At the very first sound from outside, Hayakawa Tazuna knew immediately who was standing at the door.
Maruzensky. Better known as the "Supercar."
It was the very friend she'd previously mentioned many times—famous for her reckless driving skills.
As for why she was here, Tazuna already had a pretty good guess.
Earlier at the bar, Maruzensky had explicitly told her she'd be busy tonight, and likely wouldn't be able to come and get her. So, when Tazuna needed someone to pick her up, she sent a quick message to Maruzensky anyway, expecting the obvious refusal she promptly received.
Yet here she was, standing right outside. Maybe she'd finished up early or perhaps there was another reason, but either way, Maruzensky was now outside, clearly intending to take her home.
Should she stop now?
Feeling the warmth beneath her body, gazing down at the face only inches away, Tazuna hesitated for just a moment—but her eyes quickly hardened with determination.
They'd come this far already. How could she possibly let go now?
Forget Maruzensky—she wouldn't stop now even if Chairwoman Akikawa herself was banging on the door. Not until she'd finished this properly.
After resolving herself, Tazuna took a few deep breaths, ignoring the insistent knocking outside, and once more focused her attention on the body beneath her, fully prepared to push things even further.
Yet just as she returned her gaze to Kitahara Sota, about to make her next move—
To Tazuna's surprise, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her gently into an embrace.
This dense piece of wood...has he finally gotten a clue?
With that thought, she lowered her head. Warmth spread softly across her lips.
A long, lingering moment passed. Finally, their lips parted.
Tazuna slowly lifted her head, her beautiful eyes shimmering softly with moisture.
"Kitahara-san..."
And just as she was about to take the final step—
Facing her eyes brimming with emotion, Kitahara sighed quietly, whispering a silent apology deep in his heart. Then he slowly raised his palm—and firmly brought it down.
Slap.
At that crisp sound, the "bombs" he'd carefully planted earlier throughout her body instantly detonated.
A tingling numbness immediately surged through every inch of her, rushing along each nerve before gathering directly into Tazuna's mind. Her consciousness blurred quickly, strength draining from her limbs.
Within seconds, Tazuna had collapsed limply into Kitahara's arms, releasing him from her embrace completely.
I'm sorry, he quietly apologized again in his mind.
But despite this apology, feeling the soft pressure of a body distinctly different from any of the Uma Musume pressed against him, even Kitahara inevitably had some less-than-appropriate thoughts flicker across his mind.
Yet even so, with extraordinary self-control, Kitahara managed to suppress those unruly impulses and refrained from further action.
After all, the greatest difference between humans and beasts was the ability to control one's desires.
Especially considering how good Tazuna had always been to him, how carefully she'd cared for him—he simply couldn't take advantage of her drunken vulnerability.
Though he had temporarily incapacitated her with therapeutic techniques, leaving her soft and mostly unconscious, he still didn't dare to abruptly break away, knowing any sudden movements could trigger her instinctive reactions.
Instead, he patiently relaxed her further with gentle little actions—pinching her cheeks, stroking her hair, gently patting her back. Once she had grown sufficiently relaxed, he began carefully guiding her movements with small rewards, until finally, obediently, she climbed down from atop him and curled up peacefully to one side.
"Be good. I'll open the door and be right back."
He lightly patted Tazuna's head, stood up, and after confirming she wouldn't suddenly move, sighed with relief and went to open the door.
Though it felt like a great deal had occurred, only a short time had passed since the knocking first began.
Outside, Maruzensky hadn't waited very long. She was just starting to wonder if she'd knocked on the wrong room and was considering calling Tazuna—when the door handle turned, and a man appeared before her, disheveled, carrying an unmistakably strong scent of Hayakawa Tazuna.
Maruzensky froze.
Wait a second...was this...after the thing?
Especially once she caught the clear scent of Tazuna on Kitahara's breath, her expression became even more complicated.
Had she...come at an awkward time?
But it wasn't only Maruzensky who froze at the sight of Kitahara. Kitahara himself was momentarily stunned upon seeing Maruzensky as well.
He'd certainly known Maruzensky existed—she wasn't just a famous Uma Musume but also Tazuna's close friend, the nonexistent "fifth member" of the Student Council.
Yet despite frequent visits to the Student Council office over the past half-year, and hearing her name countless times, he'd never actually met her face-to-face until this very moment.
So, this is Maruzensky, huh...
He quickly sized up the brown-haired Uma Musume in front of him, raising an eyebrow slightly, eyes filling with mild surprise.
She looked...much younger than he'd imagined.
Although Maruzensky was technically still a Tracen Academy student, according to the information Kitahara had gathered, this "older JK" had gotten her driver's license before her debut race.
In this world, adulthood began at twenty, meaning Maruzensky had already passed twenty long before her debut three years prior.
And now? Forget debut races—Maruzensky's three-year racing season was already years past. Tracen's environment had drastically changed several times over; even the URA had repeatedly adjusted their racing schedules.
Yet one thing had remained stubbornly constant: Maruzensky's status as a Tracen Academy student.
If she wanted, she could even publicly call herself an active JK (high school girl), and no one could dispute it.
Still, while her true age was unknown—and clearly excessive compared to the average student—there were even younger Uma Musume this year who were children of Maruzensky's old friends, entrusted specifically into her care.
Yet now that he'd actually met her, Kitahara realized despite the mysterious age, she certainly looked like a genuine JK.
Then again, upon deeper thought, it wasn't just Maruzensky—this was true for most Uma Musume.
Perhaps Uma Musume simply aged differently than humans. Though their lifespans were similar, once they'd achieved their True Awakening, their appearances hardly changed at all until after forty—and even then, they'd look barely thirty-something.
Actual aging, it seemed, wouldn't become obvious until after sixty, when they'd suddenly age rapidly to match their real age.
But right now, none of this was Kitahara's concern.
After confirming the visitor was Maruzensky, Kitahara briefly greeted her before quickly explaining the situation.
Naturally, he omitted mentioning exactly what Tazuna had attempted. He merely said that due to drunkenness combined with the thunderstorm, Tazuna had mistaken him for a body pillow.
Maruzensky's expression grew even stranger upon hearing this.
Tazuna...afraid of thunder? Since when?
And drunk?
As a seasoned office lady, Tazuna was no stranger to various social events. Forget a single alcoholic drink—even a full bottle of sake wouldn't leave a hint of blush on her face.
Moreover, once Kitahara introduced himself, Maruzensky immediately recalled certain rumors circulating within the academy, causing her expression to turn even more peculiar.
She didn't doubt Kitahara's honesty, nor that he'd never intentionally harm Tazuna.
After all, he was a Tracen-certified trainer recognized by the Three Goddesses themselves—and the infamous "Green Devil" wasn't exactly a nickname given lightly.
Still, although she didn't doubt his character, Maruzensky couldn't help but seriously question Tazuna's motivations after hearing Kitahara's version of events.
Unlike herself—another older, single woman—whose family had long given up trying to manage her life, Tazuna's family...
Well, those who knew, knew.
With that in mind, Maruzensky's expression grew even more awkward.
Had she...perhaps interrupted something important?
Feeling vaguely guilty, Maruzensky entered the room behind Kitahara—only to realize her earlier worries might have been unnecessary.
Because, far from angry, Tazuna looked barely awake. She wouldn't even be surprised if the woman fell asleep within seconds.
If Tazuna had truly intended something intimate, she certainly wouldn't be sitting there, drowsy and dazed.
Reassured, Maruzensky relaxed slightly and finally asked Kitahara if he intended to stay or if he wanted her to take him back to the academy.
"Of course I'm going back," he replied firmly.
He felt a bit of heartache over the money he'd already spent, but when Kitahara Sota thought back on all the misfortune he'd endured today, he couldn't help feeling that if he stayed out any longer, something even worse was bound to happen.
Not to mention, this was a love hotel. If they spent the night here and someone he knew spotted them, misunderstandings were sure to arise.
So, when Maruzensky asked, Kitahara answered decisively without hesitation.
After hearing his reply, Maruzensky prepared to wake Hayakawa Tazuna so she could take her home.
But she'd only gotten halfway there when Kitahara stopped her, explaining that Tazuna had had a very busy day and had just received intensive care. It would be better not to wake her, he said, and simply carry her directly to the car.
Maruzensky didn't object, and she stepped forward, planning to lift her friend up.
But what she hadn't expected was that when she reached out, the dazed Tazuna suddenly slapped her hand away and curled up tightly, clearly unwilling to let her touch her.
Seeing this, Kitahara sighed quietly, approached, and under Maruzensky's subtle gaze, gently extended his hand toward Tazuna.
"Come on, be good. Over here..."
"Yes, just like that. Good girl..."
Maruzensky stared in astonishment as Tazuna, far from resisting, crawled obediently into Kitahara's arms at the sound of his voice—and even rubbed her cheek softly against his hand before settling in.
This level of obedience was so bizarrely pet-like—so completely unlike Tazuna—that for a moment Maruzensky nearly believed someone else had replaced her.
But Kitahara didn't notice Maruzensky's complicated expression.
After carefully lifting Tazuna into his arms, he lightly gauged her weight, silently marveling at how deceptively heavy Uma Musume really were beneath their delicate appearances.
Then, carrying her gently, he went downstairs and placed her into Maruzensky's car.
By the time the three stepped outside, although the clouds hadn't fully dispersed, the rain had already stopped.
Originally, Kitahara planned to place Tazuna in the spacious back seat to let her rest, and then move himself to the passenger seat.
But what he hadn't anticipated was that once Tazuna latched onto him, she stubbornly refused to let go.
In the end, helpless, he stayed in the back seat, holding her the entire way back to the academy.
Maybe it was because of the road conditions after the rain, or maybe some other reason entirely, but Maruzensky seemed oddly restrained while driving. On their way back, she began chatting casually with Kitahara.
"Kitahara-san, Tazuna mentioned to me before that you're pretty good behind the wheel..."
"I have practiced a bit," Kitahara nodded modestly, eyes flickering over the instruments on Maruzensky's dashboard, interest sparking in his gaze.
"Maruzen-san, forgive me for asking, but your car...it's not standard issue, right? Custom-made—or at least heavily modified?"
Maruzensky raised an eyebrow.
"What gave it away?"
"I've been interested in this kind of thing myself lately. My income recently went up, so I've been considering customizing a car. I ended up looking into it a bit..."
"And the reason?" Maruzensky asked, eyes fixed ahead. "If you're just commuting, a regular vehicle should suffice. Customizations are quite expensive."
Kitahara chuckled lightly.
"I appreciate your reminder. But the way I drive tends to be a bit...unconventional. I'm worried a normal car might not handle it."
"Hm?" Maruzensky glanced back curiously. "Are you saying you drive pretty aggressively?"
"It depends on who you ask," Kitahara admitted honestly. "I think I'm pretty reasonable, but others tend to describe my style as rather intense."
"In that case..."
Ahead, the lights of Tracen Academy's entrance glowed softly, and Maruzensky's expression brightened further with excitement.
"After we drop Tazuna off, want to go out for a spin or two? You pick the road—I'm pretty familiar with the good spots around here."
"Ah, I don't have a car right now..."
"No problem! You can drive mine first, see how it feels."
At Maruzensky's words, Kitahara's eyes clearly lit with temptation.
But soon after, looking down again at the peacefully sleeping Tazuna in his arms, then up toward the brightly lit windows of his dorm room in the distance, Kitahara hesitated briefly before reluctantly declining the tempting offer.
"It's too late today. If I stay out any longer, the little ones will get worried. Maybe next time."
Next time, huh...
Maruzensky nodded slowly, then exchanged Line contacts with Kitahara—partly to easily arrange a future meet-up, partly because Kitahara wanted her advice about car modifications.
After all, a truly customized vehicle wasn't just a matter of money. Technical requirements, permits, paperwork—all these things were enormously troublesome. Having a seasoned senpai's help would make his life significantly easier.
Their conversation wrapped up just as Maruzensky's car rolled to a stop right outside Kitahara's dormitory.
After letting the pair out, she didn't linger much longer. After a short discussion about custom vehicles, she drove off into the night.
Standing there, looking up at the brightly illuminated dorm before him, Kitahara sighed deeply with relief.
Finally, he thought, this disastrous day is coming to an end. Now I can finally relax a bit.
But before he could fully release that breath, he stepped into the dorm and prepared to greet his little Uma Musume housemates.
Yet the greeting stuck halfway up his throat.
Because what met his eyes wasn't the familiar faces he expected, but instead every single Uma Musume currently assigned under his care—even Komata Hajime's Nerium Oleander had come along.
Not only was everyone gathered here, but even a thick-headed guy like Kitahara immediately sensed the unusually tense and heavy atmosphere the moment he stepped through the door.
What's going on? Did something serious happen?
He paused, puzzled.
And during that brief pause, every little Uma Musume inside noticed his return.
The heavy, oppressive mood had slightly softened at first. But the moment their eyes landed on Tazuna sleeping in his arms—especially as they caught the scent clinging unmistakably to him—those unsettling feelings returned instantly, even stronger than before.
Without giving him time to react, the little Uma Musume swiftly stepped forward, taking Tazuna from his arms and carrying her away to settle her comfortably elsewhere.
Yet they left Kitahara standing awkwardly in the living room, promptly beginning to question him about exactly what had happened this evening, and why he'd messaged Eclipse saying he'd be staying outside overnight.
Ah... Did I worry them because I got back late...?
Touched by their obvious concern, he inwardly praised them as genuinely good children before explaining to them everything that had happened since the afternoon.
Of course, he didn't tell them everything—just a sanitized version similar to what he had told Maruzensky, carefully omitting all inappropriate details or anything likely to cause misunderstandings.
The problem was, these weren't Maruzensky. The little Uma Musume were intimately familiar with Tazuna's true danger levels—and even more familiar with the way Kitahara habitually edited out important details.
So despite his extremely innocent and sanitized explanation, the little Uma Musume instantly smelled something suspicious.
Many of them quickly pieced together that all the misfortunes Kitahara had encountered today were probably orchestrated by Tazuna herself. Their wary glances toward the peacefully sleeping woman steadily grew sharper, more guarded.
Though, given the sheer number of Uma Musume gathered here, they couldn't really do anything drastic right now—but seeing Kitahara's gentle, earnest face as he seriously described events with pure innocence in his eyes, utterly oblivious to their deeper implications...
Their gazes slowly darkened further, filled with quiet resolve.
Indeed, leaving Trainer Kitahara wandering outside alone was far too dangerous.
They'd better keep him properly protected from now on...
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T/N: bonus chaps tomorrow
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