"Fuuuh…"
McQueen walks alone in bustling Tokyo. She doesn't need to be vigilant, as her uniform alone is enough of a deterrent to any criminal who would like to keep their life. Not only that, she was also a member of the famous Mejiro family. They've connections all over Japan, including with the infamous Yakuza. Messing with McQueen is basically angering the entirety of Japan.
"Sweet store… Sweet store…"
McQueen is busy scrolling through the map on her phone. Not to get direction back to Tracen, but to search for sweet stores. If this kind of chance, where she and her trainer can go on a date, would happen again in the future, she would like to be prepared.
"Kyoto or… Nagoya… Hmm… Is it too far? Let's see Shinkansen's route…"
McQueen wants to be extremely prepared for her next date. She can't risk her date being invaded by Goldship or anyone else. It has to be only her and the young man.
"But maybe I should try near Sapporo… If we have the time, we can visit the mansion…"
McQueen slides northward on her phone toward the island of Sapporo, where the Mejiro Mansion is located. But just like before, McQueen needs to think about the travel time between Tokyo and Sapporo. If she is about to have the date there, then they'll need to schedule it on a long holiday.
"Hmm… That will be reserved for holidays. As for everyday's date…"
"McQueen."
"Eh?"
McQueen is startled when someone calls out for her. By the voice, it was from her big sister Ramonu. McQueen looks around and notices the Jaguar Mark IV that is slowing down beside her.
"Big sis Ramonu? Greetings."
"Greeting. Are you walking to Tracen?"
"Yes."
"Then get in."
"Ah! Thank you!"
McQueen quickly entered her big sister's personal car and sat beside her. The moment the door closed and the air conditioner circulated the air, McQueen noticed a particular smell in the air. The smell of HER trainer's body odor. Her trainer had rarely ever sweated, much to the confusion of his trainees, but every time he did, a fragrant smell always filled the air. A smell that none of his trainees ever forgets. A smell that tickles Uma's psychology. A smell that draws them closer to him.
The problem here? It has been some time since the young man was inside this car. And to still have his smell so prevalent here, there are several reasons that McQueen comes up in her mind. It's either that her big sis hasn't had the time to clean the car, or the young man was sweating like crazy inside this car that a carwash couldn't wipe the smell away.
Big sis Ramonu isn't lazy. She always does her task as soon as possible. And besides, she has a personal driver. She can ask him to clean the car. Which means… Igo Heita was sweating far more than he had been with me. He was sweating with big sis Ramonu in this car…
"McQueen… What's wrong?"
"Ah!! Nothing! Nothing!! I was just thinking about training."
"Ooh~~ That's nice to hear. How is he doing? I hope he has been treating you well."
"Aha… Well… Eight out of ten, he is acting like a proper adult."
"Fufufu~~ It's always fun hearing what that man has been up to. It must be fun experiencing it firsthand, McQueen."
"Well… When it's good, you want to thank the goddesses. When it's bad, you want to smash your head on the nearest wall."
"That's what I mean by being fun, McQueen. Experiencing good things twenty-four seven will decrease their value. Experiencing hardship will make you understand just how precious those good times are. Believe me, you'll soon enough miss those hardships."
"I shall remember your words, big sis Ramonu."
"Don't forget to tell grandmother about him. Don't try to sweeten everything. Tell her the truth, and she'll appreciate him more than if you try to make him a shining white knight."
"Is that so?"
"So, what is the target you and your trainer have decided on for this year?"
"The classic triple crown."
"Cough… Cough… Cough…"
McQueen was taken aback when she saw her usually calm and collected big sis coughing in surprise. It's hard to see her not being in control of herself, so McQueen engraved the current Ramonu deep in her mind, as she was sure she wouldn't ever see Ramonu like this ever again.
"Quite the high pedestal you're aiming for, McQueen."
"Ahaha… I said that to him, too."
"And his response was?"
"He said that he believes in me!"
"..."
Ramonu was taken aback by her little sister's bright smile. Ramonu had known McQueen since she was a baby. Being a member of a powerful family, a Mejiro must learn how to wear a fake smile. It's a skill that Ramonu had mastered quite well, which is why their grandmother had confidence in picking Ramonu to attend political parties, where Ramonu became desensitized with smiles, as all are fake. So seeing her little sister's smile so purely and brightly purifies a little bit of Ramonu's soul.
Can I… Smile like that too…?
Ramonu glances at the window beside her and tries to smile. Unlike McQueen's bright smile, her smile is fake. No emotion behind it. No actual happiness supporting. Only an empty and hollow smile befitting of a political figure, not a racing Uma.
When was the last time I could smile so brightly like her…? When was the last time I could feel genuine happiness…? I remembered being so happy during a race, but when was that…? When did I stop enjoying a race…?
"My trainer might be stupid, but I know I'll have a ton of fun with him!!"
"Igo Heita… Tell me, what kind of training has he put you under, McQueen? I do hope he understands that he can't obtain the classic triple crown with basic training."
"Of course! He understands it completely! That's why he recruited Agnes Tachyon as an assistant trainer!"
"Agnes Tachyon…? The Phantom Triple Crown?"
"Mhm!! I don't know how, but he got that amazing Uma as his assistant trainer! Not only that, team Minaz has also become the beta tester for Umalator! He seems to be close to Director Akikawa to be able to do that."
"I see… What an amazing man…"
Hearing McQueen complimenting Igo Heita brought joy to Mejiro Ramonu's heart. Like how a wife would feel when someone is complimenting her husband. The young man vowed to Ramonu after all. Doesn't that basically mean they're married? At least that's how Ramonu is seeing it.
You have done so much in such a short time… You really want to fulfill our vow that much, huh… My de–darling. I'm sorry that I had only spent my time playing costumes. As a failure of a wife, I should commit a naked dogeza and beg for his forgiveness.