Tracen Academy's abandoned dormitory was a perfect place to stay—at least for someone without a home.
Though Rice Shower's era had passed long ago, the building showed only slight signs of neglect, with just a thin layer of moss covering its outer walls.
Inside, it remained in remarkably good condition.
Perhaps because it had been abandoned for so long, only the main entrance was locked.
The dorm rooms themselves had no such issues.
So…
Two small Uma Musume sat beside a tiny makeshift fire.
"Mmm…"
Staring into the flames, Symboli Rudolf glanced sideways at the girl beside her.
Tokai Natural had started this fire.
Mindful of potential fire hazards, she'd built it directly on the concrete near the entrance. Conveniently, there were small steps there—low for adults, but perfect for two little Uma Musume who hadn't fully awakened yet.
Sitting on the threshold separating inside from outside, Rudolf lifted her head.
This was the first time she'd run away so far and for so long.
So, looking at the seemingly reliable Uma girl beside her, Rudolf finally asked her first real question:
"Now can you tell me your name?"
"Eh~ No way~!"
"…Why not?"
"My family is very strict. If I were alone, there wouldn't be any problems. But since I'm with someone else, it's…"
She didn't finish, but Rudolf, familiar with strict parenting herself, instantly understood.
"I get it…"
But as Rudolf watched the firelight flicker softly in Tokai Natural's eyes, another thought came to her:
"How about in the future? Would that be okay?"
"Hmm… If it's in the future, then…"
Her words carried uncertainty.
Tokai Natural saw her own future as something filled with countless possibilities.
After briefly imagining scenarios of running away after full awakening or continuing life within the Tokai Family, she concluded that chances of meeting Rudolf again were slim enough to promise freely:
"Sure. If we meet again someday, I'll definitely tell you my name."
"Mm! It's a promise!"
After making that promise, Tokai Natural started preparing dinner for herself and Rudolf.
Although it was mostly food bought from the shopping street, Natural added two creative homemade dishes, leaving Rudolf unusually happy as she ate.
Once night fell, however, things quickly became unpleasant.
After all, Japan was a high-latitude country, and it was winter, meaning heavy snow fell every day.
The nights were truly difficult to endure.
But…
When Tokai Natural turned her gaze toward Rudolf, the younger Uma quickly glared back defensively: "No way! Absolutely not!"
"B-but… if a mare Uma Musume and a stallion Uma Musume sleep together, won't… won't they have a baby?"
Rudolf's words, showing her obvious lack of proper sex education, made Tokai Natural sigh deeply. "We haven't even fully matured yet! What nonsense are you thinking?!"
Pinching Rudolf's cheek lightly with one hand, Natural spoke firmly, "This abandoned dorm has no heating. If we don't sleep together, both of us might turn into ice popsicles by morning."
So, under these circumstances…
Without removing their clothes, Tokai Natural and Symboli Rudolf both crawled into the single bed, which was spacious enough for two small Uma Musume.
The bedding and mattress were items Natural had found stored away in the dorm's storage room.
Apparently, this building had only been abandoned because it was too far from Tracen Academy's main campus. Therefore, many useful supplies remained.
Thanks to that, Tokai Natural had easily found what they needed.
The two girls huddled close beneath the cold blankets, sharing their warmth. The bedding was chilly, so their body heat was the only source of comfort.
Natural's temperature was noticeably higher than Rudolf's.
Feeling that warmth, Rudolf glanced at Natural, who held her close.
Tokai Natural had an unexpectedly pleasant scent—one Rudolf had never encountered before.
Raised strictly, Rudolf had rarely interacted closely with other girls besides her own mother. Natural was thus the first female Uma to hold her this closely, making her somewhat uneasy.
"Um…"
"Hmm?"
"Do you plan to become a racing Uma Musume?"
"I don't know, but probably yes. I have the potential, after all."
Given that the historical Tokai Natural had only failed as a racehorse due to unfortunate illness, this reincarnated Tokai Natural didn't see herself facing similar issues as an Uma Musume.
"Can I race with you someday?"
"…Hmm, maybe. But I probably won't have the ability to run in G1 races."
Imagining her future conservatively, Natural's face briefly showed anticipation. After all, it would be strange for a reincarnated Uma Musume never to race at all.
"One day, I'll race together with you."
"Alright, alright~ Let's sleep now. Tomorrow, let's go explore a bit."
"…Okay."
For the next several days, Tokai Natural and Symboli Rudolf continued living together in this way.
Until…
Tokai Natural fell ill.
In the end, Rudolf carried the feverish Natural on her back and reluctantly contacted Symboli Speed.
After seeing Natural's medical results, Symboli Speed turned to Rudolf, seated beside her.
"Don't you want to know her name?"
"She said she'd tell me the next time we meet…"
"I see. Well, have it your way."
Speed didn't press further.
She understood clearly that Natural's chances of survival were slim—the sudden illness had triggered severe underlying health issues.
So, under these conditions, Speed finally asked Rudolf a final question:
"I'm taking her back home now. Are you coming too?"
"…" Rudolf glanced from Speed back toward Tokai Natural, who lay silently on the pure white hospital bed.
After a brief hesitation, Rudolf nodded firmly. "I'm coming."
"The driver will take you both back shortly."
"…Mm."
When Tokai Natural woke up again in the Tokai Family's home, it had already been three days since she'd run away.
She had only regained consciousness today.
Barely managing to utter a sound, Tokai Natural was suddenly embraced by Tokai Roman before she could process the situation.
"There, there… I'm fine…" Natural whispered soothingly, patting Roman's back.
"Do you even realize how much danger you were in?!" Roman demanded.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You almost died! Do you even realize that?!"
Only then did Roman loosen her desperate hug.
Confused by Roman's frantic reaction, Natural had no idea what had happened.
She vaguely remembered going out alone, and then…
Wait, what happened afterward…?
Did something similar happen before…?
...
Standing before the old abandoned dormitory's entrance, Symboli Rudolf unlocked the door with a key, removing the lock that had sealed the building shut.
Opening the door, Rudolf's eyes immediately caught sight of the scattered charcoal left behind on the concrete floor.
Seeing that charcoal, Rudolf's lips curled upward into an unusually gentle smile.
Soon, very soon… she'd finally learn that girl's name…
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T/N: YOU BASTARDDDDD