One week before the race, Mejiro Dober went to the hot spring inn according to the plan. While she was there, she met that little fan of hers.
She soaked in the hot spring, spent a comfortable night there, and when she returned the next day, the inn even gave her a pile of local hot spring souvenirs. Mejiro Dober gave half to Trainer and the other half to Shirayuki.
"These are all from that little girl?"
"Mm. She even called me senpai, even though I'm not really her senpai yet."
"You will be in another year."
Shirayuki opened the packaging and started eating, her movements perfectly synchronized with Chiya's.
Carefully observing Shirayuki's face, Mejiro Dober let out a breath of relief. She had been worried Shirayuki might be unhappy. After all, out of the whole team, she was the only one who had gone. The others might complain that Trainer was treating them unfairly. Especially Shirayuki. She was Trainer's relative, yet even she had not gone to the hot spring to relax.
Both of them were about to race, yet Trainer had been taking care of Dober's side the whole time. Mejiro Dober was afraid Shirayuki would blame Trainer because of that. Recently, Mejiro Dober did not know what had come over her, but she had become especially sensitive when it came to Trainer.
"Dober-nee, there's a greeting card inside."
"A greeting card?"
"Looks like it's from Rai."
Mejiro Dober opened the card. Written on it were the words:
I hope senpai wins! Defeat Snow Dancer in a cool way, senpai!
That little girl…
Does she know Snow Dancer sleeps right beside me? That's way too merciless.
With a smile, Mejiro Dober carefully put the card away.
"Tomorrow is the press conference."
Hearing Mejiro Dober's voice, Shirayuki's hand stopped while she was eating.
"Shirayuki, our race is almost here."
"Yeah."
Before every important race, Central would hold a press conference to interview the participating runners. Most of the time, this happened for G1 races, but trial races like the Tulip Sho were also included. Tomorrow, they would have to go to the press hall and give their pre-race statements.
"Let's sleep early tonight. We have to wake up early tomorrow."
Shirayuki hurriedly stuffed the remaining sweets into her mouth and swallowed them all at once.
"That's true. Sleep early, wake up early, give our statements, then race."
Shirayuki took off her clothes and lay down on the bed.
A little while later, rustling sounds came from beside her. Then the bed shook slightly, and Mejiro Dober lay down next to her.
"?"
"Sorry. When I think about racing against Shirayuki, my heart won't calm down."
Mejiro Dober slipped under her blanket, her cool skin pressing against Shirayuki's arm.
Shirayuki's heart thumped.
No way. Are we really doing that kind of thing before the race?
I don't mind, but it feels kind of strange. Dober, you shouldn't be the type to calm yourself down by venting desire, right?
"Shirayuki, I see you as an opponent I absolutely must defeat, and also as my only opponent."
As she spoke, Mejiro Dober wrapped her arms around Shirayuki's head, and her legs slowly tightened around her.
"So in this race, I'll do everything I can to defeat you."
Pressed against Mejiro Dober, Shirayuki blinked.
Was that another confession?
No, that was probably Mejiro Dober declaring her resolve. After all, in a race between the two of them, one would win and one would lose. Right now, both of them had undefeated records. That meant in the next race, one of them would inevitably lose that perfect record.
Shirayuki had known this day would come. She had prepared herself long ago.
Maybe Mejiro Dober had not.
Still, your way of declaring your resolve is way too strange. I was already starting to wait for something.
Looking at Mejiro Dober, who had already fallen asleep, Shirayuki moved a little closer to her.
It seemed the other girl had no such intention, so that was that. Compared with Rice Shower and Hayakawa Tazuna, her relationship with Mejiro Dober could be considered the calmest. At least she did not have to worry about her body being drained until she collapsed.
The next day, Fujiwara Chiya drove the two of them to the press conference venue. Ever since the Uma Musume had entered their Classic year, he had been allowed to freely use Tracen's official vehicles.
Today, Fujiwara Chiya had also specially changed into the uniform issued by Central. The intermediate trainer badge on his chest gleamed brightly. At twenty-four years old, he was already someone with a name in Central. An achievement countless people dreamed of had been realized by him.
Even though Fujiwara Chiya had little interest in fame, at this moment, he could not suppress a sense of pride.
Behind him, Fujiwara Shirayuki and Mejiro Dober had changed into their racing outfits. For them, racing outfits were the clothes they would wear when entering and leaving official venues from now on.
"Dober, don't be nervous. Relax."
Fujiwara Chiya knew she had a habit of getting nervous in front of crowds, so he reminded her specially. Shirayuki held her hand from the side.
"Trainer… and Shirayuki."
Mejiro Dober took a deep breath. If she had been alone, she really might have been nervous. But with the two of them comforting her together, the last trace of hesitation in her heart disappeared.
Am I being a little too greedy?
Shirayuki alone isn't enough. I even want Trainer too…
"Let's go."
Fujiwara Chiya led the way. Around them, people in suits carrying briefcases passed by one after another. When they saw Shirayuki and Mejiro Dober, they whispered among themselves.
These people should be the reporters for today's press conference.
"Mr. Fujiwara Chiya, correct?"
"That's right."
"Very well. This way, please. Snow Dancer and Miss Mejiro Dober as well."
A staff member wearing an identification badge guided the three of them into the venue.
The Uma Musume began going up one after another to give their statements.
Ten minutes later, it was their group's turn.
"Now then, please welcome our next runner, Mejiro Dober!"
Hearing her name, Mejiro Dober stood up. Shirayuki squeezed her palm, and Fujiwara Chiya gave her a look filled with trust.
Mejiro Dober lifted her head.
In the past, she would have been so frightened by this kind of scene that she might not have dared to step onto the stage. But today was different.
The two people she trusted most were here.
Mejiro Dober placed a hand against her chest. Her gaze was firmer than it had ever been.
"Miss Mejiro Dober, you have just achieved a perfect two-race winning streak, including a G2 graded race. Both your momentum and ability seem more than sufficient. Would it be fair to say you are fully prepared for the Triple Tiara?"
Facing hundreds of reporters below the stage and dozens of cameras, Mejiro Dober lowered her hand and stood before the podium.
"I think what everyone calls 'prepared' means having enough strength and certainty to win in a race. But races are filled with unexpected things. Opponents grow at speeds beyond imagination, and the result of a race remains completely unknown until the end."
"So I won't say that I'm fully prepared. But I will always continue preparing. With the help of my most important trainer, and with the help of my most important rival, I will not bring shame to the Mejiro name. I will take victory in this race."
As she spoke, Mejiro Dober's gaze turned toward Fujiwara Chiya and Fujiwara Shirayuki below the stage.
The face that had once panicked so badly before crowds was now filled with confidence.