Chapter 6
"Huh? Who's here…? And Trainer's phone is ringing…"
Kitasan Black looked confused.
Yasui Makoto glanced at the caller ID on his phone.
"It's the takeout I ordered.
"I got you the restaurant's popular horse girl meal — the sauce-glazed carrot pork chop set.
"Is that okay with you?"
Seeing Kitasan Black nod blankly, then look a little embarrassed and anxious (clearly feeling bad about him paying), Yasui Makoto shook his head.
"If it's fine with you, go open the door. Don't keep them waiting."
"Uh… okay."
Kitasan Black walked over somewhat reluctantly to open the door. Yasui Makoto turned back to the video and his laptop, ready to continue analyzing the data, when he suddenly heard a startled cry from the entrance.
"Ehh—?! Oguri Cap-senpai?! And Bamboo Memory-senpai?!"
Hearing those two names, Yasui Makoto instinctively looked toward the door.
The door was open. On the inside stood Kitasan Black with her tail sticking straight up in shock. Outside were two horse girls who seemed slightly startled by her reaction.
One had long silver-gray hair and light blue eyes. She was wearing the restaurant's delivery uniform with "Gray Cabin" printed on it and was carrying a takeout box.
The other had short brown hair and teal eyes, with a white headband tied around her forehead. The word "Dream" was written in traditional characters on the headband. She was also wearing a uniform — a police uniform. Her police cap was held in her arms, and she had a document folder tucked under one arm.
"Good evening, both of you. I'm Yasui Makoto. May I ask…?" Yasui Makoto walked over to the entrance.
Although he addressed both, his gaze was mainly on the brown-haired horse girl in the police uniform.
"See, Oguri-senpai? I told you I wouldn't get us lost."
Bamboo Memory smiled at the silver-haired horse girl beside her, then turned to Yasui Makoto and saluted.
"Hello, Trainer Yasui. I'm Police Sergeant Bamboo Memory, in charge of this area. Here's my ID."
After showing her police badge, she continued:
"At the request of Student Council President Tokai Teio, I've brought the settlement application form from the driver involved in the earlier accident. I hope you can take a look.
"As for this person…"
She gestured to the silver-haired horse girl beside her.
"I'm sure Trainer Yasui has heard of my senior here. She… how should I put it…"
With an amused expression, she hesitated.
The silver-haired horse girl spoke with a calm, indifferent expression.
"Sorry. Even though I've studied here for many years, I still don't know my way around very well."
"There were a lot of delivery orders today, and I happened to be at the restaurant, so I helped deliver some.
"But because I got lost, it took longer than expected. I'm very sorry."
She bowed deeply.
Bamboo Memory nodded with a helpless but amused smile and spread her hands.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it.
"So, could she wait inside for a bit? I still need to show her the way later.
"Don't worry, Trainer Yasui. It won't take long. We'll leave right after you've looked over the settlement agreement."
Yasui Makoto found the situation a little funny.
He was quite familiar with both horse girls — especially the silver-haired one currently dressed as a delivery worker.
Oguri Cap — 32 races, 22 wins, Horse of the Year, Hall of Fame, "The Gray Monster."
She was also one of the investors behind the "Gray Cabin" restaurant chain. You could often see her at the branch near the academy, and she frequently appeared on food programs.
Delivering takeout was probably just something she did on a whim. However, having grown up in the countryside and not exploring Tokyo much even after transferring to Central Tracen Academy, she still wasn't very familiar with the big city and often got lost while delivering.
She had delivered to this area a few times before and was usually late. This time she had actually arrived on schedule — clearly thanks to Bamboo Memory guiding her.
Bamboo Memory was also an outstanding horse girl. Unlike Oguri Cap, who excelled in mile to middle-distance races, she specialized in short-distance races and was known in professional circles as the "First Queen of the Short-Distance Front."
"No problem at all. Please come in."
Yasui Makoto stepped back from the entrance into the living room and asked politely:
"Would you two like some tea, or perhaps something else like milk?"
"No need to trouble yourself, Trainer Yasui. We'll be leaving soon."
Bamboo Memory smiled and waved her hand to decline, then took out the stack of documents tucked under her arm.
She glanced around and quickly noticed the race footage playing on the TV.
"Huh? This is…"
"The Daily Crown."
Oguri Cap opened the takeout box and placed the two meals on the coffee table. She glanced at the screen.
"It should be the 64th edition."
"64th… then the winner was…"
Watching the eleven horse girls galloping on screen, Bamboo Memory's gaze quickly locked onto a figure with short black hair. She and Oguri Cap said the same name at the same time.
"Eishin Flash."
Bamboo Memory then looked at the excited Kitasan Black beside them and smiled as she handed the documents to Yasui Makoto.
"It looks like Trainer Yasui is currently coaching this young lady…?"
"Ah! Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself!"
Kitasan Black bowed quickly.
"My name is Kitasan Black. Please take care of me, senpais!"
"Kitasan Black… a new first-year student? Studying hard even after school — I have high hopes for you, Kitasan Black."
Seeing Kitasan Black nod repeatedly, Bamboo Memory looked around the room.
"However, school rules don't allow students to stay overnight outside the dorms — especially not in a trainer's single apartment.
"Please keep that in mind, Kitasan Black."
She gave a refreshing smile.
"You probably already know this, but sorry — I used to be the academy's disciplinary committee member, so I tend to be a bit strict about these things."
"It's okay, Aonami-senpai! I'll head back right after dinner!"
Kitasan Black replied hurriedly.
"That's good then."
Bamboo Memory nodded with a smile and turned to Yasui Makoto.
Yasui Makoto had already finished reading the settlement agreement. Finding no issues, he signed it and handed it back when he noticed her looking at him.
"This should be fine now, right?"
Bamboo Memory took the document, carefully reviewed it once more, then bowed.
"No problems. Thank you for your cooperation, Trainer Yasui. We'll take our leave now."
She turned to Oguri Cap.
"Oguri-senpai, let's go… What are you looking at, Oguri-senpai?"
"Nothing."
Oguri Cap shifted her gaze away from the laptop on the coffee table and the handwritten data sheets. She looked calmly at Kitasan Black.
"You haven't scheduled your debut race yet?"
"Y-Yes! That's right, Oguri Cap-senpai!"
Kitasan Black nodded nervously.
"Hm. Do your best."
Oguri Cap gave a small smile, then walked toward the entrance with Bamboo Memory. She waved lightly at Kitasan Black.
"Not being able to control your strength properly isn't that big of a problem. My first few races after debut were the same.
"Besides, your trainer seems very capable. With his help, your debut race will definitely have excellent results.
"Do your best."