Chapter 2
While the Uma Musume named Kitasan Black was frantically apologizing, Yasui Makoto unconsciously glanced at the hole in the door.
Kitasan Black had probably been pressing her ear against the door eavesdropping. The moment she heard the word "craniotomy," she had panicked so hard that she accidentally ripped the handle clean off along with a large chunk of the door panel.
It was definitely clumsy… but what really stood out was the black-haired girl's raw strength and explosive power.
Aside from the ears and tail, Uma Musume looked no different from ordinary human girls on the surface. Yet their physiques operated on a completely different level. Not only could they sprint at dozens of kilometers per hour, their arm strength, core power, and overall physical might were downright astonishing.
During training at Tracen Academy, many Uma Musume built their strength by dragging heavy objects, things like massive truck tires that weighed over half a ton each.
Accidentally ripping apart a reinforced hospital door like that, though? That was rare even among Uma Musume. The instantaneous burst of power she had just shown was equally impressive.
Who was he kidding? If that had been a normal door, it would already have been impressive. But this was inside the Tracen Academy Affiliated Hospital. Everything here was built extra durable and reinforced specifically to withstand the immense strength of Uma Musume. For her to tear straight through it like that showed just how monstrous her power truly was.
Of course, her control over that strength still left a lot to be desired, as proven by her current clumsiness and the earlier "traffic accident" which sent shivers down his spine.
Also… the name "Kitasan Black"… he felt like he had heard it somewhere in his previous life?
After quickly assessing the situation, Yasui Makoto fell into deep thought.
She'll take full responsibility? Hohoho… Interesting…
Dr. Agnes Tachyon, who had looked momentarily surprised, quickly regained her composure. She turned to the nervous-looking Kitasan Black with great interest.
"If I remember correctly, Kitasan Black, you mentioned earlier that you don't have a trainer yet. And Mr. Yasui here also said he recently passed the trainer exam and doesn't have any Uma Musume under his care yet. So, without any prior relationship, how exactly do you plan to take responsibility for him?"
Oi! Are you playing matchmaker?! Yasui Makoto wanted to say it out loud but kept the thought to himself. Agnes Tachyon was already looking at him as if she had sensed exactly what he was thinking. I just wanna go home…
"Ehhh?!"
Kitasan Black let out a long, startled cry as her black ears shot straight up.
"Mr. Yasui… is a trainer?"
"Oh? You hit someone and didn't even know the victim's situation?"
"V-Victim…? I… um…"
Kitasan Black fidgeted, twisting her hands together as her ears drooped.
"I didn't properly ask about Mr. Yasui's situation… I was only thinking about bringing him to the hospital… B-But!"
She quickly perked up again, eyes shining with determination.
"Even if I'm not his assigned Uma Musume, Mr. Yasui got hurt because of me. I will definitely take full responsibility!"
"I see…"
Agnes Tachyon nodded and pushed the X-ray film on the desk toward them.
"Then for the next few days, you'll be in charge of taking care of Yasui-kun."
"Yes! No problem at all!"
Kitasan Black bowed quickly. At the same time, Yasui Makoto snapped out of his thoughts, frowned slightly, and spoke up.
"Please wait a moment, Dr. Agnes Tachyon. I have some medical knowledge myself. All the reports show that apart from a minor cartilage contusion, there's nothing wrong with me and certainly no brain issues. So if hospitalization or craniotomy is being suggested, I'd rather go to another hospital for a full check-up."
"Oh? As expected of the top scorer in this year's Central exam."
Agnes Tachyon nodded calmly.
"You're right. From the current results, you really don't have any major problems. Let's forget about hospitalization and surgery for now. Just rest well in your dorm for the next few days and come back for regular check-ups. If anything feels off, we can consider hospitalization later. Otherwise, the cost would be a burden… for you, Yasui-kun. No, it would also be a burden for Kitasan Black."
Yasui Makoto hadn't expected Agnes Tachyon to agree so easily. He felt a bit suspicious. Was this mad-scientist Uma Musume planning something else?
Meanwhile, Kitasan Black nodded repeatedly.
"I don't mind at all! It's my fault Mr. Yasui ended up like this. I'll pay for the examination fees and…"
Her expression gradually turned awkward. With a twitch of her mouth, she pulled out the broken door handle from behind her back.
"I'll… I'll take responsibility for this too."
"Oh? That's even better."
Agnes Tachyon casually glanced at the door handle, then turned to her computer and started typing rapidly.
"The payment counter is downstairs after you exit and turn left. I'll have them issue a receipt for the door repair as well. Please take your time."
Feeling that the doctor had probably given up on any slicing plans, Yasui Makoto picked up the X-ray film, bowed, and headed out of the examination room.
"Understood! I'll handle the payment. Thank you for your time, Dr. Agnes Tachyon."
Kitasan Black also thanked her and bowed deeply.
She was about to turn and follow Yasui Makoto when she suddenly gave an embarrassed smile. After staring at the broken door handle in her hand for a moment, her eyes lit up. She quickly tossed it into the trash bin in the examination room.
Then she bowed to Agnes Tachyon once more and hurried after him.
"Mr. Yasui, please wait!"
Yasui Makoto had already walked a few steps ahead. Hearing her voice, he turned back without surprise and pointed at the wall.
The curious and worried Kitasan Black paused, then followed his finger and saw the sign that read "No Loud Talking," along with the slightly annoyed sideways glances from passing doctors and nurses.
"S-Sorry, sorry…"
She apologized repeatedly, then covered her mouth with her hand, caught up to his side, and whispered:
"Mr. Yasui… is your head really okay?"
Realizing that Kitasan Black had been completely fooled by Agnes Tachyon, Yasui Makoto shook his head and said:
"I'm fine. I wouldn't joke about my own body. Besides, if there was really something wrong, Dr. Agnes Tachyon wouldn't have let me go so easily."
Although he had been dragged to the hospital by this girl, Yasui Makoto didn't actually feel any resentment.
When she had half-pulled and half-dragged him to the hospital earlier, he could already tell that this Uma Musume was very warm-hearted and kind.
The so-called "accident" was exactly as he said: both of them had seen the child in danger and had rushed in at the same time. It was just an unfortunate collision. There was nothing to blame her for.
That said, if he had to find fault, there was one small thing.
He had been able to adjust his posture mid-air, so in theory, she should have been able to control her strength too.
Her lack of control over her own power was perhaps the only real issue.
"Mr. Yasui… you're… you're such a good person."
Kitasan Black excitedly gave him a "good person card," then pursed her lips and suddenly showed a determined expression.
"Alright! It's decided…"
The first half of the sentence came out as loud and energetic as when she had chased after him, but the second half dropped into a guilty whisper as she nervously looked around like a thief.
"Decided? What did you decide?" Yasui Makoto asked, puzzled.
"Well…"
She whispered half a sentence, then her eyes suddenly lit up as she looked ahead.
"President?! You… why are you here…?"