Bizen Nishiki had disappeared.
Only after a frantic explanation from Trainer Narumiya did Kagura understand what had happened. Busy with her own School Selection Race preparations, Kagura hadn't paid much attention to the affairs of other Uma Musume at Tracen lately. But she did recall bumping into Bizen Nishiki recently. At the time, Bizen Nishiki had looked visibly exhausted, though when Kagura had asked what was wrong, she'd simply smiled wearily and refused to explain.
"Yes... Ah, it's my fault as well… Kagura-san, have you seen her recent race schedule?"
"No, but when I saw Bizen Nishiki recently, she looked extremely tired. Since you mentioned her schedule… Has she been racing excessively?"
Although Kagura hadn't seen the specifics of Bizen Nishiki's race schedule, the brief conversation alone made it easy to guess her situation. Kagura's brows furrowed immediately. Since race schedules were managed by trainers, overbooking competitions was undoubtedly a trainer's responsibility. But from Narumiya 's expression, it didn't seem intentional, which puzzled Kagura.
"Yes. Not long ago, Nishiki won the NHK Mile Cup. Now, with the Derby approaching, she…"
"You mean… She signed up for the Derby too?"
Kagura's eyebrows knitted even tighter. While she didn't know the exact schedule after that, she was aware of the earlier races. By her calculations, Bizen Nishiki probably didn't even have a month's worth of rest. Such a densely packed schedule was practically suicidal.
"You're her trainer, aren't you?"
No matter what difficulties were involved, Kagura felt the trainer bore undeniable responsibility. Her gaze toward Narumiya Akimitsu turned slightly reproachful.
"Yes… I…"
"You must've known exactly what would happen. So why...didn't you stop her?"
With Kagura's calm yet pressuring words, Narumiya felt a wave of discomfort wash over him—almost like the intimidating aura of an Uma Musume, yet different, subtler somehow. It was closer to Kagura's inherent authority, making Narumiya feel like a patient who had disobeyed medical instructions and was now facing his doctor's judgment.
Such an intense race schedule was undoubtedly inhumane. At least, that was Kagura's opinion. After all, Bizen Nishiki wasn't as physically resilient as she appeared. The Derby's length of 2,400 meters, combined with her relentless previous races, would definitely overwhelm her already weakened body.
"I…"
Under Kagura's silent pressure, Narumiya finally gave in and revealed the full extent of Bizen Nishiki's situation.
The reason behind Nishiki's overcrowded schedule was largely pressure from her family. Narumiya had repeatedly requested to rest Nishiki, but her parents refused every time. Recently, Nishiki had grown quieter and more withdrawn. Narumiya couldn't even gauge her thoughts anymore. She mechanically followed training plans and won races by executing precise strategies.
The NHK Cup victory confirmed Nishiki's talent but failed to improve her standing in online rankings, which remained far beneath Rudolf's by a significant margin. Yet, this punishing schedule had clearly exhausted Nishiki, visible even to Kagura from just one encounter. According to Narumiya, her parents desperately wanted her to redeem herself against Rudolf, thus driving her relentlessly. Under this pressure, Nishiki gradually withdrew, stopped smiling, and barely spoke. In such circumstances, she had signed up for the Derby.
"…"
Hearing Narumiya's explanation and seeing his helpless expression, Kagura also sensed his frustration. Silently, she felt grateful that Rudolf had such loving guardians, treating her as a precious treasure—so protective they wouldn't even let her race more than necessary. Because of that, Rudolf had maintained excellent condition.
"Trainer Narumiya, do you know any places Bizen Nishiki usually frequents? I can't just ignore this. Perhaps I can help her somehow."
Since such a terrible situation had unfolded right before her eyes, Kagura couldn't simply stand by. She still remembered the bright, cheerful Bizen Nishiki she'd previously known. It was hard to imagine how she'd deteriorated so much in such a short time—perhaps even back then, Nishiki had already been hiding her struggles beneath her smile.
"Kagura-san, you're really willing to help!? But… this is our—"
"Trainer Narumiya, I honestly dislike creating such tense distinctions within the school. Here, there's no 'you' or 'us'—we're all classmates at Tracen Academy."
Kagura paused briefly, placing her hand gently over her chest.
"Even though I'm not Bizen Nishiki's official supporter, she's still my friend. I can't watch my friend step toward the abyss without doing something."
Kagura couldn't easily abandon anyone still holding onto hope. She'd seen far too many girls like Nishiki—young women burdened by oppressive expectations from their families. In Nishiki, she saw herself as she once was, along with countless other children she had encountered during her previous life as a worker. Precisely because of that, Kagura knew clearly: it was at times like these when adults had a duty to guide those children back.
She already had an idea in mind, but its feasibility depended on first locating Nishiki and understanding her thoughts. Without finding her first, everything else was mere speculation.
"Really... thank you so much! Having an Uma Musume involved at a time like this greatly improves our chances… I'll quickly organize possible locations and send them to you. Let's split up and search!"
Narumiya repeatedly thanked Kagura, his eyes glistening with gratitude and perhaps tears. Kagura could clearly tell that he deeply cared for Nishiki.
Narumiya had never expected Kagura's sudden help. Observing her determined gaze, he began to understand why she had been chosen as Tracen's annual Best Support Uma. Her sheer sense of responsibility and maturity already exceeded most students. In fact, Kagura's mindset was closer to a trainer—or even a teacher—than a student.
Narumiya realized that, were he still a student, benefiting from Kagura's assistance as frequently as Nishiki had described, he'd also undoubtedly vote for her without hesitation. Kagura unquestionably deserved the honor—no one could argue against it. It was simply the reward she deserved.
Soon afterward, Kagura received several locations from Narumiya. She quickly confirmed each one and nodded decisively.
"Alright. Trainer Narumiya, you head toward the shopping district outside school. I'll check the old school building!"
...
——Child, honestly, you… Ah, never mind. You must have been a truly admirable doctor in your previous life. And if you became a teacher now, you'd definitely be deeply loved and respected by students.
I wouldn't dare claim that. Among millions of ordinary doctors, I was just another face in the crowd. I've seen lives I couldn't save… Precisely because I've felt that powerless despair, I refuse to abandon any life that I could still fight for. I've seen far too many children left ignored, their stories ending in tragedy. I, too, was once among those children… Now that such a situation has arisen before my eyes, how could I simply watch without acting?
Sometimes, children can't climb out of darkness by themselves. That's exactly when adults must step in. This is precisely the responsibility we adults bear.
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T/N: OMG TRUTH NUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!