On the way to the training grounds, we chatted about all sorts of harmless little things. To my surprise, Miss Hana seemed really interested in the cookies and sweets I'd made.
A bit rude of me to assume, but maybe it's just that she's a woman and has a sweet tooth? Turns out, not exactly — she said she often works late into the night and likes having bite-sized snacks that go well with coffee to keep her going. I mean… that's a pretty "workaholic" standard if you ask me.
Trainer Okino kept teasing Miss Hana, earning himself an elbow jab every time. Watching the two of them go back and forth like that made me, Rudolph-senpai, and Maruzensky laugh.
After what must have been the fifth or sixth elbow jab, something small fell out of Okino's chest pocket — a little box. I wondered what it was, but Miss Hana picked it up, sighed deeply, and handed it back to him with a look of disapproval.
"You still haven't quit? You do realize Uma Musume have a sharp sense of smell, right? You should really stop with those cigarettes — they're bad for you and everyone around you."
"Sorry. I've cut down quite a bit, but quitting entirely's still a long way off."
So, it was a pack of cigarettes. Okino tucked it back into his pocket, then noticed me staring and gave a wry smile.
"What's that look for? Don't get any ideas. This stuff's got a hundred harms and not a single benefit. Doesn't suit you anyway, Neicha."
He said it with a grin — and well, I did know what he meant. In my past life, I used to smoke too. Even if I knew all the reasons not to, sometimes the craving still hit.
And honestly… it reminded me of my childhood — or rather, Nice Nature's childhood, before I regained my memories. All the old men in the shopping district were smokers. Whenever I smelled cigarette smoke, I'd remember those days — so full of warmth and nostalgia.
When I couldn't reach something high and one of the old men would lift me up…
When I helped at the shops until I got too tired and one of them carried me home on his back…
That faint, smoky scent clinging to their shirts — I loved it. To a girl who never knew her real father, that smell felt like what a father's scent should be.
I ended up saying all that aloud without thinking. Of course, no matter how much I missed it, I'd never actually smoke — underage smoking is absolutely not allowed!
"…Sounds like they were good father figures."
Okino smiled kindly.
Wait — why is Miss Hana pushing up her glasses and rubbing the corner of her eyes?
And Maruzensky-san, please stop patting my head!
Rudolph-senpai — did you just mutter "I should call Father later"? I can hear you, you know!?
"Well, I can't exactly give you a cigarette… but I do have something that might suit you better."
Saying that, Okino pulled out another small box from his vest pocket. It was about the same size as a pack of cigarettes, just a bit longer.
"It looks like a cigarette, but it's something entirely different. It's mainly used for calming down Uma Musume after races — made from natural ingredients with a relaxing effect. It's not like modern Western medicine, more of an Eastern herbal approach. No side effects, either.
Think of it like an aromatic oil you can inhale. The name's pretty straightforward — Aroma Cigar."
He added that it wasn't used much anymore, since there were now tablet and gum versions that worked just as well.
I thanked him and examined the box. In bold letters it read:
"Uma Musume Calming Agent – Smoking Type."
Probably to prevent mix-ups with actual cigarettes. When I cracked it open and sniffed, there was that familiar herbal medicine scent — and a sweet hint of vanilla.
"Since we're at it, consider this an early welcome gift for joining Team Spica."
He handed me a silver Zippo lighter — worn with age, but shining beautifully. The little scratches made it look even more charming. I instantly loved it.
"I got that as a gift when I passed my trainer certification. Now it's yours.
Let that lighter witness your dream, Neicha."
"…Are you sure it's okay?"
"'Course it is. I'll bring you oil and spare flints from home tomorrow.
Ah — Miss Hana, there's a smoking area behind that building. Mind if I let her try it out there?"
"…Fine. But only for a little while."
With Hana's reluctant permission, Okino led me to the smoking area — a small prefab hut tucked behind the school building, hidden away so it wouldn't bother the Uma Musume.
Still holding the Aroma Cigar, I opened the box and took one out. Only a few were missing — it seemed he hadn't used it much himself. I placed it between my lips.
I flipped open the Zippo, just like I used to in my past life, and struck the flame. Slowly, I drew in a gentle puff, filling my lungs with the sweet, slightly medicinal smoke.
It didn't taste like the cigarettes I once knew — softer, warmer somehow. Maybe it was the herbal mix, or maybe it was because it was made for Uma Musume, but it felt… peaceful.
Next to me, Okino pulled out his own cigarette and looked awkward — oh. Right. He gave me his lighter, didn't he?
Heh. Guess I'll help.
Without saying a word, I took the Aroma Cigar from my mouth and held it out toward him.
He brought his cigarette close and lit it from my flame.
Technically, that was like an indirect "cigarette kiss," but I wasn't so childish as to make a fuss over it.
Neither of us said a word — we just stood side by side, quietly enjoying the smoke.
It reminded me of my old coworkers — the ones who'd go silent beside me in the smoking area whenever things got rough at work. Just two people breathing in silence.
I felt that same quiet bond now. I wondered how my old coworkers were doing.
"…Just a reminder — only smoke in designated areas, alright? I'll get you a portable ashtray if you need one."
"Got it. And no littering for you either, Okino-san."
"Why you little—!"
We glared at each other for a second — then both burst out laughing.
In sync, we tilted our heads back and exhaled twin streams of white smoke toward the ceiling.
Maybe, I thought, I'll get along with this guy just fine.
And come to think of it… maybe that horseshoe-shaped lollipop they show in the anime was actually his way of coping with quitting smoking?
If so, I might've just broken his quit-smoking flag.
Let's hope the future members of Team Spica don't end up hating me for it.
Meanwhile…
"Oh my~? They look awfully cozy together, don't they?"
"Please. Okino's not stupid enough to hit on his trainee."
From a distance, Maruzensky and Miss Hana were secretly watching the two of us at the smoking area.
After Neicha and Okino had gone off, a worried Rudolph wouldn't calm down, so they decided to discreetly follow and keep an eye on us.
"…They look too in sync. It's frustrating."
Rudolph muttered, pouting. Maruzensky and Hana both chuckled — because honestly, they agreed.
They'd only just met today, yet the two of us had the kind of chemistry you'd expect from long-time partners.
Of course, the reality was simply that Neicha's mental age was older than Okino's, and being male in her past life made her comfortable around men — but to the onlookers, it looked more like the easy camaraderie of Holmes and Watson.
"…Still frustrating."
Rudolph grumbled again, looking genuinely unsettled — as if terrified his precious junior was being stolen away.
"You should trust Neicha a little more, Rudolph. Honestly, I've noticed — you turn into a bit of a mess whenever she's involved."
Hana sighed, giving him a look of mild exasperation.
"Anyway, they'll be back soon. Shall we head back, Miss Hana?"
"Yes, before they notice us spying. Come on, Rudolph."
Grabbing the sulking Rudolph by the collar before he could storm in, Hana and Maruzensky dragged him away.
He stayed grumpy — at least until Neicha and Okino returned.