Due to Tokai Teio's sudden intrusion, Symboli Rudolf had no choice but to end their conversation prematurely, allowing both of them to leave.
After exiting the Student Council room, Kitahara and Tokai Teio sat side-by-side on the grass near the training track, each bearing a complicated expression.
"Hey, Trainer Kitahara." Tokai Teio hugged her knees to her chest, her ponytail gently swaying behind her.
After seeing the forum post back in the clubroom, she'd instantly realized why Rudolf had summoned Kitahara. Unable to hold back her anxiety, she'd quickly dragged the others along to eavesdrop, overhearing nearly everything. Finally, she hadn't been able to restrain herself any longer and had barged straight in.
As for Special Week and Oguri Cap, they'd already been taken away by Eclipse. Now, it was just the two of them.
Kitahara looked gloomy. "What is it?"
When Eclipse had left earlier, Kitahara had wanted to follow immediately—but considering the situation, Tokai Teio obviously wouldn't let him slip away and had forcibly dragged him here instead.
"This might be a bit rude of me, but I really have to ask—are you sure there's nothing wrong with your head?"
"My head is perfectly fine, thank you."
Teio gave him a bewildered look. "Then why did you speak to the Prez like that? You obviously saw she was getting angry, didn't you?"
Kitahara sighed deeply. "I didn't want to provoke her either. But if I hadn't been firm, Rudolf-san really might've pushed another trainer onto you."
Teio tilted her head slightly, ponytail swishing behind her in confusion. "But that wouldn't affect you at all, right? Actually, wouldn't that have been more convenient for you?"
"How could it not affect me?"
Kitahara returned her confused look. "Isn't that exactly what your double-payment was supposed to cover?"
Tokai Teio: "...?"
Seeing Tokai Teio's completely blank expression, Kitahara felt a sinking feeling in his gut.
"Wait a minute, Teio. Don't tell me you offered to pay double without even considering this?"
Teio's confusion only deepened, and even her swishing ponytail gradually slowed down.
"Trainer Kitahara, what are you talking about? Didn't we agree clearly? I give you double the share, and you just don't interfere with anything I do. Is there something wrong with that?"
Kitahara stared at her wordlessly for a long moment. After finally confirming she genuinely hadn't considered any of the implications, he suddenly flopped backward onto the grass, sprawling out helplessly.
Overthinking really is fatal.
"Trainer Kitahara, what's the matter? Was there something wrong with what I said?"
He sighed again.
"Teio, have you ever considered what would happen after I agreed to become your trainer?"
Hearing this, Teio's eyes widened slightly, a vague realization beginning to form.
But before she could fully process it, Kitahara continued, bluntly laying everything bare without hiding anything.
"Because of your fame, lots of attention would immediately fall on me—and among that attention would come doubts, criticisms, and suspicions. Rudolf-san and everyone else who cares about you wouldn't just ignore that. The pressure would steadily mount."
"And since I agreed never to interfere with your training, that pressure would only multiply. Right now, people still believe I'm actively training you—but the truth can't stay hidden forever. Once it's out, the backlash will probably be even bigger."
"At first, I thought you'd considered all these issues beforehand—that the extra payment was essentially compensation for bearing this public pressure on your behalf."
Tokai Teio's head dropped low, and even her ponytail stopped moving.
"I...never thought of any of this..."
Only after hearing Kitahara's words did she realize the true scale of her mistake.
Originally, she'd simply intended to silence Kitahara with money, preventing him from interfering in her affairs. She'd never considered the consequences for him—or the storm it might unleash.
She wasn't stupid. Once Kitahara had pointed it out, she quickly began realizing even more repercussions.
What Kitahara described was only the best-case scenario. Over time, especially if she performed poorly or even lost a single race, Kitahara would inevitably be labeled a "destroyer of geniuses" or "Tracen's disgrace," casting a long shadow over his entire future as a trainer.
All she'd risked by acting selfishly was an extra share of prize money. But Kitahara had unknowingly risked his entire future.
And unlike her, he had made his choice fully aware of the consequences, while she'd remained blissfully unaware.
A surge of complicated emotions filled her chest. Guilt? Panic? Regret? Or something else entirely?
She couldn't be sure.
After a long silence, she finally spoke again, voice soft and uncertain.
"Trainer Kitahara, do you really think what you're doing...is worth it?"
"What's not worth it?" he immediately countered.
"Eh?"
Tokai Teio was taken aback by his quick reply. "But what if I lose—then maybe…"
Kitahara cut her off immediately. "Then just don't lose."
Just don't lose...?
His answer stunned her completely. Only after another lengthy pause did she manage to speak again.
"Trainer Kitahara, do you...really trust me that much?"
Did he truly trust that a selfish girl like her could keep winning—when even a single loss could completely ruin his future?
"Of course I do. Otherwise, why would I agree to your terms in the first place?" Kitahara answered without hesitation.
"Besides, my future financial stability now completely depends on your winning percentage. If you start losing, I'll end up penniless. Do you really think I'd agree if I didn't trust you?"
That wasn't a lie.
He certainly couldn't rely on Eclipse. She was an unknown quantity who might not even want to race.
Special Week and Oguri Cap, meanwhile, were only team members and would find their own trainers by the time they debuted. Their winnings wouldn't benefit him.
So, practically speaking, Teio was his only stable source of future income.
And based on his observations, with Tokai Teio's raw talent, even without any trainer at all, she could still dominate most of her generation—at least until a certain hidden danger manifested. She wasn't called the "future undefeated Triple Crown winner" for nothing.
She had the skill and ambition to back her claims. If she hadn't, Kitahara wouldn't have accepted even a single yen from her—that would've been irresponsible of him.
And if she eventually failed anyway? Then she failed.
He was already committed to slacking off, so enduring a bit of criticism wouldn't hurt him—if anything, it'd decrease interest from troublesome Uma Musume, further aiding his carefree lifestyle.
But Teio, misunderstanding his intentions, began smiling again, her eyes shining with renewed determination and her ponytail wagging energetically once more.
Noticing this, Kitahara turned toward her curiously. "What is it?"
Tokai Teio nodded firmly.
"So, have you decided?"
She nodded again.
Sitting up straight, Kitahara faced her directly. "Then, will you continue on this path—with me bearing the public pressure while you run freely—or will you listen to President Rudolf and let another trainer handle your training, or even dissolve our agreement completely to follow your own path?"
Tokai Teio blinked innocently. "Trainer, which option do you think I should pick?"
Kitahara shrugged casually. "Entirely up to you. I promised not to interfere with your decisions."
"In that case, I choose the first option," Teio answered resolutely, giving him an apologetic yet determined look. "I'm sorry, Trainer. I was careless and irresponsible earlier. But from now on, I'll officially ask you to bear that pressure for me. I want to win in my own way and prove myself."
Kitahara had no objections. "As long as the double payment still stands."
Seeing his easy agreement, Teio's lips curved upward slightly. Suddenly remembering something, she quickly added:
"But please stop antagonizing Prez, okay? She only acted like that because she cares deeply about me. I'll explain everything to her personally. Just promise me you won't anger her again."
"Fine by me," Kitahara agreed instantly, privately thinking he'd gladly keep a safe distance from that woman.
After all, she was Symboli Rudolf.
Though rated similarly dangerous as certain others, in terms of pure threat-level, even heavy hitters like Tokai Teio, Grass Wonder, and Satono Diamond combined couldn't match Rudolf.
Thankfully, Rudolf's standards were astronomically high, so someone like Kitahara wouldn't normally catch her eye—thus slightly reducing the danger.
Actually, tonight's encounter—while seemingly unproductive—had gained him something invaluable: Symboli Rudolf's dislike.
For others, this might've been unfortunate, but for Kitahara, this dislike was practically a protective charm. It almost guaranteed he'd never find himself bundled into a black sedan and whisked away to a Symboli villa.
Getting on Rudolf's bad side was undoubtedly a huge win.
Still absorbed in his thoughts, Kitahara barely registered when Tokai Teio softly called his name again.
"Trainer Kitahara?"
"Hm? Did you say something?"
She shook her head gently. "Never mind."
She'd already decided. Rather than words, action would speak louder. She would win—no longer just for herself, but for the trust Trainer Kitahara had placed in her.
As for Kitahara, he only looked back blankly, thoroughly confused.
This girl…is she messing with me on purpose?