Because Shirayuki trusted her too easily, she ended up facing the most dangerous situation yet.
Locked inside the infirmary by Agnes Tachyon.
"Tachyon-senpai… what are you trying to do?"
"Just checking your body."
Her arm was tightly held. Alarm bells rang in Shirayuki's head. She had already felt something was off earlier, but now Tachyon wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.
A sudden force twisted her arm, pulling her forward. At the same time, the measuring tape wrapped around her waist.
"Height 156 cm, measurements B76, W58, H82. Next is strength. Shirayuki, if you keep struggling like that, I can't measure properly."
"This isn't a checkup at all! Let go!"
As Tachyon held her firmly and moved the tape toward her hips, Shirayuki struggled desperately.
"Is that really how you want to be, Shirayuki? Resisting me like this." Tachyon smiled faintly. "Whatever happens next won't be my responsibility."
"You're not planning to make me drink those weird drugs, are you?"
"Oh? So you know." Tachyon looked slightly surprised. "Then why did you come in?"
"I thought you weren't as bad as the rumors said!"
"Well, that's unfortunate. The rumors are completely true. Plenty of students have been part of my experiments. You'll be one of them too."
"…I really am an idiot."
"Now, now. If you keep resisting, we won't get anywhere."
"Experiment? What are you even planning to do to me?"
"It won't hurt. Come on, relax a little."
"That makes it even worse!"
While Shirayuki continued to struggle, Fujiwara Chiya was already rushing toward the infirmary.
He was just a normal human. Getting between two uma musume was basically asking for trouble. Still, he was a trainer. No matter how bold Tachyon was, she wouldn't go as far as attacking a trainer.
…Probably.
"Shirayuki, if this keeps going, we're just wasting time. I know which classroom you're in. Do you really think you can run from me?"
"Eek!? What are you planning!?"
"I'm interested in you." Tachyon watched her closely. "How about this? We both compromise. You need signatures for the student council application, right? I can help you secure one."
Shirayuki froze for a moment.
"If you assist with my experiment, I'll write you a recommendation. I'm quite good at that. I guarantee it'll impress them."
"…That doesn't sound like a bad deal for you, does it?"
Tachyon tilted her head.
"All I need is your body data and help testing a few things. Don't worry, nothing harmful. The girls who tried my medicine are all perfectly fine. At worst, their heads glow a little."
"…Glow?"
"Yes. A very charming side effect. Much safer than anything that actually harms the body. And what I want you to test isn't even something you ingest."
"…Then what is it?"
Just as Shirayuki was about to ask further—
"Tachyon!"
The door burst open. A dark-haired girl stepped in.
Her golden eyes swept over Shirayuki, who was still being restrained. She walked forward quickly and grabbed Tachyon's tail.
"Ah!"
Tachyon let go instantly, and Shirayuki was freed.
"Manhattan Cafe… what are you doing here!?"
"This morning, I overheard your conversation. Something felt off. I borrowed the infirmary key from the health committee member. There's no such thing as submitting body data like you claimed."
Tachyon shrugged lightly. "Eavesdropping isn't a good habit, you know."
"You were speaking too loudly. And I know enough to say this. Whenever you target younger students, it never ends well."
"That's a bit of a prejudice."
"I'm not interested in your excuses. Leave. Or I'll report you for using the infirmary without permission."
"…Fine, fine. I'm going."
The moment the disciplinary committee was mentioned, Tachyon backed down without hesitation.
Before leaving, she turned to Shirayuki.
"If you change your mind, come visit my lab anytime."
Then she left.
The black-haired girl turned back.
"Are you okay?"
"…Yeah. Thanks to you."
She picked up Shirayuki's clothes and handed them over.
"Tachyon often tricks inexperienced students. Mixing drugs into candy, swapping drinks… once, she even posted fake notices on the school board to lure everyone here for 'checkups' just to collect data."
She paused.
"In short, she has no limits. Whatever she asks you to do in the future, refuse it. There's a high chance she's planning something."
Shirayuki nodded seriously.
"…Thank you. Um, what's your name, senpai?"
"Manhattan Cafe," she replied quietly. "If you have time, come by my room. I'll make you some coffee."
"…Okay."
"Take care. And stay away from Tachyon."
With that, she left the room.
Left alone, Shirayuki began putting her clothes back on.
Lesson learned. Tracen Academy was far more dangerous than she had imagined.
From a trainer's perspective, it might not seem that way. But as an uma musume, the experience was completely different.
As she finished dressing, she suddenly heard a quiet voice behind her.
Turning around, she saw a black figure standing there.
"…Cafe-senpai? Didn't you leave already?"
"…Heh."
The figure turned its head slowly.
"So… you can see me?"
"…What are you talking about, senpai?"
"…Interesting."
Before Shirayuki could react, the door opened again. Chiya rushed in.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the room, sending the curtains flying.
Both of them instinctively closed their eyes.
When the wind died down, they opened them again.
The black figure was gone.
Nothing remained.
"…What?"
Shirayuki blinked.
She had clearly seen Cafe standing there just a moment ago.
But now, there was no one.
Strange.
After thinking about it for a bit and getting nowhere, she shook her head.
Must've been her imagination.
There was still training to get to. No point wasting more time.
Still, Tachyon's offer lingered in her mind.
If she ended up short on signatures…
She might have no choice but to accept it.