The way things had developed was inseparable from Chiya's own actions. Recently, far too many things had happened, causing him to completely forget what he had promised other people.
When Fujiwara Chiya tried to explain tactfully, saying, "I can't today. I have something to do outside," Rice Shower seemed to sense something. She clenched her little fists and asked, "It couldn't be with Miss Tazuna, could it?"
Girls seemed especially sharp in this area. Although Rice Shower could no longer really be called a child now. She had already stepped half a foot into the ranks of adults, and Fujiwara Chiya could feel a rather strong pressure from her.
"It's not Tazuna."
"Onii-sama... if you lie to Rice, Rice will get angry." She puffed out her cheeks. The moment she heard Fujiwara Chiya's strained voice, she saw through his lie.
"I'm just going out for a walk with her."
"Rice wants to go too."
"There really isn't anything else."
"Rice wants to go too."
Today, Rice Shower was especially stubborn. She had already decided that she would follow behind Chiya no matter whether he agreed or not.
Left with no choice, Fujiwara Chiya could only bring her along. Of course, this could no longer be called a date. To put it nicely, it was going out together. To put it bluntly, it was a punishment.
When they arrived at the agreed meeting place, Fujiwara Chiya saw Hayakawa Tazuna in a light and refreshing outfit. She wore a blue top and a brown short skirt, with a beret on her head. As always, her tail was hidden beneath her clothes.
When she saw him, Tazuna showed a happy smile. But when she saw Rice Shower beside him, her smile immediately changed from sunny to cloudy. This was the first time Fujiwara Chiya had seen such a vivid change in her expression.
After greeting her, Hayakawa Tazuna smiled and said, "Chiya, why did you bring a child along on a date?"
She deliberately placed emphasis on the word "child."
"Wherever Onii-sama is, Rice will be there too." Rice Shower responded with the same full smile. Although being called a "child" by Tazuna felt unpleasant, in her heart, she silently thought: you're not even as good as a child.
Rice Shower's smile did not change.
If it were not for the sake of Onii-sama's feelings, she would have bragged to Tazuna about what had happened that night.
Seeing Rice Shower clinging to Chiya like sticky candy, Hayakawa Tazuna had no choice but to endure her dissatisfaction. After all, she could not drive Rice Shower away. Putting aside the fact that Rice Shower was Chiya's Uma Musume, Tazuna's own position did not allow her to do such a thing.
Hayakawa Tazuna forced herself to keep smiling. Along the way, Rice Shower held Chiya's hand and happily talked to him. Hayakawa Tazuna silently listened to their conversation, and her resentment gradually accumulated.
Although Chiya kept watching her expression and would speak to her whenever he had the chance, most of his time was still occupied by Rice Shower. Even lunch was like that.
"Onii-sama, try Rice's sundae!"
The black little filly brought the spoon to Chiya's mouth. After refusing a few times, the man still could not win against Rice Shower and helplessly opened his mouth. He carefully glanced at Hayakawa Tazuna. Her expression did not change, as though she were only quietly eating. But the attentive Fujiwara Chiya noticed that Tazuna's eyes seemed to have lost their light, carrying a terrifying darkness.
He probably, maybe, possibly... had made Tazuna angry. She was simply enduring it and had not exploded yet.
"Tazuna, do you want some too? This cake tastes really good."
As he spoke, Fujiwara Chiya cut a piece of his cake and handed it to her.
Hayakawa Tazuna's gaze turned toward him. For a moment, light returned to her eyes, but very quickly, it changed back again.
Completely useless!
When would Agnes Tachyon make him a pair of glasses that could show other people's anger values? He felt like he already had half a foot on the line between life and death. These tiny gestures were completely unable to calm the other party's anger.
While Rice Shower went to the bathroom, Fujiwara Chiya asked, "Tazuna, is there anywhere else you want to go?"
"..."
"If there is, we can go there this afternoon. I'm sorry about Rice Shower. I originally promised to take her out this weekend as a reward for winning her graded race, but when I made plans with you, I forgot. So... this is my fault. I won't shirk responsibility."
Fujiwara Chiya apologized to her. Hayakawa Tazuna raised her head.
Her complexion improved slightly.
"There is indeed somewhere I want to go."
"Where?"
"That place is not somewhere children can casually enter."
Hayakawa Tazuna smiled without warmth. The meaning behind her words was already very clear: she wanted Chiya to send Rice Shower back while she still had not lost her reason.
"I understand. I'll walk around with Rice Shower for a while, then send her back."
"Are you worrying about Rice Shower, Chiya? Today, you barely spoke to me."
"Sorry... But even if I wanted to send her back, Rice Shower probably wouldn't accept it easily. It's only noon."
Hayakawa Tazuna gave a soft hum. Fujiwara Chiya's heart suddenly jumped. After a while, Hayakawa Tazuna said, "Then treat the daytime as taking Rice Shower out to play. At night, you are coming with me."
"All right."
Fujiwara Chiya let out a sigh of relief, his heart filled with guilt. It was rare for the two of them to go out together, but because of his mistake, he had ruined his date with Tazuna.
At five in the evening, the three of them returned to Tracen. Rice Shower held Fujiwara Chiya's hand, her eyes secretly looking at Hayakawa Tazuna.
What was going on? Had Miss Tazuna already given up on Onii-sama? Why did she not react no matter what Rice did? She must have given up, right? After seeing how close Rice and Onii-sama were, she had no room to interfere, so she finally stepped back and quietly returned to her role as secretary.
Miss Tazuna, as long as you don't set your sights on Rice's Onii-sama, Rice still respects you very much. After all, you've done so much for Uma Musume. But if you try to take away Rice's one and only person, Rice will definitely get angry.
After Rice Shower left, Chiya went to find Tazuna again as promised.
"Where are we going?"
At this hour, only the night market was still suitable for walking around.
"Come with me."
Hayakawa Tazuna took the man's hand. Rice Shower had been holding him all day, and now it was finally her turn. Without any outsider getting in the way, Hayakawa Tazuna pulled Chiya closer, and the two walked shoulder to shoulder.
Of course, this was still far from enough.
After being provoked by Rice Shower for the entire day, her heart was already about to burst.
Right now, she was only suppressing the restlessness in her heart, waiting for the moment when those feelings finally broke free.
She brought Chiya to a brightly lit hotel with a flashy sign. Hayakawa Tazuna stopped and said, "This is the place."
"T-This place is..."
Looking at the large heart on the sign, Fujiwara Chiya said the words "love hotel" out loud.
"I already booked the room."
Hayakawa Tazuna took out the room card. The corners of her mouth rose in an angle that made a chill run through his heart.
"Let's go, Chiya. Everything you owe me has to be made up tonight."
"Wait, Tazuna. I still have work tomor—"
"No waiting."
Hayakawa Tazuna cut him off and leaned in close, pressing a fierce kiss against his lips. In that breathless kiss, Fujiwara Chiya's mind went blank for a moment. Before he could fully recover, Hayakawa Tazuna had already pulled him firmly into the hotel.