"President, here's my race application."
Shirayuki handed the completed paperwork across the desk.
Symboli Rudolf accepted it and gave the forms a careful once-over.
"G3, Keisei Hai. Race date, next Saturday." Her eyes lifted from the page. "Shirayuki, are you not taking the Triple Tiara route?"
"I am."
"In that case, would it not be wiser to conserve your strength and prepare for the Tulip Sho in March?"
As a trial race for the Oka Sho, the Tulip Sho had far more value as preparation. To Rudolf, Shirayuki's sudden decision to enter this race felt a little reckless.
"What did your trainer say?" Rudolf asked.
"He agreed."
"I see."
Rudolf pressed the stamp down onto the application.
If this was a decision made between an uma musume and her trainer, then she had no right to interfere.
Still, something about it bothered her.
Why would the Fujiwara cousins go out of their way to challenge this race?
Was there some reason they absolutely had to enter?
Rudolf combed through the list of registered runners in her mind. A moment later, her brows lifted slightly.
There was, in fact, one particular uma musume entered in that race.
Seiun Sky.
An uma musume aiming straight for this year's Triple Crown.
In the middle of last year, Seiun Sky had run in a 1,600-metre race and used an aggressive great escape strategy to leave the second-place runner six lengths behind. Then, at the end of the year, she had crushed the favorite in the Youth Cup by five lengths, instantly becoming one of this year's leading contenders.
However, because of her lazy appearance, her careless attitude in interviews, and her habit of vanishing the moment anyone went looking for her, Seiun Sky was easy to overlook.
It was only because Shirayuki brought up this race that Rudolf finally remembered Seiun Sky was also registered.
No wonder Shirayuki had chosen such an obscure race at the beginning of the year.
So she wanted to face Seiun Sky!
Unmoved by the public's indifference, she had accurately locked onto her prey.
Shirayuki…
What a terrifying child.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Student Council room, Shirayuki started calculating her finances.
At the end of the year, she had sent some money back home, so her wallet was feeling a little thin right now. Conveniently, there happened to be a race nearby that fit her schedule and did not look too difficult, so she had signed up without thinking too hard about it.
There were still three months until the Oka Sho.
Strictly speaking, now was the time to conserve her strength. But from another angle, racing itself was a form of preparation. Narita Brian had taught her to sharpen herself through battle. For Shirayuki, the training method that suited her best was competition.
She could gain race experience and build popularity at the same time.
Two birds, one stone.
Shirayuki clenched her fist and quietly hyped herself up.
For an uma musume, graded races were precious opportunities. She absolutely could not let her guard down. Who knew what kind of opponent might appear in the race? If someone especially cunning showed up, the outcome could become impossible to predict.
"Ah, I'm entering that race too."
During the break between classes, Shirayuki mentioned her upcoming schedule.
Seiun Sky, who was lying bonelessly across her desk, gave two lazy waves of her hand. Then, like a flag with its pole cut down, she flopped right back into place.
"What?"
"Sky-chan?!"
The girls all cried out at once.
"How did you know?" Shirayuki asked.
"My trainer told me to warm up for this year's Triple Crown, so I just randomly picked a race. I figured there probably wouldn't be many strong people entering, so I could peacefully grab a win and call it a day."
Seiun Sky scratched her head, wrist dangling limply.
"Ahh… now this is troublesome."
Her body did not leave the desk from start to finish.
"In that case, I'm entering too!"
Special Week immediately shot to her feet.
As Shirayuki's rival, wherever Shirayuki went, Special Week naturally had to follow.
"What a coincidence. I would also like to see how much stronger I have become," Grass Wonder said, covering her mouth with a soft laugh.
"Please wait a moment! I still haven't avenged my last loss to Shirayuki. This race should be mine!"
Mejiro McQueen slapped the desk and stood up.
"Hahaha! Is there anything in this world that takes priority over the decision of an Overlord? White Wolf, come and dance with me!"
T.M. Opera O joined in as well.
The girls exchanged glances.
Then, with a roar, they all bolted out of the classroom to find their respective trainers.
"Hey, you… you girls…"
Shirayuki stared blankly at the classroom, which had suddenly become much roomier.
It's just a G3 race!
You don't need to carve me into a thousand pieces over it, do you?
You really, really don't, right?!
With this many people entering at once, Shirayuki felt like her chances of winning had taken a sharp dive. She would not even be able to focus on one opponent and keep that person under watch.
"Ara, how popular you are, Shirayuki~" Seiun Sky said leisurely.
No matter what happened, Shirayuki was definitely going to race against Seiun Sky.
She shifted her chair closer.
"Sky-chan, you can fool other people, but you can't fool me. I know how strong you really are. I watched every single one of your races, and I even grabbed front-row seats. I saw your strength very, very clearly."
Shirayuki's meaning was obvious.
Don't think you can trick me with that relaxed attitude of yours.
But after hearing those words, the corners of Seiun Sky's mouth lifted ever so slightly.
She crooked a finger at Shirayuki.
When Shirayuki leaned closer in confusion, Seiun Sky suddenly tugged her to the side. In the next moment, the two of them were face-to-face at extremely close range.
"Don't you think today is a good day for a nap?"
Seiun Sky's voice was as loose and airy as ever.
"For you, what day isn't a good day for a nap…?"
"Every day is."
"Then you're always sleeping."
"Exactly."
Seiun Sky smiled.
"My two arms. One for you, one for me. How about it?"
"I'm not really in the mood to sleep right now."
"Moods can be adjusted. For example, I can give you special privileges as my nap buddy."
Her voice lowered, soft and drowsy.
"While I'm asleep, you can do whatever you like."
"Hah?"
"That's right. Whatever you like. Even that kind of mischief…"
Seiun Sky spoke one word at a time, wearing a smile that was not quite a smile.
It looked a little like the smile of someone still half-asleep, her head completely foggy.
Wait.
Could Seiun Sky actually be asleep right now?
"So, Shirayuki, as long as you rest on my arm, from now on, whenever Seii-chan is asleep, you can do whatever you want."
Shirayuki swallowed.
First of all, let me make one thing clear.
I have absolutely no improper thoughts.
I also have no idea what Sky-chan means by "that kind of mischief."
I just suddenly feel a little sleepy, and there happens to be a soft, fluffy pillow right here.
That was all.
Nothing more.
With that perfectly reasonable excuse prepared, Shirayuki gently rested her head on Seiun Sky's arm.
Smooth skin brushed against her cheek. Faintly, she caught Seiun Sky's pleasant scent.
"Sky-chan…"
"Looks like you've made your decision, Shirayuki."
Seiun Sky's smile deepened.
"From now on, whenever I'm asleep, my body is yours to use however you like."
Could it be…
She's serious?
"Ah, no! The race entries are already full! Shirayuki!"
Special Week came rushing back into the classroom, crying pitifully.
Then she saw Shirayuki lying together with Seiun Sky.
"What exactly are you two doing?"