama Racecourse. It was nothing short of a special technique."
"I never expected to meet you in person here. It's truly an honor."
Of course, Secretariat had not actually watched it, but Tamamo Cross had no way to verify whether she had or not. It was, in a sense, a polite phrase meant to build rapport.
Her words not only expressed respect, but also skillfully displayed her professional attention to racing, instantly closing the distance between them.
Then, naturally, she turned the topic toward the younger sister beside her.
"If Easy has the good fortune to receive even a little guidance from a senior like you, Tamamo-san, I'm sure it would be of great benefit to her future development."
"She may still be a little shy, but there's no doubt about her passion and potential for running."
Her words were flawless. She elevated Tamamo Cross while paving the way for Easy Goer's possible enrollment, and at the same time subtly expressed a desire to form a connection.
Although Easy was not necessarily enrolling at Nishikino Academy yet, building a good relationship with a signature Japanese athlete like Tamamo Cross was certainly not the wrong choice.
Secretariat wore an impeccable smile, her gaze focused on Tamamo Cross as she waited for her response.
Seeing this legend from America, this GOAT looked up to by countless juniors, treat her with such respect and courtesy, Tamamo Cross was briefly at a loss. Even the tips of her ears reddened slightly.
She hurriedly waved her hands, scratching her head in embarrassment, her trademark Kansai accent carrying complete sincerity.
"Aw, c'mon, Secretariat-san, you're bein' way too polite! You'll make me blush talkin' like that!"
She laughed brightly, then clarified in a very serious tone.
"The one mainly in charge of the international class is actually Tony Bianca. I just help cover for her when she's too busy, so I'm not really the teacher in charge!"
She looked toward Easy Goer, who was quietly listening at the side, her gaze gentle and friendly.
"So if Easy Goer-san really enrolls at Nishikino, the ones mainly teaching her will definitely be professional international course teachers like Tony and the others."
"As for me, at most I share some of my past race experience and thoughts with everyone when I have the time. It ain't exactly proper teaching!"
Tamamo Cross's tone was relaxed and honest, with no intention at all of using the opportunity to raise her own status. Instead, she took the initiative to explain the situation clearly.
That candid attitude made Easy Goer, who had grown a little tense because of her sister's overly formal social rhetoric, relax somewhat, and she gained a few points of genuine fondness for this approachable senior.
Secretariat took in Tamamo Cross's reaction, and her evaluation of her quietly rose another notch.
She did not claim credit, did not act arrogant, and understood her own position clearly. That temperament was especially rare among top athletes.
The smile on her face became a little more sincere.
"Tamamo-san, you're too modest."
"Even experience-sharing is an incredibly precious asset for students."
"No matter what, being able to interact with such an outstanding athlete as you is already fortunate for Easy."
"Exactly, exactly!"
Sakuraba cut in at just the right moment, his tone easygoing.
"Don't turn it down, Tamamo. When you have time, give the international class kids a little extra lesson and talk about your White Lightning insights. I guarantee everyone will fight to listen."
The atmosphere grew increasingly harmonious amid their relaxed conversation.
Taking advantage of the moment when Secretariat and Easy Goer had their attention drawn by the activity photos from the international class displayed on the wall, Tamamo Cross quietly tugged Sakuraba's sleeve and pulled him to the corner of the corridor, a little distance away from the two of them.
She lowered her voice, a trace of disbelief still lingering on her face.
"Hey, Sakuraba, what in the world's goin' on here? That's Secretariat! And her sister... Easy Goer. Are you seriously planning to let her into Nishikino?"
Sakuraba shrugged with an innocent look, lowering his voice as well.
"Calm down, Tamamo."
"Easy Goer was the one who brought up transferring. It's not like I poached her or forced her."
"She raced Sunday Silence herself, then heard a little about Nishikino and became interested."
"We only provided a chance to visit, that's all."
"Well, I mean, sure, that's true..."
Tamamo Cross frowned. Her instincts were sharp, and she felt that things were not that simple.
"But this is way too sudden. And Secretariat herself came along in person... I can't help feelin' there's something behind it."
Sakuraba smiled without answering directly. He only cast a deep glance at the blue-green-haired girl with the outstanding air in the distance.
He did indeed have his own calculations. He simply could not say them aloud yet.
If he could use Easy Goer's enrollment as a line to build a good relationship with Tracen Academy...
Would that not open an excellent window for him to enter the American market in the future and lose money at Tracen Academy (American)?
Just imagine it. If, in the name of "friendly exchange" and "promoting the international development of the Umamusume industry," he could blow Nishikino's generous investment style all the way across the ocean and build a few key projects at American Academy on a similar scale to Nishikino...
Wouldn't the speed and scale of his losses rise to a whole new level?
Of course, all of that was still only a blueprint he had silently sketched out in his heart, something that had to be advanced carefully, step by step.
For now, successfully accepting Easy Goer and establishing steady contact with Secretariat were the crucial first steps.
"Don't overthink it, Tamamo."
Sakuraba patted Tamamo Cross on the shoulder, his tone returning to its usual lightness.
"For our academy, attracting outstanding students is a good thing."
"As for everything else, we can let nature take its course. Your current mission is to show them around properly and present Nishikino at its best."
Tamamo Cross looked at Sakuraba's eyes, which seemed the same as ever yet somehow seemed to be hiding something, and nodded thoughtfully.
When Sakuraba wore that expression, in her experience, there was a ninety percent chance he was hiding something...
But whatever.
He was probably thinking up some messy nonsense again, right?
She just hoped he wouldn't dig a pit and bury himself in it...
---
T/N: honorifics are back since i dont think tamamo is fluent in english
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