On the training field, Fujiwara Chiya announced that from now on, Shirayuki would be his trainee assistant and would be responsible for helping train the Uma Musume.
The moment he said this, everyone froze.
"What the heck? You're letting Shirayuki train us?" Gold Ship made a face that seemed to say, How are you causing even more trouble than me?
"That's right. Shirayuki has been learning training knowledge from me for a long time now, and she understands training content very well. She can also make training plans for you, supervise training, and if you have any technical questions, you can ask Shirayuki for help instead of coming to me."
"Trainer Chiya, are you trying to dump your work onto Shirayuki? Don't tell me you want our cute Shirayuki to support you while you just sit around collecting your salary. That's evil!"
"Nonsense. Shirayuki will be responsible for half the Uma Musume in the team, and I'll be responsible for the other half. How is that not working? Besides, I'm the one who taught Shirayuki."
Right now, Fujiwara Chiya was truly using himself as two people. After splitting half of his work with Shirayuki, he would have more energy to research European races. That would also make it easier for him to decide the direction of training.
But Gold Ship had directly described him as someone living off others. Fujiwara Chiya was furious.
"In short, take your training schedules first," Fujiwara Chiya said. "From now on, Gold Ship, Doto, Rice, and Shirayuki will be handled by me. Dober, Tachyon, and Fukukitaru will be handled by Shirayuki."
What was this?
The trainer was responsible for Shirayuki, and Shirayuki was responsible for them. Could training really be passed down in layers like that?
Gold Ship widened her eyes.
How novel.
Regarding this strange training model, Mejiro Dober and Agnes Tachyon had no objections. One was already used to being trained by Shirayuki, while the other knew the inside story. After Matikanefukukitaru took out her crystal ball and performed a divination, she also agreed.
"Lord Shiraoki's divine revelation says Shirayuki is a trainer, and I may train under her."
Good. Matikanefukukitaru had also agreed through mysticism. Still, Chiya hoped that Lord Shiraoki would speak a little less. That one sentence had nearly poked through the balloon hiding the truth about him and Shirayuki.
During training, Mejiro Dober was extremely excited.
Although she felt somewhat sorry toward Trainer Chiya for thinking this, Mejiro Dober actually preferred being guided by Shirayuki. It was not only because of her special relationship with Shirayuki, but also because whenever she had difficulty communicating with the trainer, Shirayuki had always stood beside her and given instructions.
In Mejiro Dober's eyes, Shirayuki was already her trainer.
Unfortunately, after her fear of men eased, she began training properly under Trainer Chiya and lost Shirayuki's special attention.
Now, the two of them could return to their previous relationship.
Thinking carefully about it, Shirayuki would sit in the room making training plans, while Dober stayed beside her to pour tea and ask if she wanted to rest, telling her not to tire herself out from work. What was this? This was practically newlywed life.
Other people called it a dorm room. For them, it was a bridal room.
Shirayuki made training plans for her, which counted as being her trainer. They were also like sisters, had confessed their feelings to each other, and lived together. All kinds of relationship bonuses had already been stacked to the limit. Mejiro Dober's affection for Shirayuki had reached its peak.
The last time Shirayuki had gotten close to her so directly, the overwhelming sensation had left the inexperienced Mejiro Dober completely unable to stay composed. Honestly, Mejiro Dober wanted to experience that closeness again. That feeling of her mind turning blank was simply addictive.
So Mejiro Dober planned to find a chance to use the excuse of dating to create another unforgettable moment with Shirayuki.
Recently, Shirayuki's scent had also become sweeter for some reason. Every time training ended, Dober could smell that tempting fragrance from her. Mejiro Dober felt that if they became close again, she might be able to act more boldly than before.
Standing in front of the team, Fujiwara Shirayuki, who had no idea what these Uma Musume were thinking, nodded to herself. She had originally thought this decision might make everyone feel resistant, but it seemed they had all accepted it willingly.
In that case, Chiya would be able to free up energy to research European races. With the number of people he needed to train cut in half, his workload would also be reduced considerably. When she had time, Shirayuki could also spare some energy to investigate upcoming races.
After training ended, Fujiwara Shirayuki walked toward the dorm, preparing to process the training data for Mejiro Dober and the others. Just then, she felt a weight on her back. A mischievous little Uma Musume had jumped onto her.
"Shirayuki." A soft, childish voice sounded by her ear.
"Teio, you finished training too?"
"Mm!" Tokai Teio sniffed lightly. Recently, after every training session, she would run over to smell Shirayuki's scent. Tokai Teio found it very strange. Why did Shirayuki always have that sweet honey-like fragrance on her body? It was her favourite kind of smell.
Dazed by the scent, Tokai Teio hugged Shirayuki's shoulders and said, "The Harvest Season is the day after tomorrow. The President asked me to tell you that the student council has decided on the activity."
"Oh? What is it?"
"A butler and maid café! Half the people will play butlers, and the other half will play maids. The President said we need to serve fans with different preferences."
In short, it was a cosplay café. They had held similar events before.
"I see. Is Teio participating?"
"Of course. I'm the same as the President. I'll be a butler." Tokai Teio jumped down from Shirayuki's back and placed a hand over her chest like a gentleman, bowing. "Would you care to have tea with me, my beautiful lady?"
"Did the President teach you that?"
"It's the gentlemanly refinement I was born with."
Shirayuki almost laughed.
That was it?
"Shirayuki, you should be a maid."
"I refuse. Deep down, I'm a natural-born gentleman."
"What!? But you're a filly, a princess among Uma Musume, not an emperor. Since you're a filly, you should obediently become a maid."
"No."
"No, I want to see Shirayuki in a maid outfit! I want Shirayuki to serve me!" Tokai Teio shouted childishly, puffing up her cheeks.
"If I'm serving, it would be serving the fans..."
"I don't care. If you don't wear it, I'll run to the broadcast room and shout, 'Shirayuki abandoned me!'"
Hah?
Well played, Teio. She had actually used the move Shirayuki had once used against her.
And Shirayuki had to admit, it was effective. She was quite afraid of this reckless child doing something that would ruin her good reputation. After all, Shirayuki aimed to become the bond that connected the class, someone admired by everyone. She had always paid attention to her image.
"Fine. I'll wear it. I'll wear it, all right?"
It was not like she was Chiya. Wearing a maid outfit was not that embarrassing for her.
"Yay!" Tokai Teio happily raised her fist. "Hehe~ If Shirayuki is a maid, then will there be any special service?"
"Sp-Special service...?" Hearing this phrase, Shirayuki's ears perked up.
"No matter what, I'm your friend and rival. You should treat me differently from everyone else. Things like a lap pillow and ear cleaning should be included, right?"
"Oh, that kind of service."
"Of course. What else would it be?"
Tokai Teio looked at Shirayuki's face in confusion. Then she noticed Shirayuki's gaze briefly drifting toward her body and suddenly understood something. Tokai Teio blushed and hugged herself tightly.
"Shirayuki! What weird things are you thinking!? The service I meant wasn't that kind of service. Are you pretending to be an adult again!?"
"No, I wasn't! You're the one who phrased it weirdly. You made it sound like some shady arrangement, so of course I misunderstood!"
The two hurriedly looked away from each other.
Darn Shirayuki. Not only was she tempting me with her scent, she was even eyeing my body! Does she think Tokai Teio is someone she can get that easily? My goal is the President. The one I admire is my trainer. There's no place for you anywhere, Shirayuki!
But, considering you're working so hard to pursue me, I, Tokai Teio, can give you a chance. As long as you make me happy, take proper care of me, train with me every day, and play with me, I can very reluctantly accept you.
"J-Just Shirayuki. Don't think you can touch me so easily..."
"I'll give you a lap pillow and clean your ears during the Harvest Season. Is that enough?"
"Really!?"
"Really. But I'm only serving you. Don't tell anyone else."
Shirayuki did not want to provide that kind of service to every guest. Girls were fine, but she absolutely could not accept men lying on her lap. If anyone was going to lie down, it should be her.
Only serving me alone...
Shirayuki said she would only serve me alone!
Hearing that, Tokai Teio's heart began pounding rapidly.
Not bad, Shirayuki. You've expressed your loyalty well. I'm very pleased. So on that day, I, Tokai Teio, will allow you to hug me a little. Feel honoured, Shirayuki. This is the embrace of an emperor. Other people wouldn't even get the chance.