"Hey, True-chan! You're tired too!"
"Yeah, I'm beat."
School finally ended, and it was after-school time.
I always wonder where Nana gets all this energy from.
"So, about this morning's thing... what do you say? Will you come?"
"Oh, that. Could you give me a little more time on that?"
"Well, I guess it's not that easy to decide. The race is tomorrow, so just let me know by then."
"Got it. Sorry for making you wait."
"Don't worry about it. I'm the one who asked the favor."
That said, the conditions Nana offered had an almost irresistible allure.
What should I do?
Finally! Finally!! FINALLY!!!
A festival of gratitude by the Uma Musume girls, for Uma Musume fans!
Preparations for tomorrow's festival are steadily progressing within the academy!
While they usually push each other as rivals, at this festival they join hands to show their gratitude to us fans!
Ahh~ Just watching my favorite preparing brings me overflowing bliss.
But! My absolute top favorite right now is definitely Trueno Sprinter-chan!
Just what kind of person is she?! I wish tomorrow would hurry up and come~.
"Hey hey, Digital-san! I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Whoa!? T-Tachyon-san!?"
"Don't be so startled. I came today because I have something to discuss."
"Ooooh, something to discuss!? What is it!? If it's something I can help with, anything at all!"
What could Tachyon-san want to talk about!? If it's about Tachyon-san, I'd gladly spend all day listening!
"Remember what we talked about on the phone the other day? I'd like to hear more details about that."
"Huh? Is that all? But... isn't this about me?"
"That's perfectly fine. Take your time and tell me everything step by step, even if it takes a while."
"Got it! Well then..."
From there, I explained in detail what I'd discussed with Nana-san and about Trueno-san.
I think it ended up being quite a long story, but Tachyon-san listened without getting bored, occasionally taking notes.
"Hmm, I see. An Uma Musume with no interest in racing, huh."
After saying that, Tachyon-san thought for a moment, then looked up at the sky as she continued.
"True, even among Uma Musume, their ways are diverse. It wouldn't be strange for some to have no interest in racing. But to have never even seen a race, or even heard of the Training Center Academy...?"
After that, Tachyon-san continued her musings about Trueno-san, almost like talking to herself. To see Tachyon-san like this up close!
Ahh~ So precious. I was utterly fulfilled, but I felt like I might faint right there.
"Hmm, Digital-san. ...Digital-san?"
"Yes! What is it?"
Close call, close call. I almost died from the preciousness.
"Will Trueno-san be participating in the mock race for this project?"
"Yes. If Nana-san succeeded in persuading her, she should be participating."
"Hmm, I see. Digital-san, thank you for the valuable information. Well then, I'll take my leave."
"Hah!"
I never imagined she'd thank me for just that! Ahh, reverence is overflowing.
My life holds not a single regret!
Having heard most of what I needed, I bid farewell to Digital-san and returned to the lab.
I heard a sound like someone fell behind me, but it was probably just Digital-san, so I ignored it.
Still, Trueno-san... If she wasn't interested in racing, that's one thing, but to say she's bored?
...?"Bored"? What does that mean? She's apparently never seen a race. Then she's never participated either.
Would someone use the word "bored" for something they've never even tried?
Hmm, truly intriguing. This project's mock race might be worth watching after all.
Finally made it back. For some reason, the walk home from school always feels deceptively long.
"I'm home."
"Oh."
Dad's usually home, but he's reading the paper with the TV on.
Isn't he still on duty? Isn't that a bit of a dereliction of duty?
Thinking that, I head upstairs to my room.
"Phew~."
After getting home from school, I collapse onto my futon. Feels so good.
"Haa... What should I do?"
Honestly, I'm still torn. If I enter the race, she'll cover my train fee there. If I win, she'll cover my train fee back too.
But honestly, making Nana pay that much money feels kinda off.
"Nana said she'd pay for it herself, so it's fine, right? Just enter and put that money into savings?"
The devil appeared. Put it into savings... Gulp.
"No way! Even if she said she'd pay, it's a lot of money! That's too much for her!"
The angel appeared. Yeah, that's true. It costs quite a bit. Thinking about that makes me hesitate.
"You should think about Nana a little too!"
"Shut up! She said she'd do it, so what's the problem?!"
Oh no. They're starting to fight. Wait, am I, the devil, being a bit harsh? I don't usually talk like that...
"Excuse me am from outside this FF. In that case, why not just race and finish in second or third place, without drawing too much attention?"
Who's this guy? "Jack."... Hearing the suggestion from this Jack guy, both of them stopped fighting.
"That's it."
It's not "that's it"! Don't just go along with some random stranger who suddenly shows up!
...Anyway, it's settled. For a moment there, I thought things might get messy, but somehow it worked out. Thanks, Jack.
...Probably won't see him again though. Actually, don't show up.
"Alright, time to prep for tomorrow."
I stuffed my wallet and other stuff into my backpack. Since I'm racing, I packed extras like the jersey and tights I wear for deliveries, just in case.
Oh right, I need to tell Nana I'm going.
With that thought, I called Nana. She picked up after about three rings.
"Yayho, True-chan. Rare for you to call, huh?"
"Listen, about the race... I'm gonna give it a shot."
"Really!? Yay! Thanks, True-chan!"
"So, don't forget, okay?"
"...Huh? What are you talking about?"
I swear there was a weird pause just now. Don't tell me she's trying to back out?
"Don't forget about the train fee, okay?"
"...Sniff, y-yeah..."
If she was going to cry, she shouldn't have made that condition...
"Well, that's all for now. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
With that, I hung up. Wait, it's already this late? I should get dinner started soon.
But seriously, ever since I said I'd race, I've had this awful chill. It's not like I have a cold or anything.
It's almost like I'm anticipating something terrible happening tomorrow.
...Stop it. The more I think about it, the worse the chill gets. I tell myself it's just my imagination....
...…Is it just my imagination???