Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year.
The academy was permeated with the relaxation and anticipation that preceded the holidays.
Most Uma Musume chose to stay at the academy to continue training, but Myriad Dreams decided to return to her hometown in Saitama for the New Year to enjoy a few rare days of family reunion and total laziness.
Upon learning she was going home, her friends offered various tokens of affection.
Special Week handed her a large box of radishes, a specialty of her hometown, Rice Shower carefully placed a bright red, meticulously wrapped apple into her palm, and Seiun Sky even brought over a small bucket filled with clear water and live fish.
When she handed over the fish, she spoke with a grin, saying "Here, an extra dish for your New Year's dinner!"
Myriad Dreams smiled as she accepted them, carefully packing these warm gifts away.
Just as she was carrying her luggage and about to board the train back to Saitama, Yaeno Muteki followed behind her, acting somewhat unusually.
Her fingers toyed slightly with the hem of her clothes, and her cheeks bore a faint, undetectable blush.
"Myriad-chan..."
Her voice was lower than usual, carrying a rare hint of hesitation and shyness.
"Um... my grandfather is gathering with old friends this year, and I... I happen to have no other plans... If... If it's not a bother..."
She lifted her eyes, which were filled with a cautious expectation. "Can I... go back with you?"
Myriad Dreams was stunned for a moment.
While Saitama and Tokyo aren't exactly on opposite ends of the earth, they aren't exactly a stone's throw away either.
Furthermore, she remembered that Yaeno Muteki's grandfather lived locally...
However, looking at that rare, almost pleading gaze, her heart— which was usually too lazy to overthink things— quickly softened.
"Of course you can!"
Myriad Dreams agreed readily. "My house is quite spacious, and my mothers will definitely welcome you!"
A bright radiance instantly bloomed in Yaeno Muteki's eyes, the shyness quickly replaced by joy.
She nodded vigorously. "Mm!"
The train carried the two of them to Saitama.
Myriad Dreams' home was a traditional Japanese house with a small courtyard.
Before they even reached the door, cheerful voices could be heard from inside.
"Dreams-chan! You're back!"
Two Uma Musume of differing temperaments but equal beauty appeared.
Her mother, Brilliant Radiance , and her other mother, Swift Stride, were already waiting at the door.
Brilliant Radiance was lively and cheerful, like a little sun, while Swift Stride was gentle and serene, with a gaze as calm as water.
"Mama! Mommy! I'm home!" Myriad Dreams happily pounced toward them.
The two mothers' attention was quickly drawn to the brown-haired girl standing tall and composed behind Myriad Dreams.
"Oh? And who is this?" Brilliant Radiance blinked curiously.
"Hello, Ma'ams. I am Myriad Dreams' roommate, Yaeno Muteki. I apologize profusely for the intrusion."
Yaeno Muteki immediately bowed, her posture was perfect and impeccable, and her tone was respectful and sincere.
"Dreams-chan's friend! Welcome, welcome! It's no intrusion at all!"
Brilliant Radiance enthusiastically took Yaeno Muteki's hand.
"Our Dreams-chan must be a handful to look after at school, right? Please, come in!"
Swift Stride also smiled gently.
"What a polite and good child. It's cold outside, come in quickly. We've prepared lots of delicious food."
Being so warmly accepted by Myriad Dreams' family allowed Yaeno Muteki's tense heartstrings to relax slightly, and a warm current welled up in her chest.
She stole a glance at Myriad Dreams, who was currently acting spoiled with her mothers and wearing a radiant smile.
Her gaze softened even further.
'It's so good to be at your home, to see the place where you grew up...'
Inside the warm house, the air was thick with the aroma of New Year's dishes.
Yaeno Muteki was seated next to Myriad Dreams. Brilliant Radiance kept piling food onto her plate while Swift Stride asked caringly about her life at the academy.
"Muteki-chan, living with our Dreams-chan must be quite tiring, right? This child is so lazy and her routine is so irregular," Brilliant Radiance said half-jokingly.
Yaeno Muteki immediately defended Myriad Dreams earnestly.
"No, Dreams-chan... she works very hard in training and has a strong will. It's just... in certain life details, she does indeed need someone to remind her occasionally."
As she spoke, she looked tenderly at Myriad Dreams beside her.
Myriad Dreams was busy eating and gave a muffled response.
"Mmh... Muteki is very 'concerned' about my routine..."
Yaeno Muteki's face heated up slightly.
She didn't argue, she just quietly tightened her grip on the hands resting on her lap.