A certain sunny afternoon, Deji-tan and I were absorbed in looking at several sheets of paper.
"Whoa… this is already at stalker level, isn't it?"
"…The way you said it is a bit… but yes, that's accurate."
These were documents about other Uma Musume, given to us by our trainer. They contained every conceivable detail.
Distance aptitude, running style, race times, even foot size and body weight were written down.
When I asked the trainer how they obtained physical data—since race results can be looked up but physical stats shouldn't be easy to know—the answer I got was: "By eye."
"To take such detailed measurements just by eye… that trainer is seriously gone."
"Agreed… I can only measure an Uma Musume's body data accurately within a 3-meter radius at best…"
"Right… I can only get things accurate to the millimeter around that distance too…"
The Spica trainer always seemed eccentric, and indeed, they were quite a pervert. …In both good and bad ways.
"…This girl in the document—could it be that she's actually close friends with the girl in this other file?"
"…Eh?"
Suddenly, Deji-tan said that while staring at the documents.
Did she notice something?
"It's only my guess, but… this girl's race development seems very passive. So I think she's timid. And while her actual race times are better than the girl in this other file, whenever they run side by side—she always loses."
"…Ah, like she's holding herself back for her friend?"
"Yes, most likely… considering her personality, that would be the most natural explanation for why she keeps losing to someone she could otherwise beat…"
…I see. If we viewed Uma Musume purely as athletes, that wouldn't be a good trait.
But if we viewed them as someone we "support"… then a timid girl slowly learning to face others head-on… that kind of growth is incredibly precious. I love that kind of thing.
"…By the way, how did you even notice that?"
"Well, I just thought of it while staring at the documents for a while…"
...
Ah, I see.
That must be the reason the trainer hasn't been giving me many documents lately.
Instead of simply memorizing and storing information in the corner of my mind, what Deji-tan just did—thinking logically and extracting further insight—is the proper way to use documents. The trainer probably wants me to understand that.
Even without thinking deeply, that's obvious. But in my case, I can handle most situations through pure memorization, so I've stopped using my brain to think. …Especially lately since I've been acting more on instinct.
"…Thanks to you, Deji-tan, I realized something important. I really do need you."
"…Yes, yes. I understand. I'm already getting used to this! So this is what it feels like to be the one who's adored! I think I'm finally starting to get it!"
"Eh… so in other words, you've finally realized that you're so, so, so cute that it wouldn't be strange if people started calling you a goddess?"
"N-no… I-I'm not cute! Absolutely not! A-Aurora— the reason you adore me is just because you're special, that's all!"
"Special? Me? …You mean I'm special to Deji-tan?"
"Ghh…! N-no, th-that's not…! Please read the context!"
Perfect. Tone, tempo, pitch—everything recorded clearly. I'll have the clip editor in my brain cut out just the part where she said "you're special" and play it on loop.
"By the way, I think you're 'special' to me too, Deji-tan."
"A-hyu…"
Yeah, she's extremely cute today too—as expected.
◆
To gain new insights from data, careful observation is important—but so is knowledge. With new knowledge comes new perspectives, which lead to discoveries.
And at Tracen Academy, knowledge resides in the library.
Being one of Japan's top Uma Musume training schools, the number of race-related books is insane.
That's why I'm currently weaving through the shelves, looking for something useful.
"There sure are a lot of books…"
I came seeking knowledge related to racing, but there are also entertainment books and a wide variety of genres, making it hard not to get distracted.
In my case, just flipping through for a few seconds is enough. I've already done that with several books, so now I'm reading them in my mind.
"Hmmm… 'The Javanese Man Left Behind by Modernization'… surprisingly deep…"
While replaying the contents in my mind, I reach out for a race-related book that looked promising.
Because I was doing that, I failed to notice another Uma Musume standing right next to me.
Our hands overlap on the book.
"..."
"...Ah, um…"
My gaze moves from her hand to her face—and I see a face openly radiating displeasure. But I know this face. I've seen it "before."
"…Huh? The hell do you want?"
Air Shakur.
So this is her in person. Her face is scarier than I thought. If I met her in an alley, I'd hand over my wallet in two seconds. Well, I know her, so I'm not actually scared.
"…Were you about to borrow this book?"
"...…."
The silence is overpowering. It clearly says, "Isn't it obvious?"
…Strangely, I don't have a masochistic streak, but when someone cool like her stares me down silently like that, I kinda—ahem.
"A-ah, um… I'll be done right away… give me about 15 seconds to look through it!"
"…Hah?"
In this situation, that's the fastest way. Since it doesn't take me any real time to "read," Shakur-san can borrow it immediately.
"…Sorry for the wait. Here you go."
"…Huh?"
I hand her the book, but she just stares blankly as she takes it.
"Well then, I'll be—"
"—Huh!? Hey! Hold it!"
She grabs my shoulder firmly as I turn to leave.
"H-Hi…? What is it…?"
"…Tch… so, uh, just now… was that… that speed-reading thing?"
"…It's a bit different, but kind of similar, I guess?"
Speed-reading is rapidly processing written content, but what I do is: I memorize every single page first, then slowly read them in my mind.
"Why do you sound unsure? …Whatever. I've got a few questions. Are you free right now?"
"Yes, I've got time."
"I see. …I'm Air Shakur. You?"
"Aurora Frigate."
"Alright, Aurora. What exactly did you do? Explain it logically."
"…My special ability is memory. I just memorized every page."
"…I see. That's… pretty insane."
Well, it is an impressive and convenient ability. It's one of my strengths. But because it's so convenient, I rely on it too much—it's also a weakness.
"…That memory—were you born with it? Or did you learn it?"
"I was born with it. I even remember being born."
"…Seriously? …Also, just to be sure… we haven't met before, have we?"
"…? I don't think so."
There's no way I'd forget the face of someone I met. So why is she asking?
"Earlier—you didn't flinch at how I look… and, I should've said this first, but you don't need to use formal speech with me. You can explain things logically without being polite."
"Alright, then I'll talk normally."
…Eyebrow piercings, a cold, unsmiling face, tattoos peeking from her sleeves—probably stickers, but still. Her appearance is pretty intense.
But I know why she dresses like that. Rational and logical as she is, she uses even her appearance as a tool to intimidate others in pursuit of victory.
Her personality is actually kind and soft-hearted—no need to be scared of her.
"…I do have a reason I wasn't scared, but it's not very logical."
"…A reason?"
"For example, let's say I have memories of a past life, and I already knew you in that life… would you believe me?"
"…Hah?"
She looks stunned. Understandable.
"To go even further—earlier I said my ability is memory, but if I had to describe the mechanism in words, it'd be 'etched into my soul.' My past life memories are also etched into my soul. Believe it or not—it's up to you."
"…That's… hard to believe. Sounds fake. But… Tachyon once said something about Uma Souls, like some hopeless romantic…"
"…If you know Tachyon-san, you must know Manhattan Café-san too?"
"Hah? Yeah, I know her… that girl always stared at weird places and said weird stuff. …Thinking about her gives me chills. That stuff isn't logical… but still…"
Being a numbers fanatic, she doesn't believe in unscientific things like souls or ghosts.
…By the way, she apparently can't handle horror because it's "not logical." With her delinquent looks, that's… incredibly precious.
"Uma Musume are still a mysterious species. I don't think it's strange if there are occult-like secrets about souls or ghosts hidden somewhere."
"…Souls, huh… if we're trying to solve the mysteries of Uma Musume to win races, does that mean we need philosophy, not just math? No, that can't be…"
"And I mean, I've actually seen a ghos—"
"Stop. Don't go further. Listen, ghosts don't exist. Absolutely not. There's no way such an illogical thing could exist."
"Well, technically they're supposed to be in the after—"
"Stop it!! They don't exist! They absolutely do not! It's not logical!!"
…Huh? That's adorable.
I'm not a sadist or anything, but seeing a tough-looking girl get scared with a trembling voice is honestly kind of—ahem.
Just then, I hear footsteps I know all too well.
"I detected the wavelength of supreme moe! Aurora-chan! My Uma Soul is blazing with a new emotioooon! So, what delightful thing just happe—!"
From behind the shelf, Deji-tan drifts in silently. Because it's the library. And even though she's whispering, it feels loud—probably because she's shouting with her soul.
"…Who the hell are you?"
"Hyuh…! A cool-looking yankee-type handsome Uma Musume…! What a coooool face…! Ah, I'm sorry, I'm Agnes Digital, but you don't need to remember that at all and I'll disappear right now so please carry o—!?"
I grab Deji-tan before she can merge with the bookshelf. It'd be a waste if she came all this way and didn't talk.
"Shakur-san. Please call this supremely cute girl Deji-tan. …Deji-tan, the trainer told you too, right? That you should talk to more people. This is the perfect chance. It'd be a waste to run away, right?"
"Nooooo, impossible impossible! I don't have resistance against the kind of Uma Musume who make my heart go kyun the moment I see their divine face!"
"A-ah… Agnes Digital, was it? I'm Air Shakur… you okay? You're super red… and shaking."
"Deji-tan is always like this, so it's fine. Cute, right?"
"Hah? Cute…?"
She is. Absolutely.
"…Does she have social issues or something? …Well, I heard some interesting stuff, so if it's just that kind of problem, I don't mind listening…"
"Ah… n-no, I-I couldn't possibly trouble Shakur-san with such filth… absolutely no need to liste—"
"Deji-tan is what you'd call an Uma Musume otaku… well, so am I, but anyway… she gets overly excited when meeting other Uma Musume. So… do you have any logical advice?"
"…I don't really get that kind of hobby… but being able to devote yourself to what you love is a kind of strength. So she should just take it slow and get used to it naturally."
"Fuhyooo!! What a gentlemanly line!! Such Mariana Trench-level kindness beneath that appearance! Haaa, I love iiiit…!"
Ah, she's about to ascend.
"…You're seriously loud."
Shakur-san is handsome. It's no wonder Digi-tan is short-circuiting. I also rank her in my "Top 5 Uma Musume I'd Let Destroy Me If I Ever Turned Into a Girl"… not that I plan to.
"Haaah… I just got involved with some seriously weird people… I'm gonna go."
"Ah, wait Shakur-san. There's one more thing I want to ask…"
There's something only someone with one of the top handsome faces among Uma Musume can do.
"Can you get close to Deji-tan's face and whisper 'Look only at me'?"
"…Hah?"
"…Name your price, miss… anything's fine…"
I gesture subtly with my fingers like I'm offering a shady deal.
"…If you can do it, then… actually, I'd be happy if you could do a little spying for me. I'll explain the details later."
Spying… as in collecting data on other Uma Musume? That's something I'm suited for. Gathering and memorizing information—leave it to me.
"…Understood."
We exchange a look and seal the deal. Meanwhile, the most important person—Deji-tan—is currently traveling some microcosm.
"…Hey, Digital. Look over here."
"…Heheh, yankee-type on top is also pretty good… uh—eh!? Y-yes!? What is—"
"Don't look at anything else. …Look only at me."
"Kahyu!!"
Alright, she's done.
I catch Deji-tan in my arms as she overheats and collapses.
"…Is this fine?"
"Thank you. You saved me. Now I can take Deji-tan home."
"…Uh, sure… later then…"
Watching Shakur-san walk away, I adjust my hold on Deji-tan and stand up.
"…Ah. In my arms… a goddess…"
I've princess-carried her quite a few times now, but it never gets old.
Training starts soon, so I'll just head to the clubroom like this.