In the scorching summer, in this kind of weather, people always flock to places with water.
Water can not only wash the body clean, but also purify the soul.
There is a tradition of baptism with holy water in Christianity.
And in Buddhism, there is also the state of seeking spiritual unity by being immersed in the universal.
"... Gold Ship, that's enough, I think that's plenty."
Gold Legend was wearing a swimsuit, a helpless expression on her beautiful face.
"Wait a moment... I feel like I just got one step closer to the truth of the universe."
Gold Ship sat upright on the ground, water sprinkling down like rain, every movement full of holiness.
"So, damn it, stop showering, we're here to swim, you idiot!"
Gold Legend roared.
...
"So, Oba-chan, why did you come to the swimming pool for no reason? Aren't you bad at swimming?"
Gold Ship, who had been dragged out of the shower room by Gold Legend, complained.
"... Two days ago, I promised Senior Gold City that she would teach me how to swim."
Legend was silent for a while, then spoke slowly.
"That's rare, you're actually willing to expose your weakness, Oba-chan."
Gold Ship said with a smile.
"Since it's a weakness, then of course I have to overcome it. Isn't it good that someone is willing to teach for free?"
Legend asked back.
"No, no, no, that's a good thing, but since someone is teaching you, why did you drag me over?"
"To prevent you from causing trouble while I'm not around."
Legend said without thinking.
"That's really sad, Oba-chan. Do you actually distrust me that much?"
Gold Ship was filled with grief and indignation.
"I only acted this way because I trusted you too much."
Legend remained calm and composed.
The two Uma Musume arrived at the swimming pool.
A golden figure was seen rushing toward the water's surface, taking a few steps on the water before sinking down.
"Oh! Gold City, you've improved compared to last time."
Beside the pool, a beautiful gal (?) said happily.
"...Oba-chan, what is your swimming instructor doing?"
Gold Ship tilted her head and asked with interest.
"..."
Legend looked up silently.
"Well, forget it. Hi! Zordon!"
Gold Ship gave up on thinking and greeted the gal directly.
"Gold Ship! Why are you here?" The gal was startled.
"Don't be so distant. We're close, aren't we?"
"You stop right there, stay away from me, don't come over here!!!"
"..."
Legend watched the two, who had started a one-sided scuffle, with a blank expression.
"Ugh, this is so hard. How does Legend do it?"
On the other side, Gold City poked her head out of the water.
"You just need to be fast enough."
Legend crouched by the water and reached out to Gold City.
"Eh?"
Seeing the hand, Gold City looked up abruptly. After seeing Legend's face, she blushed slightly and took hold of Legend's hand.
Legend pulled Gold City up from the water.
"Ahem, when did you get here?"
Gold City asked, trying to cover it up.
"Right when you were sprinting."
Legend answered bluntly.
"Ugh... I, I was just a little curious, don't misunderstand!"
"Misunderstand what?"
"...Nothing."
Gold City saw that Legend truly didn't know, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Anyway, since you're already here, let's get ready to start the lesson."
"Then I'll be troubling you, Teacher City."
"Eh? Teacher... that sounds pretty good, doesn't it?" Gold City heard Legend's form of address, thought about it for a moment, and accepted it. "Right, where is your swim cap?"
"Ah, is that thing necessary for swimming?"
"Not necessarily, but swimming with long hair down is quite troublesome. For example, if you don't tie it up, you'll look like Sadako when you swim."
That should make you care a little, right?
Girls can't accept being told they look like a ghost.
"...That sounds so cool!"
Legend's eyes lit up.
"...Uh. Fine, suit yourself."
Gold City, who just remembered that Legend was not an ordinary person, sighed.
...
The two Uma Musume stood in the water.
"Ugh~"
Gold Legend let out an uneasy sound.
"...I'm telling you, you can run on the surface of the water, so why are you making that face while in the water?"
Gold City retorted.
"Those are two different things."
Legend replied.
"Alright, first I need to check your level... Have you ever had any experience in the water?"
"I can proudly say, none!"
"...Alright, then let's try putting your face in the water first."
Gold City felt helpless.
"Hmph, for this level, even I won't have a problem."
Gold Legend took a deep breath and buried her face in the water.
"Then, try opening your eyes next."
"..."
Bubbles appeared on the surface of the water.
"Huh?"
Gold Legend began to struggle.
"Eh?! You're done already?"
Gold City hurriedly reached out to support Legend.
"Puhah, I almost died..."
Legend said with lingering fear.
"..."
Gold City no longer had the energy to retort.
After resting for a while, the two regrouped.
"Then, this time, don't open your eyes; just try burying your head in one go."
"Eh? Starting with something so intense?"
"At times like this, going all the way in one go isn't actually scary; you just need momentum!"
Obviously, Gold City had given up on herself.
"Eh, alright then, I'll try."
Gold Legend took a deep breath.
She squatted down.
"Very good, and then try opening your eyes."
"..."
"Legend?"
Gold Legend began to struggle.
"Legend!!!"
There was another commotion.
There was no other choice but to take a break. Gold City helped Gold Legend sit by the side of the pool.
"Ah, as expected, the embrace of Mother Earth is our eternal home."
Feeling the solid sensation beneath her bottom, Gold Legend was moved.
"I'm telling you, you're being too dramatic." Gold City felt as if she were possessed by Tamamo Cross.
There were too many things to complain about.
"I am fated to have no connection with water."
Legend said righteously.
"..."
Because there were too many things to complain about, Gold City chose silence.
"Hm? Oba-chan? You actually came to the pool! Aren't you afraid of the water?"
An unrestrained voice appeared.
"...It's you, Festa... By the way, why are you wearing a hat while coming to the pool?"
That thing isn't waterproof, is it?
Legend looked at Festa's name and retorted.
"It feels quite uncomfortable without a name." Festa took off her hat casually.
Then her appearance improved by more than double.
"..." Gold City, who was just about to say something, froze.
"Oh, isn't this 'Checking In'? I almost didn't recognize you. Where's your hat?"
A wild Gold Ship appeared.
"What do you want from me? By the way, even though you're here to swim, you still won't take off your hat?"
Festa looked at the hat on Gold Ship's head and retorted.
"Eh? It's a hassle."
Gold Ship said, and casually took off her hat.
"..." Gold City was numb.
She looked at Gold Legend, then at Nakayama Festa and Gold Ship, her mouth slightly agape, looking like she wanted to say something but didn't know what to say.
"Hm? What's wrong, Senior Kinkaku."
"...Nothing, you guys chat first, I'm going to swim a few laps to calm down."
She turned, jumped, and left quickly.
"Wow, mermaids are probably just like that, right?"
Nakayama Festa watched Gold City's beautiful swimming form as she left and exclaimed.
"Indeed."
Gold Legend nodded.
"Gold Ship, you stop right there!" A voice approached from far to near. "Give back my ribbon!...Who are you?"
Tosen Jordan ran, panting, to the front of the three, and then froze.
"Gold Ship? Why did you take her ribbon? You shouldn't bully your classmates."
Gold Legend asked.
"I was just curious about what she would look like with her twin tails down."
Gold Ship was questioned by Legend, shivered, and then obediently returned the ribbon.
"Thank you. Are you Gold Legend-san? Orfevre and Gold City have both mentioned you to me. Hello, I am Tosen Jordan."
"Hello, I am Gold Legend."
Does she know Orfevre too? Legend thought, subconsciously responding by mimicking Ardan's movements.
"..." Seeing Legend's elegant movements, Tosen Jordan was stunned. She stared blankly at Gold Ship, then back at Legend.
"Your gaze is very rude." Gold Ship was a bit annoyed.
"Well, well, I'm going for a swim. Golshi, do you want to race?" Festa observed the situation, felt it had nothing to do with her, and chimed in with a suggestion.
"Sure, but a simple race is too boring. How about we bet on something? Whoever loses has to maintain proper etiquette for the whole day, how about that?" Golshi said.
"Playing for such high stakes? Fine. Don't come crying to me if you lose." When it came to gambling, Nakayama Festa never refused.
The two Gold Family Uma Musume left.
Tosen Jordan, who couldn't keep up with the pace, and Gold Legend, who couldn't swim, were left behind.
"...Are these the legendary Gold Family Uma Musume? Thank goodness Orfevre isn't like them..." Tosen Jordan muttered to herself.
"..." Gold Legend chose silence.
"Ah, sorry, my apologies..." Tosen Jordan refocused her gaze on Legend's face, then fell silent again.
"? What is it?" Legend asked, puzzled.
Tosen Jordan suddenly reached out and touched Legend's face. Legend blinked blankly.
"...This texture, this beauty..." Tosen Jordan seemed possessed, "Um, if I may ask, what brand of cosmetics and skincare products do you usually use?"
"Huh? I don't use any." Legend answered honestly.
"You don't?" Zordon looked unable to comprehend.
"I'm terrible at makeup, and as for skincare products, they're such a hassle."
"..." Tosen Jordan was sunk.
"Eh? Classmate Tosen Jordan? What's wrong?" Gold Legend looked at the inexplicably OTZ-ing Tosen Jordan, feeling a bit at a loss.
"...What happened?" Gold City, who had come back from a swim, looked at the baffling situation before her and blinked.
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