"Come in," T said, glancing briefly at the stack of documents on his desk before looking up. The person who entered the Training Room was familiar—Mr. CB, the other member of the Student Council who had been absent until now.
"Thank you for coming all the way here personally," T said.
CB chuckled heartily. "It's no trouble at all. It's rare for Sirius to ask me for a favor, so I'm happy to help."
CB placed an envelope on the desk. T merely glanced at it before continuing, "I can't accept that. You and Maruzensky skipping the Seishun Cup was already a great help. I'll remember this favor."
"Ah~ that," CB shrugged. "I would have done it even if you hadn't asked. I think Maruzensky feels the same way. After all, I hate being restricted more than anything."
Indeed, CB's name immediately conjured up images of unrestrained freedom. If anyone would oppose the Thorough Management Education Program, she would be the first to come to mind. Though the program had been implemented, many Umamusume still resisted it.
Take Taiki Shuttle, with her fiery passion and uninhibited spirit, or Gold Ship and Shinko Windy, with their eccentric individuality. The very nature of Umamusume clashed with the program's rigid control.
Even with Kashimoto Riko's policies in place, managing these unique Umamusume remained a considerable challenge.
"It's a pity, but even without Maruzensky and me competing, victory still belongs to Acting Chairman Kashimoto," CB remarked, her voice tinged with regret.
"After all, our opponents were the Student Council and the Acting Chairman's Designated Umamusume. Win or lose, it was an inevitable outcome."
CB chuckled. "Indeed. The real question is, what happens next, right?"
She then turned her gaze to the envelope. "You're not secretly plotting something behind the backs of the Student Council and the Acting Chairman, are you?"
CB's gaze wasn't sharp, merely curious, and her question to T seemed more like a passing whim.
"Who knows? But this certainly wasn't part of my plan," T replied candidly, not avoiding CB's scrutiny.
"I see," CB murmured, dropping the matter as casually as she'd raised it. "Speaking of which, isn't the little one around?"
CB glanced around, searching for Kousei's radiant figure. They'd had a brief encounter at the school gate once, but Kousei's attention had likely been focused on Rudolf at the time, so she might not remember CB well.
"She's at training right now; it should be finishing up soon. But she's been spending a lot of time with Maruzensky lately, so she's probably with her right now."
CB nodded. "Maruzensky really has an innate ability to make people feel close to her. I envy her natural ability to do that. I could be a great onee-san too, so why don't any juniors want to be close to me?" CB was genuinely perplexed.
Perhaps CB's personality type appealed more to juniors like Vodka.
"But the recent public opinion hasn't been very kind to the little one. I hope it's not affecting her morale."
"It's all trivial nonsense. Kousei isn't that fragile. She won't let others' opinions invalidate her; she's just like her mother in that regard. Born in the era of geniuses, her natural talent pales in comparison to her mother's. By all accounts, someone like her should only exist as a backdrop for true geniuses.
But there's one thing she surpasses her mother in:
She possesses an even greater resilience. Despite being misunderstood, constantly ridiculed and scorned, she never defends herself. She has a goal in her heart, and though the path to the summit may be long, the view from the top will be worth it."
"It's hard to say whether such a personality is good or bad, but children must eventually leave their parents' nest to grow up. Just you wait and see—Kousei will undoubtedly become a legendary Umamusume, a vessel of hope."
CB gazed at T, who spoke these words so calmly, and realized, "You're saying the same things my parents used to say, T."
T smiled without elaborating. CB glanced at the time.
"Since the little one isn't here, I'll be taking my leave now. Farewell~" CB waved goodbye and left.
After CB departed, T tore open the envelope. A single glance revealed an expression of astonishment.
"What's this?"
-
Inside the dormitory room, Tokai Teio was getting dressed while her roommate, Mayano, slept soundly with her head buried under the covers. Tokai Teio moved cautiously, careful not to wake Mayano. Since she was wearing her school uniform, it was clear she wasn't heading to training.
Teio tiptoed out of the dormitory, humming a little tune and skipping lightly.
In the blink of an eye, Teio arrived at the Student Council.
"President! Are you here?!"
Though she called out, Teio didn't wait for a response before barging through the door. Rudolf, used to such antics, greeted her with an amused, helpless smile. The Student Council room was empty save for Rudolf.
"Emperor, what brings you here so suddenly?" Rudolf asked Teio.
Though Teio often acted childish, she never barged in when Rudolf was busy with official duties. Even when impatient, she would wait obediently. This sudden intrusion surprised Rudolf.
"Hehe! President, I hope I'm not bothering you!"
"Even if I said you were, you wouldn't go back obediently, would you?"
"As expected of the President~"
As the one Teio admired most, their bond was mutual.
Rudolf put down his pen and paper. "The Classic Year must have already begun. The dazzling race schedule has been announced, and McQueen's will likely follow soon. But you... why haven't we heard anything about your plans?"
"President, are you worried about me?"
"Yes, I am. Please tell me what's going on."
Teio didn't try to hide her concerns. "Actually, I haven't decided what to do next."
"Oh? Adolescent angst? I don't mind listening."
"Alright, since I'm troubled anyway, it's a good opportunity for the President to give me some advice." Teio's smile faded. "President, why are you helping Acting Chairman Kashimoto?"
Faced with Teio's direct question, Rudolf remained calm. "You're asking the same question as Kousei."
Longing for her two juniors, Rudolf knew it was her responsibility to guide them.
"I don't understand," she said. "I thought I knew the President well enough. No one loves her more than I do, so I know she would never approve of this policy. She cares about us more than anyone else, and this decision simply isn't like her."
Rudolf hadn't become Student Council President because of academic or athletic achievements. Perhaps her status as the undefeated Triple Crown "Emperor," reigning supreme over the land, was sufficient merit in itself. But the presidency was a position of popular acclaim, held by someone calm, composed, just, and benevolent.
Revered by younger Umamusume as an almost divine figure, Air Groove, Brian, CB, Maruzensky, and other top-tier athletes willingly served as the Emperor's advisors.
The most puzzling aspect of the Seishun Cup Grand Race was why the Student Council had sided with Acting Chairman Kashimoto.
"Go and find out, Teio," Rudolf said in response to Teio's questioning.
"Seek the answer yourself. If you are truly the Emperor, you must find it on your own. Only when you discover the truth will I accept your challenge."