"Crap!" Shinko Windy panicked, dropping her tools and diving into the bushes as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Don't tell anyone Windy's hiding here!"
While Kousei stood there, utterly bewildered, Amazon stormed over, her face flushed with anger.
"Big Sister, what's got you so angry?"
"Ah, Kousei. It's a bit complicated to explain. Speaking of which, have you seen Shinko Windy around? She's about this tall."
Amazon gestured to indicate Windy's height. Though a height description alone wouldn't usually be enough to find someone, Kousei had coincidentally spotted Windy earlier.
"If you're looking for Shinko Windy, she's probably hiding in that bush over there," Kousei said, pointing to the thicket where Windy was concealed.
"Ah!!!" Windy burst from the bushes. "Damn you! Traitor!"
Kousei remained unmoved by Windy's accusation, since they had never been allies in the first place.
"Oho~ Windy, didn't I tell you to stop playing pranks?"
Faced with Amazon's imposing aura, Windy instantly wilted. It was clear she was terrified of Amazon.
"Windy didn't do anything wrong!!!"
Amazon grabbed Shinko Windy by the collar and lifted her up, but even then, she refused to calm down, struggling fiercely.
"I'm terribly sorry, Shinko Windy hasn't caused you any trouble, has she?" Amazon apologized on Shinko Windy's behalf, like an elder sister.
"I'm fine, but McQueen might have some complaints."
"McQueen?" Amazon looked around, but McQueen was nowhere to be seen. "Is McQueen here too?"
"Sort of," Kousei said, pointing to the pit Shinko Windy had dug.
Amazon felt a sinking premonition and leaned over the edge of the pit to look down.
"A-ano~ Is anyone there? Could you help me out?"
For some reason, the pit had grown even deeper, and McQueen's voice echoed faintly. Amazon forced a strained smile. "This has gone way beyond a prank. You know that falling from this height could cause serious injuries, right?"
"Windy didn't dig it that deep! The pit got deeper on its own!"
The outlandish claim might have sounded like a lie, but with Kousei's corroboration, Amazon was half-inclined to believe it.
"You damned brat! Traitor!"
Shinko Windy suddenly erupted in a frenzy. Caught off guard, Amazon lost her grip, and Windy broke free. Landing nimbly, she sprang forward, baring her fangs and claws as she lunged at Kousei.
"Watch out!"
Amazon threw herself in front of Kousei, raising her arm just as Windy pounced, sinking her teeth viciously into her forearm.
"Ow!"
Despite the pain, Amazon immediately grabbed Windy by the scruff of her neck.
"Windy! Didn't I tell you biting is wrong?!"
Windy showed no remorse, sticking her tongue out at Amazon instead.
"You little brat!" Amazon's anger was palpable.
As punishment, Windy was forced to stand in the corner holding a sign that read, "Biting is wrong. I know I was wrong."
"Windy didn't do anything wrong..."
Amazon stared at the clear bite marks on her arm, a headache brewing.
"Are you alright, Big Sister?" Kousei asked worriedly.
"It's nothing, it happens all the time," Amazon replied, then added, "Don't worry too much about what everyone else is saying."
"What do you mean?"
"You know, how everyone keeps blaming you for everything."
Hishi Amazon and Fuji Kiseki were among the first Umamusume to care for Kousei. They had always looked after her, and Kousei had never forgotten their kindness.
"It's nothing, it happens all the time," Amazon said with a smile. Kousei was already a capable Umamusume, so Amazon swallowed the comforting words she had been about to say.
"There's one more thing. Shinko Windy was just being a bit reckless. She didn't mean any harm. I hope you can forgive her."
Kousei glanced at Shinko Windy, who stood obediently in punishment, though she still looked defiant.
"I'm not angry," Kousei replied. "After all, Big Sister was the one who got hurt. Besides, McQueen was the one who fell into the trap."
"I've already notified the Chairman. Rescue personnel should be here soon."
Amazon's words reassured Kousei considerably.
"Come to think of it, Big Sister's scolding of Shinko Windy was for her own good too," Kousei mused.
Amazon turned to Shinko Windy. "The Academy isn't like it used to be," she said sternly. "The rules are much stricter now. It's better to get scolded by me than caught by the Acting Chairman."
Even with the new policies in place, the Umamusume would never completely change their natures.
"Shinko Windy isn't the only mischievous child at Tracen. Others like Gold Ship and Sweep Tosho are equally willful and reckless.
Then there are impulsive Umamusume like Princess Kawakami and Meisho Doto, who unintentionally break the rules due to their recklessness.
We've all worked so hard to come together at Tracen, and I don't want us to be torn apart because of this," Amazon said, her voice heavy with worry.
As Dorm Leader, she cared for everyone like an older sister, showing the same warmth and consideration even to Umamusume from other dorms.
"Kousei, thank you for stepping up to fight for us."
A warm current surged through Kousei's chest.
Amazon turned to face Shinko Windy, who glared at her resentfully without a word.
"Windy, I've told you before: when you do something wrong, you need to apologize."
"Hmph! No way! Windy did nothing wrong!"
Shinko Windy's refusal to apologize was exactly what Amazon had expected.
"I see. It seems I need to explain just how important it is to apologize when you make a mistake."
Amazon snapped her fingers, and an Umamusume suddenly appeared out of thin air. Kousei recognized her immediately—it was Agnes Digital!
"Go get her, Digital. Bite Shinko Windy!"
"Is...is this really okay?!" Digital exclaimed, visibly excited.
"What?!"
Agnes Digital rubbed her hands together eagerly, preparing to bite.
"Awoo~"
"Ahhh!!!"
And just like that, the bite landed.
Shinko Windy apologized on the spot, though rumor had it she never truly changed her ways afterward.