Today's Student Council activities ended successfully. Shirayuki was already able to handle various affairs with ease. Aside from things she was not very good at, such as dance and flowers, which required asking Air Groove for guidance, she could complete the rest of the work independently.
Air Groove, who had been observing her from the side, nodded in satisfaction. After Shirayuki came over to report, she reached out and stroked Shirayuki's head. Air Groove now understood why President Rudolf would indulge Teio no matter how clingy she became. She felt that way toward Shirayuki.
She wanted to satisfy some of Shirayuki's slightly selfish requests and show her identity as a senior. Of course, not just any senior. Air Groove hoped Shirayuki could inherit her title of "Empress," just as Rudolf hoped Tokai Teio would one day become president.
"Let's go eat some sweets later."
"Yes."
This little one is far too cute.
Air Groove could not help touching Shirayuki's cheek. On the way back, the two of them talked about recent training.
"Shirayuki, you're currently training with Mihono Bourbon, right?"
"And Teio and Spe-chan too."
During this period, she had almost always been around them.
"I see..."
Air Groove nodded. There were quite a few people doing cooperative training with her, but they were all Uma Musume from the same generation.
"Are there no senior division students training with you?"
Air Groove asked.
"No."
Shirayuki wanted to, but her time was occupied by Teio and the others. In truth, training with older Uma Musume would be more effective. They were stronger and more experienced. Training with them would allow her to learn more.
After hearing this, Air Groove looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Shirayuki looked at the side of her face and seemed to realize something.
"Air Groove-senpai, can you train with me?"
"Hm?"
"If there are no senior division students, then I can only rely on Air Groove-senpai."
"My training style is not gentle. Are you saying you want to be left far behind by me and lose your confidence?"
"I won't. I'll catch up to you, senpai."
A hint of surprise appeared in Air Groove's eyes, but it soon turned into approval.
Shirayuki had gained a little of the bearing of an "Empress."
Air Groove's mother was known as the "Queen" among Uma Musume, the former peak of fillies. What her mother was best at was educating others. Air Groove wanted to become someone like her mother, to become an educator. Right now, Shirayuki was the junior she intended to cultivate.
However, during her time with Shirayuki, Air Groove had discovered that Shirayuki was not the type of child who especially liked relying on others. Especially when it came to training, Shirayuki had very strong opinions of her own.
Actually, Air Groove rather hoped Shirayuki would cling to her the way Teio clung to Rudolf, asking her to train together every day. That way, Air Groove would feel the achievement of raising a junior. But in reality, Shirayuki was not clingy at all. She clearly wanted to get closer to this adorable child.
Just now, it was rare for Shirayuki to be perceptive for once, and Air Groove's mood improved considerably. In any case, Shirayuki was a child she was personally raising. Surely her relationship with Shirayuki could not be worse than Rudolf and Teio's relationship.
"I'll come find you during training."
"Then I'll be troubling you, Air Groove-senpai."
After finishing the Student Council work, Shirayuki went to the cafeteria for dinner. On the surface, her life did not seem to have changed. She was still an ordinary Uma Musume. But Shirayuki understood her own difference. She could no longer calmly play the role of "Shirayuki" the way she had before.
The female version of Chiya, and also Chiya himself...
Shirayuki silently ate her meal. She still had something to do later.
After sweeping away a mountain-like pile of food, Shirayuki went to Grass Wonder's dorm room. El Condor Pasa opened the door for her.
"Hello! Yuki-chan, are you here to play?"
"I came to check on Grass Wonder. How is her foot?"
Grass Wonder was sitting on a chair reading a book. Her socks had been removed, and Shirayuki could clearly see the layers of bandages wrapped around her fair ankle.
"Oh my~ Yuki-chan, you came."
Hearing her voice, Grass Wonder's ears swayed happily, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"How did this happen?"
Shirayuki went straight to the point.
"She ran too hard and accidentally twisted her ankle."
El Condor Pasa spread her hands.
"At night, Grass Wonder secretly runs out to train. I know she really wants to beat Yuki-chan, but now it backfired."
"El, say a little less, okay?"
Grass Wonder curved her eyes and spoke with a smile. Just one simple sentence scared El Condor Pasa so badly that the hair on her body stood up. She vaguely remembered being punched by Grass Wonder once and almost dying on the bed. The memory of that night had also vanished along with the intense pain.
Overtraining...
Shirayuki understood. Back then, she had already learned from Maruzensky that Grass Wonder had a personality that refused to lose. She worked hard every day, preparing to one day take victory back.
"If I want to beat Yuki-chan, I can't slack off."
Grass Wonder defended her secret extra training.
"How long has it been twisted?"
"Three days," El Condor Pasa answered.
"The timing is about right. Come here, Grass Wonder. I'll massage it for you."
"Yuki-chan, I only said it casually. You actually took it seriously..."
"Even if you said it casually, your ankle is still twisted, right? I know a fixed-point pressure technique that can help you recover faster."
"Yuki-chan, you're like an old traditional doctor!"
El Condor Pasa shouted.
"It's just basic trainer knowledge. It's included in the medical studies exam."
"I see. But is that really okay, Yuki-chan? If you help Grass Wonder recover, she might turn around and surpass you in the future. Without exaggeration, you're giving salt to the enemy right now, Yuki-chan."
Shirayuki's movements paused slightly.
Indeed, the boomerang she threw out now would definitely hit her on the head in the future. All the help and guidance she gave other Uma Musume might become the chance they needed to defeat her later.
Just like Grass Wonder in front of her. Perhaps because Shirayuki helped her during these few days, Grass Wonder's strength would improve, and she would surpass Shirayuki in a race.
What she was doing was undoubtedly creating obstacles for her own future.
Even so, Shirayuki still had to do it.
It had nothing to do with winning or losing.
It had nothing to do with races.
"Because Grass Wonder is my best friend. I want to help her."
That was Shirayuki's answer.
She did indeed have two bodies, but there was one thing that remained singular. No matter how her identity changed, no matter whether she was an Uma Musume or a trainer, she liked her friends. Chiya did, and Shirayuki did too. Even if Chiya had always played the role of trainer, there was no doubt that he also saw Grass Wonder as a friend.
Their relationship would not disappear just because her identity changed.
Seeing Shirayuki's serious expression, Grass Wonder's heart suddenly jumped. She felt that Shirayuki had become different from before, but she could not say exactly what had changed. The pure white girl from before now carried a slightly different air.
Yuki-chan, just what are you...
Grass Wonder's lips trembled slightly, but in the end, she swallowed the doubt in her heart. She showed Shirayuki her usual smile and said,
"Me too, Yuki-chan. We are best friends. That will never change."