Fujiwara Chiya became the opponent Orfevre wanted to defeat.
Now, the method for proving her strength had become very simple.
She only needed to surpass him.
At present, Fujiwara Chiya's ability should be hovering somewhere between the first and second tiers of uma musume. He was stronger than most uma musume, but not strong enough to look down on the entire field. At the very least, there was still a gap between him and Shirayuki, Rudolf, and the others.
Wait, why am I seriously analysing my own ability?
Don't tell me I'm actually trying to surpass them?
No.
Once he started running, he would forget which body he was in. When he switched back to Shirayuki and ran again, that familiar feeling returned.
As expected, running in this body felt the best!
Shirayuki stopped and let out a soft breath.
Chiya's goal was to be a trainer.
She was the uma musume.
If he mixed up their goals, things would become troublesome.
Right now, the only use of Chiya becoming stronger was that he could act as her training partner.
Right.
Thinking of that, Shirayuki's eyes lit up.
If Chiya could be her training partner, didn't that mean she could call him over anytime, anywhere?
Every night, she could train independently with Chiya at the training ground for a while, without troubling anyone else.
Wouldn't that be wonderful?
The things she once could only do with other uma musume could now be done with Chiya too. The range of possibilities had suddenly expanded quite a lot.
Usually, when Shirayuki did independent training at night, she would disturb Grass Wonder, El Condor Pasa, and the others.
Now that she had Chiya, she did not need to trouble anyone else.
Shirayuki's mood instantly became much brighter.
She came before Fujiwara Chiya and looked at the man who belonged only to her.
Suddenly, she felt that having Chiya was enough.
…
"Yuki-chan, let's go out together this weekend?"
After the stage exam ended, Grass Wonder and the others gathered around Shirayuki and asked.
"Sorry. I have plans this weekend."
"You already have an appointment?"
"Mm. I'm going to the dojo."
Shirayuki had agreed to go there for special training with Yaeno Muteki. Originally, she had planned to go alone, but considering that Chiya might also be useful, she decided to go together with him.
"The dojo…"
Grass Wonder's eyes dimmed.
These past few days, Shirayuki had been busy everywhere, and the time she spent with them had been extremely limited. After waiting and waiting for Shirayuki to finally come back, the ones getting close to her were not Grass Wonder, but those lower-year newcomers and the student council. Most of Shirayuki's time had been spent on them.
Even the rare bits of intimate time had been divided up by Seiun Sky, Special Week, and the others.
Right now, Grass Wonder urgently needed to replenish her energy.
"When will Yuki-chan have time?"
"I'm not sure yet. When I have time, I'll let you know."
"Shirayuki-senpai, are you here? The student council needs you."
"I have to go. I'll come find you later, Grass."
"Mm…"
"Shirayuki, wait a second."
Before Shirayuki left, Special Week grabbed her hand. She leaned close to Shirayuki's ear and secretly whispered, "Mom sent me a whole box of carrots. I'll share half with you later. Let's eat them together, okay?"
"Sure."
Shirayuki's eyes lit up.
"Hehe, then come to my dorm later."
Special Week showed her simple, goofy smile.
She was still the same as before.
Special Week also felt that she had spent too little time with Shirayuki lately, but she was not dissatisfied because of that. Instead, she felt that Shirayuki had been working very hard. During the limited time they could play together, Special Week hoped she could do something for Shirayuki.
After waving goodbye to Shirayuki, she looked at the empty seat beside her.
"Shirayuki has become such an amazing person… I have to work hard like her too."
Special Week encouraged herself.
On the other side, in the student council room, Rudolf greeted Shirayuki when she saw her.
"Shirayuki, there is something I need your help with."
There was no small talk. Rudolf went straight to the topic. After Shirayuki became one of the core members of the student council, Rudolf directly assigned work to her.
After hearing Rudolf's explanation, Shirayuki asked, "The lodging for foreign uma musume?"
"Yes. Next month is the Japan Cup. Tracen needs to provide a place for those uma musume to rest. Some uma musume have chosen to stay in hotels, but others will be coming to Tracen. They are all European uma musume. I think interacting with them may be smoother if it is you."
"Maa… that's true."
"Also, Shirayuki, you will be participating in the Japan Cup too, won't you?"
"Yes."
"There is an old acquaintance in this race."
"Who?"
"The uma musume who defeated Air Groove in last year's Japan Cup, and who has won five international GⅠ races. Pilsudski."
"She… defeated Air Groove?"
"Yes."
Shirayuki thought for a moment.
"In that case, there is a need to take special care of her."
As the second-generation Empress, Shirayuki would reclaim victory in this race.
"Oh? How confident. It seems you have a great deal of confidence in winning this year's Japan Cup."
"I have always had confidence. If I did not possess the determination to win, there would be no need to step onto the racecourse. Besides… I do not think I am inferior to these world-class uma musume."
Rudolf looked into Shirayuki's eyes.
Those azure eyes held a firm resolve.
The months of overseas expedition had not only improved Shirayuki's body. Her heart had also grown.
Rudolf had watched Shirayuki's race. She had seen Shirayuki forcibly break out even under the crushing pressure of being surrounded by other uma musume. That terrifying obsession could be felt even through a screen.
With Shirayuki's current strength, if Rudolf wanted to defeat her, she would have to open her Zone. Even then, her winning chances would not be especially high. Shirayuki's stance was perfectly straight, like a single line, with no apparent openings at all. When she walked, she gave off a nimble feeling, clearly showing that Shirayuki's control over her body had become extremely skilled.
If the current Shirayuki had not yet reached her peak, then this child might grow to a frightening degree.
She was like a sponge that constantly absorbed water, taking in nourishment.
She was also like a piece of unpolished jade constantly being carved, becoming more and more refined.
Perhaps Shirayuki's true peak would only come in her older year?
"In that case, I won't say more. At this Japan Cup, show the whole world the dignity of the Empress."
"Yes… Oh, President Rudolf, aside from Pilsudski, who else is participating in the Japan Cup?"
"Last year's third place, Blow Pop. She said she has come for revenge. The rest are newcomers from this year, and all of them have international GⅠ records."
"That person isn't coming?"
"That person?"
Rudolf's ears moved slightly.
Very quickly, she understood who Shirayuki meant.
"Trêve does not appear on this year's entry list."
"I see…"
"Calm your heart, Shirayuki," Rudolf said. "Do not forget that while you are growing, Trêve has not been standing still either. By the time you meet her again, perhaps she will also have transformed completely."
"So I should chase after the version of her after she has grown, right?"
"Eh?"
Rudolf had not expected Shirayuki to follow up with that.
It was a family teaching of hers.
If one wanted to chase an opponent, one had to chase the steps of the opponent after they had grown, rather than staring only at the past.
Shirayuki smiled.
"I know, President Rudolf. I will imagine the future Trêve as absurdly strong, and then I will surpass that absurdly strong opponent."