The information-gathering lasted a full two weeks.
Well, strictly speaking, it wasn’t just information gathering.
Once the Chairman and Hayakawa Tazuna realized how influential Kitahara Sato was among those young Uma Musume, they wasted no time piling on more responsibilities. True to the spirit of “useful people get worked to death,” they assigned him the additional task of overseeing their rehabilitation within the detention center.
Seriously, isn’t Tracen basically Britain with this relentless workload?
Wait—come to think of it, didn’t horse racing itself originate in Britain?
Ah. Fair enough then.
Of course, as they dumped more tasks on him, the financially robust Tracen generously provided further compensation, adding another hefty bonus to the money he’d already received.
And it wasn’t just money. Considering the risks of investigating this matter, the Chairman granted him special authority to requisition Tracen security forces and even allowed him access to their armory.
Kitahara didn’t hold back, promptly equipping himself with a few pieces of protective gear.
Weapons, though? Unnecessary.
As long as he survived, Eclipse would handle the fighting anyway.
Besides, it’s not like he lacked combat capabilities himself. He just preferred avoiding fights. But if it ever came down to it, he’d aim to finish things quickly and lethally, making Tracen’s “play-pretend” weaponry unnecessary.
As for Nice Nature, although her original purpose as an interrogator was unnecessary, Kitahara kept her close. He feared being overwhelmed by the overly enthusiastic young Uma Musume without her intimidating aura. He also used the chance to personally oversee her training, conveniently carried out right in the detention center alongside the young ones, further enhancing her deterrent effect.
Nature didn’t mind in the slightest—and not just because Kitahara asked her.
In truth, despite being widely acknowledged as a kind-hearted, capable girl, Nature had a little-known hobby:
She enjoyed scaring kids.
Nothing serious—just occasionally telling spooky stories or momentarily radiating extra pressure when the mood struck.
More importantly, during these two weeks, Kitahara practically abandoned the team, spending all his time alongside her, their synergy surpassing even their best moments years ago.
Nature still had that first-place lottery ticket—the one that fell into the puddle and blurred. Even though the store owner repeatedly assured her she could redeem it anytime, she never did.
Because the first place she truly wanted had already vanished into the crowd.
Yet now, the ticket she believed lost forever was suddenly back within reach.
She had countless thoughts, countless times her emotions surged over these two weeks, but every single time she pushed them back.
Because she understood clearly: Kitahara Sato was her undisputed first place—but she was probably not even third place in his heart.
If she acted hastily now, she’d likely ruin everything, maybe even lose him forever. She’d already lost him once; her timid, insecure heart couldn’t bear risking another loss.
So despite her swirling emotions, she held them in check.
After all, they’d only reunited for two weeks. Wouldn’t acting prematurely make her seem frivolous or manipulative?
Besides, another major obstacle stood beside him—Eclipse, his unquestionable first place, someone Nature couldn’t even imagine challenging.
But if it were Eclipse…perhaps being third place wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Thus, Nice Nature spent two weeks engaged in fierce internal battles while helping Kitahara complete both the investigation and the rehabilitation of the detained Uma Musume.
Eventually, with the rehabilitation complete, the girls were gradually sent off to various regional Tracen academies based on their evaluations.
With their mission over, Kitahara, Eclipse, and Nature finally returned to the main Tracen campus, intending to resume normal training routines while sorting through the collected information.
Yet, upon his return, Kitahara noticed the atmosphere within the team felt slightly off.
Tokai Teio’s steps seemed heavier during training, and sometimes she couldn’t even finish her honey drink.
Agnes Tachyon stopped avoiding him, instead staring at him and Nature with an enigmatic, sly smile.
Oguri Cap’s usually boundless appetite seemed unusually poor lately. Though her training was steady, she’d visibly slimmed down.
Special Week’s hair growth accelerated again. Barely shoulder-length two weeks ago, now it nearly reached her forearm.
Agnes Digital didn’t change much—though noticing something strange within the team, she was preoccupied with preparing for her upcoming G1 race.
Grass Wonder, meanwhile, watched the unfolding drama with amusement, eyes sparkling as if she wanted to laugh yet also seemed slightly worried, clearly conflicted on whether to speak up.
Kitahara didn’t pay much mind. After all, he’d barely been around for two weeks; slight changes were natural.
Although absent from their day-to-day activities, he fulfilled his trainer duties meticulously, perhaps even more diligently than before. Each time he returned briefly, he carefully adjusted their training plans based on observed conditions, significantly increasing communication and personalized guidance.
He simply wasn’t a constant, idle presence on the field anymore. No more casually watching training sessions while fiddling with his phone, and rarely eating meals together.
Strictly speaking, it was just removing a useless decoration from the training grounds. If anything, his absence might’ve actually boosted the team’s focus.
Given that Agnes Digital was preparing for her G1 debut, Kitahara had consciously taken up extra responsibilities. To further ease the load, he even invited Komata Hajime trainer to substitute a few sessions—also letting her briefly escape Super Creek’s suffocating “maternal affection.”
Strangely though, while Komata Hajime initially seemed excited, she’d left afterward looking strangely frightened, her gaze toward him filled with… sympathy? admiration? fear? Perhaps all three?
Kitahara dismissed it, assuming she was simply dreading her return to Super Creek’s “care.”
“Guinea Pig-kun~”
While he pondered, Agnes Tachyon sidled up beside him unnoticed, wearing the same teasing expression she’d first shown him.
“What’s up?” Kitahara asked warily.
“Did you have fun over there these two weeks?” Her crimson eyes glittered mischievously.
Kitahara gave her a confused glance.
“It was work, not play.”
“Oh, really?” Agnes Tachyon’s gaze flicked toward Nice Nature, who met it with a gentle smile, momentarily freezing Tachyon’s expression.
This wasn’t good—at this rate, her guinea pig would get snatched away…
But what could she do about it? A mad scientist, anti-social weirdo who constantly drugged people—no wonder her guinea pig preferred someone else…
Agnes Tachyon’s fists clenched slightly, then her eyes flicked toward Agnes Digital, prompting an idea.
“Say, Guinea Pig-kun…”
Her smile returned to normal, fists relaxing.
“With Digital busy prepping for her G1 race next week, she won’t be able to take good care of me, so…”
Kitahara instantly replied, “Then I’ll find someone else—”
“Nope! It has to be you.”
She leaned closer, whispering playfully, “Don’t forget, you still owe me several vials of medicine~.”
She wasn’t lying. Aside from the three vials of truth serum, he’d borrowed additional flash vials from her during his work. Naturally, he hadn’t returned the truth serums either; handing those back to her would be practically suicidal.
“So you just want a chance to drug me, huh?”
Agnes Tachyon neither confirmed nor denied, merely humming lightly, “Hm-hmm~.”
Kitahara didn’t bother suggesting he buy the medicine. He knew Tachyon would never sell it, especially something as rare as the truth serum.
Ultimately, despite knowing full well she intended to use him as a test subject, he couldn’t refuse.
Fine, he’d just have to be extra careful—plus, Eclipse would surely be around, so nothing serious should happen…
…Probably.
His confidence waned slightly, remembering some of Eclipse’s past actions.
After finally shaking off Tachyon, Special Week took advantage of a training break to quietly approach him, staring silently with those big purple eyes.
Kitahara initially ignored her, focused on sorting his collected intelligence and sending a comprehensive file to his Uma Musume senpai, finally informing her that he’d arrived at Tracen. He also sent a simplified version of this data to the chairman and Hayakawa.
Not that he distrusted them—but considering a possible leak inside Tracen, he couldn’t risk sending everything.
Once done, Kitahara finally turned to face the increasingly impatient gaze beside him.
“What’s up, Spe-chan?”
Special Week puffed her cheeks in annoyance at his neglect, dramatically turning away.
Kitahara calmly waited—knowing her short memory—until she sheepishly glanced back less than a minute later.
Smiling faintly, he magically produced a carrot juice bottle and handed it to her, instantly dissolving her irritation.
As Special Week happily cradled her juice, she stared at him again, silently demanding head pats.
Kitahara sighed internally. “Not now—later, okay?” He whispered softly.
Special Week nodded obediently, cheerfully returning to her training.
Watching her go, Kitahara pondered deeply.
He’d neglected the team long enough. Maybe a celebration meal was due?
Tokai Teio approached, trying to maintain composure.
“What’s wrong, Trainer-san?”
“Oh, Teio, perfect timing,” he smiled. “I was thinking of celebrating your previous win. Know any affordable places nearby?”
Hearing this, Teio’s earlier doubts vanished completely.
So Trainer-san had been working hard these two weeks just to treat her?
She deliberately ignored the plural pronoun he used, smiling warmly.
“You’re such an idiot, Trainer-san~”
“Sorry?”
“Nothing! In that case, the Invincible Teio-sama will accept~!”
And with that, the strange heaviness she’d felt melted away entirely.
Maybe…things would turn out all right after all.
—
This is a fan translation of 人在特雷森，专职摆烂 by 多功能复读机 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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