The flow of time is swift, and before I knew it, August was nearly over. That said, the heat still lingers unabated.
"Ah, my comrade over there… you're wearing quite a slack expression, aren't you?"
"Deji-tan… But, you know, it's the same every year. Doesn't it get exhausting when the heat drags on like this?"
As with thoroughbreds, the species known as Uma Musume is generally weak against heat. Of course, there are individual differences, and I happen to be particularly sensitive to the heat.
"Indeed, it's still just as hot lately…! But! But, but! It's time to get motivated! September and October are the months of autumn appetite, autumn sports, autumn arts, autumn reading, autumn outings…! There are tons of Uma Musume-related events as well!"
…Autumn is coming.
As the saying goes, "Uma Musume fatten in the autumn sky," and I'm sure the cafeteria at Tracen Academy will be filled with dishes using seasonal ingredients—truly mouthwatering fare.
With the weather being neither too hot nor too cold, many G1 races will also take place.
It's the perfect season for creating things… Hang in there, Uma Musume doujin creators. Make autumn reading exciting.
"Ah… suddenly I feel motivated… Viva, autumn!"
"That's the spirit! You've got to rev up your engine now, or you won't be able to fully enjoy it! Starting with the autumn fan festival! Tracen Academy really goes all out for us fans… I love it! Truly heaven…!"
…Deji-tan really has no self-awareness, which is a problem. She says "I love it~" with such a cute face, and she has no idea how that makes me feel.
"Speaking of the fan festival… huh. We haven't even debuted yet, so I guess we'll just be working behind the scenes?"
"Yes, probably… Occasionally, though very rarely, there are fans who come looking for pre-debut Uma Musume as a kind of early investment. Either way, Deji-tan will devote herself to behind-the-scenes work… a noble mission to let everyone know more about the charm of Uma Musume! She must fulfill it with all her might!"
…This means we need to increase demand for Deji-tan.
She's everywhere, passionately engaged in fan activities. For hardcore Uma Musume otaku, she's like "the beautiful girl comrade who's at every place I go."
…There are probably already fans at this stage.
The spark exists; it just needs to be nurtured.
And knowing how fans feel, there's no way she would be cold to them.
…If I do my part before the fan festival, maybe Deji-tan will serve as the host herself!? A bit clichéd, but I'd love to see her in a maid outfit. Ah, the dreams expand!
…And what exactly should I do to convey Deji-tan's charm? Of course… autumn reading.
"By the way, Deji-tan, my dearest comrade. You're what one might call a producer… but when do you sell the things you create?"
"Cough…!? Ssshh… Yes, yes… Well, um… That would be at… a doujin event or… something like that…"
"…? You're acting suspicious all of a sudden. Actually, I want to know the name of that event."
"Uh…!? Wh-why do you want to know…?"
She's asking something weird. And she's been unusually flustered since a moment ago.
…Why, I wonder.
"I'd just go to the event, obviously. I was even thinking of helping out… Ah, wait. Could it be… you don't want your real-life friends to see you?"
"No, no, it's not that at all…! Um… I-I'm sorry!!"
Why is she apologizing? I don't understand… Wait, let's speculate. There must be a reason she doesn't want to be seen. What could it be?
"Ah, could it be that you used the Spica members as models for the characters…"
"No! There's no way I could say something like I prepared both the attacker and receiver for the Aurora-chan one… hahaha…"
"I see… so it's an Aurora × Deji-tan book…"
"No, nooo~! That's not it~! There's no way someone like me could create such a glorious CP… Besides, drawing myself in an Uma Musume book… impossible! Arrogant! Normally I fully approve of any CP, but that's a no-go!"
"Come on… like in a dream manga…"
I said it, but Digitan draws a line as an otaku when it comes to interacting with other Uma Musume, so she would never depict herself in a book… Though I'd like her to.
Incidentally, I'm a yumejoshi but not really a yumejoshi. My past longing for 2D characters has become reality. Actually, my real love started when I saw Digitan in real life.
…Am I even a girl? Well, that doesn't matter.
"…Sure, I'm an Uma Musume. I'm aware that my appearance is above average, decent enough. But that doesn't mean putting me in a book will have demand…"
"There is. Absolutely. A lot. Deji-tan really needs to accurately recognize herself by now. And speaking of demand, I have none. Nobody would buy it."
"That's not true! There's always a consistent demand for boyish girls and odd eyes! Aurora-chan should recognize her own cuteness!"
Whoa, the boomerang hit right back.
"…Also, this Agnes Digital doesn't draw Uma Musume for money or attention! The goal is to let comrades know the greatness of Uma Musume! That's what matters to me! Only someone like me, connected to Tracen Academy, can capture the respect unique to pre-debut Uma Musume! Could I not draw it? No way!"
Clenching her fists, Deji-tan speaks passionately.
"By the way, Aurora-chan… you don't mind being the subject in a book?"
"If Deji-tan draws it, I actually want her to draw more. And if possible, a book of Aurora × Deji-tan by your own hand…"
"I won't draw it!?"
Hmm, too bad.
"Then I'll draw it. Alright, starting today, I'll practice illustrations…"
"Uh, um! Me… making that CP… that would be… a serious misinterpretation, or, well, problematic in several ways…"
"I see… But it's fine. Your existence is like an ancient Greek sculpture! Pure beauty! That alone works for Deji-tan-only, or even Deji-tan × Deji-tan… fine!"
"Not fine! Anyway, it's a no!"
"Deji-tan, I love you more than anything. Seeing you makes me happy, and if I don't see your face for a while, I feel lonely and nearly die… My happiness is expressing your divinity in paper and ink!"
"Uh… I think it would be better if you didn't push someone like me…"
"Deji-tan? Don't say that, Deji-tan… Besides, the other day, we interacted as spirits. That's basically gone as far as it can go. In ABC terms, that's Z."
"That logic is flawed."
Maybe it is. But a soul-level connection is deep—deepest, ultimate level.
◆
So, on a day off, I came to an art supply store.
To get the right feel, I went somewhere with a serious atmosphere.
The reason for preparing analog tools isn't that big. Simply respect for her, someone named Digital, who engages in analog creation. Also, I like the faint scent of ink that occasionally drifts from Deji-tan's fingertips.
This store has a really nice atmosphere.
There aren't many customers now, and the faint smell of stillness entering my nose feels oddly pleasant.
"Alright… so the one Deji-tan has is… this one, right?"
I spotted some tools that were on her desk when I glanced at it the other day. Of course, I'm buying them.
The art materials Deji-tan uses are practically Deji-tan herself. That's how it is.
"…Hmm? So, if I sleep holding them, it's like… sharing a bed?"
Ah, that's what it was.
And thinking I'm sleeping under the same roof, can I already say I'm cohabiting with Deji-tan…?
"Ufufufu… ah! …Uh, sorry."
Oops, I bumped into someone while lost in thought.
"No, I should be the one apologizing."
The person I bumped into seems to be female, and I hear a high, clear voice. Looking at her face…
Wow, she's stunning. Classic beautiful girl. Beautiful black hair, mysteriously enchanting cool eyes, and… horse ears?
"…Mejiro Dobel?"
Her cool, dry aura, beautiful black hair, and the ear ornament on her left ear—she looks familiar.
"Huh? How do you know my name?"
"Ah! Sorry, it just slipped… You really are Mejiro Dobel, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am… Did we meet before…?"
"Oh, it's not like that. I'm also a student at Tracen Academy. I just happened to hear rumors…"
Of course, that's a lie. I clearly remember her from my past life, when she triggered my gender changes. I never expected to meet her post-transition.
"Ah, I see… Sorry for bumping into you. Well then…"
"Yes, well then… wait. That was too quick, wasn't it?"
"…Huh?"
I stopped her as she tried to leave in a blink.
"Look, I'm your junior. Since it's a chance, I wanted to chat a little… Is that alright?"
"Sure, I don't mind…"
Yes!
I wanted to shout but held it inside.
Beautiful girls are always a feast for the eyes. All Uma Musume are generally attractive, but she is particularly stunning.
…I am absolutely, definitely not an M. But I can't deny that I secretly want to be scolded by someone like her.
"…Anyway, please speak to me casually! I'm your junior, so that's more comfortable for me!"
"…Like this?"
"…Ah, yes…"
…Oh no! Incredible! Possibly amazing!
Meeting her here—what luck.
As a descendant of a famous mare, every gesture is flawless, beautiful in every way.
"…May I ask your name?"
"Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Aurora Frigate. You can call me Oror, Rufri, or Ge—whatever you like."
"…Then, Aurora-san. I'm Mejiro Dobel. Nice to meet you."
She closes her mouth and blushes faintly.
I also stayed quiet, entranced. My face feels warm somehow.
Her beauty and cuteness are known, but seeing it in person… it's dazzling. Her hair shines, her sharp eyes…
"…Cute…"
"P-please…? Cute…?"
Ah, I said it aloud.
"Sorry, my heart just had to shout it out. I couldn't hold it in."
"Your… heart? What did you just say?"
"My heart wanted to shout…"
"…Before that."
"Cute… I just… said it unconsciously…"
"I see, I see… It's nothing. Just… I was a little curious."
Dobbel turns away. Her face is a little like a red apple. Not just my imagination.
…Perfect.
My unintentional words drew out her moe factor.
"…Dobel-san, you're really cute."
"Don't flatter me…"
I can see a mix of emotions on her face, but her tail tells the story clearly. It's wagging excitedly—shyness, embarrassment… and joy.
She has a complex about her name, thinking she's not cute or girly, so she tends to be self-deprecating. My words, as a first-time encounter, were unexpected for her.
"…Let's drop this topic. It feels… weird."
…Weird, huh.
"Alright, then another topic…"
I have something I want to ask her.
"Dobel-san, what brought you here today?"
"…Of course, to buy art supplies… I like drawing as a hobby."
"Ah… What kind of manga do you draw?"
"Well… eh!? How do you know…!? Ah! No, it's nothing, forget it!"
"Even if you say forget it…? What happened all of a sudden?"
"Nothing… really."
What could be making her so flustered?
…I have a guess.
It must be because I said "manga."
Mejiro Dobel's secret: her self-drawn shoujo manga is tucked deep in a drawer. She hides it because she thinks it doesn't suit her.
"…Dobel-san, when I said manga, I just meant that what I plan to draw is similar in some ways… sort of like a shoujo manga."
"..."
"You're similar too… right? There's no need to hide anything. Making things is wonderful."
"…I just don't think it suits me. To be honest… someone like me… admiring shoujo manga… feels weird."
Not at all. It's impossible for that to be wrong. Admiration is personal, no one can dictate it.
"No, no… too cute, this is…"
"…Eh? Wha—?"
"…Ah. Ssshh… I just reversed my true feelings and polite front! Don't worry! Anyway! Cute Dobel-san fits shoujo manga perfectly!"
"…Ah, okay."
"Be confident! You need to recognize your own cuteness!"
"…Uh, okay… I'll try."
…Somehow I feel I failed at the crucial moment. But, result is fine.
◆
"…What are you doing? Midnight December exam student impersonation?"
"No, I'm fully feeling Deji-tan."
"Sorry. Not that it's your fault, but I just can't understand."
"You don't need to. Just feel it."
Back in my room, I immediately laid out the items I bought on my desk, mirroring Deji-tan's desk.
"This is my bed. Next to Deji-tan."
"If you claim this desk is Digital, I won't say a thing. Even if you lie down on it. This is a bit beyond the capacity of intelligent life."
My desk now embodies Deji-tan herself. I can feel her presence.
"I'm going to sleep. Good night… You too. Quickly. In bed."
"…Yeah, that's right."
I shouldn't risk catching a cold, so I should wrap myself well in the blankets.
Just having the same things Deji-tan has on my desk already feels incredibly satisfying.