"Haah… Ugh, this sucks, dammit!"
Golshi-chan shouted as if she couldn't take it anymore. The gymnasium ceiling was so high that her voice echoed, almost as if it were reflecting her inner thoughts back at us, repeating over and over.
"Just getting stuck with a week of cleaning the Ritto dorms after we not only ran away but also went to a place serving alcohol… I guess you could call it a blessing in disguise?"
"But still, it's a pain. The academy gym is ridiculously huge, and there are multiple buildings… it's more exhausting than a bad training session."
The other day, we were caught just a step away from our dorm rooms by the dorm leader, Fujikiseki-san, and got scolded. As punishment, we were assigned a week of cleaning.
When we asked why we were caught, she said, "I watch the dorm gates every night. It's better not to even think about escaping, pony-chan." So next time, I thought maybe we'd try the rooftop.
…This time we got away with it because it was our first offense, but next time, the punishment might be stricter.
Well, maybe it's just the environment around me, or maybe this world itself… but generally, everyone here has a laid-back, herbivore-like temperament, so it should be fine. Probably. Maybe.
"…Right now we're cleaning the hallways, but thinking about all the interactions that have happened here with the Uma Musume walking through, it really gets me fired up… And Deji-tan walked here too… hehe…"
"You're such a daydreamer, Aurora-san. If that's the case, can I ask you to do my share of the cleaning too?"
"No way… Golshi-chan, I can't live without you… You're the one who made me like this, so why would you say that…"
"…Then… here, this is the mop I was just using. How about it? Feeling motivated now?"
"Honestly, I've got other stuff to do later, so I really want you to clean properly, Golshi-chan."
"Yeah, I know."
Even as we joked back and forth, we didn't stop our work. Otherwise, the cleaning wouldn't get done.
…Earlier, I said something about imagining the Uma Musume walking here, but after cleaning for this long, it kind of feels like I'm being teased, and all sorts of feelings have been building up.
"Hey, Golshi-chan. Can you take that thing off your head and glance at me sideways sometimes?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
I'm asking her to transform into a cool beauty.
"Please. If that leads to ecstasy, we'll finish cleaning in an instant."
She responded with action. After taking that thing off her head, she ran her hands through her hair… and then… just like that… let it fall…
"Th-thank you so much!!"
I had just been shown a view that could almost require an age restriction. My fatigue was completely gone, and it felt like my physical limits had been surpassed.
I immediately grabbed the mop and ran down the hallway.
"…I don't even care anymore. This is fun anyway."
By then, Golshi-chan's voice from about ten meters away no longer reached my ears.
---
"Phew… done…!"
It took longer than I expected.
Even with Golshi-chan's help, it was already evening. The summer heat of the day was blown away by the evening breeze, and the setting sun lit up my cheeks, making the sweat dripping from them glisten as I looked up at the dorm building.
"Ugh… I'm so tired…"
I stretched my body to loosen my muscles.
As I leaned against a nearby tree, a long shadow caught the corner of my eye.
"Hey, pony-chan. Seeing you here means your work is done. Good job."
Fujikiseki-san, the dorm leader who had helped us the other day, stood there with the setting sun behind her.
"…Fujikiseki-san. Hello."
"Yeah, hello… or rather, it's more like good evening now? No, maybe hello as long as the sun's still out. It's a great day to watch the sunset."
"Indeed, it's beautiful…"
I said, looking at the sinking sun. Maybe because I had finished some work, it looked even more radiant.
"…By the way, did you need something from me… huh!?"
When I turned to her again, Fujikiseki-san had somehow stepped into the shade where I was standing, coming right up close. Her gentle eyes made me unconsciously captivated… wait, this face is too handsome for a girl—well, she's physically a girl, but still.
"You have quite a cute voice. And beautiful eyes. So adorable, yet you did such naughty things the other day… They say a beautiful flower has thorns. Hehe."
She took my hand and slowly guided it to her chest.
Then I felt something strange.
"What…!? A rose!?"
A single red rose had bloomed on the collar of my clothes. I have no idea when it was planted there.
"Hahaha! Thanks for the great reaction. Since I played a prank, your prank is now evened out."
She laughed as she spoke. This is exactly why she's so well-liked by her juniors.
Well, indeed, the prank I played—emptying the trainer's wallet and dignity—and Fujikiseki-san's elegant little magic are perfectly balanced.
"So you were with Gold Ship, so I thought she instigated you, but actually you were the one dragging her around! Truly an interesting kid."
"Uh… thanks?"
Was that a compliment? Somehow, I didn't think so.
Why does everyone treat me as even crazier than Golshi-chan? They don't know the real Golshi-chan…
The real Golshi-chan I know is a wild eccentric, but her sleeping face is cute, she's cool, tall, beautiful, treats everyone equally, has subtle consideration for others… so cute… hehe…
"…H-hey, pony-chan? You're spacing out. Are you okay? Got distracted by me?"
"N-no! I'm fine!"
I had tripped a little in thought, but I've gotten used to it, so I can snap back immediately. Her face is close, but I can handle it.
I've met and talked with Uma Musume countless times. Each time, my mental resilience has grown. In the past, just making eye contact with a favorite would overwhelm me, or I'd accidentally spit out tomato juice.
But now, my mental defenses are almost perfect. Even Deji-tan would have a hard time breaking through.
At that moment, the dorm door clicked open.
"Ah, Aurora-chan…! …Haa…!"
In just three seconds after entering, the Uma Musume collapsed—Digitan had come out of the door.
Indeed, Fujikiseki-san and I were close enough to look like we were hugging… we were holding hands after all. If our positions were reversed, Deji-tan would probably react the same way.
"…Ah, okay… let's carry her."
"Yes… right."
"Fuooh… Hold me! Huh… where am I?"
"Good morning, Deji-tan. You woke up pretty early."
Deji-tan awoke saying something outrageous, looking around in my arms.
"When this group gathers, does someone always faint? Hehe."
"Ah… Fujikiseki sa… ahh!"
Oops, Deji-tan is about to fall asleep again in my arms.
"Deji-tan? Stay alert."
"…Huh!? Wh-what's going on here!? Ah, um!?"
"Mm… Deji-tan is so cute…"
Her flustered sounds are just adorable.
"Why am I… being held like a princess or something?"
"You collapsed, so I thought I'd carry you inside the dorm. I said that since you're small, I could carry you easily, then Aurora quickly scooped you up, and here we are."
"So just stay quietly in my arms, Deji-tan! You even said it yourself earlier!"
"Hold me… huh, that's actually a good line."
Small, cute, weak to both their favorite and push—Deji-tan turns bright red just being carried. How adorable.
"Th-that wasn't meant like that! Um, Aurora-chan? Your hands are shaking, are you okay?"
"…Yeah."
There's nothing wrong. I'm literally just holding her, nothing else implied. But saying it out loud made my hands tremble as if I had done something guilty.
"…Your face is red too, are you really okay?"
I'm not imagining anything embarrassing, not at all.
"You okay? You don't have a fever or…"
"No, completely fine!"
"…I think I understand now. Aurora-chan, your face is bright red. Earlier, you seemed about to hug Fujikiseki-san, yet with Digitan you only blush slightly… I guess you got carried away?"
"Ugh…!"
Bingo… no, that's not it.
My correct relationship with Deji-tan is that I push her endlessly, making her blush.
"Ah, I see. So pony-chan, you held this cute favorite of yours, and her cuteness overwhelmed you… So you both really like each other?"
"!? No!!"
Our voices overlapped.
"No, no, it's not like that… I mean, she's super cute, but… anyway, it's not like that!?"
"I'm not cute!? And… no, I don't have any lewd feelings! We're comrades as Uma Musume fans! That's all!"
Exactly. We are comrades, walking the same path.
Deji-tan is a box-fan of all Uma Musume, and I'm her favorite. As friends, yes, but in terms of supporting, I can't be special to her. She shines observing all Uma Musume.
I mustn't let any other kind of feelings arise. I have my own reasons to be careful.
"…I never said I meant it that way, you know?"
....
I see.
Fujikiseki-san's expression was more of a wry smile. She probably just wanted to check if we liked each other as friends.
"Phew… Deji-tan!!"
"Yes!!!"
"We are comrades! Nothing more!"
"Yes!!"
We reaffirmed that we are comrades. Nothing more, nothing less.
"…And you say that while still in a princess carry. Hands on her neck too, that's funny… haha."
....
"…Alright… I'll let go."
"Oh, okay…"
"…I don't get it."
I lie on my bed.
Looking up at the night sky through the open window, I softly speak into the quiet room.
After today's conversation with Deji-tan and Fujikiseki-san, I wondered… which am I really?
I was a boy in my previous life, but now I'm an Uma Musume.
Before coming to the academy, I never thought about it, and even now, it's vague.
Meeting Deji-tan made these ambiguous feelings stronger.
…But that doesn't mean I need to act on them.
It's fine to stay ambiguous. It doesn't hinder me.
…Even if Deji-tan and others knew, it wouldn't change our relationships. They're like that.
…Just before reaffirming that Deji-tan and I are comrades, thinking about this made me slightly anxious.
Then the window frame moved suddenly, and moonlight fell on my face.
"Oh? Already sleepy, Aurora?"
"…Golshi-chan."
She still looks amazing with the moon behind her.
So beautiful, yet such a goof inside…
"Golshi-chan is gorgeous… inside she's like a high school buddy times a hundred…"
"Hey, hey, you call this ultra-beauty a 'male friend'? What…? Why the face?"
"…Suddenly, but… Golshi-chan, what do you think of me?"
"…Hmm, you're fun, your vibe is wild… but honestly, your tastes are insane, so spending all day together can be tiring. Still, I don't hate that."
I asked something weird all of a sudden. She smiled and answered.
"Just now, 'male friend'… what's that?"
"You've never had male friends in your Uma Musume life, so it's funny to hear that from you. If you feel that way, fine. In the end, Golshi-chan is still Golshi-chan."
…That's right.
No matter what anyone thinks, I am still me.
Then, it's okay to be a little more honest with myself. Though, I've already been pretty honest.
Specifically, with Deji-tan… ahem ahem.
"Yeah, that face. The one that looks like you're always thinking about that pink thing—that's you."
"…I'm glad Golshi-chan is my roommate."
"…By the way, I was a bit shocked earlier. Uh… look at this."
She showed me something on her phone.
"…What's this? The Statue of Liberty and… Uma Musume? Who is it?"
"That was my former roommate… Smart, strong in races, a model student, but occasionally does wild things. This photo came with a message: 'I decided to travel the world to broaden my horizons, so I won't be back at Tracen for years.'"
"Whoa… aggressive… So we'll be roommates for quite a while?"
"Yeah, that's how it is."
…Cheer up, Golshi-chan. Why the gloomy face?
"There are things you couldn't have done without me as your roommate. Like the escape route outside the grounds you used."
It's already complete. I planned routes between trees and through blind spots. We finished it together by evening today.
So I secretly panicked when Fujikiseki-san came.
"I said it earlier, but spending all day together can be tiring. Think about my feelings when you drew my sleeping face."
"I already said it, but you're beautiful. It can't be helped."
Beautiful things should be preserved for posterity.
"You're seriously messed up, you know that?"
"You're beautiful, that's why it's your fault."
Even under the blanket, we kept chatting lazily for a while.