Chapter 27

The next day, Kuroha and Tatsuko brought Inari One to the Ooi Tracen Academy's academic office to complete the transfer paperwork.

At the front desk, a young female staff member was swiftly navigating the system.

"Alright, Kuroha-sensei, Tatsuko-sensei—Inari One's transfer process is complete. Her data's been logged into the system!"

"Mm..."

Although she hadn't felt anything special last night, now that the transfer was actually done, Inari One couldn't help but show a hint of reluctance on her face.

Kuroha glanced down at the petite Uma Musume beside him and patted her head in reassurance.

"Oh right, there's one more thing."

The teacher turned to Kuroha and asked, "Kuroha-sensei, you haven't created your own team in the registry yet, have you?"

"My own team?"

Kuroha repeated the words before suddenly realizing what she meant.

As a trainer, once you had more than one assigned Uma Musume, you were required to create your own team within the system.

Apparently, it was a rule set by Central to accommodate group-based races.

Group races for Uma Musume?

What is this, the Youth Cup?

Kuroha inwardly griped but still nodded, saying he'd decide on a team name within the next few days.

...

Just like that, Inari One officially became Kuroha's Uma Musume.

And with her, Kuroha's workload also increased significantly.

Before, her training had been more like fulfilling a collaborative agreement with Tatsuko—to help Inari One adapt to heavy track conditions.

But now, things were different. He had to give her a proper, comprehensive training plan.

That evening, in the gym—

Fujimasa March was lifting a barbell, and just seeing the weight made Kuroha raise his brows.

"Every time, I'm reminded how huge the physical difference is between Uma Musume and humans," Kuroha muttered, seated nearby.

He hadn't been too bothered by this before, but ever since Fujimasa March hinted at wanting to pounce on him... he'd been acutely aware of that strength difference. Just the thought sent a chill down his spine.

On the other side, Inari One was doing sit-ups on a machine, her ponytail bouncing with each motion.

"Speaking of which, we still haven't decided on our team name yet. You two got any ideas?"

At the mention, Inari One perked up instantly, popping upright and exclaiming, "How about Blazing Explosion Team? Sounds super fast!"

Fujimasa March gently set down her barbell and took a sip of water. "That sounds bad."

A blunt, honest review.

"Then what would you call it?" Inari One said with arms akimbo.

"I'll go with whatever Trainer picks."

Kuroha looked at the two playful Uma Musume in front of him, and his mind suddenly wandered to memories of the Uma Musume anime from his past life.

He remembered the motto hanging in the student council room of Central Tracen Academy:

"When one horse leads, all others fade."

Back to reality, his eyes turned toward the blank "Team Name" section on the form in front of him. After thinking for a moment, he spoke:

"How about we call ourselves Chasing Light?"

"Chasing Light?"

Inari One tilted her head. "Kinda plain. Doesn't sound exciting when you cheer for it."

Kuroha scratched his head. "Well, it's simple and easy to remember. Plus, the meaning's solid—chasing after the strongest goal, becoming a light that others can't catch."

He wasn't about to admit he kinda sucked at naming things.

But also, Chasing Light...

After the three goddesses, wasn't the first ancestor of all racehorses said to be the legendary Eclipse?

This name held a deeper meaning tied to Kuroha's own ambition.

"Hmm..."

Inari One thought for a second, then turned to ask Fujimasa March, "What do you think?"

Fujimasa March answered earnestly, "It's a lovely name. I really like it."

"...You!"

Inari One glared at her teammate, who looked like she was about to grow little sparkle bubbles of joy. She suddenly felt like she was the one being blinded here.

"Fine, then we'll go with Chasing Light! When we win, and people ask us why, we'll say it's 'cause we want to be the strongest out there!"

Seeing his two Uma Musume in agreement, Kuroha picked up the pen and wrote down the team name on the form: Chasing Light.

"Alright, it's settled then. Team Chasing Light. Let's train hard and show results."

Inari One laid back on the machine and resumed her sit-ups. "I'm gonna print our team name on my training outfit! Gotta let the whole school see it!"

Fujimasa March gave a soft laugh, exhaled slowly to steady her breath, and resumed her barbell lifts.

Under the lights of the gym, those two ordinary-looking characters—Chasing Light—rested quietly on the form.

Yet somehow, they held something a little more.

...

The next morning.

After finishing their early morning training, Kuroha once again wandered into the small park, bored out of his mind.

He parted the branches like clockwork and—sure enough—a slender girl was lying flat on the ground, eating dirt...

"Amei, every time I see you, you're eating dirt..."

Kuroha was exasperated. He walked over and grabbed the girl by the arm, helping her up.

"I'm not eating dirt! I'm feeling the heartbeat of the grass!" Obey Your Master protested indignantly.

Ever since they met more than a week ago, every time Kuroha had some free time and came to this park, Obey Your Master would inevitably show up, always on this same patch of grass.

Like some kind of regularly spawning NPC.

"Still going at it today?"

"Of course!"

The moment she heard that, her eyes lit up. She squirmed out of Kuroha's grasp, clinging to his arm and pulling him toward the park's exercise field.

"Kuroha-sama! Let's continue!"

"You sure take your vacation days seriously..."

"Isn't it totally normal for Uma Musume to take two or three months off? Come on, let's go!"

"Alright, alright, stop pushing..."

(End of Chapter)

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