So she lost and cant go to the Olympics?
That's a good question. Is she disqualified or are they taking somehow points instead, to keep the strong fighters in? Because she is strong and all of them should face several opponents, so that the strongest fighter doesn't fluke out. As they said: They still have enough time to the Olympics.
And Blondie is taking the right strategy here. Even as it is fair to tell her straight on, that she is aiming for MC, telling her so may already be part of the strategy. If FMC becomes anxious she might become too jealous and drive him and herself apart with that. At least she might herself stress open holes, in what might be an impenetrable relationship otherwise. Good ntr tactic. But Saotome also should worry a little bit and show that, so that she doesn't look too indifferent to her hubby....She has to keep the balance...And in this Blondie already succeeded: She took the lightheartedness out of their relationship.
Best counter strategy? Telling him about what Blondie is trying to do, so that he can shoot her down himself. Set the roles: Blondie is the aggressor, she is the victim and he is the protector. Chances are the relationship between the aggressor and the protector are viewed as strained by the protector (him), which would drive a wedge between them and makes an "I'm so harmless" approach very hard to pull off.