"Hmph, what kind of reports are these lately? So what if one Uma Musume can't participate in a race? Why all this outcry? Ridiculous. They'd be better off thinking about how to revise the merchandise profit-sharing contracts."
"Thinking about it now, the annual share given to those Uma Musume is a bit too much. All they did was grant their image rights, didn't they?"
In a spacious, bright office filled with various artifacts but notably few documents, an old man lay sprawled casually on a sofa.
He flipped idly through the newspaper in his hands before tossing it onto the coffee table in front of him with a dismissive air, then slowly began brewing tea.
"Really, the recent reports are so dull. It's always the same thing. And this 'outcry'? Such a trivial matter, just leave it to the PR department to handle."
As he spoke, he let out a yawn.
"Getting old, my body's not what it used to be. I'll rest for a bit now."
This kind of dismissive attitude wasn't uncommon in this building. Without exception, those who held it all had private offices.
Meanwhile, in the standard open-plan work area divided by desks, many employees were gazing with shining eyes at the latest reports. The majestic image of Nearl's victory had them thrilled.
"It's not easy lately. The horse racing world is truly brimming with talent now. Those three haven't even retired yet, and here comes another incredibly strong one. Compared to the drought after Symboli Rudolf's era, right now just fills me with immense happiness."
"But this protest..."
Reading this far, the young man fell silent. He wanted to say something, but thinking of the balance in his bank account, he ultimately held back.
'Sigh, who knows what the higher-ups are thinking...'
--+--
"Perfectly healthy. I'd say excessively healthy. In all my years as a doctor, I've never once seen an Uma Musume in such peak condition."
Holding a stack of lab reports, a kindly-looking elderly doctor gazed at Nearl's upright posture and clicked his tongue in amazement.
"Even the healthiest Uma Musume usually has slight wear on her muscles and joints, but this one... she's like she just rolled off the factory floor. Truly a remarkable physique."
Chuckling, he gave Nearl a pat on the shoulder and began ushering her out.
"Alright, you and your trainer can rest completely at ease now. Hurry along back. Preferably, don't let me see you here again."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Gathering her reports neatly, Nearl bowed politely in thanks, then turned to leave. Behind her, the doctor nodded with satisfaction.
"Lucky me today! I got to handle The Radiant Knight's check-up. The others must be green with envy, hahaha!"
Clearly, he was another secret fan.
"Trainer really... I know he means well, and it's a method to steady my nerves, but half a day just wasted like that."
Nearl mused silently to herself. But just as she prepared to leave, a surprised, anxious voice called out from behind her, laden with concern.
"Nearl? What are you doing at the hospital?"
The voice belonged to a familiar figure approaching: light blue hair with slightly curled ends, reaching down to her waist, and a gentle, soft-spoken voice.
"Ardan?"
Turning around, it was indeed one of the few Uma Musume she knew well, though Ardan was a frequent visitor here.
But Ardan lacked her usual gentle composure now. She looked over Nearl with slight anxiety, her eyes especially scanning those powerful legs, only relaxing when she saw no bandages there.
"You gave me a fright. I thought you might have leg injuries from all those consecutive races."
Patting her ample chest in relief, Ardan finally began a normal conversation.
"It's been a while, Nearl. How have you been lately?"
Instinctively, she folded her hands in front of her abdomen, greeting with elegant poise.
"Of course. Each day, I am better than the last. Have your legs been injured again?"
"Mmm~ No, it's just a routine check-up. During this rest period, I'm not allowed to run, so how could I injure my legs again? But you..."
As she spoke, Ardan looked with concern at the bag Nearl was holding. Her extensive experience with hospitals gave her an intuition—it must contain medical reports.
"I was really startled when I heard about the consecutive races. Without enough buffer time, the risk of leg injury multiplies tenfold. So seeing you coming out of the hospital today, I thought..."
"It's fine. I'm the picture of health. Look, here's the doctor's examination. It's quite clear, isn't it?"
Nearl handed the reports to Ardan, who didn't refuse.
"Excuse me," Ardan said, and began carefully examining them, afraid she might miss any sign of trouble.
After a long while, Ardan relaxed and let out a soft sigh.
"That's wonderful, Nearl. You're very healthy. Now I don't have to worry. And these metrics... they're truly enviable..."
Rubbing her thumb over the report, she felt a tinge of envy.
"If only I had a healthy body like that... Just kidding."
Shaking her head with a slight smile, Ardan returned the reports.
"Although I don't like my sickly physique, complaining about fate isn't the Mejiro way. All I can do is accept it and do my very best."
"That's very strong of you, Ardan."
"Hehe, thank you. Do you have time now? It's been so long since I've seen you, Nearl. I have so much I'd like to share."
Ardan subtly waved a hand behind her back towards a certain direction. An elderly man standing by a car at the hospital entrance understood and nodded.
She wasn't waiting for him; he got into the car and drove away by himself.
"My schedule is free this morning. I hope you won't mind spending just these few short hours with me."
"It is a bit short... Then, may I come find you this afternoon?"
The two chatted as they walked towards the hospital entrance. But this scene was spotted by another horse girl who had just exited the main building.
"Well now, isn't that the Mejiro lady? And the figure next to her looks somewhat familiar?"
Squinting her unsettling, unfocused brown eyes, Agnes Tachyon felt a strange dissatisfaction inwardly, mixed with a touch of concern.
"Is that a medical file in her hand? What reason would she have to see a doctor?"
Annoyed, she scratched her ear, her mind racing.
'A powerful Uma Musume like her... could she also have been poisoned by her own talent, just like me?'
The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed to Tachyon. She herself was a living example, and Nearl's case was even more extreme than hers had been. The likelihood of a talent backlash was even greater.
"Tch!"
She made a displeased clicking sound with her tongue and quickened her pace.
"The experiments can't stop yet. The medicine for repairing legs... I'll reluctantly let her be the second test subject once I develop it."
'After all, the outcome for the first test subject is still unknown.'
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.