Having trained real horses, why are we now training racehorse girls after time-traveling?

Maruzenski's dream of becoming a racehorse girl could no longer be realized, but in the process, she had a new dream: to help more children reach the world stage. However, because of her special status, even guiding some children would attract controversy, and she could only be responsible for some training work before the expedition.

Therefore, Ikezoe wanted to help her teacher by sending her to Paris for further training as a trainer, so that she could become a full-fledged trainer and help more Japanese racehorse girls reach the world stage.

Upon hearing Ikezoe's words, Maru Zenki's eyes widened slightly, and the next moment, she revealed a rare hint of ferocity as she spoke to Ikezoe:

"Are you an idiot?!"

"Why would you give up your dream of going to Paris?! Are you crazy?!"

"For me, a racehorse girl who won't be able to change careers in a few years! For me, a veteran! For me, a long-time racehorse girl! An unappreciated racehorse girl! Are you going to give up your bright future?!"

"Don't you think about yourself? Don't you think about the racehorses you're responsible for?!"

"You think I need your help?! You idiot!"

Maruzen was furious, so much so that he swore in front of Ikezoe for the first time and even made a gesture as if to slap her. Ikezoe closed her eyes and prepared herself for a slap from Maruzen.

However, after a long time, Ikezoe did not receive Maruzensky's slap. When he slightly opened his eyes and looked at Maruzensky, he found that his teacher was in front of him, sobbing uncontrollably.

At that moment, Maru Zensky wept uncontrollably, as if all her psychological defenses had been shattered, wiping away her tears and wailing as she said:

"Idiot... idiot Chi Tian... I don't know what to do with you..."

"Don't give up your goal of climbing higher because of me... otherwise... I, I..."

No, I have absolutely no idea how to thank you.

Chapter 296: If only you had been born ten years earlier

"Idiot... idiot Ikezono..."

"How could I have such a foolish student like you... For me, a retired racehorse girl, a racehorse girl who doesn't even dare to reveal her age... is it really worth it? Is it worth giving up your future on a wider stage?"

"It's not worth it, it's not worth it for my foolish students... I'm not worth you doing this for."

Maru Zenki didn't know how to describe her feelings at this moment. She felt that at this moment, she was the luckiest and the stupidest racehorse girl in the world. The realization of a wish that she had once looked forward to so much, but which she would unconsciously give up every time she thought about herself, was now actually in front of her. Moreover, all the reasons were not a windfall, but something that she could accept with a clear conscience. However, her first reaction was not to accept it, but how to refuse it.

She couldn't accept it. This was... this was the best opportunity for her most valued disciple, the retired racehorse girl who was about to fade from everyone's sight, to continue her will and go on to the world stage...

Her dream of racing on the world stage, which she once pursued so desperately, vanished with her retirement. Now, she has set a new goal: to personally send more children to the world stage and continue the dream she could not achieve. She hopes that there will never be another horse girl like her in the future.

She hoped that... one day in the future, one of the children she had personally sent away would successfully win a world-shaking expedition. At that time, she could proudly point at the television and shout loudly to those people in the central government, those who had once called her "Holder-up Horse Girl" and imposed many restrictions on her:

"Do you see this? This is my student! This is the student I personally mentored! She has carried my will across the world!"

However, as time went by and she grew older year by year, she gradually grew indifferent to this ideal. She witnessed the return of children who had failed in their expeditions, who were listless and even covered in wounds.

Perhaps I'm not suited to be a trainer... Maru Zenki thought to herself. Therefore, she never took any trainer certification exams and simply continued to do this kind of "unpaid work" as an expedition coach.

The appearance of Ikezoe, along with the Gold Master, gave Maru Zensky a glimpse of the future, and she saw hope once again.

Perhaps... she doesn't have the talent to teach other children.

But perhaps she can pass on her will and knowledge to the next outstanding trainer, so that he can carry her will, her experience and knowledge, and take his racehorse girl to the world stage.

And as it turned out, Maruzensky hadn't made the wrong choice this time. She was incredibly satisfied with the combination of Ikezoe and the Gold Master; she saw her ideals becoming increasingly clear. Similarly, Maruzensky felt more and more... unnecessary each day.

Perhaps this is how my life will be: a strong racehorse girl, but after retiring, I will not have the courage to continue running. A failed racehorse girl, and also a failed trainer.

But at least, she wanted to prove that her will was not in vain, that she could still help such children and carry on their will—that's why Maruzensky didn't care about his bounty at all, and handed it all over to Ikezoe and the others as if he had nothing to lose.

She was betting that Chi Tian would not disappoint her, that as her most promising junior, Chi Tian could carry on her legacy and continue to advance to a larger arena.

As it turned out, Maruzensky's gamble paid off, but when the reward was actually presented to her... it made her burst into tears and even unwilling to accept it.

This is their future and their dreams... How could I possibly take away the future of these more promising young people?

“Teacher…no matter what, you will always be my teacher, and that will never change. Orpheus and I are able to get to where we are today thanks to your help.”

Ikezoe clearly saw Maruzen's struggle. He didn't know how Maruzen was thinking about refusing; he just thought Maruzen was too excited. So, he kept encouraging Maruzen to accept the reward that belonged to her.

Therefore, Ikezoe racked his brains trying to say something romantic that would make Maruzensky accept this honor, and said:

"Leaving aside our current situation, whether we can actually reach the Arc de Triomphe... but if we do manage to get there one day, it is your will that has sustained me until now."

“You risked everything for me, for me and for Orpheus, and this honor… is not everything to me, but a tiny fraction of how I repay your kindness…”

"—Besides, I wouldn't miss this opportunity, would I? There might not be any Japanese racehorses and trainers aiming for the Arc de Triomphe next year, right? Maybe in another year or two, I can meet you and Orpheus in Paris?"

"Perhaps at that time, I will bring Makoto and the little witch with me to see you, teacher. Please don't refuse."

Chi Tian also said everything he could, although it was inevitably a bit dry, but it was all the words he could use, and he used every romantic word he could think of, so his feelings were absolutely genuine.

"Teacher, don't you want your future to be more meaningful? To help more Japanese horse racers go global."

"Don't you hope that one day those racehorses that race to the world stage will all be your students? Teacher, you are the one who deserves this honor."

"..."

However, Ikezoe's words caused Maruzensky to silently lower his head and not answer him. It was only then that Ikezoe finally realized that perhaps his teacher did not want to accept this help.

Before Ikezoe could change his mind and say that Maruzensky could consider it, Maruzensky suddenly stepped forward.

"Chi Tianjun..."

"Could I... lend you my chest so I can lean against you for a bit?"

However, before Ikezoe could answer, Maruzensky slowly leaned closer, deliberately wrapping her arms tightly around Ikezoe's back as if to prevent him from escaping, and pressed her cheek against his.

Ikezoe was initially taken aback, but this situation actually happened frequently in his team. Back then, Orpheus often did this kind of action when he was feeling down, and over time, Ikezoe got used to it.

Facing his teacher, such a beautiful racehorse girl, he should show enough magnanimity, both out of courtesy and for his own masculine image.

Besides… Chi Tian felt that one area of ​​his clothes was slightly damp. At this moment, it was probably best not to disturb the teacher…

At that moment, leaning against Ikezoe's chest, Maruzensky, with tears streaming down his face, muttered:

"Why...why...my dear student, why couldn't you have been born ten years earlier? Why couldn't I have met you ten years earlier..."

"If only I had met you before I retired, if only you had appeared sooner..."

"I would definitely make you my trainer. You should have told me sooner... I should leave Japan and compete on an international stage. I would become your proud racehorse girl, and I wouldn't stay in Japan any longer..."

“Back then, I was considered a runner-up for racehorse girls, and no one advised me to give up. My Japanese derby results were invalidated, but no one advised me to give up. I had eight wins in eight races but still wasn't eligible to participate in Arima Kinen... and no one advised me to give up.”

"Why didn't you show up sooner... why didn't you persuade me to give up sooner..."

If that's the case, I would never... willingly give you up to another child like this...

Maruzensky ultimately didn't say those words aloud, because they were still ten years too late. If he had met him ten years earlier, Maruzensky's life might have been completely different.

But all of this is just speculation. Maruzensky is already ten years behind Ikezoe, a gap that cannot be bridged no matter how much effort is put in.

But at least... she could still savor this warmth for a little while longer.

Just a little while. In a little while, I can let you go.

Maruzensky thought this as he slowly closed his eyes, but the arm that was holding Ikezoe showed no sign of loosening its grip for a long time...

Chapter 297: The Clever One: You Smell Her Perfume

"So slow... What on earth is that Ikezoe guy talking about with Maruzensky? Why is it taking so long?"

After an hour or two, the Golden Master finally got her rest. The constant battles against the "momentum" of the racehorse girls had been incredibly taxing on her. As a result, she soon found herself exhausted and unable to recover for the time being.

Moreover, it must be said that the fact that the Golden Master could last so long was already beyond everyone's expectations, especially for Fumino Naze and Ima Nami, who had specifically studied the "Aura" and "Domain" of Uma Musume. Although the two already had a good understanding of the Golden Master's endurance, they were still amazed when the Golden Master actually maintained its "Aura" for more than ten minutes.

After all, according to Jinlang's research, these two abilities, which can only be awakened by a very small number of racehorse girls, have different effects and different performances, but the only thing they have in common is that they cannot be maintained for a very long time.

Generally, they exhaust themselves within ten seconds, or even a few seconds; it's an ability that requires complete concentration to unleash. On top of that, a very small number of racehorse girls can precisely control the timing and activation of their [Aura] and [Domain], but even they cannot avoid the enormous energy consumption involved.

However, the Golden Master broke this view. She tested it several times, and each time she maintained her aura for several minutes, or even more than ten minutes. Although she certainly did not always maintain her full strength to resist, maintaining this boost for such a long time... this is beyond what can be described as "genius".

“The last time I saw someone with such terrifying mental endurance was ‘The Monster with the Ashes’, Oguri Hat,” Naze Fumino said at the time. “However, Oguri Hat’s physical body could not support her mental endurance, so even if she mastered the operation of the [Domain], her physical strength could not support it.”

"Fortunately, as a racehorse girl, Oguri Hattori's body structure is different from that of ordinary racehorse girls. She can quickly convert food into energy and store it for consumption in the next race, thus making up for this deficiency."

"But... Golden Master is different from Oguri Hat. She doesn't eat much, and her physical structure seems no different from that of a regular racehorse girl... But for some reason, she can accumulate so much stamina."

"He's simply a 'monster' who doesn't care about physical exertion. It's truly an eye-opener."

It must be said that the Golden Master's stamina really opened the eyes of Naze Fumino and her group. However, even so, the Golden Master did not make any progress as a result, and he also exhausted his physical strength. He was unable to return to training for a while. Therefore, Jinlang and his group let the Golden Master rest well, and they each took their own team members to train.

Meanwhile, Zhen Jiling, watching the Golden Master who was clutching his head and looking very strained, slowly squatted down and said to her:

"Master, I have some barley tea here, would you like some?"

"I'm sorry, I'd like a drink, thank you."

Almost instantly, he was fierce and menacing, then quickly regained his composure. At that moment, even the Golden Master didn't know why he had become tense the moment he smelled Zhen Jiling's aura, even though he knew who the other person was with his eyes closed, and that Zhen Jiling was his friend.

After receiving the barley tea, the Golden Master's expression clearly caught the eye of Zhen Jiling, and at this moment, even Zhen Jiling had to confirm that the Golden Master's mental state seemed to be experiencing some problems.

"Master? What's wrong? Lately... your mood has been very unpredictable."

"Golden Master has become incredibly irritable lately..." Dong Shang was also quite frightened by the Golden Master's expression just now. As the last member to join this team, she truly lived in constant fear every day, as she couldn't afford to offend anyone.

However, facing the increasingly erratic and unpredictable emotional fluctuations of the Golden Master in their team, Dong Shang had discussed the matter with Chi Tian countless times, but neither of them knew the source of the Golden Master's emotional instability.

"I...I don't know."

Upon hearing this, the Golden Master shook her head, unsure of where to begin. After all, even she herself couldn't understand why she was becoming increasingly out of control each day, and why the more she suppressed her emotions, the less she felt she could control herself.

She wasn't like this before... The Gold Master strongly resisted the volatile side of herself. She tried her best to maintain her calm judgment, but the more she did so, the stronger the resistance from her other side became.

She was really exhausted...

"Ah, Onii-chan is back."

At this moment, Makoto's words made the Golden Master almost subconsciously raise his head. What surprised the Golden Master this time was that Ikezoe returned alone, without any annoying other people disturbing him—of course, not counting the other two racehorse girls in his team.

However… there’s a very unpleasant smell coming from Chi Tian? What’s going on?

"Ah, Onii-chan, you smell like perfume."

The second person to discover this was Maki-rei. As a fashion-conscious idol and horse girl, Maki-rei is naturally very sensitive to the scents of perfumes, cosmetics, and so on.

In addition, Makoto herself also uses a light-smelling perfume, but unlike Makoto, Ikezoe's perfume, while not strong, has an unexpectedly...classic scent. It's probably a classic fragrance from some brand; Makoto could recognize it immediately.

And Makoto knew exactly who was wearing that perfume; it was such a classic style that probably only one racehorse girl would use it.

"Onii-chan, what did you and Maruzen-senpai... do?"

At this moment, although Makoto still had a smile on her face, that smile carried a hint of inquiry. She had gradually realized that, in places where she and others could not see, her older brother might have done something with Maruzensky.