Agnes Digital was woken by Kitahara Sota.
Because her [Domain] was restorative, coupled with her own exceptional recovery power, she didn't lose mobility like Agnes Tachyon after the [Domains] closure.
After a brief rest, although still somewhat tired, she'd largely returned to normal and smoothly completed her Winner's Concert.
Once the concert ended, she joined the other Uma Musume in visiting the second-place finisher, who'd missed the Winner's Concert due to injury.
Fortunately, though this opponent had pushed herself excessively due to Agnes Digital's stimulation, even fainting immediately after the finish line, hospital examinations showed her injuries weren't severe. She'd recover fully after about half a month of rest. By the time Agnes Digital arrived, the girl had already woken up.
She sat there, head drooping, listening as her trainer lectured her, but her eyes lit up as soon as she saw Agnes Digital and the others.
Instantly, she seized the chance to escape the trainer's scolding, enthusiastically chatting with them about the race.
After their talk, however, while the second-place girl remained excited, Agnes Digital seemed oddly downcast.
It wasn't guilt over causing the other's injury.
After all, everyone carried their own reasons for victory.
Moreover, her opponent didn't blame her in the slightest, even repeatedly emphasizing that without Agnes Digital's stimulation, she wouldn't have achieved such results.
Having Agnes Digital as her rival was an honor; she eagerly awaited her future performances, especially since her injury wasn't serious.
Then, if not guilt, why was Agnes Digital's mood low?
The answer was simple: she hadn't witnessed her opponent reigniting her [Domain].
The other Uma Musume had ignited her [Domain] due to frustration after Agnes Digital overtook her. But since they'd been apart afterward, Agnes Digital hadn't personally seen that burning moment.
Even without seeing it herself, she felt the intensity clearly through descriptions from other competitors, making her regret all the more that she'd missed witnessing it firsthand.
Regular race recordings couldn't capture the abnormal phenomenon of a [Domain] activation, so even rewatching footage couldn't satisfy her curiosity.
In this lingering regret, the visit concluded, the competition came to a close, and Agnes Digital returned to her temporary rest room.
Only upon returning and gradually calming down did Agnes Digital suddenly realize something else.
She'd been so busy sulking earlier, she'd forgotten to ask for their autographs…
But the competition was already over, and even the injured Uma Musume had been taken to a hospital affiliated with Tracen. It was now too late for autographs.
Just as this realization caused her ears to slowly droop, Kitahara Sota magically produced numerous autographed support goods from those Uma Musume and handed them to her.
"I noticed you weren't in great spirits today, so while you rested, I asked them for these autographs. Not sure if they're to your liking, though."
"Senpai..."
Holding those signed goods, Agnes Digital's ears perked up again, her eyes gaining an indescribable gleam as she gazed at Kitahara.
Kitahara Sota noticed her odd behavior but didn't pay it much mind, attributing it to her happiness as he continued:
"Have you thought about those two rewards yet? If not, it's fine to postpone—eh?"
Before finishing his words, Kitahara was abruptly pushed onto the small bed where Agnes Digital had rested earlier.
She hovered above him, the signed goods scattering around them. Pink hair fell gently, shadowing her face as her eyes shimmered hazily.
But despite this, she didn't immediately lower her head. After a brief silence, she whispered softly:
"Senpai, what we did before...can we do it again?"
Hearing this, Kitahara sighed, resignation creeping onto his face.
"Then at least let go of me first."
"...Okay."
Though she hadn't been gripping tightly, Agnes Digital obediently released him.
Kitahara sat up, looking at her delicate face inches from his own, sighing deeply again.
Seeing his sigh, Agnes Digital regained some clarity, noticing his resigned expression, and instinctively said:
"Um, Senpai... If you don't want to, even just a hug or patting my head is fine. That's more than enough—"
Her words abruptly cut off.
Feeling the familiar softness upon her lips, Agnes Digital's mind went blank momentarily.
Then, realizing what was happening, she clumsily wrapped her arms around him, trying her best to respond.
A moment later, their lips parted.
This time, Agnes Digital's mind wasn't blank, but her face was flushed, overwhelmed by intense happiness, feeling as if she might melt entirely into his embrace.
After a while, seeing she'd calmed slightly, Kitahara gently patted her back and softly asked:
"So, what about the second reward?"
The second reward…
Agnes Digital froze momentarily before wrapping her arms around his neck, burying her face against his chest.
"I don't need a second reward, Senpai. I've already gotten more than enough."
"As for more… just like you've respected my wishes, I don't want to cause you any trouble. I'll obediently wait until the races are over, until you're ready to accept me."
"Until then, just letting me stay beside you as your tantou is enough."
That's already enough.
Agnes Digital's race ended.
Apart from those directly involved, no one knew what else had transpired off the track.
But everyone noticed something seemed to have changed about Agnes Digital after the race.
She largely remained her usual perverted self, frequently calling herself just an ordinary Uma Musume.
Yet, there was now an unmistakable confidence in her words and actions, her footsteps firmer than before.
The Uma Musume in Kitahara Sota's team guessed the change might've come from winning the race or activating her [Domain].
Some considered the possibility something happened between her and Kitahara.
However, after their return, Agnes Digital and Kitahara Sota's interactions reverted entirely to normal. Coupled with Agnes Digital's deeply ingrained perverted image, even those who harbored suspicions didn't dig further, their curiosity remaining superficial.
As for Agnes Digital herself, thanks to her victory in the Tenno Sho Autumn, as well as Kitahara Sota's actions providing newfound confidence, she was content.
After careful consideration, she signed up for the Japan Cup in November and applied to participate in the Arima Kinen in December.
The Japan Cup, the Arima Kinen, and the Tenno Sho Autumn she'd already won—together, these three formed another Triple Crown, called the Autumn Triple Crown.
Of course, this wasn't quite on the same level as the Classic Triple Crown, but for an Uma Musume, it was still an outstanding achievement, filled with considerable prestige.
This time, however, Kitahara Sota was no longer focusing all his attention on her.
It wasn't because of what happened earlier that he wanted distance from her.
It was simply because Agnes Digital's current strength had already reached a terrifying level, and with her [Domain] activated, she'd become a formidable contender for the Autumn Triple Crown.
With Kitahara Sota's abilities, he could easily help her grow further—even significantly—even without special methods.
But the problem was, she was already at this stage. If she improved any more…
It wasn't just that Kitahara was worried someone might come looking for trouble with him. It wasn't just that her opponents wouldn't have any fun racing. Even Agnes Digital herself probably wouldn't enjoy it. Others might outright refuse to race her altogether.
Thus, for his own safety, and for the sake of her opponents' and Agnes Digital's own enjoyment, Kitahara couldn't—didn't dare—to continue special training with her.
Forget special training—he even had to be careful during ordinary interactions now, fearing that if his professional instincts kicked in accidentally and boosted her strength even a bit further, that'd be straight-up criminal.
Aside from Agnes Digital's situation, there was another reason Kitahara hadn't paid much attention to her lately.
Silence Suzuka, who'd recently joined his team, had gotten into trouble.
Or rather, she'd broken a bone.
The very next day after Agnes Digital won the Tenno Sho Autumn, Silence Suzuka participated in a G2 race she'd signed up for before officially joining the team.
Then, halfway through the race, seeing competitors catching up behind her, she tried to accelerate—and something went terribly wrong.
But this wasn't Kitahara Sota's fault.
Silence Suzuka's legs hadn't exactly been in great shape to begin with. After several years of racing, especially as a frontrunner-type Uma Musume, she'd already accumulated considerable stress and issues.
During the recent period spent mingling in Kitahara's team—particularly glued constantly to Special Week—she'd even matched Special Week's training intensity, following Kitahara's modified running method, further worsening her condition.
And finally, right as she was preparing to accelerate mid-race, intense, piercing pain shot through her calf.
Since Silence Suzuka hadn't officially joined the team until recently—and Kitahara had been busy ever since—he hadn't had the chance to properly deal with her condition yet.
Still, even without directly intervening, he'd noticed her problems by sight alone and had advised her.
Silence Suzuka knew he meant well. Having chosen him as her trainer, she was fully prepared to follow his guidance.
But the issue was—though she intended to listen—her brain seemed utterly incapable of cooperating.
Clearly, in her heart, she wanted to stick to Kitahara's adjusted training plans, but whenever she started running, her mind simply went blank. By the time she came to her senses, she'd already pushed herself past the limit.
And although Silence Suzuka looked normal on the surface, in reality, her brain circuitry was rather problematic.
Not problematic in the mad scientist way like Agnes Tachyon, nor the perverted way like Agnes Digital. Rather, whenever anything happened, her first instinct was always to run.
Feeling happy? Time to run a couple laps to celebrate.
Feeling sad? Time to run a couple laps to relieve stress.
Feeling average? Well, there's nothing else to do anyway, so might as well go run a few laps.
Even before this race, Kitahara had clearly seen the issues in her legs and had sternly warned her.
He explicitly instructed her not to suddenly burst into speed—ideally, not even going full strength—promising he'd help adjust her condition after the race ended.
Silence Suzuka had earnestly promised to follow his instructions, even repeatedly reminding herself of his warnings right up to entering the starting gate.
Yet, just a couple of steps into the race, as soon as she found her rhythm, she completely forgot everything again. The moment she sensed someone behind trying to catch up, she reflexively burst into full-speed acceleration.
Then…
Then, that was it.
In fact, if Kitahara hadn't instantly jumped down from the viewing platform the second he noticed something wrong, and administered a stamina potion to stabilize her injury even before she could be carried off for examination—perhaps she'd have been forced off the racetrack permanently.
Now, looking at Silence Suzuka lying on the hospital bed, guilt written far clearer on her face than any fear, Kitahara sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose with helpless frustration.
"Are you an idiot…?"
Truthfully, Kitahara had already planned to adjust her condition immediately after finishing this race.
That he hadn't done so before was partly because he'd been busy himself, and partly out of worry that suddenly changing her routine right before the race might negatively affect her performance.
But because all the other Uma Musume in his team were extremely obedient, strictly adhering to his plans, Kitahara had overlooked the possibility that—even if his judgment was correct—not all Uma Musume would obediently follow his instructions.
Even after hearing what happened, Silence Suzuka herself insisted not a shred of responsibility lay with Kitahara.
After all, he'd repeatedly warned her clearly—before training and before the race. It was entirely her own fault for disregarding his instructions.
Not to mention she'd been with the team less than half a month. Normally, trainers and Uma Musume would still be adjusting to each other at this point, so he wasn't even obligated to shoulder any blame. Rather, her accident was causing him trouble.
But despite all that, Kitahara didn't think he was blameless either.
No matter how it was put, he was her trainer now. He could have done better.
Had he just shifted a bit of attention from Agnes Digital toward Silence Suzuka earlier, the outcome might've been different.
But even if he believed he shared responsibility, he wasn't about to dramatically shoulder all the blame, throwing himself into needless self-flagellation.
He'd bear the responsibility that was his to bear. But he wouldn't indiscriminately take all the blame onto himself.
Nor would he mope around afterward, endlessly whining about what could've been.
It had happened. He'd fulfilled his obligations, and what remained were normal mistakes and slip-ups. Now, he simply needed to correct those mistakes as best as he could.
Thinking thus, Kitahara calmly took out another stamina potion and handed it over, speaking softly:
"In a couple days, I'll handle your discharge procedures. After that, you'll probably need to move in with me temporarily. I'll see if I can get you back into shape quickly."
"…Eh?"
Hearing this, Silence Suzuka blanked momentarily.
"But the doctor said… my leg needs several months to heal…"
"Oh, that."
Kitahara pointed casually at the stamina potion in her hand.
"This thing might have a weaker effect on Uma Musume, but it's still effective enough. If nothing else goes wrong, you'll be able to remove the cast in a couple days, and should resume training within half a month."
"…Eh?"
Silence Suzuka blinked slowly, unable to process what he was saying.
Seeing her reaction, Kitahara shrugged helplessly.
"If you don't believe me, you can try moving your leg a little now—just a tiny bit. But… it might hurt a bit."
Before Kitahara even finished his sentence, Silence Suzuka subconsciously followed his suggestion.
And then—
The girl's sharp cry of pain reverberated through the entire room.
Even the windows shook slightly.