Dormitory Manager Transition

Uma Musume were divided into different categories by their coat colors, such as bay, chestnut, gray, and white.

Hokubu Genkoma, for example, was a bay.

In Japan, there had long been arguments and even prejudices surrounding bloodlines. One such "common belief" was that "gray Uma Musume can't run fast."

Of course, that so-called "common belief" had since been overturned by outstanding gray Uma Musume such as Tamamo Cross, Oguri Cap, and Mejiro McQueen.

Another similar distinction—and prejudice—was the "male-female divide."

Biologically speaking, most of the genes related to Uma Musume were recessive.

When the mother was an Uma Musume, there was a high chance that any daughter she gave birth to would also be an Uma Musume.

If the mother was human, the odds were much lower; it could practically be called a coincidence.

Based on these two cases, Uma Musume were divided into "Male Uma Musume" and "Female Uma Musume."

Just like the saying that "gray Uma Musume can't run fast," people in and outside the industry once believed that "Female Uma Musume" were simply weaker.

Many races were restricted to "Female Uma Musume" as well, supposedly for their protection.

This prejudice persisted for a long time. Even the emergence of outstanding Female Uma Musume such as "Empress" Vodka and "Great Woman" Hishi Amazon hadn't changed it.

That was, until the arrival of the "Peerless Duo."

Both Uma Musume were Female Uma Musume. At the time, most competitors in the top races were still Male Uma Musume, yet the two of them swept nearly every top-tier race.

As it happened, more and more Female Uma Musume showed astonishing ability after their rise, and by now hardly anyone mentioned the "male-female divide."

One of those two Uma Musume was the Yamato Akagi Alice Speed had mentioned.

More importantly, after all his observations and tests, Yasui Makoto was certain that the running style best suited to Hokubu Genkoma was front-running, followed by pace-chasing.

Front-running had also been Yamato Akagi's greatest strength throughout her career, followed by pace-chasing.

He couldn't think of a single reason to turn down this running partner.

So, after agreeing with Alice Speed and getting some information from Tokai Teio, Yasui Makoto told Hokubu Genkoma the news during afternoon training.

"Yamato-senpai's coming to run alongside me? That's so awesome!"

"...How many times have I told you to finish eating before you talk? Aren't you worried you'll choke?"

Looking at Hokubu Genkoma, whose cheeks were puffed out like a hamster's, Yasui Makoto sighed helplessly, then mused:

"From the sound of it... Xiao Bei, did you know Yamato Akagi already?"

"Mm-mm... Traynuh, wait a sec. I'll talk after I finish..."

She wolfed down a whole plate of fried rice, wiped her lips carelessly with the back of her hand, and was just about to speak when Yasui Makoto sighed and pulled out a packet of tissues.

"Sometimes I really feel like you don't act like a girl at all. You're so clumsy... Hold still. I'll wipe it for you."

"...Trainer, that's a little harsh..."

She grumbled, a little aggrieved, but when she saw Yasui Makoto reach out, Hokubu Genkoma panicked.

"N-no, it's fine, Trainer. I-I can do it myself!"

Snatching the tissues, she rubbed at her lips and the back of her hand, then hurriedly changed the subject.

"Yeah, I've known Yamato-senpai for a long time.

"Before Yamato-senpai retired, she was on the same team as Senior Emperor. After Senior Emperor retired, I often went to watch Yamato-senpai's races.

"If Yamato-senpai's coming to run alongside me, that'd be wonderful!"

After a burst of excitement, she blinked curiously.

"By the way, how do you know Yamato-senpai, Trainer?"

"I don't."

Yasui Makoto shook his head. "Doctor Hayashi made the introduction."

"Oh, I see."

Hokubu Genkoma nodded in understanding.

"I remember Yamato-senpai was really close to Hayabusa-senpai.

"After Hayabusa-senpai suddenly announced her retirement, lots of people said mean things about her online.

"Hayabusa-senpai never paid any attention to those comments, but Yamato-senpai was furious and kept sticking up for her.

"If Hayabusa-senpai made the introduction, then it all makes sense."

Yasui Makoto understood.

He'd heard about the uproar caused by Alice Speed's retirement.

She'd won the Satsuki Sho in four races out of four, and there was no doubt she had the potential to challenge for the Japanese Derby and the Kikuka Sho.

But after winning the Satsuki Sho, Alice Speed had abruptly announced her retirement at the height of her fame.

The explanation at the time was that she had "developed mild tendinitis in her left leg."

The condition was extremely troublesome for an Uma Musume, though not entirely incurable. With the medical technology of this world, however, the odds of recovery were very low.

Many fans couldn't accept it. Then, fanned by people who seemed to have ulterior motives, the public debate descended into chaos, and plenty of rumors harmful to Alice Speed began to spread.

Thinking carefully, the claim that she'd experimented on humans was exactly the rumor that had spread most widely at the time.

But Yasui Makoto knew nothing about the details behind the affair—not the truth of her retirement, nor Yamato Akagi's defense of her.

Now that he'd heard Hokubu Genkoma's account, he had a better idea why Alice Speed had been able to get Yamato Akagi to come.

"So there's that connection between them... Either way, this is good news for you."

After thinking it over, Yasui Makoto nodded.

"I talked with President Emperor about Yamato Akagi's current situation.

"She completed her second graduate degree overseas last year, and now she's considering a research topic for her medical doctorate.

"She probably wants to study under Doctor Hayashi.

"Anyway, she seems to have hit a bit of a wall lately and came back for a change of scenery.

"The academy happened to need her help with some administrative work, so she'll be working here for a while."

"Yamato-senpai really is amazing."

Hokubu Genkoma exclaimed admiringly.

"Back when she was at the academy, she was always top of the class. And in the past few years, she's finished two graduate degrees. She's so smart!

"By the way, what kind of work will Yamato-senpai be doing at the academy? Is she going to be the school doctor?"

"Not quite."

Yasui Makoto shook his head.

"She hasn't gotten her medical license yet. She's coming to replace Fuji Kiseki as the manager of the Ritto Dormitory.

"As manager, she'll get to interact with active Uma Musume like you every day. Maybe she'll treat it as a way of gathering research data.

"I think that's what Yamato Akagi has in mind—finding inspiration for her doctoral research among her juniors who are still competing."

"M-manager?"

Hokubu Genkoma froze. "Then... does that mean I won't see Fuji-senpai at the academy anymore?"

"Not exactly."

Yasui Makoto shook his head.

"President Emperor said Fuji Kiseki applied for a research fellowship last year. It's just been going through the process, and it was only approved recently.

"She wants to keep advancing, too. You'll still be able to see her over at the University Department."

"I see..."

Hokubu Genkoma understood, then perked up.

"So I'll get to see Yamato-senpai often from now on, and run alongside her a lot, too?"

"That depends on her schedule."

Yasui Makoto smiled.

"President Emperor is still busy with the handover, but Yamato Akagi should have some free time over the next few days.

"Get ready over the next couple of days. In three days, you'll be able to have a race with this senior."