"Totally, Ms. Rice! We should talk about things like that!"
"Dare…"
"Dare nothing!!"
When my pregnancy was discovered, Rice-chan found herself cornered by Thank You.
"Even Viola doesn't really understand how it happened."
"No, well… but…"
The truth is, none of us really know how horse girls have children. It's a little unsettling—but not unpleasant. Honestly, I'm happy to be having a child with Rice-chan. So it's fine.
Still, Rice-chan… maybe let Thank You be a little more upset.
"Viola, don't push yourself."
"Be careful."
Lovely gently patted my stomach.
It hadn't shown much yet. I wondered when I would start feeling kicks.
Lovely seemed genuinely excited about my pregnancy. And she radiated maternal energy. She's been doing well since her makeup debut, and if things go smoothly, she might face Thank You in the Hanshin Junior Stakes.
"Let's do a celebration or something similar!"
"Oh, thank you."
Ayrton Symboli gifted me baby clothes—with a tail hole, of course. It felt a little early, but sweet nonetheless.
"Is it okay to eat something? Should I make you a lunch box?"
"It's okay, thank you."
Nishino Flower asked with concern. She's a kind girl—attentive and cute.
Though… she kept glancing at Mihono.
Both of them have debuted, so if they were thinking about children, it'd be a long way off. Mihono, as usual, was oblivious. If someone made a move, she wouldn't notice. Experience says: if you're blurry, you're in trouble.
"I asked my mother, since she had a similar experience… but it didn't help."
"Well, Ramonu's not exactly…"
Rivera had tried asking her mother—who'd also given birth as a student—but got nothing useful. Ramonu doesn't seem to enjoy talking to other girls. Still, she seemed satisfied just being able to speak with her daughter.
I slowly stroked my stomach.
I couldn't quite grasp the reality yet. But I knew this child would be born into love.
That alone was a blessing.
And maybe… I felt a little jealous of the certainty that others seemed to have.