The Trainer Who Was Fired

After Vodka had overthought things until she got a nosebleed, several Uma Musume went to the Infirmary just to be safe.

Just like her previous examination results, Vodka was not seriously hurt.

The specific diagnosis was that her emotional agitation had accelerated her blood circulation, and some capillaries in her nasal cavity had happened to be particularly fragile, causing them to rupture and bleed. She only needed to manage her emotions and avoid overly stimulating things in the future.

After thanking the doctor, Hokubu Genkoma followed the two seniors as they escorted Aunise Fuujin out of the academy.

Once they stepped outside, Aunise Fuujin stretched toward the night breeze and smiled.

"Wow, coming back after so long was really fun.

"Especially getting to eat in the cafeteria again. It brought back so many memories.

"I'm a little envious of you two. Should I think of a way to find something to do at the academy too?"

Yamato Akagi smiled.

"Senior Fuujin, you should consider your own circumstances first."

"Vodka and I came back because we wanted to find inspiration for our research. If you still have your younger sisters to look after, you should probably focus more on them.

"Although..."

She thought for a moment. "Since you're still delivering packages now, just like back then, we can ask you to help deliver some research materials and equipment in the future, as long as you don't find it troublesome."

"Right, I can do that too," Vodka chimed in. "We'll be counting on you then, Senior."

"Of course I won't find it troublesome!"

Aunise Fuujin nodded repeatedly.

"Delivering packages is something I'm doing anyway. Besides, staying home all the time gets pretty boring.

"Then it's settled. I'll be waiting for your orders!

"All right, I'll see you this far. I should head back early, or my sisters will start calling me."

"Take care, Senior." x3

Smiling, Aunise Fuujin waved at the three juniors. She turned around and was just about to run toward the street when she suddenly froze at the sight of several figures in the distance.

"Is that... Good Opera? And... those should all be students from the academy, right?"

The other three froze as well. Following her gaze, Hokubu Genkoma and the others immediately spotted Good Opera and the other Uma Musume.

"Ah! That's Crown-chan and Light Diamond-chan, and... Satono Diamond?"

Hokubu Genkoma was surprised.

"That's strange. Why are they together? And...

"What happened to Satono Diamond? Why does she... look like she just cried?"

After hesitating, she could not help taking two steps in that direction.

Just as she had said, the three Uma Musume from the Satomi Family were walking beside Good Opera in the distance.

From afar, Satono Diamond walked in the middle with her head lowered, still wiping her eyes. She looked extremely dejected, as if she really had been crying.

Good Opera and the others beside her also had their heads lowered, their expressions worried as they whispered something, seemingly comforting Satono Diamond.

Hokubu Genkoma had only taken two steps when Yamato Akagi and Vodka very tacitly reached out together to stop her. Then, they spoke in low voices at the same time.

"Wait, Xiao Bei. Don't go over yet."

"Satono Diamond's situation... might be complicated. Xiao Bei, it's better if we don't go over and disturb them."

As they said this, complicated emotions flashed through both their eyes.

Aunise Fuujin did not stop them. Her face was filled with confusion and thoughtfulness as she lowered her voice as well.

"I don't know what happened, but Good Opera is over there, so there probably won't be any trouble.

"How about this? There's a milk tea shop a few streets away.

"I'll treat you to milk tea, and you can escort me part of the way."

Hearing the seniors, Hokubu Genkoma looked bewildered, completely unaware of what was going on.

Still, she obediently nodded. With worry written across her face, she followed the seniors away from the academy gate, looking back every few steps.

She remained puzzled the entire way to the milk tea shop.

After Aunise Fuujin bought the drinks and handed one to her, she took it and thanked her before finally losing patience.

"Seniors, just now... Satono Diamond... what exactly happened?

"Was it because she lost the race?

"But... but...

"But from what I remember... Satono Diamond shouldn't be that fragile, right...?"

Yamato Akagi and the others exchanged glances. After pondering for a moment, Aunise Fuujin spoke first.

"Satono Diamond... I heard you mention her in the cafeteria. She came in second in Xiao Bei's race a few days ago, right?

"Although I haven't paid much attention to the races for a long time, I remember people saying that the Satomi Family had recently been showing signs of catching up to the Mejiro Family.

"An Uma Musume born into a powerful family like that really shouldn't be crying over a single race, should she?"

There were indeed many prestigious families in the Shining Series.

The older ones included the Symboli family, the Mejiro Family, and the Hishi Family.

The Sakura Family was a more recent example, with the Kuu Family being even newer.

As for the newest powerful family to rise, that was naturally the Satomi Family.

These great families possessed not only powerful Uma Musume but also extremely rich resources and foundations.

Accordingly, their expectations for their own Uma Musume were also very strict. An Uma Musume with such a weak disposition that she cried after losing one race would never receive much attention.

"She really shouldn't be."

Yamato Akagi sighed. "Vodka and I don't know that junior, but we both watched her last race.

"She ran brilliantly. In fact, if her timing on the final acceleration had been just a little better, Xiao Bei wouldn't have had such an easy time winning.

"And now she's like this..."

She hesitated and unconsciously glanced at Vodka.

Following her example, Vodka sighed and scratched her hair.

"Seriously, whenever something like this happens, you always make me explain it... Fine, you win."

After complaining, she glanced toward the academy before looking at Aunise Fuujin and Hokubu Genkoma.

"Satono Diamond's Trainer... is Good Opera's senior."

The moment she said this, Hokubu Genkoma remained utterly confused, but Aunise Fuujin suddenly understood.

"So that's what happened. Then..."

After saying half a sentence, Aunise Fuujin sighed heavily, just like Yamato Akagi and Vodka.

"Ah, then it's probably what we think..."

Hokubu Genkoma grew anxious.

She could tell that she was the only one who did not understand what had happened.

"W-what do you mean...? Seniors, could you explain it to me...?"

The other three Uma Musume exchanged glances again. Vodka scratched her head and looked at Hokubu Genkoma.

"Let me explain.

"You've already competed in two races, Xiao Bei, so it shouldn't be too early to tell you about this.

"Xiao Bei, when you came to Tracen Academy...

"No, I should say, back when you followed us, we told you that the world wasn't actually as beautiful as many people believed.

"Especially in races. There's only one champion in each race, and the pressure of failing to take first place is immense.

"We've seen far too many people quit over the years because they couldn't withstand that pressure."

As she spoke, the Uma Musume's tone grew heavy.

Then she glanced toward the academy gate and changed the subject.

"But Satono Diamond probably didn't crack under that pressure.

"Compared to the pressure, another possibility is more likely.

"If we're not mistaken, her Trainer... probably terminated their contract with her.

"Or rather...

"Her Trainer was fired by the Satomi Family."