Investigating Opponents

Vodka blinked in surprise.

She hadn't thought in the direction Hokubu Genkoma was suggesting.

She had only considered that Yasui Makoto wouldn't want to pressure Hokubu Genkoma, not whether Hokubu Genkoma might worry.

But thinking about it now, with this junior's enthusiastic nature, if she learned about the harsh reality her Trainer was facing, she would probably worry quite a bit.

And Yasui Makoto's impression on her was one of great composure and maturity, very thoughtful, so it was quite possible he had already anticipated this.

"Mhm, I think so too. I mean, Xiao Bei, what you guessed might be right. Anzai-kun really thinks that way."

Nodding, Vodka sighed with emotion:

"To be able to understand your opponent's psychology to that extent, it's normal for him to anticipate what you'd worry about.

"Originally, I was thinking that since Xiao Bei has come this far, you can't remain ignorant about many things like before.

"After all, you're so enthusiastic towards everyone, but many things can't be solved by enthusiasm alone.

"Like what we just talked about, that kind of thing... perhaps only a senior like Good Opera can help you understand.

"But speaking of which..."

She smiled.

"Senior Aunise Fuujin is very right, Xiao Bei, you are very lucky.

"Although your Trainer is very young, he is truly excellent.

"Follow him well, I have a feeling he won't disappoint you."

In the past, when hearing similar words, Hokubu Genkoma would almost always nod in agreement without hesitation.

This time, she pursed her lips, her fists unconsciously clenched, and after a long silence, she nodded heavily.

"Okay! I've decided!"

Hearing this, not only Vodka, but also Yamato Akagi and Aunise Fuujin were taken aback.

"Decided... Xiao Bei, decided what?"

The three Uma Musume asked in unison.

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

With her small fists clenched at her chest, the black-haired girl declared with ambition:

"I didn't know the Trainer was under so much pressure before, I only knew he was busy.

"Now that I've heard the seniors say this, of course I can't stand idly by.

"I must do something to help the Trainer!

"As for what specifically..."

She pursed her lips again, and her eyes soon lit up.

"Right!

"The Trainer just told me the list of opponents for the next race.

"They are all classmates from the Academy, so I'll think of a way to investigate them secretly!"

When he arrived at the training grounds the next day, in addition to his inseparable shoulder bag, Yasui Makoto was also carrying a large, square bag.

The shoulder bag still contained essential training tools like a tablet, stopwatch, binoculars, and a recording board, while the large bag held the drone he had obtained the previous day.

Drones were not widely used in this era, and the models available on the market were generally average in performance.

However, the one he ordered was not ordinary, and after operating it last night, he confirmed it was sufficient.

Still, since no one had ever used such a tool for training before, and the relevant laws were not yet complete, he would have to report it to the student council.

After all, this thing was still quite novel at the moment, and if students who didn't understand saw a strange object flying in the sky, it might cause a commotion.

Moreover, all the students at the Academy were girls, and he was using the drone for filming and recording. If he were mistaken for a peeping tom, the consequences would be even more severe.

Therefore, during the routine training, Yasui Makoto only used the drone as a high-speed camera and did not enable its flight functions.

After training ended and he instructed Hokubu Genkoma to listen carefully in class, he headed straight to the student council office.

He had already arranged to meet Tokai Teio last night, and upon entering, he saw the President.

Besides her, there was also an Uma Musume with long, light purple hair and an elegant aura in the office.

Recognizing her immediately as the Vice President of the student council, Mejiro McQueen, who was on par with Tokai Teio, Yasui Makoto greeted them:

"President Teio, President McQueen, good morning to both of you."

"Good morning, Trainer Yasui."

"Good morning, Trainer Yasui."

After greeting McQueen along with Tokai Teio, Tokai Teio looked curiously at the large bag Yasui Makoto was carrying.

"Trainer Yasui, is that... the drone? It's so small?"

In Tokai Teio's impression, drones were simply planes that didn't require a pilot.

Even the smallest planes were over ten meters long, so when she first heard Yasui Makoto's request yesterday, she was actually a little hesitant.

After hearing it was a small drone, small enough to fit in a backpack, she thought about it and quickly agreed, driven by curiosity.

In her opinion, although Yasui Makoto was young, he was more composed than many seniors, not at all restless like his peers, and certainly wouldn't boast or lie.

Since the other party said it wasn't large, it shouldn't be large.

If it could truly help with training, she, as the Student Council President, should witness it both in principle and in practice.

As Tokai Teio asked, Mejiro McQueen curiously examined Yasui Makoto's backpack and said thoughtfully:

"This size... it should be one of those drones with four rotor wings?"

Just as he was about to take off his backpack, Yasui Makoto paused upon hearing this and quickly nodded.

"President McQueen is very knowledgeable; this is indeed a quadcopter drone."

Tokai Teio became curious.

"Huh? McQueen, you know about this thing?"

"I've seen it a few times abroad."

Mejiro McQueen nodded and gestured.

"About this long, and about as wide.

"In the middle is a round or square machine, with supports at the four corners like a helicopter's tail, but much, much smaller, of course.

"Then, on each support, there's a propeller wing, similar to a helicopter's rotor, but much smaller, of course.

"I don't know much else; I've only seen them at some exhibitions."

While Mejiro McQueen was explaining, Yasui Makoto took off his backpack, opened it, and assembled the fuselage, supports, and wings inside.

Seeing this, both presidents leaned in curiously to examine it closely.

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

Nodding, Tokai Teio pinched her chin.

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

"Yes, I specifically ordered a model with low noise, high shooting accuracy, and the ability to perform high-speed filming."

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

"There's also a wireless device here, allowing real-time viewing of the footage.

"To analyze the video frame by frame, you'll need to use the camera's built-in storage disk; you can remove it and connect it to a computer.

"As for the shooting effect..."

He paused, then pointed to the floor-to-ceiling window of the office.

"I wonder if I can demonstrate it live. I brought the remote control."

Looking out the window together, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

"A very novel idea. Please, Trainer Yasui, we'd love to see this tool in action."

After receiving permission, Yasui Makoto didn't hesitate and placed the drone directly on the ground.

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

He then plugged the connection cable into the remote control and tablet and started the drone.

Whirr, whirr, whirr--

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