Due to Tokai Teio's sudden appearance, Symboli Rudolf reluctantly ended the conversation and let the two of them leave.
After leaving the student council office, Tokai Teio and Shinji Kitahara sat side-by-side on the grass of the training field, each with a different expression.
"Hey, Trainer Kitahara." Tokai Teio sat with her knees bent, her ponytail swaying gently behind her.
After seeing the post in the clubroom, she had immediately realized why Rudolf had summoned Shinji and had quickly dragged the others to eavesdrop. She had overheard almost the entire conversation before finally being unable to resist pushing the door open.
As for Special Week and Oguri Cap, they had been led away by Eclipse. Now it was just the two of them.
Shinji looked melancholic. "What is it?"
He had wanted to leave when Eclipse did, but after what had just happened, Teio wouldn't let him go. He had basically been dragged here.
"This might be a bit rude, but I have to ask—is there really nothing wrong with your head?"
"Of course not."
Teio looked at him, confused. "Then why did you talk to the President like that? You could clearly tell she was angry, right?"
Shinji sighed. "I didn't want to, either. But if I wasn't firm, she might have really forced another trainer on you."
Teio swung her ponytail, her expression puzzled. "But that has nothing to do with you, right? In fact, wouldn't that be better for you?"
"How does it have nothing to do with me?" Shinji returned her puzzled look. "Isn't that why you're giving me double the share?"
Tokai Teio: "...?"
Seeing her confused look, Shinji froze, a bad feeling rising in his heart.
"No, wait a minute, Teio. Don't tell me... you were going to give me a double share without thinking about anything at all?"
Tokai Teio's gaze grew even more bewildered, and even the swaying of her tail slowed down considerably.
"Trainer Kitahara, what are you talking about? Didn't we just say that as long as you don't interfere with any of my affairs, I'll give you a double share? What's the problem with that?"
Shinji looked at her, silent for a long time. After confirming that she really hadn't realized anything, he suddenly fell backward and lay on the grass.
Overthinking things will be the death of me.
"Trainer Kitahara, what's wrong? Was there a problem with what I said before?"
Shinji sighed. "Tokai Teio, have you ever considered what would happen after I agreed to be your charge?"
Hearing his words, Teio was taken aback, vaguely realizing something.
But before she could fully understand, Shinji spoke again, explaining directly without any riddles.
"Many people will pay attention to me because of your fame. There will definitely be all sorts of distrust and doubt. President Rudolf and those who care about you won't turn a blind eye to it, and all kinds of pressure will follow."
"Especially under the premise that I can't interfere with your training, this pressure will multiply. Although people still think we just have a normal charge relationship now, you can't wrap fire in paper. One day, our situation will be exposed, and it will probably cause an even bigger storm."
"I originally thought you had considered all this, which is why you promised me a double share. The extra share was my compensation for bearing all the external pressure for you."
Tokai Teio lowered her head, and the ponytail behind her back stopped swaying.
"I didn't think about all that..."
After hearing his words, she finally realized what a huge mistake she had made.
Her initial thought was simple: use money to shut Shinji up and make him leave her alone. She never thought about the potential consequences or what would happen to Shinji.
She wasn't a fool. When she was unaware, it was one thing, but now that she realized it, she quickly thought of more. What Shinji had said was only the pressure in a best-case scenario. As time went on, the pressure from all sides would surely increase. Especially if she performed poorly one day, or even lost a race, with her fame, Shinji would probably be branded with titles like 'Genius Destroyer' or 'The Shame of Tracen,' and his entire career as a trainer would be overshadowed.
For her own willfulness, she had paid a double share, but Shinji had gambled his entire future. And unlike her, he had placed his bet knowing everything, while she was completely oblivious.
After thinking everything through, a strange emotion began to grow in her heart.
Panic? Guilt? Regret? Or something else?
She couldn't quite tell.
After a long silence, she spoke in a low voice, "Trainer Kitahara, do you think what you're doing is worth it?"
"What's not worth it?" he retorted.
"Eh?"
The retort stunned Teio for a moment. "But what if I lose, maybe..."
Shinji cut her off directly. "Then just don't lose."
Then just don't lose?
The answer left Tokai Teio dumbfounded. After a long silence, she spoke again. "Trainer Kitahara, do you... believe in me that much?"
Believe that even someone as willful as her could achieve ultimate victory, even though a single failure could ruin his future.
"Of course. Why else do you think I agreed to your offer?" Shinji replied without the slightest hesitation. "Besides, my future financial situation is directly tied to your win rate. If you can't win, I'll most likely become a penniless pauper. Do you think I don't believe in you?"
This was the truth. He wasn't counting on Eclipse to win races; her uncertain ability was one thing, and her own unwillingness was another. As for Special Week and Oguri Cap, they were just team horse girls and would definitely find their own dedicated trainers when they debuted. Their victories had nothing to do with him. His only remaining source of income was likely Tokai Teio.
And according to his judgment, with Tokai Teio's talent and ability, even without a trainer, she would have few rivals among her peers before a certain hidden issue flared up. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been hailed as the 'presumptive undefeated Triple Crown winner.' She had the ability and talent to match her ambition. Otherwise, no matter how high a price she offered, Shinji would not have agreed. That would have been irresponsible of him.
As for what would happen if she failed? Then she failed. He was already slacking off; a little more scolding wouldn't hurt him. It might even lower his reputation, reducing the desire of other horse girls to approach him, which would only help his slacking career.
But Tokai Teio seemed to have misunderstood him. After hearing his words, her eyes brightened again, and her tail began to sway once more.
"What's wrong?" Shinji noticed her movement and turned to look at her. "Have you made up your mind?"
Tokai Teio nodded.
Shinji sat up. "So, are you going to continue like this, with me taking the pressure while you keep running? Or will you listen to President Rudolf, stay registered under my name but be guided by another trainer? Or will you just terminate the contract with me and go your own way?"
Tokai Teio blinked. "Trainer, which one do you think I should choose?"
Shinji shrugged. "It's up to you. I promised you I wouldn't interfere with any of your decisions."
"Then, I choose the first one."
Tokai Teio looked at him, first with a slightly apologetic expression, which then turned to one of determination.
"I'm sorry, Trainer. I was too willful and inconsiderate before. But from now on, I want to formally ask you to help me bear that pressure. I want to seize victory in my own way and prove myself."
Shinji had no objection to this. "As long as the double share is paid, it's fine."
Seeing him agree, the corners of Tokai Teio's mouth curled up slightly. Then, as if remembering something, she continued, "But you don't have to confront the President anymore. She was just worried about me. I'll go communicate with her. You must not make her angry again."
"Okay."
Shinji nodded, thinking to himself that he'd be glad to stay far away from that woman. After all, she was Symboli Rudolf. Although she was on par with the other three in terms of danger level, in terms of sheer terror, even Tokai Teio, Grass Wonder, and Satono Diamond combined might not be a match for her. He had only lowered her alert level and placed her with the other three because he thought it was highly unlikely she would develop any feelings for a slacker like him.
And speaking of which, although it seemed he hadn't done anything tonight, he had actually gained something very important.
Symboli Rudolf's disgust.
To others, this might not be a good thing, but to Shinji, it was practically a life-saving talisman. Although there was a possibility of her making his work life difficult in the future, with this layer of disgust, he at least wouldn't have to worry about suddenly being kidnapped by a passing luxury black car and taken to the Symboli family's villa to live the life of a canary in a cage.
Just for the slight possibility of some workplace harassment, he could stay away from the single most dangerous horse girl in all of Tracen. This was a huge win, right?
Just as he was reveling in calculating how much he had profited from this, Tokai Teio's voice brought him back to reality.
"Trainer? Trainer Kitahara?"
"Ah? What's wrong?" He came to his senses and looked at Teio.
She blinked and then looked away. "Nothing."
She had actually said something just now, but because he was lost in thought, Shinji hadn't heard it. But she didn't plan to say it again. She felt that actions spoke louder than words.
She had to win.
And this time, it was no longer just for herself, but also to live up to the trust of her trainer, Shinji Kitahara.
As for Shinji, he looked at Teio, who had called his name and then suddenly said it was nothing, completely baffled.
Lady, what do you mean? Are you messing with me?
...
Meanwhile, in the student council room.
"President, how did it go?" Narita Brian asked as she walked in.
Symboli Rudolf shook her head, looking a little annoyed. "That child, Tokai Teio, suddenly burst in. We didn't finish talking."
"To be interrupted by Teio, of all people." Narita Brian returned to her seat and then asked, "What about that trainer? What do you think of him? It looks like he made you quite angry."
"That trainer, huh."
Speaking of Shinji Kitahara, Symboli Rudolf thought for a moment, then sighed.
"Although his ability isn't great and he's as stubborn as a mule, in terms of responsibility and keeping promises, he's not bad. As a trainer, he's barely qualified, I suppose."
Narita Brian blinked. "He made you this angry, but it sounds like you kind of approve of him?"
Rudolf shot her an exasperated glance. "Is my tolerance that small in your eyes? Besides, our conflict was just based on different standpoints. From his position, what he did was not bad."
She paused, a hint of confusion in her eyes, as if she was talking to Narita Brian, but also to herself.
"And besides, that name, Shinji Kitahara... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before..."
-------
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