He returned home with the bento box, which was finally no longer scalding hot—a modest but tidy apartment.
Kitano locked the door behind him, leaned against it, and let out a long sigh.
The series of accidents today had truly exhausted him.
His gaze inadvertently swept across the old, locked wooden box in the corner of the room again—it contained fragmented items left by his parents, and a few old photos of a blurry, long-haired girl with straight black hair, who was said to be his adoptive older sister.
He had never opened it, nor bothered to investigate further.
“No, safety first.”
There were more important things to do now; he didn’t even bother to eat his bento and rushed to his computer to turn it on.
The first things he clicked on were a few forums he frequented and his social media accounts.
He quickly scrolled through his past posts, and any remarks that could possibly be interpreted as disrespectful to Uma Musume, even neutral and objective analyses, he deleted without hesitation.
“Tsk, what I used to think were common-sense complaints now look like death flags…” he muttered to himself as he operated the computer.
After clearing his posting history, he began to transform his online image.
Avatar?
Change it!
From the original starry sky image, he changed it to an official promotional image of the popular Uma Musume Tokai Teio.
Background image?
Change it!
He changed it to a distant view of a racecourse with white-haired horses.
Personal profile?
Edit it!
From “A passerby” to “Supporting all Uma Musume who run with all their might!
Dreams are the highest!”
After doing all this, he looked at his social media page, which instantly became politically correct and full of otaku vibes, feeling no ripple in his heart, and even a little like laughing.
“This should… be able to fool them for a few days, right?
At least I won’t be cornered by the Vice President or some hot-blooded Uma Musume again.”
He just wanted to live a peaceful life, occasionally complain, and keep his distance from the world’s fervent Uma Musume culture.
Just then, his phone screen lit up, and a LINE message popped up.
The contact’s note was—Oguri Cap.
Kitano’s mouth twitched unconsciously, and he picked up his phone.
Oguri Cap: Kitano-kun, what did you have for dinner?
Seeing this simple and unpretentious opening, Kitano’s tense nerves relaxed slightly.
His fingers flew as he replied.
Kitano: Convenience store fried chicken cutlet bento.
How about you?
How was your record today?
How much did you eat?
[teasing emoji]
His acquaintance with Oguri Cap stemmed from a somewhat peculiar fate.
When he transmigrated, the original owner of this body had already lost his parents in an accident, and he had few relatives.
It was only when the adults were handling the aftermath and inheritance that they discovered the original owner’s parents had a distant, family-like friendship with Oguri Cap’s parents in their hometown.
The two families had occasionally interacted in the past, and later, he was taken in, with Aunt Narubi, Oguri Cap’s mother, even becoming his current legal guardian.
Because of this connection, and being peers of similar age, the two had known each other since childhood.
Before high school, they were practically inseparable childhood friends.
Later, Oguri Cap was scouted by the local Tracen Academy branch for her outstanding running talent and is now steadily moving toward the central racing stage.
However, unlike many other Uma Musume who view running as the meaning of their lives, Oguri Cap’s passion for her Uma Musume career was quite… pure and practical.
Because she wanted to run, could earn a lot of money, and then eat lots and lots of delicious food.
When Oguri Cap candidly told Kitano her main motivation for becoming an Uma Musume, Kitano immediately expressed his high understanding and approval.
“That’s right!
It’s only natural to work hard for a better life!
It’s much more practical than those who always talk about dreams, destiny, and goddesses!” These were his exact words at the time.
Therefore, against the backdrop of his indifferent attitude toward all Uma Musume, Oguri Cap was one of the very few Uma Musume he could communicate with normally, and even occasionally tease.
His phone vibrated again soon after.
Oguri Cap: Today’s training volume was huge.
I ate three servings of special curry rice, five fried cutlets, and ice cream after dinner.
[satisfied emoji]
Oguri Cap: But the cafeteria auntie said she’ll charge me double next time… [aggrieved emoji]
Kitano couldn’t help but laugh.
He could imagine Oguri Cap on the other end, patting her belly, both satisfied and a little aggrieved.
Kitano: It’s fine, you’re a professional athlete now, so it’s natural to eat a lot.
When you win prize money in your next race, I’ll treat you to a good meal.
Of course, provided you don’t eat me into bankruptcy.
He hesitated for a moment, thinking about the mess he encountered today, and felt that it should be fine to complain to this relatively simple-minded childhood friend.
Kitano: Speaking of which, today was truly unlucky.
Oguri Cap:?
Kitano: I went to watch a race, dragged along by a classmate.
As a result, I accidentally said some… well, some blunt truths that were a bit disrespectful to Uma Musume, and I was caught red-handed by Vice President Air Groove.
Later, at the convenience store entrance, I was again stopped and questioned by several unfamiliar hot-blooded Uma Musume.
[vomiting blood emoji]
Oguri Cap: Hmm, are you okay?
Kitano: I’m okay for now, I apologized profusely.
But speaking of which, Cap, given our relationship, what I’ve told you, as an Uma Musume, you wouldn’t turn around and sell me out, would you?
[doge emoji for self-preservation]
After the message was sent, there was a pause of a few seconds on the other end, as if she was thinking.
Then a reply came.
Oguri Cap: No.
Oguri Cap: However, for a gag order, the next time you treat me to a meal, I want to add a deluxe grilled meat platter.
Looking at this undisguised extortion, Kitano actually smiled with relief.
This was Oguri Cap, direct, pure, and easily bribed with food.
She knew he wasn’t interested in the Uma Musume career, and when she decided to become an Uma Musume, he only gave her the most ordinary blessings.
Even when she first invited him to the central racing stage to watch her race, his forced enthusiasm and lack of interest probably didn’t escape her notice.
But she never distanced herself or tried to persuade him because of it, maintaining this simple relationship.
Kitano: Deal!
A grilled meat platter to buy my life, worth it!
Oguri Cap: [happy spinning emoji]
Oguri Cap: For the grilled meat, I’m going back to training.
Putting down his phone, Kitano’s mood lightened considerably.
He opened the now cold bento box and began to enjoy his late, eventful dinner.
Tracen Academy, student council vice president’s office.
Air Groove sat behind a pristine office desk, with Kitano’s file displayed on the holographic projection screen in front of her.
Hishi Amazon peered over curiously, while Mejiro McQueen sat elegantly to the side, sipping tea, but her eyes occasionally darted toward the screen.
“I’ve screened all his public statements on online platforms,” Air Groove said calmly, her finger lightly swiping to bring up data.
“He reacted quickly.
After we sought him out, all potentially controversial statements were deleted, and… his personal information was completely disguised as a fanatical supporter.”
Hishi Amazon pouted.
“Hmph, he’s guilty, isn’t he!”
Mejiro McQueen gently set down her teacup.
“While his actions are a bit… cunning, it also proves that he wasn’t deliberately provocative; he mostly wanted to avoid trouble.”
Air Groove was noncommittal and continued operating.
With Tracen Academy’s special authority, she could access deeper data, including cached deleted records.
She carefully reviewed Kitano’s past, deleted comments and public log snippets regarding Uma Musume.
The content wasn’t extensive, but the direction was clear:
“Cannot comprehend this nationwide craze.”
“Running speed is acceptable, but it’s been deified.”
“Why do all topics eventually revolve around Uma Musume?
Aesthetic fatigue.”
“Three Goddesses?
If they exist, perhaps they should see an ophthalmologist.” This entry was completely deleted, only existing in the system’s deep cache.
The conclusion was clear: this male student named Kitano was indeed not interested in Uma Musume culture, and even held a slight aversion and incomprehension.
His indifference was inherent, not a disguise.
Based solely on these ideological tendencies, Tracen Academy indeed had no right to sanction him.
“It seems he’s just an ordinary student with rather unique ideas,” Mejiro McQueen concluded.
“Perhaps we don’t need to pay too much attention.”
Air Groove, however, did not relax her expression.
She brought up Kitano’s social relationship network map.
Air Groove’s gaze quickly scanned Kitano’s file, pausing briefly at the family relations section: “…has an adoptive older sister, long-term estranged.”
She didn’t pay attention to this; such targets with simple backgrounds and clear social connections usually posed no complex threat.
When the map fully expanded and prominently highlighted connections with known Uma Musume, the three people in the office were slightly stunned.
On the map, several connecting lines conspicuously pointed to names familiar to them:
Oguri Cap, local powerhouse: relationship marked as “intimate childhood friend.”
Rice Shower, central powerhouse: relationship marked as “good friend.”
Nice Nature, local potential rising star: relationship marked as “acquaintance / occasional contact.”
Hishi Akebono, local, unique personality: relationship marked as “gaming friend.”
This male student, who showed such detachment from Uma Musume culture, actually had such close personal relationships with several Uma Musume who were somewhat famous, even powerful, both locally and on the central stage?
This strong contrast made Air Groove frown.
“This… isn’t this a bit strange?” Hishi Amazon blinked, looking puzzled.
“He clearly doesn’t like Uma Musume, so how can he be so close to them?”
“We need to verify this,” Air Groove decisively took action.
She contacted Oguri Cap, Rice Shower, and others individually, and under the name of the student council vice president, she subtly inquired about their relationships with Kitano and whether they understood his views on Uma Musume.
The replies she received, however, were unexpectedly… perfunctory and consistent.
Chewing sounds came from Oguri Cap’s communicator.
“Kitano-kun?
Hmm, he’s a friend.
He’s a really nice person, often treats me to meals… Oh, wait.
His views on Uma Musume?
Hmm… nothing special, I guess?
I’m not too sure, Vice President.
I have training, so I’m hanging up now.” The call was hurriedly disconnected.
Rice Shower’s voice was gentle but defensive.
“Kitano-kun… is a very kind person.
He… he doesn’t dislike running, it’s just… just that his way of seeing it is different from everyone else.
I’m sorry, Vice President, Rice Shower doesn’t know what to say…” Her voice grew softer, apologetic but refusing to elaborate.
Nice Nature’s reply was polite and official.
“Kitano?
Yes, we do know each other.
He is a clear-thinking and trustworthy friend.
Regarding his personal opinions, I believe that falls within the realm of privacy and I cannot discuss it further.
Please forgive me.”
Hishi Akebono was boisterous.
“Oh!
Kitano-kun!
He’s great at gaming!
Uma Musume?
He doesn’t seem very interested, but that doesn’t stop us from teaming up!
Vice President, do you want to play games too?”
After asking around, almost everyone instinctively protected Kitano, evaded the core questions, and even tried to change the subject.
This unanimous collusion only deepened Air Groove’s suspicions.
She leaned back in her chair, hands clasped under her chin.
Her eyes were sharp.
“An ordinary male student who has no interest in the Uma Musume career itself, and even shows slight aversion.”
“Yet maintains stable and good personal relationships with several Uma Musume of varying talents and personalities.”
“And these Uma Musume, knowing his attitude, are still willing to associate with him, and even unanimously defend him when we officially inquire.”
Hishi Amazon was already confused.
“What, what exactly is going on?”
Mejiro McQueen also put down her teacup, her eyes filled with interest.
“It seems this Kitano is not just a special ordinary person after all.”
Air Groove nodded and made a decision.
“His attitude itself is inconsequential.
But his special connections with so many Uma Musume, and what these connections represent, are worth noting.
Add him to the observation list, level… C.
Potential impact to be assessed.”
She closed the projection and looked out the window.
Kitano… what kind of existence are you?
Why can you make your Uma Musume friends defend your disrespect for their lifelong career so much?
This question became their most logical reason for continuously monitoring Kitano.
And the peaceful life Kitano had hoped for was clearly gone forever.
It really helps the fic grow!