The finishing work was completed smoothly, and Shirayuki found Special Week and Cesario sitting nearby.
"Shirayuki, I think I've fallen in love with this child."
"Huh?"
"I don't mean that kind of love. It's a completely different kind of love from how I feel about Shirayuki!"
"I know, I know. You mean the kind of love people have for children, right?"
"Exactly!"
Special Week held Cesario in her arms and hummed softly. Cesario also seemed to be enjoying being held by Special Week, her expression completely relaxed. In just a few hours, their relationship had become this good. Did Spe-chan have a talent for getting along with children?
"I want to take her home…" Special Week murmured.
Spe-chan, calm down. She's Katsumura Youta's cousin. Don't do anything outrageous.
"Tomorrow is the dance party, Shirayuki. Can you bring her too?"
"If I weren't the person in charge, I could ask President Rudolf for special permission. But since I am the person in charge, I can't be the first one to break the rules. Tracen's internal student activities don't allow outsiders to participate. Even relatives of trainers aren't allowed."
"I see…" Special Week's ears drooped.
"But if she has an entry permit, there won't be a problem. I'll ask Tazuna for one later."
"Shirayuki, thank you!"
Special Week hugged her excitedly.
Looks like Spe-chan has completely fallen for this child. This is a little worrying. She won't turn into a little-girl lover, right? Although I'm in no position to say anything, if we're talking about execution-level crimes, I'd probably get shot once, while Spe-chan would get shot twice.
"I finished pulling them out! I did it!"
Katsumura Youta ran over excitedly. He was wearing an apron, and his face was stained with dirt.
"I pulled all the weeds from both flowerbeds. Labor is the most glorious. I may not earn much, but I work a lot!"
The surrounding Uma Musume all looked at him strangely. After realizing he was T.M. Opera O's trainer, their expressions suddenly turned understanding.
So an Uma Musume's personality can project onto her trainer too?
Wait. I'm Gold Ship's trainer. Then how do you all see me?
Shirayuki inexplicably felt her reputation being damaged.
"Look!" Katsumura Youta stretched out his hand.
"What is this?"
"A weed." Katsumura Youta proudly puffed out his chest.
"Oh…"
You have contributed to Tracen, but you have lost your little sister forever. Was it truly worth it?
Cesario's eyes as she looked at him were clearly already dead.
"Yuki-nee, I'm going home. Special Week-oneechan, see you tomorrow."
"Oh, Cesario, you've played enough? I'll send you off."
"No need. I'll have Mom come pick me up."
"Wait, Cesario! Cesario!"
Katsumura Youta shouted from behind while the little filly ran ahead. Even a little girl who had not entered her true-form period had a running speed no human could compare to. In only a few moments, she had shaken Katsumura Youta off until he was nowhere to be seen.
"What a beautiful sibling bond. It makes me feel refreshed."
"Why do I feel like you're taking pleasure in his misfortune, Shirayuki…"
"That's your imagination." Shirayuki cleared her throat. "In that case, I'll head back too. See you at the dance party tomorrow, Spe-chan."
"Okay! I've been seriously practicing my dancing these past few days! Look forward to a surprise, Shirayuki!"
Special Week gave her a thumbs-up.
"Shirayuki-san… do you have time?"
After Special Week left, a faint, eerie voice came from behind Shirayuki. A chill ran down her spine. Shirayuki suddenly turned around and saw that black figure. Her pale face looked as if it had never seen the sun.
It was Manhattan Café.
Speaking of which, before the race, she had invited me to sit in her room. Not me, exactly, but Chiya.
"I have time. What is it, Café-senpai?"
"It's almost night. Those things… will be coming out soon. If possible, would you come sit in my room?"
So scary!
What do you mean by "those things"?
Café always felt like an old person from some remote village, constantly saying unsettling, mysterious things that gave people goosebumps.
Shirayuki had been to her room once. It had felt like stepping into a supernatural world. The whole place was filled with a strange atmosphere, as if something could jump out at any moment.
"It's already evening, Café-senpai. Do we really have to go now?"
"Evening… is better. You can see more clearly."
Fujiwara Shirayuki swallowed.
If Café was beside her, there probably would not be any problem. Besides, Agnes Tachyon was next door. Although Tachyon usually caused no end of trouble, she was still reliable at crucial moments. Maybe if something supernatural happened, she could save Shirayuki's life.
"Got it. I'll go."
Following Café, Shirayuki arrived at that strange room. The decorations inside had not changed much from last time. There were a few more books, but the wall lamp was still the same wall lamp, and the bookshelf was still the same bookshelf.
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
"Souls." Café spoke very directly.
"Shirayuki-san… you have two souls. Two souls in one body…"
"How do you know that?"
"My eyes can see things others cannot. I can see the lines connecting souls. Your soul passes through this room and connects to Trainer Chiya…"
What kind of ridiculous ability is that?
She can see lines connecting souls? You've got to be kidding me.
But she had also accurately mentioned Chiya.
Fujiwara Shirayuki frowned.
"An Uma Musume's zone comes from the soul. Without a complete soul, you cannot reach the true zone. Your current training can only reach half of the zone at most. You are still far from the true zone."
"What do you mean by a complete soul and half of the zone…? I don't really understand."
"It's all right. You'll understand soon. After your next race, you should understand the limitations of a half-zone. If your goals are not unified, your soul will remain divided. You need to have one consistent purpose."
Café looked at her seriously.
"I am currently in a similar state to Shirayuki-san, but I am not as clear-minded as you. If Shirayuki-san can do it, I hope you can tell me what you learned."
"Even if you say that, I don't understand what I'm supposed to do."
"It's all right. She will tell you."
"She?"
"My 'friend.'"
Suddenly, the lights went out.
When they lit up again, Café was gone.
Huh?
"Café-senpai? Are you still here?"
There was no response from the room. Shirayuki swallowed and hurried toward the door.
I've really seen a ghost! What is with this room? The whole atmosphere doesn't match Tracen at all!
Just as Shirayuki was about to rush out, a hand grabbed her.
Shirayuki cried out inwardly and turned to look at the black-haired girl.
"Café-senpai, say something if you're still here."
Shirayuki breathed a sigh of relief, but very quickly, she noticed that the "Café" in front of her was not quite right. Her gaze was as cold as a blade. Just looking at her made it hard to breathe.
"Come to the training ground tomorrow night. I'll tell you what the true zone is."
"…You're not Café. Who are you?"
The girl split her lips into a smile. Her crimson lips looked like blood.
"I am Café's 'friend.'"