"Huh~~?" After Seiun Sky said she wanted to be Luo Cheng's Umamusume, Tokai Teio's tail puffed up like an angry cat's, and she let out a long, drawn-out sound.
"So, as your teammate, I'll be in your care from now on." Seiun Sky wrote her name on the contract, waved to Luo Cheng, and left the room.
"Trainer, my debut race is right around the corner, and you're signing with another Umamusume!"
Luo Cheng put the form away. "It's a good thing..."
"What's good about it? You should only be looking at me!" Tokai Teio stomped her feet in frustration, her cheeks puffed out. She yelled like a spoiled child, "I can become the world's number one just by you taking care of me! Why do you have to be distracted with someone else? What's so great about them? Are they better than me, Teio?!"
Tokai Teio showed a strong sense of possessiveness. Was this because of her personality, or was it a result of the high affection level? Luo Cheng didn't know. He could only take things one step at a time, as he still didn't fully understand this world.
He held out his hand, and Tokai Teio leaned in, nuzzling his palm. Luo Cheng's guess was right—these ingrained habits still remained in the Umamusume.
"Huh?" Midway through nuzzling, Tokai Teio's expression became bewildered. Why was she suddenly being so clingy?
Forget it! Tokai Teio didn't think too much about it and grumbled unhappily, "The trainer only needs me, only me... I'm your beloved horse, you know."
"It's okay, Teio. Even if I've signed, I'll still be looking after you first. You're my main character." You can't just change the main character halfway through a story. He'd take care of Teio first before considering anyone else.
Wagging her tail, Tokai Teio decided Luo Cheng wasn't patting her hard enough. She took his hand and rubbed it against her soft cheek.
"Even if you take care of me, you'll still be distracted with others. Don't expect me to forgive you if you don't make it up to me."
"How should I make it up to you?"
"Take me out this weekend! If you go on a date with me, I'll forgive you."
"OK."
Tokai Teio's face immediately lit up, and her ponytail bounced with lively energy.
No matter how many times I see it, I'll never get tired of this. This was a real girl's face, not some lifelike doll. Even if they looked exactly like real people, they lacked a certain liveliness.
Luo Cheng kneaded the girl's soft, supple cheek. Tokai Teio giggled, her tail wagging happily. After a good session of mutual affection, she left feeling satisfied. Before she went, Luo Cheng asked, "By the way, Teio, why did you suddenly decide to come over?"
Tokai Teio replied: "I just had a sudden feeling that you were in trouble, so I came over and then I saw that sneaky cat! Ugh! No one else is ever going to get close to my trainer, except for me! This is the irreplaceable bond between me and my trainer!"
It seemed that the "command" was still in effect. Tokai Teio had rushed over yelling about friendship and bonds. Could this game world be a higher-dimensional reality that could change the real world? Luo Cheng collected information piece by piece, making his deductions.
Holding Seiun Sky's contract, Luo Cheng went to the student council office. Today, not only was Rudolph there, but the other two student council members were as well.
On the left was the student council vice president, Air Groove, an Umamusume with a cold, beautiful face, scarlet eye shadow, and the aura of an ice queen. On the right was the other vice president, Narita Brian, an Umamusume with wild black hair tied with a coarse rope and yellow eyes that burned like a beast's.
They stood on either side of Rudolph. The first time he met them, Luo Cheng was stunned; the three of them looked like a physical poster. It wasn't until Luo Cheng got close that he "unpacked" the poster. He also discovered the unique habits of the two.
Air Groove liked to lick people, especially their sweat, and would always proactively clean it up.
Narita Brian liked to bite people. If you spent a night with her, you were sure to wake up with a few new bite marks.
Both of them stared at Luo Cheng with burning eyes.
"President Rudolph, I'm here to submit the Umamusume assignment form."
"Trainer Luo Cheng," Air Groove said, "Are you forgetting something you're supposed to say to us?"
"Say what?"
"Something you do every day. Have you forgotten today?" Narita Brian chimed in.
Something he does every day... could it be...!?
Did these Umamusume dolls discover my activities? No, they aren't dolls, they're real people. How did they find out? I wasn't even keeping a tally on their legs!
"You always used to come in and say, 'Time to open the treasure chest! Of course, it's you three treasures again,' but you haven't said a word today," Air Groove said with a half-smile, as if she found Luo Cheng's usual opening line very amusing.
"Oh, so that's what it was..." Luo Cheng scratched his head. "I can 'open' you, but if I open several at once, I'm worried my body won't be able to handle it."
"Your body won't be able to handle it?"
"Yeah, but if it's one-on-one, I'll definitely be invincible."
"Hmph? I'd like to see that." Narita Brian put her hands on her hips. "Let me see your 'invincible' side."
"Alright, you two, stop teasing the trainer." Rudolph looked at the training form. "Seiun Sky, right? I'll let the instructor know later. She can join your team for afternoon training."
Rudolph took out the student council's official seal and pressed it onto the training form. With a "snap," the world froze. The static sound of an old TV filled the air. Crackle, crackle...
Luo Cheng's vision flashed rapidly. A string of strange characters appeared in the center of his view, and suddenly, he saw the attribute UI on Rudolph.
Name: Symboli Rudolf
Mood: Perfect
Affection: 75
Speed: [1442] Endurance: [578] Power: [1126] Guts: [1088] Intelligence: [1300]
The numbers for Air Groove and Narita Brian also appeared.
Name: Air Groove
Mood: Perfect
Affection: 77
Speed: [1277] Endurance: [674] Power: [1035] Guts: [900] Intelligence: [1146]
Name: Narita Brian
Mood: Perfect
Affection: 72
Speed: [1355] Endurance: [874] Power: [1251] Guts: [938] Intelligence: [989]
Luo Cheng closed his eyes, and a translucent screen appeared in his mind with a single line of text.
[Seiun Sky has been assigned.]
Like a receding tide, Luo Cheng's vision shifted, and all the chaotic numbers disappeared instantly. The world returned to normal.
Luo Cheng gasped for air, clutching his chest and kneeling on the ground, his body slick with cold sweat. Air Groove and Narita Brian rushed to his side.
"Trainer Luo Cheng, what's wrong?"
"You're sweating so much."
"Air Groove! Get him on the sofa! Brian, go call the nurse! Hurry!"
Luo Cheng was helped onto the sofa by Air Groove, who pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"Trainer Luo Cheng, are you okay?"
"I'm fine..."
Luo Cheng forced a stiff smile.
Is this world real, or did the Umamusume from the game world come to life? Luo Cheng couldn't tell.