"Well, this is quite rare. My cute little Kouhai-kun, are you actually asking me to take on another student? Well, color me surprised."
Maruzensky was slightly startled by Ikezoe's words, but she quickly regained her interested expression and asked, "I want to hear your reasoning."
Generally speaking, if someone is willing to share something valuable with others, it means that it could assist them in achieving their dream of soaring to great heights. After all, why would someone be willing to lose out on such a good thing? Especially since it meant that he was deliberately making his opponents more competent in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Most reasonably selfish people would want to monopolize this good fortune, work hard to improve themselves, and not let their teacher be distracted.
But Maruzensky's new student immediately showed concern for his other relatively immature friend, Wada Ryuji, who, in a sense, was even less skilled than him, and who also wanted to challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Ikezoe, of course, wouldn't forget that Wada wanted to challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with T.M. Opera O, something they had never attempted before. Although their determination was different from his determination to have Orfevre win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for Wada, as long as T.M. Opera O stood on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe racetrack, it would be a success for him.
But Ikezoe didn't want Wada's ambition to be limited to just that. T.M. Opera O was in no way inferior to Orfevre in terms of talent. He felt that as long as Wada's own skill level could improve, he too could be granted a chance like him, and have T.M. Opera O challenge for the championship at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. They shared the same ideal and the same obsession. Moreover, Ikezoe believed his obsession wasn't as deep as Wada's. Therefore, he felt that Wada needed Maruzensky's help more than he did.
"I just feel that if Trainer Wada were standing here, he would definitely do the same for me, you feel me?" Ikezoe scratched his head with an embarrassed smile and said, "Both me and Wada have set the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as our goal. Wada's Uma Musume are also one year ahead of mine; we shouldn't have any overlap when challenging the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. And so I think he would also need your help, Teacher. After all, his skill level is even worse than mine; he definitely needs to improve more..."
"...Is that so? But my student, you need to remember that I'm already taking a great risk by guiding you now. If I add another one, you'll probably have to attend my funeral once I die under the sea of paperwork and relationship problems with the higher-ups."
On the surface, she wore a chiding expression. Yet deep down, Maruzensky was very pleased with Ikezoe's actions. She gently tapped the "naive idiocy" on Ikezoe's head with her finger and then said, word by word: "The fewer people who know about this, the better. With just you, even if we're discovered, I could make up a plausible excuse. But if it's two people, it'll be much harder, okay~?"
"Oh... I was presumptuous..."
After Maruzensky gave him a light tap, Ikezoe immediately realized his mistake. However, he silently sighed in his heart, feeling a bit guilty that he still couldn't help his good friend. And looking at Ikezoe's expression, Maruzensky's impression of her student grew even more favorable... How could she spoil him? Such a broad-minded and kind promising talent. Maruzensky suddenly couldn't find any excuse to refuse Ikezoe. Although it was only their second meeting, Maruzensky's impression of her just-made student was already very good.
So, facing her still sad student, Maruzensky naturally had to choose a solution that would satisfy both parties... "—I've got it, I've found a way."
Maruzensky suddenly clapped her hands. She had managed to remember another suitable candidate to guide Wada. With that Trainer's experience and personality, she would definitely be able to quickly help Wada improve his skill level.
"I know a Trainer. She's quite talented and also your Senior. I can ask her for help to temporarily serve as Trainer Wada's... um... assistant. Although it might be a bit difficult to ask, given her proud nature, if I go to her personally, she should at least respect me a bit."
When Maruzensky first evaluated that person's capabilities, she was quite impressed. One could say that currently, apart from Hana Toujou or the unpredictable Trainer Okino, almost no one at Tracen Academy dared to claim their skill level truly surpassed that Trainer. And after her Uma Musume's career ended, she also began quietly gathering knowledge about overseas Uma Musume. Compared to Maruzensky, that Trainer's skill level was at a way more professional level; one could even say she was like a living textbook.
However, convincing her to be an assistant to a rookie Trainer... that would certainly be a challenge. But Maruzensky felt that with her charisma, and by clearly explaining the situation, the possibility of the other party agreeing to her request was not entirely zero.
"Alright, alright, don't look so downcast, you little cutie~. I can only help you this much. Ultimately, whether your friend succeeds or not mainly depends on his own abilities."
Maruzensky also patted Ikezoe's shoulder. Seeing his expression change from cloudy to sunny, she found it quite amusing. However, she didn't intend to tease her student too much right now. He still had a long way to go. If he was truly determined to break out of Japan, he, and his two children, still needed to go down a very long and winding road.
They still had time to prepare, to get ready for the future. All Maruzensky could do was lend Ikezoe a hand. The main reason she chose not to directly interfere with the training and education of their Uma Musume was because she knew that the position of "Trainer" could not be replaced by anyone else. Those children ultimately listened obediently because they were their Trainer. Their obedience, their willingness to listen, and their diligent training were all predicated on "my Trainer told me to do this." No matter how many honors, titles, or professional skills were involved, that bond could not be replaced. Because the Trainer they chose was the one they believed was most suitable.
And despite learning about and compiling knowledge about Uma Musume for so many years now, the Japan branch of the URA still chose to overlook the importance of the "Trainer" identity, even going so far as to commit the ultimate taboo of "changing their Trainer" during overseas expeditions. No matter how Maruzensky and other Uma Musume protested, they were still incredibly firm about this outdated way of thinking. Maruzensky wanted to prove that a Trainer's position absolutely cannot be replaced. Just like how she chose her Trainer, an Uma Musume's choice, their bond with their Trainer—can't simply be disregarded like how it is right now!
...
....
Some time later, at Tracen Academy's main entrance, Maruzensky's speedy car halted with an uncannily smooth motion. As soon as Ikezoe got out of the car, several Uma Musume suddenly ran from the Tracen Academy gate.
"Ikezoe!" "Onii-chan~ Welcome back~"
"Eh? Orfevre and Curren Chan? Why are you two..."
Ikezoe was also startled by how quickly his two Uma Musume arrived. However, behind the two, Wada's helpless head shake clearly showed that he still couldn't stop them. Wada, seeing Ikezoe and Maruzensky together, gave Ikezoe a helpless expression, the meaning clear: Sorry, bro, I tried my best.
"Onii-chan, weren't you going to the Branch School? Why are you with Senior Maruzensky?" Curren Chan immediately hugged Ikezoe's arm. Her sweet voice carried a hint of danger, but fortunately or unfortunately, Ikezoe didn't notice it.
Meanwhile, Orfevre, although silent, kept looking at Maruzensky with a strangely dangerous gaze. Clearly, she wasn't very fond of this overly-familiar Senior who had given Ikezoe her business card back then.
Orfevre and Curren Chan's obvious hostility were all observed by Maruzensky. At this moment, if it were her usual self, she might have deliberately delivered a few teasing lines here and there to push this poor student of hers into the Uma Musume love triangle that has always been entertaining to watch. However, this time, Maruzensky and Ikezoe had already agreed on their signals and words in the car, so she didn't make things difficult for her student.
"Hehe, Kouhai-kun, next time you go to the Branch School, don't ask big sis to drive you back anymore, 'kay~? My Lamborghini Countach LP500S isn't a baby anyone can ride in. Oh, and I'll remember the favor you asked of me. Goodbye~"
With that, Maruzensky stepped on the gas again and quickly left the scene. And after this misunderstanding was resolved, Orfevre visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but still looked at Ikezoe with questioning eyes and asked:
"Ikezoe, what did you ask her for?"
"Nothing much, it's just that she helped us a great deal," Ikezoe said with an unhesitating smile on his face, feeling very strange about his luck today.
However, Ikezoe's expression also made Orfevre fall into deep thought. She vaguely felt that something happened between him and Maruzensky; it seemed that something big was brewing.
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Did the spirit of Oda possess the author this chapter?
"THAT Trainer from THAT time who trained THAT Uma Musume who is learning about THOSE things." ahh dialogue.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.