Following Grass Wonder's instructions, Shirayuki drank the prepared tea and restricted her diet according to the nutrition table. Her weight was dropping at a visible speed every day. At first, she had thought she had only gained a little softness around her stomach, but when she stood on the scale, it showed an exaggerated number she had never seen before.
Thankfully, she had discovered it in time. Otherwise, she really would have turned into a fat foal!
Looking at the number on the scale, which was already approaching normal, Fujiwara Shirayuki let out a sigh of relief. She took out a towel and wiped her face. The sweat left behind sparkled under the light.
Of course, drinking tea and managing her diet were not enough on their own. The best method was still exercise. Previously, she had mainly trained running and squat jumps. In order to slim down quickly, she had practised sit-ups for several days.
Now, faint lines had already appeared on her stomach. The simple softness from before had gained a healthier beauty. Shirayuki touched her stomach and sighed at how difficult these past few days had been.
"Good work, Shirayuki."
Narita Brian handed her a bottle of water.
"Thanks, Brian-senpai."
She was not training alone. Student Council Vice President Narita Brian was training with her. Although Narita Brian had already moved from the Twinkle Series to the Dream Trophy and only needed to maintain basic physical training each day, she still came to the gym every day for bench presses.
At this moment, Narita Brian was wearing a refreshing training outfit. The outline of her abdominal muscles was clearly visible, much deeper and more defined than Shirayuki's. Even among Uma Musume, this kind of strong physique was extremely rare.
Her strength must have reached a terrifying level.
Shirayuki looked at her with envy.
Seeing Shirayuki staring blankly at her abdomen, Narita Brian smiled. She placed her hand on Shirayuki's head and rubbed it in a rough but not ungentle way.
"If you train like this every day, you can become like me too."
"Yes!"
Judging from Narita Brian's punching strength, Shirayuki conservatively estimated that one punch from her could knock down four adults. Upper-body strength was also part of racing. Strong arm swings could help the body move forward faster. And if a race became too intense and there was an accidental collision, the stronger side would gain the advantage.
"Brian, Shirayuki, are you two still training?"
Seeing the gym lights still on so late, Air Groove came over to check the situation. Then she saw the two of them, both giving off steam from their bodies.
Training seriously was a good thing, but they still had to pay attention to the time. The dormitory curfew was almost here. Any later, and the dorm leader would come to catch them.
"Yes, I'm leaving now. Good night, Air Groove Vice President."
Fujiwara Shirayuki lowered her head and hurriedly left the gym. After she disappeared, Air Groove's expression softened.
"That child really works hard."
Air Groove liked that about her very much. Originally, she had planned to help Shirayuki become an Uma Musume with the bearing of an "Empress." She had seen Shirayuki's persistence toward victory clearly. But later, Air Groove realized that what prevented Shirayuki from becoming an "Empress" was not her actions, but her personality. Shirayuki lacked one fatal thing.
Dignity.
Yes. Shirayuki was far too gentle. She lacked a domineering side. In terms of responsibility and ability, Shirayuki was first-rate. She was a good seedling who had both physical strength and intelligence. But without dignity, she could not support all of that. No matter how correct her words were, they would lack weight.
This was what worried Air Groove.
"Is there any method to make that child more dignified?"
"Hm? What's wrong with Shirayuki?"
"I feel that child is too timid. She gives the impression that she could be pushed over with one hand. How should I describe it? She's like a girl among Uma Musume. If she stays like that, she won't be able to become an 'Empress.'"
"Isn't she fine as she is? I don't think there's any need to change her."
Air Groove narrowed her eyes and looked at Narita Brian beside her.
As expected, Brian did not understand. Shirayuki clearly had the potential to become a powerful Uma Musume while also serving as a guide. She could educate more Uma Musume and train others into existences like herself.
But because of her personality, Shirayuki looked like a soft and adorable girl, as if anyone could go over and pat or spoil her. Even Air Groove herself had wanted to get closer to Shirayuki just now.
For someone meant to be a guide, this aura was too fatal. When she communicated with others, she was not standing in a superior guiding position. If things continued like that, who knew where the conversation would end up?
After the race ended, Air Groove planned to keep Shirayuki beside herself and remodel her a little.
"By the way, Brian, did you use air freshener while training?"
"No."
"I see..."
Air Groove looked at the unknown liquid scattered on the floor, giving off a pleasant fragrance, then shook her head.
"In any case, you should go back soon too. Curfew is almost here."
"I'm leaving now."
Narita Brian noticed the half-finished bottle of water Shirayuki had left behind nearby. After hesitating for a moment, Narita Brian quietly took it with her.
Leaving it here would be a waste. She happened to still be a little thirsty.
Time came to the day of the Shion Stakes. This was Shirayuki's first graded race, a 2,000-metre middle-distance turf race. Aside from her own team, her friends had all come too.
Special Week, Grass Wonder, El Condor Pasa, Tokai Teio, and the others were there. Even Seiun Sky had unusually travelled all the way over to watch her race.
"How is it, Yuki-chan? Are you nervous?"
"It's fine. Just imagine all those people as carrots and vegetables."
"I've always believed in Shirayuki's strength."
"Shirayuki, you're an opponent I, Tokai Teio, personally acknowledged. You absolutely cannot lose!"
How should she put it? It felt a little like what coaches said when a boxer stepped into the ring. Also, why were all of them more nervous than her? Looking at Special Week's flustered expression, someone who did not know better might think she was the one about to race.
"I know. Don't worry. I'm not nervous."
Fujiwara Shirayuki comforted them. Somehow, she had ended up being the one comforting this group instead. Speaking of which, if she won, would she also have to invite them to a celebration banquet?
Suddenly, Shirayuki felt a stab of pain in her heart. Of course, the one in even more pain was Chiya beside her. Other people grew richer the more their runners won, so why was he getting poorer the more they raced?
If she won, probably a third of his savings would have to be used on the banquet.
Unwilling to think about such sorrowful things any longer, Chiya cleared his throat.
"All right, Shirayuki, hurry and go in. Spe-chan, you all come with me to the spectator seats."
Chiya had already investigated this race beforehand. There were fourteen entrants in total: two front-runners, four pace runners, five betweens, and three closers. The distribution was fairly even. There was no position with obviously little competitive pressure, but there was plenty of room to operate on the course.
Nakayama Racecourse had many uphill and downhill sections. On average, there was an uphill or downhill section every three to four hundred metres. That meant rhythm was extremely important in this race.
And rhythm happened to be Shirayuki's strength.
This time, he planned to run the entire race using the advantage of their dual perspective.