There was no denying that the academy was absurdly large.
It took Kazuomi most of the day to finish looking around.
By then, his stomach had begun growling.
He had eaten nothing but a convenience-store rice ball before coming to the academy that morning.
Unfortunately, the prices in the academy cafeteria were enough to make him wince.
Kazuomi did not have money to spare on such meals.
At present, he was merely an unpaid trainee covering the cost of his own observational training.
Unlike regular employees with allowances, the academy provided only his accommodation.
He would have to pay for utilities and food himself.
With that in mind, Kazuomi could only tighten his belt and tell himself to endure whatever meals he could skip.
Of course, he had anticipated this situation.
For example, he had already purchased an entire box of assorted instant noodles and sent it to the dormitory.
“It’s getting late.
I should return to the dormitory and unpack.”
Unless he was mistaken, the entrance ceremony would be held tomorrow.
The academy would no longer be nearly as deserted as it was today.
Kazuomi slowly raised his head.
A white contrail crossed the blue sky above him, appearing almost like a sign of hope.
Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, he would meet the first Uma Musume placed under his care.
“Whew!
That’s the last box, right?”
Looking at the final cardboard box he had carried to the fourth floor, Kazuomi released a long breath.
He had not owned much when he first moved to Tokyo.
However, after purchasing study materials and magazines during the previous month, he had been unwilling to discard them when leaving the capsule hotel where he had been staying.
As expected of Tracen Academy, even the staff dormitories demonstrated considerable financial resources.
Each room was designed for two occupants.
In addition to bunk beds, every room included air-conditioning, a refrigerator, and an electric kettle.
Naturally, using those conveniences would increase his utility expenses.
Before coming upstairs, Kazuomi had learned from the dormitory manager that each room possessed its own bathroom and storage lockers.
There was also a large communal bath on the first floor, available every evening from nine until eleven.
The laundry room stood at the end of the first-floor corridor.
Compared with the youth hostel where he had previously shared a space of barely four tsubo with more than a dozen people sleeping in bunk beds, these conditions were unbelievably comfortable.
Room 412, however, clearly already had an occupant.
The bedding on the upper bunk had been neatly arranged, as had the jackets and suits in the wardrobe.
It appeared that his roommate—or rather, his senior—had gone out.
Filled with anticipation for his future academy life, Kazuomi wondered what kind of person his roommate might be as he cleaned the entire room.
He arranged his clothes and books, then folded the cardboard boxes and stored them beneath the bed.
Finally, he collapsed onto his mattress in relief.
“Tomorrow, I’ll finally be able to see elite Uma Musume from up close instead of only watching them on television.”
The soft bedding seemed ready to swallow his entire body.
Lying on his back, Kazuomi stared absently at the underside of the upper bunk.
It all felt like a dream.
Only a short while ago, he had been struggling from one job to another simply to survive, studying independently in the hope of eventually obtaining a trainer’s license.
It’s a promise, okay?
Yeah!
Remembering that day, the corners of his mouth lifted.
“No matter how I look at it, I’ve taken one step forward.”
His thoughts gradually slowed.
His eyelids grew heavier.
After spending the entire day rushing from one task to another, exhaustion flooded through him the instant he finally relaxed.
Soon, he was asleep.
In his dream, his sister stood before him, sobbing with joy.
“Big Brother!
I did it!
I won the Classic Triple Crown—the Satsuki Sho, the Tokyo Yushun, and the Kikuka Sho!
I became a Triple Crown champion in the Twinkle Series!”
The pride he felt while watching her cry—
He wanted to embrace her tightly.
He wanted to tell the entire world that his little sister was the greatest Uma Musume alive.
Knock, knock, knock.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Mm…”
“It was a dream.”
He murmured unconsciously, his mind still foggy.
“What time is it?”
Yawning, Kazuomi sat up and scratched his hair.
While searching for his glasses, he looked toward the clock.
Ten o’clock.
Right.
Ten.
Wait.
How was it already ten at night?!
Kazuomi’s mind snapped awake.
Only then did he notice that darkness had fallen outside.
Without realizing it, he had slept for five hours.
He had planned to nap briefly before reviewing tomorrow’s entrance-ceremony procedures.
He had completely ruined that plan.
While silently condemning himself for becoming careless, Kazuomi heard a noise outside the room.
“Is someone knocking?”
Still doubtful, he put on his glasses and slowly opened the door.
“Ugh…”
A thoroughly intoxicated man was sprawled across the floor in an unnatural position.
He had brown hair styled fashionably and tied into a small braid.
Despite his handsome, model-like appearance, his face was flushed red as he mumbled incoherently.
“Excuse me.
Who are you?
Are you all right?”
How much had the man consumed?
The moment Kazuomi approached, he was assaulted by the stench of alcohol.
It was almost tragic that such a handsome man had reduced himself to this state.
“I… I…”
The man seemed to be attempting to say something.
Kazuomi leaned closer to hear him.
“We… unite!”
The sudden shout nearly ruptured Kazuomi’s eardrums.
The drunken nonsense was actively dangerous.
As Kazuomi wondered what he was supposed to do with the man, the neighboring door slowly opened.
“Mr.
Asama?
Why are you standing in the corridor?
Is that… Koji?”
A familiar voice reached him.
Kazuomi turned around and saw a beautiful woman with her long hair hanging loose.
He stared blankly for a moment before recognizing her.
“Ms.
Hayakawa?”
He froze.
Ms.
Hayakawa had removed her bright green work uniform and changed into a thin nightdress that perfectly emphasized the contours of her figure.
Although she wore a coat over it, the hazy suggestion created by what was only partially concealed proved even more devastating.
Her black hair, normally tied back, now flowed freely over her shoulders.
For Kazuomi, the sight was far too stimulating.
“Oh, I may have forgotten to mention it.
I live in the room next to yours.”
“What?”
Kazuomi’s voice rose by an entire octave.
Could such good fortune truly exist?
Having a beautiful, mature woman like her as his next-door neighbor was almost too wonderful.
“Urgh…”
Unfortunately, the drunken man collapsed before him made it impossible to enjoy the discovery.
“Oh dear.
How did Koji drink this much?
Honestly, you only returned to Japan today.”
Ms.
Hayakawa crouched beside the man in concern.
The movement unintentionally offered Kazuomi a dangerously revealing glimpse.
Thou shalt not look.
Kazuomi immediately averted his eyes.
Then he realized something.
“Wait, Ms.
Hayakawa.
Is this drunken man Mr.
Koji Okino?”
“Hm?
Did I not tell you?
Koji was already living in Room 412.”
Kazuomi drew in a sharp breath.
Looking at the man reduced to a puddle on the floor, he could only feel grateful that such an unreliable senior had not become his supervisor.
Now that he knew the man’s identity, however, Kazuomi could not leave his senior and roommate sleeping in the corridor.
Enduring the smell of alcohol, he crouched down and pulled one of Koji’s arms over his shoulders.
“Would you like me to help?”
Ms.
Hayakawa kindly offered her assistance.
“That won’t be—”
Before Kazuomi could finish, the slightly more conscious Koji cracked open his eyes and stared directly at Ms.
Hayakawa’s chest.
“Mm… Two buns with cheese in the middle…”
Bang!
“Oh dear, my hand slipped!
Mr.
Okino, are you all right?
I hope striking your head against the doorframe did not hurt!”
Kazuomi exclaimed with grotesquely exaggerated concern.
Without giving Ms.
Hayakawa a chance to respond, he turned toward her with a broad smile.
“You must be tired as well, Ms.
Hayakawa.
I’ll take care of my senior.
Thank you for your hard work.
See you tomorrow!”
He slammed the door shut.
Ms.
Hayakawa remained outside, tilting her head in adorable confusion before she could fully process what had happened.
Kazuomi released a long breath.
If that drunken idiot continued talking nonsense in front of her, there was no telling what disaster he might create.
Unfortunately, Kazuomi relaxed too soon.
“Uuurgh—!”
“FUUUUCK!”
After changing into a fresh shirt, Kazuomi left the vomit-covered one soaking in water.
He returned to the room and cleaned everything for a second time.
Having emptied his stomach, Koji was slightly more conscious.
He sat leaning against the bed, snoring softly.
“Senior Okino, wake up.
Senior Okino?
Can you hear me?”
Koji raised his head after Kazuomi shook him.
He stared for several seconds, then released a drunken belch.
“Who… Who are you?
Why are you in my room?”
“I’m Asama Kazuomi.
I joined the Training Department today.
I’m also your new roommate.
I look forward to working with you.”
“Asama… Asama Kazuomi…”
Koji mumbled the name.
“Mmm.
So you’re the person he mentioned.”
He?
Kazuomi paused.
Just as he was about to question him, Koji’s head drooped and he fell asleep again.
Kazuomi shook him awake once more.
Before he could ask anything, Koji suddenly became energetic.
Raising one hand, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Yes!
Koji Okino!
Twenty-six years old!
I’m a trainer!”
“That isn’t what I was asking.”
“What was that?
I can’t hear you!”
Kazuomi winced.
His ears hurt.
“I said, Senior Okino, would you like some water?”
“I can’t hear you!
No spirit!
At Tracen Academy, when a senior says he cannot hear you, he cannot hear you!”
What kind of naval boot camp was this?
“Senior Okino!
I’ll pour you some water so you can sober up!”
Without waiting for an answer, Kazuomi stood and poured him a glass of ice water.
He delivered it to Koji as though serving some feudal lord.
“Mm… Why doesn’t this water have any flavor?”
“I don’t have any barley tea prepared.”
For some reason, Kazuomi could already foresee the countless disasters awaiting him in their shared living arrangements.
After finishing the glass of ice water, Koji finally quieted down.
However, he had been sitting still for only a moment when he began mumbling again.
“I’m hungry.
I want omurice.”
Kazuomi’s head began to ache.
It was nearly midnight.
Where was he supposed to find omurice now?
Moreover, if Koji continued making noise and disturbed the neighbors—especially Ms.
Hayakawa—that would create an even greater problem.
After weighing his options, Kazuomi decided to indulge his troublesome senior one more time.
He remembered the box of instant noodles beside the bed.
Kazuomi himself had been busy all day, fallen asleep without eating, and now felt as though his stomach was consuming itself.
“Senior Okino, I don’t have omurice, but would you like instant noodles?”
Koji said nothing.
“Senior Okino?”
“Curry flavor.”
Kazuomi gave a strained laugh.
“All right.
Curry it is.”
He prepared two cups of noodles and placed them on the table.
After following the sacred three-minute rule, Kazuomi sat opposite Koji and eagerly snapped apart a pair of disposable chopsticks.
He was starving.
“Itadakimasu.”
He began slurping the noodles immediately.
The hot broth spread warmth through his stomach, making him feel alive again.
A blissful expression appeared on his face.
Koji mechanically drew noodles into his mouth.
Compared with before, he was considerably quieter.
Seeing him behave, Kazuomi finally relaxed.
Then—
Clatter.
Koji’s chopsticks fell to the floor.
The table began shaking violently.
His cup of noodles was about to overturn, but Kazuomi reacted quickly enough to steady it.
Otherwise, he would have been forced to clean the room yet again.
“Seriously, you—!”
Even as a junior, and regardless of his normally patient temperament, Kazuomi had finally become angry.
He was about to unleash everything he had endured upon the man.
Then he froze.
Koji was hunched over the table, his entire body shaking violently.
“Ugh… I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry…”
“I couldn’t… I couldn’t fulfill your wish…”
“I couldn’t help you win…”
“Your final… your final championship…”
“I’m sorry…”
He was sobbing.
The drunken man had dissolved into tears.
To be honest, Kazuomi had never liked watching grown men cry.
But seeing Koji like this filled his heart with complicated thoughts.
An adult’s emotions could collapse in a single instant.
For the next ten minutes, Koji repeated the same apology over and over.
His fingers gripped his clothes so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
“Have you calmed down?”
“Yeah.
Sorry.”
His eyes were red, and he seemed unable to find anything else to say.
Kazuomi sat beside him for a moment, then stood.
“I found some barley tea in the refrigerator.
It’s basically water with flavor.
Would you like some?”
“Yeah.
Thanks.”
“These noodles have gone cold.
I’ll make you another cup.
I still have plenty.
Which flavor?”
“…Curry.”
Outside, stars filled the tranquil night sky.
No one could have known that this was the first meeting between two trainers who would one day shake the entire racing world.