“Were you scared by the Student Council President just now?
Don’t worry too much, it’s rare to see the President like that.
You’re really lucky, Spe-chan~” Tokai Teio, who was leading the way, suddenly turned to Special Week and said with a grin.
“Ah, is it okay if I call you Spe-chan?
Heheh!” “Eh?
Of course!
Thank you!” Special Week was taken aback for a moment, then realized Tokai Teio was trying to cheer her up, and quickly expressed her gratitude.
“You’re welcome!
You can just call me Teio, Spe-chan.
Let me show you the library first!” “Yes, Teio-san!” And so, the two of them began touring the various campus facilities.
“This is the library, over there is the swimming pool, and right here is the famous tree hollow…” Tokai Teio guided Special Week through the campus at a steady pace, introducing each location along the way.
Special Week took in the school’s impressive facilities and unique ecosystem…
Wait!
Did that hat-wearing Umamusume over there just accidentally swallow a spider?!
Is she going to be okay?!!!!!
Utterly bewildered, Special Week followed Tokai Teio from one area to another, not daring to think too deeply about what she had just witnessed.
“And this is the final stop—the Team Training Fields!” Tokai Teio announced, pointing toward a massive sports complex consisting of multiple running tracks.
Special Week scanned the area.
Scattered across the vast tracks were numerous Umamusume training alongside their Trainers.
Some groups consisted of just two people, while others had over a dozen members.
She even spotted Suzuka-senpai!
‘Hmm?
Wait!’ “Suzuka-san!” Special Week sprinted off at full speed, leaving Tokai Teio startled for a second before jogging after her.
“Suzuka-san!” Approaching the track, Special Week called out to Silence Suzuka, who was turning through the corner of the inner lane.
“Ah, Spe-chan.
What’s up?” Silence Suzuka turned and smiled faintly.
“Teio-san was showing me around the campus facilities!
I saw Suzuka-san when we got here, so I ran over to say hello!” Special Week beamed with her signature bright smile.
“Eh?
Suzuka, you’re not a member of this team, are you?
Why are you training here?” Teio asked curiously, catching up from behind.
“Of course she is—she’s officially an Umamusume of our Team Lord now,” Kouki, who had been coaching Rice Shower nearby, spotted the ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ bonus and the grand prize she had brought along, running over right away to announce.
The moment Special Week saw Kouki, she immediately bowed politely to greet him.
It had to be said, Spe-chan was exceptionally well-mannered—a stark contrast to the hot-tempered real-life racehorse of the same name *(laughs)*.
“Ehhhh?!
Suzuka, you transferred to this team?!” Teio gasped in shock, her eyes darting back and forth between Silence Suzuka and Kouki in utter disbelief.
“How on earth did you convince the Rigil Trainer?!” Teio was dying of curiosity.
If she could figure out how they managed to persuade that notoriously stubborn head trainer, maybe she could use the same trick to get recruited into Team Rigil!
That way, she could be on the very same team as the President!
“That’s a trade secret,” Kouki replied with a smug smile.
“Suzuka~~ Tell me!
Please!” Teio turned to Suzuka and began acting cute and spoiled.
“Ah…
well…” Silence Suzuka glanced at Kouki, then quietly looked away.
“Mou!
Stingy!” Teio stomped her foot in playful frustration.
It had to be admitted—even though Tokai Teio was a teenager, her height was only 150 cm.
Her petite face was undeniably sweet and adorable.
Seeing her pouting face made Kouki desperately want to pinch her cheeks, but he forced himself to hold back.
After all…
the master plan he was about to execute could not afford a single mistake!
“Spe-chan, how would you like to have a friendly mock race with Silence Suzuka right now?” Kouki asked Special Week with a grin.
“Eh?
Me…
and Suzuka-san?” Special Week pointed a finger at her own nose in disbelief.
Once Kouki gave her an encouraging nod, her large eyes sparkled with intense excitement.
“Yes!
I want to run with Suzuka-san!” Special Week cheered, clenching her small fists tightly.
“Great!
Silence Suzuka, let’s hold a friendly practice race against Spe-chan and Rice Shower.
How about a 2,000-meter distance?” Kouki turned and asked Silence Suzuka.
In truth, Kouki knew Silence Suzuka wouldn’t refuse, but he had no intention of ignoring her personal wishes.
“Since Trainer Kouki says so…
then let’s race,” Suzuka nodded and agreed calmly.
And so, the three Umamusume began warming up along the track, preparing for their mock race.
“Hey, Teio, who do you think will cross the finish line in second place in this race?” Kouki asked Tokai Teio enthusiastically.
Being asked directly who would take *second* place caught Teio off guard.
After giving it some serious thought, she answered: “I think it’ll be Rice Shower-chan.
Even though Spe-chan has great potential, the President mentioned she hasn’t received any formal training yet.
In terms of experience, Rice Shower-chan is way ahead.” “Is that so?
Then how about we place a little bet?
I bet Special Week will take second place.” “If you win, I’ll buy you a full month’s supply of double-concentrated honey drink.” “If you lose, you have to agree to one condition of mine.” “What are you plotting?!” Tokai Teio instantly took two steps back and dropped into a defensive stance.
If Kouki’s next words sounded even slightly sketchy, she was ready to bolt.
“Woah, no need to be so suspicious of me.
Look, isn’t my team still lacking a dance instructor?” “Last month, because we were super busy preparing Rice Shower for her Selection Race, we had zero time to interview the dance instructors recommended by the academy.” “I heard your live performance dancing is among the top in the entire school—even Smart Falcon is slightly envious.
I was thinking of asking you to help coach Spe-chan and Rice Shower on their choreography.” “What do you say?” “Eh?
Is that all?” Tokai Teio lowered her guard, her eyes lighting up at the thought of a month’s worth of double-concentrated honey, and extended her pinky finger.
“Deal!
In this mock race, I’m confident Rice Shower-chan will take second, and Trainer Kouki is betting on Spe-chan taking second.” “If I win, you treat me to double-concentrated honey for a month!” “If I win, Tokai Teio agrees to one condition from Kouki!” Kouki hooked his pinky around Tokai Teio’s tiny finger and shook it up and down.
“Whoever lies must swallow a thousand needles times two!” With the bet sealed, Kouki flashed a radiant, triumphant smile—a smile that immediately made Tokai Teio feel like she had just walked into a trap.
Kouki was practically rolling on the floor in excitement inside.
He quickly slapped his cheeks to maintain a straight face before Teio noticed anything suspicious.
Then he subtly checked his phone—’Heh, the audio recording is saved.
No way she can back out of the deal now!’ ‘Spe-chan, you really are my lucky star!
Worthy of your future title as the General of Japan!’ ‘From now on, I’m calling you General!’ While stretching on the track, Special Week suddenly felt Kouki staring at her with an indescribably creepy intensity, giving her goosebumps all over.
‘Why do I feel…