After settling Grass Wonder's matter, Kitahara Sota slipped back into his usual calm routine.
As for whatever followed on her side—he didn't pay much attention.
In the end, that was between her and Special Week. Nothing to do with him.
And as a friend, as a trainer, he had already said what he could, done what he could. The rest was up to her.
Watching Grass Wonder rush straight to Spe-chan the moment she returned—taking advantage of Suzuka's rare absence, Spe-chan all alone—
Kitahara thought for a moment, then quietly walked the other way.
Help was help. Brotherhood was brotherhood.
But when your brother finally seizes such a rare chance—and seizes it decisively—what kind of idiot would you be to wade in as a third wheel?
Hope she holds onto it this time, he thought.
And with that, he pushed the matter aside, no longer sparing a glance at the mess of the Tracen Album.
Instead, he turned his attention back to the others, checking what progress they'd made during the month he'd been away.
The results? Surprisingly good.
He hadn't been at the training grounds for almost a month.
But even when he was there, his "training" usually meant tossing them a plan and then AFK-slacking in the corner. His presence or absence hardly changed anything.
And now, after the team merger, with Komata Hajime as a proper, responsible trainer, and with Tachyon, Digital, and Nice Nature steadily growing as assistant-trainers—
The training had gone even better than when he was around.
By rights, a trainer should be pleased at such results.
But staring at these kids, all showing clear improvements compared to a month ago, Kitahara felt no joy. Only unease.
Because—he realized now, after seeing professional-level races with his own eyes—
His earlier assessment of "professional Uma Musume strength" had been… just a little off.
Because of one random Uma he'd seen before, his benchmark had been skewed.
Which meant, when he wrote their training plans, he had… slightly overdone it.
And with Komata joining, and the others improving as trainers, that already "too much" training had only been pushed further.
He had only wanted them to bring out their innate potential.
But at this rate, just maintaining current levels, his girls would be nearly impossible to beat.
And if it kept going? They might actually mass-produce undefeateds.
For another trainer, that would be the highest honor.
For Kitahara? He didn't want fame. He didn't want trouble. He came to Tracen to quietly pass three years, save money, then go live a peaceful life.
At this rate? Forget peaceful.
He'd be lucky to survive the three years without being kidnapped by some Uma Musume family and locked in a basement outside satellite surveillance.
But after worrying, he realized—it wasn't hopeless.
Because with Komata and the others in the spotlight, he could throw the credit at them when needed. Let them "carry the glory."
That way, his income went up, he avoided notice, and they got recognition. Triple-win.
And beyond that, he could lean into self-sabotage.
Slack more. Leak stories of his slacking through various channels. Build a reputation as the team's parasite. Let the public clamor for him to quit.
Then, when the time came, he could gracefully "step back" under the excuse of pressure, retire quietly.
Not bad at all.
Only problem: self-sabotage was getting harder.
Because as his girls started racing, one after another proving their strength, his reputation rose too. The voices once questioning him had gone silent.
Which to him was agony.
But after this month's break, a tiny coincidence gave him hope again.
GraspVictory.
The little gamer kid he'd randomly added—turned out to be a promising anti-Kitahara seedling.
From their chats, Kitahara learned the kid was popular among Umas, with decent reputation and influence.
And his skill in-game, his debates, his stubborn anti-Kitahara stance—it all showed potential.
Potential to be… the leader of Kitahara's haters.
Yes, Kitahara himself was the de facto leader of the "anti-Kitahara camp."
But with his job and his need to keep a low profile, he couldn't openly push it far.
If he had a proxy—a sharp, well-liked, firmly anti-Kitahara figure to take the spotlight—then things could shift.
And GraspVictory seemed perfect. With some guidance, he could rise to head the faction.
There was just one snag.
Recently, GraspVictory rarely logged in. And when he did, he didn't want to talk anti-Kitahara matters.
Kitahara was puzzled, but not alarmed.
The kid was a student. School was starting. Probably homework crunch.
So logging in less? Only wanting to play quickly when online, then run back to study? Completely normal.
As for losing conviction? Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Kitahara refused to believe anything could shake such a steadfast anti-Kitahara stance in a mere few days.
So he would wait until school started, then talk to him properly.
And so, training ended. Kitahara was heading back to the dorm when someone called out.
"Wait a moment, Kitahara-chan."
Komata Hajime. Standing beside him, gaze a little unsteady.
"What is it, senpai?"
"That thing I promised before. I said I'd treat you, remember? But you seemed busy, so I never brought it up. Now that you're free, I found a good izakaya. Do you have time tonight?"
She meant the meal she'd promised after that time he'd pretended to be her boyfriend.
Kitahara considered. He didn't refuse.
Not because he was hungry for a free dinner, or had any thoughts about Komata.
But because he'd been away a month. He'd checked the training, yes—but he didn't know what had really happened in that month.
This was a chance to ask her.
So he agreed. Told Eclipse and Nice Nature to head back first, then prepared to go with Komata.
But before they left campus, his phone buzzed.
A message from Hayakawa Tazuna.
Asking if he was free. Said she wanted to talk.
Kitahara paused. Komata paused too, looking at him curiously.
"What is it, Kitahara-chan? Something up?"
"…Kind of."
He explained briefly.
After hearing, Komata hesitated, then said:
"If you're busy, we can reschedule…"
"No need."
From Tazuna's phrasing, Kitahara guessed what she wanted to discuss: the "fake boyfriend" arrangement they'd spoken of.
And he'd already planned to inform Komata, since she had to know as part of the team.
So after confirming via message that Tazuna did indeed want to discuss that, Kitahara turned to Komata.
"Would it be okay if the three of us went together? I'll cover this one."
"…That's fine. Tazuna-san has helped me before. I should thank her too. Let me pay."
Though a little disappointed she wouldn't get alone time, Komata didn't mind much.
After all, with their relationship now, more chances would come.
And truthfully, the thought of one-on-one time had made her nervous. Having a third person might actually make things easier.
Still, unease lingered. She asked:
"Tazuna-san's meeting you to discuss something, right? Won't I get in the way?"
"Not at all. Actually, it's better with you there. You should know too. And you have experience in this area. More heads are better."
"…I see."
Komata nodded.
"Then… could you tell me first what it's about? So I can prepare?"
"Of course."
Kitahara smiled. As they walked, he told her about Tazuna's health, her weak condition, and then… about the fake boyfriend plan.
Komata's eyes widened at the first part, showing genuine concern.
But when he reached the second part—her steps stopped.
"…Senpai?"
Kitahara looked back, puzzled.
She was silent a moment, then started walking again. Her face looked a little different. Her steps heavier.
"Nothing. Just… thought of something."
Her eyes gleamed strangely.
"Let's go, Kitahara-chan."
"I'm quite interested in this too."