After sleeping, Shirayuki's mood improved quite a bit. When she woke up, she found herself in Mejiro Dober's arms, and a wave of satisfaction rose in her heart.
The feeling of being cared for was really nice.
Ever since she entered high school, she had never been comforted like this again.
Especially since Mejiro Dober's embrace carried a very pleasant scent. It was a little like orchids, but much lighter. Shirayuki could not describe the exact fragrance, but smelling it made her feel refreshed and calm.
Rubbing her eyes, Shirayuki thought back to what had happened last night.
Just what kind of Uma Musume was Hayakawa Tazuna?
With Shirayuki's current strength, even Narita Brian and Air Groove might not be able to lead her by that much. Yet Tazuna was even stronger than them.
Shirayuki felt that she might need to learn a little more about her. Thinking carefully, aside from knowing that Tazuna was the Director's secretary, she basically knew nothing else about her. What had Tazuna done in the past? Where had she raced? Who had trained her? These were at least things Shirayuki should know.
When there was time, she would have to ask Tazuna directly.
While thinking about this, Shirayuki sat up. Because of the movement, Mejiro Dober opened her eyes. Seeing the white-haired girl beside her, as beautiful as a fairy, she instinctively reached out.
"Shirayuki, did you sleep well last night?"
Her fingertips touched Shirayuki's thigh, feeling the soft and smooth texture as she spoke.
"I feel like I've been healed. Especially since the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Dober-oneechan's sleeping face. It made me feel really good."
What an incredibly obedient child.
"Then let's always sleep together from now on."
"Always?"
Wouldn't that be bad...?
Last night, she had been so thoroughly defeated by Tazuna that she felt a little depressed, and she had not been in the mood to think about anything else. That was why she had lain down with Mejiro Dober. Under normal circumstances, she was not that much of a saint. If a girl who clearly had feelings for her slept beside her, how could she not end up thinking about doing something?
If it were Spe-chan or Sky, Shirayuki could still maintain a pure friendship.
But Mejiro Dober had personally said that she wanted to go one step further with her. In that case, Shirayuki could not guarantee that her mind would not produce terrible thoughts.
She was the carnivorous type who would go along with an invitation.
"Let's only sleep together occasionally," Shirayuki said quietly.
She did not want every night to feel like endurance training. Her own body was still fine, but Chiya's side would not be able to withstand it. An Uma Musume's recovery ability was far stronger than a human's.
"Occasionally... All right."
Mejiro Dober moved closer and lay down on Shirayuki's thigh. Her smooth hair slid along Shirayuki's skin and spread across the bedding. It felt as though Mejiro Dober's ice-cold beauty image was gradually melting, becoming softer and more spoiled.
"I'll comb your hair for you, Dober-oneechan."
During class, Shirayuki sat in the classroom. She picked up a book and held it in front of her face, then began doing little movements beneath it.
Of course, she was not secretly playing on her phone. She was making up for the work she had not finished last night.
Agnes Tachyon and Mejiro Dober's races were next month, while Matikanefukukitaru's was at the end of the year. Their race distances were basically mile and middle-distance races. However, Mejiro Dober's races were a little troublesome. If Mejiro Dober wanted to go for the Triple Tiara, there were several important races she had to enter. That meant Shirayuki would inevitably have to compete against her.
Some races could not be avoided.
Fujiwara Shirayuki sighed. Mejiro Dober wanted to win so she would not shame the Mejiro family name, and Shirayuki herself did not want to experience defeat again. The feeling of being left behind by someone was one of the most painful things Shirayuki had ever experienced.
Forget Mejiro Dober. Even if her own mother came, Shirayuki would not want to let her run ahead of her. This was the stubbornness of being an Uma Musume. The guts in her heart had already decided that she could never go easy on anyone in a race.
"Shirayuki-san, what are you doing?"
Just as Shirayuki was filling in the training plan, the teacher walked over, pulled away the book blocking the desk, and picked up the plan in her hand.
"Not listening properly in class and secretly playing with... Hm? Training?"
The teacher frowned and looked at the unfinished schedule.
"Are you pretending to be a trainer here?"
What do you mean pretending? I am a trainer.
Of course, her current identity was an Uma Musume. But what a trainer needed was knowledge. She had that knowledge now. If she wanted to, she could go to Central and take the license exam at any time.
"In any case, listen properly. Even if you are first in class, you still cannot get distracted."
"Yes."
Shirayuki answered with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
The teacher returned the training plan to her.
How annoying. Back when I was in school, teachers were afraid the top student in class would catch a cold if he slept. Listening to these lessons is such a waste of time. The only part of school life that doesn't belong in campus life is class itself.
Seeing Special Week beside her looking worried, Shirayuki waved her hand to show that she was fine. Special Week nodded, then lay on the desk and secretly stuffed a carrot into her mouth.
Her mouth chewed like a rabbit.
"What's that sound? Who is eating in class?"
With a gulp, Special Week swallowed it directly.
For the sake of eating, Spe-chan really worked hard.
Now I'm getting a little hungry too.
Shirayuki rubbed her stomach. As she rubbed it, she suddenly noticed something and slowly pinched her belly a few times.
No... impossible...
Feeling the texture under her hand, Shirayuki's heart skipped half a beat.
She had actually... gained weight.
...
"This is unavoidable. Who told you to eat that much every day?"
Mejiro McQueen folded her arms and spoke as though it were obvious.
"If you have no self-control, this is what happens. You should learn from me. I strictly control my diet every day, so my figure is very good."
As she spoke, Mejiro McQueen proudly puffed out her chest and showed off her slender waist.
Really?
Shirayuki had seen her at nearby dessert shops plenty of times.
"W-What's with that look? If you don't believe me, do you want to touch?"
Mejiro McQueen turned her head away and spoke quietly.
"Then I'll touch."
Shirayuki did not hold back. Her hand touched Mejiro McQueen's abdomen, then wrapped around her waist. Mejiro McQueen's eyes widened, and a soft sound escaped her mouth. Her gaze shook nervously for a moment before she forced herself to remain calm.
"How is it? Isn't it wonderful?"
"It's all right. It has a slightly soft feeling."
"What!? I am a perfect young lady. How could there be a 'soft' feeling! Do not give false reports just because you have gained weight yourself. Experience it properly again!"
Hearing Shirayuki's words, Mejiro McQueen became flustered.
"All right, all right, that's enough."
Grass Wonder stepped between the two of them. As always, her face wore a smile that made it impossible to read what she was thinking.
"My family has a special weight-loss method. If Yuki-chan wants to know, you can come to my dorm room."
"Really?"
"Eh, there's something like that?"
Shirayuki and Mejiro McQueen spoke at the same time. The two looked at each other, and Mejiro McQueen awkwardly coughed.
"I am merely somewhat curious."
"How about it, Yuki-chan? Come over tonight."
"Then I'll be intruding."
"Yuki-chan is coming over to play tonight!"
"It has nothing to do with you, El."