During afternoon training, Grass Wonder was called away by Nase Fumino to practice swimming. Only then did Fujiwara Shirayuki finally let out a breath of relief. Grass Wonder's "service" was far too heavy. Whenever someone tried to talk to Shirayuki, it felt as though there was a wall between them.
Who had turned that quiet and gentle Grass into this? Was it me? Fujiwara Shirayuki did not know. She shook her head, unwilling to think too deeply about it, and shifted her attention back to training.
A timer appeared in her field of vision.
"Five more minutes, then you can rest," Fujiwara Chiya said, raising his head to speak to everyone. Not far away, Rice Shower made a small sound.
"Onii-sama... Rice... can't bend down. Please help Rice."
"Fumino, watch the time for me." Handing the timer to Nase Fumino, Fujiwara Chiya quickly walked behind Rice Shower. He crouched on the sand and placed both hands against Rice's soft back. "How is it, Rice? Are you okay?"
"I'm okay... You can use a little more strength, Onii-sama."
Fujiwara Chiya gently pushed forward. Rice's body trembled as she slowly bent down. "Ah... it hurts..."
"Sorry."
"N-No, it's okay... Onii-sama." Rice Shower breathed heavily, her face flushed. "Once Rice gets used to it, it won't hurt anymore. Onii-sama, keep going."
Although the two were only doing flexibility training, Rice's delicate voice somehow sounded strange.
Nase Fumino kept track of the time while looking toward the black-haired girl sitting in front of Fujiwara Chiya. Over the past few days of observation, among all the Uma Musume, Rice Shower received the most care from Fujiwara Chiya. Even more than his younger cousin Shirayuki.
Perhaps because Rice's adorable appearance and fragile personality easily stirred a man's protective instinct, Fujiwara Chiya unconsciously leaned toward her. Rice's way of addressing him was also shaped by her personality. But every time Nase Fumino looked at Rice, something felt off.
Deep within those purple eyes, there seemed to be a strange obsession. That obsession went beyond the affection an Uma Musume had for her trainer. It went beyond the feeling of a little sister toward an older brother. It had reached a higher, more dangerous level. A woman's intuition told her that this little-sister-type Uma Musume was not as simple as she looked on the surface.
While Nase Fumino was quietly observing Rice, the other girl seemed to notice something and looked over. Those beautiful, jewel-like purple eyes met Nase Fumino's.
Suddenly, Rice curved her brows and showed an innocent smile without the slightest stain.
"What's wrong, Rice? Are you looking at Fumino?"
"Mm." Rice nodded. "She can just watch what happens between Onii-sama and Rice from the side."
"Hm?"
"Nothing. Rice feels like her body has become softer, Onii-sama."
"Really? That's good."
"Next time Onii-sama hugs Rice, it'll definitely feel even more comfortable."
"Ah...? Rice, I'm not having you stretch so you'll feel nicer to hug. It's so you can have more power during races." Fujiwara Chiya coughed awkwardly.
"Yes. Rice was only trying to make Onii-sama happy."
Rice's ears swayed lightly. Fujiwara Chiya felt that he was starting to understand this little girl less and less.
"Time's up, Chiya," Nase Fumino reminded him.
"Okay. Everyone, rest for ten minutes!"
The moment Fujiwara Chiya said that, the noisy beach instantly quieted down. Everyone collapsed onto the sand, completely exhausted.
Nase Fumino walked over. "Let's go buy something to drink, Chiya."
"Sure." He happened to be thirsty. "What about Rice? What do you want to drink?"
"Rice... wants to drink Onii-sama's drink."
"The same as mine?"
"Onii-sama's bottle," Rice repeated.
"My bottle? I can buy you a new one."
"Rice wants Onii-sama's."
With no other choice, Fujiwara Chiya agreed. Before leaving, Nase Fumino gave Rice one last look. The other girl still had that innocent and adorable smile.
She wants to drink from the same bottle as Chiya. What exactly is this child trying to do?
After Nase Fumino's back disappeared, Rice turned her head. "Trainer Nase..." Hugging her knees, Rice gently swung her feet. "Could you please stop getting closer to Onii-sama? Rice is in such a good mood today."
While Fujiwara Chiya and Nase Fumino were away, Shirayuki happened to see Grass Wonder and the others walking up from the shore. On the other side, Fujiwara Shirayuki hurried toward the dorm bathroom.
She was a little afraid to face Grass Wonder right now. Grass Wonder's wholehearted care was too much for her to handle. It was not that Shirayuki hated being closer to Grass Wonder, but when there were so many people around, it was inappropriate!
With a bang, Shirayuki shut the bathroom door. Before she could calm herself down, she immediately heard a sharp cry from her left.
"Idiot! Grass, you big idiot!"
Fujiwara Shirayuki jumped in fright and quickly turned her head. She saw Special Week standing beside the mirror, punching the air at her own reflection.
"Spe-chan?"
"Uwaa! Shirayuki!?" Special Week's tail sprang up. After seeing who had come in, she let out a breath of relief. "Why are you alone? Where's Grass?"
Special Week's voice sounded a little strange. There seemed to be a faint resentment mixed into it.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her since earlier."
"Ah, I see," Special Week replied lukewarmly.
The air became awkward.
"R-Right, Spe-chan. About what Grass said at lunch... I want to apologize to you on her behalf."
"Hm?"
"Actually, whether it's an official race or a mock race, I don't judge the sincerity of a promise by the importance of the race." Fujiwara Shirayuki explained what had happened at lunch, trying to comfort Special Week. Grass Wonder's thoughts were not Shirayuki's thoughts. In truth, Shirayuki still valued her friendship with Special Week very much.
"I never thought Spe-chan's feelings were casual," Shirayuki said, looking at her nervously. "If Spe-chan wants me to spend time with her, you don't need to go through so much trouble. You only need to tell me. Every word you say can be a promise. This weekend, let's go to the town together. How about that?"
She still remembered what she had promised Silence Suzuka before. She had promised to take care of Special Week and not let her feel lonely.
"Shirayuki..." Hearing such sincere words, Special Week could no longer hold back the emotion in her heart. She ran over and hugged Shirayuki tightly. "You're my best friend, Shirayuki!"
"You too." Shirayuki gently held her head.
The two hugged each other, quietly feeling each other's heartbeat. A few minutes later, Special Week wiped the corner of her eyes and said softly, "You know, Shirayuki, back home, Mom told me that best friends have a way to prove they're best friends."
"A way to prove best friends?"
Special Week nodded. She released her arms and stood face to face with Shirayuki. Her cheeks were a little red, and her eyes shifted nervously before she asked, "Does Shirayuki want it? The proof that we're best friends."
Could it be something like a badge? Fujiwara Shirayuki nodded. "I want it."
"Close your eyes, Shirayuki. I'll give it to you now."
Shirayuki obediently closed her eyes. What was so mysterious about it?
While waiting, Fujiwara Shirayuki felt something soft touch her cheek. That warm, slightly damp sensation struck Shirayuki's heart like a blade. She opened her eyes suddenly and saw Special Week kissing her cheek.
It seemed to have taken great courage. Special Week's cheeks were bright red.
"Spe-chan!?"
"This is proof that Shirayuki is my best friend." Taking Shirayuki's hand, Special Week touched her fingers and smiled.
Fujiwara Shirayuki froze. She still had not fully processed what had just happened. Spe-chan had actually kissed her.
As a girl, this was the first time Shirayuki had been kissed by another girl. Her feelings were a little complicated, and her heart felt strangely itchy.
She was happy. Not the kind of happiness that came from being confessed to. Fujiwara Shirayuki felt as though she had received a very precious feeling. It was the friendship between Uma Musume.
She held Special Week's hand. "Thank you, Spe-chan."
"Hehe~ Then it's settled. We'll go out together this weekend."
"Of course."
Outside the bathroom, Grass Wonder stood at the door. Her hand remained in the position of pushing the door open, but her body did not move at all, as if frozen in place.
Listening to the voices inside, Grass Wonder felt her blood rush upward, almost enough to burst through her mind. A few seconds later, she lowered her arm. Her fist clenched tightly, almost hard enough to crush itself.
After one more look at the bathroom door, Grass Wonder turned and left the hallway.