With Air Groove's arrival, more and more people began gathering around the cafeteria. Wherever the "Empress" of Tracen Academy went, she naturally drew attention, and so as she and T.M. Opera O entered, the cafeteria was quickly surrounded by horse girls who had come to watch the commotion.
Thus, when King Halo pulled Air Groove over and issued her challenge to Kitano Ryuichi, everyone present witnessed it. Soon, the surrounding horse girls began chattering excitedly, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.
"It's rare to see King Halo take the initiative to challenge someone. What's going on?"
"Yeah, doesn't she usually say things like 'being overly competitive isn't the composure a first-class horse girl should show'? Why is she acting like this now?"
"And who's that trainer? I've never seen him before… he's kind of handsome."
"And who's that girl in casual clothes?"
Very quickly, the uninformed horse girls began gossiping. One of them tapped another on the shoulder and asked curiously:
"Aren't you friends with King Halo? Do you know what's going on?"
"I I don't know… I just saw that girl in casual clothes acting really close with that trainer, and then King Halo got really mad…"
The girl who was close to Halo stammered as she explained what little she knew.
Unknowingly, however, she had just revealed exactly the kind of juicy detail everyone wanted to hear.
It was as if wolves had caught the scent of meat in the night everyone's eyes lit up as they crowded around her.
"Miss, can you tell us more about what just happened?"
…
"…Tracen Academy has never explicitly stated that horse girls cannot engage in agreed-upon matches with one another. Healthy competition can improve overall performance.
As long as no underhanded methods are used and the spirit of fair competition is upheld, it is permitted."
After hearing everything, Air Groove glanced at King Halo, then at Kitano Ryuichi and Mihono Bourbon. Even though she had only been there for less than five minutes, she already understood the situation.
After all, she had personally witnessed Kitano's blunt critique of King Halo earlier.
She had originally intended to use that moment to introduce the fiercely competitive Halo to Kitano as a potential trainee, in order to test his capabilities.
But she hadn't expected Halo to be so enraged that she would publicly challenge him… Still, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Even like this, there was a way to properly "handle" this young lady.
Air Groove agreed with Kitano King Halo needed a trainer who could keep her in check and make her listen.
While Kitano thought she should be assigned to someone else, Air Groove believed that Kitano himself was the most suitable trainer for her.
With that thought, a faint smile appeared on Her lips she had already come up with a plan.
"But since this is a challenge, I assume you've already decided on the stakes and the conditions?"
"Of course! A first-class individual like me always plans everything perfectly!"
King Halo responded confidently:
"Since he dared to speak so rudely about someone as first-class as me, he must think he's a trainer capable of surpassing me. In that case, we'll settle this with strength!"
"Within one week, he will bring his own horse girl and compete against me. I will defeat the one he personally trained the one he believes can rival a first-class horse girl like me and show him just how narrow his understanding of true excellence is!"
Halo pointed at Kitano Ryuichi, brimming with fighting spirit. To be honest, compared to the Halo Kitano remembered from his previous loop, this version of her felt completely different.
The Halo he remembered was more like
"What? You want a first-class me to run in the middle of a pack like those other horse girls? Even if it's the trainer's order, I refuse."
"Preserving stamina for the next race is a first-class strategy. And even if I let them win this one, so what? I don't care about such a trivial race."
"Running in summer is too hot, rain is uncomfortable, and sandy tracks get in my eyes. A track unworthy of my first-class status isn't worth my time!"
…That kind of Halo.
To be honest, she often made Kitano feel like he hadn't recruited a horse girl, but a delicate noble lady who needed careful handling.
Even so, he had eventually figured out how to deal with her—it was actually quite simple. When she hesitated, he would make the decision for her. When she had already made up her mind, he wouldn't argue.
Just like now.
Clearly, Halo had already decided to challenge him out of anger—there was no stopping it. Since it couldn't be avoided, even if Kitano didn't want to, he had no choice but to accept.
But there was one big problem—he didn't even have a horse girl yet. One week was far too short, whether for finding a trainee or preparing for a race. It would likely end with two unprepared competitors stumbling onto the track.
"Um, I…"
"—We accept the challenge."
Before Kitano could respond, Mihono Bourbon suddenly spoke up.
Her response was so quick it was as if she feared Halo might change her mind. Her eyes even seemed to light up slightly as she said:
"MihonoBourbon accepts King Halo's challenge. A new log entry has been added to my system."
"Huh?"
Her sudden decision caught Kitano completely off guard. He hadn't even agreed yet! How had she already accepted?
Wait—and she wasn't even his horse girl yet! How could she accept on his behalf?
Kitano was completely confused. Everything was happening too fast.
Just as he began to feel like he was about to once again become Mihono Bourbon's trainer without realizing it
A burst of bright, theatrical laughter suddenly rang out.
"Hahahahaha! What a magnificent scene! It makes one want to sing of a clash worthy of the ages!"
"But alas, this is merely a splendid farce. A play without its lead actor cannot proceed, no matter how brilliant the script may be!"
T.M. Opera O, who had been quietly following Air Groove until now, suddenly spoke. Her words immediately brought the chaotic situation back under control.
All at once, Kitano, Mihono Bourbon, King Halo even Air Groove turned their attention to her exaggerated gestures and commanding voice.
Air Groove asked curiously,
"Opera O, what do you mean?"
"It's quite simple! This play lacks its leading role and that role is none other than Trainer Kitano's horse girl!"
With a smile, Opera O stepped forward. Though slightly shorter than both Mihono Bourbon and King Halo, her presence filled the entire space.
With natural confidence, she approached Mihono Bourbon and said:
"Ah, beautiful horse girl you are like a pristine white lotus, cold and elegant. But no matter how captivating you are, at this moment, you do not belong to this stage."
"You are not yet Mr. Kitano's assigned horse girl. Therefore, you have no authority to decide on his behalf… am I wrong?"
Though Opera O spoke with a cheerful tone and no apparent hostility, Mihono Bourbon's pupils visibly widened.
It was a sign that she had been shaken—proof of the disturbance in her otherwise calm mind.
For the first time, a trace of seriousness appeared on Mihono Bourbon's usually expressionless face.
As she looked at Opera O, she felt something strange
A sense of familiarity.
As if they were the same kind of being.
And perhaps because of that, Mihono Bourbon realized
This situation was no longer unfolding the way she had predicted.