We Have a Deal, Right, Big Brother?

"Oh, just Aikido. Don't worry about it."

He had gone over hoping to run into a certain little Gray Coat by chance. Instead, he had somehow been asked to become the whole village's hope, then casually won them a Provincial Championship... Better not bring that up.

He would call it a job.

After that brief explanation, Zhou Yuang took the Little Uma Musume's hand and continued shopping.

Good times never lasted. A while later, Zhou Yuang and the Little Uma Musume ran into a couple.

The moment the couple saw her, they charged over at a speed worthy of the lunch rush at the Cafeteria. Zhou Yuang nearly scooped her up and ran.

But he kept his cool and realized they were her parents.

They cried out for their daughter, hugged her, and rubbed their cheeks against hers.

She seemed perfectly used to it and began acting spoiled with them.

What a mushy couple. And they're my future Uma Musume's parents. I'm in trouble now.

The three of them chattered away. Zhou Yuang's head started to ache, so he stopped listening.

After a while, her father came over and repeatedly shook Zhou Yuang's hand in thanks.

The Little Uma Musume had evidently told him what had happened in a few words. Her father, however, fussed over it at such length that Zhou Yuang nearly passed out.

The man seemed ready to become sworn brothers with him. Fortunately, the mother was more sensible.

"Remember to have your daughter learn some self-defense. Don't let her keep getting bullied."

Thinking back to what had happened, Zhou Yuang felt the Little Uma Musume should learn how to fight back instead of always being picked on.

Her father immediately protested in surprise that Taekwondo and Karate would only make his adorable daughter look violent.

"Then