After entrusting the investigation to Symboli Rudolf, Kitahara Sota set aside his worries about Kudou Kazuya and returned fully to his normal daily routine.
Playing with his phone, browsing forums, chatting idly with other trainers…
Occasionally guiding Agnes Digital as her next race approached, assisting Grass Wonder's ongoing sches.
After training ended, he headed to the lab to tend to a reluctant Agnes Tachyon, then back to his dorm to research and purchase supplies online for future care sessions with Nice Nature—occasionally squeezing the black rice ball curled up in his arms.
Thus, another day passed uneventfully.
The next morning, the sun rose as usual.
He washed up, had breakfast, and made his way to the training grounds.
After greeting the team, the Uma Musu began their daily training. Kitahara pulled out his phone, ready to slack off once again.
But he'd barely started when Symboli Rudolf appeared at his side, calmly watching Tokai Teio training in the distance.
"I've finished looking into what you asked," she stated plainly. "There are indeed so points of interest."
Kitahara froze, nearly dropping his phone.
Huh? Done already?
He'd heard plenty about Rudolf's efficiency and capability before, so he hadn't doubted her competence. After all, she wouldn't have earned the title "Emperor" by competing evenly with the Chairwoman herself if she weren't exceptional.
But this speed was utterly absurd.
Pre-investigation prep, forming a plan, mobilizing personnel, conducting interviews, gathering intel, cross-referencing…
In Kitahara's estimation, that entire process should've taken at least four or five days, especially given the workload of the student council due to the influx of new students. Considering Kudou Kazuya's deep connections within Tracen, staying discreet and thorough should've taken even longer.
Yet, Rudolf had completed it overnight, delivering a report so detailed and comprehensive it surpassed his expectations. She'd practically unearthed Kudou's entire life story.
"How did you even do that?" Kitahara couldn't help but ask.
Rudolf didn't conceal her thods, answering simply:
"I requested access to the trainers' information database from the Chairwoman, under the pretense of matching new students with suitable trainers. Air Groove helped obtain copies."
"Then I asked Narita Brian to speak with so of Kudou's forr students, claiming to look for a trainer for an Uma Musu from the Symboli family who'll be debuting soon."
"Lastly, I used my connections outside the academy to check his financial records…"
Rudolf paused, reflecting inwardly.
Truthfully, she'd found the situation puzzling herself.
Within Tracen, it made sense. After spending about ten minutes formulating her strategy following Kitahara's departure, she'd quickly mobilized Air Groove and Narita Brian, both trusted aides familiar with her thods.
The strange part had co from the Symboli family itself.
Initially, Rudolf had expected at least a sarcastic remark from Symboli Speed. Instead, not only had there been zero resistance, but the family's cooperation had been astonishingly proactive—providing everything Rudolf needed instantly, without a single word of mockery.
That wasn't normal.
Rudolf wasn't naive enough to believe they'd suddenly cooperated simply due to the seriousness of the matter. The more she thought about it, the clearer it beca: this likely had sothing to do with Kitahara himself.
Yet, knowing Kitahara was clueless about any connections to her family, she didn't question him further. If anything, she'd have to approach Symboli Speed later for answers.
anwhile, as Rudolf mulled things over, Kitahara carefully reviewed the information, his attention locking onto one particular detail. His brow slowly furrowed.
A hospital, huh…
According to the file, Kudou Kazuya had a peculiar habit of regularly visiting a patient in a hospital under Tracen's managent, never missing a week even during crucial racing seasons. In recent years, his visits had beco even more frequent, sotis three tis weekly.
Notably, Kudou never talked about these visits with his current team, and when questioned, he would deflect firmly. Graduated Uma Musu who'd been under his guidance seed aware of the reason, but they always refused to discuss it, telling juniors simply that it was "his private business."
Kitahara tapped the file thoughtfully, narrowing his eyes.
Is he being blackmailed? Soone who needs an organ transplant? Or sothing else entirely…?
Only one way to find out.
...
Shortly after reviewing the docunts, Kitahara inford his team he'd be stepping out briefly and left the training grounds, Eclipse following silently behind.
It was currently Kudou Kazuya's training hours, aning he wouldn't be at the hospital for at least a few hours. Kitahara preferred not to delay, deciding to use this opportunity to investigate imdiately.
Surprisingly, Rudolf insisted on accompanying him, saying she wished to personally assess Kudou's character.
Kitahara saw no reason—or thod—to refuse. After all, Rudolf had provided the information, aning she could've gone without his permission anyway.
Thus, Kitahara, Eclipse, and Rudolf soon stood before the hospital entrance, though they didn't imdiately enter the ward. Instead, Rudolf approached a nurse, asking politely for information.
Normally, such personal details wouldn't be shared freely, but Rudolf's presence—alongside her explanation that it was related to student council business—caused the nurse to pause only briefly before agreeing.
"It's not exactly a secret," the nurse began. "The young lady's been here for many years, and many people already know her connection to Mr. Kudou. It's fine to tell you…"
"Her na is Clover, an Uma Musu."
"But she wasn't from Tracen Academy—not from the main campus, nor a branch. In fact, she was never even a racing Uma Musu."
"As for why…"
"Mr. Kudou first t Clover-san when they were elentary school students."
"According to Clover-san, Kudou was very introverted as a child, quiet both at ho and school, but academically excellent."
"Clover-san was cheerful and popular, though her academic performance was disappointing."
"Their teacher eventually suggested she find a studious friend to help supervise her studies after school. Clover-san chose Kudou, supposedly because her own friends were too indulgent and wouldn't push her."
"However, Kudou always insisted she approached him out of pity, feeling sorry for his isolation and using studies as an excuse to befriend him."
"I don't know who was telling the truth, but that's how their relationship began."
"Clover-san said their early interactions weren't pleasant, as Kudou had a terrible temper and often scolded her. Kudou, however, claid Clover-san was unbearably playful, constantly climbing trees and catching fish, never actually studying."
"Still, in that mutual frustration, they gradually grew close—though Kudou's scolding never stopped."
"He often warned her that her carefree attitude would ruin her future, but Clover-san stubbornly covered her ears and refused to listen."
"Eventually, Kudou confronted her directly, asking what she actually wanted to do in life."
"Feeling cornered, Clover-san impulsively replied she wanted to beco a racing Uma Musu, hoping to brush him off."
"She expected anger since she lacked the physical qualities for racing—small stature, poor physical condition, clearly unsuitable—but Kudou didn't get angry. After a long silence, he suddenly said he would beco a trainer."
"Clover-san was shocked. Kudou had previously confided that he dread of becoming a police officer, so why the sudden change?"
"'Because a certain idiot would probably fail spectacularly without ,' Kudou apparently said. Clover-san only realized who he ant after several seconds, then promptly kicked him and ran off."
"From that day, Kudou studied even harder, aiming to skip grades and beco her trainer officially. Clover-san was ecstatic. Even if it ant temporary separation, they'd stay together in the future."
"But then, tragedy struck."
"One evening, Kudou was abducted by kidnappers while walking ho alone after late studies."
"Clover-san witnessed it and pursued imdiately. Terrified by her Uma Musu appearance—unaware she hadn't even begun proper growth—the kidnappers panicked, driving off a steep cliff in the dark."
"Kudou was dragged over with them. Without hesitation, Clover-san jumped after, using her extensive tree-climbing and river-wading experience to shield Kudou. Remarkably, she protected him completely, but her legs were crushed."
"Kudou was desperate upon realizing her injuries. He claims not to rember clearly, but Clover-san said that, despite being physically weak, Kudou carried her over a kiloter before collapsing unconscious, repeating her na until help arrived."
"Though she survived miraculously, Clover-san permanently lost the use of her legs."
"Afterward, she never regretted her actions, insisting she'd jump again without hesitation—because sothing far more precious than racing or even her life was at stake."
"Kudou wanted to abandon becoming a trainer, but Clover-san convinced him otherwise, pretending she wished him to watch others run in her place. In reality, she'd never desired to race; she simply wanted him to follow through on his efforts."
"Thus, Kudou beca a trainer—from novice to legendary veteran."
"His fa grew, as did his earnings, but one thing never changed: he called Clover-san nightly and visited at least weekly without fail, continuing even now."
A heavy silence descended once the nurse finished her story.
Rudolf opened her mouth slightly as if to say sothing, but ultimately only sighed softly.
After a long pause, Kitahara's expression turned solemn. He raised his head, breaking the silence.
"May I see Clover-san?"
The nurse hesitated briefly, glancing toward Rudolf.
Rudolf t Kitahara's gaze, exhaled quietly, and nodded gently.
"Please take us there."
"…Alright."
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