After winning the first L'Arc representative race, Fujiwara Chiya held a celebration party.
This race could be said to have involved quite a bit of luck. Their opponent did not have an especially gifted Uma Musume, the trainer did not seem particularly concerned about the right to enter the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Chiya's own Uma Musume had all followed his instructions properly without creating any unexpected situations midway.
If he had swapped in Gold Ship or Meisho Doto, the difficulty of the race would have immediately become unpredictable.
It seemed his luck had indeed improved recently.
The news of the race victory also reached the director's ears, and Fujiwara Chiya was called to the director's office by Akikawa Yayoi. Beside her, Satake Mei, wearing a yellow jacket and brown shorts, gave him a thumbs-up.
"Not bad, Trainer Chiya. I'm seeing you in a new light." Satake Mei patted him on the shoulder as if they were close buddies. Fujiwara Chiya was honestly afraid she might suddenly say, "Brother, let's swear brotherhood."
"The next representative race will be next summer. If you win that race, you'll be able to challenge European graded races," Akikawa Yayoi added from the side.
"It'll be in France. I can be your guide. I guarantee I'll take you around every attraction and make the trip worth it," Satake Mei said proudly.
"Ahem, Mei. We aren't going to Europe for fun. The main purpose is training and racing. The turf over there is different from Japan's. It's much heavier. If an Uma Musume's leg strength isn't enough, she won't be able to run properly. So, Chiya, try to adjust your training direction. Don't only focus on the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara. You also need to take European races into account."
"Yayoi, isn't that too much pressure for Trainer Chiya? He's only been a trainer for a year. Now you're asking him to think about the Triple Crown, the Triple Tiara, and European races all at once. Won't that be too much for him to handle?"
That question left Akikawa Yayoi speechless.
Indeed, she had been a little too impatient in wanting Chiya to grow quickly. Central had given Chiya a very good evaluation for this representative race. His tactical arrangement and rhythm control had both been very accurate, and they considered him a promising talent. When Akikawa Yayoi heard that, she had almost cried out in happiness.
But yes, behind that growth must have been effort she had not seen. Chiya was under a lot of pressure too. If she kept increasing the intensity, she might push him too far.
Thinking this, Akikawa Yayoi nodded.
"All right. For now, focus on handling the races of your own Uma Musume. As for the representative race, just work on it during the gaps between their schedules. Also..."
Akikawa Yayoi ran back to her desk and pulled out a hot spring voucher.
"As a reward for winning, you should relax properly too. This voucher can cover up to ten people. Find a time and take your team with you."
Fujiwara Chiya accepted the hot spring voucher.
A reward? A hot spring voucher... for ten people!?
Wasn't this the highest-grade invitation voucher? It even included massage service. Director Akikawa was just giving it to him like this?
Fujiwara Chiya was a little surprised. After all, this kind of voucher was limited and expensive. Being treated so specially by her made him feel uneasy.
Could Director Akikawa really be another mother figure to him?
"You're happy, right, Trainer Chiya? Yayoi bought this especially for you. She kept showing it off to me on the way, saying she had such a good puh!"
Before Satake Mei could finish speaking, Akikawa Yayoi punched her in the stomach. Clutching her abdomen, Satake Mei swayed and collapsed.
"Director!?"
Fujiwara Chiya was stunned.
"She really talks too much. Mei blurts out everything. All right, there's nothing else for you, Chiya. Go back to work."
"...Yes."
After glancing at Satake Mei, who was lying on the ground in an uncertain state, Fujiwara Chiya swallowed, put the hot spring voucher into his pocket, and left the office.
On the way out, Fujiwara Chiya noticed that the painting he had given the director had somehow been framed and hung on the wall.
It felt somewhat mismatched with the style of the room, but seeing that she liked it so much made Fujiwara Chiya quite happy.
Without him realizing it, the image of the once extremely strict director in his heart had gradually changed.
Still, he had not expected someone with Director Akikawa's small build to have such strength. That solid thud had made even Fujiwara Chiya's own stomach ache in sympathy. Could Director Akikawa also be an Uma Musume?
Fujiwara Chiya raised a reasonable suspicion.
After Hayakawa Tazuna had pinned him down last time, Fujiwara Chiya finally realized that she was an Uma Musume. Tazuna always wore a hat and that green uniform, concealing all the traits of an Uma Musume, so it was impossible to tell her identity at a glance.
Why did she deliberately hide the fact that she was an Uma Musume?
Chiya did not understand. For all this time, Fujiwara Chiya had always thought she was human. Not only him, everyone in Tracen seemed to believe Hayakawa Tazuna was human.
Yet in the end, such a shocking truth had emerged.
Fujiwara Chiya was very curious, but he did not dare investigate too deeply. The memory of Hayakawa Tazuna kissing him last time was still vivid. The feeling of being held down by her and unable to move made Fujiwara Chiya feel strangely helpless. He had wanted to breathe, but with his mouth sealed, he could only be swept along by her affection.
Even though there was a faint mint fragrance from Tazuna, Fujiwara Chiya had no room to enjoy it. It was completely different from the sweet atmosphere between boyfriend and girlfriend that he had imagined. It was far too intense.
What was even more frightening was that the next day, Hayakawa Tazuna had greeted him as if nothing had happened, wearing her usual gentle smile.
This made Fujiwara Chiya suspect that Hayakawa Tazuna might have two sides. On the surface, she was a mature and charming adult woman. But inside, she was an Uma Musume filled with wildness and desire.
Even now, Fujiwara Chiya still liked Tazuna as much as before, but he really did not want to experience being kissed until he nearly fainted again. That feeling, where discomfort and stimulation existed together, was simply too hard to process. When he woke up in the morning, Fujiwara Chiya had even discovered that his clothes were damp, carrying a very troubling scent. He did not even dare ask Tazuna whether she had done anything to him after he lost consciousness.
In short, Chiya hoped that his relationship with Tazuna could become a little calmer.
He was not an Uma Musume. If things continued that intensely, his body really would not be able to handle it. Even Shirayuki's side could not endure it, and it had caused Grass Wonder quite a bit of trouble.
With a sigh, Fujiwara Chiya returned to his office.
Work was still the best way to clear distracting thoughts from his mind.
Work made him happy.
He began investigating information on European races, including race rules, track conditions, and turf density.
Director Akikawa had told him to focus on Central races, but Fujiwara Chiya himself also wanted to participate in European races. He hoped to let his Uma Musume carve out their own path on the world stage.
This was not something he could accomplish through his own effort alone, so Fujiwara Chiya needed a helper.
A white figure walked into the room and silently sat down beside Fujiwara Chiya.
He could not do it alone.
But if it was him and Shirayuki together, they could.