By the floor-to-ceiling window, Barbatos was combing through Seiun Sky's hair as the whirring hairdryer blasted warm air, creating a slightly odd atmosphere in the room.
Back in the dorm, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but here in a hotel room with just the two of them, helping someone dry their hair felt a bit... well.
Wait, no—that kind of awkwardness would only apply if a guy and a girl were alone together.
But this was just two Uma Musume sharing a room, one helping the other with her hair. It was a perfectly normal display of friendship and harmony.
As she ran her fingers through Seiun Sky's strands, Barbatos glanced out at the view, and it reminded her of her past life.
Back then, she'd had this idea: if she ever got a girlfriend, they'd go on a trip together, book a fancy hotel room with the best night view, and she'd dry her girlfriend's hair... and then maybe do some other lovely things. It was a nice thought.
Too bad she never had a girlfriend in her past life.
Now, in a way, that idea had come true—except Seiun Sky wasn't that kind of special someone.
At that thought, her movements with the hairdryer softened. She'd just treat this as practice for someday, when she'd go out with a girlfriend for real.
But as for actually finding a girlfriend... she'd been spending all her time playing League of Legends and hadn't run into any Uma Musume at Tracen Academy who made her feel that kind of spark—the kind that made her fall head over heels at first sight.
She wasn't like Special Week, who took one look at Silence Suzuka and was smitten.
Barbatos wasn't that simple-minded. Most of her time was spent playing League—she was pretty much a homebody Uma Musume. She really needed to get out more.
She couldn't repeat her past life, where she'd spent her whole school days gaming and never found a girlfriend.
As for Urara... whether it was her feelings toward Urara or Urara's toward her, for now they just felt like old hometown friends who'd known each other a long time.
Nothing weird was developing there. You could say the future was still full of possibilities.
After all, while Urara was out expanding her social circle, training, or hanging out with friends, Barbatos was usually holed up playing League of Legends.
This couldn't go on. Once they got back, she'd have to make an effort to connect more. Even if nothing beyond friendship developed with Urara, surely among the Uma Musume she'd meet through Urara, there'd be someone who caught her eye?
Her mind wandered with these random thoughts, but she didn't take the "find a girlfriend" plan too seriously. Instead, she focused on treating this as practice.
Hmm... why did the word "practice" feel so familiar somehow?
"You're not worried about tomorrow's race, are you?"
"Not at all. I already told everyone in Canopus that I'd win, so I won't lose. Do I look like someone who'd stress over her debut race?"
"I was just thinking about where to go after the race. There are plenty of fun spots in Osaka—like that Ferris Wheel over there."
She pointed toward the Ferris wheel visible from the window. Its peak rose even higher than their hotel. If you rode to the top, you could see all of Osaka spread out below. It'd probably look amazing at night.
She could scout the Ferris wheel after the race, take a ride, and get the lay of the land for when she brought a girlfriend here someday.
Hanshin Racecourse was one of Japan's four major racecourses. If Barbatos kept winning, she'd be back here often—it hosted plenty of Grade races.
"There really are a lot of fun places. But aren't you streaming tonight?"
Seiun Sky had gotten used to watching Barbatos's daily streams in their dorm, muttering to herself while gaming. It was like listening to a teacher lecturing in class—weirdly soothing, and it helped her fall asleep even faster than her usual three-second record.
"Told them no stream tonight. Don't want to perform poorly tomorrow because I didn't get enough sleep."
"But if you come cheer for me at the track, I might consider going live for a bit."
"You lost the bet."
"Luck changes. Next time, I'll win for sure!"
Next time they made a bet about fishing, she'd insist on splitting up—then she'd just jump in the river and use Hecarim's ultimate, [Onslaught of Shadows], to fear all the fish in the vicinity. She'd catch them one by one, easy!
After this little declaration, the whirring of the hairdryer stopped—just in time, as Seiun Sky's hair was fully dry.
Barbatos unplugged the dryer and put it back in its place. Seeing there was nothing else to do, she moved to her bed, ready to sleep.
The room had two beds, so she didn't have to squeeze in with Seiun Sky. Each settled into their own, scrolling through their phones and chatting with their Canopus friends.
After about half an hour, Barbatos set her phone down.
It was different from being in the dorm. There, she'd be sitting up playing League, her mind fully focused, and she never felt sleepy.
But here, lying in a hotel bed scrolling on her phone, the exhaustion from several days of not quite enough sleep seemed to crash down all at once.
She glanced over and saw Seiun Sky had also put her phone down and was getting ready to sleep. Barbatos had a feeling that if she waited a few seconds longer, Seiun Sky would doze off first, so she spoke up: "Going to sleep. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
--+--
Hanshin Racecourse.
Even though only a rookie race was being held today, the stands were still quite full.
It was a day off, after all—who wouldn't want to come watch an exciting race? While rookie races didn't have any popular Uma Musume, you never knew—you might catch a future star making her debut.
Witnessing a fledgling Uma Musume gradually rise to become a Triple Crown winner? Now that would be a story worth telling.
Barbatos, wearing Tracen's standard-issue white sleeveless top and red shorts with a red sports jacket over it, carried her stage uniform as she said goodbye to Minamizaka and Seiun Sky. Then she headed toward the competitors' entrance.
Minamizaka's expression seemed calm, but inside he was nervous—maybe even more nervous than Barbatos herself.
After all, in a way, Barbatos was the first Uma Musume under his care to run in a debut race.
Seiun Sky scanned the surroundings of Hanshin Racecourse, taking in the atmosphere.
She found a spot near the finish line with Minamizaka to watch from, when she suddenly remembered—last week, Barbatos had asked her streaming fans to help vote for her.
"What rank is Barbatos in the popularity poll?"
"Popularity?"
The question caught Minamizaka off guard.
He'd been so worried about whether she'd win or lose her debut race, concerned that her usual laid-back attitude might lead to a disappointing loss and shake her confidence.
But he hadn't paid any attention to the popularity voting. In sports, it's skill that matters, not popularity.
Seeing his expression, Seiun Sky realized he hadn't checked either. She pulled out her phone, wondering if she should look it up now, but then decided it wasn't really necessary.
They'd find out soon enough once the race began.
But with her phone already in hand, she hesitated a moment, then opened LINE and tapped on Barbatos's contact—still saved under the nickname "Slacker Queen."
She sent a voice message:
"Go get 'em!"
--+--
T/N: Lowkey loving the dynamic w barbatos and seiun sky
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.