Expelled Trainer

After Vodka's nosebleed caused by her wandering thoughts, a few Uma Musume went to the infirmary just in case.

As with previous check-ups, Vodka was not seriously injured.

The specific diagnosis was that emotional excitement had accelerated her blood circulation, and a part of the capillaries in her nasal cavity was rather fragile, causing them to rupture and bleed. She just needed to manage her emotions and avoid overly stimulating things.

After thanking the doctor, Hokubu Genkoma followed her two seniors to see Aunise Fuujin out of the Academy.

Stepping out of the school gate, Aunise Fuujin stretched lazily in the night breeze and chuckled, "Ah, it's been fun coming back after so long.

"Especially eating in the cafeteria again, I really missed it.

"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 and said, "Senior Fuujin should consider her own situation.

"Vodka and I both came back looking for research inspiration. If you have your sister and the others to take care of, it's probably better to focus on them.

"But..."

She paused for a moment. "Since you're delivering packages like you used to, perhaps you could help us with some research materials and equipment later on, as long as it's not too much trouble for you."

"Oh, right! I can do that too," Vodka chimed in. "We'll have to trouble you then, Senior."

"Of course, it won't be any trouble!"

Aunise Fuujin nodded repeatedly.

"Delivering packages is just something I do on the side anyway. It gets a bit boring staying home all the time.

"So, it's settled! I'll be waiting for your orders!

"Alright, I'll see you off here. I need to get back soon, or my sisters will be calling me."

"Take care, Senior." x3

Waving goodbye to her three juniors with a smile, Aunise Fuujin turned around, about to head towards the street, when she suddenly froze, spotting several figures in the distance.

"Is that... Good Opera? And... those should be students from the Academy?"

Startled, Hokubu Genkoma and the others followed her gaze and spotted Good Opera and the other Uma Musume.

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

Hokubu Genkoma exclaimed in surprise.

"Strange, why are they together, and...

"What's wrong with Satono-san? Why... does she look like she's been crying?"

Hesitantly, she couldn't help but take a couple of steps in their direction.

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

From afar, Satono Diamond was walking in the middle, her head bowed, still wiping her eyes, looking very dejected, indeed like she had been crying.

Good Opera and the others beside her were also looking down, their expressions a little worried, whispering something to each other, seemingly comforting Satono Diamond.

As Hokubu Genkoma took her two steps, Yamato Akagi and Vodka, as if by unspoken agreement, reached out and stopped her. Then, in unison, they spoke in low voices.

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

"Satono-san's situation... might be complicated. Xiao Bei, it's probably best if we don't go over and disturb them."

As they spoke, a complex emotion flickered in both their eyes.

Aunise Fuujin didn't stop them. Her face showed confusion and thought, then she also lowered her voice.

"I don't know what's going on, but with Good Opera there, it should be fine.

"How about this, a few streets over there's a milk tea shop.

"I'll treat you to milk tea, and you can give me a ride."

Hearing her seniors' words, Hokubu Genkoma looked bewildered, not understanding what was happening.

But she still nodded obediently, a worried expression on her face, and followed her seniors, leaving the Academy gates with glances back.

On the way to the milk tea shop, she remained puzzled.

When Aunise Fuujin bought the milk tea and handed it over, Hokubu Genkoma accepted it with thanks and finally couldn't hold back her questions.

"Seniors, just now... Satono-san... what exactly is going on?

"Is it because she lost the race?

"But... but...

"But from what I remember... Satono-san shouldn't be that weak...?"

Yamato Akagi and the others exchanged glances. Aunise Fuujin pondered for a moment and spoke first, "Satono Diamond... I heard you mention her at the cafeteria. She was second place in Xiao Bei's race the other day, right?

"Although I haven't paid much attention to the races lately, I recall people saying that the Satomi Family's current momentum is catching up to the Mejiro Family."

"Uma Musume from these prominent families, you could say they wouldn't really cry over a single race, right?"

In the Shining Series, there are indeed quite a few prominent families.

Established ones like the Symbol Family, the Mejiro Family, and the Hishi Family.

More recent ones include the Sakura Family, and even more recent, the Kuu Family.

And if you're talking about the newest rising prominent family, it would naturally be the Satomi Family.

These large families don't just have powerful Uma Musume, their resources and backgrounds are often quite substantial.

Correspondingly, their demands on their own Uma Musume are also very strict; a weak disposition that cries over losing a single race wouldn't be valued at all.

"You're right, they probably wouldn't."

Sighing, Yamato Akagi said, "Neither Vodka nor I know that junior, but we both watched the last race.

"She ran quite brilliantly; if her acceleration timing had been even a little better, Xiao Bei wouldn't have won so easily.

"And her being like this now..."

She hesitated, then unconsciously glanced at Vodka.

Mimicking her, Vodka sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"Honestly, when it comes to things like this, you always make me say it... Oh well, I can't win against you."

Complaining, she glanced in the direction of the Academy, then looked at Aunise Fuujin and Hokubu Genkoma.

"Satono Diamond's Trainer... is the same one as Good Opera-senpai's."

As soon as she said this, Hokubu Genkoma still looked bewildered, but Aunise Fuujin suddenly understood.

"So that's how it is, then..."

After a half-hearted remark, Aunise Fuujin, like Yamato Akagi and Vodka, let out a heavy sigh.

"Ah, then it's likely that way..."

Hokubu Genkoma became a little anxious.

She could tell that she was the only one who didn't know what was happening.

"W-What do you mean, 'that way'... ? Can the three of you explain it to me...?"

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

"I'll explain it.

"Since you've had two races yourself now, Xiao Bei, it's probably not too early to tell you this.

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

"No, it should be said that when you first followed us, we told you that this world isn't as beautiful as many people think.

"Especially in races, there's only one champion each time, and the pressure of not being able to take first place is immense.

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

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

Then, she glanced in the direction of the school gate, and her tone shifted.

"However, Satono Diamond probably isn't unable to handle the pressure.

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

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

"Or rather...

"Her Trainer was fired by the Satomi Family."