The weekend arrived, and Fujiwara Chiya stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his outfit.
Going out with colleagues wasn't anything new. When he first came to Tracen, he was often dragged around by his seniors, bowling, karaoke, basically everything that could be done had been done.
Today was just going out alone with Kiryuin Aoi.
Fujiwara Chiya took out the flyer Happy Meek had given him.
He studied the places listed on it. Karaoke, shrines, restaurants, those were fine, but what was with the hotel at the end? Did they plan to stay overnight?
Happy Meek had even thoughtfully added "depending on the situation, optional," along with a smiley face.
What kind of situation was that supposed to mean? Did Happy Meek think they might have so much fun they'd just stay out overnight?
Back in university, he had gone out with Kiryuin Aoi a few times, but they had always gone to racetracks or Uma Musume supply shops. Their conversations were always about becoming trainers in the future.
They had never really spent time together without a purpose.
Shaking his head, Fujiwara Chiya stuffed the flyer into his pocket.
Relationships really did change over time. The way he viewed Kiryuin Aoi now couldn't be the same as before.
Fujiwara Chiya stepped out of his room.
As soon as he opened the door, he ran into a small black Uma Musume.
"Onii-sama!" the girl called out happily.
"Rice Shower, what are you doing here?"
"Rice wants to come play with Onii-sama!"
Last time, Fujiwara Chiya had told her to treat this place like her home and come whenever she wanted. With nothing to do today, Rice Shower came looking for him.
Whether it was playing games or anything else, she simply wanted to be close to him. Otherwise, she would feel listless all day.
Unfortunately, Fujiwara Chiya was about to go out.
"Onii-sama has something to do?"
"Yeah, I'm going out with a colleague."
"I see… is it Trainer Katsumura?"
"It's Kiryuin."
"Ah… eh!?" Rice Shower was startled.
"Onii-sama is going out with Trainer Kiryuin? Just the two of you!?"
"Yeah, just the two of us." Fujiwara Chiya replied, confused by her reaction.
That woman!?
Rice Shower immediately felt uneasy.
Onii-sama might not realize it, but Rice Shower was very aware that Kiryuin Aoi looked at him differently from others. That gentle yet deep gaze was not something she showed anyone else.
That woman definitely liked Onii-sama.
Inviting him out today must be her way of getting closer.
No.
Rice Shower puffed her cheeks.
Aside from the final step, she had already done everything with Onii-sama. How could she let someone else get ahead!
"Sorry, Rice Shower, maybe another day. I'll go out with you when I have time."
Going out didn't matter. What mattered was that Onii-sama couldn't go with her.
"Rice wants to go with Onii-sama too!"
She grabbed his hand.
"This…"
Fujiwara Chiya hesitated.
He hadn't mentioned bringing anyone else when he invited Kiryuin Aoi. Suddenly adding another person might make things awkward.
Also, some of the places on the list were off-limits to minors, like bars. Someone Rice Shower's age wouldn't be allowed in.
Changing the plan last minute would also be troublesome.
Seeing the troubled expression on his face, Rice Shower let go.
"I understand. Onii-sama should go. When there's time later, Onii-sama can go out with Rice."
"Yeah, I'll make it up to you."
Fujiwara Chiya sighed in relief, said goodbye, and headed out.
Once he disappeared from view, Rice Shower rushed back to her dorm.
Even as a little sister, being willful had its limits. If she had kept insisting, she would have caused trouble.
In Rice Shower's heart, Onii-sama's wishes always came first.
But she couldn't ignore Kiryuin Aoi's invitation either.
Back in her room, she opened her wardrobe, picked out an outfit, then put on a hat, scarf, and sunglasses.
That's right.
She was going to follow Onii-sama.
To prevent Kiryuin Aoi from getting too close by improper means, Rice Shower would become his last line of defense. If anything inappropriate happened, she would step in.
Onii-sama already belonged to her. She wouldn't let any bad woman take him away.
Thinking back to that night, her face turned red.
Next time, she hoped Onii-sama would be awake… and willing.
Until then, she would protect him.
After quickly tidying up, Rice Shower left the room.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw a white figure passing by.
"Shirayuki!"
"Hm? Rice Shower?" Fujiwara Shirayuki turned around. "What's with that outfit? Are you going out?"
"Rice… has something to do, I'm leaving!"
She ran off immediately.
"?"
Fujiwara Shirayuki was confused.
What's the rush? And sunglasses?
"Shirayuki, sorry to keep you waiting."
Before she could think further, Mejiro Dober stepped out.
"My mother called. The car has arrived."
"Alright."
The Mejiro family gathering, though called a family event, was essentially a business social gathering. The students didn't attend the main event, instead staying in separate rooms to chat and drink tea.
After getting into a long black limousine, the two arrived at a massive mansion.
As soon as they entered, Fujiwara Shirayuki was stunned.
"Welcome back, young lady!"
Servants lined both sides, bowing respectfully.
"Mm."
Mejiro Dober was clearly startled, instinctively leaning closer to Shirayuki.
"Let's go to my room."
Feeling uncomfortable, she grabbed Shirayuki's hand and quickly went upstairs.
Shirayuki's eyes sparkled as she looked around.
The mansion was far larger than she had imagined. Sunlight poured through large windows onto a neatly arranged garden, the air filled with floral fragrance, soft carpets underfoot.
It felt like walking through a palace.
This was the gap between classes.
Shirayuki swallowed.
"Don't be nervous. It's fine to relax."
Mejiro Dober reassured her, then interlocked their fingers, as if claiming her.
"It's okay. I'm here."
"Y-yes… Dober-onee-chan."
Hearing that, Mejiro Dober felt deeply satisfied.
Meanwhile, Fujiwara Chiya met up with Kiryuin Aoi.
Seeing her, he was momentarily stunned.
She had changed her outfit.
Gone was her usual jacket and pants. Instead, she wore a blouse and skirt, giving off a youthful, lively charm.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Aoi."
Hearing his voice, she turned nervously.
"No, I just got here."
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Then let's grab something."
Following Happy Meek's plan, they headed off.
Behind them, a small figure quietly followed.
"Eating breakfast with Onii-sama… Rice Shower has only done that once…"
She wrote it down.
Whatever Kiryuin Aoi did today, she would do it too with Onii-sama later.
After all, she was a willful girl.
After five minutes, they entered a restaurant, and Rice Shower followed.
"Table for one?"
The staff startled her.
"Y-yes… Rice is alone…"
"Single seats are full. Would you mind sharing a table?"
"S-sharing!?"
Looking around, she saw mostly couples.
"Onii-sama is over there…"
She insisted on sitting where she could see him.
At her table sat a woman reading a newspaper.
"Mind sharing?"
"Mm, sure."
After ordering, the woman lowered her newspaper.
Their eyes met.
"…You're one of Chiya's Uma Musume, right?"
"…Trainer Nase?"
Nase Fumino nodded.
"Out for fun?"
"Mm."
"Where's Chiya?"
"Onii-sama… is busy."
"I see."
Nase Fumino sipped her coffee.
Then—
"Onii-sama…"
Rice Shower whispered.
Following her gaze, Nase Fumino turned—
—and saw Fujiwara Chiya sitting with Kiryuin Aoi.
"Pfft—!"
She spat out her coffee.