King Halo woke up very early today. For once, she didn't wake up her roommate, Haru Urara. Instead, she changed into her tracksuit by herself and, after a simple breakfast, headed to the training grounds.
To be clear, she wasn't so excited about training just to become the first assigned Uma Musume of that third-rate trainer, Kitano Ryuichi. She was here to win the selection race she had promised. After all, it was her first race as a first-class individual—though it had no official rank, it was a highly anticipated race, and she was the one who issued the challenge. She had to take first place.
As for joining that Kitano Ryuichi's team after winning, becoming his first charge...
Hmph, he should feel honored that a first-class me is becoming the charge of a third-rate trainer like him, she thought proudly.
She wasn't a petty Uma Musume. Jealousy was not a quality a first-class girl should possess. If she won first place—of course, that was a given—then if that man could properly change his prejudice against her, and also not consider that pretentious girl named Mihono Bourbon for the team, she wouldn't mind giving him a chance.
When she arrived at the grounds, she thought that as a first-class individual, she would be the earliest to train. But to her surprise, a small figure seemed to have arrived even earlier...
She remembered that small, dark-haired Uma Musume. Her name was "Rice Shower." According to her followers, this girl was cursed with bad luck, and being too close to her would cause unfortunate things to happen.
King Halo had always been disdainful of such rumors. She wouldn't form a stereotype of someone just based on hearsay. At the very least, she was quite surprised that another girl was here earlier than her.
But what surprised her even more was that this girl named Rice Shower clearly hadn't just arrived a step ahead of her. She had probably been here for half an hour already. A few empty water bottles and a small towel nearby were proof.
...This girl is clearly not usually this diligent. King Halo thought. And the answer was obvious. This girl was working hard to win the selection race.
"...Does that guy have that much charm?" she muttered to herself. But for some reason, her tail began to sway slightly because of Rice Shower, and her ears twitched, looking a little annoyed, yet also competitive.
With that thought, she silently began to follow Rice Shower's pace. She decided that whenever Rice left, she would train for an additional hour.
To be clear, it wasn't to prove that she valued this race more than Rice! She didn't want to be that guy's charge. She just didn't want to lose to this little Uma Musume!
What she didn't expect was that she had been running with Rice ever since, until the training grounds became more and more crowded, almost as noisy as a market, and Rice still hadn't left! Instead, she was the one who was about to run out of breath.
This girl—does she have endless stamina? King Halo thought, drenched in sweat. She had lost count of how many laps she had run, but she gritted her teeth and persevered. She just didn't want to lose to this girl who was so much shorter than her.
Just then, she noticed Rice's pace suddenly stop. She was looking in one direction. Curious, she followed her gaze and soon found the figure of Kitano Ryuichi on the stands.
What's this guy doing here? she thought. But she quickly found the answer, flicking her hair.
"Hmph, so you've finally come to appreciate the graceful running of a first-class me? I suppose this third-rate guy has some taste after all."
"Then watch closely. This is a privilege granted to you by a first-class me~"
Thinking this, her mood improved considerably. She didn't even know why she felt this way...
She just subconsciously felt that she shouldn't show her exhausted side to that man. The self he saw should be calm, composed, and in control at all times.
With that thought, she immediately adjusted her breathing, puffed out her chest to pretend she was relaxed. And the next second when she looked over, she found two more people beside him.
Huh? Student Opera O? Why is she getting close to him?
And Ms. Hayakawa? Why is she with him too?
Wait, student Opera O seems to be saying something to him? Why is she holding his hand!
—What are you doing?!
The last moment, when her eyes landed on T.M. Opera O lightly kissing the back of his hand, although she knew it was just a simple hand-kiss, her pupils still widened. She almost shouted the words out loud.
What are you doing to a man you've only met twice! Even though you have European blood, didn't you grow up in Japan?! Where's your Japanese modesty, student Opera O!
As she pursed her lips, seemingly wanting to chase after the departing Opera O, Rice Shower's figure suddenly brushed past her, running non-stop in the direction she had left.
For a moment, King Halo was at a loss. Should she chase after them or not?
"—Hmph, why should I care about that guy's relationships? I'm a first-class Uma Musume who's going to win the race!"
In the end, it was her pride, or perhaps her un-frank personality, that stopped her from questioning them like Rice did. She went back to her own training.
However, when she looked at the stands again, she found that his figure had disappeared.
And with it, a part of her heart that had just been reawakened. Now, she no longer felt the lightness in her steps, only that the track seemed so long...
Meanwhile, T.M. Opera O had left the training grounds. At this point, Rice Shower, who had been following her all the way, was panting heavily from the excessive training, but she still called out to her:
"S-sorry! But please wait!"
"Ara? Isn't it the most beautiful blue rose?" Opera O, of course, recognized the running Rice. As always, she welcomed her with the exaggerated gestures of an opera performer.
"Is there something you need from the most dazzling Overlord? Has our most beautiful blue rose finally come to her senses and wants to join my opera club? We've all been welcoming you!"
"N-no, that's not it!" Rice, being a shy girl, had trouble communicating with a social terrorist like Opera O. But she still couldn't help the questions welling up inside her.
After witnessing Opera O kiss his hand, she couldn't get it out of her mind. She wasn't usually one to chase after someone for gossip or because of her own unhappiness, but she couldn't help it.
She felt that if she didn't get a clear answer, she wouldn't be able to sleep for the next few nights! So, this time, she mustered all her courage and, with her eyes closed, asked:
"Rice wants to know—student Opera O, what is your relationship with Mr. Kitano? R-Rice saw it! You k-kissed his hand!"
"Although Rice knows you're more... free-spirited at school, Rice knows! You never have excessive contact with people, you even politely decline when someone tries to hold your hand!"
"But your behavior today was very different! Rice wants to know, what is your relationship with Mr. Kitano!"
With her eyes closed, Rice finally managed to ask the question, suppressing her fear. And perhaps she should be glad for her current state.
Otherwise, she would have been terrified to see that at the moment she asked, the usually friendly and never-angry student Opera O's expression... was truly terrifying.
And not far away, a Uma Musume named "Matikanefukukitaru," who was good at divination, suddenly shivered and said with trepidation:
"Ueeeh! S-suddenly—I feel a very strong 'possessiveness' and 'heavy track' aura! And the level is terrifying!"
"Which Uma Musume could emit such a powerful heavy track aura? This level of possessiveness, it's like she wants to merge with the person!"
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