"Trainer-san?" Oguri Cap let out a muffled sound as she sampled the daifuku Fujimaru Ritsuka had prepared for her.
An Uma Musume's hearing was incredibly sharp; don't think for a second that she hadn't overheard the conversation just now.
And that raised a question. Hadn't Trainer-san just told her that "running into setbacks isn't a bad thing—just remember it, then fix it"? Why was he going over to that Norn Ace person and saying those things?
Oguri Cap thought seriously for a moment. Unable to fully wrap her head around the logic, she simply gave up on thinking.
In her eyes, Fujimaru Ritsuka surely had his own reasons. As his trainee, all she needed to do was trust him.
However, after her brief contemplation, Oguri took the initiative to walk over. Still munching on her daifuku, she expressed her gratitude to Norn Ace.
Her reasoning: "If Norn Ace-san hadn't mentioned the carrot cake, I might have been tripped up by a similar tactic next time."
As she spoke, Oguri Cap gave Norn Ace a thumbs-up—the picture of absolute sincerity.
Norn Ace was left caught between laughter and tears. Wait, no Uma Musume in their right mind would actually be distracted by such an obviously fake lie, right?
Ultimately, the girl was just too pure. She took everything at face value, regardless of the situation. That was exactly how she ended up at a disadvantage in the first place!
Mini Lady and Ludi Lemo came running over, making a scene. "Don't you dare bully Norn, kora!" Their trilled "r" was perfect; one might have mistaken them for Uma Musume from the Kansai region.
After a bit of rowdy fun, the girls regained their usual vitality. They also learned of Oguri Cap's finishing time—51.1 seconds.
In other words, had she not suffered the "late start" mishap, Oguri Cap would likely be on the same level as Kasamatsu Tracen's "Big Star," Fujimasa March—or perhaps even better!
If Oguri Cap weren't already "spoken for," the other trainers would likely have been scrambling to recruit her. At the very least, they'd be trying by tomorrow.
After all, while Oguri Cap was finishing her test, they had been embroiled in a fierce tug-of-war over Fujimasa March. They hadn't seen Oguri's powerful stride at all. Having missed the live performance, they would only discover this hidden gem later when reviewing the test records.
Curiously, Fujimasa March hadn't settled on a trainer yet, choosing to continue as a "lone wolf." Perhaps it was because she had trained herself since childhood and had already garnered a decent amount of attention on her own?
Oguri Cap had no idea that the stern-looking Ash-gray Uma Musume had already noticed her—and had already branded her as her strongest rival.
Oguri went to thank Double Bell Light as well, since she had specifically stopped to wait and remind her to start. With a face full of genuine emotion, Oguri declared: "You are truly a good person!"
"Haha, it wasn't that big a deal." Double Bell Light rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, a shy smile on her face.
Internally, the brown-haired girl was cheering herself on: Alright, the mood is perfect. I should take this momentum and become her friend!
But as the words reached her lips, her tongue felt like it had tied itself in a knot. She didn't know how to start.
She had enrolled specifically to change her introverted personality, make friends, and become an excellent Uma Musume. But she hadn't expected...
It had been nearly two months since school started, and she was still a complete "nobody." Her friend count hadn't even broken zero yet.
The girl was frantic inside, which only made it harder for her to speak.
As a result, even as Oguri Cap jogged away, she failed to utter a single word about wanting to be friends.
Double Bell Light: ┭┮﹏┭┮
Time quickly reached 4:00 PM, and school let out at Kasamatsu Tracen.
Oguri Cap repeated her morning training routine one more time, then headed to the cafeteria for the buffet dinner, eating until the head chef practically hung up a white flag of surrender.
But Oguri Cap wouldn't be discouraged by such a minor setback anymore, because her Trainer-san had promised her a "Mega-sized Carrot Cake."
The girl's eyes narrowed slightly. Her brain immediately rendered a clear map leading to the back of the kitchen!
When did she memorize it? Naturally, it was back when Fujimaru Ritsuka, worried she wouldn't have enough to eat, had volunteered as a guest chef in the cafeteria. How could Oguri Cap ever forget the route to the "land of lush pastures"?
Moving with the stealth of an urban Special Forces operative, Oguri Cap silently pushed open the small, hidden door at the back of the cafeteria.
At first, the passage was narrow, barely wide enough for one... but then it suddenly opened up.
Just as her pale hand touched the doorknob, Oguri's ears twitched. Her nose followed suit, quickly picking up a faint clue that shouldn't be here: the scent of an unfamiliar Uma Musume. Voices were drifting from the small, partitioned kitchen. It was definitely Fujimaru Ritsuka and another girl!
"Ah!" It was a short gasp, followed by a soft, lingering whimper. "Uuu—"
Then, Oguri heard the stranger ask in a trembling voice: "Tr-Trainer-san... like this... is it okay?"
Then came Fujimaru Ritsuka's satisfied evaluation: "Exactly. Good girl, just like that."
She heard the girl give a soft "mm-hm," followed by a sigh of contentment.
Unsure of what was happening, Oguri Cap leaned against the door, her ears pressed firmly against the wood, trying her best to hear the movement inside.
For some reason, she felt like something she cared about deeply—something she definitely didn't want to happen—was taking place right now!
"That's about enough for this step. As a thank you, have a carrot—an Uma Musume favorite."
"Th-this big?!" The girl's voice was filled with shock. "U-uu, I shouldn't... this... this should be left for Oguri Cap-san..."
Hearing her own name, Oguri's brow twitched. She thought this stranger might actually be a very good person!
But in the next second, she heard Fujimaru Ritsuka say: "It's fine. Go ahead and taste it. But remember, do it slowly, gently... like you're handling your most precious treasure."
"Y-yes! Then... I won't be polite!"
"???" Oguri Cap's brow furrowed. Hadn't that "good person" said she'd leave the carrot for her? Why was she starting to eat it herself?!
It wasn't that she was desperate for one carrot, but because that "good person" had said it was for her!
With a violent CRACK, the entire door was ripped off its hinges by the agitated Oguri Cap. A jet-black flame flickered in the girl's eyes.
"Trainer-san!"
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