Early the next morning.
After the usual routine of washing up, breakfast, and arriving at the training grounds, Kitahara Sota greeted everyone and started the day's training.
Strangely, yesterday he'd distinctly felt something odd in the atmosphere at the training grounds.
Yet today, as soon as training began, everything reverted to normal—or even better, with everyone's morale and performance noticeably improved.
Kids sure are hard to understand…
Kitahara inwardly sighed, glancing at Nice Nature standing quietly beside him.
Ever since returning from the detention facility, he had gained yet another shadow besides Eclipse.
It wasn't that Nice Nature didn't participate in training—she certainly did. But given her reputation as a walking embodiment of cosmic pressure rivaling an ancient deity, it was fine during training, as it helped others build stress resistance.
However, when the team rested, her presence was a different matter. Everyone else wanted relaxation, which Nice Nature obviously couldn't provide.
Luckily, there were two people entirely unaffected by her intimidating aura—himself and Eclipse—making her presence next to them perfectly reasonable, right?
At least, that's how it seemed on the surface. Her true motivations were another matter entirely.
Kitahara himself didn't object; he even secretly hoped she'd stay near him longer.
Recently, as the academy saw more transfer students, he started noticing familiar faces from all over Japan popping up.
Though he'd been occupied at the detention center and had scarcely interacted with anyone on campus, and the buzz from their initial races had faded—Tracen Academy never lacked new gossip—some of those familiar faces had somehow learned of his existence. Now, they kept hovering nearby, waiting for chances to strike up conversations.
They clearly knew Kitahara's team already had eight incredibly gifted Uma Musume without a single assistant trainer. Realistically, their chances of joining were practically zero—but still, what if?
And even if joining was impossible, just getting to chat briefly with "Kitahara-san," or even catching a glimpse of him, was reward enough.
Thus, driven by these hopes, these eager newcomers began crowding around him, one after another.
And had they not been wary of attracting too many rivals by spreading word of his presence, the numbers approaching him might have tripled.
This was precisely where Nice Nature became invaluable.
Without her presence, those young Uma Musume might loiter around him for the entire day.
But Nice Nature simply standing quietly beside him was enough to send them scattering after a few minutes. Some with weaker nerves wouldn't even dare approach, effectively protecting Kitahara's cherished lazy lifestyle.
Moreover, her presence was genuinely comforting to him.
Quiet, calm, reserved…
Unlike others, Nice Nature never excitedly tried to dominate conversations, never made whimsical requests like Tokai Teio or Special Week, nor did she scheme endlessly like Agnes Tachyon.
She just stood obediently by his side, resting when tired, and even eagerly helping with minor tasks whenever possible—even assisting with training.
Unlike Agnes Digital or Agnes Tachyon, Nature had neither training expertise nor vast theoretical knowledge. But she fully understood Kitahara's intentions and executed instructions flawlessly.
That was more than enough.
In some ways, she was even more helpful than Tachyon and Digital combined.
Most importantly, she truly desired—even craved—to help Kitahara.
If he didn't ask her for help, she'd approach him first. And if he hesitated, worried about unfairly burdening her, she'd pout unhappily.
This always made Kitahara unsure whether to laugh or sigh. But he never minded.
After all, they'd always interacted this way before. Refusing her help would only invite trouble—something he'd learned well.
Besides, it was mutually beneficial. He enjoyed greater ease, and she gained valuable experience. A clear win-win.
I really need to raise her affection points. If I accidentally drive her away, I doubt I'll ever find another assistant who matches my pace this perfectly…
With these thoughts, the morning quietly passed amidst apparent tranquility.
At lunchtime, Kitahara informed the group he'd be stepping out in the afternoon to meet a senior acquaintance.
Having mentioned this person briefly before—albeit without details—everyone readily accepted the explanation, though several asked if he wanted company.
"No worries, Eclipse and I will go," Kitahara politely declined, smiling warmly. Turning to Agnes Digital, he instructed her to temporarily halt caring for Agnes Tachyon; he would handle it, so she could focus fully on the upcoming race.
Agnes Digital didn't mind. Winning races was always secondary to her primary obsession: pushing Uma Musume fandom. Still, since Kitahara asked, she agreed readily.
After lunch, he briefly hung out with everyone in the clubroom.
Then, checking the time, Kitahara called Eclipse over, and together they departed Tracen Academy, heading toward the meeting spot he'd arranged on his phone with his senior acquaintance.
...
A short while later.
Outside Tracen Academy, at the end of a secluded alley, in front of a small bar.
Kitahara stopped outside, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"How about you go in alone, Eclipse? I'll wait out here, and if anything happens, we'll just call each other…"
Eclipse didn't respond, merely shooting him a look reserved for fools.
Sigh.
Accepting his fate, Kitahara reluctantly pushed open the slightly worn door.
Like the elderly Uma Musume's clothing shop, the bar appeared shabby from the outside but held an entirely different charm within.
Inside lacked extravagant decorations, but warm lighting, polished wooden decor with a faint woody fragrance, and neatly arranged bottles behind the bar—each labeled meticulously—gave the bar a refined atmosphere.
Strangely, despite the inviting setting, the bar was utterly empty except for a single, silver-haired Uma Musume sitting alone at the counter.
The bartender, seeing Kitahara enter, silently bowed toward the silver-haired Uma Musume before discreetly exiting through the back door.
Kitahara wasn't surprised—he knew his senior's habits well. She detested crowded places and usually booked entire venues whenever meeting him, especially given the sensitive matters they were discussing.
Walking forward, he barely sat down before she tossed a stack of sketches onto the counter.
"These portraits were created based on the information you provided. Check them carefully, then find a chance to confirm with those young girls."
"Got it." Kitahara nodded, carefully reviewing the sketches one by one.
Several minutes later.
After flipping through the drawings, Kitahara's expression turned deeply troubled.
Though the stack had many portraits, they essentially depicted three different individuals from slightly varying angles.
And yet…
"What's wrong? Recognize someone?" The silver-haired Uma Musume calmly asked.
Kitahara frowned deeply. "Not really a friend, but…I have met him before. It doesn't make sense."
His name was Kudou Kazuya—a trainer from Tracen headquarters. Not just any trainer, either—he was practically legendary.
Kitahara rarely interacted directly with him but knew him well from online forums and group chats, even briefly chatting at team-building events.
But precisely because of this familiarity, Kitahara struggled to imagine Kudou being connected to something as abhorrent as hunting Uma Musume.
Within Tracen, Kudou had a sterling reputation. Calm, gentle, responsible. Nearly twenty years as a trainer, mentoring countless Uma Musume and younger trainers like Komata and Futou, both of whom deeply respected him. And no scandals.
Unlike Mitsumata Hiroshi, Kudou had never once crossed ethical lines with any of his charges. He remained single, utterly dedicated to his trainees.
He'd even drunkenly admitted at a party, half-awake, that seeing his charges' smiling faces was enough. He'd resigned himself to lifelong dedication, abandoning personal ambitions like marriage or family.
Money? Impossible. He was financially comfortable and generously supported orphanages and charities anonymously.
Lust? Equally impossible. Countless colleagues—Uma Musume and humans alike—had approached him romantically, but Kudou consistently turned them down, famously injuring himself once to deter aggressive admirers permanently.
Hatred for Uma Musume? Ridiculous. He doted on his charges obsessively, reacting defensively to even minor criticisms.
Could he have been manipulated?
After extended thought, Kitahara found this the only vaguely plausible explanation—but even that seemed improbable, given Kudou's deep experience and keen judgment.
Even the silver-haired Uma Musume's brows furrowed deeply after hearing Kitahara's account.
"This needs more investigating. There might be information we don't know yet," she finally said.
Kitahara nodded in agreement. Until proven innocent, Kudou had to remain a prime suspect.
"As for the other two individuals you haven't met, I'll investigate them personally. You just handle your side," she continued calmly.
"Understood."
Kitahara collected the sketches, intending to confirm them with his juniors later.
Then, the silver-haired Uma Musume continued:
"Enough speculation without proof only breeds prejudice. Let's wait until we've investigated further. There's another matter I'd like to discuss with you."
She glanced sideways at Kitahara, her voice steady.
"Like why you suddenly came to Tracen Academy?"
"I distinctly recall you saying you'd never come to this cursed place."
Kitahara rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"Honestly? Mainly for the money…"
He hesitated, adding quickly, "You know how much Eclipse eats. If I didn't make enough, I probably couldn't even cover her food costs. So, when I saw the salary and free cafeteria here, I had no choice."
The silver-haired Uma Musume paused briefly, then replied, "You know I offered to cover your expenses."
"Well, I prefer earning money myself…" he mumbled.
Kitahara braced himself, expecting anger. But oddly, this time she merely nodded quietly, her gaze softening slightly, a rare, subtle smile forming at the corners of her lips.
Kitahara blinked nervously.
Is the sun rising from the west today? Why's she suddenly so agreeable? Not angry, not hitting me—even seems…happy?
Still, Kitahara didn't dare ask. What if she's going senile and forgot her grudges? Better not remind her…
So instead, he hastily changed the topic.
"Senpai, didn't you mention having other matters to discuss…?"
"Indeed, one more thing," Symboli Speed's subtle smile deepened, an unusual warmth filling her normally calm voice.
"It's nothing major. Before I knew you'd joined Tracen, I thought that since you're grown, jobless, and wandering aimlessly, maybe marriage could settle you down…"
Kitahara blinked rapidly.
"Um…exactly what do you mean?"
Speed calmly sipped her drink, replying plainly:
"I arranged several matchmaking dates for you. When are you free?"
Kitahara: "...?"