"Fujiwara Shirayuki, what are you doing?"
The cool voice sent a chill down Shirayuki's spine. She turned around abruptly and saw one of the highest authority at Tracen.
Not in a physical sense, but in status.
The student council vice president, Air Groove.
Her sharp, short black hair fluttered in the wind, and her piercing blue-violet eyes fixed on Shirayuki.
"Vice President Air Groove? What are you doing here?"
"I'm doing my daily inspection. More importantly, what are you doing in the flower bed?" She looked at the mess Shirayuki had made. "Why are you tearing everything apart?"
"I'm pulling weeds."
"Weeds? Are you on duty today?"
"No… you could say it's volunteer work."
Seeing Shirayuki's nervous expression, Air Groove's stern face softened slightly.
From the looks of it, she genuinely did not know what she had done. And volunteer work was something few students did these days.
"What you pulled aren't weeds." Air Groove crouched beside her and began explaining, her explanation almost identical to Nishino Flower's.
As expected of the "Empress." She really knew her stuff.
It was said that there were two true authorities in the student council. One was Symboli Rudolf, and the other was Air Groove. Besides managing Tracen's affairs, she personally conducted inspections and helped Uma Musume solve problems, earning immense respect.
When students ran into trouble, many turned to her before even considering a trainer.
If she stepped in, the problem was as good as solved.
"Shirayuki, are you even listening?"
"Huh?"
"Don't zone out." Air Groove sighed. "If you can't tell flowers from weeds, you can't do this job. Two-thirds of what you pulled were flowers. If I hadn't come, you would have stripped the whole bed bare. And stop staring at me. What is there to look at?"
"Sorry." Shirayuki quickly replied. "I was just thinking about something."
"Thinking?"
"Yes. I was thinking about how to become someone as capable as you, Vice President."
"What do you mean?"
"The kind of person who's good at guiding others, respected by students, and handles everything with ease."
"I'm just doing my duty."
"But that's exactly what I need!" Shirayuki said. "I want to show people that I'm reliable, someone they can depend on. But I always end up being the one who needs to be corrected…"
"I get carried away, mess things up, and tell pointless lies just to save face. I'm getting further and further from the person I want to be."
Watching Shirayuki criticize herself nonstop, Air Groove's gaze flickered.
"You just transferred to Tracen not long ago, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"And yet you're already thinking about things like this."
"I transferred here with a clear purpose."
Hearing that, Air Groove raised an eyebrow.
"Let me guess. That purpose involves guiding others, earning respect, and serving other Uma Musume."
"Exactly."
"Why?"
"No reason. I just want to."
Those clear blue eyes reflected Air Groove's face.
Students who genuinely wanted to help others were rare. As someone known as the Empress, Air Groove understood that feeling. Guiding someone lost onto the right path brought a satisfaction no less than winning a race.
"I can give you a way to become someone people admire. What you call a 'capable Uma Musume.'"
"What is it?"
Air Groove pulled out a form and handed it to Shirayuki.
"This is a student council recruitment form. We aren't short on members this year, so it hasn't been distributed. But if you can help twenty students within two months and have them sign this with a recommendation, I'll make an exception and let you join."
"The student council…"
"Yes. There, you can learn everything you're looking for. How to guide others, how to communicate, the problems Uma Musume face daily. Everything."
Looking at the twenty empty slots for names and recommendations, Shirayuki hesitated.
"Well? Can you do it?"
"Two months, twenty students… that means helping one person every three days."
That sounded difficult.
"It doesn't have to be anything complicated. Even something as simple as helping them carry trash is fine, as long as they're willing to sign."
That lowered the difficulty significantly.
Still, twenty people was no small number.
After thinking it over, Shirayuki accepted.
"Understood. I'll work hard to become a member of the student council."
"If you run into trouble, come find me."
"Yes."
Shirayuki watched her leave.
Weeding continued until dinner. Fujiwara Chiya finally dropped onto the ground, exhausted.
"My back…"
Compared to Uma Musume, his physique was honestly embarrassing. Nishino Flower beside him wasn't even sweating, Shirayuki was still full of energy, and only he was gasping for breath.
The difference between humans and Uma Musume struck him once again.
"I'm done. I need a break."
He lay down on the grass in the middle of the flower bed.
"Trainer Chiya, already tired?"
"Yeah. Humans are fragile creatures. A little exercise and we're already sore."
"I think you should train more."
"You're right, but no matter how much I train, I'll never be like an Uma Musume. Back in high school, I arm-wrestled an eight-year-old and lost. Their bodies are just on another level."
"You don't have to compare yourself to Uma Musume…"
After thinking for a moment, Nishino Flower sat beside him and gently patted her lap.
"If you don't mind, you can rest here."
"Huh?" Chiya turned over and looked at her soft, pale thighs.
"Think of it as a reward. Someone who takes such good care of flowers deserves it," she said with a gentle smile.
Wait. A lap pillow as a reward?
Chiya's eyes lit up instantly.
"Then I won't hold back…"
"Oh, what a nice pillow over here."
A lazy voice drifted in as a green-haired figure flopped down onto Nishino Flower's lap.
Chiya stared.
"Seiun Sky…"
"Hmm? Oh, Trainer Chiya. What are you doing here?" she lazily opened one eye.
"That's my question. When did you get here? And you stole my spot!"
"I was just taking a walk after eating."
Seiun Sky yawned.
"As for spots… are you really the kind of person who wouldn't lie on someone's lap? How about mine? Freshly trained, soft and comfy. Buy one get one free."
"You think I'd just lie down on any lap?"
"I think you would."
"…Yeah, you're right."
Chiya rolled over and rested his head on Seiun Sky's lap.
It felt like being wrapped in soft, warm cotton with a faint pleasant scent. Comfortable enough to make you forget everything.
"Well, Trainer Chiya? I'm pretty confident in my lap."
"It's… not bad."
"Hehe, thank you for your patronage~"