Meanwhile, Kitahara Sota, completely oblivious to the fact that he'd handed out the wrong key, had arrived at the conference room.
He was relatively early, so the room wasn't crowded yet, and the Chairwoman hadn't shown up either.
After randomly choosing a seat, he began chatting with a few trainers already present, speculating about the reason the Chairwoman had called them here. They quickly reached a unanimous conclusion—Tracen Academy was probably about to make its move against Black Forest.
As time passed, the room filled up, the steady hum of conversation growing louder. Some odd-looking fellows started to trickle in as well.
Well, it wasn't exactly that the people themselves looked strange—it was more about the suspicious traces lingering on them.
Hair strands in a different color peeking from collars, hickeys dotting their necks, teeth marks on their ring fingers resembling wedding bands—these were relatively subtle, all things considered.
Those walking unsteadily and smelling of fresh shower gel were also within acceptable limits; at least they were trying to cover things up, having retained some sense of shame.
But what about those poor souls with pale faces, carried in by their tantou, their legs visibly trembling?
It was obvious at a glance that this wasn't voluntary, but Kitahara Sota still couldn't help but internally complain—just what kind of hellhole had Tracen Academy become?
Even scarier, the other trainers seemed totally used to it. Not only did they show no surprise, but some even snickered at their suffering colleagues. Those unfortunate souls glared back, silently warning, Just wait till it happens to you!
Only the newer trainers wore subtle expressions of unease.
Finally, the Chairwoman pushed open the door, instantly silencing the murmurs.
Unlike usual, she wasn't alone. Behind her stood another figure.
Brown hair, green eyes, a gentle smile, dressed in an elegant green secretary outfit with a yellow tie and a matching hat. Her mature, calming presence immediately commanded attention.
Hayakawa Tazuna—the Chairwoman's most trusted assistant, absent from campus for mysterious reasons, had just returned today.
The new trainers simply looked puzzled at seeing someone behind the Chairwoman. However, the veteran trainers immediately sat up straight, eyes burning with hope and longing.
Especially those pale-faced trainers who could barely sit—they struggled to straighten up, looking at Hayakawa as if she were their savior.
Because she truly was.
Aside from being the Chairwoman's assistant, Hayakawa Tazuna was also notoriously known among the Uma Musume as the "Green Hat" or the "Green Devil."
The reason? She always appeared at just the right moment whenever certain Uma Musume attempted something untoward towards their trainers. Possessing impressive combat skills, she easily subdued those out-of-control Uma Musume and locked them away in the special confinement rooms unique to Tracen HQ.
She was also the captain of Tracen Academy's internal security team. Her recent departure had severely weakened the school's defenses, explaining why the campus had deteriorated into the chaotic state Kitahara was witnessing today.
In the past, although occasional incidents occurred, Hayakawa and her security team ensured that, at least outwardly, Tracen Academy lived up to its reputation as the top Uma Musume institution.
Thus, the veteran trainers' immense relief at her return was entirely understandable.
They didn't know, didn't care, and frankly weren't interested in what would happen to Black Forest—after all, few of them had ever interacted with the mysterious group.
All they knew was that now that the Green Hat was back, their lives wouldn't exactly be carefree, but at least the frequency and severity of their suffering would significantly decrease, as would the probability of hospitalization.
But their joy lasted mere moments.
As the Chairwoman spoke her next words, their fleeting hope was swiftly engulfed by an even darker despair.
"Everyone! I have good news and bad news—which would you like to hear first?"
The Chairwoman asked from behind her folding fan, hiding her expression.
The trainers glanced at each other hesitantly, then cautiously replied, "Then...the good news?"
"Alright! Then allow me to clearly inform everyone that, starting next month, your salaries will all be greatly increased!"
"Then...what about the bad news?"
"Hayakawa-san, why don't you explain this one?" The Chairwoman continued holding her fan in front of her face, concealing her expression.
"Understood."
Hayakawa Tazuna nodded slightly, sighing softly as her expression turned grave.
"I'm concerned you might not be able to bear the shock if I jump directly to the conclusion, so allow me to start from the beginning."
"Over ten years ago, the URA observed an unusual phenomenon: during a particular span of years, there was an exceptionally large increase—almost explosive—in Uma Musume births."
"At the time, the URA didn't pay much attention, as historical records indicated certain years had higher Uma Musume birth rates due to various factors. However, only recently have they realized that the scale of the increase back then far exceeded expectations."
"For example, in Hokkaido, which historically had a population of approximately six million, Uma Musume used to number around five thousand."
"But following that wave over a decade ago, the current number of Uma Musume there has reached nearly fifteen thousand—almost triple the original count."
"The reason the URA failed to notice earlier is because many of these Uma Musume were born in remote rural areas or small towns without any nearby Tracen branch campuses. The situation only became clear recently as these Uma Musume grew up."
At this point, a trainer couldn't help interjecting.
"What about the Population Statistics Bureau? It's understandable if the URA didn't notice without direct data, but surely they must have seen such a significant demographic shift?"
Hayakawa sighed deeply, bowing apologetically.
"They've already apologized just like this."
All the trainers: "..."
Ah yes, the traditional technique of private URA horseplay strikes again.
"And it isn't limited to Hokkaido—Uma Musume populations have risen to varying degrees across JP, and Hokkaido's increase isn't even the most dramatic."
"Moreover, because of the reasons I've mentioned, these increases weren't caught early enough to implement preventive measures. This is precisely what I've been investigating during my recent absence."
"As for the results..."
She paused with another heavy sigh, her tone growing sympathetic.
"I'm sure you can all imagine the risks involved with allowing Uma Musume in adolescence or even those fully awakened to live unsupervised in the outside world—not just to themselves, but to others as well."
"Regardless of who's responsible, Tracen must now assume full accountability and try to accommodate as many of them as possible."
"All other Tracen branches have already started this task, and as the headquarters, we can't merely stand by. In fact, we must shoulder even more responsibility given our resources."
At this point, realization dawned upon several trainers, their eyes widening with dread.
"Hayakawa-san...surely, you can't mean..."
"Yes. Starting now, large numbers of Uma Musume will be transferred continuously from various regions to our main campus. Even the most conservative estimates suggest the incoming numbers will at least match the current student population—and the task of managing them falls squarely on your shoulders."
Hayakawa raised her head, calmly sweeping her gaze across the trainers gathered.
"To handle this unprecedented situation, Tracen Academy will enter a state of special emergency."
"Effective immediately, all rookie trainers will be treated as regular trainers. Team formation restrictions are lifted, and every rookie must take responsibility for at least one Uma Musume within a year."
"As for veteran trainers, from this moment forward, you're all considered to have officially formed teams. Within one year, your teams—including your current tantou—must have no fewer than two members. Within two years, that number must expand to at least three, with no upper limit. As your team grows, your salaries will proportionately increase."
"We've already begun recruiting more rookie trainers and recalling veterans, but both processes will take time. Until reinforcements arrive, please endure."
Hayakawa's tone was sincere.
Dead silence blanketed the room.
Hearing Hayakawa Tazuna's words, the trainers turned deathly pale.
To an outsider, this new requirement might sound like paradise: increased pay, spending time closely with more pretty girls, openly building harems—what could possibly be better?
But for trainers hearing this, it was as if Death himself was tapping ominously on their pelvises.
Especially those already carried in pale-faced—they looked positively bloodless now.
They were barely surviving their current tantou as it was, and now they were told to increase their teams to three members within two years?
And it wasn't just a matter of team management. With such a massive influx, the strain on Tracen's resources would inevitably worsen, affecting everything from teaching materials to cafeteria supplies and—most importantly—campus safety.
Even with the Green Hat and her security squad at full strength, maintaining surface-level peace at Tracen was already a struggle. Doubling the student body overnight would undoubtedly be catastrophic.
If things really came to that, campus safety and incident rates would likely surpass even the chaos seen during the weeks Hayakawa had been away.
Moreover, while Hayakawa currently framed the issue simply as a population explosion, the veteran trainers knew better. There had to be something deeper behind this. A mere census wouldn't have kept the "Green Devil" away this long. Something hidden must be related to the sudden Uma Musume population surge, compounded by this mandatory team expansion…
"Is it still possible to resign?" A trainer weakly raised his hand.
"Resignations will not be approved during this special period. Additionally, we've coordinated with the courts, who've agreed not to accept related lawsuits. Any incidents involving Uma Musume will be handled exclusively by Tracen and the URA—please bear with us during these exceptional times."
Hayakawa paused briefly, then softened her voice slightly.
"But please rest assured. Tracen will take full responsibility for your safety. Should any unfortunate accidents occur, resulting in injury or disability, Tracen will fully compensate you. In the event of your death, substantial condolence payments will be made to your families...though, personally, I sincerely hope it won't come to that."
"I want to see everyone safely leave Tracen Academy, alive and well."
Silence.
Recognizing the inevitability, the trainers said nothing further, instead beginning to strategize how to safely survive the coming chaos.
A few even began quietly contacting calmer, more stable Uma Musume, aiming to secure them into their teams before anyone else could.
Achievements could wait. Survival came first.
Yet while most trainers were panicking due to this announcement, a minority sat back smugly, amused—because they already had established teams.
Though none reached the legendary heights of Mihiro Taishi, who single-handedly managed seventeen tantou, teams with one or two tantou plus three or four additional members were not uncommon.
After all, not everyone was an anomaly like Kitahara Sota. In typical teams, a trainer usually only closely oversaw their tantou, offering basic instruction to the rest. It wasn't neglectful—just the difference between one-on-one personal coaching and general classroom instruction.
The former involved comprehensive responsibility and frequent incidents, while the latter was straightforward and safe. Once a member earned results or formed a special partnership, she'd sign on with a dedicated trainer and leave the team. Good news like that might even prompt celebratory meals or emotional tears from the original trainer.
You might wonder—if team Uma Musume were so simple, wouldn't adding a few be easy?
But that view was mistaken.
The issue wasn't reluctance; in fact, most trainers at Tracen HQ actively wanted larger teams for increased income and reduced risk of problematic solo encounters.
The real issue was that trainers couldn't unilaterally form teams.
Those who successfully formed teams generally had gentle, stable tantou, with low risks of incidents. Such teams rarely had conflicts—even multiple tantou could peacefully coexist.
Team sizes varied greatly depending on the trainer's ability and available assistant staff, from small teams of two or three to larger groups that could swell to twenty or thirty members.
Yet these were exceptions. For most, merely hinting at forming teams could trigger certain dangerous switches within their tantou, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
When it rains, it pours—such was the situation.
But Kitahara Sota…
His situation was unique.
He had two tantou: one who didn't want him managing her at all, and the other who acted more like his trainer than his tantou.
Ironically, this had caused the team members, meant to merely attend sessions, to behave more like tantou themselves—a peculiar situation that couldn't serve as a typical example.
Thus, the new announcement barely affected Kitahara. As a rookie trainer already managing seven Uma Musume with healthy team dynamics and proper boundaries, he had no concerns about messy incidents.
Instead, he had another issue on his mind.
"Um, Hayakawa-san?"
He raised his hand.
"What about the situation with Black Forest? How is Tracen planning to deal with that?"
"Black Forest? Ah, you mean that organization?"
Hayakawa Tazuna pondered briefly before offering a warm, reassuring smile.
"You must be Kitahara-san, yes? The Chairwoman already mentioned your situation to me. I'm very sorry about the unfortunate incidents you experienced previously. But please rest assured—I'll swiftly handle this matter and ensure nothing similar happens again."
She turned to Akikawa Yayoi, politely bowing her head.
"Chairwoman, do you have specific instructions regarding this?"
Akikawa Yayoi finally closed her folding fan, tapping it irritably against her palm, a distinctly displeased expression on her face.
"I'm annoyed! If you hadn't taken everyone away and left us short on security staff, do you think those small fry would dare mess with Tracen Academy? After this week, I don't want to hear about them anywhere on campus again."
"Understood, Chairwoman."
Hayakawa Tazuna replied effortlessly, leaving the new trainers utterly bewildered.
Weren't they completely overwhelmed by Black Forest earlier? What had changed now?
"Don't be surprised."
A veteran trainer patted the shoulder of a confused rookie, sighing knowingly.
"Think carefully about what you've seen since joining this academy. Without real power, could Tracen afford to be this reckless?"
"But earlier, weren't they—"
Before the rookie finished, the veteran trainer cut him off, subtly glancing towards Hayakawa standing nearby, shaking his head slightly with an air of quiet reflection.
"If the Chairwoman is Tracen's brain, Hayakawa-san is the arm executing its orders. She was busy elsewhere before, irritated but unable to bother with mere mosquito bites. Now that her other business is settled…"
His voice lowered meaningfully.
"It's time for the cleanup to begin."