5:30 PM
I head to the kitchen to make dinner.
My mom divorced my dad when I was little, so it's just the two of us.
That means I make dinner since I get home earlier.
"Right then..."
Today, I'll make mapo tofu and tofu hamburgers.
Dad will probably say, "Tofu again?" But it's his fault for owning a tofu shop.
Using leftover tofu saves on groceries, though.
So, not just today, but tofu is always in the house.
And just as I finish making dinner,
"I'm home!"
"Welcome home, Dad."
"What is it, Trueno? Tofu again?"
Just as I thought.
"What can I do? It'd be a waste to throw it away."
"I get that, but... Why did I ever start a tofu shop?"
"You're the one saying that... Anyway, let's eat before it gets cold."
"Yeah, you're right. Let's eat."
"Thank you for the meal."
We clasped our hands together and dug into dinner.
About halfway through it, I broached the subject.
"Hey, Dad..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"This Saturday, I'm going to this Thanksgiving event at Tracen Academy with Nana."
"Oh."
"And, um... I was wondering if I could get an advance on my allowance..."
"Hmm."
Hmm, his reaction was lukewarm. I thought I saw his eyebrows twitch slightly.
Guess I need to push a bit harder.
"Two months' worth... no, just one month's worth! And forget the 'how much do you need?' part! ...Huh?"
He was talking over me, but I definitely heard him.
He definitely said "how much do you need?"
"Would ten thousand yen be enough?"
Seriously? Dad, seriously?
He usually hesitates over half that amount.
What happened to Dad, who used to be such a tightwad?
Could it be that the tofu we used today was...
"What's with that look like you think the tofu we used today was bad?"
Why did you read my mind so precisely?
"Here, take it."
"Huh!? ...Ah, yeah, thanks...?"
I said that, brushing aside the questions flooding my mind, and took the bills.
Honestly, I was relieved that the money issue was settled.
We finished eating while talking, so I stood up to clear the table, and Dad spoke up.
"Ah, right."
"Huh?"
"It's fine if you go out to play, but I'll be knocking you out of bed in the morning."
......... Sigh.
"I know. I'll wash the dishes then."
"Alright."
It's something I do every day, but for some reason, hearing it always makes me feel a little gloomy.
But the reality is, I can't say I want to quit because it's one of our precious sources of income.
Oh well. I'll just finish cleaning up quickly and go to bed.
I'll finish early tomorrow and head home quickly too.
Phew, that's a relief. I'm so glad I managed to invite True-chan.
My comrade... I couldn't very well say all that to Digital-san and then not actually invite her on the day. That would be unforgivable.
So, I immediately call Digital-san to report....
Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring ring... Click
"Hello? Nana-san, right?! You called, which means... you succeeded in inviting her!?"
Digital-san is truly something else. That love isn't for show—she enrolled at Tracen Academy calling it paradise just to feel her favorite up close.
To me, she's like a mentor who taught me everything about the Uma Musume's charm.
"Yes! I asked her, and she said she'd come pretty easily!"
"That's just like you, Nana-san! Ah—I wonder what she's like! I'm so excited!"
"Look forward to it, Digital-san! ...But, um, well..."
"Huh? What's wrong? Why the deep sigh?"
Should I tell her this? Well, even if I hid it, True-chan's airheadedness would probably give it away anyway. Besides, I doubt Digital-san would raise her voice over something like this.
Alright. I'll talk about it as if consulting her.
"I have a favor to ask, or rather, something I need to tell you."
"Sure, sure. What is it?"
"That girl... apparently she's never seen a race before."
"Huh?"
"Not only that, she said she's bored with that sort of thing."
"Seriously...?"
"Sorry for making it obvious I'm struggling to react, but there's one more thing."
"I'm already feeling a bit overwhelmed here."
"Seems she didn't even know about the Training Center Academy."
CLANG! CRASH!
Even over the phone, I could tell she'd taken a tumble.
"A-are you okay, Digital-san?"
"Oh..."
"Oh?"
"I can push it! I can push it! I can push it way too much!!!"
Digital-san's switch flipped. Once this happens, Digital-san doesn't stop. I hadn't looked at True-chan from a "push" perspective because she's a friend.
I was moved, realizing this was a possible viewpoint, and felt I'd grown a little more.
"It's the complete opposite of any genre I know! But I can't help but find it appealing! Ahh~ Just imagining it makes my thin... no, my creative juices flow! Sorry about that. So, what is this request?"
"I want you to teach True-chan the appeal of racing, what racing truly is."
"I see, you want True-san to understand the appeal of racing... She's already got a strong character as is, but I understand! But... hmm, this is tricky."
"Is it really that hard?"
"Well... this is really down to the person themselves..."
Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Digital-san's pretty stumped too.
The problem of boredom isn't something you can just easily fix with "Here you go!"
"You found one!?"
"Yes! She never seen a race, right, Nana-san?"
"That's right."
"Then why not have her actually try one!"
"I see~? Wait, is that even possible?"
"Yes. Actually, this year's Thanksgiving Festival has a special event for Uma Musume fans where you can join a famous team for a trial membership. After about two hours of training, you get to do a mock race."
"Eh, so that means..."
"Nana-san noticed too? Yes! This event will gather all the Uma Musume we haven't seen yet—our future favorites!"
Hearing those words, I pictured the scene.
That scene was truly...
"Paradise!!"
"Exactly! The dazzling future light we're barely worthy of looking at! Ahhh... I can't... wait...!"
"I wish the day would come sooner!"
"Absolutely. ...Wait, I forgot the main point. For this event, let's get True-san to participate! But regarding her participation, we'll leave it up to Nana-san. Is that okay?"
"Leave it to me! I know exactly how to win Trueno over!"
"Understood! Then let's—Huh?!"
"What is it, Digital-san?"
"This race will be the catalyst for her transfer to the Training Center, where she'll become a truly shining star in the racing world..."
Digital-san was muttering to herself like she was in a trance...
Could it be... her switched turn on again?!
"And deepen friendships with the other Uma Musume... AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
"Hey there, Digital-kun's friend!"
Huh? That voice... Could it be!?
"I just got back, but Digital-kun's passed out standing up. Do you know anything?"
Gyaaaaaaaaaa! It's Tachyon-san!
And that's where my consciousness faded.