"Are there still any empty rooms in the student dormitory?"
After arriving at the Ritto dormitory, Shirayuki asked the dorm leader there, Fuji Kiseki.
"There are four empty rooms, but the furniture inside isn't complete."
"How soon can they be prepared?"
"Including delivery time, two days at the fastest."
"All right. Then arrange these people in the Ritto dormitory."
Shirayuki handed the list over. Fuji Kiseki looked at the names on it.
"Pilsudski?"
"Yes. I heard she was last year's Japan Cup winner."
"Mm… that's true. But is it really all right to let her stay in Ritto?"
"What's wrong?"
Fuji Kiseki showed an expression as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
"She has a bit of history with Air Groove."
"I know. She defeated Air Groove."
"Maa, that is indeed what happened."
"Victory and defeat are normal in racing."
"No, it's not about winning or losing."
Fuji Kiseki hesitated a few times before finally saying, "After Pilsudski defeated Air Groove, she became interested in her. After that, whenever she had the chance, she would call Air Groove. She also sent gifts. You've seen those roses in the east garden, right?"
"I have."
"Those flower seeds were sent by Pilsudski. She also said that in the next race, she would definitely capture Air Groove…"
Hearing that, Shirayuki more or less understood what Fuji Kiseki meant.
"That uma musume called Pilsudski… don't tell me she's interested in Air Groove-senpai?"
"If we let her stay together with Air Groove, it will be very troublesome."
"I understand. Then let's have her stay in Miho."
"What are you talking about?"
Speak of the devil, and the devil appeared.
Air Groove walked over.
"We were talking about Pilsudski
The moment Air Groove heard that name, she immediately took half a step back. It was the first time Shirayuki had ever seen that cool former Empress panic like this.
"She's here? No, I need to leave quickly."
"She isn't here yet. She's scheduled to arrive the day after tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow… I'll see whether Tracen has any duties that require me to go on a business trip…"
"Calm down, Air Groove. There are no such duties at all."
Fuji Kiseki comforted her.
"Did something happen between Air Groove-senpai and Pilsudski?"
"That person…"
Air Groove held her head, wearing an expression as if the past was too painful to look back on.
After she lost to Pilsudski by a neck in last year's Japan Cup, she had drawn that uma musume's interest. After the race ended, the two of them had a meal and exchanged contact information.
And then, the torment began.
To the Empress who forever dwells within my heart, your noble presence suits roses more beautifully than anyone else.
The goddess of flowers will smile upon you, and I too have been granted the honour of speaking with you.
At this year's Japan Cup, I shall come seeking you with my longing, praise, and passion.
The other party kept sending painfully embarrassing love messages over and over, to the point that Air Groove wanted to block her.
She never should have exchanged contact information back then!
In short, Air Groove wanted nothing more than to avoid Pilsudski.
Speaking of which, that person had always called her "Lady Empress." Air Groove had never explained anything to her either. If Pilsudski came here and found out that Shirayuki had inherited her title of Empress, what kind of expression would she make?
It would definitely become extremely troublesome!
In any case, Air Groove completely did not want to see her right now.
"Shirayuki, when the time comes, no matter what she asks, do not answer. Especially if she asks where I am. If she refuses to give up, just say I went to Hokkaido."
To be able to annoy the composed Empress into this state, that uma musume named Pilsudski was kind of impressive.
"Don't say that, Air Groove. She's coming all this way to see you. At least meet her once."
"Fuji, it seems you do not understand what it feels like to wake up and find ninety-nine-plus painfully sweet love messages on your phone. My mood was ruined for the entire day."
"She's a British uma musume. Maybe her Japanese isn't especially good, and she doesn't know how embarrassing it sounds… right, Shirayuki?"
"Hm? I was wondering whether tricking her into going to Hokkaido would mean I wouldn't have to race her."
Oh no.
The former Empress and the current Empress seemed to have reached an agreement.
"Air Groove, are you participating in this year's Japan Cup?"
Fuji Kiseki changed the topic.
"Mm. I am."
"Eh?"
Shirayuki's ears stood up.
"That's right, Shirayuki. I will also participate in the Japan Cup."
Air Groove stroked Shirayuki's head.
"So in this race, let us compete. Let me see just how far your strength has reached."
"Air Groove-senpai… I'm not weak, you know."
"I know. But do not underestimate me, the former Empress, either."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
One hour after learning that Air Groove would participate, Shirayuki heard something else from Special Week.
"Shirayuki, I'm participating too!"
"Spe-chan?"
"Yes. I entered the Japan Cup."
"And me too!"
El Condor Pasa raised her hand.
"This is the ticket to challenge the world, deeesu!"
"Spe-chan, El, and Air Groove-senpai are all participating…"
Shirayuki widened her eyes.
She had thought that this Japan Cup would mainly be a contest against European uma musume. She had not expected the focus to be on domestic uma musume instead.
"Hehe, Shirayuki, if you think you can't do it, I'll take care of the Arc for you."
"El~"
"Eek!"
Hearing that ghostly voice, El Condor Pasa was so frightened that her hair stood on end. Turning around, she saw Grass Wonder standing behind her with a smiling face.
"The race hasn't even started yet, and you're already making comments about Yuki-chan."
"That was just the usual routine…"
"Yuki-chan, I won't be able to participate in the race, but I'll cheer for you."
"Thank you… You can't participate?"
Special Week shifted beside Shirayuki and whispered into her ear, "Grass got injured in her last race. She's currently recovering."
Shirayuki looked toward Grass Wonder's foot and noticed that her ankle was wrapped in bandages.
This was not the first time Grass Wonder had been injured in a race.
For uma musume, injuries were an everyday thing. Shirayuki herself had been struck by other uma musume and ended up lying in a hospital bed for three days. For the following half month, her body had been unable to move intensely.
But it differed from person to person. Some uma musume were naturally sturdier and rarely became sick or injured. Others had weaker bodies, and even normal running could twist an ankle.
Clearly, Grass Wonder's body belonged to the weaker side.
Shirayuki bent down.
"Can I take a look?"
"Yuki-chan…"
Grass Wonder's eyes flickered a few times. She sat down on a chair and took off her shoe.
Shirayuki held her ankle.
When studying in Paris, Shirayuki had focused on learning methods for maintaining an uma musume's body.
There were mainly two points in how she trained uma musume.
The first was the body. This was the foundation of racing. Without a good body, an uma musume running was simply consuming her lifespan.
The second was the rationality of training. It had to improve an uma musume's physical ability while lowering the risk of injury.
From the moment she began training herself, Shirayuki had always followed these two principles.
"I bought some injury medicine in Paris. Grass, come to my room. I'll apply it for you."