"Wait, Shirayuki actually applied for that job?"
Inside the locker room, a purple-haired, violet-eyed girl with an elegant, refined aura looked surprised.
Mejiro McQueen.
From the name alone, it was obvious she was also from the Mejiro family. Unlike Mejiro Dober, her personality was completely different. She was composed, graceful, and carried herself with poise, truly worthy of the Mejiro name.
"I honestly thought no one would even notice that job listing… what a coincidence that it ended up being you, Shirayuki."
Not only had she accepted the strict conditions, but she was also even Dober's roommate.
"Wait, Shirayuki already has a job?" Special Week's voice came from nearby.
"It's work from our family," McQueen replied. "Dober doesn't have many friends. If Shirayuki can help her, that would be wonderful. We've tried taking her out before, but she always refused. By the way…"
McQueen looked at Shirayuki.
"You've had your eyes closed this whole time, haven't you?"
"Yeah, I noticed too," Special Week nodded. "Did something get in your eye?"
"Oh dear, you shouldn't force it. You might hurt your eye."
"Want me to blow on it for you?" Special Week offered eagerly.
"No, no, that's not it." In complete darkness, Shirayuki shook her head. "I'm afraid that if I open my eyes, I'll see something I really shouldn't."
"Something you shouldn't?" Special Week sounded confused.
"What could possibly be that bad?"
"…It's hard to explain."
She was currently in the girls' locker room, surrounded by Uma Musume changing clothes. To be honest, before training, they actually smelled really nice, various faint fragrances blending together, making Shirayuki feel a little lightheaded.
Even if her body was that of a girl, her mind was still very much a man. This kind of situation felt like putting a full-course meal in front of someone who hadn't eaten in days, it was unbearable.
Especially after what happened last night.
When she poked her head out, she accidentally saw Mejiro Dober changing clothes. Standing in front of the mirror, Dober compared her chest, then changed into a different bra.
Shirayuki saw everything.
Everything she should have seen and everything she definitely shouldn't have.
I just wanted to become a proper trainer… so why is my brain full of this kind of stuff now?
Shirayuki felt utterly disgusted with herself.
As the rustling sounds of changing continued around her, her body started heating up.
Maybe I should just go to the bathroom and deal with this…
There was no way she could calm down like this. Too many distracting thoughts.
"Oh? Shirayuki, I have something for you," McQueen suddenly said, as if she had just remembered.
"Hm?"
Instinctively, Shirayuki turned her head and opened her eyes,
and immediately witnessed something she would never forget.
The room was filled with Uma Musume in their underwear. Their bodies, honed by constant training, had not an ounce of excess fat. Smooth skin, long legs, it was overwhelming.
Especially McQueen, standing right in front of her.
A purple lace set hugged her well-defined figure, radiating an intense allure.
"I was going to say, it's a… hm?" McQueen suddenly paused. A thin red line was running down from Shirayuki's nose.
"Sh-Shirayuki, you're bleeding!?"
"Ah…" Shirayuki touched her nose.
Crap. That was too much stimulation, her brain had overloaded.
"Does anyone have tissues? Shirayuki's got a nosebleed!" McQueen called out in a panic.
"Shirayuki?"
"Tissues, tissues…"
"I don't think I have any…"
In an instant, several pale figures moved closer.
Don't, don't get any closer!
Shirayuki stumbled backward, her mind already spiraling into dangerous territory.
"I have some."
At that moment, a pink-haired girl raised her hand. She pushed through the crowd and handed Shirayuki some tissues.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." The girl smiled slightly. "Actually, Shirayuki… I think the same way you do."
"The… same?"
"It's not something we can talk about here. I'll come find you later."
She gave Shirayuki a thumbs-up.
Not really understanding, Shirayuki returned the gesture. Immediately, the girl looked like she had just found a comrade in arms.
…Who even is she?
"Are you okay, Shirayuki?" McQueen asked.
"I get nosebleeds sometimes. I'm used to it."
After wiping the blood away, Shirayuki placed a hand over her chest and took a few deep breaths. Once her heartbeat settled, she asked,
"McQueen, what was it you wanted to give me?"
"This."
McQueen took out a cat-ear headband from her locker and placed it in Shirayuki's hands.
"It's one of Dober's favorites. She has no resistance to cute things."
"…You're not expecting me to wear this, are you?"
"If possible."
From McQueen's perspective, Shirayuki's porcelain-like face and snow-white hair matched it perfectly. Dober's biggest issue was that she resisted others. If Shirayuki could make herself likable, communication would become much easier.
"…Alright, I'll try it."
Shirayuki bent her ears down into a floppy, rabbit-like shape, then put on the headband.
"How is it?" she asked.
"T-too cute!"
Special Week popped up, eyes sparkling.
"You look like a cat, Shirayuki!"
Her soft, fluffy hair paired with those blue eyes made it almost impossible not to reach out and pet her.
"McQueen, what do you think?"
McQueen stared blankly for a moment, then quickly looked away.
How can something this cute even exist…
With the headband on, Shirayuki had gone from Uma Musume to full-on catgirl mode. And humans naturally loved catgirls, Uma Musume were no exception.
"I think… Dober probably won't hate it."
Looks like it would work.
"Oh? How did our lovely swan turn into a white cat?"
A theatrical voice rang out.
It was T.M. Opera O, freshly changed into her training outfit.
"Not bad. Compared to the elegance of a swan, the charm of a white cat suits you even more," she declared, placing a hand over her chest like she was reciting poetry.
"Our previous gathering was interrupted, so tonight, I would like to dance with you, my dear lady."
Looking at her beautiful yet slightly androgynous face, Shirayuki asked,
"Opera O, do you have a trainer?"
"Of course," she replied proudly. "I, the magnificent queen, was recognized in my very first mock race and invited into a team."
"Then it's not happening. I'll have to decline."
Opera O looked completely shocked.
"To think someone would reject my invitation, not once, but twice! And so decisively, even refreshingly so! Hahaha!"
She placed her hands on her hips and laughed loudly.
"But if you ever change your mind, my doors will always remain open to you. You will be welcomed at any time."
Shirayuki smiled.
"I'll still have to decline."