Standing in front of the mirror, Fujiwara Shirayuki looked herself over.
She had not expected that the first time she wore a maid outfit in her life would be during a Tracen event day. The school had gone for a cute style: short Japanese-style sleeves, a black tie, a pleated apron, lace-trimmed over-knee socks, and brown boots that made a crisp click-clack sound when she walked.
When she changed into this outfit, the classmates around her all let out satisfied sounds.
Clearly, everyone here was a girl, but Fujiwara Shirayuki somehow felt as though she were standing in the middle of a group of men. More accurately, one part of her was still male.
As her growth period deepened, that feeling became stronger and stronger. To avoid continuing to have strange thoughts, Shirayuki ran to Chiya's office before the event officially began to pass the time. While she was there, she also gave him a maid-style service.
It had to be said that several months of ladylike training had been very effective. Watching Shirayuki's movements, which were elegant yet also slightly adorable, even Chiya himself could not help being captivated. After placing down the teacup, Shirayuki showed a sweet smile and said,
"Please enjoy."
The taste of the black tea was also excellent. After all, she had trained under Dober for a long time. Whether it was controlling the brewing time or the temperature of the water, she had become extremely precise.
Very perfect.
That was Chiya's evaluation of Shirayuki.
Gentle personality, perfect household ability, excellent grades. Chiya had shaped Shirayuki according to the image of the ideal girl in his mind. If someone tried to find a person like this in real life, it would basically be impossible. After all, only a man knew what kind of girl was truly charming to men.
Although there was a sense of roleplay to it, having a girl like this serve beside him was honestly quite pleasant.
After finishing the tea, Fujiwara Chiya reached out and touched Shirayuki's head. The fluffy feather-like touch of her ears was truly addictive. Among Uma Musume, the only ones who would let Chiya freely pat them were Rice Shower and Shirayuki. However, in terms of comfort, Rice was still slightly behind Shirayuki. On top of that, when he patted Shirayuki, he also felt as though he were being patted himself. The two sensations overlapped, raising the comfort even further.
This feeling really was addictive.
Recently, there had been quite a lot of work. Both he and Shirayuki were under considerable pressure. Relaxing like this once in a while, without thinking about anything, was rather nice.
Fujiwara Shirayuki sat beside Chiya, quietly rubbing her head against his hand. The unique fragrance of a girl drifted into his nose, and Chiya contentedly rubbed Shirayuki's ears.
After nearly ten minutes of patting, Shirayuki stood up softly.
This kind of self-rewarding play was also very nice. She could do whatever she wanted, and when she was tired with no one else around, she could relax like this.
After tidying her clothes, she drank the remaining black tea Chiya had left, then ran outside to begin today's reception work.
At the student council event venue, Shirayuki and Air Groove were dressed as maids, while Rudolf, Narita Brian, and Tokai Teio wore butler outfits. The moment Shirayuki entered the room, Tokai Teio's eyes lit up and she immediately came over.
"It suits you so much, Shirayuki!"
"Is that so... hehe."
Shirayuki smiled, then lowered her head.
"Then, please allow me to guide you to your seat, Master."
Thump!
Tokai Teio's heart suddenly jumped.
Master...
Shirayuki actually called me Master!
Is this heaven?
Looking at the white-haired girl whose smile bloomed like a flower, Tokai Teio spoke in a dazed voice.
"Not bad. If you make your master happy, I may give you a special reward. Come to my room tonight."
"Ahem, Teio?" Rudolf coughed from the side. Only then did Tokai Teio come back to herself and hurriedly spoke.
"Ah! I was joking, President."
She had gotten too deep into the role and almost truly treated herself as Shirayuki's master.
It seemed there would be no such special reward tonight.
A few minutes later, the school gates opened, and Tracen Harvest Season officially began. Chiya went to participate in the event, while Shirayuki was responsible for receiving guests. Rudolf and the others, dressed in butler uniforms, instantly attracted most of the female fans. Each line of "young lady" made the guests blush and feel their hearts race.
As expected of Tracen's "Emperor." Even when receiving guests, Rudolf was completely composed, smoothly conversing with several people at the same time using very comfortable words.
Shirayuki could not do that.
Since everyone else could handle things, I'll just help out in the back.
At that moment, Shirayuki seemed to be possessed by Seiun Sky. She moved back and forth in the rear, pouring tea and quietly slacking off.
"Ah~ To have the noble Lady Rudolf serve me in this form... I'm so happy... Eh?"
A middle school girl who had been completely captivated by Rudolf accidentally caught sight of the white figure inside the café. Her eyes instantly lit up, and she put down her teacup before quickly walking over.
"Miss Snow Dancer, you're Miss Snow Dancer, right!?"
Hearing someone call out to her, Fujiwara Shirayuki turned around. She saw a girl with reddish-brown bobbed hair.
"Mm, I am."
"I knew it! I've been following you since your debut race. Your running form is really beautiful! It has this wild beauty to it!"
"Th-Thank you..."
"Wild beauty" should be a compliment, right?
She had just described herself in the office as the perfect girl, so this kind of praise somehow felt a little mismatched with her own evaluation.
However, Shirayuki was still very happy to have a fan who liked her. Especially because the girl's hairstyle resembled Spe-chan's, Shirayuki's impression of her improved quite a bit.
How should she respond to a fan cheering for her?
Shirayuki recalled her idol knowledge.
"Um... would you like to shake hands?" Shirayuki asked.
"Eh?? Is that service included too?"
I don't know either. But since I already brought it up, let's just say it is.
Looking at the hand Shirayuki extended, the girl swallowed, then carefully held it. Instantly, a soft sensation filled her palm.
Ah! Amazing!
This is the first time in my life I've shaken hands with an Uma Musume. I'm so moved. Miss Snow Dancer's hand is so soft. Compared to hers, my hand is...
"I hope you'll come watch my races again."
"Y-Yes! I'll always support Miss Snow Dancer!"
"Then, please allow me to serve you a cup of tea, young lady."
Fujiwara Shirayuki bent down. Seeing this, the female fan covered her nose, and blood began flowing through her fingers.
"Please do!"
What is going on? Does your other half happen to be male too?
After the peak crowd passed, Tokai Teio came to find her. Because of what had happened earlier, she muttered unhappily.
"No, Shirayuki, that's not okay. You can't treat fans like that. The distance is too close. How can you casually shake hands with a fan?"
"That's not okay?"
"Of course not! We're Uma Musume, so we need to maintain distance from fans. Unless it's during a fan appreciation event, we can't casually have physical contact with fans."
Although there were no explicit rules for Uma Musume, these were unspoken conventions. Maintaining distance from fans was not only to ensure fairness toward all fans, but also for safety and order.
"I see. I'll be more careful next time."
Looking at Shirayuki seriously reflecting beside her, Tokai Teio's eyes flickered.
Fans could not casually touch Uma Musume, but Uma Musume were different. As someone equal to Shirayuki, Teio could touch her however she wanted.
Thinking this, Tokai Teio raised her hand and held Shirayuki's.
"Teio?"
"What? What's wrong with holding hands?"
"Nothing..."
Seeing that Shirayuki accepted her action without resisting, Tokai Teio nodded in satisfaction.
That's right. I, Teio, am ten million times better than those fans.
She led Shirayuki toward an empty classroom.
A few days ago, Shirayuki had promised to give her a special service.