The second race of the Triple Tiara, the Oaks, ended with Shirayuki's victory.
After earning the title of double crown winner, Fujiwara Shirayuki was interviewed by Uma Musume TV. They asked her about her plans for future races, and Shirayuki stated her decision.
Naturally, she would participate in the final L'Arc representative race, then advance toward the world stage.
"The L'Arc representative race. In other words, your opponent will be this year's undefeated uma musume, Tokai Teio, correct?" the host asked.
"That's right."
"That is truly something to look forward to. Although, due to the many restrictions surrounding the representative race, most viewers will not be able to attend in person. However, they can still enjoy the competitors' gallant figures on television. Next is our audience question segment."
After returning from the TV station, Shirayuki collapsed onto the bed, exhausted in both body and mind.
Dealing with the host's questions was more tiring than the race itself.
A few minutes later, Mejiro Dober opened the door. Seeing Shirayuki looking as though all her energy had been wrung out, she sat beside her and gently patted Shirayuki's back.
"Dober…"
"You worked hard."
Mejiro Dober comforted her softly.
"Rest for a bit. They're not in a hurry anyway."
To celebrate Shirayuki's double crown, everyone had prepared a grand celebration banquet for her. Not only the team members, but also dorm leader Hishi Amazon, Student Council Vice President Air Groove, Narita Brian, and Shirayuki's friends such as Special Week, Teio, Grass Wonder, and the others had all come to celebrate Shirayuki's victory.
"Mm."
Shirayuki's ears swayed.
"Dober, how do you see me?"
"How do I see Shirayuki?"
"Dober's goal is the Triple Tiara too, right? But now, with things like this… what exactly do you think?"
Mejiro Dober's hand paused.
After thinking for a while, she lightly bit her lip.
"I suppose I'm frustrated. Shirayuki really did win through strength, but I'm still frustrated. Every time I feel like I can touch you, you pull away from me again."
In these two races, Mejiro Dober had finished second both times.
However, the gap between her and Shirayuki was growing wider and wider.
Was it because her talent was not enough?
Or because her effort was not enough?
Mejiro Dober had asked herself that many times.
Maybe she simply lacked the courage and determination to defeat Shirayuki. Deep in her heart, while she longed for victory, perhaps she wanted even more for Shirayuki to become stronger.
Stronger than everyone.
Including herself.
Mejiro Dober hugged Shirayuki tightly.
The pain of losing the race surged out. Tears flowed from her eyes, but she still insisted on saying,
"Shirayuki, you have to become the greatest uma musume. I believe in you."
Seeing Mejiro Dober like that, Shirayuki opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
But when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back.
In the end, Shirayuki nodded firmly.
"Of course. I will."
A few minutes later, Mejiro Dober wiped the corners of her eyes.
Once, she had cried like this too, though that time she had been holding Trainer.
It was strange.
Now, she could no longer separate the two of them.
The way Shirayuki hugged her, and the feeling Shirayuki gave her, were exactly the same as Trainer.
After hesitating for a while, Mejiro Dober asked,
"Shirayuki, do you and Trainer-san have that kind of… strange connection?"
Only after saying that did Mejiro Dober realize that Shirayuki had been calling her "Dober" the whole time, without adding "nee-san."
And yet, this sudden change in address had not felt strange to Mejiro Dober at all.
Because that was how Trainer called her.
"We do. And it's a very special connection."
"Really? Then…"
"It wouldn't be good to explain it now. After the celebration party ends, I'll tell you everything. Let's go, Dober. Everyone is already there. We can't keep them waiting."
Saying that, Shirayuki took her hand.
That expression and movement overlapped with Chiya in Mejiro Dober's eyes.
She froze briefly, then stood up.
"My eyes… they shouldn't be able to tell I cried, right?"
"Don't worry. You're still as beautiful as ever."
"That's not what I meant!"
Mejiro Dober's face reddened slightly.
Seeing Shirayuki's smile, Mejiro Dober realized that her earlier guesses about Shirayuki and Trainer now felt incredibly real.
When they arrived at the office, the uma musume who had been waiting for a long time pulled their party poppers.
The celebration officially began.
Everyone knew Shirayuki's appetite, so more than half of the office had been filled with food.
Sitting in the center of the office, Fujiwara Chiya's eye twitched rapidly. Although he was grateful that everyone had prepared food, the thought that he would have to clean all this up alone afterward made his heart ache.
Teio, you little brat!
Don't smear cream everywhere.
I'm going to spank you!
"Trainer."
While everyone surrounded Shirayuki in the center, Seiun Sky moved closer to him.
"Aren't you going to say something to Shirayuki?"
"What do I have to say?"
"That won't do, Trainer. The focus of this celebration is you. More accurately, it is the shared honor of you and Shirayuki. If everyone only pays attention to Shirayuki and not you, I'll feel upset."
Seiun Sky curved her lips, then turned to the crowd and said,
"Everyone, Trainer has something to say! Let us welcome this great trainer who raised Shirayuki!"
Hearing Seiun Sky's words, everyone turned their heads.
In an instant, their attention shifted from Shirayuki to Fujiwara Chiya.
"That's right! Let our number-one supporter speak!"
Gold Ship was the first to agree.
Rice Shower handed over a microphone.
Agnes Tachyon placed the paper crown that came with the cake on his head.
Fujiwara Chiya immediately became the focus of the room.
He looked at Seiun Sky beside him, who was wearing a mischievous smile.
Having one person receive attention was already tiring enough, but she had gone and increased his workload too.
Looking at the dozen or so uma musume in the room, Fujiwara Chiya's gaze eventually landed on Shirayuki.
He coughed awkwardly.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming. I hope you all eat well, drink well, and have fun."
"…"
"That's way too lame, Trainer! How did I, Gold Ship-sama, teach you? A man has to be bold!"
"You really do talk too much. Fine, then. For today's celebration, if there's anything else you want, tell me. I'll find the best chef and have it sent here directly!"
"Yeah!"
After reigniting the atmosphere of the banquet, Fujiwara Chiya sat back in his chair and let out a long breath.
"I thought you'd say something emotional," Seiun Sky said with a smile.
"Everyone came here to relax in the first place. Isn't it better to keep things fun? You're the one who caused trouble for me, Sky. Now look, my salary is going to hit the bottom again."
"That is partly Seii-chan's responsibility. Not much, but still. Seii-chan can give Trainer her allowance."
"I don't want it. What would I be if I took money from a kid?"
"You don't want money? Then Seii-chan can only use her body to compensate Trainer."
Fujiwara Chiya pushed Seiun Sky away as she leaned closer.
"Be serious."
"Seii-chan has always been serious. Strictly speaking, this celebration should be Trainer's celebration. The one who gathered everyone together was not 'Shirayuki,' but Trainer. Because of Trainer's efforts, everyone was able to form these bonds. I believe that one day, everyone will understand who it truly was that gathered them all together."
Seiun Sky took Fujiwara Chiya's hand.
"Seii-chan has always felt that meeting Trainer back then was truly lucky. Even now, Seii-chan still feels grateful that she was able to fall for Trainer."
Hearing those words, Fujiwara Chiya raised his head and looked at Seiun Sky.
She smiled playfully.
"As for what kind of liking it is, I'll leave that for Trainer to figure out."
She winked, then ran over to the food, choosing the things she liked.