"Great! Our team's getting pretty big now!"
Scarlet and Vodka cheered from the sidelines.
Gold Ship zipped over to Okino, hands rubbing together like a scheming merchant.
"Trainer-san, now that Special Week's joined, shouldn't we celebrate? A barbecue, maybe?"
"Yeah, with the team growing this much, we could—"
Before Okino could finish, his wallet was already in Gold Ship's hands.
"Peach-chan, Suzuka-san!"
"Special Week, welcome to Team Spica!"
"Welcome."
Special Week beamed.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Special Week."
She turned to Silent Suzuka and bowed politely.
"I saw you on the field before. May I call you Suzuka-chan?"
"Of course. Thank you."
"Spec-chan, you're so excited," Peach Waves teased, watching her practically glow.
"Ah, sorry! It's just… Suzuka-chan is so amazing. I admire her a lot."
Suzuka smiled softly.
"Thank you."
"So… which barbecue place are we going to?" Okino asked, patting his now-light wallet. "I'm kind of broke."
Gold Ship paused. Vodka chimed in.
"Let's buy ingredients and grill ourselves. We've got a chef, don't we?"
She pointed at Peach Waves.
Everyone turned to look.
"I mean… I know a little about barbecue," Peach Waves said, scratching her cheek.
"Perfect! Let's go, Scarlet, Vodka—ingredient squad, move out!"
"Roger!"
A massive grill sizzled in the center of the room. Juicy slices of meat glistened with oil, their aroma wafting through the air.
"So good!"
Special Week devoured slice after slice, her eyes sparkling.
"Especially this dipping sauce! It's amazing! What's in it?"
Okino held up the bowl proudly.
"Secret recipe. Tastes good even if you dip your shoe in it."
"That's… a bit much," Peach Waves muttered.
Gold Ship, already halfway through a bite, paused.
"Really? I'll try—"
She started to take off her shoe.
"Hey! Don't! I was joking!"
"Haha, Gold Ship, you actually believed that? You're as gullible as Scarlet!"
"What did you say?! Say it again, Vodka!"
"Of course I knew it was a joke! Just wanted to scare Peach!"
Laughter filled the room as the team enjoyed their meal together.
Later that evening, Peach Waves, Suzuka, and Special Week parted ways.
As Suzuka and Special Week entered the dorm, they were greeted by Fuji Miracle.
"You must be Special Week. I'm Fuji Miracle, the dormitory director. You'll be rooming with Suzuka in 206."
"Really?! Yay!"
Special Week dashed upstairs. Fuji Miracle chuckled.
"Looks like you two get along well. Please take care of her, Suzuka."
Suzuka tilted her head.
"Take care?"
"She's from the countryside. Didn't grow up around other Uma Musume. I was worried she'd have trouble adjusting… but maybe I don't need to be.
Back in their room, Suzuka helped Special Week unpack.
"You arrived yesterday, right? Why didn't I see you?"
Special Week paused, peeling tape from a box.
"I stayed to watch your winner's stage… and forgot about curfew. The dorm was locked when I got back."
"So where did you stay?"
"Peach-chan let me stay with her."
Suzuka paused, then asked quietly:
"Did you and Peach-chan… do anything?"
"Huh?! No! She made me dinner and we went to bed. That's all!"
Suzuka nodded, expression unreadable.
"I see. Well, I look forward to living with you."
"Same here! Oh—I almost forgot! I need to write to my mom!"
The next morning, Peach Waves stretched and headed toward the cafeteria.
Suddenly, she heard soft sobbing.
She froze.
Wait… is this place haunted?
She tiptoed toward the sound, gripping a stick like a sword.
"H-Hello? Ghost-san? Please don't scare me—!"
She leapt out from behind the tree—
"Hyaaa!"
—and came face-to-face with Rice Shower, curled up and crying.
They both froze.
Rice Shower blinked, then let out a small giggle.
Peach Waves dropped the stick and rushed over.
"Rice-chan! What's wrong? Who upset you? Tell me—I'll go beat them up!"
Rice Shower shook her head in response.
"It's nothing… I just…"
Peach Waves noticed the newspaper in her hand. On the front page was a photo of Rice Shower crossing the finish line—first place in a G2 race.
"Wait—Rice! This is you?! You won?! That's amazing!"
She held up the paper, eyes wide.
Rice Shower looked up, stunned.
"Peach-chan… are you happy for me?"
"Of course I am! You're my friend. Why wouldn't I be happy?"
Peach Waves grinned, waving the paper.
Rice's eyes welled up again—but this time, with emotion.
Someone's happy for me…
"Thank you, Peach-chan…"
"No more tears! Come on, let's eat. My treat!"
Before Rice Shower could protest, Peach Waves grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the cafeteria.
"P-Peach-chan…!"
In the quietest corner of the cafeteria, the two sat side by side. The table was piled high with breakfast dishes.
Peach Waves pushed a steaming basket of xiaolongbao toward Rice Shower.
"Eat up, Miss Champion."
"D-don't call me that… it's embarrassing…"
"Haha, Rice-chan, you blush so easily."
Rice Shower hesitated, then whispered:
"Peach-chan… can you come closer?"
"Sure."
Peach Waves leaned in. Rice Shower scooted closer too, until their shoulders touched.
"Can I… lean on your shoulder for a bit?"
"Of course."
Rice Shower rested her head gently on Peach Waves' shoulder.
The scent of Peach-chan was warm and comforting—better than any food.
Peach Waves smiled softly.
She knew Rice Shower's story. The races she'd run. The victories that went unnoticed. The lonely wins.
This time, at least one person is cheering for her.