After dropping Agnes Digital off at the infirmary, Kitahara Sota glanced at the ti and imdiately announced the group dismissed.
Usually, even after his dismissal, he'd be the only one to leave. The Uma Musu would stay behind to chat or head out sowhere together.
But today, perhaps overwheld by all the information they'd just absorbed, each of them quietly departed after brief farewells, scattering back to their rooms—except for Eclipse, who properly accompanied Kitahara back to his dorm, as always.
Even after returning, however, none of them fell asleep quickly.
...
...
"Oguri Cap, what's wrong?"
"Nothing really. Just a little hungry."
"Did you not eat enough at dinner? I still have so left if you—"
"No, I ate plenty. But sohow... I'm still hungry."
...
"Tachyon, did sothing good happen today?"
"Sothing good? Hmm... not exactly good, but definitely sothing interesting."
"Oh? Mind sharing what it is?"
"It's like finding a guinea pig soone carelessly discarded on the road."
...
"Teio, you're in high spirits today. Did sothing nice happen?"
"No, not really, Kaichou. Just heard a really interesting story, that's all."
"I see… By the way, how's your trainer doing? No further attacks, right?"
"Nope—and there won't be anymore! Because the Invincible Teio-sama will definitely protect him!"
...
"Special Week, you..."
"Uuuuu, Suzuka, do you have any extra carrots? I didn't get enough dinner…"
"Did sothing happen?"
"I don't know! Grass-chan seed distracted tonight and gave way less food than usual! My stomach's growling… Suzuka, please share so carrots with . I'll do anything…"
Incidentally, since Silence Suzuka was busy today, Grass Wonder had been taking care of Special Week instead.
But clearly, Grass Wonder had missed another opportunity.
...
Under the rising moon, each Uma Musu drifted off to sleep with their own thoughts lingering in mind.
And soon enough, the sun rose once again.
Tokai Teio woke bright and early, imdiately starting her morning routine.
Let's be clear—she had no particular thoughts about her trainer.
But since they'd be heading out today—possibly even shopping—it was only natural for her to look her absolute best. Otherwise, it would damage the Invincible Teio-sama's image!
For clothes… Let's pick that set I usually don't dare wear.
After dressing up ticulously and bidding farewell to her still-sleeping roommate, Teio left the dorm and headed to the agreed eting point.
But as she approached, she noticed a figure already standing there, causing her steps to slow and her eyes to narrow.
Although Kitahara had ntioned last night that he hadn't just ordered a racing outfit for her—Eclipse and Agnes Tachyon would also be joining them—Teio had ntally prepared for that. Even though she felt a faint sense of irritation at the idea, she hadn't let it show.
What she hadn't expected was how shaless Agnes Tachyon could be.
The normally sloppy Agnes Tachyon was wearing an outfit Teio had never seen before—and clearly had spent plenty of effort getting ready!
Her ssy hair was neatly tied back into a short ponytail, adorned with a delicate white ribbon. Her clothes featured a charming mix of beige and white, with hints of gray blending smoothly in. Beneath her loosely draped blouse were shorts paired with dark stockings, and completing the look were casual shoes tinged slightly pink.
With this new appearance, not a trace of the eccentric mad scientist remained.
Unlike the mature style Tachyon had sported last ti, she now resembled an oversized, adorable hamster, the type you'd instinctively want to pet upon sight.
Unbeknownst to Teio, Agnes Tachyon had similarly noticed her arrival, narrowing her eyes in equal suspicion.
Who would've thought that innocent-looking Teio-san had this side to her?
Teio's hairstyle remained mostly unchanged, but she'd obviously put significant effort into her preparations, her hair still slightly damp at the tips.
She wore a white dress paired elegantly with a soft-pink cardigan, and as Tachyon drew closer, a refreshing scent gently wafted from her.
Though Agnes Tachyon wasn't deeply knowledgeable about perfus, she could easily recognize this fragrance wasn't so cheap off-the-shelf product. Moreover, she'd never slled it on Teio before.
As expected, this little brat has her eyes on my guinea pig.
As expected, this mad scientist is targeting my Trainer-san.
Both girls simultaneously thought similar things, smiling pleasantly on the surface, yet hostility clearly smoldered beneath their calm exteriors.
Shortly after their silent standoff began, two more figures arrived, montarily surprised.
"Why are you two here so early?"
For a mont, Kitahara worried he'd mistakenly arrived late, quickly checking his phone only to find it was still half an hour before their agreed ti.
"Just woke up earlier than usual."
"Had nothing better to do, so I ca early."
The two spoke simultaneously.
Kitahara shrugged, paying no further attention, completely ignoring their unusual efforts at dressing up.
Girls always liked dressing up when heading out, didn't they?
Compared to those two, Eclipse was far less normal. Although she'd changed clothes, her style remained as monochromatic as ever—pure black. Her wardrobe had no other colors, only varying shades of darkness.
As for Kitahara himself…
He dressed casually as always, putting virtually no effort into appearance, starkly contrasting the carefully grood pair.
I'm just taking asurents, and we're visiting an acquaintance's shop anyway. Why bother dressing up nicely?
Looking slightly shabby is actually helpful—it leaves a poor impression, reducing the chance of attracting unwanted attention. Less trouble overall, so why inconvenience myself?
But the next mont was sowhat unexpected.
"Trainer-san, your collar's crooked."
Tokai Teio suddenly stepped close, gently straightening his collar with delicate fingers. Raising her head, she flashed an adorably exaggerated look of displeasure.
"You should be more careful about your appearance, Trainer-san. Otherwise, when I start winning races, those reporters might mock you, or worse, other Uma Musu might even dislike you."
That's exactly my intention, though…
Kitahara silently complained, but outwardly nodded along. After all, Teio's logic was perfectly reasonable—his sloppy appearance could indeed reflect badly on her as his Uma Musu. It was understandable she'd be upset, so he didn't suspect her actions at all.
Agnes Tachyon, however, felt differently.
Sensing Teio's occasional 'accidental' glances toward her, Tachyon narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, before stepping close to Kitahara herself, smiling innocently.
"What do you think of this outfit today?"
"It's nice. Why?"
"Doesn't it look familiar?"
"Of course it does," Kitahara shot her an annoyed look. "Isn't that the outfit you kept pestering to help pick out? How could I not recognize it?"
The mont those words left his lips, Tokai Teio's movents instantly froze.
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