"I'm so sorry, everyone. It's such a waste of your talents to have trainers like us..."
"Don't say that, Qianyi. Everyone is willing to help." Dongshang Biange, upon hearing this, felt that Chitian's choice was very correct and said to Chitian, "If you really pretended not to see it, it wouldn't be you. Although this witch can't participate, she will use magic to bless everyone!"
"Those who dare to speak ill of you, this witch will stop them with the most vicious magic! I'll turn them all into toads!"
"I, I will help too!" Nu Tao's will was also firm. She already knew what she should do after staying in Japan, and she had made full preparations for the Autumn Emperor's Award.
"No one will give up! We can definitely change Suzuka's fate!" The East Sea Emperor said confidently. After hearing that Suzuka might break her leg in the Autumn Emperor's Slam, and that this news had been unanimously agreed upon by the four trainers in the team, she was convinced of it.
One person might lie to her, but all four trainers are trustworthy people; surely they wouldn't all lie to her? Therefore, the Emperor of the East Sea absolutely supports the decision to bestow the Autumn Imperial Gift upon everyone this time.
"Everyone! Let's all cheer for Suzuka-san!"
"Oh!"
However, among the team, only Megumi McQueen, who was also going to participate in the competition, was somewhat silent. Jinlang noticed this, but he didn't say anything.
He understood McQueen's concerns. Such a choice would not only greatly damage the team's reputation, but also be a huge blow to her goals. After all, the goal of winning the Spring and Autumn Emperor's Award for consecutive victories was right in front of her, and now she was being asked to give it up. Without a doubt, McQueen was the one most affected by this in the team.
Moreover, she is the Mejiro family's racehorse girl. If she gets involved in such a scandal, it will have a great impact on her reputation and the Mejiro family.
Jin Lang, however, had already made preparations for this, so he decided to explain his thoughts to McQueen that very night.
Chapter 349: Jinlang's Backup Plan
By midnight, when everyone was already asleep, Jinlang felt embarrassed to stay in the team room any longer. Now that there were several more long-term resident players in the team room, Chitian had even enlarged his bed. Although it took up more space, it was still better than three people squeezing into the bed and falling off.
Yes, three people. Now, Chi Tian, Golden Master, and Zhen Jiling have all accepted the fact that the three of them sleep together. For several months in a row, the three of them have been sleeping in the team room every day, and Jin Lang is no longer surprised.
At least this approach has been very effective. In the past few months, Ikezoe, Golden Master, and Makoto have been training in an incredibly energetic way. They get up earlier than Jinlang every day, train until very late, and then wake up the next day as three lively and energetic people again.
It may sound like a very ordinary thing, but maintaining a high level of training every day is very rare for both the racehorse girls and their trainers. This means that they can improve with the highest efficiency and concentration during training, and over time, the improvement of these racehorse girls is often amazing.
Moreover, the improvement speed of the Golden Master and the True Clever is different from that in reality. According to what Jin Lang knows, they train their physical fitness during the day and their mental fitness at night, and their improvement speed is terrifyingly astonishing. Jin Lang is extremely envious of such improvement.
Therefore, he didn't say much about it. After all, it was a display of Ikezoe's own talent, and even if Jinlang was envious, he couldn't say anything about it.
However, he couldn't stay in the team room that night, as he didn't want to disturb the three children's sleep. Therefore, this time his conversation with McQueen took place in a secluded grove of trees not far from Treson Academy.
Jinlang stayed here alone for a while. With the sound of footsteps, Megumi McQueen slowly jogged up to Jinlang and slowed down.
"Trainer, you said you wanted to discuss something with me, is it about special training? Then I'm fully prepared!"
"No, please sit down, McQueen. I have some very important decisions to make, and I want your approval first."
Jin Lang spoke calmly, not at all like someone who had come for special training. Although McQueen found it a bit strange, he still listened to Jin Lang and obediently sat down beside him with an elegant posture.
The two were silent for a short while, neither knowing how to begin. Jin Lang spent a long time crafting his words, but still couldn't think of a good angle, so he went straight to the point and said to McQueen:
"McQueen, you actually have some personal opinions about our decision regarding the upcoming Autumn Emperor's Award, right?"
“Wh-nothing at all, Trainer.” McQueen felt a pang of unease for a moment, then immediately waved his hands and explained, “Trainer, your decision and Trainer Ikezoe’s decision were correct! I didn’t question your judgment!”
"I will do my best to do whatever the trainer asks me to do!"
"No need for that, McQueen. We don't need to hide our truest thoughts from each other." Seeing McQueen's eagerness to defend himself, Jin Lang knew he was right.
However, Jin Lang doesn't think there's anything wrong with McQueen's idea. After all, this is a huge sacrifice for McQueen. Moreover, it's not just about McQueen herself, but also the reputation of the entire Meguro family. If McQueen could really abandon all of this and help Jin Lang without any worries, then Jin Lang would really think that McQueen is too immature.
"McQueen, you represent not only yourself, but also the honor of the Mejiro family. This time, our plan... can be described as a lose-lose situation, but we trainers really can't think of a better way. We've really disappointed you."
"What's more, the Emperor's Prize is your ideal, right? The dream of winning the Spring and Autumn Emperor's Prizes in a row is within reach, and now I'm asking you to give it up... It could be said that if you achieve it, it would be the most solid foundation for your advancement to the Hall of Fame racehorse girl. As your trainer, I'm really incompetent."
As he said this, a faint bitterness appeared on Jin Lang's face, and he shook his head, saying:
"I'm really sorry, McQueen, but a trainer like me... is really incomprehensible, isn't it?"
“Trainer…” Seeing Jin Lang’s self-reproachful expression, and having her slightly selfish side pointed out, McQueen’s expression actually relaxed a lot compared to before. However, seeing Jin Lang so self-pitying, she couldn’t bear it and said:
"Trainer... is there really no other way? Is there really no way to achieve our ideals and Suzuka's safety at the same time?"
"At least none of us have come up with a good solution, McQueen. Believe me, I want this good result more than any of you."
However, upon hearing this, Jinlang looked up at the sky. The stars tonight were exceptionally numerous and bright, which lifted everyone's spirits considerably. Perhaps it was in this atmosphere that Jinlang spoke more than usual.
"How I wish you could all return healthy while preserving your honor... But sometimes, it's just not possible. We always have to give up something for certain purposes..."
"Of course, I'm not advising you to give up, McQueen. Your thinking is not wrong. If I were you, I would have the same thoughts as you."
Although the members of Team Miracle seemed very willing to support this less-than-ideal plan, this was partly because they were standing on the side of "righteousness," and partly because... the members of Team Miracle had a very strong level of trust in their trainers, as they had led them to success more than once.
Several female racehorses were aware of their trainers' special abilities to varying degrees, and they trusted Jinlang and his team's words completely, which led to the current situation.
However, McQueen was unaware of Jin Lang's special identity, and so far Jin Lang had only helped McQueen win a Spring Emperor's Prize. In addition, this matter had the greatest impact on McQueen, so it was perfectly normal for her to have such thoughts, and it was not because she distrusted Jin Lang.
"...Moreover, I have another way to achieve both of these goals."
"Oh? Trainer, do you have a better idea?" McQueen's eyes lit up as he looked at Jin Lang, but Jin Lang only smiled and said:
"Yes, there is a way. We can not only use this tactic to prevent Suzuka from breaking his leg, but also reduce the damage to our team's reputation—although it will still have some impact, it will undoubtedly be much smaller than the original plan."
As he said this, Jinlang looked at McQueen and said, "As long as someone can step forward and take responsibility for the mistake after the race, and say that they coerced the racehorse girl to use such tactics, then a press conference will be enough to quell most of the criticism."
"Of course, this person can't be just some nobody. Otherwise, it would be the same as a temporary worker at a big company, and no one would believe it."
"This person must be someone from our team, or someone higher up in our team, someone with a certain amount of influence, in order to convince people that he has the reason and the ability to do this."
As Lang spoke slowly, the more he spoke, the more Megumi McQueen sensed something was amiss, his eyes trembling slightly as he said:
"Trainer! You, you want to—you step forward and take responsibility for all of this?!"
"No, no way! I won't allow it! If you do that, your trainer's certificate will be completely revoked! And according to the central government's regulations, if you take responsibility for these mistakes, you'll probably never be allowed to retake the certification exam again!"
McQueen was taken aback by Jin Lang's plan, but Jin Lang waved his hand and said, "I was just saying, I haven't made up my mind yet, McQueen."
“I just want to tell you that I can take responsibility for all of this for you, for all of you. It may mean the end of my career for me, but if it can really keep you all safe and sound, then of course I can do it.”
"—Besides, this might not be such a bad thing for me. Perhaps Madam Meguro has a way to help me out so that I can return to my original position after a period of absence?"
Jinlang looked very relaxed. He was reluctant to give up his job as a trainer, but if he could give it up to dedicate himself to his beloved career, his beloved racehorse girls, and his professional ethics, then he would do it without hesitation.
They always have some principles that they absolutely cannot let go of, and for the sake of those principles, they will absolutely give up other things, no matter how reluctant they are to do so.
Jin Lang's words made McQueen's eyes tremble uncontrollably. Seeing Jin Lang's seemingly magnanimous appearance, McQueen's rationality told her that Jin Lang's approach might be the most correct one... the way to minimize the losses.
However, there are also principles she absolutely cannot let go of. In comparison, there are some things she can give up.
"Is it really possible?" This thought suddenly surfaced in McQueen's mind. After a long silence, he finally spoke softly to his inner self:
"……sure."
"I, Megakure McQueen, can do anything. As the racehorse girl of the Megakure family, I will take all the honor and belief into my hands!"
Chapter 350: The Autumn Imperial Gift, the External Aid of Tanino Sake—Kichicho!
"Everyone! Welcome to the highly anticipated Autumn Emperor's Slam! Tokyo Racecourse is truly bustling with excitement today!"
"After all, this race kicks off the GI races in October, and the lineup for today's Autumn Emperor's Sho horse race is more intense than ever before!"
"Then let's not delay any longer, let's immediately begin announcing the star-studded lineup for this Autumn Emperor's Prize, which everyone is eagerly anticipating!"
The excited commentator on the commentary stand was clearly responding to the audience's emotions with passionate commentary, but he himself was also quite excited. Everyone who saw this lineup could guess that this was going to be an extremely fierce competition, and they had been looking forward to it for a long time, hoping to witness this match with their own eyes.
"It has finally come... the Autumn Emperor's Gift."
At this moment, Okino, as the trainer, was of course required to be present in the stands. Accompanying Okino were all members of his team, including those who were supposed to rush to Kyoto Racecourse the next day for the crucial Chrysanthemum Appreciation Special Week.
Clearly, Okino's worries had spread to his team, and the entire group was now filled with anxiety about Suzuka's participation in the Autumn Emperor's Slam. Vodka immediately shouted loudly:
"Please, please don't let anything happen, Suzuka!"
"Idiot! How can you shout something like that at a time like this? We should be cheering for Suzuka!" Yamato Akaki said to Vodka with disdain, then immediately shouted into the arena, "Suzuka! You have to win! You have to win while returning safely!"
"You, you only said one more word than me, right?" Vodka said to Yamato Akaki with his arms crossed, clearly annoyed. "Besides, you insisted on coming along because you were worried about Suzuka, didn't you? You said at the beginning that you didn't believe in that kind of thing..."
"What—I had no choice! Why did you all look at me like it was really true? It almost made me believe it!"
Yamato Akaki herself was also becoming anxious about the ongoing unease within the team. Initially, she had completely dismissed the idea that "there might be an accident when Suzuka participates in the Autumn Emperor's Sho, but now, as the time for the Emperor's Sho draws closer and the atmosphere within the team becomes increasingly tense, she can no longer help but believe it.
For this reason, Yamato Akahira bought a lot of amulets and many ornaments with blessings and warding off evil for Suzuka. Although these things could not be taken to the competition, at the very least, she wanted to do her part for Suzuka's safety.
Vodka was the same, and Zhou was even more concerned about it. She even went to Tachikane Fukuro's fortune teller many times for this reason. However, what made her uneasy was that no matter how many times she went, Tachikane Fukuro's fortune telling for Suzuka's autumn imperial gift was always "very bad luck".
This was the last time. It seemed that Fukuro Ochi had given a different result, but it was only a "minor good" result, far from enough to put Tetsu-Chou at ease.
"Suzuka-san... please be safe and sound..."
Special Weekly's gaze remained fixed on the popular stage from beginning to end, her hands clenched tightly together. She sincerely prayed to the three goddesses, praying that her best friend and the person she admired most would be safe and sound.
……
"Next up is the third most popular, the silent Suzuka who shines brightly on the Daily Crown!"
"She has the ability to rival the first and second most popular people, and she looks to be in excellent condition, absolutely in top form."
As the commentator's voice faded, Suzuka, dressed in her final outfit, stepped onto the stage in high spirits. Just as the commentator had said, she was in better form than ever before.
This state also eliminated her concerns about her safety. She had thought that she might actually have to continue the competition on this day because of her poor condition—which was really her style. But now, her condition didn't seem like a prelude to injury at all, and the last bit of worry in her heart disappeared.
It seems that it was just overthinking, and Suzuka is determined to win this match with an absolute victory!
The Autumn Emperor's Slam, a 2000-meter middle-distance race, was held on a dry and sunny course, making it her home turf!
"And the second most popular one this time is the winner of last year's Autumn Emperor's Slam, who, despite being of classic age, challenged the older Saima Musume and broke through the 'Fuchu no Mado' with an absolute breakthrough!"
"She also has the ability to challenge for the championship! In fact, she might be the strongest among the top three in popularity!"
"And the most popular contestant in this Autumn Emperor's Prize is undoubtedly Megumi McQueen from the Megumi family! Can she achieve her consecutive victories in the Spring and Autumn Emperor's Prizes and demonstrate her powerful dominance in the mid-range Autumn Emperor's Prize?"
As the commentator spoke, Megumi McQueen and the renowned Ryuu Tide from the same team walked onto the stage one after the other. At that moment, when their eyes met those of Silent Suzuka, they quickly looked away.
Suzuka also found it somewhat unbelievable that she could sense that... McQueen and Raging Waves, whom she considered formidable rivals, actually... didn't seem to have a strong competitive spirit?
How could this be? Suzuka found it hard to believe for a moment. If the famous player Nuo Tao didn't have such a strong fighting spirit, then Suzuka could perhaps understand. After all, Nuo Tao was a "beast on the field," and his state in daily life and in competition was completely different.
But Megumi McQueen...isn't her ideal the Emperor's Award? And now, with the opportunity to win the Spring and Autumn Period Championship right in front of her, how come she doesn't have a strong competitive spirit?
Could it be that she thinks I'm no match for her? Suzuka wondered, but she didn't think Megumi McQueen was the kind of arrogant racehorse girl who looked down on everyone.
What could be the reason? Before Suzuka could even ponder these questions, the commentator's voice immediately rang out:
"Alright, as is customary, after announcing the most popular contestant, we should prepare to begin the competition. But please be patient, everyone, we still have two mystery contestants who haven't had a chance to be announced yet!"
"They are two veteran racehorse girls. Although they have been away from the racetrack for some time, they are willing to join the Autumn Emperor's Slam on the condition that they do not ask for any prize money, will not add any achievements, and even if they win, it will not count. This will add even more competition to the already exciting Autumn Emperor's Slam!"
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