"Shirayuki, Shirayuki, can you help me with this problem?"
"I'm coming."
"Shirayuki, I need help here too."
"Just a moment."
"Shirayuki, over here as well!"
"Right away."
With exams approaching, Fujiwara Shirayuki had become incredibly busy. Students kept coming to her one after another, asking for help.
The reason was simple.
In the last exam, she ranked seventh in the year and first in her class.
Everyone had recognized the ability of this transfer student.
To Shirayuki, however, it wasn't something worth being proud of. Back when she had aimed to become a trainer, she had gone through intense, almost obsessive studying.
Compared to that, middle school-level exams felt like child's play. Even if she had forgotten some material, she could pick it back up quickly with just a few reviews.
Still, that outstanding result became her halo, drawing attention from all around.
Taking advantage of this, Shirayuki pulled out her application form and started gathering signatures.
In just one day, she collected ten names.
Only three spots remained before she could join the student council. There was still nearly a month left before the deadline given by Air Groove, so she no longer had to worry.
Thinking about it, she had almost forgotten why she wanted to join the student council in the first place.
To better understand Uma Musume, perhaps.
But now… she already understood them deeply.
If anything, she felt she was no different from a real Uma Musume anymore.
As the identity of "Fujiwara Shirayuki" solidified, the differences between her two perspectives became clearer.
Looking at the same thing through Shirayuki and Chiya produced completely different thoughts.
For example—
When Chiya saw a pretty dress, he would think, That looks nice.
But when Shirayuki saw it, she would think, Would that suit me?
This clearly showed that Agnes Tachyon's theory was taking effect.
Because of her body, her way of thinking was changing.
Whether that change was good or bad, Shirayuki didn't know.
But one thing was certain—she would no longer make the mistake of exposing herself like before. Her true identity was now much more secure.
"White Wolf, I require your assistance as well."
"T.M. Opera O… aren't your grades already pretty good?"
"Haha! Even a ruler must consult the wise to reach greater heights!"
"…Alright, but I'll help the ones struggling first."
"It matters not. As long as you remember that I, the beautiful sovereign, await you."
She struck a dramatic pose.
Shirayuki's eye twitched slightly.
No matter how used she was to it, sometimes it was still hard to keep a straight face.
…
While Shirayuki busied herself like a teacher moving between students, Mejiro McQueen glanced over and spoke to the girl beside her.
"Special Week."
"Hm?"
"Don't you think Shirayuki has changed a lot recently?"
Special Week tilted her head slightly, watching Shirayuki moving from desk to desk.
"Has she? She's always been like that, hasn't she? Kind, helpful… she's my best friend."
"That's not what I meant…"
McQueen pressed her forehead lightly.
"After I told her she lacked femininity, she went to train with Mejiro Dober. I thought Dober might refine her movements, but…"
She looked toward Shirayuki.
The masculine edge she once had was gradually fading, replaced by a light, youthful femininity.
It wasn't a bad change.
In fact, it suited her better.
But—
The speed of that transformation felt unnatural.
Like a friend who was joking around with you yesterday suddenly becoming completely different today.
"I think she's always been like this," Special Week said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?"
"She's always wanted to be like this."
McQueen blinked.
"Because I saw it," Special Week continued.
"She stayed behind alone in the dance room, practicing in front of recordings. And in the kitchen, she would imitate how you drink tea."
"…Before I even said anything?"
"Yep."
"I see…"
That was unexpected.
She had thought Shirayuki only changed after her comment.
But if she had been working toward it all along…
Then the change made sense.
"But how did you even notice all that? She must've been hiding it."
"I was following her."
"…What?"
McQueen froze.
"After class, I couldn't find her, so I went back to check. That's when I saw her practicing. Later at night, I looked for her again and found her in the kitchen."
"I see… so not exactly following—"
"At first."
Special Week smiled innocently.
"But then she kept doing it every day, so I just waited outside until she finished."
"…You didn't tell her?"
"No."
McQueen covered her forehead again.
Isn't that basically stalking!?
Was Special Week always this intense?
Waiting outside every day until someone finished… just to spend time with them afterward.
That kind of friendship felt… heavy.
"Special Week, you should at least tell her beforehand."
"Wouldn't that make her rush?"
"…Maybe, but still…"
"What's the problem? Shirayuki is my best friend. Waiting a little doesn't matter."
She smiled—pure, bright, completely sincere.
"Best friend…" McQueen muttered.
"…Then what about Suzuka?"
"Suzuka is my precious senior. Shirayuki is my best friend. Those are different."
Special Week clasped her hands.
"They're both important to me."
For some reason, McQueen felt uneasy.
Nothing she said was wrong.
But the weight behind those words felt… unusually heavy.
Just then—
"What are you two talking about?"
A graceful girl with a Yamato Nadeshiko aura approached.
"We're talking about Shirayuki," McQueen replied.
"I see. She looks quite busy. This should be the class rep's job, yet she's handling everything herself."
"True, but we were actually—"
"Shirayuki."
Before McQueen could finish, Grass Wonder had already walked over.
"If you don't mind, let me help you."
She leaned close, almost pressing against Shirayuki's back.
"I'm quite good at teaching as well."
"Thank you, Grass. I appreciate it."
"Not at all."
"…That was fast," McQueen muttered, watching.
When she turned back—
Special Week was puffing her cheeks, clearly unhappy, her eyes fixed on Grass Wonder standing so close to Shirayuki.