In the infirmary, Chiya sat on a chair, applying ointment to Rice Shower's calf.
"Does it hurt?"
"I'm okay." Rice nodded firmly.
Yesterday's overexertion had caused temporary muscle weakness in her legs. Based on Chiya's estimation, she should have recovered after a day, but that seemed a bit too optimistic. Even now, she would occasionally feel her legs give out while walking.
Like just now on the stairs, when the leg supporting her suddenly lost strength, causing her to fall.
Thankfully, she hadn't hit anything serious.
"I'm sorry, Rice Shower. I should have reminded you more."
Looking at the bandage wrapped around her pale leg, Chiya lowered his head in apology.
"It's not Onii-sama's fault! It was Rice… Rice being careless…"
She hurried to explain. She didn't want him taking all the blame onto himself.
"For today's training, let's reduce the intensity a bit."
"No, Rice can do it! Rice can follow Onii-sama's plan and keep training."
For once, Rice refused his suggestion.
"Rice will become a strong Uma Musume. I'll become someone Onii-sama can rely on. No matter what kind of opponent, Rice won't lose! So Onii-sama, please keep training Rice. Rice… Rice won't hold you back."
She clenched her fists, making her promise.
Such a good girl.
Serious, hardworking, diligent, and cute. The ideal Uma Musume.
And because of that, Chiya was even more worried she might push herself too far.
Just like yesterday's race. In her attempt to take first place, she had pushed her body to the brink. But it was only a mock race. Winning was nice, losing didn't matter. To him, it was just a test. Even losing to Happy Meek only made him reflect.
Before their debut races, all their matches were trials and errors, building experience for future growth. What they learned during the race mattered more than winning.
Chiya didn't want them getting injured before their real races.
Especially Rice Shower.
He still remembered casually suggesting she work on her flexibility. She ended up going to the gym every night until he noticed her condition worsening and asked what was wrong.
Overdoing things would backfire. Everything needed balance.
But Rice Shower treated his words like absolute orders.
Looking at the small girl earnestly making her promise, Chiya gently patted her head.
"Alright. Then we'll stick to the original plan, but with longer breaks in between."
"Yes!" Rice nodded eagerly, then glanced around shyly.
"Onii-sama… could you massage Rice's leg?"
"Your leg?"
"If it's too much trouble, then it's okay! Rice just saw… last time, after Shirayuki's race, Onii-sama helped her relax with a massage…"
She was referring to the selection race.
Back then, she had envied Shirayuki deeply. She had never received such care. Whenever she had the chance to ask Chiya for something, she always used it to serve him instead.
To her, his comfort mattered more than her own.
Her eyes darted nervously between him and the bed, afraid her request might upset him.
"Got it."
His answer made her heart race.
"Massage helps you recover faster and adjust your condition. I should have done it last night, but I completely forgot. That was careless of me."
Chiya placed her leg gently on his lap, his fingers moving carefully over her soft skin.
Following what he learned from the trainer's handbook, he pressed and kneaded the areas where her muscles were fatigued.
Onii-sama… Onii-sama is touching Rice…
Feeling the warmth of his hands, Rice curled her toes. It felt like a dream. She liked his scent, liked touching him, and liked being touched by him.
Whether it was her head or anywhere else.
To her, Onii-sama was everything.
"How is it? Does it feel okay?"
"Yes… Rice feels… really good."
"I see."
Chiya continued massaging her smooth, soft calf, being careful around the injured area.
"Onii-sama… my foot too, please…"
To be like Shirayuki, she bent down and removed her sock, revealing her delicate toes.
"Here too?"
"Yes… Rice wants that too."
After losing the race, she craved his attention more than ever. Maybe it was fear. She didn't want him to distance himself from her because of it.
Right now, the only person she could rely on was Onii-sama. If Onii-sama abandoned her, her whole world would collapse.
Chiya's broad hand gently held her foot, kneading it.
Unlike Shirayuki's firm flexibility, Rice's foot was soft like a baby's, almost melting in his hand.
And…
Chiya sniffed slightly.
There was no unpleasant smell. Instead, it carried a faint milky sweetness, as if she soaked her feet in milk every night.
"S-so embarrassing… Onii-sama…"
Seeing him like that, Rice covered her face, her flushed cheeks visible between her fingers.
"Sorry." Chiya coughed awkwardly.
Any trainer would naturally pay attention to an Uma Musume's feet.
"Rice… doesn't dislike it when Onii-sama does that." She peeked through her fingers. "If Onii-sama likes it, you can do as you wish. Rice… won't cause Onii-sama trouble…"
Trouble. She was always worried about that.
But Chiya didn't mind being troubled. Being needed gave him a sense of purpose. As a trainer, being relied on meant trust, and he liked that.
"You're not causing trouble at all," he said. "If anything, I hope Rice can be a little more selfish sometimes."
"It shouldn't be Rice worrying about Onii-sama. Rice should be the one worrying about you. There are so many things Rice wants to do for you, but Rice isn't very smart… and Rice is afraid of making mistakes and being disliked."
"Rice would never dislike Onii-sama!"
"Yeah, but this way, I feel like I'll keep owing you more and more. If possible, can you tell me what I can do for you?"
Looking into his gentle eyes, Rice bit her lip.
"Can… can Rice make a selfish request?"
"Of course."
"Onii-sama won't hate Rice?"
"Of course not."
"Then… can Rice be a little closer to Onii-sama…?"
"Of course you can."
She sat up and hugged him.
"Then tonight… Rice wants to sleep with Onii-sama."
"…Wait, what?"