9: Chapter 8: Tokai Teio Can’t Wait!
9: Chapter 8: Tokai Teio Can’t Wait!
Several days passed.
Inside Tracen Academy’s student council room, the academy’s one and only “Emperor” sat behind her desk processing paperwork.
Only after writing her name on the final document did Symboli Rudolf finally have time to take a sip of her drink and move on to other matters.
As Student Council President, Rudolf handled an enormous amount of paperwork every day.
Much of it technically belonged to the chairman.
But on Rudolf’s first day as president, the petite chairman had climbed onto a stool, stretched up to pat Rudolf’s shoulder, and declared: “Emperor!
I believe in your ability!
From now on, all matters great and small at Tracen Academy are in your hands!” Thus began Symboli Rudolf’s life of handling work that originally belonged to the chairman.
Naturally, that also meant she acquired a portion of the chairman’s authority.
If she truly wished it…
She could practically turn Tracen Academy into her personal kingdom.
“Air Groove.
Has anyone applied for the special-admission evaluation yet?” “No.” That short answer crushed Rudolf’s expectations.
She had originally hoped Natsume Reiko might voluntarily use this path to enter Tracen Academy.
Apparently, the girl had no such intention.
Worse…
Nobody had applied through the special route recently.
Could the policy itself be the problem?
Rudolf immediately raised the possibility with Air Groove.
Air Groove replied, “I’ve told you this before, Emperor.
Your standards are too high.
“When the program first launched, plenty of students applied.
“You rejected ninety-nine percent of them.
“Not every girl has Teio’s level of talent.” “Tracen Academy does not need students who merely make up the numbers.” “And yet those same students would have passed our normal entrance examination.” Air Groove had served as an examiner at the time.
She still remembered those applicants.
Under the standard admissions criteria, their performances would have been good enough.
As long as their written scores were decent, they could have entered Tracen Academy.
But in Symboli Rudolf’s eyes…
Their performance was still inadequate.
“Then they can take the entrance exam.
“I’ve never forbidden someone from taking the normal exam after failing the special evaluation.
“The only drawback is waiting until admission season.
“If the requirements aren’t high, then the special-admission system has no meaning.” Tracen Academy’s admissions process wasn’t as rigid as a normal human school.
Before each of the two semesters, the academy held entrance exams.
The tests consisted of written theory and practical performance.
The written section covered knowledge related to Uma Musume.
Books such as Uma Musume Physiology were mandatory material.
The practical test involved actual running on the track, with performance converted into points.
The combined score determined admission.
By comparison, the special-admission system removed the written portion entirely.
As long as an applicant’s running could impress the examiners…
She could pass.
Unfortunately, almost nobody impressed Symboli Rudolf.
“Besides, I don’t judge only raw results.
“Didn’t I allow Haru Urara to pass?” Rudolf continued.
“I’ve said before that to become an excellent Uma Musume, effort, talent, and luck are all indispensable.
“But to become a qualified Uma Musume, you only need something that shines.
“Those applicants ran simply because they were told to run.
“If their results had been outstanding, I would’ve admitted them regardless.
“But their results were merely average.” An Uma Musume who didn’t understand why she ran would eventually become lost on the racetrack.
That was why Rudolf had made an exception for Haru Urara but not the others.
Air Groove sighed.
“Yes, yes.
I understand.
I won’t argue about that anymore.
“But this Natsume Reiko…
“Do you really think that highly of her?” “Don’t you?” “I’m interested in her too, but not as obviously as you are.
“You’ve practically spent the last two days studying that girl nonstop.
“At this rate, Teio might start thinking she’s fallen out of favor.” Air Groove teased.
Rudolf’s expression cooled.
“Air Groove.
That was inappropriate.” “Yes, I misspoke, President~” Air Groove deliberately drew out the final word.
Symboli Rudolf always maintained a serious expression around Tokai Teio.
But everyone in the student council knew she cared deeply about the girl.
Probably everyone else in the academy had noticed too.
They simply chose not to say it aloud.
Rudolf knew Air Groove was teasing her.
The best response was simply not to engage.
Speak of the devil…
“President!
Are you in there?
I’m coming in!” Tokai Teio’s voice sounded from outside.
A moment later, a small figure bounced into the room.
Soon she stood beside Symboli Rudolf with a thoroughly satisfied expression.
Tokai Teio was the sort of girl who became happy simply by standing near Rudolf.
Seeing the subject of their conversation arrive, Air Groove’s smile widened.
“Teio, did you know?
“Your President is thinking about another woman now.” “Air Groove, does saying things like that make you happy?” “I’m joking.
Why are you getting upset, Emperor?
“But Teio, your President really has been worrying over a newly debuted Uma Musume.
“An independent runner named Natsume Reiko refuses to join Tracen Academy, and our talent-hungry President is becoming quite troubled.” Rudolf cast Air Groove an icy glare.
She was obviously exaggerating.
Rudolf had indeed devoted some attention to Natsume Reiko…
But nowhere near as much as Air Groove implied.
“Hm?
Air Groove, what do you mean?” “Exactly what I said.
“Teio, interested in meeting this Natsume Reiko?
“You probably haven’t heard yet, but she’s the Uma Musume who defeated Nice Nature and took first place in her debut race.” “Ohhh—!” Tokai Teio’s eyes widened.
News of Nice Nature losing her debut had spread among a small circle.
More famous still was Nice Nature’s evaluation of the girl who defeated her.
“Racing her felt like challenging a Demon King.
“Which is weird, because I’m not exactly a hero.” After being passed from mouth to mouth, that description had gradually mutated into: “That Uma Musume is literally a Demon King who can pin every opponent to the ground and crush them.” Nice Nature had already tried clarifying the rumor.
But why would other Uma Musume abandon such an entertaining joke?
It was harmless fun.
As Nice Nature’s friend, Tokai Teio naturally knew the whole story.
And she’d already become curious about Natsume Reiko.
She wanted to experience that aura in person.
What kind of presence could make Nice Nature use the words “Demon King”?
With that thought, Tokai Teio puffed out her chest.
“Leave everything to the great Tokai Teio!” Knock, knock, knock.
Someone tapped on the open door.
They all turned.
Tazuna Hayakawa stood outside with one hand raised from knocking.
“Would it be all right if you left the matter of Natsume Reiko to me?” Tazuna smiled.
During the past two days, she’d gathered some information.
And unexpectedly discovered something interesting.
That was why she’d come here to make this request.
“President, President!
I want to go too…” The small girl’s background noise failed to disturb Rudolf’s thoughts.
After considering for a moment, she said: “Then I’ll leave it to you, Miss Hayakawa.” “Presideeeent~~~” “And please take Teio with you as well.” “Yay!
President, you’re the best!” Tokai Teio immediately cheered.
Then she ran over to Tazuna.
“Tazuna!
Tazuna!
Let’s go!
The great Tokai Teio can’t wait any longer!” ————————————————————————————— Thank you so much for reading until the end.
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