After Vodka's wild imagination led to a nosebleed, they Uma Musume made a quick visit to the infirmary just in case.
As usual, Vodka turned out fine.
The doctor simply attributed the bleeding to heightened emotions increasing blood circulation, combined with some fragile capillaries in her nasal cavity. The advice was straightforward: keep emotions in check and avoid overly stimulating situations.
After thanking the doctor, Kitasan Black and her two seniors accompanied Ines Fujin out of the academy.
Outside the school gates, stretching lazily under the evening breeze, Ines Fujin chuckled, saying:
"Ah, it's really fun coming back after so long. Especially getting to taste the cafeteria food again—ah, it brings back memories. I'm kind of jealous of you two now; maybe I should find a reason to work at the academy myself."
Daiwa Scarlet laughed gently.
"Fujin-senpai, you should consider your own situation first. Vodka and I came back mostly to find research inspiration. If senpai still has younger sisters to look after, it'd be better to focus more on them."
"But..." she paused thoughtfully. "Since you're back to your old courier job, perhaps we can ask you to help deliver some research materials and equipment later, if it's not too much trouble."
"Oh right, I could do that too!" Vodka chimed in enthusiastically. "We'll count on you then, senpai!"
"Of course it's no trouble at all!" Ines Fujin nodded repeatedly. "Delivering packages is easy enough—honestly, I'd just be bored at home otherwise."
"Then it's settled! I'll wait for your orders."
"Anyway, I should go now, or my little sisters will start calling me."
"Take care, senpai!" the three said together.
Smiling, Ines Fujin waved goodbye to her juniors. Just as she turned to head down the street, she paused, noticing a few distant figures.
"That's… Opera-san? And…those seem to be students from the academy?"
Following her gaze, Kitasan and the others immediately recognized T.M. Opera O along with several Uma Musume from the academy.
"Oh! That's Crown-chan, Dia-chan, and...Gallant-san?" Kitasan Black exclaimed in surprise.
"That's odd. Why are they together, and… What's wrong with Gallant-san? She looks like…she's been crying?"
Hesitating briefly, Kitasan Black took a step forward toward them.
Just as she'd said, Satono Gallant was walking in the center of the group, head lowered and rubbing her eyes. Her slumped shoulders clearly indicated she'd been crying.
Beside her, Opera and the others wore worried expressions, quietly murmuring words of comfort.
But after only a few steps, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka simultaneously reached out to stop Kitasan Black, speaking quietly yet firmly.
"Wait, Kita-chan. Don't go over yet."
"Gallant-san's situation...might be complicated. It's better if we don't disturb them."
As they spoke, both senpais shared a complicated glance.
Ines Fujin didn't intervene, though her expression showed confusion and contemplation. She soon lowered her voice too.
"I don't know what's happening exactly, but if Opera-san is there, there shouldn't be any real problems. How about this—there's a bubble tea shop just a few blocks away."
"I'll treat you to some drinks, and you girls can escort me partway."
Listening to her seniors' suggestions, Kitasan Black remained confused but obediently nodded, casting worried glances over her shoulder as they left the academy gate.
Throughout their walk to the bubble tea shop, Kitasan remained troubled and puzzled.
Once Ines Fujin bought and handed her a drink, Kitasan Black finally couldn't hold back.
"Senpais, earlier...Gallant-san...what exactly happened? Could it be because she lost the race?"
"But... But Gallant-san isn't the type who'd be so easily shaken, is she…?"
Daiwa Scarlet exchanged uncertain looks with the others, and after a moment, Ines Fujin spoke first:
"Satono Gallant...I overheard you girls mention her at the cafeteria—she was the runner-up in Kita-chan's race a few days ago, right?"
"Though I haven't paid attention to the races lately, I recall hearing the Satono family's momentum is nearly rivaling the Mejiro family's now.
"An Uma Musume from such a powerful family definitely wouldn't cry just because of a single lost race, would she?"
Indeed, the Twinkle Series had many influential families.
Long-established ones like Symboli, Mejiro, and even Hishi.
Then came newer powers like Sakura, or recently, the Air family.
As for the latest rising power, that would definitely be Satono.
These major families had not only powerful Uma Musume but also vast resources. Naturally, their expectations were strict. Someone who cried simply because she lost a single race would never gain their approval.
"Indeed, she shouldn't be," Daiwa Scarlet sighed. "Neither Vodka nor I personally know that kouhai, but we both saw her last race. Her performance was excellent—even a slightly better-timed acceleration could've made it harder for Kita-chan to win."
"And yet, seeing her now…"
She hesitated again, subconsciously glancing at Vodka.
With a sigh of her own, Vodka scratched her head in resignation.
"Seriously, whenever we hit something like this, you always push me forward...Fine, guess I'll be the one to say it."
Complaining lightly, Vodka glanced toward the academy gates before turning to face Ines Fujin and Kitasan Black directly.
"Satono Gallant's trainer...is the same trainer Opera-senpai had."
Kitasan Black remained blank-faced at this revelation, but Ines Fujin immediately understood, nodding gravely.
"So that's how it is...then, it's probably…"
Ines Fujin, just like Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, sighed heavily.
"Ah, it's most likely that scenario, then…"
Kitasan Black grew anxious. Clearly, she was now the only one left clueless.
"W-what scenario…? Senpais, can you please explain clearly?"
Once again exchanging glances, Vodka finally took a deep breath and spoke earnestly to Kitasan Black.
"I'll explain clearly."
"Kita-chan, you've already participated in two races, so I suppose it's not too early to tell you this. When you first arrived at Tracen Academy—no, when you first joined us back then—we warned you, remember? The world isn't always as nice as some imagine it to be."
"Especially in racing—there's only one champion each race. Those who don't come first face enormous pressure."
"We've seen far too many who couldn't handle it and quit."
Her voice carried a heavy note before she glanced toward the academy gate again, changing her tone slightly.
"But Satono Gallant probably isn't breaking down just because of race pressure. Compared to pressure, another possibility seems far more likely."
"If we've guessed correctly, her trainer probably terminated their contract with her. Or rather…"
"Her trainer was fired by the Satono family."