This was Shirayuki's first graded race victory. Bathed in the applause of the audience, Shirayuki felt light and floating inside, with a dreamlike sense of exhilaration.
After the race ended, Chiya held a grand celebration banquet and invited everyone to a yakiniku restaurant.
"Thank you for going through the trouble, Trainer Chiya. You even invited us along." Grass Wonder lowered her head and thanked Fujiwara Chiya.
"It's fine, it's fine. You're all Shirayuki's friends, and that child is usually in your care too." Fujiwara Chiya smiled. From a trainer's perspective, Grass Wonder really was a polite and well-behaved child. "Spe-chan, do you want anything else?"
"Trainer Chiya... um, I'd like some more carrots." Special Week's voice was a little reserved. After all, she was also somewhat embarrassed about eating too much in front of Shirayuki's cousin.
"Trainer, Sei-chan wants a drink." Seiun Sky walked over and spoke without the slightest hesitation.
"One thousand yen per bottle."
"That's expensive. Can I pay with my body?"
"Hmm?? It's not that I—"
"What are you thinking, Trainer? Sei-chan would only let you lie down and have a good sleep. Or were you thinking of doing something improper to Sei-chan?" With a teasing expression on her face, Seiun Sky waved her hand and laughed.
You little Seiun Sky, how dare you deceive my feelings!
Fujiwara Chiya picked up a plate and lightly tapped her on the head. "Take these over. I'll ask the staff to bring you a drink later."
"Trainer Chiya, you're so generous. Both the older brother and the younger sister are equally wonderful."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Sei-chan welcomes both of you, you know. Then I'll leave it to you, Trainer."
With that, Seiun Sky swayed her tail and left. Fujiwara Chiya looked at the two full tables of Uma Musume. It really was lively. In a way, this could also be considered repayment for how Kiryuin and Fumino usually took care of him. He could just think of it as helping the two of them raise Uma Musume.
Fujiwara Chiya looked at the table full of ingredients and could not help feeling pain in his wallet. Even the joy of victory was reduced by a lot. The others were still fine. They would get full after eating some. The real problem was that one!
At the table, Shirayuki swallowed an entire piece of beef, then immediately started eating roast chicken. Grass Wonder, beside her, wanted to feed her but could not find the chance. Shirayuki was eating far too quickly.
She had been controlling her diet these past few days, so Shirayuki had long since become unbearably hungry. Now that she finally had a chance to indulge after the race, Shirayuki went completely wild. The one going wild with her was Special Week beside her, whose appetite did not lose to Shirayuki's in the slightest.
My funds are mainly being sunk into these two...
I can't afford this. I really can't afford this. Once Shirayuki opened her mouth, she could not stop. Her intense appetite even made Chiya uncontrollably keep ordering dishes, buying plate after plate of meat.
"Yuki-chan... the weight you finally lost is probably going to come back after this."
"It's fine. As long as I have Grass Wonder's tea and train diligently, it'll be all right." Shirayuki spoke without caring at all.
"Trainer, why aren't you eating?" Gold Ship saw Fujiwara Chiya sitting dryly at the table and asked.
"Me? I want to save my limited funds as much as possible. You all eat. You're still growing. Eating more will make you stronger."
"In that case, Trainer can eat my portion." Grass Wonder smiled as she spoke. "I'll feed Trainer."
She cut a piece of steak and brought it to Fujiwara Chiya's mouth. He froze for a moment, then opened his mouth.
"Hehe, the way Trainer Chiya eats is very similar to Yuki-chan." Grass Wonder overlapped the two of them in her mind.
"After all, she's my younger sister."
"Indeed. You siblings are very similar."
"Ah!" Rice Shower suddenly let out a sound. Seeing Grass Wonder speaking so intimately with Chiya, she leaned closer to Fujiwara Chiya. "Onii-sama, Rice will feed Onii-sama too!"
"Thanks, Rice Shower."
"Hehe~"
The banquet continued until late into the night. Everyone patted their overstuffed stomachs. Fujiwara Chiya took out a stack of bills he had just withdrawn from the bank and handed it to the smiling restaurant owner.
"Um... Trainer Chiya, I think I ate too much." After it ended, Special Week scratched her head and came to him. She had originally wanted to restrain herself a little, but once her appetite opened, she could not stop. "My mother sent me a huge box of carrots! If Trainer Chiya wants, I can send them to you!"
After all, Special Week was a student. The only things she could give back were things like that.
Seeing this, Fujiwara Chiya rubbed her head. "You're Shirayuki's friend, so don't worry about things like that. How was today? Did you enjoy eating?"
"Mm! I was very happy."
"That's good. Eat more meat, grow strong, and run good races in the future."
"Ah... yes! Thank you, Trainer Chiya!" Special Week showed a simple and innocent smile. Looking at the man in front of her, she could not help thinking that not only Shirayuki, but even her cousin was such a good person. The Fujiwara siblings were both really wonderful!
"But remember to exercise after eating. Otherwise, you'll gain weight."
"Hehe, yes." Special Week held her stomach.
And so, Shirayuki's first graded race came to a successful close.
"What do you think, Air Groove?" In the Student Council room, Symboli Rudolf asked Air Groove for her thoughts.
"Calm, decisive, bold, and unexpected. She is a good seedling. Her experience does not look like something a newcomer who has trained for less than a year should be able to reach."
"Mm. She understands very clearly what she needs to do. That judgment has already surpassed ninety percent of Uma Musume. If it is her, then perhaps she has a chance in next year's Triple Tiara."
Ever since Mejiro Ramonu had won the Triple Tiara, Tracen had not produced another Triple Tiara Uma Musume. Shirayuki's appearance had brought a turning point to that matter.
"That child will be in your care, Air Groove."
"Yes. I will make her into a proper strong competitor." Air Groove lowered her head. She would not allow the regret that had happened to her to repeat itself in a junior.
Originally, she too had been an Uma Musume with the strength to challenge the Triple Tiara. Unfortunately, luck had not stood on her side.
"From now on, I will lead her in Student Council activities." Air Groove made up her mind.
The day after the race ended, Fujiwara Chiya stood in front of the mirror and adjusted his clothes. Today was the day of his date with Hayakawa Tazuna. To be honest, his pockets were empty right now, so he could only go to cheaper places. If he also wanted to buy a gift, he would probably have to write an IOU.
Just as Fujiwara Chiya was about to go out, there was a knock at the door. Thinking it was Tazuna, Fujiwara Chiya hurried over.
Didn't we agree to meet outside? Why is she here already?
He opened the door and saw Rice Shower in a light brown dress.
"Onii-sama!" She smiled happily. "Rice is ready."
"Ready?"
"Mm! Ah... Onii-sama is dressed so handsomely!"
Question marks appeared over Fujiwara Chiya's head.
Ready for what?
Judging from Rice Shower's appearance, it seemed like she was preparing to go out with him.
Strange. Did the two of them have plans today?
Fujiwara Chiya thought for a moment. Then he suddenly remembered.
On the night he slept with Rice Shower, the two of them had agreed to go out together on the weekend.
Wasn't that today?