Moved, Kitahara spoke humbly:
"They're already excellent on their own; I only did some minor supporting work."
"You're very modest, Mr. Kitahara."
After a polite exchange, Tazuna Hayakawa raised her right hand and glanced at the watch on her wrist.
…Left-handed? The original story didn't emphasize this detail… Kitahara noticed that she wore her watch on her right wrist.
"It's already late," she said, looking at the time. Her right hand brushed her cheek as she made a thoughtful expression. "May I ask, Mr. Kitahara, have you been staying at a hotel with Oguri Cap and Belno Light these past few days?"
"Yes, near Fuchu Station. That's close to the Tokyo racetrack, so I thought I might take them there if we had the chance." Kitahara explained casually.
"A hotel near Fuchu Station…"
Tazuna Hayakawa nodded but then furrowed her brows, showing concern. "Hotels there aren't cheap…" She pressed her lips slightly, as if pondering something.
Seeing this, Kitahara thought she was worried about expenses, so he smiled:"Expenses… aren't too bad. They've both done very well, winning over ten races in the past six months. Thanks to them, my trainer bonuses are not bad either. Besides, since we're in Tokyo, it wouldn't make sense to skimp—staying somewhere comfortable is fine."
However, Tazuna Hayakawa didn't mean that at all.
"You have excellent Uma Musume Mr Kitahara."
She smiled wryly. "But Mr. Kitahara, you misunderstood. I have an idea—or rather, a suggestion."
"If you plan to explore the academy these days, perhaps you could stay at my place. My residence is fairly large, so there's plenty of room. How about it?"
At first, Kitahara thought she meant her personal home and hesitated.
After all, Oguri Cap and Belno Light could stay without issue, but him, as a man, accompanying them could be a little awkward.
But he soon realized that Tazuna Hayakawa didn't mean it that way.
On the train, Kitahara pondered:
"…I see, Tazuna-san owns quite a lot of property."
Earlier, Tazuna Hayakawa had explained what she meant by "stay at my place."
She owned multiple properties and lived in one of the apartments herself, while the others were mostly rented out. Many of the vacant rooms were fully furnished, so she could host friends at any time.
These were details not present in the original, and Kitahara considered them carefully.
Tazuna Hayakawa explained further:
"Actually… it's not really mine…"
For a brief moment, a flicker of deep sadness crossed her eyes, but in the next instant, she smiled gently again:
"They were left by an elder to a friend. That friend is usually busy, so they entrusted me to manage them. I don't have much time myself, as I need to handle academy matters. Fortunately, the apartment management company there is reliable, so I only manage it in name."
"There are plenty of vacant rooms, and Mr. Roppei entrusted me with looking after you, so staying there is absolutely fine."
After hearing the explanation, Kitahara still hadn't fully grasped the origin of her properties but decided to set it aside. He thought for a moment and changed the topic.
"Then, we'll be taking up your time."
After a polite remark, Kitahara asked:
"We've mentioned our visit before. Since you're a professional, Tazuna-san, do you have any suggestions for touring Central Tracen Academy?"
Tazuna Hayakawa thought carefully:
"I've hosted visitors like you before. Usually, either I or horse girls from the student council give tours. If there are free active horse girls, we can even organize temporary paired runs or small exchange races. At that time, many horse girls will come to watch."
"That works," Kitahara said, brightening. "I wanted Oguri Cap and Belno Light to see Central's excellence. I had thought of tours and paired runs but didn't want to trouble you. Since it's been done before, I'll boldly take the liberty."
"If we do paired runs, which horse girls would participate?" Kitahara eagerly hoped for some famous names.
However, Tazuna Hayakawa answered differently.
"Tours and paired runs are fine," she confirmed, smiling and shaking her head. "But compared to previous visitors, you're a little different."
"Different? How?" Kitahara asked, puzzled.
"You, Mr. Kitahara, are excellent, and so are Oguri Cap and Belno Light."
Tazuna Hayakawa sincerely said:
"I think you could directly go to the board or first consult the student council regarding transfers. With these two horse girls' abilities, keeping them in a local academy would be a waste—and the same goes for you, Mr. Kitahara.
"According to URA rules, you need to pass an exam to enter Central, but the transfer of Oguri Cap and Belno Light shouldn't be a problem. If you apply to the school tomorrow, it might even be approved the same day.
"With your excellence, Mr. Kitahara, passing Central's assessment is just a matter of time. This timing…"
Her words were interrupted.
But it wasn't Kitahara who interrupted, even though he was already thinking of refusing.
…I only came to Tokyo to avoid the Emperor. If I deliberately go to Central Academy for transfers, then my efforts were for nothing. Kitahara thought.
It was Oguri Cap who interrupted.
"No."
Having been silent before, she now looked seriously at Tazuna Hayakawa, her tone firm.
"I won't come to Central until Kitahara passes the Central exam.
"Also, the Tokai Derby is next May. I promised Fujimasa March we'd have a rematch there. I can't break that promise.
"So I refuse."
Tazuna Hayakawa was caught off guard, her expression flustered and confused. The atmosphere became a little awkward.
Sensing the awkwardness, Belno Light, who had been quiet, raised her hand and tentatively spoke:
"Ah… um… Oguri, don't be so quick… Sorry, Tazuna-san, Oguri has her reasons, it's just that…"
Stammering, Belno Light was cut off by Kitahara.
"I'll explain it."
(End of chapter)