But Then Again

After hearing Hokubu Genkoma's report, Yasui Makoto sent a message to Tokai Teio to arrange a meeting.

He really didn't like dealing with work matters on his days off, and judging by Tokai Teio's brief text reply, he didn't seem particularly urgent either.

So, it wasn't until Monday noon that he arrived at the student council office.

As soon as he entered the office, he backed out.

Behind the desk, wearing glasses, was Tokai Teio.

Beside him was an Uma Musume with short brown hair and iris-like patterns in her crimson eyes.

This Uma Musume was wearing a loose white trench coat, the sleeves so long they made one want to grab them and tie them in a knot.

Her hands were hidden by the sleeves, and through the fabric, she held a steaming cup of black tea.

She had been talking to Tokai Teio when she noticed someone enter. She glanced over, her eyes lighting up.

"Ho ho ho, it's been a while, Anzai-kun..."

Before she could finish, Yasui Makoto had already retreated outside the door.

He looked up at the nameplate on the door.

It was indeed the student council office.

So why was Alice Speed here?

Inside, startled by his backward movement, Alice Speed curled her lips and looked at Tokai Teio.

"So, am I that scary?"

"Ahaha, well..."

He gave an awkward laugh, pushed up his flat-lensed glasses, and Tokai Teio cleared his throat.

"Trainer Yasui, please come in. Doctor Speed has a good suggestion, and I think you should hear it."

Yasui Makoto had already entered.

Although he didn't understand what Alice Speed was doing here, leaving abruptly would be too rude.

Even if the rumors about human experimentation weren't baseless, with Tokai Teio as the President, Alice Speed wouldn't make any outrageous suggestions...

Probably?

"Good afternoon to you both."

With a sense of doubt, Yasui Makoto asked:

"So, the one who wanted to see me this time isn't the President, but Doctor Speed?"

"Something like that."

Before Tokai Teio could speak, Alice Speed's eyes flickered as she said, "I happened to follow Hokubu Genkoma's race the other day, a brilliant victory.

"Congratulations, winning her first race as the first Uma Musume to do so, Anzai-kun is indeed no ordinary person."

...What do you mean 'happened to follow'? You've definitely been watching since that day at the clinic, haven't you?

And 'indeed no ordinary person'...

So you want to do more strange things to me, don't you?

Muttering inwardly, Yasui Makoto became even more confused.

It had been a month since he went to the hospital, and he hadn't contacted Alice Speed much during that time.

The Uma Musume had also said during her last diagnosis that his physical condition was quite healthy and had never asked him to follow up.

So, was she really keeping an eye on him or on him and Hokubu Genkoma because she had some bizarre ideas?

But if anything, he had been self-training for a long time, and his physical fitness was quite good within the human range.

In comparison, an Uma Musume with a strong physique like Hokubu Genkoma should be the one worth paying attention to, right?

As he was thinking, he heard Alice Speed change the subject.

"I have a consultation later, and Anzai-kun likely has training work, so I won't beat around the bush."

Taking a sip of her black tea, the Uma Musume said enticingly, "I took a brief look at the public race entries, and Anzai-kun chose the Classic path for Hokubu Genkoma.

"Winning the Triple Crown is no easy feat, Anzai-kun must have made quite a few training arrangements, right?

"For example, sparring?

"I asked Teio earlier, and she said Anzai-kun hasn't applied for sparring partners yet.

"I have a candidate here, I wonder if Anzai-kun would be interested?"

Yasui Makoto wasn't surprised that Alice Speed knew so much about the subsequent race schedule and training.

Like other active participants, Hokubu Genkoma's race schedule was public information and could be found with a little research.

As for her understanding of training, the reason was simple.

Alice Speed was not only a racing Uma Musume, but also a Satsuki Sho champion.

From her debut race to the Satsuki Sho, she won all four races. Before the Satsuki Sho, she had nearly 60% of the support, making her the undisputed number one in popularity.

Due to her astonishing winning streak and the incredible speed she displayed in her races, she was given the nickname "Superluminal Particle" by the industry.

For a racing Uma Musume like her, it was less about speculating on Hokubu Genkoma's training schedule and more about casually sharing her championship experience from back in the day.

As she said, Yasui Makoto did indeed arrange quite a few training tasks for his Uma Musume, one of which was "parallel running."

As the name suggests, this training requires cooperation with other racing Uma Musume. It is very beneficial for cultivating race awareness and can be used to discover the most suitable running style.

Generally speaking, experienced Trainers have many racing Uma Musume under their care and can even invite famous racing Uma Musume. Finding a partner for parallel running is not a problem.

However, Yasui Makoto did not have that kind of experience; he could only apply through the Academy's procedures.

It was hard to say which racing Uma Musume could be invited through this method. Most of them were of average ability, even weaker than Hokubu Genkoma.

After all, stronger racing Uma Musume are busy with their own training and don't have time to help others with parallel running.

But having someone is better than having no one. Moreover, since the preliminary plan for the debut race went as expected, the next step was to consider her preferred running style, and parallel running was definitely not to be abandoned.

Yasui Makoto had already prepared the application, but he hadn't submitted it yet.

He was not accustomed to changing his established plans and couldn't figure out the reason behind Alice Speed's sudden kindness.

So, after some thought, he shook his head.

"I am very grateful to Doctor Alice Speed, but please allow me to be frank. I have already written the application, and I don't like to change plans that have already been set. Also..."

"Yamato Akagi."

"...But then again, it would be too rude to refuse outright when Doctor Speed took time out of her busy schedule to help me and Xiao Bei resolve our difficulties. Furthermore, I am very interested in the parallel running partner you have suggested. Please, consider everything I just said as if it were unsaid. I have no other intentions regarding your kindness but immense gratitude."

Yasui Makoto changed his tune with a poker face.

"Oh? It seems Anzai-kun has agreed."

Raising an eyebrow with interest, Alice Speed curved her lips, stood up, and stretched.

"Then I won't disturb you two any longer. I have another consultation later. Goodbye."

The Uma Musume left as abruptly as she arrived, and soon, only a surprised Yasui Makoto and Tokai Teio remained in the office.

"President, Doctor Speed, is she...?"

After a moment's hesitation, Yasui Makoto looked at Tokai Teio.

Sensing the meaning in Yasui Makoto's gaze, Tokai Teio pondered for a moment.

"Actually, I am also very surprised.

"The night before last, Speed suddenly called me and said she wanted to provide a parallel running partner for Trainer Yasui.

"I asked her why she suddenly made this decision, and she only said she was very interested in the Trainer and Xiao Bei.

"Trainer Yasui has probably heard some... uh, strange rumors about Speed.

"However, I can guarantee in my capacity as President that her experiments... uh, have never caused any real harm.

"Also, upon hearing about the candidate she offered, I believe it would be a good thing for both the Trainer and Xiao Bei.

"After all, it's Yamato Akagi.

"The Trainer must be well aware of her strength, right?"

(A picture of Speed)