It happened immediately after I expressed my intention to join Spica.
"…You know what a runner's high is, right? Trainer?"
"Yeah… I know. But why?"
"When you keep doing grueling exercise for a long time, that pain gradually transforms into euphoria or exhilaration… They say it's caused by brain endorphins, though the details aren't clear… Anyway, I finally… clearly understood what it feels like."
"…Golshi, are you okay?"
Golshi, who had been so happy when four new members joined the team all at once, suddenly began trembling as if frightened by something, talking about this runner's high.
"…I worked so hard to recruit people, and finally, some joined. Of course, I'm happy, right?… But, you know, once it's over, the fear that had been bottled up just floods out and crawls up my spine… I don't know what's going to happen from here, and I'm only anxious…!"
…What could she be anxious about?
Could it be that she's thinking we might leave the team, just like the horse girls who left before?
But I can confidently say that will never happen.
We're already on this ship. Overindulgence in sacredness? Bring it on. Once we're in, we'll see it through to the end.
"Golshi, don't worry. I'll never leave the team…"
"No, you won't, Aurora. That's not it."
She shook her head and put a finger to my lips to stop me from speaking.
I could feel my breath stagnate between that finger and her lips… and, well… something about it… yeah.
A little… eh-heh-ugh, eh-heh.
"…I have something I want to ask. Digital, you too."
"Fai!? W-What is it!?"
"…What do you all think of us?"
"Well… first of all, Golshi, I'll talk assuming you're a goddess…"
"Okay, got it, stop already."
"If it's about what makes the three of you so divine, I could talk about it for half a day… no, even a week!"
"Got it. I give up, so stop it."
I completely agreed with Deji-tan. Otakus are the type who can ramble endlessly when talking about what they love.
Then Scarlet, who had been quietly watching until now, opened her mouth with a look of exasperation.
"…Aurora. I always thought you were a little strange, but I didn't expect this much. And yet your grades are good enough you might skip a grade…"
I'm not actually strange, but if I desperately deny it, it somehow feels like it's true, so I won't do that. I'll just answer the question.
"…As I said before, I just have a good memory. It's not the result of effort. …That's why I like Scarlet, who works and works to aim for first place…!"
"Okay, got it. That's enough."
Oops, I started talking fast, but that's a typical otaku thing. Sorry, Scarlet.
And really, sorry again, Scarlet. I know how hard you study during breaks, and yet I can't slack off. Because I don't pay attention in class… specifically, I'm either sleeping or drawing, so I have to speak with results, or my grades will really suffer.
I once tried to aim for decent scores, but every teacher asked, "You're deliberately making mistakes, aren't you?"—that's how awkward I am in that regard.
Also, I won't skip a grade. That would shorten the time I can observe you all.
"Ugh… I can't believe I get to see my favorite CP this close… just imagining it makes me lightheaded…!"
Deji-tan was about to faint, and it was so cute I nearly lost a few years of my life.
"Um… you've never met me before, right? Agnes Digital, senpai… right?"
While watching that, Vodka asked. …With this many horse girls around, I might accidentally keel over. Deji-tan… and also me, watching her.
"Yes! Grade-wise, yes, but I'm just an ordinary horse girl otaku…! So, you don't need to address me formally! Treat me like gum stuck to the back of a roadside stone! You can call me Digital or Dejitan, anything's fine!"
"…O-Okay."
Deji-tan lack of self-awareness is exasperating. I just heard something that I absolutely can't ignore.
"Vodka, if you look at such a precious Digital like she's gum on a stone, even I don't know what I'd do, so be careful. Heh heh."
"…Got it. Okay, but stop laughing like that, please. …Your eyes aren't smiling! Scary!"
Ah, Vodka. You're reasonable, thank goodness. I wish some goddess out there, who still doesn't understand reality, could learn from you.
Just then, the sound of a hand clap drew our attention.
"…It's good that we're getting along so quickly. But let's talk details over a meal later. For now, do some self-introductions. Hey, senior, take charge."
"Me? …I'm Gold Ship. Nice to meet you."
"…Eh, that's it? Hey, Golshi?"
Though asked to take charge, she simply introduced herself briefly, sat down, and casually started fiddling with a Rubik's Cube.
"T-Trainer… that's not my job. I think Aurora, who knows everyone here, is more suitable."
"Me? Well, I do share a room with Golshi, and I'm in the same class as Vodka and Scarlet, and with Digital…"
With Deji-tan… what? Could it be mutual affection!?
"…Heheh heh…"
"Alright, Aurora. For my own peace of mind, I'd appreciate it if you just wrap this up concisely."
Oops, I nearly got lost in thought and wouldn't have returned.
Normally, it's the trainer who takes charge at times like this. Why is she casually trying to eat new candy?
"…Hey, Trainer, Golshi said that, but…"
"Hmm? Ah, just handle it casually."
Casually, huh. Then I'll do exactly that.
"…Okay, then today, I'll take charge of all of Spica."
"Sure, I'm a laissez-faire type anyway."
He said that and nodded clearly. …No one else would know why I'm so particular about him nodding.
Not that I'm angry. Just a little mischievous.
Alright, let's get started.
"…Though, I don't really have anything new to say. Everyone knows me, Aurora-chan. By the way, I share a room with Golshi! Next, Dejitan, your turn!"
"Huh!? Me!? Y-Yes! I'm Agnes Digital! As I said before, I'm just an ordinary horse girl otaku…! I'll try not to disturb practice…!"
Cute! Next!
"Next! Scarlet!"
"Huh? Ah… Daiwa Scarlet. Same class as Aurora and Vodka… Should I say my favorite food…?"
No need for that. It's probably bananas anyway. Next!
"Next! Vodka!"
"…Whoa, you're really hyped. I'm Vodka. As Scarlet said, same class as these two…"
"Okay! Everyone, nice to meet you! Trainer! Done!"
"Oh, faster than I thought."
I wanted a little time to talk, so I wrapped it up quickly. Very meaningful for us horse girls.
"Trainer, can I ask something? Earlier you said we'd talk over a meal…"
"I said that, but… what's up? Oh, not that we're going to a restaurant… just that I'll buy something…"
…That was about what I expected, but I interrupted and continued.
"Trainer, earlier I said I'd take charge of all of Spica today, right?"
"Ah, did you… say that?"
I did. I never make mistakes about my memory.
Golshi grinned knowingly, as if she had sensed something.
"Hey, don't tell me…"
"Ah, Golshi. I love kids who are perceptive like you."
Right now, my face is probably smiling the same way hers is.
"Trainer, can I ask one more thing?"
"…What is it?"
"Eating barbecue at someone else's expense is the best, isn't it?"
Food tastes better when you expect someone else to pay. It's a nearly universal truth, a flavor enhanced by the common human desire for indulgence.
"…Hah! No way! Do you know how much five horse girls eat!? Give me a break!"
"Trainer, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"
"G-Good news first…"
"The good news is, tonight's dinner will be delicious. The bad news is, your wallet will feel lighter."
Unspoken, there's another piece of bad news… but for me, it's good news: there are many allies here.
Golshi had already grinned the moment she guessed it.
"Hey, Aurora… that's really unfair to the Trainer…"
"By the way, Scarlet, earlier someone touched your legs in a lewd way, right?"
"That's true, nice one, Aurora."
Scarlet turned her hand over.
"Being treated to a meal feels kinda rebellious and cool, doesn't it?"
"Oh! Now that you mention it, it does feel that way!"
Vodka is easy to please.
"Thinking of horse girls' happiness first… we really found a good Trainer, Deji-tan."
"Yes…?"
Deji-tan is cute.
Anyway, it's clear that everyone here is on my side.
"It's decided, Trainer. As you said, we're five horse girls… and you're just one human… you're doomed."
"W-Wait! Did I do something to deserve this!?"
"Hmm… you touched legs."
"Ah! …Ugh!"
So she's aware she dislikes it, yet she doesn't stop. Quite a deep character.
For the record, I hold no grudge; I just do this because it seems fun.
"So, tonight's dinner is barbecue. …We just met, but I'm counting on you, Trainer."
She smiled and lightly patted his shoulder.
I'm very much counting on him. My wallet.
"If you didn't know the context, that probably sounded like a great line…! Fine! Alright! I'll give you a grand feast to celebrate your joining!"
This is how it should be.
I'm really glad I joined Spica!
◆
Why does the smell of meat stimulate appetite so much? I feel like I could eat just from the aroma alone.
"Hah… this month's savings…"
"Trainer, cheer up. Want this?"
"…What is it?"
"Don't know. Just mixed some stuff at the drink bar. Probably tastes good."
"Drink that!?"
Golshi's smile is amazing. A cool, beautiful face with a carefree smile.
"Ah… my money…"
Of course, the Trainer pays for this all-you-can-eat with drink bar, but it's amusing that everyone eats without restraint. Deji-tan was initially reserved, but when I said, "It's money from the one who touched horse girls' legs lewdly," she ate freely, savoring every bite.
"All-you-can-eat is the best! Hmm, what should I order next… I want dessert too…"
"I'll go to the drink bar. Getting ginger ale! Ginger ale!"
"No, I'll go! Ginger ale, got it!"
Deji-tan is kind. That's why I love her, goddess as she is.
Also, Vodka seems to think ginger ale is classy and adult-like, so she's trying it.
"Ah, wait, Deji-tan. I'll go with you."
I walked beside her shoulder.
"If you tell me what you want, I'll get it… though you'll follow me, right, Aurora-chan?"
"You understand me well."
More than drinks, I constantly want Deji-tan. Just thinking that I alone get to witness her cuteness while she smiles like this… irresistible.
Anyway, now we're alone together.
"Hey, Deji-tan. Do you think it was good to join this team?"
…I can't quite put it into words.
I don't know a Deji-tan who becomes happy in Spica. Meaning, I've never seen it in a past life.
That gap—the difference between what's happening now and the scenery I know—strikes me with vague anxiety.
Reborn as a horse girl, I actually saw Deji-tan. And I felt in reality that she has the talent to succeed in any team.
But she joined Spica. A Spica I don't know exists here now.
That's why I want to hear the answer from her own mouth.
"…I was hesitant. I couldn't even decide between dirt or turf, let alone whether I would run at all. I wondered if someone as indecisive as me could join the team. But when I heard your words, Trainer, that doubt vanished."
"…Words?"
"'Do as you like.' Those words. At that time, I was happy I could continue my hobby… Of course, that's important! But those words seemed to carry a much deeper meaning… No, I'm sure they did."
"You mean…"
"Yes. You accept horse girls like me who try to run both dirt and turf. That's what I think it meant."
As Symboli Rudolf once said, there's almost no precedent for a horse girl with strong results on both turf and dirt. Yet, to accept a horse girl attempting both, only a perverse trainer would do so.
And Deji-tan has the ability to deliver results. That trainer really has a perverse kind of insight.
"…Aurora-chan, thank you."
"…Huh?"
She said my name before thanking me.
Caught off guard, I let out a surprised sound.
"You pushed me forward, and my doubts completely disappeared! Without you, a fellow who attempts the same races, who's also a horse girl otaku, my perfect comrade, I wouldn't have joined this team!"
"Yes, n-no, thank you!"
Stop it, are you trying to kill me?
I'm happy, I'm thrilled, but embarrassed. I'm glad she feels that way, but being told directly is embarrassing.
I feel my face is turning red.
Something's wrong. It's backwards. Normally, I should be the one making Deji-tan blush, not me turning red.
Enduring the temptation to add tomato juice to the drink bar's new menu, I kept thinking about that for a while.