After dealing with those few youngsters, Kitahara Sota found himself completely idle.
The information he'd gathered from Black Forest had already been sent to the senior Uma Musume. Not being a professional intelligence operative, he could only wait for their reply, hoping they could make sense of it.
As for training—his style had always been hands-off and automated, so there wasn't much to supervise. Besides, interfering too much tended to invite trouble, leaving him with nothing to do.
Even the preparation for Nature's work couldn't start immediately; a lot of supplies still needed purchasing. With the lingering issue of Black Forest's intel, that too would have to wait.
Thus, after careful consideration, Kitahara realized there was truly only one option left for him.
He glanced at the Uma Musume around him, noticing the atmosphere had strangely reverted to its previous ease, and then felt his phone in his pocket. He blinked thoughtfully.
Then...
I guess I'll slack off?
And just like that, half the day went by, and it was already noon.
After finishing their lunch as usual, they prepared to head to the clubroom, but Oguri Cap abruptly stopped, her gaze fixed intensely on a newly placed sign nearby:
[Today's Tracen Cafeteria Special: Deluxe Cream Cake (Unlimited Supply)]
Special Week noticed the sign too, but after patting her bulging stomach, she wore an expression of immediate despair.
Cream cake was basically a calorie bomb. Given Kitahara's return, her appetite had naturally improved, and she'd already eaten more than usual. Eating such a calorie-laden dessert now would undoubtedly make her gain weight.
So, despite casting a pitiful gaze at Kitahara, she was firmly rejected.
As for everyone else, they'd already eaten enough, and no one dared touch something so calorically devastating.
Except for Oguri Cap.
Due to Kitahara's recent absence, her appetite had dropped considerably—she'd even lost a little weight.
Even today, despite his return, she'd restrained herself and hadn't eaten too much. Now was the perfect moment to regain some of the weight she'd lost.
"Then let's have some," Kitahara agreed, nodding.
Although the sign clearly stated unlimited supply, it had strategically appeared only after heavy eaters like Special Week, Oguri Cap, and Eclipse finished their main meals. Still, fearing these big eaters might return, the cafeteria staff prudently limited each person to one serving at a time, requiring queuing to prevent shortages.
Seeing the long line, Kitahara immediately realized that if he left Oguri Cap alone, the cake she'd manage to obtain would probably barely suffice as a snack. Thus, he sent everyone else ahead to the clubroom, while he and Eclipse stayed behind to help her queue.
After a considerable wait, three slices of cream cake finally arrived in front of Oguri Cap, whose eyes immediately sparkled.
"Eclipse-san, Kitahara Trainer, you're both sure you won't have any?"
Despite saliva already forming at the corners of her mouth, Oguri Cap still conscientiously checked with them first.
"You go ahead—I ate plenty earlier. Even if you gave it to me, I wouldn't be able to eat it," Kitahara smiled gently, and Eclipse silently nodded beside him.
"I'm also full."
With no further hesitation, Oguri Cap immediately focused on demolishing the cream cakes before her.
The first cake was effortlessly devoured.
The rich, silky cream blended perfectly with the fluffy cake, creating an explosion of flavor in her mouth.
Though she couldn't consume it too quickly because of all the cream, this allowed her to savor each bite thoroughly.
But trouble arose when she reached the second cake.
Not that Oguri Cap couldn't finish it—indeed, even if the amount doubled, she'd have no issue—but just as she lifted her slice, a group of nearby Uma Musume stood up from their table, playfully bumping into her by accident.
The cake went flying, landing squarely on Kitahara.
Realizing their mistake, the playful young Uma Musume immediately fell silent and began apologizing repeatedly, offering to queue again to replace the cake.
Unfortunately, just as they finished speaking, the cafeteria placed a [Supply Closed] sign at the dessert counter.
The Uma Musume panicked, standing awkwardly with no idea what to do next.
They were trainees without any personal income, receiving their allowances directly from home. They didn't even have the money to buy a replacement cake.
Seeing their predicament, Kitahara naturally couldn't hold it against them.
After all, it wasn't a serious issue. Their sincere apologies, combined with Oguri Cap's apparent indifference, made it easier for Kitahara to simply comfort the flustered girls until they finally left.
With them gone, Kitahara sighed helplessly at the sticky cream on him—especially around his neck, where it had started to drip downward.
He'd have to change clothes and probably take a shower. Once Oguri Cap finished eating, he'd head back to the dorm first…
Thinking this, he reached up to clean some of the cream off.
But the moment his fingers brushed his neck, another hand suddenly grasped his wrist.
Surprised, Kitahara looked up, meeting Oguri Cap's clear, calm gaze.
"Oguri…you—"
Before he could finish speaking, a soft, warm sensation at his neck scattered his thoughts.
Slurp.
A warm, slick tongue carefully scooped up the cream, carrying along a subtle flavor unique to him.
Oguri Cap's expression remained calm, her eyes clear, as she patiently held Kitahara's hand, diligently licking away every trace of sweet cream.
Or perhaps the sweetness wasn't from the cream alone?
Oguri Cap herself didn't understand.
She only knew that from the moment the cake landed on Kitahara, seeing the cream trail down his neck, an inexplicable hunger had ignited inside her.
When the young Uma Musume apologized earlier, she hadn't even paid attention, her eyes fixated solely on the cream, an impulse steadily growing within her.
Then, just as Kitahara's hand had reached towards the cream, a sudden fear of losing something precious surged within her.
That was when everything happened.
She grabbed his hand, leaned forward, and began cleaning up the mess left behind.
She knew how uncomfortable cream felt on the skin; therefore, she had to clean it meticulously.
Thus, her expression was earnest as she repeatedly chased the lingering sweetness, even after the cream had melted away.
Once, twice, again and again.
Across his cheek, down his neck, following every sweet trail.
She delicately cleaned each trace, her soft tongue lightly grazing his warm skin, feeling even the subtle pulse beneath.
Taste and touch mingled, the sweetness of cream bursting vividly upon her tongue.
The flavor, already delicious, became infinitely better when mixed with something uniquely his, gradually filling a mysterious hunger that had haunted her these past two weeks.
After a long while...
Finally satisfied she'd cleaned every drop, Oguri Cap raised her head. With a final, gentle flick of her tongue, she removed the very last bit of cream from Kitahara's fingertips and swallowed it down.
As the sweetness slowly faded from her mouth, an unprecedented fullness warmed her stomach.
Or perhaps, somewhere slightly higher.
"Thanks for the treat."
She blinked, her pale gray eyes still clear and innocent.
Seeing her finally lift her head, Kitahara Sota let out a long sigh, his tense body gradually relaxing.
It wasn't that he hadn't reacted, nor that he didn't want to stop her.
The problem was, watching Oguri Cap's intensely focused expression, he had the unsettling feeling that if he interrupted her, he might accidentally trigger some strange impulse in her and get himself bitten.
So he'd frozen completely, maintaining that awkward position until she was finished. Only now, seeing her lift her head, could he finally breathe again.
Then his expression turned exasperated.
"Oguri Cap, I know deluxe cream cake is rare, but it's really not worth treasuring to this extent."
"If you like it that much, I can buy you even better ones once my paycheck comes in. Just promise you won't do this again, okay? Someone might think I'm starving you."
Oguri Cap had always cherished food to an extreme degree—even things that had dropped to the ground were retrieved, cleaned off within three seconds, and promptly eaten. She'd even been known to lick food wrappers.
Thus, although he'd been shocked by her behavior, Kitahara never doubted her intentions—just her common sense.
And so, he spent the next several minutes lecturing her earnestly about food hygiene and the impropriety of her earlier actions.
Oguri Cap listened intently, yet her mind lingered only on that lingering, delicious taste, and the unprecedented sense of fullness in her stomach.
Even though it was the exact same cake, why did it taste so much better coming from Kitahara Trainer's skin…?
Recalling that taste, she unconsciously licked her lips. A strange desire stirred restlessly in her heart once again.
Seeing her expression, Kitahara's eyelid twitched.
This girl didn't hear a single word, did she? She's probably still thinking about eating…
Sigh, she's been like this since childhood. I'll find another chance to properly correct her habits later.
Kitahara sighed helplessly, then pushed the last remaining cake slice towards her, successfully redirecting her attention.
After Oguri Cap finished demolishing the third cake, Kitahara sent her off to the clubroom accompanied by Eclipse, while he headed back to his dorm to shower and change clothes.
Later, he returned to the clubroom, spent some time loafing around as usual, then went to the training ground—where he promptly loafed around some more.
Afterwards, treating the girls to drinks for the first time in ages, eating dinner, and unwinding in the clubroom, Kitahara concluded another typical day and returned to his dorm, planning to browse forums and watch some videos.
But just as he turned on his computer, the phone in his pocket vibrated.
Checking it, he saw two messages from that senior Uma Musume.
The first message informed him she'd reviewed the information he'd sent and had already contacted trustworthy specialists. They were planning to profile those individuals based on his intel. Barring surprises, she'd deliver their images to him by tomorrow, and he could then confirm with the younger Uma Musume.
The second message, in an outwardly calm tone, asked why he hadn't informed her before going to Tracen headquarters—and why he'd waited so long before letting her know at all.
Kitahara stared at his phone in disbelief.
Wait, weren't you the one who said not to bother you unless necessary?
Despite her composed words, Kitahara was certain that the old woman was definitely unhappy. He could practically foresee the scolding he'd get next time they met.
Though when she said "scolding," it wasn't purely verbal. Usually, she'd give him an intense sparring session—an excuse to thoroughly pummel him while "helping him improve."
Theoretically, if he ever got strong enough, he could fight back—but that was just theory.
Kitahara sighed again and started drafting a response to her messages.
But before he could finish typing, a knock came from his door.
Kitahara paused. He glanced at the darkening sky outside, assuming it was probably Eclipse. Did she want to crash here again tonight?
But when he opened the door, it wasn't Eclipse standing there.
Instead, he saw Special Week, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Kitahara stared blankly for a second.
Seeing the earnest anticipation in Special Week's eyes, he immediately understood.
This girl is here for a massage.
Yes, he had told her he'd give her a private massage sometime—but he'd clearly meant during weekends, not a random weekday evening. What on earth is she doing here now…?
But he couldn't exactly leave her standing outside his dorm. It was almost nighttime; if someone saw Special Week waiting eagerly outside his room, rumors wouldn't harm him, but she'd definitely be affected.
Thus, after brief consideration, he invited Special Week inside, and—
Click.
The sound of the door locking behind him echoed sharply in the quiet room.
Kitahara's heart skipped a beat. He quickly glanced back at Special Week, but her expression was still innocent and expectant, as if she'd accidentally locked it behind her.
Why is this girl always so clumsy…?
Silently grumbling to himself, Kitahara moved to the sofa, preparing to massage her quickly, satisfy her, then usher her out before she missed curfew—
His entire body froze.
Special Week did indeed approach and sit down.
But where she sat was rather different from what he'd expected.
Specifically—in his lap.
Before he could tell her to stop fooling around, a pair of arms wrapped gently around his neck.
She tugged him closer, leaning down towards his ear.
Her long hair cascaded, concealing her expression.
When she spoke, her warm breath brushed softly against his ear—but the words she whispered sent a cold shiver down his spine.
"Sato-san…"
"These past two weeks, you've been busy dealing with 'those people,' haven't you?"