“Rudolf, why is it so noisy at the door?” While Keiko was pleading for her life, the Umamusume inside the room heard the commotion and stepped out to check.
“Ah, is this the Tojo Keiko you were talking about?” Keiko looked up.
She saw a black-haired Umamusume with a strip of white tape across the bridge of her nose.
Her fame was no less than Rudolf’s—she was also one of the legendary triple-crown Umamusume.
So far, only five Umamusume had achieved this record: the former president Shinzan, St.
Lite, Mr.
C.B., Symboli Rudolf, and— “Oh, Brian, you came at the perfect time.
You know where her dorm room is, right?
I can’t leave right now, so could you guide her to the dorms?” Rudolf was pleased to see Narita Brian.
“Thanks for the help.
Once I finish my work, how about I buy you a parfait?” “A parfait, huh…
I guess that works.” Brian nodded.
“Then, Tojo Keiko-san, please follow me.” “N-Narita Brian…” Keiko’s brain was completely overloaded.
The two before her were two of the biggest legends in the Japanese Umamusume world.
They only needed Mr.
C.B.
to complete the triple-crown trio and debut on the spot.
‘Are there only monsters in the student council?’ “If we’re talking about monsters, Maruzensky, who drove you to Todai, fits the description better.
After all, she is an undefeated Umamusume.” Rudolf pointed out.
“Due to the racing system at the time, she couldn’t run in many races, but her strength is truly terrifying.” “Yes.
By comparison, although I won the triple crown, I didn’t perform well later due to injuries.” Brian added.
“Having a name but no results fits a runner like me.
Many people say, ‘What if she hadn’t been injured?’ But in truth, even without injuries, the runners who came after were so strong that I doubt I could have won anyway.” “There you go again.
Keep your humility within limits.” Rudolf patted her shoulder.
“Besides Narita Brian, there is a third triple-crown Umamusume in the student council, Mr.
C.B.
You can also call her Chiyoda Representative, she doesn’t mind.
Though she rarely shows up here, so I won’t introduce her to you now.” “The criteria for entering the student council is really…” Realizing what kind of monsters these student council members were, Keiko took a step back, her face pale.
“I see.
This is a show of strength…” “What show of strength…?” Brian tilted her head.
“By the way, should we introduce Air Groove to her?
Air Groove isn’t here right now, but she should be back soon.” “…Well, I don’t think it’s necessary.
She’ll run into Air Groove sooner or later.
She is quite a character, after all.” Rudolf looked away.
“Honestly, Air Groove might have an even deeper impact on her than she did on Gold Ship.” “Does she really have that much potential?” Brian looked impressed.
“As expected of someone from Todai.” “Um…
excuse me, you two…” Keiko felt their misunderstanding of her was only growing.
“I think I need to clear things up.
While I’m glad to join Tracen (maybe), and glad to be an exchange student, I want to make one thing clear: I will focus mostly on my academics.
Although I’ll do my best in racing, I hope you don’t pin too much hope on me…” “…” “Indeed…” “See?
With her attitude, she’s definitely going to get lectured by Air Groove a lot.” They both let out a sigh of understanding.
Brian patted Keiko’s shoulder with extra solemnity.
“It’s fine to say that to us, but if you say it in front of Air Groove-san, even Rudolf won’t be able to save you.” “…Who exactly is Air Groove-san?” Although Keiko had crammed some basic Umamusume knowledge, she only knew a few triple-crown winners and famous runners like Oguri Cap.
She knew nothing about Air Groove or Maruzensky.
So she whispered.
“Is she…
a really scary person?” “Well…
calling her scary isn’t entirely wrong, but she’s mostly just a very responsible person…” Rudolf explained.
“Anyway, let Brian take you to the dorm first.
You can start getting ready to move your luggage.
The new dorm building is still under renovation, so you’ll have to make do with a temporary apartment for now.
Don’t worry, electricity and water are completely free, and the internet is already set up.
Other students have already moved in, so you won’t be lonely.” “I understand.
I don’t have any problem with that.” Keiko didn’t care about the living conditions.
In her past life, she had lived in a crazy apartment where the neighbors upstairs made love loudly, the next-door neighbor was a rock music freak, the floor below was a noisy mahjong parlor, and cats and dogs howled outside the window.
A slightly worn-out dorm was nothing.
Even if someone played the Great Compassion Mantra right next to her ear, she could still sleep like a baby.
‘Sometimes you have to push yourself to realize how tough you really are.’ Brian led Keiko out of the student council room.
After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived in front of a fairly large apartment building.
Although it was called an apartment, it was only two stories high.
The yard was filled with plants and flowers, and the environment looked quite nice.
The atmosphere was quiet, and it wasn’t far from school.
Although it looked a bit old, it wasn’t bad at all.
At least Keiko’s first impression was positive.
“Excuse me—” Brian opened the front door and led Keiko inside.
Beyond the door was a spacious entryway, with two or three pairs of shoes neatly lined up.
Brian checked the shoes first and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Looks like she’s not here.” “Who?” Keiko asked cautiously.
If even a triple-crown Umamusume struggled to deal with this person, she had no chance.
“No one…
anyway, you’ll meet her eventually.
She’s also an Umamusume living here.” Brian didn’t really answer the question, only adding to Keiko’s confusion and worry.
“There’s a kitchen and a living room on the first floor.
The fridge in the kitchen is always stocked with plenty of food, and you can help yourself for free.
Also, if there’s anything you want, you can write it on this whiteboard.
If the manager sees it, she’ll buy it for you.
Of course, try not to write anything too expensive or hard to get.
The manager here is surprisingly resourceful, though she lacks a bit of common sense.” “Is the manager also an amazing Umamusume?” Keiko asked in curiosity.
“Since this is an apartment only for Umamusume.” “Yes.
I don’t know if you’ve heard of her, but her name is Sakura Star O.” Brian nodded.
“She’s very responsible and loves taking care of others.
I think you’ll get along well with her.
You’re exactly the type she loves to look after.” “…Oh.” Keiko nodded.
“I don’t have problems with anyone as long as we can communicate normally.” “Also…
if something completely unbelievable appears in the fridge, don’t be surprised.” “…Why did you suddenly add such a chilling sentence…” Keiko whipped her head around.
“Don’t start making me worry out of nowhere…” “It’s nothing, just warning you about a possible reality.” Brian sighed.
“I hope you have good luck.” “At least tell me how I should deal with it…” Keiko said helplessly.
“Should I just pretend nothing happened?” “Yes, just pretend nothing happened.” Brian replied.
“In the Umamusume Dorm, that is the way to survive.” “I’m getting more and more worried…” Keiko shuddered.
“But since it’s just a temporary stay, I guess it doesn’t really matter.” “Well—next is this part.
There’s a side door here leading to the yard.
The plants and flowers here were planted by Star-san and the other residents.
Some of them are very special varieties, so you’d better not touch them if you aren’t familiar.” Brian opened the side door, revealing a small greenhouse.
“For example, those carnivorous plants, and coffee…” “Wait a minute…
why would they grow things like that here?” Keiko grew more uneasy.
“Just who are the residents here…” “Some are for research.
Oh, and the plant on your left is highly toxic, so don’t touch it.” “You should have said that sooner!” Keiko quickly backed away from the plant, reciting the Heart Cleansing Mantra in her mind to calm down.
When they reached the hallway, Brian pointed at a room.
“This is the room you must never enter.
No matter what, even if an explosion happens there, you’d better stay out.” “…An explosion?” “Yes, an explosion.” “Why would there be…” “Alright, let’s head upstairs…” “Don’t just head upstairs like nothing happened!” Keiko felt like her social anxiety was almost cured by this.
The thing she hated most in life was when people left their sentences— “This is the second floor, the residential area.
Your room is the second one on the left.
There’s a bathroom on both floors, complete with a bathtub.
The internet and everything else have already been sorted out for you.” Brian opened the door, showing Keiko the room.
“Star-san swept it every day before you arrived, so it should be spotless.” “…Whew.
At least this room looks livable.” Keiko offered an honest review.
“By the way, who is my neighbor?” “…” “Why did you go quiet?” Keiko felt a crimson ‘Danger’ icon pop up over her head.
“Senpai!
Say something!” “Well, this side is Manhattan Cafe-san’s room.
She’s an outstanding Umamusume who loves coffee.
She’s your senior, doesn’t talk much, and likes to daydream, so I think you two will have things in common.” Brian explained.
“Just…
if you suddenly hear strange noises coming from next door, try not to pay them any mind.” “…What exactly is going to happen?” “You’ll find out when the time comes.” “Tell me right now!” “And on this side is your other neighbor.
She is also your senior—a scientific genius of unspeakable talent.
Before you arrived, she was the academically most outstanding student among us Umamusume.
Her name is Agnes Tachyon.
You’ll recognize her by her white lab coat.
She is highly curious about everything, and her abilities are top-tier.” Brian ignored Keiko’s protests and continued.
“The room downstairs that you must not enter is her laboratory.
I advise anyone other than Manhattan Cafe to stay out of it—” “…Oh, so it’s just a lab.
It makes sense not to let outsiders in.
You made it sound so scary, Brian-senpai, I thought…” “Well…
it’s fine if you think of it that way.” “What on earth is being researched in that lab?!
Illicit substances?!” “Who knows…” Brian changed the subject once again.
“Besides them, there are a few other Umamusume who have already moved in.
They are in your year.
I hope you get along.” “…I’ll try.” Keiko was already dreading the direction her future life was heading.
“At least tell me their names?” “Gold Ship.
Next to her is her relative, Orfevre.
The room at the very end belongs to Agnes Digital-san.” Having finished her explanation, Brian added one last line.
“They all have strong personalities, but they definitely don’t mean any harm, so you can rest easy.” “Hearing you say that doesn’t reassure me at all…” Keiko had been tortured by Brian into a full-time comedy straight man.
“But since it’s just a temporary stay, whatever.
I’ll get ready to bring my luggage over.
I also need to greet the dorm manager.
It was Sakura Star O-senpai, right?” “Yes.
Good luck.” Brian smiled and waved.
“See you next time.” “Yeah, see you next time, I mean Brian-senpai.” Keiko saw Brian off and dialed Diamond’s number.
Hearing Diamond’s anxious voice on the other end, her racing heart finally calmed down.
“Dia-chan…
I miss you already…” “Me too…” Diamond asked.
“How is it?
Which dorm are you in?
Maybe we can share a room after all.
I’m in the Ritto Dorm.” “…I’m staying at the Umamusume Dorm.” Keiko was silent for a moment.
“The living conditions are pretty good, but there are other things to worry about.
If it’s not a bother, I’ll head over now to pick up my luggage.
Thank you so much for letting me stay at your house these past few days.” “Honestly, you could stay longer—” Diamond replied immediately.
“But since school is starting, it is a bit far.
Okay, I’ll wait for you at home.” “Yeah, I’ll be back soon—” Keiko was about to head downstairs when she suddenly heard a soft ‘thud’ from the floorboard.
She turned around, looking down the dark hallway, but saw nothing.
“What’s wrong, Keiko-chan?” “…Nothing.
Maybe I’m just hearing things.” Keiko shook her head and ran down the stairs.
Meanwhile, a tiny ball bounced once more on the floorboards, accompanied by the eerie giggle of a little girl.
‘Hehe…’ —