"Shirayuki, do you have time?"
Fujiwara Shirayuki had been looking for somewhere quiet in the hallway when her brain seemed to freeze on the spot.
Nase Fumino walked up and called out to her. Seeing that Shirayuki did not respond, Fumino waved a hand in front of her face.
"Trainer Nase..."
After finally recovering from her shock, Fujiwara Shirayuki spoke in a daze.
There was still a soft warmth lingering on her lips.
Touching her own mouth, Fujiwara Shirayuki's thoughts became tangled.
"Shirayuki?"
"Ah, sorry, Trainer Nase."
Forcing her attention back to the present, Fujiwara Shirayuki asked, "Is something wrong?"
"I wanted to talk to you in detail about yesterday's race. If possible, could you come to my office?"
"Okay."
After the image of Hayakawa Tazuna disappeared from her field of vision, Fujiwara Shirayuki patted her chest and let out a long breath. Then she followed Nase Fumino to her office.
Once they arrived, Fumino asked why Shirayuki had chosen to accelerate at that exact timing during the race.
Without hiding anything, Fujiwara Shirayuki explained what she had been thinking at the time. Nase Fumino remained silent for quite a while.
Finally, she spoke.
"Impressive."
Looking at Fujiwara Shirayuki, Nase Fumino asked, "Your experience and judgment are the best I've seen among Uma Musume around your age. Did Chiya teach you?"
"He did teach me quite a lot."
"Good talent, and excellent learning ability."
Nase Fumino nodded.
This child had the qualities needed to become strong. Even Super Creek had not possessed such sharp race awareness at her age.
"Would you be interested in training with me?"
"...Hm?"
"Ah."
Nase Fumino covered her mouth.
What kind of stupid mistake am I making?
She silently scolded herself.
Although she had already started caring for Chiya's Uma Musume as if they were her own, on the surface, the two of them still led separate teams. Besides, she had never told these Uma Musume about her relationship with Chiya, including Fujiwara Shirayuki.
If she suddenly asked Shirayuki to come over, wouldn't it sound like she was trying to steal Chiya's Uma Musume?
That was not what Nase Fumino meant.
She only thought Shirayuki was talented, and since Shirayuki was also Chiya's younger cousin, it made sense to give her some special attention. When Shirayuki stayed on Chiya's side, Fumino could not observe her every moment. The best method would be to place Shirayuki into her own team.
It was true that Chiya had learned a lot by now, but Nase Fumino felt that he still could not fully draw out Shirayuki's potential. If Shirayuki trained under her, perhaps her ability could be raised another level.
"I don't mean I want you to transfer teams. I only mean that, if possible, I'd like you to train with me for a while. I can help adjust your training method."
"O-Oh, I see..."
That scared Shirayuki.
She had thought Fumino wanted to poach her. That would have been far too sudden, especially without even telling Chiya in advance or explaining the reason.
"So, adjusting my training method..."
"That's right. I want you to follow my training content for a while. If you stay only with Chiya, I won't be able to check your training condition properly."
"In that case, Trainer Nase, would you be interested in joint training?"
Shirayuki asked, "Summer training camp is coming soon anyway. If possible, Trainer Nase could train together with my cousin by the seaside. If I had to go by myself... how should I put it? I'd still feel a little resistant."
If people saw her, Chiya's Uma Musume, training under another trainer, who knew what they might think? It might create unpleasant rumors.
Joint training would not have that problem.
Of course, they could not always do joint training. Every trainer had different schedules, and constantly training together would seriously interfere with each other's plans.
But the summer training camp period was just right.
"Training together... by the seaside."
Nase Fumino widened her eyes.
She lowered her head and thought for a moment before murmuring, "That sounds good..."
"Right?"
"I'll inform Chiya later. During summer training camp, our two teams will train together. He probably won't refuse, right?"
"He won't. He actually likes training together with Trainer Nase quite a bit. He feels like he can learn a lot when he's beside you."
"I see. So that's what he thinks. That's good..."
Nase Fumino tapped her fingers lightly.
Noticing Shirayuki's gaze, she coughed a few times.
"If he has no issue with it, then it's decided. During summer training camp, I'll arrange your training plan. You can try it for a while."
"Okay. Then I'll be in your care, Trainer Nase."
There were not many chances to receive guidance from a senior trainer. She had to make good use of this period and experience the difference between a senior trainer and a rookie trainer like herself.
After thanking Fumino, Fujiwara Shirayuki stood up and prepared to leave.
"Oh, right, Shirayuki."
Nase Fumino suddenly spoke again.
"Is there something else, Trainer Nase?"
As if she had made a very serious decision, Nase Fumino asked, "What kind of swimsuit do you think Chiya would like?"
?
"...Swimsuit?"
"Since it's seaside training, we'll definitely wear swimsuits, right? It's not as if we can wear this kind of outfit."
Nase Fumino lowered her head and looked at her gray suit. It had no sense of atmosphere at all.
Since she finally had the chance to go out with Chiya, she wanted to wear something more suited to the beach.
For example, a swimsuit.
"I wanted to ask what style he likes."
"Th-That..."
Fujiwara Shirayuki began to sweat from the question.
"I'm not really sure either. After all, my cousin has never said anything about it. But if I had to guess, he probably prefers something a bit mature."
"Something mature."
Nase Fumino placed a hand on her chin.
"I see. I understand."
"Trainer Nase, why are you asking something like this?"
"I want to use it as a reference."
"A reference... for my cousin's preferences?"
"Yes."
Nase Fumino nodded.
"On the day of the mock race, Mr. Zenya came over. Fujiwara Zenya. He is your..."
"Uncle."
Shirayuki casually made something up.
"Your uncle asked me whether I would be willing to marry into the Fujiwara family. I thought about it carefully, and I feel it isn't a bad option."
Thump.
Shirayuki's heart suddenly jumped.
"I'm very familiar with the Fujiwara family. And Chiya is fairly reliable as a man too. He's far better than those people who only know how to flatter others. So I think it would be best to understand Chiya's preferences in advance. Shirayuki, if you know anything else about your cousin, I hope you'll tell me. I can use it as a reference."
"U-Uncle actually said something like that? I understand. If I remember anything, I'll tell you, Trainer Nase. I hope things between you two go... go smoothly."
With an extremely stiff smile, Shirayuki fled the office as if escaping.
After closing the door, she leaned against the wall and clutched her pounding heart.
What even is happening?
Chiya, you're just a rookie trainer. What right do you have to be favored by these people?
On one side was the Director's secretary of Tracen.
On the other was the youngest genius trainer in history.
No matter how she looked at it, he needed to produce a status worthy of standing beside those two.
First, they would aim for a graded race. He would become an intermediate trainer.
Then she would use her own feet, her own experience, and climb step by step toward the very top tier.