Found it!
Using the Mejiro family's connections, Mejiro Dober finally managed to track down the hot spring inn where Trainer was staying.
It was on the outskirts of Tokyo.
No time to waste. Mejiro Dober immediately set off. She had to stop those two before Trainer and Shirayuki successfully went off on their little private getaway.
I'm not saying you two can't go out together!
But at least take me with you!
"Oh my~ Dober, where are you off to?"
A soft, leisurely voice drifted into her ears.
Mejiro Dober turned and saw Mejiro Bright sitting on the bench in front of the dorm, her eyes half-lidded as usual.
"I'm going to find Trainer."
"At this hour? It's almost evening, you know."
"I know! That's why I have to hurry!"
"Are you in a rush?"
"Isn't that obvious?!"
She had no time to chat with Bright right now.
Any later, and those two would successfully complete their solo flight!
"Would you like me to take you there?"
"You?"
"My driver is very fast, you know. Though I'm always telling him to slow down."
"...Then please, Bright. Tell him to take me there at full speed!"
...
Soaking in the hot spring, Shirayuki leaned against the rocks and let her whole body melt into the warmth.
Yaeno Muteki's method for improving blood flow and easing bruises was certainly good, but no matter how refined the technique was, it still could not beat ten minutes in a hot spring.
Warm currents flowed through her limbs. The fatigue built up from training drifted into the air with the rising steam.
With half her face submerged, Shirayuki blew bubbles into the water.
Blub, blub, blub.
As expected, barely anyone came to a hot spring on a weekday.
In the huge bath, there were only two people. Shirayuki, and a girl she had never seen before.
From the moment Shirayuki entered the bath, the girl had secretly glanced at her once, then nervously turned her back.
Is this girl shy around strangers?
Then I'm sorry for disturbing you.
There were only Shirayuki and that girl on her side.
Chiya's side had even fewer people.
Only Chiya himself.
While Shirayuki was bored enough to keep blowing bubbles, the girl suddenly spoke.
"Excuse me… Are you Miss Snow Dancer?"
"Hm?"
Shirayuki lifted her head.
"I just thought you looked a lot like Miss Snow Dancer from the Japan Cup," the girl said, turning around and speaking timidly.
Even out here on the outskirts of Tokyo, Shirayuki had still been recognized.
What now?
If she admitted it, wouldn't the fact that she and Chiya had snuck out together be exposed?
Would they still be able to stay at this inn after that?
"Um…" The girl lowered her head. "I've never really been liked at school. But one time, I watched one of Miss Snow Dancer's races. The way you enjoyed the race really moved me. I wanted to become like you too. To enjoy challenges. To face things positively. So… if it's all right, could Miss Snow Dancer encourage me?"
The girl kept her head down.
It was as if those words had drained every last bit of courage she had.
Shirayuki blinked.
People loved watching uma musume races for more than just the thrill of a fierce, exciting match.
When an uma musume ran, she could shake people's hearts from the inside out.
That feeling could give courage to those trapped at a low point in life, pushing them to challenge the world again.
An uma musume was not only a runner.
She was also an idol.
Looking at the timid girl in front of her, Shirayuki moved closer, reached out, and gently patted her head.
"I'm honored that my race was able to help you and give you the courage to change yourself. If you ever feel sad in the future, then place your hope in me. I'll carry that hope with me, challenge every difficulty, and win in the end."
The girl's eyes widened.
She stared blankly at the white-haired girl in front of her.
"Miss Snow Dancer…"
Shirayuki gave her the most perfect smile, then lightly touched her ear.
"As long as you have the heart for it, anyone can become an uma musume. I'll be going now. If we get the chance, let's soak in the hot spring together again."
Shirayuki wrapped herself in a bath towel and left the hot spring.
The girl stared dazedly at Shirayuki's back.
She had actually received a blessing from her idol.
Am I dreaming?
I'm so happy...
As she sat there absentmindedly in the bath, she suddenly noticed a single white strand of hair floating on the water's surface.
As if she had discovered a priceless treasure, she carefully picked up that strand of hair and held it in her hand.
From this moment on, Snow Dancer was her one and only idol.
After leaving the hot spring, Shirayuki clenched her fist.
Amazing.
I just played the role of a perfect uma musume!
A perfect girl who brings hope and motivation to others!
Too bad Chiya wasn't there to see it.
With a splash, the door to the men's bath opened, and Fujiwara Chiya walked out.
He yawned, looking unbearably sleepy.
He had been so bored during his bath that he started counting drops of condensation on the rocks.
Seeing Shirayuki, Fujiwara Chiya picked up a towel and wiped the ends of her hair. She had just been soaking in the water, so her hair was wet.
He remembered that Shirayuki had once nearly fainted from bathing too long.
Her body was prone to storing heat, and if the temperature rose too high, she would get dizzy. After such a long period of training, plus the medicinal recipes her friends had given her, Shirayuki had slowly recovered from that problem.
Now she could happily enjoy hot springs too.
Chiya pinched Shirayuki's smooth cheek.
She was like the tender stamen of a peach blossom dampened by fine rain.
Soft.
Delicate.
Far too tempting.
After dinner, the two returned to their room.
The only household appliance in the six-tsubo room was a television. To sleep, they had to lay futons on the floor.
It seemed every hot spring inn had this kind of traditional Japanese-style room.
Outside, the sky had already darkened.
In the suburbs, there was not a single streetlamp in sight.
Come to think of it, this should be the first time he and Shirayuki had slept alone together in Japan.
Before, either Shirayuki's friends had been there, or Tazuna and the Director were around.
During their time in Paris, Chiya had slept beside Shirayuki for a while too. But later, because of Treve and Rice Shower, the two of them ended up separated again.
It really wasn't easy.
A rare chance to come out together like this.
Sitting in front of Fujiwara Chiya, Shirayuki swung her pale little feet, completely relaxed.
Behind her, Fujiwara Chiya took out a wooden comb and began combing her hair.
Smooth.
Soft.
Thanks to Shirayuki's careful maintenance, her hair had a silk-like texture.
With the gentle shff, shff of the wooden comb passing through her hair, a faint fragrance drifted from Shirayuki's body.
Fujiwara Chiya lifted the ends of her hair.
The silky strands slipped through his fingers, and that light scent gradually grew stronger.
Strange...
This scent...?
Fujiwara Chiya knew it well.
It seemed to be the same scent Shirayuki had once smelled on him.
Why could he smell it on Shirayuki now?
Could it be because I've become an uma musume too?
The scent of hormones that had once only affected uma musume could now be detected by Fujiwara Chiya as well.
Touching Shirayuki's tail, Fujiwara Chiya carefully combed through the fluffy hair.
The pleasant sensation from her tail made Shirayuki's ears twitch slightly from time to time.
Shff, shff.
Shirayuki's tail swayed.
She had almost been desensitized by now, but Seiun Sky's technique still could not compare to Chiya's.
After all, only she knew where she herself was most sensitive.
The middle section of her tail still retained quite a bit of sensitivity, and Fujiwara Chiya's careful combing gradually drew it out.
So comfortable...
Leaning against Fujiwara Chiya, Shirayuki's face flushed.
The warmth of his fingertips.
The soft friction through her fur.
The two sensations wove together into a wonderful melody.
No one was here to interrupt them.
Here, there was only her.
Opening her misty eyes, Shirayuki tilted her head up and looked at the man before her.
The comfort coming from her tail made fine beads of sweat appear along his neck, and that enticing scent lingered between them.
After he finished combing her, the two lay down on their futons.
The weather had turned cooler in November, and the night sky outside the window was very bright. Pure white moonlight spilled into the room, gently brushing across Shirayuki's skin.
At that moment, Fujiwara Chiya suddenly felt as if Shirayuki had put on that wedding dress again.
Her sky-blue eyes reflected a crystalline glow in the room.
Thump!
His heart jumped.
The room was so quiet that he could hear his own heartbeat.
There was not a sound in the remote hot spring inn.
As if guided by some strange impulse, Shirayuki lifted the quilt and slipped into Fujiwara Chiya's futon.
There were still beads of sweat on his neck from when he had been combing her tail earlier.
Shirayuki reached out and touched them.
At the same time, a faint sensation of being touched came from her own neck.
She gently sniffed.
Shirayuki caught a sweet scent.
Of course, it could also have been the scent Chiya was smelling.
Ever since Chiya became an uma musume, the two of them had grown more and more alike.
In touch.
In scent.
In everything.
Burying her face against Chiya, Shirayuki stretched herself out freely against him.
Beside Chiya, she had no need to hold back.
Because Chiya was herself.
He was hers.
In a daze, Shirayuki remembered that animals had a habit of marking what belonged to them.
Am I an animal?
She did not know.
But she could be.
She hugged Chiya around the waist. Her thigh looped around his knee.
Then she lifted her head, opened her mouth, and lightly bit down on the man's neck.
Shirayuki wanted to leave her mark on Chiya.