Splash, splash.
"Hyah!? W-Wait, Vodka!? What are you doing!?"
"Heh! We came all the way to the beach, so we have to have fun! Take this! My ultimate Water Splash! I'll make you get even more of it!"
"What's with that weird name!? You're still so childish… Pyah!?"
Splash.
"…That's it! Prepare yourself!"
"Uooooh!? Y-You, Scarlet!? You wanna fight? Fine by me!"
Splash, splash, splash.
"…This is nice…"
"…It really is…"
After changing into our swimsuits, we sat on the beach, gazing at the sea.
Or rather, we were admiring Vodka and Scarlet, who were radiating divinity through the spray.
Or rather! I was enjoying an even greater sense of reverence from Deji-tan, who was watching that sacred sight.
The fragments of waves hitting her more exposed skin than usual only enhanced her beauty. Her endlessly clear aquamarine eyes, gazing at the vast ocean, held an infinite blue within them.
…What is this, a goddess-level beautiful girl?
"…It's not my fault. It's not my fault. It's Deji-tan being cute that's to blame… I can't help it…"
"Uh… what's wrong…?"
It's unavoidable! It's natural that I almost reach out like this!
"…Tch."
"Deji-tan… it's your overwhelming sacredness that's to blame—heh!!"
Ouch. That hit was definitely from GolShi. Because it hurt.
When I turned around, there she was—her ash-colored mane standing out, her swimsuit accentuating her figure perfectly. Fully geared to enjoy the beach: snorkel, float, beach ball, bucket, sunscreen… and she hit me with that. Ouch. Really.
"Cut it out, alright? There are people around. Even pretending to ignore it is tough. And hey, pink-haired one, say something too."
"…! W-Well, yes, I did try to say something… Hmph! I'm the typical otaku… in other words, I thought it was fine to just watch…!"
Deji-tan clenched her fists.
"…Well, um… I can't help but feel that this is almost a privilege… Ahaha~…"
"Mm, I get it! That's exactly it, Deji-tan! You see yourself as just a fan, keeping that line, but seeing her like this repeatedly builds up and eventually explodes!"
I decided that this was simply the nature of a Uma Musume—an instinct driven by their desire to win.
"Yes, it's instinct, Deji-tan! A wish grows enormous once it's taken root, and sooner or later, you just have to make it come true! That's us Uma Musume… Dash!!"
In an instant, the sound of wind rushed past a few centimeters from my ear.
…Something was flying. From Gold Ship's direction.
"…! That was close. GolShi… if I hadn't simulated your usual moves and predicted your pattern, dodging that sunscreen heading straight for my forehead would have been impossible…"
GolShi had thrown sunscreen at me. But I was never going to get hit. Behind me, there was a thud, so it must have plunged into the sand instead. …She threw that hard? Scary. …Anyway, yes! Because I predicted it, I could smoothly leap and dodge from my seated position!
"Swift! That movement from Aurora-chan just now… so smooth and fast it was almost impossible to track…! A flawless motion! Perfect timing prediction and instant acceleration from kicking the sand—divine technique!"
Deji-tan, a few meters away, arms crossed, said that. She looked happy.
"…If you could predict it, you'd know it's your own fault in the first place. And hey, Digital, you're really into this too. What are you, some kind of battle manga commentator?"
"…Nice, Deji-tan. You get it… A commentator is a must in a battle! That's right, Gold Ship!"
"No, this isn't a battle… sigh."
GolShi ran her hand through her hair, sighing as if fed up.
But right now! The one who's hyped wins! Following this battle hype is the fastest path to victory… so, GolShi will get a chop as a little payback!
"Even if you're not going for it, I am, Gold Ship! Take this…!?"
"…Sigh, I said this isn't a battle."
"Wha-!? What a brilliant move! That seemingly vulnerable action was actually the ultimate defense against any attack! Like Aikido! She deflected Aurora-chan!"
As if waiting for this, she grabbed my arm mid-chop and used its momentum to throw me back to my original spot. Losing balance, I fell on my butt.
…Maybe GolShi is enjoying this more than I thought.
"…This isn't a battle. From the start! The outcome's already decided!"
"…!? What are you saying…!?"
The next moment, she hurled the beach ball she had at me. …But it wouldn't have even touched me. She missed her aim.
Well, even if it had hit, it wouldn't hurt much anyway.
"Fufu, too bad, GolShi…!?"
Bang. Right next to me.
That's all I could discern. A loud pop behind me echoed in my ears. My brain felt rattled.
"…Phew, I win!"
"Ah! Ow ow ow! I give up! I give up!"
GolShi… applied a pro wrestling hold while I was dazed… my joints hurt, everything locked—ow ow ow!!
"What!? The beach ball she threw was broken by the sunscreen that plunged into the sand earlier! The ball thrown by her immense Uma Musume strength was neatly pierced by the sunscreen lid… Yet, this is odd. Even for an Uma Musume, a beach ball shouldn't break that easily, nor make such a loud sound…?"
"Whew, nice sound. What I threw wasn't a beach ball, but a patterned rubber balloon made to look like one!"
…I see. At this distance, an Uma Musume could throw a "fastball" balloon effortlessly, ignoring air resistance.
Still, GolShi was definitely the most hyped of us all.
"T-By the way, Gold Ship… why do you even have that…? Ah! Ow ow ow! I give up! I give up!"
"I planned to rub it with lemon juice and roll it near the trainer."
"W-Why…?"
"Fufufu… Deji-tan… the components in lemon or orange peel dissolve rubber… So, if you coat the balloon, it'll pop after a while—Ah! Ow ow! Stop, GolShi!"
"Enough. Here."
Phew… finally let go. No need to squeeze that hard and long.
"Alright, the farce is over, let's move on. There are still more balloons."
"Mm, yeah… let's go."
Since we came to the beach, we have to enjoy it. Hype wins. I only hold a tiny grudge against the trainer, but for now, GolShi and I will go wreck his eardrums—it'll be fun.
…Before our scheming, a shadow blocked our way.
"Hey, you two… what are you trying to do?"
"Ugh, trainer…"
"Ugh? Gold Ship… You know what this one's up to, right?"
"I know, trainer. I clearly heard. Gold Ship was planning to pop balloons near the trainer. What a malicious prank…!"
GolShi really is unforgivable. She does things like this without hesitation.
"You're being fake. You're an accomplice too, right? And you, Digital, looks like you're just dragged into this… isn't that right, Digital?"
"I'm an accomplice too, trainer! Actually, I was the one who came up with it! Yes!"
Deji-tan… her kind heart, always willing to take the blame to protect other Uma Musume, is incredibly admirable. But with such a lineup, it only solidifies our guilt.
"Geez… do you two have a grudge against me or something?"
Somewhat, yes. The crime of trying to touch Deji-tan's legs will never be forgotten.
"…Well, I can't scold kids too harshly. I won't punish you severely. If anything, I'll have you do some extra training."
Phew, good. Training is more than welcome. Extra guidance is basically a reward. I'd ask for it myself.
"Ah, it's an individual menu, by the way."
"Noooooo!?"
Deji-tan!? I won't be training with her!? I collapse onto the sand… what a bummer.
"Deji-tan, don't forget about me, okay? We'll meet again someday…"
"Is this farewell for life?"
Having tasted training with Deji-tan, going back to solo sessions feels really painful.
"…You two look like you're having fun."
The trainer said.
Of course, we are. This team is fun.
◆
Later, before training, the trainer called all of Spica into the club room, saying he had something to tell them.
"Alright, everyone. From today, I have things I want each of you to do. They're crucial for your growth."
"Growth…! Sounds good, tell us quickly!"
"Wait. I said each of you. I'll explain one by one."
…I see. So this "individual menu" is for everyone, not just Golshi and me.
…It's really unfortunate I can't train with Deji-tan, but it's still exciting. I wonder what we'll do.
"First, Vodka… and Scarlet."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Huh… aren't you supposed to go one by one?"
"Ah, you two together. Otherwise, it won't make sense."
The trainer gets it. These two should be together. That's the right setup.
"Last time at the beach, I had some ideas… Anyway, from an outsider's perspective, you two get along really well…"
'We don't!'
Harmonized—clearly great chemistry.
And he had ideas from the beach… Trainers really do get inspired by even the smallest daily occurrences, it seems.
"…Anyway! You two are good rivals. One thing from me: keep being aware of each other in training. Got it?"
"…? O-Okay…?"
Being aware of your rival… I see, constant mutual stimulation for growth.
Rivals… nice. That dynamic is very precious.
"Next, Digital. You…"
"Y-Yes! What is it!?"
"You're… well, you have amazing observation and research skills regarding other Uma Musume. Use that more."
"…Specifically, what should I do?"
"First, engage more with the others. Especially potential rivals your age. Observe their build, foot size, racing habits, personality—learn everything you can. …Capable?"
"Eh… Me… interacting… with other Uma Musume…?"
Deji-tan usually stays as an observer, watching as a fan. Trainers want her to treat others as rivals, but it's hard—she's a hardcore otaku.
"Aurora. Next, you."
"Ah, me? What's up?"
"If asked your strengths, what would you say?"
"…Memory."
"Exactly. Memory. Use it in races—remember theories, opponents' info. It gives a big advantage."
…I already memorize past race videos, library books, etc. So maybe this isn't much different from before.
"Here's your task."
"What is this…? A file…?"
The trainer hands me a file with several printouts. Inside is data on a certain Uma Musume.
"This is one potential rival. Plus, my analysis from a trainer's perspective. Read it thoroughly."
"…Trainer, may I ask something?"
This is great—knowing opponents increases chances of winning. But… I want to tell him something.
"My memory's incredible. I could memorize a hundred more files like this in a day… So you don't need to give me just one."
"I know your memory. But I purposely gave only one. Think about why. That's part of your training."
"…? Okay…"
The reason…?
Maybe it's not that he neglected research… But he said thinking about it is part of training. He's really observing us; it must matter.
"Trainer, what about me?"
"Gold Ship, chores. Buy drinks for everyone, including me. Don't worry, I'll pay."
"…Huh?"
Chores… But knowing this trainer, even small tasks probably have some deeper purpose. In the anime, he did similar things when Tokai Teio got injured—he wanted members to find meaning in running through interaction.
"…GolShi, you're usually careless, so giving you work gives a goal and purpose…"
"Nope, not the case, Aurora. Gold Ship's fine running freely. I just want to reduce my own workload."
"Man, that's rough on GolShi."
The trainer gave up on GolShi. Let her run freely… probably best.
Anyway. From now on, there's plenty to do. My own training is important, but the most important thing is…
"…Ah… helping Deji-tan… with this and that…"
Helping cute Deji-tan. Conversing and gathering info is hard for her alone. I'll always assist her. Yes, that's best.
Individual menus make it feel like training is truly starting.
Fufu, this is getting fun.