"Your ears are tilted about 4mm outward compared to yesterday… Did something good happen, Deji-tan?"
"Oh? You noticed… fufufu…"
Deji-tan seems to be in a cheerful mood since morning. Even the interval of her tail wagging is about 0.3 seconds shorter than usual, so there's no doubt about it.
"What happened?"
"My comrade Aurora… You'd understand, right? It's that thing called infinite romance packed into a stack of thin paper… hyafu!?"
Deji-tan began to speak, but someone placed a hand on her shoulder from behind, and she let out an adorably surprised voice.
"Good morning, perverts. Take a seat here."
The beautiful hand belongs to Golshi… and behind her are the two from Spica, the poster couple.
"Good morning, Golshi, Scarlet, Vodka."
"Hey, good morning."
"Good morning, both of you… By the way, what were you talking about?"
The moment Scarlet asked, Deji-tan flinched.
"Ehh…! Well, um…"
"Deji-tan looked really happy, so we were asking why. Something about a stack of thin paper…"
"Stooop!! Don't! Say! Anything!"
Suddenly, Deji-tan covered my mouth with her hand… her hand slightly sweaty.
"…This taste! You're flustered… Deji-tan!"
"Byoaa!? Wh-what did you just do!?"
Well, small matters can wait.
More importantly, I have a vague idea why she's so flustered right now.
"What's wrong? Suddenly shouting… Is it something embarrassing?"
"Even more reason I'm curious… Just tell us! We won't tell anyone!"
"Ah… ah, ah…"
Deji-tan's face rapidly flushed. Now her cheeks are redder than her hair. So cute.
"…Um… well, yes! I got… a book I wanted…?"
"Why are you phrasing it as a question…?"
That's probably because Deji-tan and Scarlet have different understandings.
…Even if I said "thin book," Scarlet wouldn't understand.
"Oh… You like books? You seem… smart."
"Ugh!! …That pure gaze pierces me… Painful… to my heart…!"
If I helped her now, she'd be very happy. But I want to see her flustered a bit more, so I remain silent.
"Fufu… so cute…"
"…Um, if you think so, could you… help me?"
"So cute…"
Deji-tan blushes.
Just that little fact sends infinite excitement through me.
At that moment, Golshi clapped her hands.
"Anyway, let's get to the main point. It's something that concerns all of you."
If it concerns all of us, it's probably something related to Spica.
"Right, right. I think it's about training?"
"Yeah. According to the trainer, since it's already midsummer, he prepared a small seasonal event."
Seasonal… something summery.
Summer means sea, mountains, festivals… but for Umamusume summer, it probably means…
"Could it be… a training camp!?"
"Exactly! …Well, that'd be nice. But Spica doesn't have money for that. That trainer is chronically broke, and recently got completely ripped off by Aurora, so he's been surviving on bean sprouts."
Well, I kind of expected that.
"Unfortunately, it's not a camp. But we can go to the beach. Tomorrow we'll train on the sand. The weather's good, so we can swim too. So after breakfast tomorrow, come straight to the club room."
"The sea…! That's not bad…!"
"Alright! Let's swim a lot!"
"Fuo…! The skin of the Umamusume…! Reflected by the sun on the water…! Is it really okay to see that for free…!"
Golshi's words got three different reactions from the others. But everyone seems excited nonetheless.
The trainer is doing well. Planning fun training that also considers the Umamusume's enjoyment earns my respect.
That aside, I'm sure he's going to look at Deji-tan swimsuit in a naughty way, so I'll make sure he gets his due someday.
◆
"Hey, Vodka! Move over a bit! It's cramped!"
"Huh!? Yeah, it's cramped, but you're even bigger! In many ways!"
"Hey, you two! Don't make a fuss—it's cramped!"
The trainer said something like "Alright, we'll go in my car," but when we saw the inside, our minds became one.
Move the luggage, you idiot.
Thanks to the piles of mysterious junk, it's extremely cramped. There are three rows of seats, but one row has Deji-tan (who would die sitting next to someone else) and me (who won't give up my spot), and the other three share one row.
"Oh, sorry, I forgot to move the luggage. It'll be a bit tight, but you'll manage, haha," said the trainer, making us want to shout "it's cramped!"
"Calm down, everyone. It's cramped, but it can't be helped."
"…Yeah, can't be helped. Nothing we can do."
While this goes on, the driver scratches his head.
"Really sorry! It's been a while since I drove with so many people, so I forgot to move the luggage."
"And so declares Judge Golshi. The verdict?"
"Hm… then you owe us juice, Trainer."
A kind verdict. I might have pushed a little harder. But if Golshi's fine with it, so am I.
…Honestly, I even think the cramped space is good.
"…Sure, it's cramped, so I understand why we're close, right?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Um… hugging isn't really necessary… I think…"
"Hugging releases happiness hormones in your brain and reduces stress, apparently."
Also, my essential nutrient, Dejitanium, is obtained by directly feeling Deji-tan skin. Without it, I'd stop functioning within five days. So this is a necessary act.
"You, who probably lives furthest from stress in the world, what are you saying?"
"Don't make me sound like someone who doesn't think at all. I do have my little worries…"
Wait… Actually, as long as I have Deji-tan, that's enough. I barely have any worries.
"Can't tell? I guessed as much."
"…Having no worries is a good thing, Golshi."
"Being in a flower-filled head must be blissful."
"…Ah, Deji-tan, Golshi's teasing me… Deji-tan?"
I glance at her—she's peacefully asleep. She must've reached the peak of happiness and fallen into a dream that continues her delight.
"…Trainer, how much longer?"
"…About an hour."
"…Okay."
Looks like I have at least another hour to enjoy Deji-tan sleeping face. Time to savor it.
"Hehehe…"
"…Hah!? Something… an unfathomable presence…!"
Ah, she woke up. Too bad.
◆
The midsummer sun. Endless blue.
The first thing to say when seeing such a sight:
"The seaーーー!"
"You should yell that at the waterline, not from the car."
"Don't sweat the small stuff, Golshi. You need a heart as vast as this sea."
Better to say it now while feeling fresh. We won't play immediately anyway.
"Hey everyone, today's training first. Swimming's fine later, but for now…"
The trainer gets out with us.
"Running on sand is highly effective training. You'll see the results for yourself! First, run! Go!"
We all replied in unison, then ran toward the sand.
"Phew… Swimming can wait. Well, if this is effective training, that's fine."
"Ugh… I want to play already! Why is running on sand effective anyway?"
As Vodka and Scarlet talk, the road turns into sand.
Instantly, the different feel underfoot is clearly transmitted to our feet.
"Whoa…! Almost fell."
"Kya! V-Vodka! Do you need to cling to my shoulder to run properly?"
"Sh-shut up!"
Vodka wobbles and leans on Scarlet nearby, her face slightly red—cute. Falling isn't cool, so for her, it's embarrassing. Which makes it cute.
"Wow… Running requires more force than usual. This is indeed good training…!"
"Even a little running tires me out…"
As Deji-tan said, sand grabs your feet, making running harder. Plus, it's unstable, requiring balance. Running efficiently on uneven sand requires extra attention to footing. Simple, but effective training. Fun too.
"…Since we came to the beach, I want something tasty… sweets or something."
"Huh? Normally, you'd eat shaved ice, yakisoba… stuff like that."
"…Mmm, I just felt like sweets!"
"Sea has nothing to do with sweets… whoa! Again… sand messes up my pace…"
Vodka wobbles again. Distraction can cause imbalance, even without injury, it drains stamina. Keeping pace matters.
"If pace falters, shout a chant or something!"
"Good idea! Let's decide what to say!"
"Hmm… Sweets! Perfect for the sweets lover. Sweets! Sweets!"
"Wait!? You're not talking about me, are you!?"
Interesting… an amusing chant.
Although random, everyone's stride synced in a few seconds.
And thus, a group running along the beach shouting wildly was born.
◆
After training, the trainer handed us juice.
"Good work… Go ahead."
Just that. Pointing toward the locker room.
"Alright! Time to swim!"
"Wait! I swim first!"
Hearing the trainer, the two dashed off.
"…So, Deji-tan. Let's go too."
"Huh? Wait!? Why are you suddenly carrying me…!? Hyah!?"
"You didn't bring a swimsuit anyway, right? Planning not to swim?"
"Y-yeah… but… what's with this princess carry…?"
"Fufu… it's fine…"
I anticipated she didn't bring a swimsuit. That's why I'm carrying her to the locker room.
Inside, I opened the bag I brought.
"Here, Deji-tan. Which one do you want?"
"Eh… Th-this… swimsuit?"
I took out several swimsuits I had bought, planning to dress Deji-tan someday.
"No, it's fine, Aurora-chan. Just watching is enough…"
"Here, Deji-tan. Which one do you want?"
"…I said, I'll just…"
"Here, Deji-tan. Which one do you want?"
"…Then I'll try the one on the far left."
Yes! Deji-tan will wear it!
"I'll turn my back. Let me know when you're done."
"…I don't mind being seen… well, it's fine."
If I watched too directly, I might lose control. Better to turn my back. Not using peripheral vision or mirrors—definitely not.
"Done…"
"Got it…!"
"No comments about the perfect fit… Knowing sizes is basically an Umamusume otaku skill, after all."
"…!"
Deji-tan chose a relatively modest swimsuit, covering most of her body. Still, it's a belly-baring outfit.
"…Um… why are you frozen, Aurora-chan?"
"…Ah, no, Deji-tan is just too dazzling."
"R-really…"
Swimsuit Deji-tan. So cute I could stare forever. She's always been cute, but now even more.
"…By the way, Aurora-chan, aren't you wearing one?"
"Ah, no. I only brought yours since I planned to just watch you."
"Fufufufu… right…"
Suddenly, Deji-tan laughs. Something clearly amusing.
"We're similar, aren't we… Look at this."
She pulled something from her bag—almost identical to the swimsuit I gave her.
"…Deji-tan, don't tell me…"
She wants me to wear it?
"Yes, Aurora-chan. Please… There's a more certain way though…"
She stepped closer, until she was right in front of me, hands on my jacket.
"Ah… Dej…itan…?"
Hands on my shirt.
Wait, the positions should be reversed. But my body and words won't cooperate.
"…I-I'm nervous… even though I'm doing this myself…"
Her face is red as an apple. I'm probably just as red. Our body heat can't even be felt.
…The size fits perfectly.