The counter was lined with an array of shoes, each one meticulously crafted. In the world of Uma Musume, everything revolved around the girls themselves. Ordinary shoes couldn't handle the incredible force of their hooves, so these were built unusually thick and durable.
Not only that, the toe sections were reinforced with steel plates—protecting the feet while also doubling as a weapon if needed.
"Hello! Can I help you find something?"
"I'd like to buy a pair for my Uma Musume. Do you have any recommendations? She has a race coming up soon."
"Well then, I'd recommend this model…" The clerk launched into an unstoppable torrent of technical terms.
Kaito blinked and nodded along. Completely incomprehensible.
He had no idea what "toe steel plate," "laminated board," or the various brand names meant. He kept pretending to understand, then asked,"Teio, what do you think?"
"Of course we should get the one with the best value. This one's made with reinforced resin—durable and won't break easily."
"Let's go with her suggestion," Kaito said.
"Alright, let's have it packed," the clerk replied.
"No need. We can just change into them right here." Tokai Teio sat down on a chair and extended her foot toward him. "Trainer, help me."
"Okay."
Kaito knelt down and began removing her shoes.
It wasn't training day yet, so her feet were clean. After a session, her white socks would be soaked with sweat, leaving dark stains and a complex, sour, leather-and-milk scent—not exactly pleasant. But now…
Now, her calves and feet carried a sweet, citrusy, soapy fragrance. Fresh, dry, and perfect for handling.
Watching Kaito slide her shoes off, Teio's cheeks flushed instantly. The moment his fingers brushed her soles, she jerked slightly.
Amazing…
Since the morning, she'd been feeling this way. Ever since Kaito had kissed her, a small itch had grown in her chest—an urge for more closeness, more contact. But the more she tried to quench it, the more it intensified. Her young heart was restless, craving the thrill of touch, of intimacy.
The moment Kaito held her foot in his hands, she let out a soft, involuntary whine. The staff nearby, wisely sensing the moment, quietly stepped out, leaving the two of them alone.
Yet, even as Teio writhed in excitement, Kaito remained calm. He gently placed her soft, tender foot into the new shoe, marveling at its quality.
For a human, this pair might last a lifetime. For an Uma Musume… probably about a year. Their daily training regimen would kill an ordinary person in hours.
Kaito had once tried to keep up with Teio during training. Just outputting without intake didn't work; he constantly had to push his own endurance. Running beside her, he nearly collapsed, while she remained perfectly fine.
Eventually, some kind of safety mechanism triggered—Teio carried him to the infirmary, wet towel pressed to his forehead.
A human trying to challenge an Uma Musume? Impossible—unless you had a gene mutation or transformed into one yourself. Their physical limits far surpassed normal human extremes.
"All done."
Tying the final lace, Kaito looked up at Teio. She covered her mouth, eyes half-lidded, tail twisting into a knot, body trembling.
What… was going on?
He hadn't done anything particularly intimate—why was she reacting like this?
After a long moment, Teio finally recovered from the sensation of her Trainer tending to her feet. Wiping at her eyes, she realized just a simple touch could make her feel so good.
If other things happened… it would probably be overwhelming.
A small, mischievous excitement bubbled in her chest.
"Let's go, Trainer," she said reluctantly.
Now that she was human, some things Kaito found harder to read.
He had the staff package Teio's old shoes while they left the store. The pair, complete with horseshoes, had cost 70,000 yen—but they came with a six-month warranty for repairs.
Kaito paused for a moment.
If he bought something here, would it even matter? His arrival in the real world coincided with the schedule in his manual. Eventually, he would return. Would all this vanish when he went back? Or would the changes carry over into the game world? Could buying these items—or building relationships here—affect the game?
So many questions swirled in his mind.
He stopped walking, a thought striking him suddenly.
He couldn't command anyone other than Teio in the game world—he wasn't their Trainer, and he couldn't find a way to sign contracts with them.
But in reality… could he now sign contracts? Change their in-game state?
Maybe.
Things impossible in the game could be done here. Things impossible in reality could be done in the game. They complemented each other.
Kaito wanted to try immediately—but from earlier, Teio had been holding his hand tightly.
This little girl had insane grip strength. Like holding steel bars! Teio… if you keep this up, I'll never let you hold my hand again. How could such soft, sweet, tiny hands have this kind of power?
"Trainer, let's go to the food street!" Teio's excitement was palpable. "Lunch outside, then more fun in the afternoon!"
"I… have some things to do."
"Things to do… I see." Her ears drooped. The word disappointed seemed stamped across her face.
"…It's fine to play a little first."
"Really? Hehe~" Instantly, her expression brightened like the sun breaking through clouds.
"Let's go—where to first?"
Seeing such a dramatic shift, Kaito scooped her up and gave her a gentle shake. This transformation—like an artificial intelligence awakening from a paper-thin simulation—was exhilarating. The flat, scripted world had come alive.
Kaito had never felt so bright and alive.
Teio giggled, hugging him tightly.
"Takoyaki, ramen, rotating sushi… I want it all!" She wagged her tail and wrapped it around his thigh like a chain, binding them together.
They played until evening. Returning to the school, Kaito noticed Shuka Tezuka still standing at the gate.
"Trainer Kaito, you're back."
"Yeah, still working, Shuka?"
"I was waiting here because I didn't see you return."
"Well, I'm flattered." Kaito's gaze lingered on Shuka's black silk stockings, subtly brushed by her long, elegant legs.
"That's my initiative," she said, bowing slightly with a flawless smile. Her green eyes briefly flicked toward Teio leaning next to Kaito, then returned to him.
"I'll treat you to dinner sometime to show my gratitude, Shuka," he said, finally moving his gaze.
"Sure, I'll look forward to it," she replied, smiling warmly.
After they walked away, Kaito noticed Shuka was still watching him.