With Air Groove's arrival, the crowd in the cafeteria began to grow. Wherever the "Empress" of Tracen Academy went, a crowd was drawn to her aura. Therefore, when she and T.M. Opera O arrived, the cafeteria was quickly surrounded by Uma Musume, all curious to see the commotion.
So, when King Halo pulled Air Groove over and declared war on Kitano Ryuichi, everyone present saw it. Soon, the girls were chattering among themselves, thoroughly enjoying the drama.
"How rare. For King Halo to proactively declare war? What's going on?"
"Yeah, doesn't she always say 'A competitive attitude is not the kind of composure a first-class Uma Musume should display'? Why is she like this now?"
"And who's that trainer? I've never seen him before. He's kinda handsome."
"And who's that student in casual clothes?"
Suddenly, the uninformed Uma Musume began to gossip. One of them immediately tapped another on the shoulder and asked curiously, "Aren't you friends with King-san? Do you know what's happening?"
"N-no, I don't... I just saw that student in casual clothes being really intimate with the trainer, and then King-san got super angry..."
The follower stammered, unsure of what was going on, and just recounted what she had seen and heard. Little did she know, what she said was exactly what the other girls wanted to hear.
Like wolves in the night smelling meat, the eyes of the Uma Musume lit up. They all crowded around King Halo's follower...
"Hey, can you tell us the details of what happened?"
...
"...Tracen Academy has no explicit rule against mutual agreement races between students. Healthy competition can improve the overall quality of the Uma Musume. As long as no underhanded tactics are used and the spirit of fair competition is upheld, it is permissible."
Air Groove glanced at King Halo, then at Kitano Ryuichi and Mihono Bourbon. Although she had only been there for less than five minutes, she had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
After all, she was present for the scene where Ryuichi sharply critiqued King Halo and was overheard. She had intended to use this incident to introduce the exceptionally competitive King Halo to Ryuichi as his assigned Uma Musume and see what he was capable of.
But she didn't expect King Halo to be so angry as to declare war on him in public... But that was fine too. Even so, there was a way to handle this young lady.
Air Groove agreed with Ryuichi. King Halo needed a trainer who could manage her and make her listen to advice to truly unlock her potential. However, while Ryuichi's suggestion was for Air Groove to find another trainer, Air Groove's idea was that he was the most suitable trainer for King Halo.
Thinking this, a smile appeared on her lips. She clearly had a plan.
"But, if it's a declaration of war, you must have already agreed on the stakes and content, right?"
"Of course! A first-class person like me has naturally planned everything!" King Halo said with a confident expression.
"Since he was so impertinent to a first-class me, he must think he's a trainer who can surpass me, right? Then I'll compete with him in skill!"
"Within one week, I want him to bring his assigned Uma Musume to have a race with me. I will defeat the Uma Musume he personally trained, the one he thinks can rival a first-class me, and show him just how narrow his perception of true first-class talent is!"
King Halo was clearly fired up. She pointed at Ryuichi, her eyes full of fighting spirit. To be honest, as his partner from the most recent loop, this version of King Halo was vastly different from the one in his memory.
The King Halo in his memory was mostly...
"What? You want a first-class person like me to run in the middle of a pack with those other girls? I can't accept that, even if it's the trainer's request."
"Conserving stamina to ensure I can quickly enter the next race is a first-class tactic. Besides, what does it matter if I let them have the victory in this small race? I can't be bothered to compete with them over such a trivial thing."
"It's too hot to run in the summer, and it's even more troublesome when it rains and I get all wet. A sandy track will get in my eyes. I won't go to any venue that doesn't befit my first-class status!"
...That was basically her. Honestly, she always gave him the illusion that he hadn't recruited a Uma Musume, but a young lady he needed to serve carefully.
But even so, he eventually learned how to work with her. It was actually simple. Make a decision for her when she was hesitant, and don't argue with her on matters she had already decided on.
Just like now... King Halo was clearly furious about his previous words and wanted to compete. This decision was probably non-negotiable. Since he couldn't refuse, even if he didn't want to, he had to accept.
However, he had another problem. He didn't have an assigned Uma Musume right now. One week... was too short. It was too rushed to find a charge and train her. He was afraid it would end with two unprepared Uma Musume stumbling onto the racetrack.
"Um, I..."
"—Challenge accepted."
However, just then, before Ryuichi could reply, Mihono Bourbon suddenly spoke up. She was so fast it was as if she were afraid King Halo would back out. Her eyes lit up as she said:
"Mihono Bourbon accepts King Halo's challenge. New log has been entered into the program group."
"Huh?"
Bourbon's sudden, unilateral acceptance caught Ryuichi completely off guard. I haven't even agreed yet! Why did you accept, Bourbon?
Wait, and you're not even my assigned Uma Musume yet, are you? How can you accept on my behalf?
Ryuichi was getting confused. Everything was happening too fast. Just as he thought he was about to muddle his way into becoming Mihono Bourbon's trainer again, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out:
"Hahahahahaha! What a truly magnificent scene! It makes one want to sing of a century-defining duel!"
"Unfortunately, this is merely a splendid farce. A drama whose leading role has not even been cast. No matter how brilliant the script, it cannot proceed without its star."
However, T.M. Opera O, who had been following Air Groove from the beginning, ostensibly just to help, suddenly spoke up without warning. Her words instantly put the chaotic farce back on track.
Suddenly, the gazes of Ryuichi, Bourbon, King Halo, and even Air Groove were drawn to Opera O's exaggerated gestures and lofty voice. Air Groove asked curiously:
"Opera O, what do you mean?"
"It's obvious! This play lacks its leading role, and that leading role is Trainer Kitano's assigned Uma Musume!"
Opera O walked forward with a smile. She was slightly shorter than Bourbon and King Halo, but that couldn't hide the aura she projected, as if she controlled the entire scene. With natural confidence, she approached Bourbon and said:
"This beautiful Uma Musume, ah, you are like a white lotus, cool and beautiful—but, as moving as you are, you do not yet belong to this princess."
"You are not yet Mr. Kitano's assigned Uma Musume. You should not have the authority to make decisions for him, should you?"
As Opera O spoke to Bourbon with a smile, without a hint of hostility, Bourbon's pupils visibly dilated. This was proof that she was stunned, a sign of the turmoil and shock in her heart.
At that moment, a solemnity appeared on Bourbon's usually indifferent face. She stared at Opera O, feeling that this woman with the flamboyant way of speaking had a presence very similar to her own...
A feeling of... a kindred spirit. But it was precisely because of this that Bourbon felt things were not going as she had anticipated.
-------
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