After finalizing the battle plan, Fujiwara Chiya's anxious heart finally settled.
A large part of this strategy's success depended on the opponent, so Shirayuki's condition that day would be extremely important. She needed to possess a powerful presence, the kind of presence that would force the other side to take her seriously.
Through this period of training, Fujiwara Chiya had gained a certain understanding of the invisible and intangible thing called aura. When his spirit, energy, and focus gathered into one point, he could perceive his opponent with astonishing clarity. At that moment, the opponent would also be pulled in by that perception, either feeling fear and dread, or igniting the will to resist.
Fujiwara Chiya closed his eyes and focused his attention forward.
Spirit, energy, and focus united.
In an instant, his aura reached its peak.
"Oh my?"
A gentle voice came from beside him, startling Fujiwara Chiya so badly that his presence immediately collapsed.
"I was wondering who it was. So it was Trainer Chiya."
The breeze brushed through her brown hair as Grass Wonder walked over.
"What was Trainer doing just now?"
"I was… taking a walk."
"I see. Trainer takes his walks very seriously."
Just now, Grass Wonder had suddenly felt something familiar. Even through a cluster of bushes, she knew who could give off such a terrifying presence.
It was her good friend, Fujiwara Shirayuki.
However, when she came over, she saw Fujiwara Chiya standing motionlessly in place. Grass Wonder had thought it was her imagination, but no matter how she thought about it, that intense feeling that touched her heart could not have been an illusion.
"Speaking of which, the next race will be between me and Yuki-chan. I'm really looking forward to it. Ever since I lost to Yuki-chan last time, I've been practicing nonstop. Every night, Yuki-chan's figure appears in my mind. I keep imagining myself overtaking her, again and again. Every time that thought appears, my body trembles with excitement."
"Grass…? Are you okay?"
"Mm, I'm very okay."
Grass Wonder showed a gentle smile.
"Now I finally have another chance. I regret that I could not be the first one to defeat Yuki-chan, but I will definitely become the person who surpasses Yuki-chan the most times. So please, Trainer, please train Yuki-chan seriously. That way, I'll have more than enough motivation too."
Without him noticing, Grass Wonder's obsession with Shirayuki seemed to have deepened.
"Um… I don't think Shirayuki will obediently let someone overtake her."
"Of course. But the more she resists, the more exciting it becomes."
Looking into Grass Wonder's bottomless blue eyes, Fujiwara Chiya laughed dryly a few times.
It seemed Grass Wonder's intention for the next race was already very clear.
She wanted to cut Shirayuki down in one strike.
That was fine.
As long as Grass Wonder placed all her energy on Shirayuki, it would reduce how much attention she paid to everyone else.
"With an opponent like you, I'm sure Shirayuki will train even harder. Please continue taking care of Shirayuki from now on too, Grass."
"Of course. I'll definitely take good care of her, so Trainer can rest assured."
"Then I'll go first. Come to my room and hang out when you have time."
"Thank you for the invitation, Trainer."
Grass Wonder smiled as she watched Fujiwara Chiya leave.
After he was gone, she lightly furrowed her brow.
Although it had only lasted a short time, that feeling was not something just anyone could give her.
What exactly was going on?
Trainer Chiya… and Yuki-chan…
After leaving Grass Wonder, Fujiwara Chiya returned to his own dorm room for the first time in a while.
The room was very clean, clearly having been tidied by someone. The layout had also changed somewhat, becoming more orderly.
Had someone come in after he left?
Hayakawa Tazuna or Rice Shower.
Only those two could enter this room whenever they wanted.
They really worked hard. Even when I wasn't here, they still helped clean.
Fujiwara Chiya flopped onto the bed and buried his face in the pillow.
The Director's dorm really was excellent, but he had lived in this room for quite a long time too. He had grown attached to it. Coming back after so long gave Fujiwara Chiya the feeling of returning home.
There was a sweet fragrance in the pillow, making Fujiwara Chiya relax.
Wait.
This scent…
Fujiwara Chiya was very familiar with it.
The faint milky sweetness on the pillow was Rice Shower's scent.
He propped himself up and looked at the pillow. Then Fujiwara Chiya discovered a strand of black hair beside it. Among his uma musume, only Rice Shower had this kind of hair.
Hm?
Did Rice sleep here?
He remembered that the last time he had slept together with Rice Shower had been a long time ago. There was no way her traces would still remain on the bed. On top of that, the bedding looked very neat, so this strand of hair had clearly fallen there recently.
It seemed Rice Shower had secretly come here while he was away.
That was not a problem.
Fujiwara Chiya had long since considered Rice Shower family. His room was Rice Shower's room.
He was only a little surprised that Rice Shower came to his room without saying anything, quietly hiding it from him.
After relaxing on the bed for a while, Fujiwara Chiya stood up.
Mejiro Dober would come over later, so he had to prepare in advance.
Entering the bathroom, Fujiwara Chiya found two duvet covers hanging there. One was already dry, while the other was still wet.
Was this Rice Shower's work too?
After sleeping here, she had even specially washed the bedding.
That child, Rice…
Fujiwara Chiya no longer knew what to say about her. She was obedient to an excessive degree. It was not as if he would dislike the bedding having Rice Shower's scent on it.
Not only did he not dislike it, he actually liked it.
The milky fragrance on Rice Shower's body had the feeling of something that would melt the moment it was held in the mouth.
Come to think of it, recently, Rice Shower had rarely clung to him the way she used to. Only when Fujiwara Chiya wanted to pat her would she happily run over. Usually, Rice Shower kept a short distance away, as if afraid of disturbing him.
Have I been neglecting her lately?
In a daze, Gold Ship's figure suddenly popped into Fujiwara Chiya's mind. She pointed at him and shouted,
"You have to spread your affection evenly, Trainer!"
Ah!
That weirdo uma!
Fujiwara Chiya held his head.
He had already been brainwashed by Gold Ship.
He should find some time to take Rice Shower out.
This was not the "spreading affection evenly" that Gold Ship talked about.
It was purely because he wanted to take Rice Shower out to have fun!
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knock at the door, and Mejiro Dober's voice came from outside.
"Trainer-san? Are you there?"
"Coming."
He opened the door, and Mejiro Dober entered the room.
She was holding dinner she had prepared for the two of them.
"I made some food again. Trainer-san, let's eat together."
"Okay. Thank you, Dober. I always end up troubling you."
"No. I'm happy that Trainer-san eats my lunchboxes. If you don't mind, I can make them for Trainer-san every day."
"I think once in a while is better. If you do this every day, I'll feel bad. Next time, let me cook for Dober."
"Then it's settled."
Mejiro Dober took off her shoes. After handing the lunchbox to Fujiwara Chiya, she locked the door.