Meisho Doto had left.
Though before leaving, due to an unexpected incident, the two had experienced some rather awkward moments in the bathroom.
But it remained merely awkwardness, and nothing actually happened.
To be more specific, after the incident occurred—
Kitahara had initially assumed Meisho Doto would either violently lash out in panic or run out in embarrassment; he'd even mentally braced himself for the worst.
But nothing of the sort happened.
Perhaps because he'd covered her eyes immediately after it happened, or perhaps for some other reason entirely.
After the accident, though Meisho Doto's face turned burning red and her tail wagged rapidly enough to nearly spin like a fan, she became surprisingly obedient.
Far from attacking him or fleeing, until Kitahara himself gave the order—
She simply remained there, nestled comfortably in his arms without attempting to move, allowing her body to relax further into his embrace, becoming softer and softer.
Yet, despite her reactions, Kitahara himself didn't entertain any improper thoughts at all.
His physiological reaction might've been unavoidable, but he never once considered acting on it.
Embarrassment, helplessness, and resignation…
After a prolonged silence, Kitahara reached out with his free hand and gently patted Meisho Doto's head, speaking softly in a tone that resembled a father helplessly dealing with his daughter barging into the bathroom.
"Doto, be good now. Wait outside first, okay? I'll finish up quickly, and then we'll head over to the training grounds."
"…Yes."
After receiving his order, Meisho Doto obediently stood up, face still flushed, and quietly left the bathroom.
After she departed, Kitahara stood there sighing for a while before resuming his shower.
Yet, as he continued showering, recalling a certain detail, his brows knitted slightly in confusion.
Just now, when Doto left…did she look a bit disappointed…?
Must've been my imagination, right?
After pondering for a moment, Kitahara dismissed it as a minor misunderstanding and continued showering, not paying further attention to such a trivial detail.
Moments later, Kitahara finished his shower and changed into fresh clothes.
He opened the door and stepped out, only to find Meisho Doto sitting there, the blush on her cheeks still not entirely faded.
After hesitating briefly, he sighed again before finally approaching her.
Sitting next to her, he extended a hand and began gently rubbing her head, softly comforting her as he did so.
"There, there, don't feel bad. What happened earlier was my fault…"
And as he gently continued petting, Meisho Doto's expression gradually changed.
From embarrassment, to calming down, to normal, and eventually to complete contentment…
And as her expression changed, so did her position.
She shifted slowly from sitting beside Kitahara, moving incrementally closer, pressing softly against him, and eventually nestling comfortably into his embrace.
Her face held the look of a cat happily getting petted—swaying slightly as she lightly rubbed her hair against his cheek, appearing incredibly gentle and obedient.
Witnessing this, Kitahara finally relaxed slightly.
As long as it doesn't involve her self-confidence issues, this child is surprisingly easy to comfort, huh…
Seeing that Doto's mood had returned to normal, Kitahara felt relieved and prepared to stand up to head toward the training grounds.
However, just as he was about to rise, seeing Doto in his arms, he suddenly thought of something important.
Though Doto seemed as obedient as ever, several years had passed, and he wondered just how strong the effect of his "commands" remained on her.
It wasn't as if he had bad intentions—quite the opposite, in fact. He genuinely hoped Doto might become a bit less "obedient," as that would indicate an increase in her self-awareness.
And since he'd already promised to help her improve, it was necessary to clearly assess her current condition first.
Thus, taking advantage of the fact they were currently alone, Kitahara decided to quickly conduct a simple test to see if her condition had improved over the years.
Five minutes later—
Looking down at Meisho Doto, who now lay obediently in his arms, hands gently folded in front of her chest, legs slightly bent in a posture that clearly begged for affection—
Her expression innocent and obedient, eyes reflecting quiet contentment and happiness—
Kitahara released another deep sigh.
Wait—how did your condition actually get worse after these few years apart…?
Previously, whenever he gave her orders, she'd indeed obediently follow them.
But even then, especially with complicated or somewhat difficult commands, there was usually at least a slight hesitation or delay in her response.
Yet now, forget delay—Kitahara seriously suspected that if he ordered her to strip off her clothes, she might finish doing it before her conscious mind even processed the instruction.
How am I supposed to feel at ease like this…?
After finishing the test and petting Doto's head thoroughly one last time, he lightly squeezed her soft cheeks to temporarily satisfy her, before finally letting her go.
After a quick preparation, he took Doto and headed directly toward the training grounds.
But unlike when they were in the dorm—
After stepping outside, Doto's behavior immediately returned to being perfectly proper and restrained.
After all, her intention was merely to help Kitahara. She wasn't interested in becoming his lover or competing openly with others, and she worried that if others found out about what happened, it might cause trouble for him.
So she intended to keep this matter as secret as possible.
However, as soon as the team at the training grounds saw Kitahara arriving accompanied by yet another Uma Musume, the atmosphere immediately changed.
"Trainer-san, who's this…?"
Tokai Teio immediately approached him, feigning innocent curiosity.
Faced with Teio's question, Kitahara offered the same explanation he'd previously given Special Week and Grass Wonder.
Moreover, subtly guided by certain interested parties, he also happened to mention the earlier incident—how he'd offered Doto to join the team but she'd clearly declined.
And just like before, once it became clear Meisho Doto wasn't interested in joining, the atmosphere on the training grounds instantly relaxed.
Then later, despite the lingering scent of Meisho Doto still clearly clinging to Kitahara's body.
After he explained her legendary clumsiness, and especially after Special Week and Grass Wonder both offered strong confirmation, the lingering suspicion faded even further.
Yet, despite all that, the girls' gazes couldn't help but linger warily upon Meisho Doto's remarkably well-developed figure.
Even if their initial suspicions were eased, the scrutiny definitely didn't cease entirely.
Had things continued like this, even if Meisho Doto currently appeared entirely harmless—
Given that most competitors in the "Kitahara Cup" were already veterans of countless battles, further digging would have surely exposed something—especially considering Meisho Doto's near-nonexistent acting skills.
However, the real issue was—they didn't even get the chance to dig further.
It wasn't that Meisho Doto had done anything special to earn their trust.
Instead, Kitahara had suddenly dropped a bombshell so big that it completely shifted everyone's attention away from her.
"Starting next week, I'll be acting as Hayakawa-san's boyfriend."
As soon as the words left his mouth, not only his team, but even the Uma Musume just passing by turned their heads in shock.
Hayakawa-san's… boyfriend?
The Green Devil's… boyfriend?
A stunned silence enveloped the training grounds for a brief moment before an explosion of whispers broke out, with every eye turning toward Kitahara.
But compared to the general buzz, the atmosphere within his own team was far more intense.
"...Trainer-san, what did you just say?"
Tokai Teio immediately stepped forward, an eerie glint flickering in her eyes.
"...Guinea Pig-kun, this joke isn't funny."
Agnes Tachyon also drew closer, a dangerous edge in her voice.
"So, Kitahara-san...is that the type you actually prefer?"
Nice Nature quietly moved behind him, her expression shadowed by dark clouds.
Following their lead, every other Uma Musume from his team quickly gathered. Even Special Week and Grass Wonder, who had just gotten out of class, sprinted over at top speed, crowding tightly around him. The air grew increasingly heavy, as though thick enough to drip water.
Yet, facing the encirclement, Kitahara didn't sense anything unusual.
They're teenage girls, after all. Isn't it normal to be curious about this kind of gossip, especially when it's about someone close to them?
Unfortunately, this time, he'd probably disappoint them.
Once everyone had gathered, Kitahara suggested they move the discussion into the clubroom, away from prying eyes and ears.
At his proposal, the little Uma Musume exchanged glances and quietly agreed.
However, the reason they consented wasn't exactly as Kitahara assumed.
Indeed, they also worried about the many eyes and ears around—but their concern wasn't about having their conversation overheard. Rather, they simply felt there were certain things they couldn't comfortably do in public.
Thus, amid a distinctly strange atmosphere, Kitahara's entire team quickly relocated to the clubroom.
Before entering, Kitahara had briefly worried that some curious Uma Musume might try to eavesdrop, given that the matter involved Hayakawa Tazuna. Yet, to his surprise, as they walked over, passing Uma Musume deliberately avoided him, as if wary of something sinister.
Are they scared that overhearing secrets about the Green Devil might make her target them later?
Kitahara wondered briefly but quickly dismissed it as unnecessary worry.
Once inside, he carefully checked to confirm no one was nearby, then returned to the sofa, cleared his throat, and prepared to explain the situation clearly.
But before he could say a single word, Tokai Teio stepped forward first, seating herself snugly beside him and hugging his arm.
Feeling the sudden softness pressed against his arm, Kitahara froze momentarily.
"Teio, you—"
Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a similar sensation on his other arm.
Turning his head, he found Agnes Tachyon had also latched onto his arm.
Then, before he could respond further, a pair of delicate hands from behind wrapped gently around his neck—Nice Nature had quietly embraced him from behind.
Immediately after, following the lead of these three, the remaining Uma Musume also closed in.
Some sat boldly on his lap; others crowded against his sides or clasped his hands. Sunday Silence, relying on her ghostly ability to phase through bodies, simply settled herself directly onto his lap.
Within mere moments, Kitahara found himself completely swamped in Uma Musume—surrounded in every direction by adorable faces, to the point that he felt nearly drowned in them.
It's just a bit of gossip. Do they really need to go this far?
He silently complained to himself but nonetheless clearly explained the situation involving Hayakawa Tazuna, outlining their plan to fake being a couple to help her finally take a much-needed vacation.
The instant he clarified it was just pretending, the heavy tension in the room immediately eased.
However, even though the atmosphere had relaxed, none of the Uma Musume clinging to him showed any intention of letting go. Instead, they clung even tighter.
"...Trainer-san, are you really just pretending? You can't lie about this, okay?"
Tokai Teio tightened her embrace slightly, an odd emotion hidden in her voice.
"It's completely true."
Seeing Teio still somewhat skeptical, Kitahara sighed and explained patiently:
"Think about it rationally. Even though Hayakawa-san and I are colleagues, I've been here less than a year, and I spend nearly all my time with you girls. Where would I possibly find time to develop a romantic relationship with her?"
Well, that much was true.
Tokai Teio reluctantly nodded, accepting his reasoning—but she still showed no sign of letting go.
"Guinea Pig-kun, according to your explanation, Hayakawa-san will regularly come to your dormitory for treatment, correct?"
As Teio fell quiet, Agnes Tachyon suddenly spoke up from his other side.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Couldn't it be somewhere else?"
Tachyon blinked, tightening her grip slightly.
"It's your dormitory, after all. Wouldn't that be inappropriate? If necessary, why not find another caretaker for her? Digital seems quite skilled—this might even be a good chance for her to get some practice."
Inappropriate?
Hearing that, Kitahara shot a skeptical glance at Tachyon. Considering his dorm had practically become a public lounge already, what was there to talk about "inappropriate"?
As for finding another caretaker…
"That won't work."
Kitahara shook his head.
"It's not that Digital isn't skilled, but Hayakawa-san's condition is quite serious. Among everyone I know, I'm likely the only one capable of handling it. Even then, there's still some risk involved."
Pausing briefly, Kitahara suddenly remembered something important. He looked at Tachyon with a stern expression.
"Oh right—especially you. For these next two weeks, you'd better behave yourself. This treatment period is extremely important for Hayakawa-san. If something happens and delays her recovery, it could easily stretch to two months or longer. So, for these next two weeks, restrain yourself and don't cause any trouble, got it?"
"Tch."
Tachyon clicked her tongue, hugging his arm even tighter but reluctantly nodding.
"I get it, you dumb guinea pig."
After Tachyon fell silent, Nice Nature quietly spoke up from behind Kitahara.
"Kitahara-san, outside the treatments, please leave Hayakawa-san's daily care to me. Whenever you need to treat her, just call me."
"...Won't that be a burden on you?"
"Not at all. You've already taken care of me so much—it's only right I help out."
As she spoke, Nice Nature's small hands began to slowly move, gently caressing his neck as they gradually climbed upward, softly brushing against his cheek.
"Nature—"
Kitahara wanted to speak, but before any words came out, his mouth was suddenly sealed.
Taking advantage of her ghostly nature—completely invisible to everyone except Manhattan Café, and able to pass effortlessly through any body—Sunday Silence boldly stole Kitahara's lips right in front of everyone.
She cleverly positioned herself so that even Manhattan Café couldn't clearly see exactly what was happening.
Their lips parted after a brief moment.
Meeting Kitahara's shocked, questioning eyes, Sunday Silence playfully licked her lips.
"Oh, it's nothing special."
She winked teasingly.
"It's just your earlier announcement scared me, so I needed some compensation."
Without giving him a chance to respond, she leaned in again, sealing his lips once more.
With each Uma Musume's action, although the misunderstanding was technically cleared up, the atmosphere within the clubroom didn't lighten at all.
In fact, it only became increasingly complicated.