It didn't take long for Kitahara Sota to realize why Silence Suzuka had rushed off in such a hurry.
Mitsuo Taishi was Silence Suzuka's trainer.
The same Mitsuo Taishi who had previously chatted with Kitahara in the trainers' group chat.
True to his name—meaning "ambitious hero"—Taishi was an optimistic and passionate fellow, a bit rough around the edges, and known for his easy-going attitude.
He wasn't particularly gifted as a trainer, but he was steady, hardworking, and highly experienced. Thanks to his personality, he was popular among his peers, especially the new trainers, serving almost as a reliable big brother figure.
However, he had one significant flaw: he was overly soft-hearted.
Toward other trainers or Uma Musume who shone like shooting stars, Taishi behaved normally.
But when it came to those who lacked exceptional talent or strength—the ones who couldn't win races or excel academically, who might have been local prodigies but turned into mere background characters after arriving at Tracen Academy—he found it impossible to remain indifferent.
Given his abilities, he could easily have turned down their requests and contracted with more talented Uma Musume.
Yet, he thought doing so would be too cruel. From the moment he began working at Tracen, he continually took in the girls no one else wanted, hoping to give each of them a chance to shine.
And surprisingly, he succeeded.
Though none of his Uma Musume had won a G1 race or even many graded races, the issue was that these girls were essentially abandoned by everyone else.
If not for him, they would have remained trapped in OP-class races, eventually retiring in obscurity after their three-year terms expired.
Through his tireless efforts, however, these once-neglected girls gradually qualified for graded races, some even winning G2-level events.
Granted, luck often played a part—maybe no star competitors participated, the track conditions favored them, or their opponents underperformed horribly.
But a win was a win. For girls once cast aside, even a G2 victory was something they'd never dared dream of.
It sounded like an inspiring story, didn't it?
But remember his earlier flaw?
Right—he was too soft-hearted.
After his first Uma Musume achieved decent results, other girls previously resigned to obscurity felt their ambitions reignited, quickly flocking to him.
And so… Well…
Up until now, counting Silence Suzuka, Taishi had served as tantou for a total of seventeen Uma Musume.
He currently had eleven active tantou—by far the most of any trainer at Tracen.
Silence Suzuka had been his latest addition.
Unlike his other girls, Suzuka hadn't chosen him due to lack of options. Rather, their families were somewhat related, and Taishi's family, fearing he might never leave Tracen alive, had asked Suzuka to look after him.
Moreover, Taishi was actually quite skilled as a trainer—having handled many girls, his practical experience was well above his peers'.
Given their family ties and familiarity, him taking charge of Suzuka was reasonable enough, ensuring she'd avoid ending up in the infamous "heavy track."
Precisely because of this familial connection, Suzuka instantly became the highest-ranking member of his team—a relative from home, almost akin to their "little sister-in-law," not to mention she was stronger than the others as a racer.
Even though Suzuka wasn't particularly assertive—in fact, she could even seem a bit meek—she was now the only one capable of peacefully keeping the rest in check, a necessary presence to maintain stability.
Thus, she had no choice but to go, leaving Special Week in someone else's care.
And why didn't they ask Grass Wonder?
They had, but Grass Wonder had gone home today to visit her family and wasn't at school.
Kitahara wondered briefly what expression she'd wear upon reading the message—likely not a happy one.
As for his own team…
Agnes Tachyon was hopeless; Agnes Digital was busy babysitting her.
Oguri Cap already had plans with her roommate and wasn't good at taking care of others anyway.
Due to the earlier attack, Tokai Teio was still with Symboli Rudolf, seemingly preparing for something and unable to leave.
Eclipse had also indicated she had some personal matters to attend to.
Thus, Silence Suzuka had no choice but to entrust Special Week to him.
Thankfully, this was already the seventh day since Special Week began practicing her new running style. While still somewhat unsteady and needing care, she'd begun improving—at least she could feed herself now.
Moreover, along with her new form adjustments, her demeanor began subtly changing. Her steps had become steadier, each movement imbued with a distinctive aura.
The only constant was her overwhelming airheadedness.
After helping Special Week inside and settling her onto the sofa, Kitahara opened his phone and navigated to the trainer group chat, intending to find out what exactly happened to Mitsuo Taishi.
[Little Youichi]:@Kitahara Sota, get used to it. He's always checking into the hospital. Even he treats it like paid leave now.
[Nishiguchi Ei]:Yeah, didn't he end up there four or five times last year? Then again... the man has seventeen tantou.
[Little Youichi]:Honestly, seventeen alone wouldn't be that bad, but the real problem is Taishi himself—he's a bit too…
[Little Youichi]:It's hard to explain.
[Nishiguchi Ei]:True.
[Nishiguchi Ei]:I still remember early last year he proudly boasted in chat that his team was very obedient and sensible, like daughters to him, and joked about inviting us all to their weddings…
[Little Youichi]:And then the very next day he was almost dragged off for a forced marriage.
[Kitahara Sota]:…
[Kitahara Sota]:So how's his condition now?
[Higashimori Yosuke]:Not bad. Looks scary, but mostly superficial injuries. No danger to his life.
[Little Youichi]:@Higashimori Yosuke, why do you know so much?
[Higashimori Yosuke]:Uh, I'm in the hospital bed next to him…
[Little Youichi]:…
[Nishiguchi Ei]:…
[Kitahara Sota]:Didn't you just get discharged recently? Why are you back again?
[Higashimori Yosuke]:Had a small accident.
[Kitahara Sota]:…Related to your tantou?
[Higashimori Yosuke]:No, no, nothing like that. Just missed a step on the stairs and fell down.
[Kitahara Sota]:Sounds alright.
[Kitahara Sota]:Wait, you didn't tell your tantou again, did you?
[Higashimori Yosuke]:Of course not!
[Higashimori Yosuke]:It's nothing serious—I'll rest a couple days myself. No need to worry her.
[Little Youichi]: …
[Nishiguchi Ei]: …
[Kitahara Sota]: …
[Higashimori Yosuke]:?
[Higashimori Yosuke]:What's wrong? Why the reaction?
[Higashimori Yosuke]:Wait… why is she here—
Then Higashimori went offline and never messaged again.
[Kitahara Sota]:Hope he's alive.
[Little Youichi]:Hope his pelvis survived.
[Nishiguchi Ei]:@Higashimori Yosuke, I know a good funeral home if you need one.
Kitahara silently mourned Higashimori's fate for three seconds, then put away his phone without reading the remaining messages—partly because he'd gotten the information he needed, but mostly because something had suddenly landed in his lap.
Special Week had tried sneaking behind Kitahara to peek at his screen like last time.
Unfortunately, she'd forgotten about her current physical condition. Halfway there, she stumbled over her own feet, falling directly into Kitahara's arms as he quickly turned off his screen.
The trainer chat wasn't exactly child-friendly content.
"Hey, Special Week…"
Feeling the sudden pressure on his chest, Kitahara sighed helplessly, subconsciously reaching out and gently rubbing the white tuft of hair on her forehead.
"With your current condition, can't you just sit quietly on the sofa? Come on, I'll help you back."
This time, however, Special Week didn't respond right away.
After a brief silence, she raised her head, looking up at Kitahara with a silly yet sincere smile.
"Hehe, Sato-san really hasn't changed at all—you still love rubbing my hair."
Only then did Kitahara notice what his hand had been doing, embarrassment flickering across his face as he started to withdraw.
But as he did, Special Week gently nudged her head forward, leaning into his hand.
"If Sato-san likes it, I don't mind. Actually, I really enjoy this feeling too."
"What's enjoyable about hair rubbing?"
Kitahara sighed in resignation.
"And hurry up and get off—do you realize how heavy you are?"
"I'm not talking about hair rubbing," Special Week replied, blinking innocently and breaking into a wide, carefree grin.
"I mean, I like lying in your arms, Sato-san."
"After all, isn't this exactly how you used to lull me to sleep?"