Taking Eclipse out for a day was something Kitahara Sota had been planning since the middle of the month.
After all, though in theory it was a rare month-long vacation—
If he thought back carefully, he hadn't actually had many free days at all.
And on the days he did, he mostly just holed up in his room.
Even when he did go out, it was to the training grounds as usual—no different from workdays.
Not that Kitahara hated this kind of life, or longed to relax.
Quite the opposite—aside from the unexpected Uma Musume hunting incident, he actually quite liked this steady, unchanging routine.
So much so that, left undisturbed, he could probably rot away in his dorm room without moving.
But Eclipse…
Well, truthfully, Kitahara knew Eclipse probably wouldn't mind such things.
And Kitahara himself didn't mind her not minding.
Because in the past, her situation had been far worse than this, and he had long since grown used to it.
But just because he was used to it didn't mean he thought it right. Nor did it mean he intended to let her stay that way forever.
He wouldn't do anything she disliked. Nor force anything.
But—he thought—since he had already spent years warming the once-cold stone that was Eclipse, drawing out the faintest traces of heat in his arms bit by bit…
Then if he kept going, and if that warmth kept building—
Maybe one day, that stone would thaw. And she would be able to grasp something like an ordinary person's happiness.
…
The next morning.
He rose, washed, ate in the cafeteria, then went to their meeting spot.
Though it was a rare "day out with Eclipse," Kitahara hadn't dressed up. He wore the same as always.
The only difference was—just before leaving, he remembered the outfit Agnes Digital had once gifted him.
Thinking how he'd never worn it, and that it was a gesture of hers, he decided he might as well put it on.
When he arrived, though still half an hour early, Digital was already there. She waved to him from afar—
Then froze, stiff for a moment, when she saw what he was wearing.
He really wore it…
Digital didn't know how to describe her feelings.
Last night, she had indulged in a faint hope he might wear it, but hadn't dared to expect much.
And now—seeing him in clothing she had stitched with her own hands, clothes that matched her own today almost perfectly—her tail began to sway behind her.
"Good morning, senpai…"
"Morning, Digital."
They came close, exchanged greetings.
Kitahara noticed—the style of Digital's clothes was similar to his.
But since he assumed both sets were her own work, the similarity felt normal enough.
So, after two glances, he put it out of mind.
Only—while he dismissed it, Digital grew increasingly self-conscious.
Unlike some others, she didn't deny her participation in the "Kitahara Cup."
But like Oguri, she had no femininity force whatsoever.
Unlike Oguri though—who lacked it out of simple-mindedness—Digital lacked it because of inferiority.
Yes, you heard right: inferiority.
Though she acted bold and brash on the surface, a social menace known across and beyond Tracen, with solid achievements in many fields and two G1 victories under her belt—
She still thought of herself as nothing more than "a plain, ordinary Uma Musume."
There were many reasons for this. The greatest: her lack of recognition from those closest to her.
Digital was the type who never cared much about outside opinions. Otherwise she'd never have posted openly online asking to buy Uma Musume's used clothing.
So no matter what the world said of her, she never took it to heart.
And among people she did know—well, her world was full of Uma Musume. With her personality, everyone agreed she was a good person, even liked her. But to get closer?
She scared even Tachyon off—what chance did anyone else have?
So despite all her results, despite her accomplishments, she had never truly received much meaningful affirmation.
Comments from outside never mattered to her. Praise on the net meant nothing.
What she needed was recognition from those nearby.
And because of her character, once or twice wasn't enough—it had to be many times, before she could believe it.
Since joining Kitahara's team, with more time together, she had been accepted more. She'd received affirmation, even praise.
But all of it combined still didn't match the amount Kitahara alone had given her.
And his praise wasn't empty, wasn't flattery.
Because Kitahara had the gift of finding others' strengths.
And once he found them, he never stinted. His compliments were always genuine.
To outsiders, such constant praise from someone as capable as him might look false, even manipulative.
But anyone who had actually received it could tell—it was real.
And afterwards, he would often sincerely learn from others' strengths, just as he shared his own.
That was how he had grown so fast. And one of the main reasons Digital relied on him, liked him.
But for that very reason, considering herself plain, she didn't think she deserved someone so outstanding.
Which was also why she didn't oppose him getting close to other Uma Musume.
Especially since she herself shipped him with Eclipse.
Even today—they were supposed to go out alone. It was for Eclipse's sake that she had been brought along. And yet here she was, sneaking something in…
Eclipse didn't mind, but Digital still felt guilty.
After stewing a while, she found a solution.
"Um, Eclipse-san, because of me, I've interrupted your time with senpai. I'm really sorry. So here, a small apology gift—please don't dislike it…"
And she handed over something she'd long prepared: a set of clothes, identical to her own.
Yes—this was the solution she came up with.
Give Eclipse a matching outfit too. So the three of them could wear them together.
It wouldn't let her monopolize senpai. But she hadn't minded that anyway.
What she did look forward to—was seeing Eclipse wear it, and feeling happy that the three of them matched.
Eclipse, faced with the gift, hesitated.
Not because she disliked Digital. But because the clothes weren't pure black.
And with her condition, anything not pure black…
But—seeing the expectation in Digital's eyes, and glancing at Kitahara in his—
Eclipse fell silent a moment, then accepted. Without fuss, she put it on.
Seeing Eclipse, for once, in something not black—both Digital and Kitahara were surprised.
Not bad at all… kinda cute…
Thinking that, Kitahara reached out and rubbed the little black riceball who had, for once, changed color.
As for Digital—seeing Eclipse put it on had already thrilled her.
When Kitahara reached out to touch her too, Digital trembled so hard she almost shook apart—blood welling in her nose, nearly spilling onto the clothes.
Nearly.
Because the moment she started to bleed—Kitahara, far too experienced with this, turned and stuffed a tissue at her nose, sighing helplessly.
"Try to hold it in, okay? Otherwise halfway through our outing I'll be hauling you back to the infirmary."
Slowly, she returned from bliss.
"Sorry, senpai… I'll be careful…"
Then, remembering, she pulled a vial from her bag and drank it down.
Kitahara's brow twitched.
"Uh, Digital, what was that you just drank…?"
Though her eyes still glowed with bliss, her agitation had dropped noticeably.
She answered without hesitation:
"It's something Tachyon made for me—an emotional suppressant. So I won't lose control and mess up when things get too intense…"
"…Side effects?"
"…None."
A pause. Then:
"At least, during the full day of testing, no side effects showed."
Kitahara's face grew odd.
This felt familiar.
Hadn't another "Agnes-something" once said the same, tested "no side effects," then tried to turn things around with a potion…?
And then…
He shook his head, brushing the déjà vu away.
It wasn't a pleasure inhibitor. He wasn't treating her. It had been tested. Surely… fine.
Though truthfully, he wasn't fully reassured.
Still—without it, she'd probably collapse before noon and need a trip back.
So, uneasy as he was, he let it be.
After brief talk, he led them out.
Since the point was simply to spend the day with Eclipse, and since she had no particular preferences—
He hadn't made a plan. Just took them strolling through town.
As usual, he and Eclipse walked one behind the other, silent. No different than normal.
Digital trailed them, eyes locked on every interaction, terrified to miss a single moment.
Until—passing one shop, Eclipse tugged his sleeve.
"I want to try that."
She pointed inside—at a crane game stuffed with chibi Uma Musume plushies.
A rare spark of interest. Of course Kitahara agreed.
They went in, got coins, and tried.
Eclipse's strength and speed were monstrous. But for something that needed tools and precision, she was hopeless.
She had never played before. After twenty attempts—not a single plush had budged.
But after those twenty tries, the other two realized—it wasn't the game she wanted.
It was one thing inside.
A chibi Agnes Digital plush.
As a year-and-a-half pro, twice a G1 winner, with a loud name—Digital naturally had merch.
And because of many reasons, hers sold especially well.
Especially among Uma Musume she had helped before—many kept her plush by their bed, in gratitude.
What? Why not just say it to her face?
Isn't it obvious?
Because a plush wouldn't hug their used clothes and inhale, wouldn't smile unsettlingly when thanked, wouldn't faint spurting blood.
She herself, by contrast… well…
The Tracen version of Lord Ye Loving Dragons.
So, when Digital realized Eclipse only wanted her plush—she nearly burst.
Thanks to the drug, at least she didn't pass out. Instead, she hurried up, offering help.
Eclipse didn't refuse. She stepped aside.
Then...
Clink, clink.
Ten coins fell, then twenty.
Digital's smile stiffened.
Because—though she'd jumped in eagerly—she had forgotten: she was no better at crane games than Eclipse.