The mediocre trainer doesn't want to reopen

But...next year, the timeline seems to be a little inconsistent, but it doesn’t seem to have any impact on Uma Musume.

Kitano also thought about it at this moment, and now he planned to find Shenying and tell her the news of the "bigger stage" he had promised her before.

Chapter 433: Competition between Condor and Flying on the Grass?

However, the invitation to the French expedition was no secret in the entire Tresin College. After all, such invitations to foreign expeditions would be notified in advance within Tresin College, and the selection of representatives would be finalized and announced by the Student Union, so there was no need to hide anything.

Now, everyone in Tresen College knew about the invitation from the Arc de Triomphe, and as the news spread like wildfire, everyone soon had the same idea as the students in the student union.

"Sure enough, this year's spots will only go to Trainer Kitano's team, right?"

"It can only be Trainer Kitano's team! These past two years have been their home turf! They've even been called the 'Golden Generation'! At this year's Arima Kinen, they're definitely the favorites to win!"

"So, who do you think will get this spot?"

"Stupid! Do you even need to ask? It must be Kusagami Hi, the "strongest on the team" trained by Kitano right now!"

"Yeah, there's definitely no other choice except Cao Shangfei!"

Everyone's thoughts seemed to agree with the student council members' guesses. After all, Cao Shangfei was undoubtedly the strongest player on paper in Kitano's team.

Everyone still remembers the clash between Flying Grass and Condor at the Arima Kinen. It was a true showdown of strength between Condor and Flying Grass, with Flying Grass truly crushing Condor head-on, even opening up its "territory."

At the Spring Emperor's Prize, Kusagami Hitoshi's absolute strength crushed the other top three, Special Week, to take home the Spring Emperor's Prize. These two truly grueling competitions only reinforced the notion that Kusagami Hitoshi is now the strongest of the "Golden Generation."

However, everyone seems to have generally overlooked that at the Takarazuka Kinen, Condor fought against Tokushou and Kusagami Tobi, and even the silent Suzuka who was famous for her explosive escape, and even the "Empress" Qi Tan participated in this game.

This Takarazuka Kinen brought together so many GI Uma Musume. As a competition based mainly on fan voting like the Arima Kinen, the value of this Takarazuka Kinen is absolutely maximum.

And in this highly anticipated Takarazuka Kinen, Condor also defeated a number of powerful horse girls, even surpassing Kusagami Tobi and Special Week in one fell swoop - although part of the reason was that Special Week and Kusagami Tobi were influenced by Kitano and paid great attention to Silent Suzuka in this game, Condor's tactics are not famous for picking up leaks.

Moreover, Shenying had already participated in the Takarazuka Kinen less than a month after taking a break from the Yasuda Kinen. It's easy to imagine that Shenying, with her talent, recovery, and consistent performance on the field, was the natural choice for the expedition, not Cao Shangfei.

After all... Kusanagi Feilian's performance in Japan is still not very stable. Although she can beat Tebi Zhou and Shenying, her "domain" cannot be guaranteed to be activated without the two women. Moreover, Xiaocao's physical condition is more or less unstable, so she is not the first choice for the expedition.

But apparently, few people would pay attention to these issues. After all, once the banner of the Expedition to the Arc de Triomphe was raised, it was clear that the strongest horse girl in the current Tresen Academy would be sent out, and as the strongest of the same generation, Grasshopper was the undisputed existence.

Not only the people in Tresen Academy, but also everyone in the Kitano team thought so.

"Xiaocao! It looks like you'll soon be able to represent the academy—no, represent Japan—on an overseas expedition!"

"Such an honor! Ah! I'm so envious! I wish it were me! Then I'd be considered 'Japan's number one' horse girl, right? I really hope I can represent everyone in Japan on an overseas expedition next time!"

At this moment, both Te Bie Zhou and Shen Ying found Cao Shangfei. When Te Bie Zhou received the invitation to the expedition, he found Xiao Cao almost immediately, but Shen Ying met her on the road and was brought here by Te Bie Zhou.

In her words, Tokai Chou did not hide her envy for Kusagami Hibiki who was about to represent Japan in an overseas expedition. Especially for a horse girl like her who dreamed of becoming "Japan's No. 1", she was even more enthusiastic about representing Japan in the competition.

Although, during the Japan Cup last year, Tokushou was unexpectedly the only Japanese horse racing girl and was called the "Japanese General", the significance of this is completely different from representing Japan and challenging the Arc de Triomphe.

Winning the Japan Cup can only be regarded as "holding on to one's underwear", but winning the Arc de Triomphe, for Japanese horse racing girls, is like entering the world!

"Don't say that, Spei-chan. The spot hasn't been confirmed yet, so it's not certain that it will be me."

Cao Shangfei, on the other hand, seemed to have a different perspective. Facing the recent rumors and the current excitement surrounding the special week, he patiently replied, "What's basically certain now is that this spot belongs to our team, but anyone could represent us at the Arc de Triomphe. It could even be you, Spei-chan."

"Hehehe...it would be great if that's the case, but I've never been a match for Xiaocao these past few times."

Te Bie Zhou was really looking forward to this result, but unfortunately, Te Bie Zhou was very self-aware. She knew that Kitano would most likely not choose her, because her strength was only that of a mainstay in the team, and she couldn't even outrun Xiao Cao.

The one who represents all of Japan in the competition will naturally be the strongest horse girl! In this case, it can only be Kokusa.

"I've lost to Xiaocao several times. This time, the spot will definitely be yours - Ailu, you think so too, right?" Zhou Weiwei turned his head and looked at the unusually silent Shenying this time and asked.

"Ah, ah... yes, yes."

Because of this news, the unexpectedly silent Condor finally came to his senses and promptly echoed a few words, saying, "Xiaocao, you're so amazing, this spot is definitely yours! Elu, I'm super envious too!"

"is it?"

However, the perceptive Cao Shangfei always felt that Shenying was not telling the truth today, and he had been very quiet since he met her... Quiet Elu, it seems unlikely, right?

Could it be because of the expedition? Speaking of which, Elu seems to have the dream of conquering the world too... If I were given that spot now, I'd definitely be jealous, right?

Cao Shangfei, who was very considerate, immediately thought of the reason why Shenying was in such a bad mood. However, this also made her start to think about another question -

Expedition... What if Trainer-san really wants me to go on an expedition? There's no way to refuse something like that, right?

After all, this is not just a decision made by the trainer alone, it is to represent the whole of Japan. If they really choose me, I can't refuse.

But... do I have to leave Tresen Academy and leave Trainer Sang?

When I think about it this way, I feel like... I don't have any motivation.

If the former Cao Shangfei might have felt very honored for such an opportunity and agreed to it with a strong fighting spirit, Cao Shangfei, whose goal has changed now, no longer cares about so many honors.

Anyway, she has already achieved success and fame. As the strongest of the "Golden Generation", or the prize money of the four-gi winner, it is enough for Kusanagi to leave her own mark in the history of Japanese horse racing girls.

As for whether she can become a legendary horse girl in the future...to be honest, Fei Cao Shangfei doesn't really care about it now.

She just wanted to finish her active career as soon as possible, run a few more races before retiring, and earn more bounties... That way, her life with Trainer Sang would be happier in the future.

Ah, and their children. If these children in the future have the talent to become horse racing girls, they can also get a better education by relying on her glory as a mother.

Now, Kusama Fei's thoughts are increasingly approaching the "Yamato Nadeshiko" she once dreamed of becoming. Now Kusama Fei really puts all her thoughts on Kitano, and now she only hopes to be with Kitano all the time.

But lately… Trainer-san seems very sensitive. Is it because of the shadow of "Horse Jump"? I've been seeing him with Xing-chan lately. It seems like he treats Xing-chan like a bodyguard. He doesn't even touch the Holy King.

In this way, there is no way to achieve the goal... I have to find a way to contact Trainer Sang, so that I can take advantage of the opportunity.

"Ah, you're all here."

"Trainer-san!" x3

Soon, Kitano's call from not far away immediately brought back the thoughts of Cao Shangfei, Te Bie Zhou and Shen Ying, who were all preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Te Te Zhou was the first to step forward, actively pulling Kitano along, his eyes sparkling as he excitedly said, "Trainer-san! There's a spot for the expedition! It's for our team, right? It must be for our team, right?!"

"Ah, you already know that."

Kitano and Xingjiang also found Shenying and his group. Faced with the news that he had just learned not long ago, he was still a little surprised that everyone already knew about it.

However, Kitano still answered Teji Zhou's question. He rubbed Xiao Te's head and said gently, "Yes, I have won it. This time the quota will be selected from our team."

"And I've already secured the spots for the expedition. Since you're all here, I'll tell you."

As he said this, Kitano's gaze turned to Cao Shangfei who was standing opposite him, but he found that Shenying was hiding behind Cao Shangfei for some reason, looking timid and as if he was very unconfident.

Feeling Kitano's gaze, Kusagami Fei also felt nervous. He subconsciously pursed his lips, thinking about how to decline this expedition...

"Why are you hiding behind the grass, Elu?"

"This time, you're going to be the Uma Musume representing our team, and even all of Japan, to challenge the Arc de Triomphe. If you don't have confidence, I might actually consider replacing you."

"Ugh?"

However, at this moment, the Condor who was hiding behind Xiaocao showed a rare expression of surprise. Even though most of her face was covered by the mask, everyone could feel the incredible look on Condor's face at this moment.

"Why are you so surprised? This spot should have been yours."

When Kitano saw that Shen Ying seemed very surprised, he immediately realized that Shen Ying had obviously forgotten Kitano's promise of "a bigger stage" to her after the Arima Memorial.

However, Kitano showed no emotion at all. He simply took out the invitation letter he had received from Rudolph and handed it to Condor, saying softly, "Just like we agreed upon back then, a bigger stage, isn't it? Elu, I told you that you are a horse girl who can make it to the world stage."

Chapter 434: Ms. Cao feels she needs more teammates

"Hey! It's Elu! Isn't it Xiaocao?!"

When Kitano placed the invitation letter in the hands of the stunned Shenying, Zhou Cai shouted in disbelief, as if he was extremely surprised by Kitano's decision.

"Hehe, Spey-chan looks like he was also shocked by Trainer-san's decision. My reaction back then wasn't much better than yours, Spey-chan."

At this moment, Qingyun Tiankong, who had been following Kitano as a "bodyguard," also promptly pulled the surprised Tekai Zhou aside and said with a relaxed smile, "But Trainer-san doesn't make decisions based on personal relationships. He recommended Elu to join the expedition, but he had already made the plan. Elu is indeed the most suitable person to join the expedition."

"So don't doubt Trainer-san's decision. I, Xing-chan, have been convinced by Trainer-san and think that Trainer-san's decision is absolutely right. So, Spy-chan, it's best for you to do the same as Xing-chan and accept Trainer-san's arrangement."

"By the way, there's Xiaocao. Although it's a pity that you weren't selected, you still have to respect Trainer Sang's choice." Xingjiang didn't forget to remind Cao Shangfei, who was slightly stunned at the moment. She thought that Cao Shangfei thought that she was definitely the candidate for the overseas expedition, and now this person was not herself, and she felt surprised.

Although Cao Shangfei is a threat to Xingjiang, and she has wanted to dance like her beloved trainer Sang for a long time, Xingjiang still doesn't want there to be any estrangement between Cao Shangfei and her trainer Sang because of this.

After all… my progress is slow to begin with, and now it’s my home time, so it’s best to make Trainer-san have a good impression of Xing-chan as much as possible, so as not to cause trouble for Trainer-san——

However, what Xingjiang didn't know was that the reason why Cao Shangfei was stunned at this moment was that he didn't expect happiness to come so suddenly. She had originally taken the risk of refusing the expedition and disappointing Kitano, but she didn't expect Kitano to not consider her and directly gave the spot to Shenying.

If it were in the past, Cao Shangfei might have been a little unhappy because of his unwillingness to admit defeat, but now, when he heard that he didn't have to go on an expedition and could continue to stay with the person he loved, Cao Shangfei breathed a sigh of relief and almost jumped for joy.

The joy of flying on the grass at this moment seems to be the same for the condor.

"No, I didn't expect Trainer-san to still remember that agreement..."

At this moment, facing the invitation letter in her hand, although Shenying couldn't understand French, she had never considered the option that Kitano was trying to cheer her up. At that moment, even the usually cheerful Shenying seemed a little incoherent and said, "Elu, Elu, I thought that the agreement was just a misunderstanding on my part..."

"I never break my promises, whether it's to you or anyone else, Elu." Seeing that Shenying seemed a little emotional at the moment, Kitano said to Shenying as jokingly as possible: "What? Do you really think I just said something impossible to fulfill just to comfort you? If you think so, Elu, then I'm going to be very sad."

"In order to help you get this spot, I spent a lot of effort arguing with the president. I thought you would be very happy..."

"But now it seems." Kitano paused slightly, as if he was really hesitant and said: "This quota should be given up or we should do as the president says. Other children should also have this opportunity."

As he said this, Kitano pretended to take the invitation from Shenying. However, this action immediately frightened Shenying. Shenying hugged the invitation tightly, crossed his arms and buried it in his chest, and said nervously: "No, no, no! Trainer-san! Don't! Do not do this!"

"Elu, I'm really happy! I'm also happy! I'm also honored to be able to participate in the Arc de Triomphe! I just didn't expect Trainer-san to really let me go! After all, this is a truly world-class stage, Elu, and I didn't think I was qualified enough, but Elu, I really want to go!"

"Please don't take Elu's invitation! Elu will do anything! Just give Elu this one chance and I'll—"

However, as he spoke later, Condor became more and more incoherent. In the end, he even began to disregard the consequences just to keep his place.

Just before Shenying was about to say the famous line that Kitano was familiar with to calm down Japanese netizens, Kitano reached out and ruffled Shenying's soft hair, preventing her from uttering the last words in time.

"Alright, alright, calm down Elu. What I said just now was just teasing you. I didn't argue with the president, nor did I do anything. I recommended you to the president, and he agreed."

"The president originally considered our team for this opportunity. After all, we have a relationship. However, I recommended you to her not because of our relationship, but because I think you are the horse girl with the greatest hope of breaking the Arc de Triomphe barrier, not only on our team, but also in Japan."

Kitano's words were not an exaggeration. If one were to ask who in Kitano's team was most likely to win the Arc de Triomphe, Kitano would probably say Good Opera - after all, Good Opera's Anjiangjing bloodline was considered the king's bloodline in Europe, and a large number of "European Horse Kings" had Anjiangjing's bloodline.

It’s a pity that the good opera girl has retired now, so she can’t become the horse girl representing Japan at the Arc de Triomphe.

As for the Golden Master and Zhongshan Festival of the Golden Family, they didn't even have time to debut. Therefore, Kitano said that the current Condor Club is the most powerful horse girl in Japan who has broken the Arc de Triomphe.

This wasn't a lie, but it was enough to boost morale. Kitano had always been good at providing encouragement that wasn't false, but was more inspiring than blind trust.

"Do you...really think so, Trainer-san?"

"Of course, Condor, I'll always answer you the same way whenever you ask me." Kitano shifted his hand from Condor's head to her shoulder and said softly, "You said you'd do anything to keep this spot, didn't you? Well, now's your chance to keep that promise, Condor."

"Now, I want you to devote this year to training and fully prepare for the expedition a year from now. Whatever you need or whatever difficulties you encounter, don't hesitate and tell me everything. As your trainer, I will help you clear all obstacles."

"And you, Condor, you just need to put all your passion and energy into training, and then unleash your long-accumulated enthusiasm on the field. That's what you have to do. Do you understand?"

As he said this, Kitano patted Shenying's shoulder. Seeing that Shenying still looked so dazed, he couldn't help but bend down slightly and used both hands to force a smile on Shenying's face.

"Of course, before all this, I want you to be happy, just like before, can you do it?"

"Nothing is more important than your happiness, even training and expeditions. Elu, I hope this matter won't put too much pressure on you. Of course, if you feel breathless, just tell me." Kitano also spoke softly: "I will block the external pressure for you. I will do my best to keep you in the pure environment of a horse girl."

"I, I'm fine."

However, Shenying, whose cheek was touched by Kitano, was a little nervous, and an uncomfortable blush appeared on her cheeks, but she quickly covered it up by shaking her head.

Elu, Elu... why are you blushing at a time like this? Why? Why now? Didn't you grow up in America as a horse girl? You grew up in an open environment. Even though no one else has ever touched your cheek, didn't your parents touch it a lot?

I can totally kiss my parents on the cheek, but why do I blush when Trainer-san touches me so lightly?

For a moment, Shenying felt increasingly embarrassed about the answer to this question. Perhaps she realized something, or perhaps something Kitano said just now had stimulated her subtle soft spot.

Maybe... maybe it's the sentence "Nothing is more important than your happiness"?

Trainer Sang is truly a person who puts horse girls first. He treats every horse girl like this and regards the honors that horse girls pursue as second class... This is not in line with the values ​​of horse girls... but it is in line with the necessary care and tenderness that a girl needs.

I seem to understand why Trainer-san is so popular. If Xiaocao hadn't liked Trainer-san, perhaps...

——Wait, Elu, what are you thinking about?

"T-T-thank you! Trainer-san! Elu, Elu already knows what to do!"

However, when she thought of this, Condor's cheeks immediately turned red. A strange sense of shame and guilt immediately engulfed Condor's mind, making her dare not continue thinking like this.

At this moment, Shenying had only one thought in her mind - "escape"! She had to escape before Xiaocao and Trainer Sang noticed her abnormality!

Otherwise, if Xiaocao knew about this, she would be furious! Xiaocao is a big jealous person! Any additional enemies would definitely be hated by Xiaocao!

"I will go to training and work hard! Goodbye, Trainer-san!"

After saying that, Condor fled the scene immediately. What she didn't know was that her extremely unnatural behavior had exposed all her thoughts.

Not only Kusanagi Fei, the one she least wanted to see the clues, but also Kitano, Tebi Zhou, and even Xingjiang could see that Shenying's behavior was unnatural, and what was the reason behind all this that caused Shenying's temperament to change drastically.