Lily-chan won her debut race! That feeling of running across the turf—nothing compares to it! But that's just one win. We can't get complacent. I'm a smart girl, so I'll keep working hard without letting my guard down.
And Rice-chan also won her debut race! She's usually so beautiful and cute, but when she's racing, she looks so sharp and cool! I couldn't help but cheer with all my heart. Oh, and during the Winning Live, she winked at me! It made me so happy—but also made my heart race more than usual. I don't quite understand why, but Rice-chan is beautiful, cute, cool—she's just the best! I love Rice-chan!
---
"Rice, Lily, congrats on your first wins!"
"Thank you, Onee-sama!"
"Thank you, Ruru-chan!"
Right now, it's me, Rice-chan, and Ruru-chan celebrating together in the trainer's office. We're eating Ruru-chan's special carrot hamburg steaks piled high, and they're super delicious.
"I didn't know you could cook, Ruru-chan."
"Wow, way to punch me with words out of nowhere… I'm a licensed central trainer, you know. Of course I can cook."
"Nutrition management for horse girls is part of a trainer's job too. Thank you for your hard work, Onee-sama."
"No need to thank me! Actually, rely on me more! You girls are so independent, it makes me a bit lonely as a trainer…"
"I always rely on you, you know?"
"Rice does too!"
"…You two are really such good girls. Anyway—changing the topic, it'll be July soon, right? So, I was thinking… let's have a summer training camp."
"Oooh! Lily-chan's going to power up big time! Let's do it!"
"Rice agrees! Summer races are hot and tough, after all…"
"I'm glad you're both up for it. Well, I'll apologize in advance—the lodging isn't that fancy, okay?"
A summer training camp is an event organized by Tracen Academy, held from July to August at a facility near the sea. School staff like the nurse also come along, so it's safe even if something happens.
Training in a different environment helps focus better, so most horse girls and trainers make use of the summer camp system.
Ruru-chan seemed worried about the lodging, but I'm just grateful we have a place to stay. As long as she doesn't tell us to survive in the wild or something, I'll be fine. I'm strong—but even I can't beat nature.
After the celebration and planning, we disbanded. We won't train for a bit right after a race to let our bodies rest. Since racing with injuries would be bad, Rice-chan and I decided to go buy swimsuits to wear during our breaks at camp.
The shop had so many kinds that I got confused, so I decided to match with Rice-chan. They're frilly and cute—hers is black, and mine is white.
I want to make lots of summer memories with Rice-chan!
---
"And that's how—we're here! Summer training camp!"
""We're here—!""
"First, we'll head to the inn, drop our stuff off, check out the training area, then get right to practice! Follow me!"
""Okaaay!""
We've arrived! Summer camp is here! The midsummer sun is pumping me up! I'm so excited!
The inn Ruru-chan brought us to was way nicer than I expected. I was imagining peeling walls and broken windows—this is much better!
"It's way nicer than I imagined."
"Now I'm curious what you imagined…"
"Rice thought it'd be just a tent and they'd call it a lodge."
"That would be a problem…"
"I imagined an abandoned building."
"You girls set the bar too low! No trainer would make you stay somewhere like that…"
I vaguely remember horse girls training at a place that looked like an abandoned house… not sure why. Oh well!
We dropped off our luggage, changed, and went to the training ground. Running on the beach feels a lot like running on dirt. It's also easier on the legs, so it's efficient for training.
"Okay, warm-ups are done. Let's start training! First up—beach sprints!"
""Yes!""
"Get ready… go!"
───
──
─
"The fish is delicious! Right, Rice-chan?"
"Yeah! So good, Lily-chan!"
"You two really eat a lot, don't you…"
"I think we eat less than Oguri-senpai though?"
"Everyone eats less than Oguri Cap…"
After training, we returned to the inn for dinner. The fried fish is amazing!
Ruru-chan said Rice-chan and I eat a lot. Specifically, about 0.8 Special Week-senpai's worth. But hey, we have to eat to build strong bodies!
Special Week-senpai sometimes gains a little weight, but I never do, no matter how much I eat. Probably because I'm cute.
"Oh right, during this camp, we'll have help with parallel training."
"Ooh! What kind of connections did you use for that?"
"None! Remember Ash Stone? That trainer offered to help."
"I remember! Ash Stone-san was super strong!"
"She cleared her debut race really fast. But why help us?"
"Maybe she wants Lily's data? Anyway, having strong girls to train with is great. …Hm? A call. I'll be right back."
""Okaay~""
Ruru-chan left to take the call. Trainers sure have a lot on their plates.
"Ash Stone specializes in short and mile races, right? Rice would love to train with her, but our distances don't match…"
"And I don't have the stamina for mid-distance yet… sorry, Rice-chan."
"Don't worry. I'm just happy you care, Lily-chan."
It's disappointing I can't help Rice-chan more. Ruru-chan came back—but she looked… uneasy?
"So, about that call—remember how I said Ash Stone's trainer would help with our parallel training? Turns out, one of their acquaintances will also join us."
"…That's good, right? Why the weird face?"
"It's just… suspicious, isn't it? Still, I'll take all the help I can get."
"If they're shady, Rice will crush them flat."
"I'll twist them apart!"
"Don't say such scary things with cute faces…"
"Fufu♪ Just kidding, Onee-sama."
If they turn out to be weird, they'll taste my Lily Punch! After eating, we chatted for a while and then headed to the bath. It was pretty spacious, and the warm water melted away my fatigue. I'll be ready for tomorrow!
---
"You two are out cold. …Still, you really do always sleep together, huh? I didn't think you'd even do it at camp…"
They're holding each other as they sleep… doesn't that make it hard to breathe?
They look so blissful, though. Usually their flirting is too sugary, but at this level, it's kind of sweet to watch.
…But wow, their flirting in the bath was something else. I expected them to wash each other's hair—that was fine. Even washing each other's backs was, well, fan service. But then they started facing each other, pressed close, and washing each other's bodies by hand… yeah, that was too much.
When I asked if they always do that, Lily said, "At first we didn't, but Rice-chan said she wanted to try it this way!" and I couldn't help but stare at Rice. That girl's been getting really bold lately… keep that for when you're alone, okay?
"Phew… time to sleep. Good night."
---
Good morning! It's Lily-chan, bright and energetic! Today's main focus is the parallel training.
"Okay, time for introductions. This is Ash Stone and her trainer, Mr. Nakamura. And these two are Kyoei Borgan and her trainer, Mr. Honda."
"I'm Nakamura, Ash Stone's trainer. Pleased to meet you. C'mon, Ash, say hi."
"…Yo."
"'Yo' isn't enough! Sorry, she's a bit rough around the edges."
Ash Stone looks softer than before. Her trainer seems like he gets dragged around a lot.
"Hi hi, I'm—uh, Honda, Kyoei Borgan's trainer. Nice to meet you."
"…I'm Kyoei Borgan. Nice to meet you."
These two seem a bit… offbeat. I wonder how they know Ash Stone?
"I'm Shirono Lily! I love Rice-chan! Pleased to meet you!"
"I'm Rice Shower. I love Lily-chan. Likewise, nice to meet you."
"I'm their trainer, Aoji Ruru. Great to meet you. Now, for today's parallel training: Lily will pair with Ash Stone, and Rice will go with Kyoei Borgan."
Ash Stone and Kyoei Borgan both twitched a little—are they okay?
"…My specialty's short and mile races, and Bo's are mile and mid-distance. Shirono Lily—'Shiro' for short, okay? Even if it's just parallel training, I won't go easy."
"That's fine! Then I'll call you Ash-chan! You're strong, so I'm not planning to go easy either!"
"Wait—don't call me that."
"No."
"Don't answer so fast!?"
"…So you're Rice Shower. I heard from Ash-chan you needed a partner. I thought training with someone strong like you would be good experience, so I came along. My distance range isn't long, but I can do mid-range. Let's do our best."
"I wanted a mid-distance partner too, so that's great. Let's make this a good experience for both of us."
"Hey! Bo, don't you call me Ash-chan too!"
"""Now now, Ash-chan, calm down~"""
"What is wrong with you people!?"
Ash-chan has good energy! Anyway, I'm glad we get to do this training together. Since we're not racing during camp, this is a great way to stay sharp.
"We'll do parallel training in the morning and afternoon. Don't overdo it. The rest will be regular training. And don't worry, we've already coordinated the details."
"I'd heard you were a new trainer, Aoji, but you're really good. I was going to offer advice as a senior, but there's nothing to say."
"I'm new too, but there's a lot I can learn from you. This'll be great experience for us as well."
"Aw, you're embarrassing me."
Ruru-chan looks flustered! Anyway, I'll train with Ash-chan in the morning, Rice-chan with Bo in the afternoon. It's going to be a productive day! Let's gooo!
---
I'm strong. Since I was a kid, no one could beat me. Cocky classmates, arrogant seniors, local punks—none of them stood a chance.
I'm strong. Even after entering Tracen Academy, that didn't change. Mock races, selection trials—I blew everyone away. I thought the "Central" girls weren't that impressive.
──But then I lost.
To a small, white horse girl I hadn't even considered a rival.
It was the first time I'd ever lost to anyone. I was pissed, frustrated—but mostly, I hated how much it stung. My roommate, Kyoei Borgan, laughed and said, "So you finally lost? Serves you right." It made me even angrier, but that's when I first noticed her.
After that, we started talking a bit—enough that I began calling her "Bo." Funny how I'd never really spoken to her despite being roommates. She said, "You didn't even notice that? Arrogant beast. That's why you get tripped up." Always with the attitude. Still, she wasn't wrong. I'm arrogant—and I'm not planning to change.
After clearing my debut race easily, I heard a rumor that the white brat and her friend didn't have training partners for summer camp. So I asked my trainer to let me be one. I didn't want to hear her say she couldn't win because of that.
When I told Bo, she suddenly said, "Then I'll go too." She looked oddly fidgety, though. …Wait, could it be? Is she into the white brat?
When I teased her about it, she flustered and denied it immediately. Hilarious. I'd heard rumors that the white brat was "with" Rice Shower—guess Bo didn't know. …Not that it's any of my business.
During this summer camp, I'm going to surpass that brat's strength. Next race, I'm taking the win. You better be ready.
---
After that, we trained every day—parallel runs, tire pulling, quick quizzes, beach volleyball… Of course, we took breaks too, since constant training would wear us out.
We had barbecues, swam in the sea… so much fun! Oh, and I even became friends with Kyoei Borgan-san—now I call her "Kyo-chan!" We all exchanged LANE contacts too! I'm so happy to have more friends!
And now it's the final day. Ruru-chan mentioned there's a summer festival nearby. Maybe I'll invite Rice-chan after training!
---
"Hey, Lily-chan—go on a date with me?"
"…A… a date?"
---
The day before Lily-chan and I said goodbye—at that summer festival—
I still remember the "charm" my mother taught me:
'If you do this, you'll grow even closer to the person you love.'
I know now that it had a deeper meaning—but she kept that from me then.
When the day came that we had to part, I cried so much. Lily-chan was so beautiful, so kind… I thought she'd make new friends right away, and forget all about me.
But I was wrong—I realized it when I saw Lily-chan crying too.
Ah… she felt the same. We both did.
Back then, I was just a little girl who couldn't do anything. But I wanted to leave behind something, even a small sign of our bond. So I asked my mom what to do—and she taught me that "charm."
The day of the festival, my heart felt heavy. Tomorrow, we'd be apart. But Lily-chan was different. She'd been thinking hard—about how we could stay together.
"If we both go to Tracen Academy, we can be together on the turf."
A big dream from a small child. It sounded impossible—but somehow, I believed her.
Just those few words—and all my sadness disappeared.
Lily-chan really is amazing.
That's when I decided: I'd do the charm, not in sorrow, but as a true promise—to meet Lily-chan again.
My chest burned, my heart pounded. I didn't understand it then, but now I know exactly what that feeling was.
Since then, I kept running forward—for Lily-chan, to stand beside her, to smile with her again.
When we met again at Tracen Academy, I was so happy I couldn't even describe it. Every day since then has been pure happiness—but lately, I've wanted to get even closer to her.
---
They were watching fireworks together, a little away from the festival crowd—a hidden spot where the view was perfect.
"Hey, Lily-chan… do you remember the day we made our 'promise'?"
"…Yeah. I remember. It was during a summer festival, just like this one."
"…Back then, you disappeared after that, but now it's different. Tomorrow, and the day after, and forever after—you'll still be here. I'm so happy, Lily-chan."
"I feel the same, Rice-chan. The fireworks back then were beautiful, but they looked fleeting… The ones tonight shine so brightly, full of hope."
"…Yeah, they do. But you know, Lily-chan… my feelings now are a little different too. Hey, Lily-chan…"
"…What is it, Rice-chan?"
Rice Shower placed her hands on Shirono Lily's cheeks and looked into her eyes. Lily's face turned red—whether from the summer heat or something else, it was hard to tell.
"Uh, um… Rice-chan?"
"I want to get even closer to you, Lily-chan."
"Closer? Like… how close?"
"Close enough to melt into each other."
"I—I don't really get it… also, your face is really close…"
"On purpose. …Hey, Lily-chan—what do you think will happen if I get a little closer?"
"…Our lips will touch."
At that distance, their breaths mingled; their hearts pounded so loudly it was impossible to tell whose was whose.
For a long, breathless moment, they just stared at each other—until Rice finally whispered:
"…That's what I mean by wanting to be closer. …What about you, Lily-chan?"
"…I don't really know."
"…Hey… do you not want to?"
"…I don't mind."
Sweat welled up slowly from their palms, and their hearts pounded as if they were about to break. Both of them were flushed bright red beyond any chance of hiding it, their eyes shimmering with emotion.
They stared into each other's eyes, a silence that felt as if it might last forever filling the air—until Shirono Lily's gaze wavered just slightly downward, and she gently closed her eyes.
With a gulp, Rice slowly, slowly leaned in, bringing her lips closer and closer, and then—
"…What on earth are you two doing...?"
—They had been caught by their trainer Onee-sama.
"O-o-o-o-Onee-sama!?!?!"
"R-R-R-Ruru-chan!?!?!"
"…Sorry for interrupting. …I'll just leave the yakitori here. You can eat it if you want."
"W-wait, Onee-sama! It's not what it looks like! I mean—it is, but it's not!!"
"Awaaaahhh!! Ababababababaaaahhhh!!"
"…Lily's broken. …Don't stay out too late, okay?"
"Wait! Wait!! Onee-samaaaa!!"
"Pya-pyauw! Piiiii!!"
The girls' shrill cries echoed louder than the bustle of the festival around them.
Later, they regrouped with the other trainers—but the deep red on their faces never faded.
Nakamura gave a wry smile, Honda grinned from ear to ear, Ash Stone looked exasperated, and Kyoei Borgan frowned suspiciously.