The time was just past 1 PM. The sun, harsh and unseasonably strong for spring, blazed down on us, who had just finished eating.
"First, let's head to that Uma Musume merchandise shop just over there! And… we're going to spoil ourselves! I wouldn't hesitate to part with a few Yukichi if necessary!"
The other sun in my life said this to me, practically glowing with excitement.
"…You're energetic."
Deji-tan was as dazzling as ever.
Right now, we were walking toward that store.
…Honestly. I'm going to die. When she wears clothes that make her look like a little girl and acts all excited like one… it's just overwhelming.
When her emotions run high, she uses her gestures and movements, which attract a lot of attention. Most of the people watching are giving her those warm, "aww" looks, so it's fine. Actually, the more, the better. More people should bask in the divine glory that is Deji-tan.
As I walked, pondering ways to spread Deji-tan's greatness, she pointed to a building.
"There it is! That shop! A treasure trove of moe and divine glory awaits us there! Good deeds should be done quickly, so let's go right away!"
And with that, she dashed off. I quickened my pace to catch up. People in suits and trendy ladies nearby squinted at us, clearly surprised. Indeed, Deji-tan's divinity knows no age or gender.
Before the automatic doors even fully opened, Deji-tan had dashed into the back of the store. I followed after her.
"Woooah…! Over here, over there…! National treasure-level treasures everywhere…! …Fufufun~ fu~ funfun~♪"
A human national treasure… no, an Uma Musume national treasure, was singing to herself.
She was clearly thrilled to be in a place where she could indulge her hobby, even humming skillfully as she went.
I wanted to buy something too, while I was here. But it was a pity that Deji-tan merchandise didn't even exist in the world yet.
"…Looking at this with a slightly disappointed face, huh, Aurora-chan? I've somehow started to understand what you're thinking lately…"
"…Really? So, what do you think I'm thinking?"
"You're probably disappointed that there's no merchandise of me, right? …Look at these divine artifacts here! Isn't it obvious which is more amazing—me or these?"
"…You got it right. And as for your question, the answer is only Deji-tan."
Come to think of it, Golshi-chan read my mind before. Maybe I am that predictable.
"Wow… to say that even in this store… you bear quite the deep karma…"
"Deji-tan being cute isn't going to change. So this karma will never disappear."
Not only did it not go away, it actually got worse after dying inside.
"No, I will erase it! I cannot let a friend go down the wrong path…! How about this Uma Droide of Opera O? Despite being super-deformed, it still radiates unwavering majesty, perfectly blending with the cuteness typical of Uma Droide! I recommend buying it together with this Dotou-san! These two are my absolute favorite pair, and I want to share their divinity with you!"
"I'm not changing my main favorite, but I'll buy it. The size is perfect, and considering the quality, it's really cheap."
This quality could easily go for ten thousand yen, but it was less than half that.
And of course, I wouldn't not buy something Deji-tan recommended.
I picked up the two-headed chibi figure called Uma Droide and stared at it.
Opera O, or T.M. Opera O, had won numerous G1 races like the Satsuki Sho and the Arima Kinen, earning the nickname "End-of-Century Conqueror." She's considered one of the strongest Uma Musume. She's quite the narcissist, but she's not condescending, is caring, and her confidence matches her achievements—she's a handsome Uma Musume. Oh, and she's also a "boku" girl. Cute.
Dotou-san, or Meisho Dotou, often raced in the same events as Opera O, usually narrowly losing to her. That doesn't make her weak. Even without a first-place finish, she always makes the leaderboard—a true strong competitor. Outside races, she's clumsy and slightly negative, but admires the always-confident Opera O and wishes to change herself. Cute.
And Opera O cares for her too, calling her familiarly by name.
In short? These two are divine. That's all there is to it.
"…Haa… over here are the bromides… Opera O, who shines like a sparkling prince even in her racing outfit, radiates even more brilliance… Nngh… so divine…!"
Currently, Agnes Digital, the Uma Musume named Deji-tan, was writhing in agony. She's a super Uma Musume with abilities that rival the two figures. And she's cute.
…Someday, when Deji-tan merchandise is released, I want to line it up next to these two and soak in the sheer emotion. The dream expands.
We browsed the store a while longer and left with four bags. I had one; Deji-tan had three. She spent a five-digit amount, but her face radiated pure happiness.
◆
"Whaaaat!? L-look at that!? The Paka Puchi-chan… they're completely filling the glass case…!"
"Must have just arrived. Lucky!"
We stood in front of the crane game, a place that boosts both energy and motivation.
Paka Puchi are plushies of Uma Musume, usually obtainable from crane games. They're chibi-style but detailed enough to capture each character's features, making them extremely popular and often sold out. Today, however, they had just been restocked, and the case was full.
"Ah… the divinity is so overwhelming… I've never seen so many Paka Puchi-chan at once!"
Separated by glass, Deji-tan trembled with excitement.
"…But my funds are low. And my hands are shaking… ugh! For just overindulging in divinity, my body's failing… I'm such a pathetic otaku…!"
She wanted to get a Paka Puchi, but her shaking hands and nerves prevented her.
…Right now, luck is on my side, I think. After all the effort this morning, it has to be. So!
"All right… I think I can do this! Wait, Deji-tan…! I'll empty this machine if I have to!"
"Whoa… a comrade with the same goal! Aurora-chan, I entrust you with my small fund…! Please liberate them!"
Her pale, beautiful hand overlapped mine with a clink.
…What she entrusted to me wasn't just money. It was her feelings for Paka Puchi, and ultimately, for Uma Musume.
I couldn't fail and let her down.
"…Got it! Three at once… Ah!? They all fell!?"
"C'mon arm! Put in more effort! You're not serious yet… uooh!"
◆
"In the end, I only got two…"
Luck wasn't on our side.
The two plushies we did get were Opera O and Dotou. Felt fated… or something.
Anyway, let's present the spoils.
"Here, Deji-tan."
"…Hmph."
When I tried to hand them over, she shook her head slowly with a wry smile and pushed them back.
"…No, you helped with some money anyway, and I was planning to give them to you…"
"Comrade. These are your spoils, earned fairly. I've had enough to admire… seeing Aurora-chan so happy is worth more than any Paka Puchi!"
Deji-tan put her hand on her chin, striking a pose. Such a photogenic expression. But I had to insist.
"…I want to see your smile. So, here, take them."
"Comrade, consider how to make me happiest… That Paka Puchi is yours. Uma Musume's happiness is mine. You are Uma Musume too. Your happiness is mine… Ah, and if you could smile and say, '…Got it,' that would be perfect…!"
…
Huh… she's thinking the same thing I am.
"…Got it."
"Vwahhh…!"
Even fainting from divine awe, Deji-tan is cute…
"Eh!? W-wait… you have a nosebleed…!? Here, use this tissue…!"
I really wanted to treasure this moment… well, not literally.
There was a lot of blood, so I had to act fast before it stained her clothes. Of course, the tissue was disposed of properly.
"Phew… thank you. Even after requesting it, that impact… as expected of Aurora-chan."
"Thanks… actually, I was pretty confident just now."
Hehe, unlike Deji-tan, I know I'm fairly competent. Though I didn't expect a nosebleed.
"Is it stopped? …Then I'll throw away the tissue…"
"No, I'll do it myself. Aurora-chan, that's way too niche…"
She said that and briskly walked to the trash. …Niche? I wasn't thinking anything weird.
After checking the trash thoroughly, she returned.
"I did throw it deep into the trash, really deep. Got it?"
That's what she says first thing. Honestly, what does she think I am?
"…Let's head back soon…"
"…"
Deji-tan, stop being silent. It's lonely.
"…I'm not saying I don't want things like this from Uma Musume, but the problem is… Aurora-chan wants my stuff! That's not just niche…!"
"…Oh, that side?"
Even during dinner and on the way back to the dorm, we kept discussing our fetishes like this. Well, without voice, it was probably more enjoyable visually.
◆
"…I still think the tail hair is the most dangerous."
"Right? Definitely the tail… Ah, the dorm's coming into view."
The path that felt so long on the way here passed in no time.
Bathed in the sunset, her eyes reflected our long shadows, and fun sparkled within them.
"Today was more fun than usual, and it felt so short! Having a comrade is the best…!"
"I had fun too… it really flew by."
…Deji-tan smiling against the sunset—so emotional it's almost sustenance-level for me. Better burn this in my memory.
"…Even now, you're looking at me instead of the sunset… Aurora-chan, you really are Aurora-chan."
"…? I'm just me."
What an obvious thing to say. That phrasing makes it sound like I'm some kind of crazy. I'm just an ordinary Uma Musume fan. Compared to Golshi-chan, I'm perfectly normal.
"…Anyway, thank you so much today! …I've never gone out with a friend who shares my hobby… And my first comrade is actually an Uma Musume! I'll never forget this day!"
"Same here. My first time too… And my partner was the best comrade and my favorite! I can't thank you enough."
"I'm not the one being pushed, though! …Well, shall we head to our rooms? Aurora-chan, see you tomorrow!"
"Yeah… see you tomorrow."
Having your favorite around in everyday life is amazing. I'm so lucky.
…Deji-tan said it was her first time going out with friends. For me, it was too. We gave each other our firsts.
Japanese is wonderful. Even one fact, interpreted differently, can amplify feelings like this.
Today, summarized in my interpretation: we went on a date, gave our firsts, and received our firsts.
Simple and wonderful.
◆
Night deepened. Since we ate before sunset, I was feeling a bit peckish. I decided to ask Golshi-chan.
"Phew… Golshi-chan. Aren't you going to cook something delicious on the rooftop today?"
"Eh… lately, I've been off my game… like my adaptability is being tested… yeah."
"Ah… I actually kind of like it."
"Oh, thanks… By the way, I want to ask you something."
"Hmm… what is it?"
"Why have you been pressing your face against the Paka Puchi?"
…Hmm.
"Well… today, Deji-tan hugged this Paka Puchi. So I'm absorbing Deji-tan essence through the nose."
When I tried to hand her the plush, she pressed it just right… snugly.
"Ah… I see… good luck…"
"Phew… Golshi-chan, tired? …Oh, right, you said you were going to check in with the team today."
"…Yeah, I am a bit tired."
Even the unsinkable Golshi-chan can't fight fatigue. I had a long, information-heavy day, so I'll sleep a bit early.
"Phew… good night, Golshi-chan."
"…Yeah, good night."
Hmm… breathing feels good!