"So, what do you say, Mister Igo?"
"Mhh?"
"About the race, of course."
The Dream Series race had just ended. Whoever the winner was, none of what any of the people sitting in the VIP room had in mind. Each has their minds somewhere else. The young man's mind is racing to figure out how to dissect the monsters he had just watched. What kind of training regime would he need to put his team under to be able to stand side by side with those legends?
"Salivating."
The young man couldn't deny his beating heart. He couldn't deny that looking at the race had pumped his blood, making him want to kiss Ramonu in the mouth. His eyes were watching the race with not even a blink, burning the sight of the furious battles into his brain. Their skills are like magic. He knows very well he could teach his Umas those skills he saw today, but the level of the skills is something else. One or two levels might be within his range to teach, but 9?! That is beyond him.
And that doesn't even take into account the difference between watcher and performer. I could explain how it looks, but if I can't explain to my Umas how to do it, then it will all be useless. I have experience explaining terms as an assistant trainer before, but the level here is way above the local race. I need an assistant myself who is well-versed in National-level Uma Musume Racing, or even International-level.
"It's sad that this kind of race can only be conducted once in a blue moon."
"I think the JRA will go bankrupt if they do Dream Series as frequently as the Twinkle Series."
Since the runners of the Dream Series are miles ahead of the curve compared to the Twinkle Series, of course, the pay is miles ahead too. It's not saying that the payment for the Twinkle Series is small or inadequate, it's just that the Dream Series is way above in every aspect. One could live like a king for a year if one won even a single Dream Series Race.
"It feels this good for a human like me, then it must feel wonderful for an Uma like you."
"I wouldn't undersell yourself that much, Mister Igo."
Rudolph couldn't imagine herself being as deep as the young man was. She wants to. She needs to. His eyes and spirit are what Rudolph is missing to be a runner in the Dream Series. She had seen what those monsters were like up close, how their eyes blackened with dark desire, how their smiles twisted with hunger, how they were only running for their own selfish reason.
Rudolph had tried to gain the desire. Rudolph had tried to be more selfish. Rudolph had tried to grow the hunger. But even now, she couldn't. She knows she is missing something. She knew there was a puzzle piece that she had yet to unlock. She wants it. She needs it.
And this man in front of him might be the puzzle that she was searching for this whole time. Surely he can teach her the missing piece that she needs, right? Even if he can't, he is the closest thing she has to an answer. Losing him is simply unacceptable.
And she knows what kind of man he is. If he is lusting over Teio, then she'll just use her own body to trap him in her hands. But will Rudolph be willing to sell her body for a chance to enter the Dream Series?
Nothing in this world is free… If that is what I need to pay, then so be it.
"Mister Igo, are you–"
"Oh my, dear Igo. You surely have some free time to spare, no? Would you mind accompanying me on a little drive around? I think I need some air to cool off after such an intense race."
Before Rudolph could finish her words, Ramonu struck first and hugged the young man's arm. In her eyes, Rudolph saw what she always knew Ramonu had, a hunger to improve.
Ramonu… Don't tell me… He is the key in your eyes too…
Ramonu's erratic behavior acted as a sign that Rudolph was on the right track. If she were the only one who thought the young man was special, she could throw it off as her being delusional, but for Ramonu to feel the same. This man has to be it, Rudolph is sure of it.
"Uuhhhh… Sure, I guess."
The young man has no real plan after this, so he nonchalantly agrees to Ramonu's request. Suzuka's race has ended before the Dream Series Race, and his Umas has most likely gone back to Tracen. He is in no hurry to meet them, too, since he most likely gets bombarded with questions, and that doesn't sound fun to him.
"Great! Come!"
Ramonu clamps the young man's arm between her bosoms, trying to write off Rudolph's existence with her womanly charm. The young man could only thank his [Lucky Pervert] skill for his predicament.
I should… wait. I shouldn't antagonize Ramonu in any way possible. I still have a link to him in the form of Teio. Chances are something that I have plenty of.
Rudolph stops herself from trying to reach the 2 disappearing figures and decides to take her time.
XxX-XxX
"Cheers, my dear."
"Uhh… cheers…?"
Back inside the Jaguar Mark IV, the young man and the supermodel lightly tap their glasses of wine together. The young man quickly drank down his portion of wine. The day isn't that late yet, so he feels weird drinking, which is why he quickly drinks down his alcohol.
"You look like you enjoy the race, dear? Have you found something from it?"
"Hmm? Why are you asking me this?"
"You look completely rejuvenated after the race. As if myriads of inspirations had just washed over you."
She isn't wrong. Looking at Ramonu right now, I can imagine my Umas beating her in a race, given I can properly instruct them. I'm confident that I can train them into becoming beasts capable of taking on Rudolph or Ramonu if given enough time, but do the girls have enough time as much as I do?
Aaahh~~ Yes~~ Those eyes~~ Keep watching me~~ Scan my body!! Look for mistakes!! Come on~~ Come on~~
Given that 3 of my Umas have a chance of fractures in the future… Time is not something I have plenty of. The longer I take, the bigger the chance of their legs fracturing. I have to secure either a way to train the girls better or a source of funding for leg-strengthening surgeries.
Aaah~~ This dress feels so cramp!! I want to tear it off!! I want him to see more of me!!
A source of funding, huh…
"Aaah~~~"
"Hmm…"
A Mejiro Supermodel is right beside me. She is the biggest piggy bank that I know. But convincing her to give me some of her money to help other Umas might not be easy… I need to sell her something that has the equivalent price, but what is it?
He is drilling into me!! His eyes!! His eyes are looking only at me!!
Ramonu… If my memory of Uma Musume Pretty Derby is correct, then there is one thing that she'll pay as much money as it needs to make it happen. It will take considerable investment of effort and time on my end to make it into a reality, but truth be told, that future might be the best for all of us.
"Mejiro Ramonu… I have a proposal for you."