Chapter 11: Let’s Go to the Summer Festival!

"Summer festival?"

"Yeah, apparently there’s one being held near the training camp. How about it? Might be nice for a little break."

"Eh… I don’t know…"

It was about halfway through summer camp when the trainer suddenly brought it up.

A summer festival, huh? Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure there was one in the app too. Still… who would I even go with? Ayabe-san might come if I begged enough, but she’d probably complain the whole time.

"You’ve been pushing yourself pretty hard lately. You should take a breather once in a while, you know?"

"Yeah, but the problem’s who I’d go with… Oh, I know—how about you, Trainer?"

"Huh? Wait, hold on, what are you—"

That’s it! The perfect solution. I’m still not used to going out with other girls anyway. The Bridge Comp guys used to drag me around a lot, but…

"Ah, Lux? Wouldn’t it be better to go with your classmates or something?"

"It’s fine, isn’t it? Besides, you’ve been putting up with all my brutal training sessions—you deserve a break too, Trainer."

"…When you put it like that, it’s hard to argue. Fine, I’ll come with you."

Yes!

I quickly pull my wallet from my bag and shove it into my tracksuit pocket. Before he can change his mind, I grab the trainer’s arm and drag him out of the dorm.

"Wait, Lux!? You’re moving way too fast!"

"Let’s go, Trainer!"

Honestly, I was curious about the summer festival. I’d thought about going alone, but… yeah, no. Going solo to a festival would be way too depressing.

It’s always couples or friend groups everywhere you look. Festivals are cruel to loners!

"Wait, wait! Let me grab my wallet! And shouldn’t we change first?"

"Change? I only brought tracksuits and training gear…"

"Lux, you really are the definition of ‘hardcore.’"

Once the trainer finishes getting ready, the two of us head out together.

The place is packed—absolutely swarming with people. I can barely see anything around me, thanks to how short I am now. I’m kind of worried I’ll lose sight of the trainer.

Even just to see the food stall signs, I have to jump up and down like a little kid. Ugh, something smells amazing, but I can’t tell which stall it’s coming from!

While I’m struggling, the trainer calls out, sounding a little worried.

"Lux, over here."

He waves me over to a less crowded area.

Yeah… I really underestimated how bad crowds would be at this height. I hadn’t paid much attention before, but wow, I really am small now.

"You okay? Try not to get separated, alright? If I lose sight of you, I don’t think I’d find you again easily."

"Got it. Hmm… there’s gotta be some clever way to make sure we don’t get separated."

"Ah—well…"

The trainer suddenly gets weirdly hesitant.

That usually means he’s trying to avoid saying something. His eyes are darting all over the place.

When I glance around, I notice a few people walking hand in hand.

Ah. That could work. Good thinking, Lux.

"Trainer, let’s hold hands."

"Lux? That’s—"

"It’s practical, right? We don’t want to lose each other. Come on, give me your hand."

"Uh, well, you see—"

"What? Is there some reason we can’t? Don’t tell me your hand’s injured or something. Because if it is, we’re going straight back to rest right now!"

What’s with him? Geez. I grab his hand before he can protest any further.

"Wow, your hand’s big."

"That’s because you’re small, Lux."

"Hey! Don’t say it like that. It’s literally the thing I’m struggling with right now!"

Resigned, the trainer gives my hand a gentle squeeze back.

Heh. Victory.

We stroll through the rows of stalls, checking out the games and food together. Since the Tracen training camp is nearby, there are lots of booths catering to Umamusume, which makes it feel kind of special.

Candy apples, yakisoba, target shooting—ah, festivals really are the best.

"I’m glad to see you enjoying yourself, Lux."

"Well, it’s been a while. I can’t even remember the last time I went to a festival."

"Then enjoy it as much as you can. You’ve been working non-stop lately—you need to relax."

"Yeah, but if I slack off too much—"

"If you stay wound up all the time, you’ll burn out eventually. So, as your trainer, I really want you to take it easy for once."

"…Fine, fine."

Ugh. He smooth-talked me again.

Seriously, the trainer’s way too good at handling me. Am I really that easy to read?

Feeling vaguely frustrated, I glance at one of the nearby stalls.

"Hey, are those… earpieces?"

"Wait, Lux, didn’t you wear one yesterday?"

"Oh, you mean the one King-senpai gave me? Yeah, I only have that one. I can’t wear it while it’s drying after I wash it."

"Hold on—so the reason you don’t wear an earpiece sometimes isn’t because it doesn’t fit your body, but just because you don’t own enough?"

Yeah, that was a whole ordeal.

When I told King during bath time that I didn’t have any earpieces or earrings, she was shocked. Eyes wide, saying stuff like, “Are you abandoning your identity as an Umamusume? Are you really a girl?” That one caught me off guard too.

Then, being the endlessly caring person she is, King gave me one of her spare pairs. I tried to refuse, but she nearly burst into tears—“What, you can’t accept a King’s gift!?”—so I didn’t really have a choice.

"Yeah, well… I didn’t even know how to buy them, honestly."

"Unbelievable… I knew you were a bit careless, but not this bad."

"Hey, not my fault! Nobody ever taught me this stuff!"

"Normally that wouldn’t be an excuse, but with you, I almost believe it—and that’s the scary part."

The earpieces are actually really comfortable. They’re breathable, and they help dull my overly sensitive Umamusume hearing, which is great.

For someone who used to be human, this body sometimes feels way too overpowered.

Of course, if I want to race seriously, I’ll have to learn to control all that extra capability someday.

The ones displayed at the stall are surprisingly stylish. I’d expected cheap knockoffs or shoddy work, but these are clearly well-made.

"Heh, nice, huh, missy? We’ve got good stuff here. With the camp nearby, some of the pros come to sell their handiwork for a bit of pocket money."

"Professionals?"

"Yeah. The ones who make racing outfits and gear. Some of them sell their work here to earn a little extra—and get their name out there while they’re at it."

Oh, so these are seriously high-quality items, huh? Even the price tags I glimpse are no joke.

My eyes stop on a menko displayed at the corner of the stall—a cute one embroidered with a shooting star.

"…………"

"Lux? Something wrong?"

"N-no, it’s nothing…"

I really, really want it.

It’s not like I’m into cute stuff or anything, but for some reason, I can’t take my eyes off it. What should I do? Maybe I’ll just check the price…

I lift the tag slightly—and nearly choke. T-that’s expensive!

All the money I have right now literally appeared out of thin air. That’s not a metaphor. Once a month, on a set day, money just shows up in my wallet. It’s gotta be the work of those Three Goddesses, no question about it.

It’s not a bad amount—but not exactly huge either. And this menko? It’s right at the edge of what I could afford… actually, now that I’m looking closer, I don’t even think I have enough.

"Uuugh…"

"Lux? You sure you’re okay?"

"I’m fine, I’m fine… uuuugh…"

I want it. I want it so bad.

Honestly, it feels like some primal instinct is screaming for it. Guess that’s the power of a menko made by a real racing gear craftsman.

"Could it be… you want that one?"

"…Y-yeah…"

I nod with a tiny gulp. I can’t help it—it’s just too cute. But with how short I am on cash, I’ll have to give up this time. Maybe they’d let me reserve it? No, it’s a festival stall—no chance.

As I’m sulking and debating miserably, the trainer pulls out his wallet.

"Excuse me, can I get that one on the end there?"

"Ah, you’ve got a good eye, mister! Comes with a spare too—great deal!"

"I’ll take it, please."

"Wait—Trainer!? You can’t just—!"

It’s definitely not a cheap purchase. I try to stop him, but as always, he effortlessly talks circles around me.

"Wearing a menko can really help girls who get nervous around other Umamusume. And it’s not like you can’t wear them, right, Lux?"

"Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you should buy it for me!"

"Besides, I never did get to celebrate your first victory, did I? So consider this a belated present."

"That’s cheating, you know!"

"Adults cheat, Lux."

And just like that, he’s already paid.

Aaaagh! I lost again! Why do I always lose against him!?

"Here you go, Lux. We’ll take your measurements later and order a racing version too, okay?"

"…Hey, Trainer."

A thought suddenly hits me—a perfect little payback.

The Trainer’s the kind of guy who’s way too proper about boundaries. Like earlier, when he hesitated to hold hands—he probably thinks it’s wrong to do “those kinds of things” with his trainee.

So… let’s push that line just a bit.

"Put it on me."

"Huh?"

"The menko. Put it on my ear. Right now."

"Lux? Uh, Lux-san?"

"Hurry up."

Well, Trainer? You gonna back down? You’ve got no choice but to politely refuse, right? Which means… I win!

Just as I’m feeling triumphant, something soft brushes against my left ear.

"Hyai!?"

"Lux, hold still. Left side’s fine, right? You wore it on the left yesterday too."

"H-hyeah…"

"One side’s enough?"

"Y-yeah, the right one feels weird when I wear it, so just the left, please…"

Wait. Hold on. What is happening right now!?

You’re supposed to say, “Sorry, Lux, I can’t do that,” and back off! Not gently put it on for me!

"There. How’s that, Lux? Comfortable?"

"N-no, it’s fine. Um… thank you very much."

"Heh, don’t mention it. It really suits you."

"Ah… uh…"

My brain feels like it’s boiling over—I can’t think straight. Why do I get so flustered just from being counterattacked like that?

Damn it, I really don’t get what’s happening to me.

"Lux, you might wanna hold your tail down. You’ll hit someone with it."

"My… tail?"

"Yeah. It’s wagging back and forth."

Ever since I got this body, I’ve had these big horse ears and a tail growing just above my butt. The problem is, controlling them is ridiculously hard. They move on their own, and half the time I don’t even notice it.

Apparently, right now is one of those times.

"Hngh—wait! Why won’t it listen to me!? It’s my own tail!"

"A-ahaha…"

For some reason, my tail just won’t stop moving. After several minutes of wrestling with it, I finally manage to pin it down.

Seriously, what the heck! This horse-girl body is way too unfair! Everything about it puts me at a disadvantage!

"Man, I’m exhausted…"

"Then how about we sit somewhere and watch the fireworks?"

"Yeah, but let’s grab something to eat first. I kinda want a taiyaki or some cotton candy."

We browse around the stalls, pick up a few snacks, and head down a side path.

If you look for a spot that’s quiet but still gives a good view of the fireworks, there are surprisingly plenty of options. That open area over there looks perfect—no crowds and a clear view. We sit down and spread out our food. Hmm, what should I eat first?

"Mmm, delicious. There’s just something about cheap festival food—it tastes amazing once in a while."

"That’s because it’s only once in a while. Little breaks like this are important."

"Yeah, I guess so. Though I feel like this ‘break’ kind of tired me out instead."

"Haha…"

In the distance, fireworks bloom and fade—each one a fleeting sparkle that vanishes as quickly as it came. Beautiful, and a little melancholic.

Leaning against my Trainer, I finally speak what’s been sitting heavy on my chest.

"Hey, Trainer."

"What is it, Lux?"

"Do you think I can really beat Mihono Bourbon?"

It’s something I’ve been thinking about over and over. No matter how much I train, I can’t shake the image of Bourbon pulling ahead in the final stretch. I can still see it—her accelerating again, right before the finish line.

I want to win. But I can’t convince myself that I can.

"Lux…"

"Heh, maybe I’m just being too pessimistic. But Bourbon’s definitely going to be in even better shape this time. When that happens… will I really be able to keep up?"

"You’ll be fine."

He pulls me gently into his arms. For some reason, I don’t feel embarrassed this time. Normally I’d be thinking things like, “Quit patting my head so casually,” or “Is hugging even okay between a Trainer and their charge?”

But not this time.

"You’re my horse girl. What kind of Trainer doesn’t believe in his own partner?"

"But still…"

"Besides, I scouted you because I knew you had what it takes to reach the top."

"Wow, big words there… What’s this, Trainer? You’ve been hiding such ambitions all along?"

"Are you laughing at me?"

"Not a chance. You’re the Trainer who chose me—how could I laugh at that?"

I hug him back tightly. It’s just a hug of trust and gratitude. So it’s fine.

"Thank you, Trainer. I’ll beat Bourbon."

"I’ll be looking forward to it."

That hot summer night, under the fading glow of the fireworks, we renewed our promise.

From the very next day, the two of us threw ourselves into even harder training—our sights set on defeating Mihono Bourbon.