"Shirayuki, how have you been lately?"
At noon, Shirayuki received a call from Trêve. As always, her voice was bright and lively.
"Pretty good."
"I heard you're participating in the Japan Cup."
"Mm. Paris gets news about Japanese uma musume too?"
"Because there are French runners participating this time as well."
"I see…"
"I originally wanted to participate too, but there's a race over here as well. Cancelling my Japan trip would make the paperwork pretty troublesome."
"Then race over there. If you came here, you'd have to adjust to the turf all over again. One careless mistake, and you'd lose to me."
"Haha, that's true, Shirayuki. Over there is your home ground. If I went, beating you would be pretty difficult."
Trêve laughed cheerfully.
Then, after a brief pause, her voice softened.
"Shirayuki, I really look forward to our next race."
"Me too. Racing you is fun, Trêve."
"Is racing the only fun part? Every day I spent with Shirayuki was fun."
"Th-that so."
"So, Shirayuki… can you come earlier next year?"
Trêve's voice sounded a little lonely.
"Of course. Once my schedule here ends next year, I'll go over. So wash your neck and wait for me, Trêve."
"Yes! I'll wash myself nice and clean while waiting for you."
"That's not what I meant…"
The two chatted for a little longer before hanging up.
A message popped up on Shirayuki's phone. It was Trêve's dinner for the day, pasta and salad, along with—
A call with the person I love.
P.S. I hope Shirayuki can send me a photo of herself in sleepwear, so I can sleep well tonight.
"…"
Shirayuki sent over a photo she had taken before.
Trêve replied with a heart.
I really should have brought her back as a souvenir.
Shirayuki missed the feeling of Trêve's tail, as well as those soft, smooth underarms. Every time she touched them, Trêve would let out such adorable sounds.
With both hands behind her head, Shirayuki lay down on the grass.
Until just now, she had been helping those little foals with training. It had finally ended.
If this kept going, her body would not be able to take it. Every day, she had to talk until her mouth was dry, then demonstrate the same movements over and over again.
The only rewards she received were the children's gratitude and the carrots from the trainers she had helped. They said Shirayuki had done them a great favour, and that the students' running results had clearly improved.
But after hearing those thanks enough times, she had become numb to them.
Right now, Shirayuki wanted something more practical.
For example, a lap pillow.
Or simply being allowed to pet them to her heart's content.
Shirayuki wanted to challenge herself and see whether she could pet all two thousand-plus students at Tracen before next year's Arc. The number of uma musume she had already taught had reached triple digits. At this rate, she would probably break Air Groove's record in another half month.
"Uyaa~? Are you slacking off, Shirayuki?"
A shadow blocked the sunlight.
Shirayuki looked up and saw a green figure standing above her. Soft hair swayed in the breeze, and Seiun Sky's relaxed face carried a sleepy smile that made anyone who saw it want to take a nap.
"That's right. I'm slacking off."
"Looks like Trainer understands the joy of slacking off too."
Seiun Sky sat down beside Shirayuki and noticed that Shirayuki had been staring at her thighs.
"Trainer, have my legs caught your eye? How lewd~"
Shirayuki awkwardly looked away.
When Seiun Sky had sat down just now, she had accidentally caught a glimpse of white.
So Seiun Sky likes lace…
"Just kidding. Sei-chan knows Trainer is into feet, not legs."
Seiun Sky smiled.
"So Sei-chan can safely offer her lap to Trainer. How about it? Want to lie down?"
Shirayuki shifted toward Seiun Sky and rested her head on the other girl's thighs.
A faint scent of dandelions drifted into her nose, mixed with the clean fragrance of soap after a bath. Shirayuki's body gradually relaxed.
Seiun Sky toyed with Shirayuki's bangs.
"How is it? Sei-chan's pillow isn't bad, right?"
"Passable…"
"Looks like Trainer has experienced an even better pillow. Who was it? Don't tell me it was Shirayuki?"
"Maa…"
The corner of Seiun Sky's eyebrow twitched.
"Trainer, actually, Sei-chan understands relaxation quite well. Pillow comfort is one part of it."
Seiun Sky leaned down.
"But there's another part too. Let Sei-chan show you the joy of relaxing properly."
As she spoke, Seiun Sky lightly touched Shirayuki's ears.
Back when she had slept together with Shirayuki, Seiun Sky had explored Shirayuki's body and learned where she was sensitive, how much strength to use, and where touching felt best.
Seiun Sky refused to believe that her relaxation technique was inferior to Trainer himself.
The sight of Shirayuki curling up in Trainer's arms last time had completely chased away Seiun Sky's sleepiness. If she kept sleeping through things like this, those two might end up so close that no one else could get between them.
Before Shirayuki and Trainer formed an absolute defence, Seiun Sky had to tear open a gap.
Her fingers moved nimbly over Shirayuki's ears. As her fingertips rubbed, Shirayuki's body gave little twitches.
This lazy fishing addict… why is she so good at this?!
Shirayuki was being stroked so comfortably that a low, rumbling sound came from her throat.
"How is it, Shirayuki? Sei-chan's technique is better than Trainer's, right?"
"Barely acceptable."
The corner of Seiun Sky's eye twitched again.
Trainer really had a stubborn mouth.
As the master of slacking off and the queen of relaxation, she refused to believe anyone could resist her charm.
Seiun Sky decided to bring out her best techniques and charm Trainer to the point that whenever he felt tired, he would come looking for her.
She refused to believe self-love was better than loving someone else.
Trainer liked Shirayuki for two reasons at most.
First, Shirayuki was beautiful.
Second, no matter what Trainer did, Shirayuki would not resist.
As for beauty, Seiun Sky did not dare claim she surpassed Shirayuki, but she was definitely not lacking. At the very least, she could absolutely stir Trainer's interest.
As for not resisting, once she lay down on the bed, she was basically a human-sized plush doll. Trainer could do whatever he wanted.
Therefore, Seiun Sky believed she was not inferior to Shirayuki.
And when combined with her outstanding relaxation techniques, she could definitely draw Trainer's attention to herself.
Holding Shirayuki's hand, Seiun Sky lightly kissed her fingertips, then gave them a small, playful lick.
"Hey, Sky?"
This is so embarrassing…
But I can't back down!
Please, anything but "having only Shirayuki is enough"!
Seiun Sky encouraged herself.
"How is it, Trainer? Sei-chan's technique… is pretty good, right?"
Her face had gone so red it looked as if it might drip.
"Trainer can't do this by yourself, can you?"
Shirayuki was almost stunned speechless.
Just as she was about to say something—
"Empress, you seem to be having quite a bit of fun."
A tall golden figure appeared beside them.
Orfevre looked down at her from above.