Hayakawa Tazuna fell into confusion.
Daughter... Shirayuki was Miss Dancer's daughter!?
Why didn't she know? Could it be that the two of them were not cousins, but biological siblings? No, that was impossible!
"What do you think? Isn't that child extremely cute? She's completely the girl version of Chiya. But if I say it like that, Chiya would definitely get angry, right?"
Kitachi Dancer's laughter came through the phone.
What exactly is Miss Dancer talking about?
Why can't I understand any of it?
A girl version of Chiya?
"What's wrong, Tazuna? Did Chiya not tell you?"
Northern Dancer's voice sounded puzzled. With the relationship between the two of them, Tazuna should know even how many strands of hair Chiya had.
"Tell me... what?"
"I see. That child probably doesn't want you to know. After all, it's his greatest secret. Chiya doesn't want to tell others easily. By the way, Tazuna, why did you suddenly want to ask about Yuki?"
Hayakawa Tazuna explained her doubts.
She felt it was very strange. When speaking with Shirayuki, she had the illusion that she was speaking with Chiya. Their tones were clearly completely different, yet the memories in her mind relating to Chiya were always accurately retold by Shirayuki.
Perhaps it was simply because she was overthinking things, but Hayakawa Tazuna always felt that Chiya and Shirayuki had some kind of special relationship.
Northern Dancer listened quietly. After Hayakawa Tazuna finished speaking, she asked,
"If you knew, what would you do? About the special relationship between Chiya and Yuki."
"I want to know everything about Chiya. I want to bear it together with him, Miss Dancer. No... Mother. If I put it this way, can you understand?"
"Oh my."
Hearing the change in how Tazuna addressed her, Northern Dancer was slightly surprised.
"Could it be that the two of you have already developed to that stage...? Hehe, who made the first move?"
"I did," Hayakawa Tazuna answered.
"Chiya's dull personality made you unable to wait any longer, didn't it? That child is neither proactive nor assertive. He's completely different from his father."
Northern Dancer teased her for a while.
"But since you've already decided to walk forward with Chiya, I'll tell you. This is a secret even Zenya doesn't know."
Northern Dancer slowly explained everything to her.
...
On the training ground, Shirayuki was doing cooperative training with Mihono Bourbon. A hemp rope was tied around both of their waists as they dragged a heavy minecart tire with weights on either side. The tire had only moved a few centimetres toward Shirayuki before Mihono Bourbon immediately pulled it back. Both of their faces were flushed red, and even Mihono Bourbon's usual poker face showed a rare strained expression.
More than a dozen Uma Musume had gathered around to watch the spectacle. Some were startled by this training method, while others simply started cheering them on.
"Shirayuki! Just a little more! Push forward, push forward!"
"Yuki-chan! Go, go, go!"
"Bourbon, don't let them distract you. Maintain your current rhythm!"
What exactly are these people doing? They're so noisy. It's not a tug-of-war.
This was an endurance training method Shirayuki had temporarily come up with. Originally, they needed two tires, but unfortunately, most of them had been borrowed by others, leaving only one in the warehouse. Taking turns would not leave enough time, and using it together normally would not have the training effect she wanted. So Shirayuki came up with this method.
At this moment, Shirayuki felt as though she were carrying a mountain forward. Her feet dug deep trenches into the ground, almost carving into the earth itself. Behind her, Mihono Bourbon was drenched in sweat. She panted heavily, feeling as though she were being dragged backward by a truck. Even though her feet were embedded in the ground, she still could not stop that force.
No... as expected of Shirayuki... I underestimated you a little.
But my fuel has not run out yet!
After her feet carved two-metre-long trenches, Mihono Bourbon began her counterattack. Her breathing was as heavy as a bull's, her legs tensed, and she continuously pulled the hemp rope forward. The huge minecart tire moved forward, and Shirayuki's advancing steps were forcibly dragged back.
"Ahh~ repairing this field is definitely going to be troublesome..."
An Uma Musume wearing a hat could not help speaking. She looked at the pile of dirt Shirayuki had kicked up under her feet. A whole layer of turf had been scraped away.
After a stalemate that lasted around half an hour, the two of them staggered and collapsed onto the ground. Their lungs felt as if they had been burned by charcoal, and their legs felt as though they had been soaked in boiling water. For the first time, Mihono Bourbon felt as if she had trained until she was completely drained.
Five minutes later, Mihono Bourbon stood up and walked to the other side of the tire. She saw Shirayuki still lying on the ground.
"Do you still have strength, Shirayuki?"
Mihono Bourbon held out her hand.
"More or less."
Shirayuki took her hand, and the two stood together. At that moment, Mihono Bourbon felt as though she were standing beside a comrade in revolution. In all this time, it was the first time she had done this kind of training. It was exhausting, but also interesting.
Training with two people was much more interesting than training alone. Mihono Bourbon placed a hand over her chest and experienced an emotion called "happiness."
"Next is squat training. Shirayuki, we—"
"Shirayuki!"
Before she could finish speaking, Tokai Teio suddenly pounced onto Shirayuki from behind. She did not care at all about pressing against Shirayuki's sweat-soaked body.
"Now it's time to train with me. I've been waiting this whole time for your training to finish. Run with me!"
Tokai Teio rubbed her face against Shirayuki's. The friction between their skin produced a smooth, slippery feeling.
"Sorry, Teio. I already promised to train with Bourbon-senpai today. Tomorrow. I'll train with you tomorrow."
"What? You actually dare to postpone the great Teio-sama's business? I'll bite you!"
Without waiting for Shirayuki's answer, Teio directly bit Shirayuki's neck.
"Teio!?"
"This is your punishment for daring to refuse the great Teio. Aam~"
As she spoke, Teio bit again. But rather than biting, it was more like licking. Shirayuki felt Teio's small, warm tongue gently slide across her skin.
"I'll let you off today. Don't forget to train with me tomorrow."
Tokai Teio secretly smacked her lips a couple of times, then let go with great satisfaction. After repeatedly reminding Shirayuki, she ran off.
"Sorry, Bourbon-senpai. Let's continue."
Mihono Bourbon's inorganic blue eyes looked at Shirayuki. She took out a handkerchief.
"Ah... thank you."
Shirayuki wiped her forehead twice, only for Mihono Bourbon to point at her neck.
"Here."
After Shirayuki wiped everything clean, Mihono Bourbon's brow relaxed slightly.
"Follow my movements, Shirayuki."
"All right."
The training did not truly end until the setting sun had dyed half the sky red. At that moment, Shirayuki felt as if she had been completely trained into a broken-down state. She lay on the ground, with no strength left in her body at all. Mihono Bourbon walked over with a damp towel in her hand and helped Shirayuki wipe her face.
"This should make you feel a little better."
"It feels much better. Thank you for your guidance today, Bourbon-senpai."
"I should be the one thanking you. You were willing to train with me."
Mihono Bourbon's voice had no fluctuation at all.
"Do you need me to help send you back to the dormitory?"
"No need. I'll rest for a bit, then go back by myself."
"In that case, why not let me do it?"
Suddenly, a green figure came to Shirayuki's side. She bent down and lifted Shirayuki into her arms.
"You worked very hard today, Shirayuki. Say goodbye to your Bourbon-senpai, then come to my room."
It was Hayakawa Tazuna.
Without another word, she carried Shirayuki back toward the dormitory.
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(A/n: I just found out that Chiya's mother, who was Kitachi Maito, has the same Chinese character as Northern Dancer. I've also checked using multiple translation websites, and the result is that she is Northern Dancer. I've already updated her name in the previous chapter, but if I miss any, do tell.)