After checking Rice Shower's vital signs several times, the nurse hurriedly went to find the doctor.
The elderly doctor, his hair already gray, stared at the instruments for a while, speechless with astonishment.
"Dr. Nakai, is our treatment really that effective?" the nurse asked.
"Logically, it shouldn't be... This should be related to the Umamusume's physical condition, but this is the first time I've seen an Umamusume recover so quickly..." the elderly doctor said, his face full of surprise.
"How is Rice?" Mihono Bourbon asked, having deliberately moved away from the instruments when the doctor came in to examine her.
"Her recovery is excellent, practically exceeding expectations. Do you know how it happened?" the elderly doctor asked Mihono Bourbon.
"I don't know." Mihono Bourbon nodded expressionlessly. "When will Rice wake up?"
"I don't know…"
"If we want to transfer Rice to a hospital in Tokyo, how long will it take?"
"Well… it's only the second day since she was admitted. It depends on her recovery."
"Can Rice still run?"
The elderly doctor and the young nurse: "…"
The two were speechless at Mihono Bourbon's expressionless questions. She kept asking questions they couldn't answer, and no matter what answers they gave, Mihono Bourbon didn't react.
However, the two knew a bit about the Cyber Umamusume who had almost won three championships two years ago, so they weren't too surprised.
After the two left, Mihono Bourbon returned to Rice Shower's side, gently stroking her cheek, her expression suddenly softening.
"Ms. Sakura wasn't lying to us…"
--
A few days later, the TCB team, led by Mejiro McQueen, arrived at the Hakodate Racecourse, where the Seaside Stakes were about to be held.
"McQueen, didn't the trainer tell you to wear that team leader's sash? Why aren't you wearing it?"
"It's so embarrassing! She doesn't even know whether I'm wearing it or not."
"I'm going to go back and tell the trainer!" Tokai Teio casually remarked.
"No, no!" Mejiro McQueen quickly said, taking out the sash and unfolding it for Tokai Teio to see.
"Teiō, don't you think this kind of thing is incredibly embarrassing? Wearing it out is so shameful!"
"Of course it's embarrassing just looking at it. I wouldn't wear it." Tokai Teio laughed.
"Huh?" Mejiro McQueen suddenly paused. "Then what about that day…"
"I hadn't even said anything that day when you, McQueen, snatched the ribbon from Trainer-san." Tokai Teio covered her mouth and chuckled.
"Trainer-san completely saw through you."
"Huh?!" Mejiro McQueen froze for a few seconds before realizing what had happened.
It turned out that Tokai Teio had no intention of accepting the ribbon. Worried that Tokai Teio would accept it, she had simply snatched it from Sakura Baimu's hands.
Thinking about it now, she felt an urge to dig her toes into the ground in embarrassment.
Mejiro McQueen covered her face for a while, then finally put the ribbon away.
She led her teammates to the competition venue and met Satono Diamond, her parents, and another girl with long black hair.
"This is Crown, who just returned from abroad," Satono Diamond's father introduced to the Umamusume.
"Hello, my name is Satono Crown," Satono Crown introduced herself with a slight bow.
The Umamusume were all students at Tracen Academy, so after a few pleasantries, they quickly became acquainted.
As the start time of the match approached, Smart Falcon and Satono Crown went backstage to prepare.
Satono Diamond's father looked around, then asked with a puzzled expression.
"Where's Ms. Sakura?"
"The trainer didn't come; I'll be leading the team today," Mejiro McQueen replied softly.
"Huh?"
Satono Diamond's father was suddenly stunned upon hearing Mejiro McQueen's words.
"Didn't we agree that if Crown won, she would join TCB? Why isn't Ms. Sakura here?"
Kitasan Black was about to say that Sakura Baimu was taking care of Rice Shower and couldn't come when Mejiro McQueen replied in a rather emotionless voice.
"Trainer-san doesn't think Falco-senpai will lose, so there's no need for her to come in person."
Everyone present was stunned by Mejiro McQueen's uninhibited statement.
Satono Diamond's father forcibly suppressed his anger and smiled at Mejiro McQueen:
"Is she trying to back out now that she's lost? After all, Crown is really strong."
"Hmph, Teiō, Kita-chan, let's go."
Mejiro McQueen was too lazy to waste words with Satono Diamond's father. She simply called the few team members and left.
After a brief hesitation, Satono Diamond said, "Father, Mother, I'm going over there with my teammates," and ran off after the TCB teammates.
Satono Diamond's father stared at her running away for a long time, then snorted coldly and walked towards the stands.
"You agreed in front of so many people. Let's see how you go back on your word now that you've lost."
--
Local matches usually have fewer spectators.
Especially since this was just an OP-level match, there shouldn't have been many spectators in the first place.
But today was different.
The Hakodate Racecourse was much more lively than usual, packed with spectators.
The main reason, of course, was that Satono Crown of the Satono Clan was participating in this race.
Satono Crown already had over 20,000 fans when she debuted.
After successfully winning her debut race, this Satono Crown from the prestigious Satono family naturally received even more attention.
While not quite as dazzling as Satono Diamond, it was still an extremely impressive achievement.
In fact, it could be said that over 90% of the people in the venue were there because of Satono Crown's name.
"Now entering the arena is the third most popular, Smart Falcon."
"Ha, an Umamusume who has participated in three major prize races is only third in popularity in an OP-level race."
Satono Diamond's father couldn't help but scoff at the commentator's words.
"But Miss Falcon is a high school student. I'm worried…" Satono Diamond's mother said softly.
"Oh dear, you've seen her record. She's always run turf races since her debut. In a dirt race, she'd be lucky to perform at 70% of her potential."