After seeing Rice Shower safely back to Tracen Academy, Mizuno quickly returned to the mountain road behind the apartment building, continuing to hone his driving under Fujiwara-san's guidance.
During training, Mizuno felt the same strange chill creeping up his spine as yesterday, as if someone nearby was watching him.
Thanks to Fortune's tip-off yesterday, Mizuno knew the cause of that uneasy feeling—Maruzensky was tailing him.
He glanced toward the source of the chill. By the guardrail along the uphill stretch, where previously only fallen leaves had lain scattered, now stood a suspicious shipping box.
Clearly, this was Maruzensky's attempt at disguise so Mizuno wouldn't notice her surveillance.
He had to admit her camouflage was impressive. Although it was just a plain cardboard box, she'd placed it so well it blended almost seamlessly into the surroundings. If Fortune hadn't warned him, he genuinely might not have noticed at all.
"What's wrong?" Fujiwara-san asked with concern, noticing Mizuno staring in one direction. "Are you tired? Want a break?"
"It's fine. Let's keep going." Mizuno shook his head. He didn't bring up Maruzensky, choosing instead to look away, ignoring the suspicious box and continuing to refine his drifting technique.
Besides, telling Fujiwara-san about Maruzensky wouldn't help. The old man didn't know the full story, and like Mizuno himself, he was merely human. Dealing with an Umamusume following them wasn't something he could handle.
With the race drawing closer, Mizuno's time to improve his driving was increasingly limited.
Rather than wasting energy worrying about whether Maruzensky might suddenly kidnap him, he decided it was better to push himself harder, aiming to reach pro-level skill, defeat Fujiwara Jei Chou, and claim the championship. At least then he could fulfill Maruzensky's wish, potentially resolving her issue.
Still, Mizuno couldn't help feeling a bit wistful. Previously, he'd been the one secretly following Umamusume, unnoticed due to his clothing, so he could understand their needs. Now the tables had turned, and he was being followed instead. Karma really did come around…
He could confidently say he'd never done anything harmful while tailing Umamusume. But being tailed by one of them? Who knew if they might have thoughts of Uma Pyoi-ing him?
Thankfully, Maruzensky wasn't as high-risk as Symboli Rudolf or Tokai Teio. As long as Maruzensky didn't actively interfere, Mizuno couldn't be bothered.
So Mizuno tolerated Maruzensky's silent, unabashed surveillance while racing along the mountain road in his wheelchair. It wasn't until sunset, as the sky faded into dusk, that he finally ended today's practice, his body heavy with exhaustion.
"You did great, kid. You're improving fast," Fujiwara-san praised sincerely, seeing Mizuno slumped tiredly in his wheelchair.
The young man's rapid progress had completely altered Fujiwara-san's perspective. In just two days, Mizuno had nearly mastered drifting.
Moreover, Mizuno was diligent, earnest, and the type who wouldn't stop until he achieved his goals. It was impossible not to like him.
When Fujiwara-san first met Mizuno, he'd seen the real face beneath the hood—initially just to confirm he wasn't an Umamusume sneaking onto the school bus. Not only was Mizuno handsome, but his scent was incredibly pleasant as well.
A young man outstanding in both character and appearance… no wonder the Emperor favored him…
"You're so capable—must have plenty of girls chasing after you, huh?" Fujiwara-san asked curiously.
"Heh. I get by," Mizuno answered modestly, glancing toward a familiar box under a nearby streetlight. His mouth twitched.
Seriously, why are you still following me? You've been at it all day. Aren't you tired?
If Mizuno himself spent an entire day curled up inside a box, his lower back would be in agony. How could Maruzensky stay completely silent without making a single sound?
Was she simply flexible enough that spending a day cramped didn't bother her? Or was her willpower strong enough to endure torture?
Regardless, whether Maruzensky could take it or not, Mizuno—who'd been watched all day—couldn't anymore.
"See you tomorrow, Fujiwara-san." After saying goodbye, Mizuno stole another glance at the box under the streetlight. He trembled involuntarily, quickly turning away and heading back toward his apartment.
As soon as Mizuno left, the box moved.
It stood upright. Two chestnut-colored horse ears emerged on top, a tail appeared behind, and two long, snow-white legs stretched downward. It began walking, matching Mizuno's pace as it continued trailing him.
Of course, Mizuno noticed Maruzensky following—but there was nothing he could do about it.
Because the instant Mizuno turned his head, Maruzensky would swiftly duck down with a soft "pong~," becoming an innocent-looking cardboard box again. Like a master of Red Light, Green Light, she never slipped up enough to be caught.
So Mizuno mashed the wheelchair's acceleration button, racing back to his temporary base as fast as possible.
He fled, she pursued.
Only after Mizuno reached the apartment building, pulled out his key, entered his room, and shut the door behind him did that oppressive feeling of being watched finally ease significantly.
He quickly drew the curtains, removing any chance of being observed from outside. Only then did he finally relax, no longer feeling like prey.
"Whew…" Mizuno exhaled, tension draining from his body as he slumped.
Being monitored by Maruzensky's unblinking gaze was pure torture for someone like Mizuno, accustomed to hiding from others.
But now he was safely in private. No matter how extraordinary Maruzensky was, unless she broke down the door, she couldn't spy on him through thick walls, right?
"In my room, I'm unbeatable!"
Mizuno had barely finished celebrating when a knock came from behind him.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sudden sound nearly startled him out of his skin.
"W-Who is it?" Mizuno swallowed nervously.
Truthfully, he didn't need to ask. Only Rice Shower and Maruzensky knew where he lived, and Rice Shower had just returned to the academy, so she couldn't be visiting again so soon. The visitor could only be Maruzensky, who'd followed him all day.
To Mizuno's surprise, Maruzensky didn't answer from outside. Nor did she attempt to force her way in. After knocking, she simply slipped a note under the door.
Confused, Mizuno picked it up. The note contained a single line of neat, elegant handwriting:
[Sorry to bother you. I'm Maruzensky. I mean no harm. I just wanted to ask—can I install a camera in your home?]
"Hah?!"
---
T/N: yes.