"What a nimble form, what a powerful body. This match is mine to concede. White kitten… no, White Wolf."
T.M. Opera O held her forehead, yet showed none of a loser's frustration. As always, she stood tall and proud before Shirayuki.
"The great ruler who once commanded the battlefield trapped a fearsome beast with strategy, only to see it break free and hunt her down. In the end, she was struck down at the gates of her own castle. What a tragic yet magnificent tale. One worthy of being sung for generations."
She hugged herself, savoring the moment.
"From this day on, White Wolf, you are my destined rival. Let us see whether this world will be ruled by the Emperor, or swept away by the White Wolf. Ah, just imagining it is thrilling. Hahaha!"
With a ringing laugh, Opera O turned and left.
Watching her go, Shirayuki shifted her weight slightly.
She had won, yet it didn't feel like a victory.
There were no cheers, no celebration, no rewards waiting at the finish. Only her close friends had reacted. The rest of the field had already moved on.
If there was any real benefit, it was that she would no longer have to suffer as an unlucky event committee member in two days.
That alone was enough.
For now, though…
Shirayuki quietly found a secluded spot and took off her shoes.
"Hot…"
Her soles felt like they were burning.
The sudden changes in direction had put enormous strain on her feet. That abrupt stop alone had forced all the impact into her left leg, followed immediately by another explosive push.
Even for an Uma Musume, it was pushing the limit.
When she removed her shoes, her socks were completely soaked. Through the thin fabric, her toes showed faintly, flushed and warm, as heat rose from her skin.
"…That's better."
A cool breeze brushed against her soles, and she let out a small, relieved sigh.
At that moment, Chiya came running over.
Without a word, he crouched down and gently took her foot into his hands.
"Let me help a bit."
The warmth lingered, and even after the fatigue eased slightly, the dull ache remained. Shirayuki didn't refuse.
Chiya pressed lightly along her sole, searching for the most strained areas.
"…Your feet are softer than I expected," he muttered.
Compared to humans, an Uma Musume's feet were smaller, about the size of an adult man's hand. Shirayuki's fit neatly in his palm. The skin was smooth, almost unnaturally so, as if it had never touched rough ground.
"…Like an artwork," he thought.
Then he paused.
"…Though…"
He quickly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped between her toes with a slightly complicated expression.
"Ah!" Shirayuki flinched at the sudden touch.
At the same time, another voice rang out.
"Ah!"
Both of them turned.
Mejiro Dober stood there, frozen.
"…You again?"
Chiya felt a headache coming on.
"Wait, this isn't what it looks like."
"I… I know!" Dober immediately turned away. "You're just… treating her feet. I saw how she ran earlier. That must have put a lot of strain on them, so I came to check if she was okay…"
"…So you understand."
Chiya nodded and continued pressing gently into Shirayuki's sole.
"It's just fatigue. Nothing serious."
"…I see."
Dober hesitated, then glanced back for a moment. Watching Shirayuki's toes twitch slightly with each press made her cheeks heat up for some reason.
"Chiya… Trainer."
"Hmm?"
"…About what I said before. I think I misunderstood you."
"Before?" Chiya blinked.
"When we first met. I… wanted to apologize."
"…Ah, that."
Chiya gave a small shrug.
"I'd already forgotten. Honestly, knowing Shirayuki has a senpai like you is reassuring. You pushed through your fear to help her. That says a lot."
"…I'm the one who's always being helped…"
Dober exhaled softly, as if something had finally been lifted off her shoulders.
"If she's alright, I'll be going," she said, brushing off her skirt. Then she paused and looked back. "Tomorrow's test… I'll be aiming for first place too."
"Good. I'm looking forward to it."
They held eye contact for a moment.
Then Dober suddenly covered her face and ran off.
"…Still can't handle it…"
Chiya blinked, slightly confused.
Once the soreness in Shirayuki's feet eased, he helped her put her damp socks back on.
"…These are completely soaked…"
He sighed quietly.
After finishing, he turned his attention back to the track.
Just in time to see Gold Ship running.
Or rather… barely running.
She jogged casually in the middle of the pack, looking completely relaxed.
"…You're slacking during the test?! At least try!"
Chiya couldn't hold it in anymore.
She crossed the finish line right in the middle.
"Easy," Gold Ship said, hopping over the rail and landing beside him. "Did you witness my breathtaking performance, Trainer?"
"Sorry, must've missed it. Mind doing it again?"
Chiya calmly wiped his still-damp hands with his handkerchief.
Right after Gold Ship, it was Rice Shower's turn.
She stepped onto the track, her expression firm.
"For Onii-sama… this race… Rice Shower will win!"