The moment Kitahara and the others arrived, Tazuna Hayakawa bowed deeply.
"Thank you very much for your help earlier. If you hadn't acted in time, those two children might have been seriously injured."
Straightening up, she lifted her hand to her chest, still shaken, her calm and beautiful face filled with relief.
"Fortunately, after being checked by the doctor, they're fine. Just a little startled… it's such a relief… such a relief…"
Kitahara, knowing Tazuna Hayakawa's past in another world, understood why she was so anxious and almost fearful, and wanted to say something reassuring.
However, someone spoke faster than him.
"I'm sorry. I was too reckless."
Oguri Cap stood up, her expression apologetic, and bowed deeply.
"I heard from Kitahara that you were supposed to be looking after them inside the academy. If my footsteps hadn't been so loud, they wouldn't have been frightened, and wouldn't have fallen."
"So, it's all my fault."
Kitahara and Belno Light were surprised by Oguri Cap's apology. They hadn't expected it and both said in unison, "Oguri…"
Tazuna Hayakawa, after initial surprise, spoke with admiration.
"So it was your footsteps we heard earlier, Miss Uma Musume. Such quick strides! On the racetrack…"
She paused briefly, then smiled.
"The last three furlongs might reach 18 meters per second? That's an impressive speed!"
Oguri Cap froze for a moment, while Belno Light happily said, "Yes, Oguri's speed is really fast."
Kitahara, however, was dumbfounded.
…Just by hearing footsteps, she could estimate the last three furlongs' speed? And… she was accurate?
Having trained and raced Oguri Cap all this time, he knew her current three-furlong speed, coincidentally exactly what Tazuna Hayakawa had just estimated.
Now he was even more certain: Tazuna Hayakawa was definitely the legendary "Tokino Minoru."
Only a legendary-level Uma Musume could judge another Uma Musume's ability just by her footsteps, even estimating precise numbers.
And since her movements inside the academy had been similar to Oguri Cap's, it proved she was capable of that speed too.
…Seems like in the game, Tazuna Hayakawa had even caught the fast-moving Taiki Shuttle trying to escape…
Taiki Shuttle was famous as the "short-distance king," winning 11 out of 13 sprint races. To be able to catch such a top horse girl… oh, even enough to scare her out of her native composure…
Tazuna Hayakawa, you still say you're not an Uma Musume?
Kitahara analyzed this quietly but didn't speak out.
After all, Tazuna Hayakawa currently had no long ears, no tail, and looked like a gentle, calm older sister.
Moreover, after arriving in Tokyo, Kitahara had casually checked her information and found no mention of her being an Uma Musume, indicating that even if she were one, she had reasons to keep it secret.
In that case, there was no need to embarrass oneself by trying to reveal it.
However, not everyone was as restrained as Kitahara.
"You're really fast too…"
After being complimented by Tazuna Hayakawa, Oguri Cap unusually looked thoughtful.
"I've never seen a human this fast… but… you're not an Uma Musume…"
Kitahara's mind stirred. If Oguri Cap said she was fast, then clearly, even among Uma Musume, Tazuna Hayakawa's speed was top-tier—further proving her identity.
Belno Light was also surprised.
"Huh? This sister is fast? But she really isn't a Uma Musume…"
"…Because I was right next to those two children."
Without hesitation, Tazuna Hayakawa adjusted the hat on her head and smiled gently.
"And when I saw them almost fall, I got too nervous and probably unleashed my potential. That's why Miss Uma Musume thought I was fast."
"Even humans, when pushing their limits, can achieve unexpected speeds."
With that explanation, half apology, half cover, she turned her tone cheerfully:
"In any case, the ones who really should apologize or reflect are the children's instructors."
She looked troubled.
"They aren't from the Central Tracen Academy but from Hokkaido Yuushun Girls' Elementary and Tokyo International Yuushun Girls' Elementary. They were originally visiting under their instructors' supervision."
…Hokkaido? TM Opera O was indeed born in Hokkaido, if memory serves, at Kisekiusa Farm in Urakawa Town.
As for Meisho Doto… if, like in another world, she was born in Ireland, it makes sense she would attend an international elementary school.
Kitahara quietly compared memories, while Tazuna Hayakawa continued to fret.
"Honestly, I don't know what their instructors were thinking, letting such young children wander off."
"And the result? One ran to see the opera, the other went to a shrine. I really don't understand… Anyway, I'll discuss this with the board tomorrow and make sure their instructor is disciplined!"
Her expression turned serious.
…One went to see the opera, one to the shrine…
The first was certainly TM Opera O, whose game skill is "Dance for Vittoria" and characteristically loves the opera…
Then Meisho Doto went to the shrine? What connection does she have with a shrine…
Oh right, by her setting, she always felt unlucky, which led her to have a close bond with "Fukukitaru," so her interest in shrines now isn't surprising.
Tazuna Hayakawa voiced a few complaints, her expression gradually softened, then she seemed to remember something and bowed again.
"Alright, I haven't formally introduced myself yet."
She smiled gently.
"My name is Tazuna Hayakawa. I'm the secretary to the director of the Central Yuushun Girls Training Center, commonly called 'Central Tracen.' I usually assist the director and trainers with their work. It's a pleasure to meet the three of you."
She walked forward, smiling, and extended her hand, shaking hands with Kitahara, Oguri Cap, and Belno Light in turn.
"Hello, my name is Kitahara Jo, a trainer at Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. I came to Tokyo to let these two Uma Musume rest and also to visit the Central Academy."
"Hello, I'm Oguri Cap, Kitahara's Uma Musume."
"Hello, Tazuna-san. I'm Belno Light, also Kitahara's Uma Musume."
As they shook hands, they introduced themselves naturally.
"So, you're Mr. Kitahara that Mr. Roppei mentioned."
After the handshake, Tazuna Hayakawa smiled warmly.
"No wonder Mr. Kitahara acted as if he recognized me earlier."
"Seeing Oguri Cap and Belno Light performing so excellently, it's easy to imagine Mr. Kitahara is a skilled trainer."
Kitahara was touched. His uncle had not only communicated with Dr. Kokobu but also spoken with Tazuna Hayakawa—he felt genuinely grateful.
(End of chapter)