Chapter 433: 545

The news of Chasing Light's triumphant return created far greater waves throughout the Far East than appearances suggested.

Almost every news network and television station was reporting on McQueen's latest activities.

Even when she simply walked around the academy, crowds of younger students would surround her.

The number of paparazzi climbing walls and breaking through gates had multiplied several times over.

Yayoi was forced to station troops at the academy during this period just to stop those maniacs who valued a headline more than their own lives.

Then, the following day, the arrival of Suave Dancer, France's representative and the runner-up in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, created another sensation throughout the city.

"France's strongest active Umamusume is here!"

"Is she really entering the Japan Cup? She only just lost to McQueen at the Arc..."

"That's exactly why she chased her here for a rematch! This is what a battle between champions should look like!"

Her arrival signaled more than the approaching Japan Cup.

It meant that the earth-shaking duel from the Arc de Triomphe was about to unfold once again in Tokyo.

Naturally, Central Tracen's more bloodthirsty spectators could hardly contain their excitement.

However, aside from Suave Dancer, the field for this year's Japan Cup could hardly be called star-studded.

Almost none of the world-famous champions from the other continents appeared on the entry list.

The reason was simple.

Any elite Umamusume who had watched this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe understood exactly what McQueen and Suave Dancer represented.

No one wished to travel to a remote island nation and compete in a G1 race held on an unusually distinctive turf course, only to face the "Celestial Aurora" who had just claimed the Arc de Triomphe.

Even so, the presence of McQueen and Suave Dancer was enough for major media outlets and commentators to call it "the highest-caliber Japan Cup in history."

One was universally recognized as the strongest in the world.

The other was the Queen of France, trailing her by only the narrowest of margins.

Their duel alone was enough to earn the race a place in history.

However, in the minds of the two central figures themselves, the outcome had already been decided.

...

Several days later, on the outskirts of Tokyo, stood Chasing Light's rapidly developing private training complex.

Construction on the facility had only begun at the start of the year.

The entire property had been modeled after the great estates of Ireland and France, integrating training grounds with residential and recreational areas.

The landscaping had gradually taken root and begun to flourish.

Several impressive central buildings and residential villas had already been topped out and were undergoing intensive interior work.

In the distance, several training tracks made from different materials had entered the initial stages of preparation and maintenance.

Kuroha stood nearby with his hands behind his back, silently studying the estate taking shape before him.

Beside him stood a tall and dignified figure.

The "Emperor" wore her ordinary Central Tracen Academy uniform as usual.

Even such a common school uniform could not conceal her graceful figure.

Her refined features looked pale and luminous beneath the sunlight. Below her knee-length pleated skirt, black stockings covered her long, slender legs.

She possessed a captivating mixture of youthful beauty and mature dignity.

After learning yesterday that Kuroha intended to inspect the construction progress, she had postponed her work specifically to accompany him.

"At this rate, it should be completed by next spring."

Kuroha gazed at the buildings and could not suppress his amazement.

"This speed is absurd. I originally thought it wouldn't be completed until sometime next year, or possibly even the year after that."

He had truly underestimated this world.

When Umamusume with extraordinary strength joined construction projects as specialized workers, and the central URA provided unrestricted funding and policy support, the resulting speed was nothing short of miraculous.

Rudolf chuckled at Kuroha's amazement.

"In that case, Chasing Light should officially move in sometime after New Year's?"

"Yeah. If we don't move soon, my current place genuinely won't have enough room."

Kuroha sighed helplessly.

A few years ago, he had assumed there was no possible way they could fill all the bedrooms in his villa.

Less than two years later, he was already being forced to consider moving.

"Hehe..."

Rudolf laughed softly.

"That's what happens when your team suddenly recruits so many Umamusume in a single year."

"Besides, other trainers have their trainees live obediently in the academy dormitories. You insist on having every one of yours move in with you."

"I can't help it. It became a habit after I took in March and Inari. Changing it now would be difficult."

Kuroha shrugged.

"Is that really the reason?"

Rudolf's tone suddenly became peculiar.

She folded her arms and tilted her head slightly.

"I assumed you simply liked those girls and wanted to live with them so you could deepen your relationships."

"Uh... What you just described has already become reality, so I can't argue."

Kuroha shook his head helplessly, then glanced at her.

However, when he saw the girlish pout on Rudolf's face, he paused.

After a moment of silence, Kuroha asked:

"Come to think of it, Rudolf..."

"You only retired five years ago, didn't you?"

"Hm? Oh, it won't be five years for another two months. It has only been a little over four years."

Rudolf seriously corrected his inaccurate description before blinking at him in confusion.

"Why do you ask?"

Kuroha looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Have you ever considered... changing teams?"

"..."

The girl's expression instantly froze.

Countless thoughts raced through her mind. Several seconds passed before she cleared her throat and tried to sound casual.

"W-why would I change teams? Besides, where would I even go?"

"Chasing Light."

Kuroha answered softly.

The blunt response made Rudolf freeze once again.

She stared blankly at the young man beside her, who continued to wear that gentle smile.

Her heart pounded violently against her chest.

Her blood began flowing faster, and an undeniable warmth spread through her body.

"Why? Have you finally taken a liking to me?"

She tried to make it sound like a joke.

"I can't expect the girl to keep making the first move forever, can I?"

"..."

Rudolf was instantly silenced.

As a scarlet blush crept across her cheeks, Kuroha could not help feeling emotional.

He had known Rudolf and Maruzensky for several years.

Their relationship had long since surpassed anything that could be described with a simple word like "close."

After all those twists and turns, he and Maruzensky had already become a couple.

Yet he and Rudolf had continued circling around each other, testing one another without ever establishing anything definite.

Now that Kuroha had become a god, he decided that he should be the one to finally tear away the thin barrier between them.

"Do you have some free time?"

"...Yes."

She did not ask what day he meant or whether he had something planned for the morning or afternoon.

Rudolf simply nodded and turned her head slightly, apparently trying to hide her increasingly red face.

"Then let's go."

Before she could respond, Kuroha suddenly reached out, took her soft hand, and gently pulled her back the way they had come.

"Wait, wait... Where are we going?"

The dignified Emperor of Central Tracen now looked as flustered as any ordinary girl experiencing her first romance.

In fact, this truly was her first time experiencing anything like it.

Kuroha stopped and looked back at her.

His smile seemed even brighter than the autumn sunlight.

"On a date, of course!"

...

That afternoon, Kuroha put on a mask and took Rudolf throughout Tokyo.

They had experienced many of the attractions before.

However, everything felt completely different this time.

They continued until the sun dipped toward the horizon and the city's neon lights began flickering to life.

Eventually, they stopped at an elevated section of a park.

Sitting together on the grass, they quietly watched the glittering city below.

Rudolf sat beside Kuroha with her knees drawn up. She lowered her gaze toward his clear, faintly iridescent eyes.

After a long while, she seemed to remember something and became visibly uncomfortable.

"Um, Kuro-kun..."

"What is it?"

"Tonight... are we going to your place, or should we... find a hotel?"

"..."

Kuroha froze for a moment.

Once he understood what she meant, imaginary black lines covered his forehead.

We only became a couple half a day ago, and she already wants to jump me?

"What goes through your head all day? Come here."

"Oh."

Without displaying the slightest trace of an emperor's dignity, Rudolf obediently moved closer.

Her vision suddenly darkened as Kuroha wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a kiss.

Her body trembled sharply, then gradually relaxed against him.

Several minutes later, they finally parted, a thin silver thread briefly connecting their lips.

"The training complex still needs a few months before anyone can move in..."

Kuroha thought for a moment.

"How about this? Once your transfer is finalized, you can choose a room at Chasing Light's current residence. Although there are only two rooms left, so there isn't much of a choice."

"Then..."

"But!"

Seeing Rudolf's expression brighten as another dangerous idea entered her mind, Kuroha immediately interrupted her.

"Not tonight."

"...Why not?"

The girl was visibly displeased.

"Because tonight happens to be Maruzensky's..."

Kuroha looked at her helplessly.

"You can't expect me to deal with something that awkward, can you?"

"Huh? I don't mind. Actually, Maruzensky being there would make it perfect!"

Rudolf answered instinctively after only a moment of surprise.

Now that their relationship had been confirmed, she had somehow become even bolder than before.

Kuroha stared at her.

"?"

Far away at Chasing Light's residence, Maruzensky suddenly sneezed.

(End of Chapter)

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