Chapter 3:

Inside the classroom, Tokai Teio hummed cheerfully as she skipped toward her seat. Her steps were light, almost like she was dancing.

Noticing the unusually bright mood, a horse girl with elegant lavender hair lowered her book. Refined and composed as always, she gave off the aura of a noble lady—Mejiro McQueen.

"You seem… happier than usual today, Teio," McQueen remarked.

"Heeeeh~ you noticed?" Teio's grin nearly stretched ear to ear.

McQueen gave a small nod.

"Ehehe, guess why!" Teio put her hands on her hips, puffing up with pride.

McQueen arched a brow. "If you don't wish to tell me, that's fine." She turned her gaze back to her book.

"Aww, come on, McQueen~ just guess!" Teio's ears drooped as she leaned forward, trying her best pitiful expression.

With a resigned sigh, McQueen set her book down again. "Very well. Let me guess… did the president praise you?"

"Nope!" Teio chirped.

McQueen thought a moment, then tried again. "You were given extra honey juice?"

"That would make me happy, sure, but nope!" Teio shot back, wagging her finger.

A soft yawn broke the exchange. Behind Teio, a horse girl with short, powder-green hair sat up from her desk, stretching lazily.

"What's all this noise about?" Seiun Sky asked, half-lidded eyes still heavy with sleep.

"Ah, Seiun! McQueen's trying to guess why I'm so happy today!" Teio explained, tail wagging.

"A guessing game, huh?" Seiun's ears twitched with mild interest. "Alright, I'm in."

Minutes passed, with McQueen frowning thoughtfully and Seiun quickly giving up.

"Giving up already?" Teio teased, smugness radiating off her.

"Yes," Seiun admitted, flopping back onto her desk.

"Hehehe! Then I'll tell you! I got my very own trainer today!" Teio announced proudly, chest puffed out.

Both McQueen and Seiun perked their ears at that.

"You… got a trainer?" Seiun repeated, more awake now.

Teio nodded enthusiastically.

McQueen's lips parted as if to say something, but she closed them again, her expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, Seiun leaned forward, intrigued. "Oh? How'd you meet this trainer? Does he already have a team?"

"Hmm… I don't think he has one yet," Teio said, tilting her head.

"Yet?" McQueen and Seiun echoed.

"Yep! He's a brand-new trainer who just joined the academy today!" Teio declared proudly.

McQueen's refined features tightened with concern. "Teio… are you sure it's wise to become the trainee of someone you know nothing about?"

"It's fine!" Teio insisted, though her voice softened at the end. "The president herself approved him… and I just know he'll help me reach my dream of the Triple Crown!" She added in a whisper, "…even if our first impression was a little… bad."

"Oh?" Seiun's curiosity sharpened. "Now I really want to meet this new trainer."

McQueen closed her eyes and sighed, shaking her head. "President's approval and your own excitement are not enough. You can't rush into such an important decision. You don't even know him yet."

Teio's ears drooped a little. "B-but… he really does seem like a good trainer…" Doubt flickered in her eyes—had she been too hasty?

"Then it's decided," McQueen said firmly. "After class, we'll meet this trainer of yours together."

"Eeeeh…" Teio slumped into her seat. What was supposed to be a proud moment of bragging had turned into a lecture from McQueen.

"I'll come too," Seiun added with a lazy yawn. "Sounds more fun than napping."

"Wait…" Mejiro McQueen suddenly paused, her amethyst eyes narrowing as she turned toward Seiun Sky.

"Hm?" Seiun tilted her head, lazy curiosity in her gaze.

"Why are you here?" McQueen asked flatly.

"That's true," Tokai Teio added, glancing back at her. "Aren't you supposed to be in a different class right now?"

"Eh?" Seiun blinked in confusion and looked around. The absence of Grass Wonder or King Halo finally sank in.

"Wait… isn't this the Mind & Body Synchronization class?" Seiun asked, her tone as casual as if she were commenting on the weather.

McQueen and Teio exchanged a long look.

"That class ended over an hour ago," McQueen said at last, her voice cool and matter-of-fact.

"Ohhh." Seiun tapped her chin, then stretched her arms behind her head lazily. "Guess I was just… too focused on studying hard. Calming my mind, you know. Must've lost track of time."

Teio and McQueen's thoughts aligned perfectly in that moment She definitely just slept through the entire class.

"Well, I'll be going now!" Seiun declared, already heading for the door. "Message me when you're gonna meet the new trainer!"

As she slipped out, two familiar figures entered—Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka. Seiun glanced at them as she passed, smirking slightly.

"You two really are close," she said offhandedly.

"We are NOT!" Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka snapped in unison, glaring at each other instantly afterward.

Seiun just waved lazily, strolling down the hall without another word.

--------------------------

After finishing the paperwork to claim his clubroom, Ren wandered the academy grounds while waiting for Shiro to appear.

As he strolled past the main gate, he noticed Tazuna Hayakawa standing watch. Deciding to be polite, he approached.

"Good afternoon, Miss Tazuna," Ren greeted.

Tazuna turned toward him, smiling faintly. "Oh, Trainer Takahashi. So you've already settled your work?"

Ren nodded. "Yes." Then, remembering something, he asked, "By the way… do you know where Shiro is?"

"Shiro?" Tazuna tilted her head, clearly puzzled.

Ren quickly corrected himself. "Ah—I mean Shirogane Violet. Sorry, I keep forgetting her full name."

"Ah, Student Violet." Tazuna nodded in understanding. "She should be at her dorm."

"I see." Ren returned the nod.

"You two are already quite close," Tazuna remarked with a small smile. "That's good. A trainer and trainee should build a strong relationship."

"I… guess so," Ren said, a little embarrassed.

They continued chatting for a moment. Tazuna even chuckled once or twice at Ren's awkward honesty. But their conversation was cut short when a cold voice sliced through the air.

"Ahem."

Ren turned. Standing just outside the gate was Shiro, her eyes sharp and frosted, as though judging him from a distance.

"Ah, it seems your trainee has arrived," Tazuna said, stepping aside to resume her duties.

Ren nodded and walked toward Shiro, though her piercing stare made him uneasy. Did something happen to her? he wondered.

"Oh, Shiro—you're here. I was waiting for you," Ren said carefully.

Shiro rolled her eyes. "Did you finish your work?"

"You mean with the student council president? Yeah, I just wrapped it up," Ren answered.

But then his gaze shifted beyond her. "By the way… who's following you?"

Shiro arched a brow. "Following me?"

Not far behind, half-hidden by a tree, a small figure tried to conceal herself. Ren wouldn't have noticed—if not for the oversized witch hat poking out from behind the trunk.

"Her?" Shiro crossed her arms and propped her chin on one hand. "That's my roommate, Sweep Tosho. Why she's following me? Don't ask me." She shrugged.

"I see." Ren tried to hold back a chuckle as the hat twitched in a panic, clearly failing at stealth.

"Well, good for you. Though… it would've been interesting if Gold Ship became your roommate instead," Ren teased with a grin.

Shiro's glare could have frozen fire. "I hope Gold Ship kidnaps you later."

"As if. She only drags students into her nonsense teams, not trainers," Ren replied casually.

Shiro huffed but didn't argue further.

"Oh, right—I have something to tell you," Ren said suddenly.

"Hm? I'm all ears," Shiro replied, her horse ears twitching slightly in curiosity.

For a brief second, Ren found his eyes lingering on them. He wondered what they felt like… but also knew he'd get pummeled if he tried. Best to bury that thought deep.

"…Tokai Teio will become my trainee," Ren said at last, a touch of worry in his voice.

Shiro blinked. "What?"

"I said Tokai Teio is joining as my trainee."

Her eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Yes. Even President Rudolf approved it. So technically… she'll be my first official trainee under my care." Ren looked at her carefully. Will she get upset?

"You're fine with that, right?" he asked cautiously.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Shiro tilted her head, genuinely confused.

Ren exhaled in relief.

Shiro then glanced at her phone. "Anyway, I need to register for the courses I'm taking. Let's meet up again later."

"Sure. I'll wander around and get more familiar with the academy," Ren said with a nod.

With a wave, Shiro turned and left, leaving Ren alone

Ren wandered aimlessly until his steps brought him near the academy’s practice field. The crisp sound of shoes striking the ground filled the air. Several horse girls were already hard at work, running drills under the watchful eyes of their trainers.

So there are more trainers here than I thought, he mused, watching from the sidelines.

His eyes soon landed on a familiar figure—a woman with sharp composure and a clipboard in hand. Ren’s breath caught.

…Toujou Hana?

The name surfaced from memory. Wait, does that mean I’m inside the anime Uma Musume timeline?

From a distance, he observed her issuing instructions to her trainees. But then Hana’s gaze shifted, locking directly onto him.

Ren stiffened. Caught staring, he faked a cough and decided to approach.

“Sorry, Senior Toujou. I was watching without permission,” Ren said politely.

Toujou Hana regarded him calmly for a moment, then adjusted her glasses. “It’s fine. You must be the new trainer I’ve heard about?”

Ren nodded.

Hana’s eyes returned to her trainees, who had begun their warm-up routines. Ren followed her gaze—and frowned. Something felt off.

If I remember correctly, Toujou Hana’s team was called Rigil… but some of these faces, I don’t recognize. They weren’t in the anime.

To be certain, he asked, “Senior, if you don’t mind my question… what’s the name of your team?”

Hana tapped a few notes on her tablet before replying. “Ignis.”

“…Ah.” Ren’s brows knitted slightly. So it’s not the anime timeline after all?

As if to cut off further speculation, Hana raised her hand, signaling a girl on the track. While the others were content with light warm-ups, this one had been running at full speed from the start, her strides sharp and relentless.

“Suzuka,” Hana called.

The girl slowed, then jogged over obediently. Her trainer quickly laid out the rest of her plan for the session.

Ren’s eyes narrowed. Silence Suzuka…?

He remembered the anime plotline vividly after her debut, Suzuka’s performances were disappointing—six consecutive losses in major races before she left Team Rigil and transferred to Spica.

So that still happens here too?

While Ren sank into thought, Suzuka cast a brief glance at him. Her aqua eyes flickered with curiosity at the unfamiliar face, but she didn’t ask questions. Instead, she gave a polite nod before returning to the track.

“Senior,” Ren said, turning back to Hana, “if you don’t mind… may I observe your training methods?”

Toujou Hana gave a curt nod. “Feel free to watch.”

Ren’s gaze followed Suzuka once more. She had already picked up speed, her movements flawless—each stride elegant yet fierce, her arms and legs a blur. Her long orange hair streamed behind her.

Ren’s expression was unreadable as he watched from the sidelines.

(A/n: thinking)