Inside the dorm room, Fujiwara Chiya lay on the bed.
A wave-like sense of comfort kept striking at his mind. The feeling from his fingertips, the gentle touch, every sensation sliding across his skin challenged the limits of his endurance.
Shirayuki's skin had always been more sensitive than an ordinary person's, and under Grass Wonder's precise care, she had no way to defend herself.
Her shoulders, arms, sides, and legs were being carefully washed clean. That ticklish, numbing feeling was like someone sweeping a feather across his heart, tormenting his mind.
No, Grass... stop!
Facing Grass Wonder, who was flushed and holding Shirayuki firmly to keep her from escaping, Fujiwara Chiya could only curl up tightly, bumping his head against the wall again and again to relieve that strange anxiety.
"Onii-sama, are you in your room?"
Rice... Rice!?
Fujiwara Chiya was breathing unevenly as he weakly sat up from the bed.
His current state was extremely bad. The strange sensations connected through Shirayuki had completely stirred up his nerves, and he desperately needed to calm his head. At a time like this, if Rice came in, it would be difficult for Fujiwara Chiya not to think in the wrong direction.
Just as Fujiwara Chiya was preparing to stay silent and wait for Rice to leave, perhaps because she had heard the sounds inside the room, Rice stood at the door.
"Onii-sama?"
She asked again.
There was still no response.
Just now, there had clearly been a strange thudding sound in the room, as if something had been knocked against the wall.
Connecting that with the fact that Onii-sama had not come to open the door, Rice suddenly had an uneasy thought.
Could something have happened to Onii-sama?
Was that sound just now the sound of him collapsing?
Thinking this, Rice hurriedly gripped the handle. While calling out, she opened the door.
"Onii-sama, Rice is coming in!"
"Wait..."
Before he could finish speaking, Rice had already entered the room.
Then she saw Fujiwara Chiya sitting on the bed, hugging his knees, covered in sweat.
Seeing that he was all right, Rice finally let out a breath of relief.
"Sorry, Onii-sama. Rice heard a strange sound and got worried."
"It's... It's fine. I was sleeping just now."
Fujiwara Chiya showed a stiff smile.
At that moment, his willpower was undergoing an unprecedented trial. On one side was Grass Wonder continuing to help clean Shirayuki's body. On the other was Rice Shower, standing before him completely defenseless and innocent.
"Did you need something, Rice?"
Fujiwara Chiya wiped away his sweat and forced down his emotions as he spoke.
"Rice wanted to ask Onii-sama to eat together."
"Eat... eat, huh? I'm not that hungry right now. If you want to..."
Just as Fujiwara Chiya was about to get off the bed, Grass Wonder's gentle hand brushed against one of Shirayuki's more ticklish spots.
At the same time, Grass whispered close to Shirayuki's ear.
"It'll be clean soon, Yuki-chan."
Fujiwara Chiya's waist went weak.
With a thud, he fell from the bed.
"Onii-sama!?"
Rice hurriedly ran to Fujiwara Chiya's side and helped him up.
"Are you all right, Onii-sama?"
Why had he suddenly gone limp like a puppet with its strings cut?
His mind was a mess, and he could not think properly.
Lying in Rice's arms, Fujiwara Chiya smelled the pleasant scent of flowers and milk from her body. Rice, who had always looked adorable and innocent in his eyes, now seemed to radiate a strange charm.
Why does Rice smell so nice?
Fujiwara Chiya sat up.
Looking at Rice's delicate and cute face, the expression in his eyes gradually changed.
"Onii-sama?"
Deep within his eyes, Rice discovered that her gentle Onii-sama had shown an emotion different from usual.
This was!
Rice froze for a moment.
Onii-sama had... finally understood.
She closed her eyes and raised her head.
Her heart beat rapidly, as though from nervousness, but also from excitement.
"Onii-sama..."
She softly called his name, preparing herself to accept everything.
Then she felt herself being pulled into a strong embrace.
This was the first time Rice had ever been hugged by Onii-sama on his own initiative.
An intense sense of happiness struck her heart. Rice reached out and hugged the man's broad shoulders. Her body leaned closer against him, and her tail wrapped tightly around Chiya's leg.
"Mm, Onii... sama..."
Her voice came out in broken pieces.
On the other side, Grass Wonder finally let go after helping Shirayuki wash away all the sand.
"Yuki-chan, I've helped you clean up."
Fujiwara Shirayuki collapsed limply on the bath floor, without even the slightest strength left in her body. Her face was so red it looked as if water might drip from it. Her skin still carried a lingering numb, ticklish sensation.
Using all the strength she had left, Fujiwara Shirayuki raised her head.
She looked at the smiling Grass Wonder and vaguely saw that the other girl seemed extremely satisfied.
"Th-Thank you. I need to rest for a while."
Fujiwara Shirayuki panted.
"Rest for a while? Why don't we go to the cafeteria? I'll help you get dressed, then we can eat."
As she said that, Grass Wonder bent down and lifted Shirayuki in a princess carry.
"Grass!?"
"What is it, Yuki-chan? Since you're this tired, I can carry you."
For an Uma Musume, Shirayuki's weight was nothing at all. Grass Wonder could carry her all day without any problem.
"No need! I can walk by myself!"
Shirayuki struggled out of Grass Wonder's arms, then quickly picked up a bath towel and wrapped it around herself.
So cute, Shirayuki. You're acting like this even after I helped you wash up.
Grass Wonder's smile did not fade.
She was still savoring the impact of the bath earlier. What a beautiful color, Yuki-chan. Just like cherry blossom petals.
Everyone held affection for cute and beautiful things, and Grass Wonder was no exception. Her affection for Shirayuki was simply stronger than most people's.
"Let's go, Yuki-chan."
Grass Wonder naturally took her hand.
"Today has only just begun."
"I think this is enough, Grass. You already did very well."
"No, we agreed on a whole day, so it's a whole day. It won't end until this time tomorrow. So please take care of me tonight too, Yuki-chan."
Looking at Grass Wonder's happy expression, Shirayuki swallowed.
There was still a faint sweet softness on her tongue from Rice's side.
What exactly will happen to me today?
Shirayuki and Grass Wonder left the bath.
Without Grass's stimulation, Fujiwara Chiya gradually regained his senses. When he realized what he and Rice were doing, his eyes widened.
What am I doing!?
It was as if his thoughts had been taken over by impulse, leaving him unable to think at all. By the time he came back to himself, he and Rice were already holding each other, sharing a kiss like lovers.
Fujiwara Chiya's movements stopped.
However, Rice still seemed reluctant to part, gently leaning closer.
Finally, after a little while, Rice opened her eyes and showed a satisfied smile.
"What happened? Onii-sama was so proactive today. Did you miss Rice? Hehe~ Rice missed Onii-sama too."
Rice touched the corner of her lips and smiled.
She nestled against Fujiwara Chiya's chest like a small cat, her ears swaying as she lightly rubbed against him.
"Onii-sama, should we go eat... or should we stay like this a little longer?"
No, no, no!
They absolutely could not continue like this!
He had actually lost his head and acted toward Rice. He truly deserved a thousand punishments!
Fujiwara Chiya was filled with regret.
"...Let's go eat, Rice."
"Yes. Rice will listen to Onii-sama."
Rice was already very satisfied today.
Onii-sama had fully shown his affection for her. During training, Onii-sama kept looking at Trainer Nase Fumino, and that had made Rice feel very uncomfortable. But in the end, Onii-sama still chose her.
What did that mean?
It meant that, in Onii-sama's eyes, Rice was more charming than that person!
So what if the other woman had a better figure?
Onii-sama liked Rice.
Thinking this, Rice's tail swayed happily.
"Let's go, Onii-sama. Let's eat."
Once Onii-sama was full, Rice could have more of Onii-sama's attention.