After that breathtaking Prix Vermeille came to an end, the uma musume returned once more to their usual routine.
There was less than a month left until the final Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and online discussions about who would win that race had already spread everywhere.
At present, there were two favourites.
The first was Trêve, who had displayed astonishing strength in the Prix Vermeille. People had already crowned her with the beautiful title of the Queen of France.
The second was the uma musume from Japan, the Snow Dancer, who had dominated the field with absolute strength in the Prix Niel.
The debate over the champion naturally revolved around those two.
At Japan's Tracen Academy, Special Week was browsing a Paris uma musume forum.
"Wow, this is amazing. It's all about Shirayuki."
"Well, of course. We're talking about Yuki-chan, after all."
Grass Wonder leaned closer beside Special Week.
With Shirayuki absent, her relationship with Special Week had improved quite a bit. She no longer felt the urge to hack Special Week to death with a naginata. Aside from the occasional moment when Special Week accidentally blurted out some intimate interaction she had shared with Shirayuki, making Grass Wonder want to tie Spe-chan's tail into a knot, everything was fine.
"'How could the Snow Dancer possibly compare to our national flower'… Looks like most people over there support Trêve."
"Well, it's her home turf, after all. Of course everyone wants Trêve to win."
El Condor Pasa also came over to the two of them.
"Spe-chan, which thread was that just now?"
"It's the first one on the Paris Tracen forum. My page is auto-translated, so it might not mean exactly that."
Grass Wonder smiled and took out her phone.
She was going to passionately exchange fire with that ignorant fool right this second.
"It would be nice if we could go there. Shirayuki must be all alone and helpless over there. And Trêve is definitely not an opponent to underestimate either. I wonder if Shirayuki can win."
Special Week voiced the worry in everyone's heart.
"Rather than worrying about whether she can win, wouldn't it be better to focus completely on cheering for Shirayuki~?"
Seiun Sky yawned, sprawled across the desk as she murmured.
"That's true…"
"Even so, we're still going to worry! That's the world stage! The World Stage!"
El Condor Pasa clutched her head.
"I can already imagine Shirayuki being mocked by that home-ground foreign uma musume! That girl must be relying on the fact that all the supporters around her are on her side and acting completely unrestrained toward Shirayuki!"
"What!? Really?"
Special Week shot to her feet.
"Exactly! It has to be like that! She might even be openly mocking Shirayuki right now! European uma musume love doing that kind of thing! They really like humiliating the weak. I know this!"
Hearing El Condor Pasa's words, everyone's expressions filled with worry.
Could Shirayuki really be getting humiliated by Trêve?
At Paris Tracen, Trêve hugged Shirayuki from behind.
She wrapped her arms around Shirayuki's waist, pressed herself against the girl's back, and rested her chin on Shirayuki's shoulder. The gesture was so intimate it was almost outrageous.
"Let's go out later, Shirayuki?"
Shirayuki had already grown used to Trêve clinging to her every day.
Even though their race was just around the corner, the two of them did not look like rivals at all. Occasionally, Shirayuki would browse the forums and see her fans and Trêve's fans arguing furiously. The longest thread had even gone on for more than a thousand replies.
Her supporters were saying things like:
"My Snow is cute, responsible, and strong. Your Trêve isn't even worthy of carrying her shoes!"
Their aggression was incredibly high. The opposing side naturally fired back without backing down, and more and more people joined the battlefield until the argument became a dazzling mess.
Over there, they were practically about to crawl through the internet cable and start fighting each other.
Meanwhile, Shirayuki herself was walking hand in hand with Trêve.
As expected, the joys and sorrows of people truly did not connect.
"Oh, right, Trêve. I still haven't thanked you for bringing Chiya back last time."
Shirayuki remembered the gathering from that day, when Trêve had carried him back to the dorm.
"I made strawberry daifuku. If you don't mind, do you want to come to my room and try some?"
"Strawberry… daifuku?"
"It's a special dessert from our side."
"Sure!"
Trêve's smile was bright and radiant.
She had already grown fond of Shirayuki's cooking. It tasted wonderful, and it suited her preferences perfectly.
Trêve hoped Shirayuki would make food for her every day.
Speaking of which, when she had taken Fujiwara Chiya back that day, he had said many rather strange things.
Things like, "I'm listening," and "Shirayuki is here too."
It had left Trêve completely confused.
Considering how drunk he had been, he probably had no idea what he was saying. Trêve had not taken it to heart.
She placed her attention back on Shirayuki.
"Shirayuki, do you still remember our promise?"
"Hm?"
"After the Prix Vermeille ends, it becomes official."
"Ah… I remember."
Trêve would use her full strength in the race.
Shirayuki had also seen that magical running style of hers. In order to defeat Trêve, Shirayuki was currently undergoing high-pressure training under Byerley's supervision. Every day, she was exhausted half to death. Even Chiya was dragged into running with her, making it feel like a living hell.
Still, it was also the only method they currently had to defeat Trêve.
To survive after throwing oneself onto the brink of death.
To surpass one's limits again and again.
"Tonight, I'll come to your room. Is that okay?"
"Sure. Is there something important?"
Since Trêve had mentioned the Prix Vermeille, she was probably going to talk about the race.
"Mm. Very important."
"I'll wait for you."
The corners of Trêve's lips curved upward, her smile blooming as the hand holding Shirayuki's tightened a little.
Soon, evening arrived.
Shirayuki prepared tea and waited for Trêve to come.
Since this was about the race, naturally, she had to make things a bit more formal.
Shirayuki looked at herself in the mirror and noticed her casual outdoor clothes.
No, this was too casual.
She had to make Trêve understand her determination for the race.
She needed a more formal outfit.
Shirayuki decided to change into her Tracen uniform.
Just as she took off her coat and began changing her socks, the dorm room door opened.
Trêve walked in wearing a white, semi-transparent nightdress.
Trêve!?
Why didn't you knock before coming in!?
Although I don't knock either…
Seeing Shirayuki in the middle of removing her socks, Trêve seemed to realise something. She tugged lightly at her collar, then walked over to Shirayuki with an expression that was both nervous and excited.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
She sat down beside Shirayuki as naturally as anything.
I was trying to make this more formal, so why are you even more casual than me?
Shirayuki pulled off her sock and tossed it onto the bed.
She was in her underwear.
Trêve was in her nightdress.
Neither of them said a word.
Trêve gripped the hem of her clothes. Her clear blue eyes kept flickering between Shirayuki and the floor. A faint blush appeared across her smooth cheeks.
After a full minute of silence, Shirayuki finally lost patience.
"Shall we start?"
Hearing those words, Trêve took a deep breath.
"Shirayuki, can you close your eyes?"
What exactly are we going to talk about?
Also, why are the two of us dressed like this?
Somehow, the atmosphere feels kind of strange.
Is it just my imagination?
Shirayuki did as Trêve said and closed her eyes.
A soft hand pressed against her shoulder.
The fingertips moved slightly, and Shirayuki was pushed down onto the bed.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Trêve's delicate face right in front of her.
Under Shirayuki's confused, surprised, and faintly excited gaze, Trêve kissed her on the lips.
Their bodies pressed close together.