Chairman?! Why are you here?

The Uma Musume, Hokubu Genkoma, stammered an apology, and Yasui Makoto couldn't help but glance at the hole in the door.

Hokubu Genkoma must have been eavesdropping at the door just now. She was so shocked when she heard "craniotomy" that she yanked the doorknob and a section of the door panel clean off.

She was certainly clumsy, but the black-haired girl's strength and explosive power were more noteworthy.

Aside from their ears and tails, Uma Musume looked no different from human girls, yet their physiques were on entirely different levels.

Besides being able to run at speeds of tens of kilometers per hour, Uma Musume also possessed astonishing wrist strength, core strength, and more.

During training at Tracen Academy, many Uma Musume improved their strength by dragging heavy objects.

Many of these heavy objects were tires used for large trucks, each weighing over half a ton.

However, to pull off the door panel and doorknob together with one slip of the hand—that kind of wrist strength was quite rare even among Uma Musume, as was the instantaneous explosive power displayed.

But the control over this strength and explosive power was another matter entirely, as evidenced by her current clumsiness and the "traffic accident" earlier.

Also, the name Hokubu Genkoma... I think I heard it in my past life?

After a rapid assessment, Yasui Makoto fell into thought and reminiscence.

"You'll take full responsibility? Ho ho ho, interesting..."

Alice Speed, looking surprised, snapped back to attention. She looked with keen interest at Hokubu Genkoma, whose expression was anxious.

"If I recall correctly, Hokubu Genkoma, you mentioned earlier that you don't have a contracted Trainer yet.

"And Mr. Yasui here also mentioned that he just obtained his Trainer's license and doesn't have a contracted Uma Musume either.

"So, Hokubu Genkoma, with no prior connection, how do you intend to take responsibility for him?"

"Contracted Partner" was an industry term. A Trainer who signed a contract with an Uma Musume were each other's "Contracted Partners," meaning they were responsible for each other.

"Eh--?"

Her voice stretched out in a surprised yelp, Hokubu Genkoma's black ears perked up.

"Mr. Yasui... is a Trainer?"

"Oh? You reckless Uma Musume don't even know the condition of the victim?"

"Reckless, reckless Uma Musume? This... I..."

Fidgeting, she clasped her hands together, her ears drooping as Hokubu Genkoma said nervously:

"I didn't ask Mr. Yasui properly, I was just thinking of bringing him to the hospital...

"But, but!"

She seemed to rally herself.

"Even if he's not Mr. Yasui's contracted Uma Musume, Mr. Yasui's injury is because of me, so I will definitely take full responsibility!"

"Is that so..."

Nodding, Alice Speed pushed the X-ray film on the desk towards her.

"Then, for the next few days, you will take good care of Kai-kun."

"Yes! No problem at all!"

Hokubu Genkoma bowed quickly. Yasui Makoto also snapped out of his reminiscence, frowning as he spoke.

"Wait a moment, Doctor Alice Speed.

"I have some knowledge of medicine myself. All the reports indicate that apart from a slight cartilage contusion, I have no other issues, let alone any brain problems.

"So, I plan to go to another hospital for a comprehensive check-up before being hospitalized or undergoing any craniotomy."

"Oh? As expected of the top scorer in this Central assessment."

Alice Speed nodded calmly.

"You are correct. Currently, you don't seem to have any major issues, so hospitalization and surgery can be put aside for now.

"You can recuperate in the dormitory for the next few days and come to the hospital for regular check-ups.

"If you feel unwell at any point, we can consider hospitalization then. Otherwise, the cost would be a burden for Kai-kun..."

"No, it should be a burden for Hokubu Genkoma."

Yasui Makoto hadn't expected Alice Speed to change her tune so readily. Hesitating, he suspected if this Uma Musume, whose head was full of experiments, was plotting something else.

Hokubu Genkoma, meanwhile, was nodding repeatedly.

"It's no trouble for me! Mr. Yasui is in this state because of me. The diagnostic and examination fees this time, and..."

Her expression gradually turned awkward, a twitch at the corner of her mouth as she pulled out the broken doorknob from behind her.

"This, I... I will take responsibility for it all."

"Oh? That would be for the best."

Glancing casually at the doorknob, Alice Speed turned to the computer on her desk and began typing furiously.

"The cashier is downstairs to the left after you exit. I'll have them issue a receipt for the door repair as well. Please take care."

Feeling that this Uma Musume had likely given up on her plans for dissection, Yasui Makoto picked up the X-ray film, stood up, bowed, and walked out of the examination room.

"Okay! I'll pay the fees! Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Alice Speed."

Hokubu Genkoma also thanked her and quickly bowed.

Just as she was about to turn and follow Yasui Makoto, she suddenly gave a wry smile, stared at the doorknob in her hand with distress for a moment, then her eyes lit up and she tossed it into the examination room's trash can.

Afterward, she bowed to Alice Speed again and turned to chase after him.

"Mr. Yasui, please wait a moment!"

He had already taken a few steps when he heard Hokubu Genkoma's voice. Not surprised, he turned back and pointed at the wall.

Hokubu Genkoma, with a look of curiosity and concern, froze. Following his gaze, she saw the words "No Loud Noises" written on the wall, and the sideways glances of dissatisfaction from passing doctors and nurses.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

She apologized repeatedly, then, covering her mouth, she caught up to Yasui Makoto's side and whispered:

"Mr. Yasui, are... are you really okay?"

Realizing that Hokubu Genkoma, this Uma Musume, had been tricked by Alice Speed, Yasui Makoto shook his head and said:

"It's nothing, I wouldn't joke about my own health.

"Besides, if there really was something wrong, Doctor Alice Speed wouldn't have let me go so easily."

Although he had been brought to the hospital by this young girl, Yasui Makoto didn't feel any blame.

When he was half-dragged to the hospital earlier, he could tell that this Uma Musume was very enthusiastic and kind to people.

The so-called "accident," as he said, was essentially that they both saw the danger the child was about to face, and they just happened to collide. There was nothing to blame anyone for.

However, if he had to blame something, it wasn't entirely without cause.

For example, he could adjust his posture while sprinting, and Hokubu Genkoma theoretically could too.

It was just that her control over her own strength wasn't sufficient. If there was anything to blame, perhaps it was only this.

"Mr. Yasui, you, you... you're such a good person."

With an excited bestowal of the "good person" card, Hokubu Genkoma pursed her lips, then her expression turned determined.

"Okay! That's... that's decided..."

The first half of her sentence, like when she was chasing after him, was spoken too loudly, but the latter half, as she nervously glanced around, dropped to a whisper like a thief.

"Decided? What's decided?" Yasui Makoto was startled.

"It's just..."

She whispered half a sentence, then her gaze shifted. Suddenly looking ahead, she exclaimed in surprise.

"President?! You... why are you here...?"