The weekend arrived, and Shirayuki waited for Treve at their agreed meeting place.
From afar, she saw a lively, adorable orange figure running toward her.
Treve had changed into a white off-shoulder short-sleeved top and blue shorts. Her fair, clean legs were exposed, attracting the eyes of passersby.
When she saw Shirayuki, Treve waved happily and quickened her pace.
During her time acting as a scout, Shirayuki had discovered that relying on heaven, earth, or other people was worse than relying on herself.
She had asked those students to give her useful information, and they could not provide any at all. In that case, she might as well be direct and tell Treve that she had come for her.
The next time they trained together, Shirayuki hoped both of them would take it seriously and stop holding back.
But Treve's trainer, Nase Hideto, definitely would not allow such a thing.
Recently, Chiya often ran into him at school. The two barely spoke, but from each other's eyes, they could both see firm determination.
Nase Hideto wanted to thoroughly teach Chiya a lesson and avenge the humiliation from last time.
Fujiwara Chiya, likewise, intended to give this man, known as the number one genius trainer, a proper beating.
Of course, not in the physical sense.
He was not Gold Ship.
He needed enough information. Hideto had protected Treve too well, leaving no openings.
Classmates did not work. Watching from the side did not work.
So Shirayuki simply chose to attack head-on.
She would make a gentleman's agreement with Treve. During training, neither of them would pretend anymore. They would both show their true strength.
She wanted to see through Treve.
At the same time, she would also let Treve see through her.
No tricks between them.
A fair and honest contest.
This was not a loss for Treve either.
Fujiwara Chiya had discovered that the more a person relied on schemes, the easier it was to fall into unpredictable trouble, ultimately wasting all their previous efforts.
So Fujiwara Chiya decided—
He would give up scheming.
Today, Shirayuki had come to negotiate with Treve openly and honestly.
Treve had no obligation to agree to a proposal that gave her no obvious benefit, and Shirayuki had no right to force her to accept it. She simply wanted to ask what Treve thought and whether she was interested in being honest with each other.
However, if she talked about this matter directly, it would feel too serious.
So Shirayuki planned to bring it up casually while they were out together, so Treve would not feel too much pressure.
Still, Treve really was in high spirits today.
Looking at her outfit, filled with youthful charm, Shirayuki could not help admiring it.
She looked like she would be soft to hug.
No, that was beside the point.
Shirayuki greeted Treve as she arrived.
"Where are we going, Shirayuki?"
Treve's Japanese had already become quite fluent.
It had only been a little over a month.
Goddesses, when you blessed her, did you also give her some special ability? Why were some people not only talented in sports, but also so good at learning? Couldn't you at least distribute ability points more evenly?
"We go to park."
"Park?"
"The park."
Shirayuki took out her translator.
Her talent for French was basically zero. No matter how hard she tried, she was still at the level of a salted fish. To make sure the translation would be accurate, and to avoid a repeat of asking for Treve's racing videos only to receive a changing-room video, Shirayuki had even switched to a new translation app and paid for a membership.
She hoped this thing could accurately translate what she wanted to express.
The two bought ice cream, visited the shopping district, and walked around.
Paris's main forms of leisure seemed to be shopping and drinking coffee. People could often spend an entire afternoon on a single cup. For fast-paced Japan, that was something difficult to even imagine.
After spending a month getting used to things here, Shirayuki's pace of life had also begun to slow down.
She matched Treve's rhythm, and the two walked side by side.
For some reason, Treve had seemed nervous from the moment they met. She kept secretly glancing at Shirayuki.
Shirayuki quietly observed her, searching for a chance to start the topic.
When they reached the central street, Treve looked at the rushing stream of people passing beside them. Then, gathering her courage, she asked, "Shirayuki… do you want to hold hands?"
When she said those words, Treve's cheeks flushed crimson.
What was with her today?
Shirayuki felt that Treve's condition was a little strange.
She did not have her usual bright and lively air. Instead, she was acting shy and fidgety, like a young girl.
Soon, Shirayuki understood.
It was puberty!
Treve had clearly entered puberty. Shirayuki had seen many young uma musume who had just awakened to romantic feelings act exactly like this.
Even a world-class uma musume was still, in the end, a young girl.
Shirayuki wondered which lucky person had managed to catch the eye of this flower beyond everyone's reach.
But that had nothing to do with Shirayuki.
Her purpose today was to speak honestly with Treve about the race. Seeing that the timing was about right, Shirayuki prepared to take her to a nearby café and discuss it. Her expression could not be too serious. It had to feel casual, like an ordinary joke.
Shirayuki reached out and took Treve's hand.
Treve's body stiffened, then she held Shirayuki's hand in return.
Her previously tense face relaxed.
She looked down at their joined hands, her blue eyes flickering rapidly.
"Let's sit down somewhere, Treve. There's something I want to tell you."
Treve nodded as if she understood and followed Shirayuki into a café.
Shirayuki could not read the names on the menu, but the money from the exhibition race had given her the courage to order freely. She pointed at something at random, then placed her phone on the table and opened the translation app.
She hoped this paid membership would actually do its job.
"Treve, I'll be direct. I've been watching you for a long time."
The app began displaying text.
[I've had my eye on you for a long time.]
Treve's heart thumped.
The quiet café. The shopping trip. The information Shirayuki had been gathering about her.
Everything pointed toward one thing.
Shirayuki was confessing to her!
Treve remembered how, before she left, her friends had patted her on the shoulders and encouraged her.
They had said Shirayuki was a wonderful girl. She was cute, cooked delicious food, and felt comfortable to touch. She was practically the perfect choice for both home and travel. They all admired this beautiful girl from Japan very much.
"She passes. She's worthy of our little princess."
Treve still did not know whether they had been joking or genuinely meant it.
She did not understand this kind of feeling very well. When she went out with Shirayuki, she had felt very nervous and did not know what expression she should make.
But when Shirayuki took her hand, that nervousness had turned into joy.
She felt that the special feeling Shirayuki gave her had become a little clearer.
She could vaguely grasp that mysterious emotion now.
Looking at the words on the phone, Treve swallowed.
This was Shirayuki's real attitude.
"To be honest, I've been secretly observing your movements all this time."
[Actually, I've been secretly watching your body this whole time.]
"You hid yourself very well. I wasn't able to succeed."
[You're amazing. I haven't been satisfied.]
"So I'll say it directly. Treve, before the race, let's be completely honest with each other. I'll show you the real me, and you show me the real you. What do you think?"
[I'll say it directly, Treve. Before the race, let's meet each other naked. You look at my body, and I'll look at yours. How about it?]
Looking at the text on the screen, Treve covered her bright red face and collapsed onto the table.
At the same time, the waiter walked over.
"Your couple's coffee. Please enjoy."