Chapter 26: Rudolf's Conclusion, and Special Week's Anomaly?

"Well, regardless, Festa won the race. It was risky, but it was a beautiful victory."

"Congratulations, Trainer Kitano. Nakayama-san is just as strong as you said she was."

Back in the waiting area, Kitano was soon greeted with congratulations. The first to praise him was Special Week. This earnest girl from Hokkaido no longer dwelled on her strange sense of familiarity with him, instead choosing to follow her instincts and openly show her affinity for him.

For Kitano, seeing the once-small Special Week now grown into the "General of Japan" was moving, even if he knew he hadn't been part of her growth in this playthrough.

After all, in that other playthrough, his focus had been on Suzuka. His encounter with Special Week was a coincidence, but for a long time, he had become an indelible person in her life... or so her adoptive mother had told him.

"Ugh, it's frustrating, but both Nakayama-san and Gold Ship-san are so strong. I feel like they're really going to be a threat to Emperor Teio," Tokai Teio grumbled, having been in a sour mood ever since she saw the embrace. She had channeled her dissatisfaction into seeing Festa as a future arch-rival.

She didn't understand her own feelings, and she couldn't share them with anyone, not even the President—it was too strange. Why would she be unhappy about a trainer she just met being close to his own charge? It made her feel like some kind of stalker.

While the atmosphere was generally cheerful, one figure stood out... Silence Suzuka. She kept a small distance from the group, a lonely figure on the edge.

But she still couldn't help but glance at Kitano from time to time with a longing look, her indecisive movements—almost stepping forward, then pulling back—reminiscent of a shy middle schooler with a crush.

Behind Kitano, Stay Gold, who had been silent all this time, occasionally glanced at Suzuka, her dark, deep eyes unreadable.

"Congratulations, Trainer Kitano. It seems you and your charge have taken your first step."

At this moment, another voice broke the harmony. Symboli Rudolf, having composed herself, approached with a smile.

"I just did what I was supposed to do," Kitano replied gently. "This victory was Nakayama Festa's gamble."

"It's also thanks to your guidance. Their performance proves your ability is worthy of a central trainer's title." Rudolf didn't hold back her praise, her eyes immediately locking onto his slightly rosier complexion. Remembering the notebook, she suppressed her excitement and asked casually:

"Is it my imagination, or do you look much better after this race than the last time we met?"

"This? Ah, it's probably just because I was so excited to see Festa win. A good mood makes the body feel better."

He used his old, worn-out excuse. He couldn't exactly explain how a dying man could extend his life.

But what he didn't know was that his words had just completely validated Rudolf's suspicions. She was now certain: everything in that notebook was true!

Kitano Ryuichi is really a person who can extend his life by having his charge win races!

Rudolf didn't know why she had to verify this, but a voice in her heart told her it was crucial. It was an important piece of the puzzle she needed to solve the mystery of her fragmented dreams.

At the thought of finally being able to unravel his mystery, her breathing quickened, a flush rising to her cheeks. However, her strange expression was noticed by everyone, but the first to break the silence was, unexpectedly, Stay Gold.

The head of the Gold Family stepped between Kitano and Rudolf and said coldly, "—Kitano is our family's trainer, Rudolf. Please keep your distance. And don't stare at him like some mare in heat from Tracen. His body can't take the strain."

With that, she turned and started pushing his wheelchair away without giving anyone a chance to react.

"Let's go, Kitano. We still have to deal with the reporters. And I have a favor to ask you."

As Stay Gold pushed him away, Rudolf, after a moment's processing, strode after them. Her intuition told her that Stay Gold's aggression, when it was to protect him, was not as simple as it seemed.

Could it be that Stay Gold... is the same as me?

"Huh? Suzuka-san..."

Meanwhile, Special Week, who had intended to follow the group to the press conference, noticed that Suzuka had turned and run off in the other direction—towards the public bath and changing rooms.

Special Week watched her go, puzzled. Why would she do that? Among everyone, her reaction to Kitano was the coldest.

Or... is it the opposite? Is Suzuka-san the one who's most curious about him?

Special Week's intuition gave her a strange idea—perhaps her own sense of familiarity with him was related to Suzuka?

The moment she thought this, she felt a sudden wave of dizziness and had to squat down, clutching her head.

A voice suddenly echoed in her mind—not of someone she knew, but of a professional announcer, reporting a piece of news... news that seemed to be from the future, or perhaps the past.

"Tragedy struck at the highly anticipated Tennō Shō (Autumn) the other day. The famous horse girl Silence Suzuka suffered a sudden fracture during the race and fell. Her trainer, Kitano Ryuichi, rushed onto the track to save her, pushing her out of the path of the oncoming racers."

"However, after this, the already seriously ill Kitano Ryuichi's condition worsened. He was rushed to the hospital yesterday but unfortunately passed away—"

"Hah!"

Special Week violently broke free from the nightmarish voice, panting and covered in sweat, her face a mask of horror.

Why... why is there a voice in my head... And why would Trainer Kitano die? And to save Suzuka-san?

What is going on? Which of these memories... is the real one?

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