"Let's celebrate T.M. Opera O becoming Wada-kun's new assigned Uma Musume—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
That evening, at a rather nice local restaurant, everyone gathered to celebrate Meisho Doto's victory. Wada generously paid out of his own pocket to celebrate gaining two assigned Uma Musume with Ikezoe, Curren Chan, and even Hana Toujou coming to join the celebration.
"Gulp, gulp!" Hana Toujou, uncharacteristically, chugged a large glass of draft beer in one go, her unexpectedly wild drinking style showing the lingering displeasure in her heart—even though she still came to celebrate.
"Although I don't want to, a loss is a loss... T.M. Opera O is yours from now on. As a senior, I must show care for my junior!"
Hana Toujou seemed to notice the surprised looks from Wada and Ikezoe, thinking they were puzzled by her drinking. With cheeks flushed from alcohol, she said:
"What are you gawking at! Can't women drink? Okino and I go to the bar to drink every other day! You two newcomers probably don't know, but I drink way more than Okino!"
"Today, neither of you can escape! You both have to drink with me! Especially you, Wada! Only one of us is leaving this place today!"
"Come on! Drink!"
Hana Toujou was the one to pick up her glass first, and Ikezoe and Wada, after a slight moment of hesitation, followed suit. After all, they no longer needed to worry about their bodies that much anymore.
When they were Jockeys, their diet and physical management were much stricter than now. Although the public often jokingly referred to Jockeys as "carrying weights," there was a basis for it. A Jockey's weight is crucial for the Racehorse, even potentially affecting the Racehorse's performance and energy consumption. Wada and Ikezoe were both excellent Jockeys, and their weights strictly adhered to regulations, around 55-57 kg.
However, ever since they transmigrated and became Trainers, they turned from common troops into commanders, so weight management became an area where they could relax in. Therefore, it was fine to indulge for a few days, as long as they didn't get too out of shape.
"Hehe~ Onii-chan and them are having a blast, we can't lose either!"
Curren Chan smiled and raised her glass. Of course, as Uma Musume, they completely abstained from drinking, which could be harmful to their bodies. Even members of the Student Council were absolutely forbidden from drinking. This had nothing to do with age; the main concern was the potential impact of alcohol on an Uma Musume's body and racing career.
"Let us celebrate T.M. Opera O becoming Trainer Wada's new Uma Musume, everyone, cheers~"
"Y- yes." Meisho Doto's ears twitched nervously. It was hard to tell if she was shy or unhappy, but she didn't seem joyful at all.
"Hahahahahaha! Now, please look forward to the glorious career of the Overlord!" T.M. Opera O had quickly recovered from her loss, not hiding her narcissism at all, and said with high spirits:
"I, the Overlord, will not lose any race, and now I have obtained my strongest aid. I believe Ryuji will definitely lead me to a broader stage!"
"Speaking of which, T.M. Opera O and Trainer Wada became familiar so quickly." Curren Chan's gaze subtly drifted to Meisho Doto, who was looking down, and a sly smile appeared on her face as she asked:
"You've only known each other for two months, and had just joined the team today, yet you're already calling Trainer Wada by his name~?"
"Ugh… I don't really know, maybe it was involuntary?"
However, T.M. Opera O didn't know how to explain this. She only realized belatedly that after today's race, the moment Wada hugged her, she unconsciously called him by his name. It all felt very natural, just like their usual interactions—very relaxed.
So relaxed that T.M. Opera O only now realized she had been overly casual. But even if T.M. Opera O noticed this, she didn't particularly want to change it, and simply said as casually as ever:
"It doesn't matter! A retainer who assists me should be this intimate. This is trust from me, the Overlord! Hahahahahaha!"
"Clang."
However, at this moment, a sudden, slightly abrupt sound reached the ears of the other two Uma Musume. At this moment, T.M. Opera O and Curren Chan looked over in unison, only to realize it was the sound of Meisho Doto putting down her cup, which seemed a little louder than usual.
But it was only a little louder, so much so that the three Trainers on their side were completely unaware, still drinking heartily. But T.M. Opera O, who was familiar with Meisho Doto's timid personality, was surprised by Meisho Doto's clear action of expressing her displeasure.
Curren Chan, seeing this, was surprised at first, then the sly smile on her face became impossible to conceal. (T/N: Stop trolling Curren Chan)
Curren Chan was not like those oblivious Trainers who couldn't understand a sign. She could tell that, although it had only been two months, the timid Meisho Doto's ability to erupt with such strength and courage was absolutely inseparable from her daily interactions with her Trainer.
Curren Chan also preferred Meisho Doto. After all, she had spent a longer time with Meisho Doto, and she also strongly believed in the concept of "first." A newcomer, T.M. Opera O, had suddenly surpassed Meisho Doto's progress—although that was also pretty fun, Curren Chan didn't really want to see this scene. Especially since… she also had a rather formidable rival.
Therefore, she felt that she should enlighten Meisho Doto at this time, lest this insecure girl miss something due to her timidity, leading her to regret it for the rest of her life.
"Uh, um, I'm sorry…" Meisho Doto also belatedly realized that her emotional fluctuations were a bit too much, and timidly apologized to everyone.
Just now, she didn't know why, but as soon as she heard T.M. Opera O and her Trainer being so familiar, even more intimate with her Trainer than she was, a surge of extreme displeasure welled up deep inside her, so much so that it had even manifested in her actions.
But… her heart felt so uncomfortable. Trainer was hers from the beginning… I also fought to get T.M. Opera O to join… But why do I not feel happy now…
"Hehe, it's okay, because even if the atmosphere is awkward, Curren Chan will liven it up with her cuteness~"
And Curren Chan also said with a smile: "Ah, Curren Chan is going to water the flowers, so I'll excuse myself for now~"
With that, Curren Chan quietly left the scene, and on the Uma Musume side, only Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O, two Uma Musume who were already very familiar with each other, remained. T.M. Opera O then said with a smile:
"Meisho Doto, you were amazing; you actually managed to beat me, the Overlord. But next time, I will definitely win!"
"…"
However, T.M. Opera O's words unexpectedly received no response from Meisho Doto. T.M. Opera O looked over with a slight curiosity, only to find Meisho Doto with her head down, her ears drooping. T.M. Opera O, who vaguely heard Meisho Doto muttering to herself, also leaned in slightly with curiosity.
"I— I won't give him to you…"
"Meisho Doto? What did you say?" T.M. Opera O asked again, not having heard clearly. The next moment, Meisho Doto, with a flushed face and even a hint of tears in her eyes, but still in a voice no louder than a mosquito, said to T.M. Opera O with extreme shyness:
"Even if you're T.M. Opera O, my— my Trainer—I won't give him to you..."
When Meisho Doto finished saying this, her entire face was so red that she wished she could crawl under the table. However, T.M. Opera O's eyes, after a slight moment of unfocus, immediately understood the meaning of Meisho Doto's words.
"So that's… what this is about…"
Sigh… My chest feels a little heavy, and I don't feel happy anymore... At this moment, T.M. Opera O, who had just joined the team and should have been full of motivation, was struck by this sudden blow, leaving her at a loss for what to do…
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Funfact, when I started reading this fic, I did not expect it to have romance stuff like this.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.