In the final week before the Prix Foy, Orfevre finally took off her heavy protective gear and began running on the training grounds again.
Without that crushing weight bearing down on her body, she felt so light she could almost fly.
So this was what it felt like when hardship finally paid off?
Orfevre's lips curled into a grin. Compared to before, her speed had improved by at least twenty percent. The training had been miserable, sure, but the sweet fruit waiting at the end was so delicious it was addictive.
With this level of power, the final Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is as good as mine!
Just as Orfevre was sprinting at full speed, a sudden hitch shot through her ankle.
Her pace jerked to a stop for a split second.
But almost immediately, the feeling vanished, and Orfevre continued forward.
Not far away, Fujiwara Chiya narrowed his eyes.
That was strange. Just now...
He had noticed Orfevre's unnatural movement. The shared-sensation training had also sent an odd discomfort through Chiya's ankle.
After finishing her run, Orfevre returned to Chiya.
"How do you feel?"
"Excellent." Orfevre was breathing hard, but her expression was bright with excitement.
"Everything went smoothly?"
"Mm."
"No abnormalities at all?"
"What is it, Trainer? Do I look as though I'm in trouble?" Orfevre folded her arms.
"As long as it went smoothly. That's enough training for today. Go back early and rest. The race is right around the corner, so don't wreck your body before it."
"Of course. I know that much."
With that, Orfevre headed toward the dorms.
Watching her back, Shirayuki hurried toward Chiya's office.
Before coming to Paris, he had bought some injury medicine. Even if he did not say it out loud, Chiya understood.
Orfevre's foot was hurt.
After returning to her dorm room, Orfevre took a shower. Then she lowered her head and looked at her pale, clean ankle.
What was that just now?
It had only lasted for a moment, but that stutter had definitely been unnatural.
Don't tell me I'm injured?
Orfevre refused to believe it. Even if she was, it was only a minor injury. It would heal on its own if she left it alone. With the race so close, she absolutely could not give her trainer more trouble.
If she hurt her ankle because the training load had been too heavy, then Orfevre would lose way too much face.
Sure, she had already lost plenty of dignity in front of her trainer. But when it came to training, Orfevre had always maintained her proud and gallant image. She wanted him to see her at her coolest on the racetrack. She wanted her trainer to fall for her.
Beautiful, dashing, and capable of satisfying that perverted trainer's desires.
That was the perfect uma musume.
After her bath, Orfevre filled a basin with warm water as usual, then poured in some honey. Just as she was about to soak her feet, someone knocked on the door.
Shirayuki's voice came from outside.
"Orfevre, are you there?"
"It's unlocked."
Shirayuki walked into the room.
"What is it?"
"I felt like you might have run into a little trouble, so I came to check."
"Trouble? I have not run into anything of the sort."
"I was watching from the side during training, so... Orfevre, did something happen to your foot?"
"Impossible. My body is perfectly healthy."
"Actually, when I was training with overly heavy armor, I injured my ankle too. It's a very normal kind of injury. You just need to apply some medicine and rest for a bit, and it'll recover. But if you think it's fine and ignore it, there's a real chance it'll get worse later. Better to prevent trouble before it starts. I went through the same thing."
Orfevre frowned.
"If you get hurt, Chiya will definitely feel awful."
A long silence passed.
Then Orfevre said, "Come here."
The two sat on the bed. Orfevre stretched out her foot.
"Here. When I was running, it suddenly hitched."
"Oh... around here, it might be a strain." Shirayuki took out the medicine.
"You even have medicine?"
"Mm. I brought everything I thought might be useful." Shirayuki smiled.
But this was strange.
By all logic, the training plan she had prepared for Orfevre should have been exactly right. There should not have been any injuries.
"You really have sharp eyes. You already knew, but you still asked me on purpose. Were you trying to embarrass me?"
"I was just worried." Shirayuki smiled. "Orfevre, have you been training by yourself? Did you sneak out without Chiya?"
"No. Every time I train, I bring Trainer with me."
Then that really is strange...
Did I miscalculate?
No way, right? He was already an experienced trainer. How could he still make a mistake in calculating training load?
Shirayuki squeezed out the ointment and rubbed it onto Orfevre's ankle. The cool sensation seeped into her skin, making Orfevre cover her mouth as a strange little sound slipped out.
So soft...
Shirayuki knew her own body was already quite impressive, but when she touched Orfevre, she still could not help marveling.
Did this girl grow up eating peaches? How could her feet be this tender?
Back when Orfevre stepped on her, Fujiwara Chiya had thought he was being wrapped in warm jelly. When she lifted her foot, there had even been a faint pulling sensation, as if one little squeeze would draw water from the pink sole of her foot.
Shirayuki gently stroked Orfevre's foot, brushing against her round toes. There was even a faint, pleasant scent lingering around her.
"Hey, what are you doing!?"
"Ah, sorry. I got a little mesmerized."
"Honestly. Trainer is a foot fetishist, and you are too? You siblings really are exactly the same."
Shirayuki gave an awkward laugh. Orfevre blushed and yanked her foot back.
It was fine if Trainer touched her. He was her man.
But Shirayuki was just his little sister. What gave her the right to put her hands all over me too?
Know your place!
Was foot fetishism hereditary in the Fujiwara family or something?
"It's not serious. Reduce your training load a bit tomorrow, and it should be better the day after tomorrow or the day after that."
"Mm. Thank you, Shirayuki."
"It's fine. We're both uma musume. Injuries happen."
"You haven't told Trainer about me, right?"
"...Not yet. Do you want to tell him?"
"Don't." Orfevre turned her head away. "I don't want Trainer to worry..."
"Okay. Then I won't."
Shirayuki stood up.
"I'll head back first, Orfevre. You should rest early too... Hm?"
At that moment, Shirayuki noticed the basin on the floor, along with the jar of honey beside it.
"Are you going to drink that?" Shirayuki pointed at it.
"Of course not. Go make Trainer drink it if you want. I certainly don't."
"Then what is it?"
"Foot-soaking water. With honey added."
"Honey?"
"Mm... I've always been using things to improve my skin. That has nothing to do with you, does it? Now get out. You should go sleep too."
"Orfevre, after training, it's best not to soak your feet right away. It can worsen muscle strains. That might be why it got more serious."
"I know, I know. Honestly."
Shirayuki was pushed out of the room by Orfevre.
"Good night. Go to bed early."
Looking at the tightly shut door, Shirayuki scratched her head.
Soaking your feet with honey. So there was a method like that too.
Maybe I could try it as well?
Once her feet became incredibly soft and tender, she would be able to enjoy playing with them comfortably by herself.