A short while later…
"You can't be this noisy. It disturbs the neighbors."
"…Yes. I understand. I'll be more careful next time."
"And I've told you before—school regulations are still something you need to keep in mind."
"…Yes. Next time it won't happen. I know I was wrong."
"And even if you two are close, Yasui-san, you still need to be mindful in daily situations."
"…Yes, I—"
Yasui Makoto finally couldn't take it anymore. Looking at Bamboo Memory's face—trying desperately to stay serious while clearly on the verge of cracking—he said resentfully, "So, Bamboo-san… could you maybe stop looking like you're barely holding back laughter?"
"How could that be? I'm conducting a perfectly normal statement—pffft—HAHAHAHA—!"
Under Yasui's wounded stare—sharp enough to feel like it might stab something—Bamboo Memory ultimately failed to hold it in, bursting into a fit of unrestrained laughter.
What had happened in the kitchen, aside from provoking Kitasan Black's sky-splitting scream, had also sent her into a full panic after she threw the spatula.
In truth, Yasui hadn't suffered any real injury.
He was young, well-trained, and quick on his feet.
The spatula had flown fast—but he'd dodged just as quickly.
Unfortunately, the soundproofing in the studio apartment left much to be desired, certainly not enough to block out that kind of commotion.
So, acting out of concern, several nearby neighbors had promptly called the police.
When the police center received a report of "a suspicious individual living alone possibly harassing an Umamusume," they reacted immediately and dispatched the nearest available officer.
By sheer coincidence, that officer happened to be Bamboo Memory.
When she first heard the order over the radio, Bamboo Memory had been genuinely stunned.
After all, given the sheer physical gap between humans and Umamusume, any sane person knew better than to provoke the latter.
In fact, ever since the "Umamusume Police Officer" policy had been implemented nationwide, public safety had improved dramatically.
Cases of "harassing an Umamusume" were practically nonexistent.
Once she confirmed the address and the so-called "scene of the incident," Bamboo Memory found herself at a loss for words—half incredulous, half amused.
That address was… Yasui Makoto's place, wasn't it?
No way… right?
The kid seemed normal enough. Responsible. Reliable. Surely he hadn't done anything that outrageous…?
In Bamboo Memory's experience, Yasui Makoto had always been a conscientious, courteous trainer.
The couple of times they'd met had left her with a very positive impression.
Later, after asking around a bit, she'd learned that he truly was diligent—meticulous in training plans, attentive in daily care, careful with every detail.
And after guiding Kitasan Black to victory in the Kikuka Sho, he was now a rising star among trainers.
Bamboo Memory also knew quite a few people working at the URA Association, and many staff members at Tracen Academy were either her seniors or juniors.
From what she'd heard through those channels, Yasui Makoto was very likely to receive a "Best New Trainer" award at the industry ceremony later in the year.
With that reputation and those impressions, Bamboo Memory hadn't believed a word of the report until she knocked on the door.
And once she'd seen Yasui's stunned face, asked a few questions, and realized it was all a misunderstanding, disbelief had turned into barely contained laughter.
"Hahaha… okay, okay. I'll stop. Honestly, laughing this much is tiring. If I keep it up, I'm going to get noise complaints too."
She finally managed to rein herself in, still facing Yasui's resentful glare.
Rubbing his temple, Yasui sighed.
"No need for the neighbors—I'd like to file a complaint right now against a certain officer for maliciously mocking an innocent victim."
"Don't be so harsh, Yasui. We're friends, aren't we? Just let me off this once."
Casually claiming familiarity, Bamboo Memory glanced around with curiosity.
"By the way… where's Kita-chan? I laughed pretty loudly just now—she must've heard it. Did she already leave?"
It's precisely because you laughed so loudly that she's even more embarrassed to come out…
Rubbing his throbbing temple, Yasui shot Bamboo Memory an annoyed look and flicked his gaze toward the tightly shut kitchen door.
Calling the police had been the last thing he'd expected.
That said, setting aside Bamboo Memory's merciless teasing, the whole incident really had just been a misunderstanding.
After inviting her inside, Yasui had explained everything in just a few sentences.
Knowing his character, Bamboo Memory hadn't suspected anything improper—aside from finding it unbearably funny.
Still… thinking it over, some of what she'd said before she broke down laughing was correct.
No matter how you looked at it, Kitasan Black was a girl, and he was a healthy young man about to turn nineteen.
Training was one thing—even some physical contact then was natural and unremarkable.
But in daily life, meeting her wearing nothing but a pair of boxers?
That was unquestionably his fault.
And because of that mistake, Kitasan Black was clearly embarrassed—possibly even a little angry.
All in all, from the spatula flying… to her anxiously checking that he was okay… to realizing he was only wearing underwear… to shoving him out of the kitchen and locking the door—
Kitasan Black had stayed inside the kitchen the entire time, refusing to come out.
So… what now?
Staring at the closed kitchen door from the corner of his eye, Yasui felt his headache worsen.
"Oh, she's in the kitchen…"
Noticing where he was looking, Bamboo Memory followed his gaze, nodded, and grew thoughtful before her expression turned serious.
"Then I'll handle it."
Yasui looked at her in surprise.
"You…?"
"Hey, hey—don't lump that in with my laughing earlier. That was just because it was too funny."
Her mouth twitched briefly, but she quickly straightened up.
"Anyway, I was on the academy's disciplinary committee before."
"These kinds of awkward situations… even if school rules and evaluations stress ethics, and your assessments include moral conduct—"
"Trainer contracts are usually three years long. Spending that much time together day in and day out, one or two embarrassing incidents are bound to happen."
"If we're being strict…"
"You were careless, Yasui. That much is on you. But in principle, the academy won't come down on you for this—though I'm sure President Teio will remind you personally."
"As for the police side, since I was dispatched, I'll make sure the report clearly states it was a misunderstanding."
"And the rest—"
Standing up with a reassuring smile, Bamboo Memory patted Yasui on the shoulder.
"I know you didn't do it on purpose, so don't overthink it."
"I'll go talk to Kita-chan, calm her down, and explain everything. Leave it to me."