She had once signed a trainer contract with Kitano Ryuichi in one of his loops.
For certain reasons, though, Kitano had been forced to restart before he could see her career through to the end.
Because of that, his bond with her was not quite as deep as the ones he had built with some of the other Uma Musume.
Still, Kitano remembered her name.
Mihono Bourbon.
To him, she was one of the countless Uma Musume he had once trained.
Maybe even the one whose contract with him had lasted the shortest.
A girl who looked almost emotionless on the surface, yet was surprisingly expressive inside.
A girl who had built an entire “cyborg Uma Musume” setting around herself.
A girl with just the right amount of chuunibyou energy baked into her system.
And, once upon a time, one of the Uma Musume Kitano had thought he got along with best.
One of them, at least.
That said, he was curious.
Why is Mihono Bourbon here?
The question crossed his mind, but in this loop, he and Bourbon were strangers.
So Kitano smoothed over his surprise with a gentle smile.
“Sorry, I spaced out for a second.
Are you a student here at Tracen Academy?
I’m a new trainer, Kitano Ryuichi.
Is there something I can help you with?” “New trainer…” Mihono Bourbon repeated the phrase softly.
Then, in the same flat, mechanical tone, she continued.
“Greetings.
I am Mihono Bourbon.
Model number MB-19890425.
A newly enrolled student at Tracen Academy.
Classification: cyborg Uma Musume.” “I am currently searching for the new student registration entrance.
However, the area of this map is excessively large.
Mihono Bourbon’s directional recognition system has suffered an unexpected malfunction.
Therefore, I require Kitano-san’s guidance…” Grrrgle.
Before she could finish, a tiny sound drifted through the air.
It was almost like a bug chirping.
Kitano’s gaze instinctively dropped toward the source.
Mihono Bourbon’s stomach.
Despite the awkward timing, Bourbon’s expression did not change in the slightest.
She simply placed a hand over her abdomen and looked up at Kitano with those calm, unreadable eyes.
“Energy levels insufficient.
Mihono Bourbon requires energy replenishment.” “Ah, the cafeteria is over that way.” Kitano pointed in the right direction.
He still had to find King Halo, apologize to her, and maybe, just maybe, see if he could bring her onto his team.
So he turned and started walking in the opposite direction.
A few steps later, he heard footsteps behind him.
Kitano stopped.
Mihono Bourbon stopped as well.
She was following him.
“…” Kitano hesitated, then started walking again.
Bourbon followed.
He turned left.
Bourbon followed.
He tried turning right.
Bourbon followed.
She was relentless.
“Um, Bourbon-san?” Kitano finally asked, unable to ignore it any longer.
“Why are you following me?
I already told you the direction, didn’t I?” “Reason already explained.” Mihono Bourbon answered without a flicker of embarrassment.
“Mihono Bourbon’s positioning system has suffered unexpected damage.
Coordinates cannot be confirmed.
Furthermore, energy levels are insufficient.
Mihono Bourbon cannot maintain stable operation.” “…Could you put that more simply?” Kitano scratched his head.
It had been a while since he last talked to Bourbon.
Back then, he could understand her perfectly.
Now, though, her cyborg-speak was taking him a second to process.
Under Kitano’s gaze, Bourbon’s voice finally gained the faintest hint of emotion.
“My phone froze, so I can’t use the map.
Also, I’m hungry.
I might not be able to walk much farther.” She clutched her stomach, looking just the tiniest bit pitiful.
Kitano stared at her.
Then he sighed.
“…All right.
I’ll take you to the cafeteria.
Is that okay?” “Gratitude acknowledged.” The very next second, Mihono Bourbon was back to full cyborg Uma Musume mode.
Kitano turned around and began leading the way.
But the moment his back was to her, a faint, almost invisible smile appeared on Bourbon’s face.
In a voice too quiet for him to hear, she murmured, “Target confirmed.
As expected…” This time, no one will take you away from me again.
My dear Master.