By mid-March, Oguri Cap and Shinning Brightly stood before Rudolph.
Looking at the two of them, listening to their request.
Rudolph Symboli's expression didn't change much.
Her demeanor made Oguri Cap feel that something was off.
Because Rudolph Symboli's change was simply too great.
Last year, Rudolph was still the upholder of rules, the absolute dominant party, but now...
"Simply put, because you didn't register for the Classic Race, you're hoping to go through me."
Rudolph Symboli paused here.
And Oguri Cap and Shinning Brightly looked at Rudolph Symboli, waiting for her response.
After a few seconds, Rudolph Symboli spoke: "The rules of the Classic Race are like its name, difficult to change, with no exceptions. If it were another Classic Race, there might still be room for consideration, but..."
Her gaze returned to Oguri Cap.
Oguri Cap's strength was immense. If she could participate in the Japanese Derby, perhaps this year's Japanese Derby would be won by Oguri Cap.
But... "The Japanese Derby is different. Even for me, getting you into the Japanese Derby is a difficult matter."
"Is there really no other way?"
Standing beside Oguri Cap, Shinning Brightly, her voice filled with anxiety, preempted Oguri Cap in asking the next question.
Shinning Brightly's words made Rudolph Symboli frown.
But the next second, the slight anger that had welled up in her heart disappeared again.
She considered a few possibilities.
After about ten seconds, she responded: "Oguri Cap."
"Hmm?"
"Win the next race."
The condition was spoken, and accompanying this sentence was what Rudolph Symboli would do: "If you achieve that, I will help you apply, but whether the JRA can approve this..."
"I know."
Oguri Cap understood Rudolph Symboli's unspoken words.
Then, she turned around and left the Student Council Room with Shinning Brightly.
After Oguri Cap left, the Student Council Room fell into silence once more.
However, this silence didn't last long, as the Student Council Room door was pushed open again.
The person who opened the door was none other than Sirius Symboli.
For several months, Sirius Symboli had only perfunctorily handled her races, placing second in the Grade 1 Seikan Tunnel Opening Memorial, then immediately returned to family work.
And it wasn't until now that Rudolph saw Sirius Symboli again.
"Is something wrong?"
Rudolph asked proactively, not waiting for Sirius Symboli to speak.
Seeing Rudolph like this, Sirius Symboli was somewhat surprised by the extent of Rudolph Symboli's change, but she still didn't forget what she intended to say: "I forgot to tell you earlier."
"Tokai said that if an apology is due, it should be done in person."
Sirius Symboli's words made Rudolph fall silent.
She didn't know how to react.
But what the other person said was indeed... "Sigh..."
She lowered her head, looking at the clean tabletop.
Rudolph Symboli's face was filled with conflicted emotions. She was still hesitant, worried about Tokai Shizen's reaction when she saw her, worried about causing more harm to Tokai Shizen.
However, if she wanted to apologize, she had to face Tokai Shizen directly.
And... if she could see Tokai Shizen, perhaps it would also be a good time to entrust Tokai Teio to her...
Such thoughts appeared in Rudolph Symboli's mind, but then disappeared the next second.
After a minute-long silence, Rudolph Symboli finally spoke: "Can you give me some time to consider?"
Looking at Rudolph Symboli, Sirius Symboli's gaze shifted slightly.
It finally rested on Rudolph Symboli's head.
The ears on Rudolph Symboli's head were gradually recovering, just as she had said before.
Although she wasn't quite sure of the principle, it seemed the Three Goddesses were somewhat effective.
And after confirming Rudolph's good condition, Sirius Symboli just turned around: "You continue to consider. Oh, regarding Teio, Tokai has also given her response."
"..." Hearing this, Rudolph was stunned for a moment, then immediately looked up: "What did she say!"
"She said she couldn't raise Teio by herself, so she hopes to temporarily entrust her to the Symboli Family."
Saying this, Sirius Symboli looked at the situation inside the Student Council.
After confirming that only Rudolph Symboli had been in the Student Council for this recent period, Sirius Symboli continued: "What about Teio? Should she continue to stay with Tokai Roman?"
"...Hmm."
Rudolph Symboli thought for about ten seconds, then continued: "Entrust her to Tokai Roman. Don't worry about the expenses; I've left money for Tokai Roman."
Rudolph Symboli's words made Sirius Symboli turn back to look at her.
Sirius Symboli knew that Rudolph had never taken a single penny from the family, so the money she was now giving Tokai Roman must be the prize money she had won from her own races.
And Rudolph hadn't opened any new accounts recently, so...
Realizing this key point, Sirius Symboli just sighed: "Take care of yourself."
Saying this, Sirius Symboli left the Student Council Room.
After Sirius once again closed the Student Council Room door, the entire Student Council Room was once again filled with silence.
In the silence, only the sound of the grandfather clock echoed.
--------------------
"Yes, alright, I understand."
Several months after arriving in France, Tokai Shizen once again stood in a kitchen.
However, it was regrettable that even with Tokai Shizen's top-tier culinary skills and her status as an Uma Musume, she still couldn't directly become a head chef or a cooking chef.
This was natural, as the back kitchen was a place that valued seniority.
Even with ability, one could only slowly bide their time.
Moreover... it was very difficult for women in the back kitchen because there was too much physical labor required.
So most back kitchens would only hire Uma Musume and not women, as Uma Musume's physical capabilities were evident, and replacing an adult was not much of a problem.
And it seemed that because Uma Musume generally didn't work in back-kitchen roles, Tokai Shizen was naturally implicated. But there was nothing she could do.
Since this wasn't Japan, Tokai Shizen could only start as a kitchen assistant and slowly work her way up again.
At least she needed to save enough money to open a shop, and Mochizuki also needed money, so Tokai Shizen could only work hard.
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