In the trainer dormitory, Mejiro Dober sat on the sofa, watching Rice Shower busily move around in the kitchen. It looked like she had only just finished cooking, and steam was still rising from the dishes.
For a moment, Mejiro Dober almost thought she had come to the wrong place. The air Rice Shower carried about her was so much like that of a lady of the house that Mejiro Dober felt as though she had stepped into Rice Shower's home instead of the trainer dormitory. Looking at how naturally Rice Shower moved around, pouring tea and arranging things without hesitation, it was obvious she knew this room inside and out.
After brewing the tea, Rice Shower sat down across from Mejiro Dober. Slightly at a loss, Mejiro Dober thanked her.
"The trainer is… out somewhere?"
If he had been suddenly called away, then Rice Shower being here would at least make some sense.
"Onii-sama got a call and went out with his friends. He won't be back until after five."
Mejiro Dober looked at the clock. There were still twenty minutes left until five.
"Why are you here, Rice Shower?"
From the sound of it, the trainer had either left long ago or had not come back at all. If that was the case, then why was Rice Shower so openly staying in the trainer dorm and even calmly making dinner?
Mejiro Dober's thoughts began to tangle. She could not shake the feeling that there was some kind of relationship here that she could not quite explain.
"The reason Rice is here is because this is Rice's home."
"Rice Shower's… home?"
"Yes. Onii-sama told Rice to treat this place like her home, so Rice did," she replied with an innocent smile on her small face.
"Treat this place like your home" was the kind of polite phrase people used all the time. It simply meant there was no need to be stiff or overly formal. It did not mean you should literally start acting as though you lived there.
Was Rice Shower even staying here at night?
Judging by the utterly pure look on her face, she had definitely misunderstood what that phrase meant.
Still, Mejiro Dober did not feel it was her place to correct her. Since Fujiwara Chiya had been the one to say it, he ought to be the one to explain it. In any case, he would surely realize eventually that Rice Shower was coming in and out of his room like this. It was not as though he and Rice Shower could actually sleep together.
Mejiro Dober took a sip of tea and decided not to dwell on it further.
"What about Dober-san?" Rice Shower asked. "Did Dober-san come because she has some business with Onii-sama?"
She had already noticed the gift in Mejiro Dober's hands.
Uma Musume, gift, dormitory.
Those three words combined instantly into an unpleasant mental image in Rice Shower's head.
The reason Mejiro Dober had come to see Onii-sama definitely was not simple, and whatever they planned to talk about definitely was not going to be about training.
Rice Shower's internal alarm began ringing. She had to find out why Mejiro Dober was here.
"Me?" Mejiro Dober said as she drank what might have been the richest tea she had ever tasted in her life. "There's something… I want to ask Trainer Chiya."
"What kind of thing?" Rice Shower pressed on without hesitation. "Rice knows Onii-sama very well, so maybe Rice can answer it for you instead. Of course, if it's something difficult, Rice can also help ask Onii-sama together with you."
What a kind child, thought Mejiro Dober.
Looking at the strange flame that had suddenly lit up in Rice Shower's eyes, she could not help but feel a little impressed. This innocent child, so honest that she sometimes seemed a bit disconnected from ordinary common sense, could hardly have any bad intentions.
If someone like Rice Shower were in your home, there was no way you would feel nervous.
Still, what Mejiro Dober wanted to ask was about Shirayuki. Rice Shower could not possibly answer that for her.
Mejiro Dober thought for a moment. She did not want to brush aside Rice Shower's good intentions. Since she was being so earnest in wanting to help, Mejiro Dober did not want to leave that kindness unanswered. A few seconds later, she finally found the question she could ask.
If Trainer Chiya did not object to the relationship between her and Shirayuki, then perhaps her way of addressing him ought to change too, from "Trainer Chiya" to… "Chiya-nii."
That was right. Once her relationship with Shirayuki was confirmed, then Shirayuki's cousin would become her older brother as well. In that case, Mejiro Dober herself would also become Trainer Chiya's younger sister.
Surely he would not dislike that kind of relationship.
"Rice Shower."
"Hm?"
"Do you think… Trainer Chiya would reject me if I became his younger sister?"
Mejiro Dober asked her opinion.
The smile on Rice Shower's face cracked ever so slightly. Tilting her head, she repeated, "Hm?"
"Should I make preparations beforehand? So that Trainer Chiya can gradually get used to my new position. For example, maybe I should slowly change the way I call him. That would probably make it easier for him to accept things when I explain the truth to him. Back then, when you became Trainer Chiya's little sister, was that because the trainer asked for it, or was it your own idea?"
Rice Shower was still smiling, but inside, she could no longer smile at all.
What is she talking about?
Back then, Rice Shower had fallen into darkness because she lacked talent. Then the trainer had saved her, and she had developed feelings for him. Only after the two of them had spent a long time together did Rice Shower finally begin expressing that bond.
Calling him Onii-sama was not some casual change of nickname. It was the shape her feelings had taken. It was the way she expressed her affection, because a title like Onii-sama was far closer than simply saying "trainer."
And Mejiro Dober?
What deep bond do you have with Onii-sama? It's not like the two of you usually talk that much. So why are you suddenly trying to change how you address him?
Mejiro Dober-san… are you trying to steal Onii-sama from me too?
Rice Shower kept smiling as innocently as ever.
"I don't know," she said.
"What?"
"Rice doesn't know. It just naturally became this way over time with Onii-sama. Rice has always been watching Onii-sama, and Onii-sama has always been watching Rice. It's a two-way feeling. It's not that one side demanded something from the other. Someone who is truly a little sister naturally becomes one. If you're not, then you'll never be able to become one no matter how long you try."
Was it just her imagination? Even though Rice Shower still had that same smiling expression, Mejiro Dober could not shake the feeling that her gaze had become strangely cold while saying those words. Her eyes remained gently curved with a smile, but through those butterfly-light lashes, Mejiro Dober had the odd sensation of being stared at by a beast.
A sudden dryness came over her throat. Mejiro Dober swallowed and quickly finished the rest of her tea.
"Would you like another cup, Dober-san?"
"N-No, that won't be necessary." Mejiro Dober stood up. "I'm sorry for taking up your time. I think I'll just ask the trainer directly another day when I get the chance."
She placed the gift on the table, gave a polite nod, and then left the room.
Rice Shower saw her out and slowly closed the door behind her.
Click.
Purple flames seemed to blaze inside her eyes.
Why has this year been so unlucky…?
First, there had been Fujiwara Shirayuki out of nowhere, then Kiryuin Aoi, then Nase Fumino, and now even Mejiro Dober had appeared. Every last one of them was either interested in Onii-sama or trying to take her place.
As the very first Uma Musume to officially sign with Fujiwara Chiya, Rice Shower had long since entrusted all of herself to him, just as he had poured all of his effort into her.
The reason she ran was not only to achieve her own dream, but also to fulfill Onii-sama's dream.
The two of them were one in heart.
When Rice Shower had been at her lowest, Fujiwara Chiya had saved her. And when Fujiwara Chiya had been at his lowest, Rice Shower had stepped forward too.
Rice is not like all of you.
A sad Onii-sama, a hurt Onii-sama, a discouraged Onii-sama, Rice loves all of them. Rice can comfort him, accept him, and stay by his side. Rice loves every part of Onii-sama.
That was Rice Shower's feeling.
Rice… absolutely would not allow any of these people to take Onii-sama away.
Half an hour after Mejiro Dober left, the sound of a key turning came from the front door. The moment she heard it, Rice Shower's ears perked up and her eyes lit up. She hurried to the entrance and waited for him to come in.
Fujiwara Chiya scratched his head as he opened the door, noticing that it had not been locked. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Rice Shower standing right there in front of him.
"Welcome home, Onii-sama!" She spread her arms and hugged him.
A strong smell of alcohol rose from his clothes.
Rice Shower did not like that smell. It covered up Onii-sama's original scent.
But compared to that, welcoming him home was more important.
"Onii-sama, would you like dinner? A bath? Or… Rice?"
"Rice, little one, you came over."
Fujiwara Chiya's eyes wavered unsteadily, his vision unfocused. The seniors had made him drink quite a lot. At this point, he was struggling just to walk properly, and Katsumura Yota had ended up being carried back.
After patting Rice Shower on the head, Fujiwara Chiya swayed slightly as he took off his shoes.
"I'll take a bath first," Fujiwara Chiya said.
He wanted to wash off the smell of alcohol and clear his head a little. Even he could barely stand the scent clinging to him anymore.
"Yes. The bath is already ready. Rice will help Onii-sama get undressed."
"That won't be necessary, Rice. Taking off clothes is easy enough, I can do it myself…" Fujiwara Chiya fumbled around on himself, searching for buttons for quite some time before blearily realizing there was a zipper instead.
"Onii-sama already can't manage properly. Please let Rice help!"
Rice Shower quickly volunteered and began helping him undress. But once he was down to his undergarments, Fujiwara Chiya raised a hand and stopped her.
"That's enough, Rice. I'm going in."
"There's still more, Onii-sama!"
"I'll change the rest inside."
Even this drunk, he still remembers to stop at that point!
Rice Shower puffed out her cheeks.
The last time Onii-sama had gotten drunk enough to black out, she had been the one to wipe him down. She had already seen everything, top and bottom, so what was there to be shy about now?
Still, she could not go against Onii-sama's wishes. So she could only watch pitifully as he staggered into the bathroom. Sitting at the dining table, she swung her feet lightly.
"You're taking so long, Onii-sama…"
Almost twenty minutes passed. After the first bit of movement, the bathroom had gone so silent it was as if no one was inside anymore.
Growing worried, Rice Shower jumped down from the chair and walked over to the bathroom door.
"Onii-sama?" she called softly.
No answer came from inside.
Peeking carefully through the gap and confirming the door was unlocked, Rice Shower stepped inside.
What she saw there was Fujiwara Chiya fast asleep in the bathtub, one arm resting on the rim.
That well-built body seemed almost to have a magical force, holding Rice Shower's gaze completely captive. She stared at the firm lines of muscle in his arm and shoulders, at the even chest half-submerged in the water. He was not exactly bulky, but there was a solid masculinity to his frame.
Rice Shower stood there with her mouth slightly open.
A few seconds later, she licked her lips and took small steps closer.
"Onii-sama~" she called softly.
He did not react.
"Onii-sama, if you sleep in here you'll catch a cold."
Still no reaction.
After a full day of activity, the moment Fujiwara Chiya's body relaxed in the hot water, he had completely passed out. At this point, even fireworks outside probably would not wake him.
Rice Shower reached out and gently poked his cheek with one finger. Once she confirmed that he was deeply asleep, she said, "If Onii-sama is too tired, then Rice will help Onii-sama bathe. If you don't say anything, Rice will take that as a yes."
Naturally, there was no reply.
"Since that is Onii-sama's decision, Rice has no choice."
Rice Shower began taking off her clothes. She folded her undergarments neatly and set them aside, then wrapped a towel around her own still somewhat childish body. Even if no one was watching, standing there so openly still made her feel shy.
After removing the last of her clothes, Rice Shower extended a foot and lightly tested the water, confirming it was not too hot before slipping into the bath.
Warmth enveloped her body at once.
At first, Rice Shower crouched awkwardly in the middle of the bathtub, tense as she stared at Fujiwara Chiya. Once she confirmed that she had not woken him, she finally drew a little closer.
"Onii-sama."
Looking at his sleeping face, Rice Shower reached out and lightly traced her fingers over his arm and shoulder.
"You're so defenseless, Onii-sama~"
Resting her cheek against her hand, Rice Shower gazed at his sleeping face and felt as though she could do anything she wanted to him.
If he was sleeping this deeply, then getting just a little closer should be alright, shouldn't it?
Rice Shower slowly lifted herself and edged closer to him until her body pressed lightly against his. The moment their skin touched, a burning sensation flared up inside her.
A flush of color bloomed across her pale cheeks.
"Onii-sama…"
Rice Shower quietly savored his warmth. Even though she had no experience with this sort of thing herself, she had at least read about it.
Back then, blushing furiously, she had forced herself through a book on the subject and learned quite a lot about men.
Now, she stood only one step away from crossing the threshold into adulthood. Just this simple kind of contact already filled her with an electric excitement, stronger than anything she had felt before. It even awakened the desire to go all the way with him.
If only she were a little bolder, then she and Onii-sama could form a bond that could never be cut.
But if she really did that while he was asleep, then no matter how much Onii-sama cherished her, he would definitely be angry if he found out.
That would be crossing the line far too much.
Rice Shower knew what kind of person he was. If she really went that far while he was unconscious, then the moment he woke up, he would be so consumed with guilt he would not know what to do with himself. Even if Rice Shower were completely willing, Onii-sama would never be able to treat her the same way again.
Rice Shower did not want that.
She loved the way he patted her head. She loved his hugs. Those were the happiest moments in the world for her.
In the end, Rice Shower chose to endure.
Someday, she would make Onii-sama understand exactly how important she was to him.
She would make him be the one to ask for that.
Rice was Onii-sama's most important Uma Musume, his most important little sister, and the most important person in his life.
Bending down, Rice Shower nestled herself into Fujiwara Chiya's arms and rubbed her head lightly against him. Then she picked up a towel and gently began washing his body.
For now, that was the only way she could satisfy this small desire of hers.
Some time later, Fujiwara Chiya woke up to find himself lying in bed in his pajamas.
"Onii-sama, you're awake?"
Rice Shower was sitting beside the bed with a fairy tale book about blue roses resting in her lap.
"Rice…" Fujiwara Chiya rubbed his aching eyes. "So I really fell asleep in the bath?"
"Yes. Rice helped Onii-sama get dressed."
"Rice dressed me!?" Fujiwara Chiya's heart nearly stopped.
That meant Rice Shower had seen every last part of him.
"S-So, Rice, when you were dressing me… nothing strange happened, right?" Fujiwara Chiya asked with cold sweat on his forehead. His dignity had already been destroyed enough. All he could do now was pray that his body had not reacted in some embarrassing way that would completely obliterate the last remnants of his pride.
"Something strange?" Rice Shower tilted her head.
"I mean, did everything go normally? Was there… any kind of trouble?"
"Yes. Rice dried Onii-sama off and dressed him very smoothly."
Hearing that, Fujiwara Chiya let out a breath of relief. Well, half a breath.
"Come eat, Onii-sama. The food is cold now, so Rice will heat it back up."
She hopped off the bed, turned on the kitchen light, and began warming up the meal again.
From the side, Fujiwara Chiya cautiously watched her.
Rice Shower was still the same as ever, still innocent, still adorable.
Compared to before, she had not changed at all.