"The incident likely occurred last night, but I only received the notification today," Akikawa Yayoi said.
"The students from Pluto Academy have already arrived at Tracen Academy. I hope all trainers will inform their Umamusumes, especially the newly enrolled ones, not to easily accept challenges from Pluto Academy."
"While inside the academy, their behavior should be somewhat restrained, but outside the campus or at night, that might change. The Tracen Academy tracks will also be open at night during this period, so please be mindful of that."
Akikawa Yayoi instructed the trainers present.
If she had known beforehand that another Umamusume had been injured, she could have notified all students to be careful before Pluto Academy arrived at Tracen Academy.
But now that Pluto Academy's Umamusumes have arrived at Tracen Academy, making a big announcement might make them think that Tracen Academy is actively suspecting them.
After all, they only have speculation about who did these things; they have no concrete evidence.
"Symboli Rudolf, your student council must ensure order is maintained within the academy during this time. Don't let any more injuries occur."
"I understand." Symboli Rudolf nodded.
"Friendly matches require the trainer's or the student council's approval to be held, but for informal, small-scale matches, it's impossible to monitor everything. That's where you'll have to step in, Rudolf."
"I will be careful and prevent any accidents." Symboli Rudolf nodded solemnly. She took this matter very seriously.
—
After the meeting, Sakura Baimu hurriedly gathered all the team members and told them about the day's events.
"I heard that another Umamusume was injured off-campus last night."
"Ah??!!"
The five Umamusumes of TCB were shocked upon hearing this.
They thought one such incident would be enough, but they had not expected a second one to happen so quickly.
So, it was clear someone was deliberately targeting the Umamusumes of Tracen Academy.
"The Umamusume's injuries aren't too serious, just superficial wounds. But I've heard her mental state is very unstable now; she must have been traumatized. Do you understand what I mean?" Sakura Baimu asked.
Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen naturally understood what Sakura Baimu meant, but Smart Falcon and the other two were a little confused.
They had heard Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen discuss Zone-related issues, but no one had explained them in detail before.
"This is a rather complicated matter. Simply put, it's an anomaly that can occur when one's strength exceeds a certain limit. When mental power reaches a certain level, it generates 'aura,' which can exert considerable psychological pressure on surrounding Umamusumes. The aura of an Umamusume with strong mental power is even stronger."
"Teio and McQueen are fine, but Dia-chan and Kita-chan, if any Umamusume from Pluto Academy challenges you, you must refuse."
"I heard that the Umamusumes who came to Tracen Academy for exchange studies this time have all been enrolled for at least a year. Losing is a minor issue; the real concern is that some retired Umamusumes or powerful active-duty Umamusumes who have mastered 'aura' or the Zone might deliberately challenge you to harm you."
"We understand." Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond nodded as well. The tragic state of Rice Shower was still vivid in their minds, so they naturally had no objections.
"Then… what about Falco?" Smart Falcon pointed to herself.
"You… if it's not a retired Umamusume, then it doesn't matter. If an active-duty Umamusume challenges you, accept—but remember, you must run on dirt."
"Eek—" Smart Falcon exclaimed in surprise. She had not expected Sakura Baimu to allow her to accept the challenge.
The Seaside Stakes that had just ended was only her second race on the dirt.
"Alright, that's all for now. I won't be leading your training today; I have to go to the hospital later. See you tomorrow."
"If anything happens, you can call me, go to someone in the student council, or, if all else fails, go to Rigil's trainer, Ms. Tojo."
Sakura Baimu said this while opening the refrigerator in the activity room to check that there was enough aoboshi juice and cupcakes before leaving the TCB activity room.
After the activity room door closed, the TCB Umamusumes exchanged bewildered glances.
"Why did Trainer-san seem so rushed? We haven't seen her in so long, and she only said a few words before leaving in a hurry," Tokai Teio wondered.
"Didn't she say she was going to the hospital?" Mejiro McQueen said casually.
"But Trainer-san isn't a doctor. Even if she's going to take care of Rice Shower, does she need to rush? There are nurses available..."
"Who knows... But I did sense that Trainer-san suspects Pluto Academy is deliberately targeting Tracen Academy's Umamusumes and wants to warn us to be careful," Mejiro McQueen spoket, narrowing her eyes.
"Huh? Didn't they just arrive today?" Smart Falcon asked in surprise.
"Perhaps someone arrived earlier, just to mislead us…"
—
That evening, after watching Rice Shower fall into a deep sleep, Sakura Baimu left the hospital.
Realizing her own shortcomings, Mihono Bourbon requested increased training intensity from her trainer, Kuronuma, starting that day. This made it impossible for her to care for Rice Shower full-time, so Sakura Baimu accepted the task.
Sakura Baimu did not mind Mihono Bourbon watching while she treated Rice Shower; the robot-like Umamusume did not seem to care much anyway.
Back home, dusk had deepened. Sakura Baimu took off her clothes and used a special shampoo to wash away the black dye from her hair.
The black faded, revealing Sakura Baimu's original deep blue hair.
Sakura Baimu dried her hair, then gathered it back, revealing her naturally smooth, white nape.
She changed into Tracen Academy's red tracksuit, layering a hoodie underneath. Two holes in the hoodie revealed blue ears.
Sakura Baimu stood in front of the mirror, admiring her restored natural hair color and her tracksuit appearance.
"I do look like a student..."
Sakura Baimu nodded in satisfaction, then picked up her backpack and headed toward Tracen Academy.