Maruzensky had entered school one year earlier than Rudolf and had also become famous earlier. The two of them were very good friends. Whenever there was an important event, Maruzensky would usually accompany Rudolf. She also often visited the Student Council, and some Student Council affairs were even entrusted to her by Rudolf. It could be said that although Maruzensky did not officially have a Student Council position, she could still be counted as part of it.
Of course, that was not the most important thing.
Maruzensky was one of the few Uma Musume in Tracen with an undefeated record. Without exaggeration, she was an existence standing at the top of Tracen.
After being invited into her room, Shirayuki felt deeply flattered. Maruzensky handed her a piece of dessert.
"I didn't expect Shirayuki-chan to be working part-time. Are you short on pocket money recently?"
"Well... something like that."
"What kind of work are you doing?"
Maruzensky began chatting with her.
"Delivery work, and cashier work."
One was Shirayuki. The other was Chiya.
Maruzensky's eyes shifted slightly. Thinking of something, she said, "In that case, I have a job here. Would Shirayuki-chan like to try it?"
"What kind of job?"
"A job that requires Shirayuki-chan to offer her body."
Maruzensky whispered beside Shirayuki's ear, a teasing smile appearing on her face.
Offer... her body?
Fujiwara Shirayuki swallowed. Could it be work in the adult entertainment industry!?
"It's housekeeping."
Her chaotic thoughts instantly disappeared.
"I've been busy recently, so I haven't had time to clean or cook. If Shirayuki-chan can help me organize the housework and handle three meals, I can pay you."
Looking at Shirayuki's changing expression, Maruzensky smiled. During Student Council activities, she had already thought this little one's face was interesting. She had the kind of expression that made people want to tease her.
"I'll pay this amount."
Maruzensky held up her fingers.
Shirayuki was tempted. It was actually higher than what she had earned today!
There was no reason to refuse.
From nine in the morning to six in the evening, she would work as Maruzensky's housekeeper, clean the whole apartment, and prepare three meals. For Shirayuki, who had received training, this was not particularly difficult work. It was definitely easier than delivery.
Running itself was fine. What Shirayuki truly could not bear was going hungry.
"I accept."
Shirayuki nodded.
There might not be another opportunity like this if she missed it!
"Then next week, I'll obediently wait for Shirayuki-chan to come over. By the way, have you had dinner yet?"
"Not yet."
"I see. Work must be hard."
"It was so-so."
"Would you like to go out and eat something with me?"
Maruzensky invited her. She was quite interested in learning what was so special about this girl who had caught Rudolf's attention and received such high praise from Air Groove.
"Didn't Maruzen-senpai just order delivery?"
"I can put it in the fridge. It's rare to have a chance to get to know Shirayuki-chan. How could I let it pass?"
Her face showed the smile of a mature woman, and for an instant, Shirayuki connected her with Hayakawa Tazuna.
This woman... she wouldn't also be black inside when cut open, would she?
Probably not. After all, she and Maruzensky did not have any complicated connection. They were just ordinary senior and junior.
"Let's go, Shirayuki-chan. We'll get in the car."
"All right... Hm? Car?"
Outside the apartment, a red sports car was parked.
Shirayuki had thought it belonged to some wealthy household, until Maruzensky took out the key and got inside.
"Maruzen-senpai actually has a sports car."
"My father left it to me."
"This car looks really beautiful."
"Thank you."
Shirayuki fastened her seatbelt. Speaking of which, was the restaurant they were going to very far away? Why did they need to take a sports car?
Maruzensky started the engine.
"Shirayuki-chan, who do you think is faster, an Uma Musume or a sports car?"
The other party suddenly asked a strange question.
"Probably the sports car... No matter what, Uma Musume are still flesh and blood. We can't compete with a machine like this."
"So you think so too."
"'Too'?"
"Grass Wonder said the same thing before."
"Eh? Grass Wonder has ridden in Maruzen-senpai's sports car before?"
"I happened to run into her when I was going to Tracen. She seemed to be troubled by her own defeat."
"Defeat..."
"That exhibition race."
Suddenly, Fujiwara Shirayuki remembered.
The race where Grass Wonder had lost to her. When the race ended, Grass Wonder's expression had not seemed particularly sad. Could it be that she had simply been suppressing the frustration in her heart?
It seemed Grass Wonder had quite the competitive personality.
"Did Grass Wonder say anything?"
"She was down for a little while, but she soon recovered. She said she would definitely defeat you in the future."
"I see."
Shirayuki smiled.
"You seem happy."
"Mm. To acknowledge and praise an opponent, then face difficulty head-on—that is what an Uma Musume is. That is what... my friend is."
"Shirayuki-chan, you really are a very good child. It makes me want to understand you even more."
Maruzensky's foot pressed onto the accelerator.
"Then tonight, let's speed up a little and have a passionate exchange. How about it?"
"Eh? Speed up?"
Before she could finish speaking, the sports car's tires let out a sharp screech. A powerful push slammed into Shirayuki's back. Her vision blurred, and the car had already rushed onto the street.
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
"Today is a good day for speeding, Shirayuki-chan!"
Maruzensky, who was usually calm and composed, seemed like a completely different person. While letting out an unbelievably excited shout, she floored the accelerator.
"The happiest thing in my life is having someone speed along with me!"
"Senpai—! We're going to die! Ah! There's a traffic officer over there!"
"It's fine. They'll only see my tail lights!"
With the roar of the engine, the two of them instantly shot past the police car.
"Weren't we going out to eat dinner??"
"That's right. We're going to Yokohama to eat."
"Haaah—!?"
Carrying Shirayuki's screams with her, Maruzensky pressed down on the accelerator and drove west.
On the road, a black-haired man clung tightly to a streetlight. Powerful sensations of weightlessness struck him from every direction, frightening him into shouting. Pedestrians around him quickly moved away.
By the time Shirayuki returned to Tracen, it was already nine at night. She staggered back to the dormitory. Seeing her, Mejiro Dober came forward and greeted her.
"Shirayuki, you came back so late. Where did you go?"
Her stomach churned violently. Fujiwara Shirayuki had just opened her mouth when she could not hold back and threw up.
"Shirayuki!? Are you all right? Did you eat something bad?"
"I feel... a little unwell..."
"Sit down first. Drink some water."
Seeing Shirayuki's pale, sickly face, Mejiro Dober was badly frightened. She hurriedly settled her down and poured her a glass of water.
It was awful. It was truly awful!
She had been forcefully dragged by Maruzensky across half of Tokyo, and they had even gone onto the outer ring expressway. She had not managed to eat a single bite of dinner.
Even worse, Maruzensky seemed to have gotten a real thrill out of speeding with her. After getting out of the car, she looked refreshed and glowing. Her flushed, excited expression was almost as if she had taken something.
Shirayuki had a feeling.
She might have just been marked by Maruzensky.