Investigating the Competition

Vodka froze.

She hadn't thought of it the way Hokubu Genkoma had.

She'd only thought that Yasui Makoto surely didn't want to put pressure on Hokubu Genkoma. She hadn't considered whether Hokubu Genkoma might be worried.

But now that she thought about it, given how caring this junior was, she really might be quite worried after learning about the harsh reality Trainer was facing.

Yasui Makoto had struck her as steady and mature, and very thorough in his thinking. He might really have anticipated this.

"Yeah, I think so too. I mean, Xiao Bei, you might be right. Anzai-kun really did think that way."

Vodka nodded and said with a sigh:

"To understand your opponent's mindset that well, it makes sense that he'd predict what might worry you.

"Originally, I thought that since Xiao Bei had come this far, she shouldn't remain as ignorant about so many things as she used to be.

"After all, you're so caring toward everyone, but a lot of things can't be solved with kindness alone.

"Like what we were just talking about. Something like that... I guess only a senior like Good Opera could help you see things clearly.

"But all that aside..."

She smiled.

"Senior Aunise Fuujin was right, Xiao Bei. You're lucky.

"Your Trainer may be very young, but he's truly outstanding.

"Stick with him. I have a feeling he won't let you down."

In the past, whenever she heard similar words, Hokubu Genkoma would almost always nod without hesitation.

This time, she pressed her lips together, her fists clenching unconsciously. After a long silence, she nodded firmly.

"Okay! I've made up my mind!"

At her words, not only Vodka but Yamato Akagi and Aunise Fuujin were taken aback as well.

"Made up your mind... Xiao Bei, what have you decided?"

The three Uma Musume asked in unison.

"I'm going to find a way to help my Trainer!"

With her little fists clenched in front of her chest, the black-haired girl declared with determination:

"I didn't know before that my Trainer was under so much pressure too. I only knew he was busy.

"Now that I've heard what you seniors said, of course I can't just stand by and do nothing.

"I have to do something to help my Trainer!

"What exactly I'll do..."

She pressed her lips together again, then her eyes soon lit up.

"Oh, right!

"My Trainer happened to tell me the names of the competitors in my next race.

"They're all students at the academy, so I'll think of a way to investigate them secretly!"

The next day, when he arrived at the training grounds, Yasui Makoto was carrying not only his ever-present shoulder bag but also a large, boxy pack.

His shoulder bag still held essential training tools such as a tablet, stopwatch, binoculars, and clipboard. The larger pack held the drone he'd received the day before.

Drones weren't very common in this era, and the models available on the market weren't particularly capable.

But the one he'd ordered was no ordinary model, and after testing it the previous night, he'd confirmed it would be more than sufficient.

However, no one had ever used this kind of device for training before, and the relevant laws weren't well established. Under the circumstances, he had to report it to the Student Council.

After all, this thing was still novel. If students who didn't know what it was saw something strange flying overhead, it could cause a commotion.

Besides, the academy's students were all girls, and he planned to use the drone to take videos. If things went wrong and he was mistaken for a peeping Tom, the consequences would be even worse.

So, during the usual training session, Yasui Makoto only used the drone as a high-speed camera and didn't activate its flight function.

After training, he reminded Hokubu Genkoma to pay attention in class, then headed straight to the Student Council office.

He'd arranged to meet Tokai Teio the night before. When he entered, he found the president there.

Besides her, there was an Uma Musume with pale purple hair and an elegant air.

He immediately recognized her as the Student Council vice president, Mejiro McQueen, who was also an honor-level Uma Musume like Tokai Teio. Yasui Makoto greeted them:

"President Emperor, McQueen President, good morning."

"Morning, Trainer Yasui."

"Good morning, Trainer Yasui."

After greeting McQueen, Tokai Teio curiously eyed the large pack on Yasui Makoto's back.

"Is that what you're carrying, Trainer Yasui—the drone? It's this small?"

In Tokai Teio's mind, a drone was an aircraft that didn't need a pilot.

Even the smallest aircraft were more than ten meters long, so she'd been a little hesitant when she heard Yasui Makoto's request the day before.

Then she'd learned that it was a small drone that could fit inside a backpack. After thinking it over, curiosity soon got the better of her and she agreed.

In her view, although Yasui Makoto was very young, he was steadier than many of the seniors. He never seemed as frivolous as others his age, and he certainly didn't brag or lie.

Since he'd said it wasn't very big, it probably wasn't.

And if it really could help with training, then as Student Council President, she ought to see it for herself.

As Tokai Teio asked, Mejiro McQueen curiously examined the pack on Yasui Makoto's back, looking thoughtful.

"Given its size... it should be one of those quadcopter drones with four propellers?"

Yasui Makoto was about to take off the pack. He paused at her words, then quickly nodded.

"President McQueen, you're very knowledgeable. This is indeed a quadcopter drone."

Tokai Teio grew curious.

"Huh? McQueen, you know about these things?"

"I've seen a few overseas."

Mejiro McQueen nodded and gestured as she explained.

"About as long as an arm, and roughly the same in width.

"The central machine is round or square, with supports at the four corners like the tail of a helicopter, though much, much smaller.

"Each support has a propeller, similar to a helicopter's rotor, though also much smaller.

"I don't know much else. I've only seen them at a few exhibitions."

While Mejiro McQueen explained, Yasui Makoto took off his pack and opened it, then assembled the body, supports, and propellers inside.

Seeing this, both presidents leaned in curiously to take a closer look.

"It's not as big as I imagined..."

Tokai Teio nodded, rubbing her chin.

"So, Trainer Yasui wants to use this flying device to film Xiao Bei's training?"

"That's right. I specially ordered a model that makes little noise, takes high-resolution footage, and can record at high speeds."

Holding the drone in one hand and pointing to its various parts with the other, Yasui Makoto explained:

"It also has a wireless transmitter here, so we can check the footage in real time.

"To analyze the video frame by frame, you use the built-in storage drive, take it out, and connect it to a computer.

"As for the footage..."

He thought for a moment, then pointed to the floor-to-ceiling window in the office.

"I wonder if I could give you a demonstration right now. I brought the remote control."

Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen both looked out the window, then exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

"That's a very novel idea. Please, Trainer Yasui. We'd love to see this device in action."

With their permission, Yasui Makoto didn't hesitate. He placed the drone directly on the floor.

After switching on the power, he picked up the remote control, data cable, and tablet, then walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and opened it.

Then he plugged the cable into the remote control and tablet and started up the drone.

Bzzzz—

Under the astonished, curious gazes of Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, the four propellers spun rapidly, carrying the drone out of the office.