"Heh, looks like this place has gotten a bit dusty."
After Urara's celebration party ended, while everyone else was strolling through Kochi with Urara, showing off the local specialties and picking up some Kochi souvenirs for Special Week and the others, Seiun Sky was brought home by Barbatos instead.
Scratching her head as she looked around the house, Barbatos let out a wry laugh.
Having been away for over half a year, a fine layer of dust had settled over everything. She'd made sure to shut off all the power before leaving for school.
A treadmill stood prominently in the most visible spot in the room—the place where the dream first began.
"You used to train on a treadmill back then?"
Being brought to her girlfriend's home didn't make Seiun Sky particularly nervous.
After all, Barbatos's parents weren't here, and having shared a dorm room for so long, simply visiting each other's houses wasn't enough to fluster her.
What did surprise her was that treadmill.
Sure, there were treadmills on the market designed specifically for Uma Musume, but few ever bought them. It felt like using one would sap the very soul of running.
If treadmills were really all that effective, the specialized ones wouldn't be priced so reasonably on the market.
Barbatos stepped forward and placed her hand on the treadmill's control panel, brushing off a palmful of dust with a light touch. Memories of those early days came drifting back.
"Back when I was taking the entrance exams for Tracen Academy, I broke my leg—so badly that I couldn't recover in time for the make-up tests."
"Back then, I just kept thinking, if only I could heal faster."
As she spoke, she knew Seiun Sky would understand what she meant—that ability to heal injuries was something she'd discovered around that time, too.
"But after my injury fully healed in just two days, I didn't dare go running outside where everyone could see. All the neighbors around here knew me, so I ended up buying this treadmill."
She shrugged, a gesture of resignation.
Being able to heal her own injuries was, for an Uma Musume, an incredibly useful skill to ensure she could keep running—but it also came with serious risks.
"I see."
Seiun Sky thought it over for a moment and quickly grasped the key point. She didn't dwell on the matter further.
Instead, she gazed at the dusty room, hesitated briefly, then playfully suggested, "Then let's clean up together."
"Otherwise, it really won't be livable~"
It wasn't that they planned to stay here long—just overnight at most. Tomorrow they'd be returning to Tracen Academy, each preparing for their own upcoming races.
In fact, once they retired, given the prize money Seiun Sky and Barbatos had earned from racing, they could easily afford a nice place in the central district.
So, logically speaking, cleaning the house now wasn't really necessary.
Still, Seiun Sky made the suggestion anyway. After all, she and Barbatos had never done a big cleanup together before.
Even if she usually lacked motivation for chores, cleaning a room together sounded like a nice way for a couple to spend time.
"Alright, it really isn't livable like this."
Barbatos agreed. Back in the dorm, they did clean regularly, but since they lived there continuously, it never got this dusty.
Doing this alone would've been a real hassle.
Luckily, all the cleaning supplies were still here at home.
As Uma Musume, both of them worked quickly and efficiently. In just about an hour, the entire house had been tidied up.
Barbatos looked around the practically refreshed space, then at Seiun Sky lounging lazily on the bed to rest, and felt a warm sense of satisfaction.
Along with it came a flicker of anticipation—wondering what their domestic life would be like after they retired, just the two of them.
Cooking together, cleaning together, chatting about the new generation of Uma Musume rising up behind them.
And someday, if they had a child, they could tell them stories of their parents' legendary careers, all the glory from their youth.
Then their kid would go to Tracen Academy, meet the descendants of Special Week and the others, and begin a whole new era.
It was a lovely thought. The only question was whether her own… let's say "enhanced" Uma Musume heritage would have any effect on their future offspring.
"What're you thinking about?"
Seiun Sky asked from where she lay on the bed.
"Thinking about what we should name our kids, and how strong they'll become as Uma Musume."
Barbatos walked over and lay down beside Seiun Sky, saying it casually.
Side by side, they both stared up at the bedroom ceiling. She was sure that during their time together, Seiun Sky must have thought about the future, about family, too.
After all, in Japan, plenty of people start imagining their children's and even grandchildren's names as soon as they meet someone they like.
Given that they were already dating, was it really so strange to think about it?
"If we're naming them, how about Seiun Air Force?" Seiun Sky suggested without hesitation.
Maybe the reason their relationship had progressed so quickly was because of that whole "Air Force" joke. Naming their future kid after it wouldn't be so strange.
"Not bad."
As she spoke, Barbatos quietly reached for Seiun Sky's hand, intertwining their fingers. The warmth of their touch was comforting. "But why can't they take my surname?"
"?"
Seiun Sky slowly formed a question mark in her mind, then chuckled softly, realizing Barbatos was just teasing.
"What, should we name them Barbar then?"
Barbatos cleared her throat lightly and quickly vetoed the idea. Barbar was going too far—and besides, her surname wasn't even Barb.
Not every Uma Musume had a family name, after all. If Barbatos had a surname, it certainly wouldn't be Barb or Barbato, right?
"You know, originally, I thought that once my racing career was over, I'd try to go pro in League of Legends. If running was the passion I was born with, then playing League was the love I found later on."
"I could tell."
Before that crushing defeat in the Winter Dream Cup, Barbatos spent almost every free moment playing League of Legends — and she was always so happy while playing. Seiun Sky had noticed that clearly.
But the fact that Barbatos was bringing this up now meant her plans for the future had changed.
"And now?"
"Now…"
Lying on her back and gazing at the ceiling, Barbatos turned her head to look at Seiun Sky beside her.
"Now I think after retiring, I'll just stream League occasionally. I don't want to spend every day buried in training at some esports club."
"I'd rather live a quiet, simple life with the person I love."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.