Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond—both were names Kitahara Sota considered heavyweights.
But unlike the latter, Kitasan Black wasn't labeled "heavyweight" due to being particularly strange or dangerous.
Quite the opposite: Kitasan's safety level could be placed alongside Special Week or Oguri Cap. If he had to describe her in one phrase, it would be something like "heart of gold."
Bright, optimistic, and incredibly kind-hearted.
No matter the place or circumstance, if Kitasan encountered someone who appeared to need help, she would always approach to check on them. Once she confirmed someone was in trouble, she would immediately help to the best of her ability—even if it meant delaying her own plans.
She was a genuinely good girl. In fact, if she were alone, Kitahara might have seriously considered making her his tantou.
But the problem was she came as a packaged set—with Satono Diamond, who was precisely the reason Kitahara saw danger signs flashing.
Satono Diamond, the young lady of the powerful Satono family.
At first glance, she looked delicate, sweet, and filled with gentle charm that inspired an urge to protect her.
But on the inside…
Kitahara couldn't be sure.
Although, based on his recent experiences at Tracen, perhaps not all Uma Musume were dangerous or unstable. Those around him, for example, had remained obedient, sensible, and well-behaved—with the exception of Agnes Tachyon occasionally trying to spike his drink.
Of course, part of this was due to his deliberate efforts to maintain distance and avoid any affection-raising actions—at least in his own opinion—but it still suggested that not every Uma Musume was dangerously possessive.
Perhaps Satono Diamond would be the same, but Kitahara wasn't willing to gamble.
Because if this particular young lady ever turned dangerous, the consequences could far surpass any other possessive Uma Musume he knew.
Typically, when a possessive Uma Musume got dangerous, the worst outcome might be kidnapping their trainer to spend some "quality" basement time together. As long as one stayed cooperative, it usually wouldn't end too badly.
But Satono Diamond…
Perhaps in certain situations she might behave similarly, but it was far more likely she would employ increasingly unsettling tactics—carefully stripping away everything her target had, piece by piece, until they were completely under her control.
To summarize her simply: an ojou-sama type, cunning, willing to use any means necessary—even driven to madness or total collapse.
That was just the worst-case scenario, though.
The Satono Diamond currently before him hadn't even fully awakened as an Uma Musume yet.
She appeared youthful, a hint of nervousness clear in her eyes, sitting demurely with her small, pale hands folded neatly in her lap. It was obvious she was trying hard to uphold the grace of a refined young lady, but facing strangers had clearly unsettled her.
Beside her sat Kitasan Black, whose behavior contrasted sharply. Far from shy, Kitasan seemed naturally friendly, watching Kitahara with open curiosity.
"Kitahara-san, are you a trainer at Tracen's main campus?"
"Yes." Kitahara nodded with a gentle smile.
Though Satono Diamond's sudden appearance had startled him initially, he soon realized the situation might not be nearly as bad as he'd first imagined. Actually, he might've simply overreacted.
After all, judging by their youthful appearance, it would be a while before either girl entered Tracen. The odds of them becoming involved with him anytime soon were practically zero.
Moreover, this wasn't his first time dealing with potentially dangerous Uma Musume. He'd gained plenty of experience. Even if Satono Diamond ended up interacting with him, Kitahara felt confident he could maintain a safe distance.
Besides, even if she entered Tracen and crossed paths with him, there was no guarantee she'd pay him any special attention.
The academy had countless charming, capable trainers. Why would someone as refined as Satono Diamond choose a trainer like him, whose daily goal was to slack off and coast through life?
This reasoning applied not just to Satono Diamond but to other Uma Musume as well.
Sure, Kitahara had talent as a trainer, occasionally helped people, and knew he wasn't bad-looking—but he wasn't arrogant enough to believe someone would develop feelings for him just because of that.
Thus, after his initial shock wore off, Kitahara quickly relaxed and patiently answered all of Kitasan's questions.
Their conversation was pleasant and perfectly appropriate—mainly because Kitahara carefully omitted any inappropriate or overly adult details that might mentally scar the young girls.
Overall, nothing surprising occurred. Kitahara simply helped satisfy the curious questions of a cheerful child, and throughout the entire exchange, Satono Diamond remained silent.
Eventually, though still somewhat wary, Kitahara felt a bit guilty seeing Satono Diamond's obvious unease. After some internal debate, he turned to her, gently initiating a question:
"Satono-san, is there anything you'd like to ask?"
Startled, Satono Diamond shook her head quickly. "N-No, it's fine. I don't have any questions…"
Since she declined, Kitahara didn't press further. After chatting briefly with the older Uma Musume, he noticed it was getting late and decided it was time to leave.
This time, the older Uma Musume didn't try to keep him, given that he'd brought along seven hungry mouths—including a few who clearly had big appetites.
Although she could manage feeding them all, her current supply of food wasn't nearly enough—normal people didn't stockpile warehouses of food just to handle unexpected visitors, after all.
However, she quietly considered buying a nearby warehouse in the future—watching the subtle battles unfold at the dining table was always entertaining.
After returning inside the store, she selected some clothing items for everyone and then saw them off.
What Kitahara and the older woman didn't realize was that as soon as they'd gone inside, the two young Uma Musume left behind in the garden began their own quiet conversation.
"Dia-chan, what happened to you today?" Kitasan asked curiously.
To her knowledge, while Satono Diamond wasn't exactly outgoing, as a proper young lady she typically remained composed even around strangers, never displaying anxiety that might appear discourteous.
Yet, as soon as the older woman introduced Kitahara Sota, Diamond's emotions had clearly become unsettled, and she behaved unusually reserved.
Satono Diamond hesitated before finally speaking quietly.
"Kita-chan, have you ever heard the urban legend about the 'Walking Wish Machine'?"
For family-related reasons, Satono Diamond had a keen interest in warding off misfortune. Since such phenomena were often tied to urban legends and occult tales, Diamond wasn't merely interested—she was obsessed. With her family's resources, calling her an expert on urban legends wasn't an exaggeration.
Years ago, she'd encountered a mysterious urban legend about a "Walking Wish Machine," becoming fascinated and tirelessly pursuing clues ever since.
Initially, when the older Uma Musume mentioned knowing a trainer from Tracen, Diamond wasn't particularly moved. Her own family had plenty of trainers—some even stationed at Tracen. She'd accompanied Kitasan today merely as a friend.
She never imagined the trainer the older Uma Musume knew would be Kitahara Sota.
I should've dressed nicer today. At least changed clothes. I should've talked more, left a better impression…
Diamond now deeply regretted her earlier silence.
Seeing her friend's conflicted expression, Kitasan patted Diamond's shoulder comfortingly.
"Dia-chan, what are you worried about? Didn't that nice lady say Kitahara-san is currently a trainer at Tracen? That means once we have time, we can just go visit him there!"
Diamond blinked.
Right. That was true, wasn't it?
Although Tracen wasn't usually open to outsiders, it would undoubtedly welcome the daughter of the Satono family.
In other words…
"You're right," Diamond murmured, smiling gently. "Then Kita-chan, you'll have to come with me."
"No problem!" Kitasan agreed brightly. "After all, you came here with me today."
Elsewhere.
"Achoo—!"
Kitahara sneezed suddenly, feeling a vague sense of foreboding—as if something had locked onto him.
Initially dismissing the feeling, he soon became aware of someone standing next to him.
Special Week stood close by, fidgeting nervously with the clothes he'd picked out for her, occasionally peeking at him curiously but refraining from interrupting his obvious contemplation.
Special Week wasn't wrong—Kitahara was indeed pondering something deeply.
Specifically:
Grass Wonder-san, how did you fumble this again?!