The next day, just as Fujiwara Shirayuki left the dorm, she ran into Special Week, who had also just stepped out.
After greeting each other, the two of them entered the classroom together. The moment they walked in, they received an enthusiastic welcome from their classmates.
"Congratulations to both of our rookies! Congratulations!"
"You two are getting along really well today too~"
Some of them even started clapping.
Hearing their voices, Shirayuki's smile nearly broke apart.
It seemed that the hug she had given on impulse yesterday had caused trouble.
Even the Uma Musume news section had a picture of her and Special Week hugging each other. Beside it was an eye-catching headline:
Friends and Rivals, the Supreme Friendship of Uma Musume
In just one night, the two of them had become celebrities at school. Whether it was classmates they knew or did not know, everyone offered them blessings.
"T-Thank you..."
Special Week raised a hand and responded stiffly, her expression rather shy.
"Good morning, Yuki-chan."
After returning to her seat, Grass Wonder greeted her with a smile.
"Morning, Grass."
"You look very energetic today."
"I guess so."
"I didn't have time to congratulate you yesterday, so I made some sweets. I hope you'll try them, if you don't mind."
Grass Wonder handed over a box.
After thanking her, Shirayuki opened the package. A sweet scent mixed with something faintly salty drifted out. Seeing the neatly arranged cookies inside, Fujiwara Shirayuki picked one up.
Before she could say a few polite words, the words caught in her throat.
It was a cookie shaped like Special Week's face.
On top of it was a layer of something that was either tomato sauce or strawberry jam. Looking at that bright red color, Shirayuki's hand trembled twice before she could stop herself.
"Go on, Shirayuki. Try it. It's very, very delicious."
Grass Wonder smiled brightly as she spoke, her presence pressing down with quiet force.
"Then I'll just... try a little."
Fujiwara Shirayuki swallowed and took a bite.
Immediately, her mouth was filled with a sweet, salty, sticky sensation. It was not exactly bad, but when she looked at the half-bitten cookie in her hand, she felt an inexplicable chill.
"Isn't it very tasty, Yuki-chan?"
"Ah... yeah..."
Very delicious.
"Why are you sweating so much?"
In the trainers' office, Katsumura Yota looked at Fujiwara Chiya, who kept wiping his forehead with a handkerchief.
"It's a little hot."
The man gave a stiff smile. A strange flavor kept spreading through his mouth. Looking at the bright red Spe-chan cookie in front of him, Fujiwara Chiya felt the urge to turn around and run.
Of course, the one who needed to run was not him.
It was Shirayuki.
"Hot? Now that you mention it, the hottest part of summer is almost here. It is getting pretty warm. But it's fine. We'll be able to cool off soon!"
Katsumura Yota excitedly pulled out the summer special training camp schedule.
"Tell your Uma Musume about summer training camp. We're going to train by the sea, so have them prepare what they need to bring."
Summer training camp.
Every year, during the hottest part of summer, the Uma Musume would go to the seaside for special training and avoid the intense heat.
Looking at the anticipation on Yota's face, Fujiwara Chiya tugged at his clothes.
"What are you doing?"
"That's a pretty flashy outfit."
Seeing the Hawaiian-style short-sleeved shirt under Yota's tracksuit, Fujiwara Chiya teased him.
"You can't wait to go on vacation already?"
"What do you mean, vacation? This is accompanying the Uma Musume for training and helping them relax! Everything I do is for the Uma Musume. Just think about it. Summer festival, swimsuits, youth. Isn't that what life is all about?"
"Your youth is already over, old man."
"What the hell! I'll fight you!"
After a bout of chaos, the two of them finally settled down.
Fujiwara Chiya straightened his nearly torn clothes.
"Fine, I get it. I'll tell them the precautions later."
"I curse you to walk around the festival alone!"
After leaving that harsh parting line, Katsumura Yota left the room.
Sorry, but I have at least two people on my side.
Fujiwara Chiya picked up the summer special training camp schedule and looked at the activities listed on it.
Beach volleyball, swimming, running, mountain climbing...
There was even reading.
The beach, as a special environment, played a very important role in training. Going out for a trip to relax was one thing, but another important factor was the sand itself. The soft ground, soaked by seawater, became damp and sticky. For Uma Musume to run on it, they needed more strength than usual, but the beach would not damage the soles of their feet.
In other words, it was a very safe training method that could strengthen an Uma Musume's stamina and power at the same time. It could greatly improve their attributes. If possible, Fujiwara Chiya would have liked to train there every day.
Unfortunately, because of the season and funding, they could only go between July and August each year.
Since that was the case, Fujiwara Chiya had to make full use of the opportunity. He needed to tell his Uma Musume now so they could prepare in advance.
Surely they would be looking forward to it.
"I'm not going."
In the laboratory, Agnes Tachyon refused on the spot.
"It's too much of a waste of time, Guinea Pig-kun. A few days would be fine, but a month and a half would slow down the rhythm of my experiments too much."
"You want to stay at Tracen and do experiments?"
"Of course. If we're going to pursue the Zone, then we need a large amount of experimental data. Have you ever calculated how much time an Uma Musume has, Guinea Pig-kun? Two years, three years, four years at most. After that, her growth phase will pass, and she'll enter decline. At that point, no matter how much effort she puts in, an Uma Musume will no longer be able to move forward, much less pursue the Zone or ultimate speed."
As if she had not slept well, Agnes Tachyon yawned.
"That is why every minute and every second is precious. As Uma Musume, our golden period is very short."
"In that case, there's even more reason to bring you along."
Fujiwara Chiya looked serious.
"Once-a-year summer training camp. A different environment, a different style of training. Haven't you noticed, Tachyon? Every Uma Musume who has obtained the Zone has one thing in common. Each of them has fully experienced the life of an Uma Musume. If you want to observe Uma Musume and uncover the Zone, don't you need to carefully record every part of their lives?"
Hearing that, Agnes Tachyon's hand paused.
"And there's one more reason I want you to go to summer training camp."
"What is it?"
"You're too tired, Tachyon."
The man looked into Agnes Tachyon's eyes. She always looked sleep-deprived and sickly, her skin carrying an unhealthy pallor.
It was true that ever since he became Agnes Tachyon's trainer, she had been working hard in training. But according to her roommate, Tachyon stayed up late every night researching materials, often went to bed very late, and had an extremely irregular schedule.
Fujiwara Chiya wanted to help her fix her lifestyle and make her rest for a while.
Otherwise, Agnes Tachyon might ruin her own body. As her trainer, Fujiwara Chiya could not simply ignore that.
Looking at the stubborn expression on the man's face, Agnes Tachyon rubbed her tired eyes.
"I'll think about it."
"No need to think about it."
Fujiwara Chiya stood up.
"I've already decided to take you with me."
"...How forceful, Guinea Pig-kun."
Agnes Tachyon seemed as though she still wanted to say something, but after seeing the look in his eyes, she could only sigh helplessly.
"Fine. I understand. But I'm bringing the medicine I'm halfway through making, as well as some experimental equipment. Even if we treat summer training camp as part of our research into the Zone, it's not as if that will take the whole day. I still need to continue my experiments during the remaining time. How about that? Can you accept this proposal?"
"Fine."
After leaving Agnes Tachyon, Fujiwara Chiya informed the other Uma Musume about the matter. Everyone reacted with considerable excitement, especially Gold Ship.
"Awesome!"
She shouted outright.
"Trainer, bring everything we can carry! Today we launch a raid on that summer villa! We go empty-handed and come back fully loaded!"
Hopefully she would not cause trouble and get them kicked out by the managers.
Probably not, right?
Fujiwara Chiya returned to his office. He needed to use this time to finish the training plan for the camp.
When he opened the door, he saw Hayakawa Tazuna waiting for him.
"Welcome back, Chiya."
"Yeah. Have you been waiting long?"
"I just arrived."
Hayakawa Tazuna shook her head.
"Give me a moment. I'll make you some tea."
"No need. I'll leave after saying a few things."
Hayakawa Tazuna stood up and looked at the man. His figure was reflected in her beautiful emerald-green eyes.
"Summer training camp is coming soon, isn't it?"
"It starts next week. I'm preparing for it now."
"I see."
Hayakawa Tazuna smiled.
"I won't be able to stay with you during that time."
Fujiwara Chiya's eyes shifted slightly.
As the Director's secretary, Hayakawa Tazuna had to stay at Tracen and handle administrative work. She could not go with the trainers to the seaside camp.
"Is there anything you want? I can bring something back for you."
That was the only thing Fujiwara Chiya could do for her.
"I heard there's a village near the camp, and every summer they hold a summer festival."
"Do you want me to bring something back from the festival?"
"I want to ask you to bring something to the festival."
Bring something to the festival?
While he was still puzzled, Hayakawa Tazuna came closer.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed the man lightly on the lips.
The man froze.
"Please bring my feelings to the festival. Then I'll wait for you to come back at Tracen."