Tracen Academy

Student Council President's Office

Symboli Rudolf sat at her desk, her eyes shadowed by heavy dark circles, wearily working through stacks of paperwork even taller than last time.

Aside from Rudolf, two other trainers waited in the office—one seated in a wheelchair, the other standing with crutches. Both wore serious expressions, clearly anticipating someone's arrival.

Knock, Knock, Knock.

A gentle knocking sounded from outside the door.

"Come in," Rudolf responded calmly.

The wooden door swung open, yet nobody seemed to enter.

"Hmm?"

Just as the two senior trainers exchanged confused glances, Rudolf raised her head, smiling toward an empty spot before her.

"You've arrived."

"Yes, I'm here."

"Huh?" The two senior trainers were startled as a strangely ambiguous voice spoke. Gradually, a figure dressed entirely in black materialized before their eyes—not appearing from thin air, but as if he'd always been there, unnoticed until now.

"Allow me to introduce him. This is Mizuno Sora, a new trainer," Rudolf said, addressing the two seniors. "His clothes greatly reduce his presence. The first time I met him, I was just as surprised as you."

"Reduce presence?!" Both senior trainers' eyes widened in amazement.

If they had clothes like that, wouldn't they finally be free from their Uma Musume's constant torment?

They could at least hide out a few days without being dragged into trouble every night!

"Hehe..." The two seniors' eyes lit up with greedy thoughts.

Mizuno shivered instinctively, sensing their ill intentions, and quietly took a few cautious steps away from them.

Rudolf continued, formally introducing the two senior trainers to Mizuno.

"This is Intermediate Trainer, Kiyoshi-san."

"Hello," Kiyoshi waved cheerfully, leaning against his crutches.

"And this is Veteran Trainer, Washuin-san."

"Hmm." Washuin nodded slightly, smiling from his wheelchair.

"It's an honor to meet you both, senpais," Mizuno greeted them politely.

Actually, Mizuno had encountered these two seniors before.

On Mizuno's very first day at Tracen Academy, Kiyoshi had warned all new trainers with a cardboard sign about the horrors that awaited them here.

Later, Mizuno had witnessed Togawa-senpai betraying Washuin-senpai, who was hiding in a trash bin, showing him the importance of choosing friends carefully at the academy.

In a way, both Kiyoshi and Washuin had been Mizuno's earliest mentors, teaching him vital lessons about surviving Tracen Academy. He deeply respected them.

But right now, these same respected senpais appeared disturbingly eager to steal his clothes.

If necessary, Mizuno was fully prepared to sacrifice friendships for self-preservation.

"We actually invited another veteran trainer, but due to certain circumstances, he couldn't make it."

Mizuno: "…"

Judging by how severely injured each trainer became as their seniority increased, Mizuno could easily guess why that veteran trainer hadn't shown up.

"I called you here today regarding the recent forum incident on the Academy's website, specifically the post about the 'Mysterious Man summoned by the Three Goddesses.'"

Oh? It wasn't about the forbidden clickbait post? Thank goodness...

"Whew…" The two seniors exhaled simultaneously in relief.

But Mizuno's anxiety only intensified.

After all, that "mysterious man" was none other than his drunken self!

… Mizuno felt panic rising, though thankfully his nervous expression remained hidden beneath his [Doctor's Outfit].

Rudolf continued calmly:

"Yesterday, Tracen Academy experienced several unusual incidents."

"A sudden, inexplicable heavy rain fell from the sky, leaving multiple Uma Musume suffering from headaches, fevers, sore throats, and weakness."

"The cafeteria was visited by a mysterious 'Honey Drink God,' causing local honey drink sales to drastically drop."

"But most problematic was the mysterious young man who appeared suddenly at the Three Goddesses' statue."

Rudolf sighed deeply in resignation.

"At least ten Uma Musume clearly saw the mysterious man's face. Since then, they've lost appetite and sleep, desperately wishing to meet him again. Some even came here, begging me—the supposedly all-powerful student council president—to help them find him."

"Normally, searching for someone isn't part of my responsibilities, but if these promising young Uma Musume lose all motivation and stop training, their potential will go to waste."

"My conscience won't allow it, so I've reluctantly agreed to help."

"From their descriptions, this mysterious man is extremely charismatic, as if he wasn't even from this world—more like a gift bestowed by the Three Goddesses themselves."

"However, they were so captivated by his face that they didn't notice anything else—not even what he wore. They only described him as incredibly warm and gentle."

"And you four—three—trainers here today are the ones I think most likely to match that description."

Indeed, everyone present, aside from Mizuno, was famously kind-hearted and gentle trainers, fitting the description of the mysterious man perfectly.

Of course, Rudolf secretly suspected Mizuno the most, mainly because nobody had ever seen his true face, hidden behind his strange clothing. Perhaps he wore it precisely to conceal his overwhelming charm.

However, Rudolf wasn't entirely sure. Could someone as cautious, sensible, and rational as Mizuno really do something so foolish as publicly expose himself at the Three Goddesses' statue?

"What do you think?" Rudolf asked, her piercing gaze settling on the three trainers.

The room descended into awkward silence.

So Rudolf had summoned them here just to interrogate who among them might be the mysterious man.

"Well," Washuin finally spoke, clearing his throat. "I personally think the mysterious man was my friend, Togawa-san."

"Togawa-senpai?" Rudolf echoed.

"Indeed." Washuin nodded firmly. "Togawa-san is incredibly gentle—far kinder than me. It has to be him."

Mizuno: …

Somehow, it seemed Washuin-senpai was taking revenge for Togawa-senpai betraying him last time.

"Kiyoshi-san? What about you?" Rudolf turned her attention to Kiyoshi.

"It definitely wasn't me. I have a perfect alibi—my Uma Musume can vouch for me," Kiyoshi answered instantly.

"So, I believe the mysterious man was actually my good friend, Billy-san."

Mizuno: …

These guys were mercilessly throwing their friends under the bus to save their own skins.

Did they have no conscience at all?

"Mizuno-san, your thoughts?" Rudolf finally asked, turning her gaze to Mizuno.

Everyone in the room stared expectantly at Mizuno.

Mizuno pondered carefully for a moment before replying:

"I suppose it might've been… Kaneshiro Takeru…"