When it comes to favorite foods for Uma Musume, it's always carrots. Dejitaru (Deji-tan) is no exception—she loves carrots. And in the cafeteria of Tracen Academy, where all the voracious Uma Musume gather, carrots basically never run out. That's why I get to witness this almost mystical scene from time to time: Deji-tan happily munching on a carrot.
As usual, I sit down in front of her.
"Listen, Deji-tan. That person—the 'Emperor'—will strike when we're off guard. He only hits with a critical blow when you least expect it. You need to be careful..."
"Huh…?"
The most dangerous timing is when we're most relaxed, like after a conversation has settled down. The Emperor never misses that opportunity. And if we fail to notice the joke he releases at that moment, we're left with a disappointed Rudolf.
Watching that mix of cuteness, heartbreak, and the frustration of having missed it makes my head feel like it's going to explode.
"And! This isn't limited to the Emperor. The student council is full of incredibly handsome guys! If nerds like us look them in the eye, we're inevitably struck right in the heart. Facing them in person really drives that point home!"
"Huh… ha…?"
Their charisma isn't ordinary. Emperor, Empress, Monster. All of them exude unmistakable adult allure. They feel more mature than adults, even. Maybe it's because the only adults I usually see are our trainers.
"Ah! Sorry, I got a bit carried away and started talking without context…! So, Aurora-chan, you met the student council people?"
"Yeah. I had a little business with the president and vice-presidents."
Speaking of which, Tracen Academy does grant a fair amount of authority to its student council. The free-spirited school culture combined with Symboli Rudolf's exceptional charisma and political acumen probably makes that possible.
"Fascinating…! I definitely want all the details! Every exchange, every subtle change in expression, from the tips of their ears to the tip of their tail! Can you tell me everything!?"
"Okay. First, um… mngh!?"
Just as I try to start explaining, someone shoves an entire carrot into my mouth from behind.
"...Huffhihyan. Hhihahiha hfufuoha?"
"Speak in Rint's language here."
"…Ugh. Golshi-chan, what are you doing all of a sudden?"
As expected, the one who stuffed that thick, hard carrot into my mouth was Golshi. Well, it was delicious, so I didn't mind.
"Add that carrot to what you owe me… Along with that other thing, I want it back soon, geez."
"…That other thing? Did something happen between you two?"
"Ah, well… a bit, yes…"
I have more and more things to explain to Deji-tan. The 'other thing' is part of my plan for the fan appreciation festival, and Golshi is somewhat involved in it.
Just as I try to explain, something interrupts me again.
"Hey! Did you see that!? The fan appreciation festival event notice! Of course, I entered immediately! Hah, my victory is already decided, but what about you guys?"
"Hmph, it's only natural that I'd beat you anyway. How can you be so confident?"
"Ah!? Scarlett…! I'll prove I'm hundreds of times stronger than you!"
"Hmph, you get heated so quickly… you're still a kid at heart, Vodka!"
The lovey-dovey couple from our team approaches us, bickering.
"They've already entered. By the way, Deji-tan…?"
"Of course! I've thought of like five thousand phrases for the fan signs!"
Yeah, I kind of expected that.
"So, Deji-tan isn't entering?"
"Nope. I mean, I wouldn't mind seeing the Uma Musume running from a good seat, but for now, this suits me better… something like that."
Deji-tan still doesn't have much of a mindset as a racehorse Uma Musume, so she prefers to remain a spectator.
I had anticipated this reaction from her, meaning I had prepared a countermeasure.
"…Hehe, hey, Deji-tan? I think you should enter! If you do, I'll give you something really nice…"
And now! The ultimate! The classic upward glance!
…It's a little embarrassing to admit, but this will definitely work on Deji-tan. I plan to win her over eventually, so let's consider this practice.
"Ngngngn! W-what… are you trying to lure me with… th-that…! Hehe… so naïve, Aurora-chan. Nothing can ever stop my fan activities…"
Yeah. Deji-tan still makes that great face.
"…Here, take a look at this."
I hand her a book. Naturally, it's thin.
"!? Th-this…!? This book!? It's impossible to obtain it through official channels in Japan! It was only sold at the American Uma Musume event, UMA Convention!? The exquisite depiction of the pale horse's features and realistic stories could only have been drawn from firsthand experience! Tail's Tale… the entire Japanese translation is in my hands!?"
…She basically explained everything for me. And she spoke incredibly fast. Excited, and cute.
"…So, Deji-tan. If you want this, you know what you have to do, right?"
"I see, I see… Well, it did tug at my heartstrings… yes, I love things like this… By the way, how did you get it?"
Curious, isn't she? Cute.
"Actually, I got it directly from the author. Thanks to Golshi-chan, too."
"Golshi-san? How…? Wait, you know the author!?"
"…Unfortunately, yes. The one who drew it is my former roommate, now abroad… She said, 'I missed seeing Golshi-chan, so I made this.' Can you imagine how I felt? You couldn't possibly. I thought she was a bit eccentric, but… this much? Maybe even Caesar in Rome felt like this…"
So I received it via Golshi as an intermediary. By the way, I've kept in touch with the author since.
"Now, Deji-tan. Let me ask you a simple yes-or-no question… You'll enter, right?"
"…Yes, I understand. But even if I enter, it won't matter to anyone… However! Well, it's a fair trade, so I guess I'll enter!"
…Good.
Good, good, good, gooood!
This is my victory! Tonight, I'll make tons of cheering goods for Deji-tan…
"…By the way! Aurora-chan, are you entering?"
"Huh? Me? No, I don't see the point…"
Indeed, I brought this idea to the student council to increase Deji-tan's fanbase, not to stand on stage myself.
"Oh, not entering? Well, there's no need for you to worry about that. But why not enter? Other Spica members are joining too."
"Ah, no… I'll cheer from the sidelines…"
Is it selfish to not enter after asking Deji-tan to? Shut up, I'll just love and support her.
"…Hey Deji-tan, come here, let me whisper."
"Golshi-san? What is it… W-woah, ASMR voice…!"
Golshi whispers something to Deji-tan. After a while, Deji-tan blushes, nods, and approaches me. Then she looks up at me…
"…Um, Aurora-chan. If you enter too, I'd be… really happy… ahaha…"
"Alright! Let's do our best together, Deji-tan!"
---
At dusk. Two sheets of paper are dropped into a small box in the entrance hall.
"So, this means we're officially entered, right?"
"Yep. The mock race for undebuted Uma Musume… the winner stands in the center at the live show. Also, undebuted Uma Musume can work at stalls to promote themselves. They're allowed to actively do this."
Although Bryan had insisted she would do it, her work was excellent. When I helped her, I noticed her cool appearance and lone-wolf aura made her seem incredibly capable. Thanks to Bryan, many Uma Musume are now excited for the event.
"Fan appreciation day is coming soon. And we'll be in the mock race…"
"…Yes. Competing for first place among the other girls. For that one seat. Somehow… I'm actually looking forward to it more than I thought."
"…Deji-tan."
You feel it too, huh?
In the end, we love to run, and once the competitive fire ignites, it doesn't go out.
"…Aurora-chan."
"…Yeah, Deji-tan."
"Even if I compete in the same race as you… no, especially then! I'll give it my all!"
I've never seen Deji-tan make this face before.
These eyes… are unmistakably aiming to win.
"Deji-tan. Honestly… if it comes to that, I don't want to hold back either. So… well, let's both do our best."
"Yes… and thank you!"
"…Huh?"
She suddenly bows deeply. Not knowing why, I can only awkwardly enjoy the slight glimpse of her nape as I bow back.
"…I wanted to remain a spectator, as an ordinary fan. But…!"
She holds my hand, warmth spreading. This time, it's her approaching me, rather than the other way around.
"Aurora-chan. Because of you, I had no choice but to enter. And because of that, I resolved a feeling I couldn't sort out. And because you're here! I feel I can give it my all."
"…!"
Deji-tan never looks away. Nor can I.
…Hearing lines like this is embarrassingly flattering. Anyone would feel that way.
"As a fan, as a racer, and above all! As your friend, I'll run in a way worthy of that!"
"…Uh… How can you say such an emotional and embarrassing line without any shame?"
Even as I feel my face heat up, hers remains unchanged.
"…I thought I should say this aloud. I never had close friends in elementary school who shared my hobbies… So I wanted to tell my very first Aurora-chan properly."
"…Ugh… aaaaah…"
"Eh!? Why are you crying!?"
"Deji-tan is just too good… it hurts!"
"Wait, your nose…! At least somewhere more private…!"
Thank you, Deji-tan. Thanks to you, I can live today.
By the time we reach a quiet hallway, I've finally calmed down.
"…By the way, Deji-tan. What you said earlier was really something. Personally, I think emotional moments between girls our age usually end with a hug."
I take that back. With Deji-tan, I'm never calm.
"Huh!? Hug…!? Well, I… I need to prepare my heart…!"
"…I'll wait forever."
Deji-tan really does suit a shy, embarrassed face.
…That night, I went to bed feeling incredibly happy.
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(T/L: This is the last chapter for today. I'll be back tomorrow, the day after… or maybe next month—who knows <(￣︶￣)>.
Don't worry, I have absolutely no intention of stopping the translation of this novel (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧.)