Auntie shot him an exasperated look, seeing his awkward, helpless face.
"You—those two little girls were furious back then. Said you were a big liar who disappeared without saying goodbye."
"…"
Kuroha was speechless.
How was that his fault? Even if he had their mother's contact now, he couldn't just call out of the blue.
What would he say—I miss your two little lolis; long time no see, thought I'd catch up…?
That would sound downright creepy…
"Kuroha?"
A playful voice drifted over.
Maruzensky had sidled up without him noticing, elbow nudging him lightly, an amused smile curling her lips.
"Sounds like you've got quite the past, hm~? Two little ones?"
"Er… Maruzensky, you understand Huayu?"
"A little." Maruzensky beamed.
"Just… kids from a friend's family," Kuroha coughed, trying to brush it off.
"Is that so—?" Maruzensky drew out the tone, clearly unconvinced.
"Auntie, one roast duck, please—and a few of your specialties!" Kuroha pivoted hard to the new topic.
"Alright, alright." Auntie laughed, shook her head, and headed for the kitchen.
After a hearty meal, they returned to the hotel thoroughly satisfied.
By night, the Imperial Capital glittered with lights—so different from its stately daytime face—alive with modern bustle and energy.
Back at the suite, the rooms instantly split into two very different worlds.
In the king room, Inari One, Fujimasa March, Mejiro Ardan, and Obey Your Master sat in a circle.
The room was full of lively voices and laughter as they resorted to the fairest method—rock-paper-scissors—to decide who would share a room with Kuroha tonight.
Meanwhile, in one of the twin rooms next door, the mood was subtle and quiet.
Maruzensky, Sakura Chiyono O, and Mejiro McQueen sat with Kuroha, waiting for the "war" next door to end.
The pink-haired girl kept her head down, pale cheeks dusted with rosy blush, index fingers nervously poking at each other.
McQueen tilted her head in confusion, not quite following.
The chestnut-haired onee-san lounged against the headboard with a curious look, studying Kuroha as if he were some rare animal.
Feeling that stare prickle his neck, Kuroha sighed first and broke the silence. "I can't help it—I'm being forced."
His original plan had been five rooms: one for himself, one for the guest Maruzensky, and three twins for the other six—perfectly reasonable.
But the moment he proposed it, the girls shot it down with various "reasons," and he was forced to book only four rooms in the end.
On the bed, Maruzensky stretched lazily; her fair calves dangled over the edge as she teased with a relaxed drawl:
"My, my~ I didn't expect Team Chasing Light's internal competition to extend from the racetrack… to hotel rooms."
"Maruzensky-senpai!" Sakura's blush deepened. She protested in a tiny voice.
"Don't be nervous, little Sakura~"
Maruzensky winked at her, then turned back to Kuroha. "But seriously, Kuroha—you really are popular."
Kuroha wasn't especially flustered; he simply lay back on the other bed, frank as ever.
"It's been a while since I traveled like this."
Maruzensky flopped onto the soft mattress, hands pillowing her head as she stared at the ceiling with a satisfied sigh.
"Feels great. Every day it's association business—no fun at all."
"…Isn't Luna handling most of that?" Kuroha asked.
"I help too~" Maruzensky smiled, then shifted topics. "So—do you have an itinerary for this vacation?"
"An itinerary?"
Kuroha repeated, glancing at McQueen. A faint gleam flickered in his eyes.
"McQueen needs time to prep for her autumn debut, to get a feel for the tracks. So I'm planning for about a month."
Hearing her Trainer mention her, the purple-haired girl sat quietly, a soft smile in her eyes.
Kuroha continued, "Roughly: we'll start in the Imperial Capital, then visit the Five Great Peaks, Mount Emei, and Chang'an—about twenty days for that route.
"As for the remaining time, we'll go wherever you like—have fun as you please. Think of it as… a disguised reward."
He chuckled.
In just half a day since arriving in Central earlier, his girls had already bagged nearly ten G3 and G2 races. Counting the local Tenno Sho before vacation, March alone had four G1 crowns.
Even without Mejiro family support, Kuroha's assets were now on a level he wouldn't have dared to imagine in the past. Arranging a trip like this was nothing.
Maruzensky nodded along.
"As expected of Central's strongest Trainer—reliable in everything."
She didn't know Tōkō well, but if Kuroha was arranging it, it would be fine.
"But—I have one condition!"
Still lying on the bed, she raised a hand and stuck out a single finger.
Kuroha blinked. "What condition?"
Before the words fell, the chestnut-haired onee-san suddenly scooped the attentive pink-haired girl into her arms!
"No sneaking around with my Sakura, okay~?"
Maruzensky smiled with crescent eyes. "If you're going to pursue her—do it fair and square!"
"Eh… ah—Maruzensky-senpai, w-what are you saying!"
Sakura's face flamed; a crimson tide rose from her neck to her ears as she wriggled in a panic.
Pursue…
Fresh from her True Blooming, McQueen seemed to understand at last.
Slide—!
Just then, the door whisked open. Inari One poked in a fluffy head and whispered:
"Trainer, you can come over!"
Kuroha stood, rubbing his stiff neck. He nodded to Maruzensky and Sakura.
"Then, we'll call it a night. If you need anything, ring me."
"Don't worry." Maruzensky waved with a grin. "Sakura-chan and I will get along just fine."
"Good night… Trainer," Sakura whispered.
Kuroha nodded and stepped out with McQueen.
In the hallway, Obey Your Master, Mejiro Ardan, and Inari One huddled together, heads drooping like three defeated little animals.
"Alright. We just got off the plane—you're all tired. Go rest, okay? Anything else can wait till tomorrow." Kuroha clapped his hands lightly with a smile.
"…Yes…"
The three horse girls answered weakly and shuffled off to their rooms, one by one.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 500 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]