Chapter 59: Christmas Day.

The weather held up this year—not quite a white Christmas, but the streets were still packed with people.

As always, couples filled the city this time of year—lovers holding hands, leaning close, smiling at each other.

Haah, must be nice. Even counting my life before this one, I’ve never been lucky enough to spend Christmas with someone special.

"Hmm, guess I got here a bit early. But being a horse girl has its perks—don’t need much winter gear at all."

The body temperature of a Uma Musume is naturally high. So high, in fact, that most of us hardly need winter clothing. Sure, some wear it for fashion, but warmth? Hardly an issue.

That’s why even standing here under the cold sky, wearing just enough to cover my tail and ears, doesn’t bother me one bit.

…Not that it helps with the waiting, though.

"She’s taking her time, huh? My convenience store coffee’s about to run out."

Our meeting spot was on a stylish street lined with cafés. As I took small sips from my cup, I heard a familiar voice call out from the distance—the voice of my partner.

"Sorry, Lux! My last errand took a little longer than expected!"

"It’s fine. You showed up before my coffee ran out, so we’re good."

"Wasn’t it cold? The forecast said it might even snow today."

"Horse girls are pretty tough, you know. You, on the other hand, could’ve at least worn some gloves."

It wasn’t snowing, but the air was biting cold. Everyone around us was bundled up in scarves and gloves.

"See? Your hands are freezing. You’ll catch something at this rate. You always tell me to take care of myself, but you don’t do it yourself."

"H-Hey, Lux!?"

I took her hands in mine and wrapped them gently. The chill seeped into my palms—way too cold.

Can’t be helped, huh?

"Here. This should keep them warm."

I intertwined my fingers with hers. Sure, I could only warm one hand at a time, but she’d just have to forgive me for that.

"L-Lux…?"

"Come on, there are people everywhere. We always hold hands when we go out anyway, right? Two birds, one stone—warmth and habit!"

"A-ahh… yeah… that’s definitely something you’d say… yeah…"

"…What?"

We walked down the street together. Storefronts were decorated with Christmas trees and ornaments, shimmering with color even though it was still midday.

We had a reason for going out like this in broad daylight.

"Are you sure you just want to grab coffee for Christmas? We could go for dinner like before, you know?"

"Nah, I’m fine relaxing in the trainer’s room later. We can invite some of the others too. Going too fancy just feels awkward."

It had all started when she asked if I wanted to go somewhere for Christmas. Naturally, I had no plans. And since her errands were in town and she’d finish early, we decided to meet up like this.

We stopped in front of a café and stepped inside.

The place had a refined atmosphere—one of those cafés known not just for its coffee but also for its desserts. Supposedly, they even sourced their fruits directly from select farms.

Once seated, I opened the menu. The prices made me blink a little.

"Whoa… looks incredible… Oh hey, they’ve got seasonal specials! And this page—wow, all coffee? I’ve never seen so many varieties before!"

"I’m glad you like it, Lux. I’ve heard of this place but never had a reason to come. Feels odd going alone as a guy, you know?"

"Hmm, can’t decide between these two… but this one also looks good… grrrr…"

"Haha. You can order as much as you want. You’ve got quite the appetite, so don’t hold back."

"That’s it!"

Decision made, I called the waiter and ordered every dessert that caught my eye.

"I’ll have this, and this, and this original blend coffee… and this Kilimanjaro too!"

"That’s… quite a lot… but knowing you, you’ll manage."

The waiter’s face twitched slightly—maybe a hint of panic.

Hey, can you blame me? Everything looked amazing! …Hopefully I don’t get banned from the place or anything. I mean, ever since that cafeteria incident with Rice, they’ve tightened the rules a bit, right?

Ah well. Should be fine!

"Here are your six cups of coffee. From left to right: our original blend, Kilimanjaro, Blue Mountain…"

"Wow… when else am I gonna get to taste this many side by side?"

"Here’s milk and sugar. Please use as you like."

"Thanks."

I started sampling them one after another from the right. The differences weren’t just in acidity or bitterness—each had its own richness, depth, and subtle flavor notes.

I loved coffee, but rarely got the chance to do a proper tasting like this.

Still, that wasn’t the only reason we came.

"Here’s your seasonal parfait."

"Whoaaa…!"

What appeared before me was a parfait easily twice the size of the ones at the cafeteria.

Sure, the cafeteria versions were decent, but this—this was on another level entirely. Even the fruit looked and tasted top-tier.

I took a bite of the strawberry on top. The perfect balance of sweetness and tartness melted across my tongue.

"Mmm! So good! And when you chase it with coffee after the cream… yeah, that’s perfection."

The cream wasn’t the usual overly sweet kind—it was light and airy, melting almost instantly on my tongue.

Before I knew it, the entire thing had vanished into my stomach.

"Wow… you finished it in seconds…"

"T-that’s on the parfait for being too good! Here, Trainer, try this one! You’ll totally get what I mean!"

"Then, just one bite."

I scooped up a spoonful of cream and held it out toward the Trainer.

"Um…"

"What? You don’t want any? It’s seriously good, you know?"

"…Phew. Alright, just one bite, then."

"Yeah, you’ll see how amazing it is."

Chomp. The Trainer bit down on the spoon, and his expression softened the moment the flavor hit him. Knew it. That look says it all!

He quickly picked up the menu and called over a waiter to order a parfait of his own.

Man, he could’ve just said something earlier—we could’ve shared one.

"Guess that means you liked it?"

"I’m honestly surprised… I’ve only ever had parfaits at family restaurants before. This is on a whole different level."

While we chatted, my own desserts were vanishing fast.

Come to think of it, I’ve been eating way too many sweets lately. Eh, whatever. Sugar’s brain fuel anyway.

Still, both the coffee and the sweets here were incredible. This place is heaven. I’m definitely coming back.

"Here, this cake’s amazing too. You can tell from the chocolate alone."

"Ah, yeah… it really is good. Um, Lux? You don’t have to feed me with your fork, you know?"

"I don’t mind. Besides, this way’s easier. Come on, open up."

"…Okay…"

The Trainer gave me a resigned little look, then took another bite from my fork. A moment later, that same delighted smile spread across his face again.

Man, I hardly ever get to see that expression on him. It’s kinda nice. Makes me want to keep feeding him.

Here, one more bite.

"Uh, Lux? I’m actually starting to get full…"

Did I overdo it a bit?

Yeah, maybe. Every time he smiled after a bite, I couldn’t help but offer another, and another. Oh well, I’ll finish the rest myself—it was my order to begin with.

Mmm, even this fruit platter’s perfect. Dipping a piece into the cream brings out the fruit’s tartness and sweetness, mixing perfectly with the rich flavor of the cream. It’s like heaven in my mouth.

"Haah, that hit the spot. Finished all the coffee too… that’s everything, huh?"

Every plate and cup on the table was completely empty—not even a trace of cream left behind.

"Looks like you’re satisfied. I’m glad."

"Way better than any store-bought cake, that’s for sure."

"Alright, let’s get the check. Hmm, where’s the bill—"

And then I froze when I saw the numbers printed on it.

Okay, sure, I did eat a lot… but this much!? No—wait. If I think about the price per plate, times how many I ordered, then add the coffee… yeah, that checks out.

"…Well, I can cover it. Let’s see, I only ate this much, so—"

"Lux, I’ll take care of the whole thing."

"Huh? No way, that’s way too expensive! I’ve got money, you know!"

"It’s Christmas. Let me treat you—think of it as my present."

Ughhhh…! How am I supposed to say no to that!? Totally unfair.

If I’d known it was a Christmas present, I would’ve savored it more!

"Uuuu…"

"Come on, stop sulking and let’s go."

I let the Trainer handle the bill and stepped outside.

Damn it… the Trainer really plays dirty sometimes. He knows me too well—always coming up with suggestions I can’t possibly refuse. It’s not fair!

As I sulked a little, the Trainer came out after finishing up inside.

"Thanks for the treat…"

"You're welcome. Lux, what’s wrong?"

"I’m cursing you for being too good at what you do."

"Eh?"

Even if I meant it, once we started walking and chatting again, that feeling melted away pretty quickly. I gave the Trainer’s hand a firm squeeze and enjoyed our easy, pointless little conversation.

"By the way, Lux—what are you doing for New Year’s? You haven’t gone home since last year, right?"

"Ah, yeah… well, there’s a reason I can’t really go back to my family. So, I don’t plan to this year either."

At that, the Trainer’s expression tightened for a moment. But true to form, he recovered almost instantly—back to his usual calm face before I could even blink. His hand squeezed mine a little tighter.

"Then why don’t we go to the first shrine visit together again this year?"

That was definitely a tempting offer. Comp’s staying behind this year too, but she’s probably going to be swamped with URA Finals prep.

"Hey, then how about we just spend New Year’s Eve together? I could file an overnight stay form—it should be fine, right?"

"Ah—uh, hmm… I’m not sure about that…"

Weird. That hesitation. He does that sometimes. Still, knowing him, he’ll find some way to make it work. That’s what I like about my Trainer.

He’s mine. I’m not letting anyone else have him—and I’m definitely not letting him go.

The wind picked up.

"Whoa, the breeze got pretty chilly all of a sudden. Guess it’s ‘cause the sun’s setting."

"Yeah. Let’s hurry back to the Academy."

"Heh, Trainer? For moments like this… how about this?"

I pulled out a small wrapped package.

"Um… what’s this?"

"Merry Christmas! I wasn’t sure when to give it to you, but now’s as good a time as any."

I’d thought long and hard about this gift. Hopefully he’d like it.

He carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a scarf—bright red, just like the cape on my racing outfit.

Pretty stylish, right? Cost me a bit, too—so it’s no cheap trinket. Before he could even react, I grabbed the scarf from his hands and tried to drape it around his neck—
…but couldn’t reach. Our height difference was too much.

"Come on, Trainer, bend down a bit. I’ll wrap it for you."

"Like this?"

"Mm—yeah, a little closer. Yeah, just like you’re letting me hug you."

"………………Okay…"

There was a brief pause, but he leaned down, letting me wrap the scarf around his neck just like I’d practiced with Comp.

"Nice, looks good on you! You’ve got the kind of face that makes red look great."

"I’m glad you think so."

Yup, my eye for this stuff was right on the mark!

I took his hand again, and this time we started walking back toward the Academy—slowly, taking each step as if to savor it.

Probably, this time next year will be the last time we can walk like this together.

Ah… I really don’t want to go back.

"Hey, Trainer. If my family tries to take me back home, will you stop them?"

"Of course I will. You don’t want to go back, right?"

"I don’t know… maybe that’s why I’m asking."

Still, I’m sure—if it’s him, he’ll always make the right choice.

…Later, we ran into Comp near the Academy gates, and she really went to town teasing us for holding hands. And of course, that story made its way to the Christmas party in the Trainer’s office, where King and the others gave us those knowing, gentle smiles.

What’s with those looks, huh!? Seriously…

Anyway, despite all that teasing, I’ll just say this much—
The Christmas party turned out to be a really good one.