As the saying went, a horse would not grow strong without night grass. But if she ate too much, she would put on weight. No wonder Shirayuki had recently felt that her speed would not rise properly. It turned out she had unknowingly gained a little softness.
Body management was also an important part of being an Uma Musume. Under normal circumstances, the three meals provided by the cafeteria were enough to maintain balanced nutrition. But as students, how could they possibly control their cravings? Especially Shirayuki. Her appetite was several times larger than others. Rather, the fact that she had only started gaining weight now was already impressive.
Grass Wonder had a method that could help her lose weight, but the most effective way should still be exercise. However, Shirayuki's training volume was already large enough. If she increased it further, her body would not be able to withstand it.
Fatigue in Uma Musume accumulated. Once it exceeded a certain threshold, the body's condition would collapse rapidly like an avalanche. Because of that, Chiya had always controlled the exercise volume of his Uma Musume carefully. He was also worried about Kurokuma's training style. If Miho Bourbon continued such high-intensity training all the time, her muscles might not be able to endure it. There might even be a risk of bone fractures.
But he could not casually criticize another trainer's methods. Even though Shirayuki had recently been training with Miho Bourbon, at most, she and Miho Bourbon could be called ordinary friends. Compared with Special Week and Grass Wonder, they were still far apart. So she had to be careful with her words. Shirayuki could only keep those worries in her mouth.
Grass Wonder's room was downstairs. It only took a few minutes to walk there.
When Shirayuki knocked on the door, Grass Wonder had already prepared to receive her.
"Good evening, Yuki-chan."
"Mm, good evening... Is El not here?"
Shirayuki looked around but did not see El Condor Pasa.
"As for El, she seems to have left something at school and just went back to look for it. How careless. It was homework due today, yet she forgot to bring it back. I wonder whether she'll be able to find it."
Grass Wonder smiled as she spoke.
"I see."
In other words, the only people in the room were Shirayuki and Grass Wonder.
The two knelt on the floor and drank tea. After a short while, Grass Wonder began speaking about the main topic.
"My family has a tea blend that can promote fat metabolism."
"Is it like weight-loss tea?"
"It's different from the ones sold on the market. Different people need different blends, and I know what amount is best to mix. Before that, I need to check how much weight Yuki-chan has gained."
As she spoke, Grass Wonder moved closer.
"Can you tell that just by looking?"
"Of course not by looking. I need to check by touch. It might feel a little ticklish, so Yuki-chan needs to endure it."
Grass Wonder placed her hand lightly against Shirayuki's abdomen through her clothes, gently pressing and checking the area. The cool touch of her rounded fingertips made Shirayuki shiver.
"Yuki-chan really has gained a little compared with before. Running must feel heavier now."
"It isn't exactly very heavy, but it's definitely better to keep my weight around the middle range."
"I think so too. The feeling when I held Shirayuki before was just right."
"Before? Ah, that time. I really caused you trouble, Grass Wonder. This time too. I feel like I'm always troubling you."
"How could that be? Yuki-chan's matters are my matters. Besides, I've received plenty in return from Yuki-chan."
"Mm?"
Grass Wonder only smiled without explaining. Her hand gently moved across Shirayuki's stomach, checking the firmness and shape, and the unusual sensation made Shirayuki let out a strange sound.
"What's wrong, Yuki-chan? Your face is red."
"Grass Wonder, don't touch strange places."
"Could it be that Yuki-chan is very ticklish around here?"
"No... it's just that no one has ever touched me there before..."
"Ah~"
Grass Wonder's brows curved.
"How cute, Yuki-chan."
"A-All right, Grass Wonder, you've finished checking, right?"
Shirayuki felt that her body had started to warm up.
"It's done. Go take a bath, Yuki-chan."
"I need to bathe too?"
"Of course. Bathing can promote blood circulation. The tea I prepare for you later will also work better."
"I see. I'll go back and wash."
"No need. You can do it here."
"But then I'd be borrowing your bath."
"What does that matter, Yuki-chan? Forget the bath. I wouldn't even mind lending you my bed."
"I-Is that so... If Grass Wonder doesn't mind."
Shirayuki took off her clothes and accepted the bath towel Grass Wonder handed her. For some reason, Grass Wonder's sky-blue eyes shone slightly. They looked a little like the gaze Rice Shower had shown last night. Fujiwara Shirayuki shook her head and dismissed that strange association.
The bathroom was very clean. It was clear that it was carefully cleaned every day. Shirayuki filled the tub with hot water and lay down inside.
Just as she was relaxing in the bath, there was a soft click, and the bathroom door suddenly opened. Grass Wonder, wrapped in a bath towel, walked in.
What!? I clearly locked it. How did she open it?
Grass Wonder tossed aside the hard card she had used to open the door.
"Yuki-chan, I came to bathe with you."
"You too? Wait, Grass Wonder, I'll be done soon."
"It's fine. We can bathe together. It's not as if this is the first time."
Grass Wonder smiled warmly.
Inside the narrow bathtub, Shirayuki sat in front while Grass Wonder settled behind her. Shirayuki rested lightly against her, and the close contact made the warmth of the bath feel even more obvious.
What should I do? Being this close makes everything feel way too clear.
The warmth from another person's body passed through the water, making Shirayuki feel strangely restless. Grass Wonder's arm was also resting near Shirayuki's front. Her smooth arm brushed against the girl's cheek, and Shirayuki smelled the faint milky fragrance from Grass Wonder's body.
She had thought she was already used to seeing girls' bodies, but being this close still made her feel a little unable to calm down.
"Is the water temperature all right?"
"...Mm."
"That's good."
Grass Wonder's tone was gentle.
"By the way, Yuki-chan, your race is coming soon, right? Is there anything I can help with?"
"Grass Wonder is already helping me."
"Hehe~ Does just bathing together count as helping?"
"It helps my mood."
"Yuki-chan..."
How can you be this cute?
Grass Wonder almost felt like hugging her tightly right there. Shirayuki was far too easy to care for, too easy to spoil. Was this child created by the Three Goddesses to tempt every Uma Musume around her? Why was she this charming?
"Grass Wonder? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Very fine. Oh, right. Let me help Yuki-chan massage a little. Your shoulders seem stiff. If I rub them, your body should warm up faster too."
"Oh, then I'll leave it to you."
Grass Wonder reached out and began massaging Shirayuki's shoulders. Her strength was gentle, stimulating the right places without hurting. Soaking in the bath while receiving a massage felt unbelievably comfortable. Shirayuki clearly felt the fatigue accumulated in her body gradually flowing away, and her body softened little by little.
Doing this occasionally felt pretty nice.
When Shirayuki had fully relaxed, Grass Wonder released her hands and asked,
"How is it, Yuki-chan? Do you feel lighter now?"
She really did feel much better. Shirayuki even had the urge to stay like this for a while longer.
But wait.
Wasn't this not the original reason she had come here?