Chapter 218: Hot Spring Trip (2)

Decisive battle.

That word echoes through my thoughts.

…How long has it been?

Since my legs trembled like this—since fear nearly froze me in place.

Ever since the Takarazuka Kinen of my Classic year, I was allowed to lose races.

No—that’s not quite right.

More accurately, under Ayumu-san—the greatest trainer in history—my priority shifted from “never lose” to “enjoy racing safely.”

From that moment on, the unnecessary tension and fear disappeared whenever I stepped onto the track.

Thanks to Ayumu-san’s almost godlike adjustments, I was able to run freely in every race afterward.

Which is exactly why…

This fear, this tension, this unpleasant pounding in my chest—it’s been so long since I’ve felt anything like this.

"Suu… fuu…"

A decisive battle.

Yes. What I’m about to face now is a decisive battle.

The culmination of everything I’ve built over the past three years.

A match I must win. A match I cannot afford to lose.

I press a hand against my pounding heart and take a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

But… no, it’s useless. My heart won’t slow down.

Of course it’s terrifying—having everything decided in a single, one-time battle.

But it’s not something I can avoid. I can’t keep putting it off forever.

I have to fill my legs with resolve and step onto the stage of this decisive battle.

"...Alright!"

I clench my fist and steel myself.

I’m the strongest reincarnated cheat Uma Musume ever—at the very least, I can muster the resolve to leap from Kiyomizu’s stage!

…From somewhere inside, I hear my other half mutter, “Does this really require that much resolve?” but you—average reincarnated Uma soul—stay quiet!

Maybe for you—originally male before reincarnation, only awakened a few months ago, with a somewhat ambiguous sense of gender—it’s not a big deal.

But for me, this is huge.

"Got it. Good luck."

The encouragement from my other half is both comforting… and embarrassing.

Anyway, one more deep breath.

I prepare myself with attire fitting for a decisive battle.

I slip out of the inn’s yukata and, for some reason, carefully fold it before placing it into the basket.

Then I wrap myself in the large towel I brought along.

Moments like this make me grateful for my small frame. One towel is enough to completely cover me.

Exposing everything at this stage is… a bit too embarrassing. I’ll pass for now.

…It’s been three months since my peak phase ended, and my height hasn’t increased at all despite measuring it every month. Honestly, that’s a little scary.

I’d like to believe I won’t stop growing at 145 cm.

I’m not exactly blessed with a great personality like other Uma Musume either. Being reincarnated, I’ve got about as much goodness as an average human.

At the very least, I need to make up for it with feminine charm… otherwise, I’m not sure I can change how Ayumu-san sees me.

Ah—no, no. My thoughts are wandering because of the nerves. Focus.

I close my eyes and simulate the current situation and what comes next.

It’s just past 5 PM, with the glow of evening light filtering in.

The hot spring at the inn must be dyed a beautiful amber color right now.

And Ayumu-san—who thinks this is the men’s bath—is already inside.

But here’s the truth.

This isn’t a public bath.

It’s a private family bath.

The hot spring trip ticket I won last spring? I casually gave it to Nature.

All I needed was a “legitimate excuse to invite Ayumu-san to a hot spring.”

After that, I used a portion of the absurd amount of money I’ve earned over the past few years—ten digits’ worth—to find an inn with a reservable private hot spring. With Masa-san’s help, I secured this place.

Right now, this hot spring is paid for by me. Reserved by me. Completely under my control.

In other words… how it’s used is entirely up to me.

Which means—even if I barge in now—it’s neither against the rules nor bad manners!

Washing together! Being washed! Even… getting a little cozy in the bath—there’s absolutely no problem!!

…Ah—no, no, no! Of course I won’t cross any lines or anything like that!?

Ayumu-san is someone utterly irreplaceable to me—someone I can confidently say matters more than myself.

I have no intention of turning him into a criminal, nor of tarnishing his pride.

Honestly, I don’t even have the courage for that.

I just… want to appeal to him, even if only a little.

To be blunt, like I was thinking earlier, I don’t think I have much feminine charm.

At best, an adult man might see me as “cute for a girl,” but not necessarily “attractive as a woman.”

Of course, Ayumu-san isn’t the type to think with his lower half—if anything, he seems like he’s completely cut off that part of himself—but…

He’s still a man.

It would be unnatural—even unhealthy—if “attraction to women” didn’t factor into his standards at all.

Now that my peak racing phase is over, my training load has decreased significantly. I should have more free time going forward.

So from here on, I’m going to polish my femininity—and aggressively increase my appeal to Ayumu-san.

Normally, I might not need to rush this much.

But I have far too many rivals.

Bourbon-chan is serious competition, and who knows what will happen if the Hoshino Wilm inside me goes fully female.

Worst case, even Anne might swoop in and steal him away.

I’m sure Ayumu-san would stay with me for life if I asked.

But being just partners isn’t enough.

I don’t want that.

I want to stand beside him as a woman.

And the first step toward that is—this… mixed bath!!

He’s a man, after all. If I approach him in a situation straight out of the otaku fantasies from my previous life, surely something in him will change… at least a little!!

"Really? Your partner seems pretty resistant to that kind of thing."

Shut up, me! Of course it will!

I mean, if a beautiful girl wrapped in nothing but a towel approaches him and he doesn’t get flustered, that’s… that’s a problem in its own way!

…Though honestly, I also feel like he’ll be tough to crack.

Maybe impossible.

No—there’s no time to hesitate now!

I swallow my fear, my tension, my doubts.

No action, no results. I just have to move forward!!

"...Here I go!"

And so, I finally step into the steam-filled space.

…

There’s no “kapoon” sound or anything.

But it somehow feels like there should be.

The hot spring is slightly smaller than what you’d find in a typical inn.

After all, this place specializes in private family baths—hot springs you can reserve entirely for yourself during your stay.

There are multiple baths arranged side by side, so each one isn’t particularly large.

And there, bathed in the beautiful amber light—

"You’re here, Wilm."

Ayumu-san was waiting, completely composed.

Though he had a towel wrapped around his waist, his upper body was… bare.

"Th-That’s way too indecent!!"

"Says the one who barged in unannounced while someone’s bathing."

As I cover my eyes and let out a small scream, he responds in a calm, slightly exasperated tone.

So natural!? No way—this wasn’t in my data!

"Come on, get over here. I’ll wash you up before you get in."

"Don’t you have any sense of embarrassment!?"

"When you grow up in a prestigious family, you’re trained to suppress personal desires and impure thoughts. At the very least, you don’t show them."

"That’s cheating!!!"

As I hug myself in flustered panic, Ayumu-san casually lifts me up and carries me.

Ah—ahhh…! So close! His body heat—directly!?

Beneath that slim frame, hidden until now, is firm, reliable, masculine muscle…!

"W-wait, Ayumu-san—I can walk myself!"

"Nope. If I let you go, you’ll run off, you little troublemaker."

"Ah! P-Please don’t whisper in my ear!"

I don’t need a mirror to know my face is bright red. At this rate, I might start breathing fire.

Unable to properly resist—though not that I really want to—I’m carried off like luggage and gently set down at the washing area.

And just like that, Ayumu-san starts washing my hair.

"Ahh… that feels nice—no, wait! Why aren’t you flustered at all!?"

"I understand you well enough. I figured you’d try something like this."

"Should I be happy you know me so well, or sad my plan failed…?"

His touch is incredibly gentle and soothing.

He must have brought his own tools—he carefully brushes through my hair, rinses it, then lathers diluted shampoo, washing it with light finger movements before rinsing again.

He applies a small amount of treatment, then pats my hair dry with a towel.

…He’s ridiculously skilled.

"You’re seriously good at this. Where did you learn it!?"

"Ah—please don’t move, the foam will splash."

"A hostess!?!?"

"I didn’t say that. It’s part of the Horino training curriculum for supporting Uma Musume."

"They teach that much to trainers!?"

"A trainer’s ideal role is to support Uma Musume in every aspect—as both athletes and idols. Beauty care is part of that."

"Wow… that’s insane…"

As I admire him honestly, he lets out a quiet, satisfied snort.

"My hair care is pretty well received. Back when I lived at home, even the advisor Uma Musume from Horino—and Ruby when she visited—would ask for it. Even Masa did, sometimes, before her rebellious phase."

"Wait—hold on, I just heard something I can’t ignore—"

"Alright, close your eyes and mouth. I’m rinsing."

"Hey! You’ve done this to other girls too—bububububu—"

There were things I wanted to ask, but his hands were so gentle… so warm…

At some point, I stopped caring, and even found myself humming happily.

…I’m pretty easy, after all. It can’t be helped.

"Alright, let’s lightly dry the remaining moisture… yeah, that’s it for now."

"Once we’re out, I’ll take care of it properly. I brought a lot of products—water, milk, oil, and the like."

"Okay. I’m counting on you."

"Mm. …You can wash your body yourself, right?"

"!!!!!!!!"

My body jolted.

My body. Washing my body… by Ayumu-san!?

In an instant, my mind filled with far too vivid possibilities.

His warm, rough hands—on my back, my arms, my neck, my chest, my hips…!?

N-no way, no way, no way! I’ll die!! Something in my maiden heart will explode!!

"I can wash myself! I’ll do it myself!"

It’s not like I was running away or anything!?

I just thought—calmly speaking—that kind of thing might be way too soon, and it might make Ayumu-san uncomfortable!?

That’s something you do after, like, five years of dating and really getting to know each other, right!?!?

"Mm, good girl. Then I’ll go ahead and get in first. Take your time."

Ayumu-san chuckled softly and headed toward the bath.

Was that… a joke? Was I being teased?

So frustrating… I feel like I lost somehow. I don’t even know what I lost to.

When you’ve been together long enough, you naturally settle into certain dynamics.

For Ayumu-san and me, it’s usually side by side… but sometimes, it becomes vertical.

In other words, when it’s just the two of us, I sometimes sit on his lap.

It makes it easier to hear him, easier to feel his warmth. I can look up at his face more easily—and there’s also the simple-contact effect.

In many ways, this position has nothing but advantages.

Moments like this really make me grateful for my small frame.

And well… after washing up and finishing my skincare—

I head over to where Ayumu-san is relaxing in the hot spring, feeling a little embarrassed now, trying to cover as much of my body as I can with my arms.

This bath is fairly spacious.

But right now…

It’s just the two of us.

Ayumu-san was sitting on a shallow step, as if waiting for me.

So, well… you know…

"Here we go…"

With my mind completely overheated from embarrassment and the steam, it felt almost natural—inevitable, even—that I sat down without thinking.

"!?"

"...Nyaa!?"

Two startled voices rang out.

Ayumu-san’s—shocked by my unexpectedly bold move, something I’d never do in my normal state.

And mine—reacting to what my hazy mind had just barely registered.

I jumped away in a panic, while Ayumu-san slipped into the water with a splash.

"I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I just—my head got all fuzzy! My sense of distance completely broke, I’m really sorry!!"

"No, I should be the one apologizing for making you uncomfortable. …Honestly, I was having a bit too much fun and let my guard down."

"I-it didn’t make me uncomfortable at all!? Actually, I was kind of relieved that I’m okay too—no, wait, that’s not what I meant—Uwaaaaaaah!!"

The moment I blurted something weird in the heat of it all, that was it—I’d reached my limit.

"I-I’ll excuse myself first!!"

"Wilm, aren’t you going to enjoy the bath?"

"I’ll get my revenge tomorrow!!"

I dashed toward the changing area, relying on my “anime reincarnation” instincts to avoid slipping.

…So this is what people mean by retreating in tears.

A few hours after that incredibly embarrassing incident—after experiencing a rare sense of defeat—

Things didn’t become unbearably awkward between us or anything like that.

We exchanged apologies about accidentally touching sensitive areas—"I’m really sorry about earlier." / "It’s fine, I don’t mind. Sorry about my side too."—and things quickly returned to normal.

…Well, not completely normal for me, internally.

Even someone like me gets that happy just from being touched, huh? I was practically floating.

The worries I had—like "What if I’m not enough?"—were basically gone. If anything, my mood had skyrocketed.

But on the surface, the distance between us didn’t change much.

Well, Ayumu-san is a proper adult, and if you count my pre-reincarnation age, I’ve long been an adult too.

We both probably understood that it’s better to resolve things quickly and move on, rather than letting things linger awkwardly.

In that moment, I was genuinely glad to be reincarnated.

…Though, in a way, that’s a little lonely too.

What awaited us after leaving the bath was an incredibly luxurious dinner, fitting for a high-class ryotei.

"Whoa, this shabu-shabu—the vegetables are amazing!"

"Right? The napa cabbage is excellent. It’s soaked up the broth nicely and has a natural sweetness. It’s just past peak season, but they managed to catch it at a good time."

"Mmm… wow, I actually think the vegetables taste better than the meat. Am I getting old or something? Just kidding."

"…Ugh."

"Huh? What’s wrong, Ayumu-san?"

"...Once you hit your late twenties, you start getting sensitive about age… You don’t recover from fatigue as easily, and fried foods like karaage start to feel heavy…"

"S-sorry… I’m sorry I can still eat endless karaage…"

"It’s fine. Wilm, you should eat whatever you want while you still can."

"You suddenly sound like a dad."

It’s rare to see Ayumu-san looking this dejected.

So he does feel that way sometimes—about getting older.

…Well, of course he does. No matter how stoic he is, he’s still human.

Alright, time to change the subject.

"Come to think of it, I’ve never asked—what kind of food do you like, Ayumu-san?"

"Hmm… I don’t really have strong likes or dislikes. Meals have mostly been about nutrition and social etiquette for me.

That said, I do recognize when something tastes good. I just don’t particularly crave anything."

"Huh, that’s kind of unique. Well, from now on, let’s try lots of different foods together, okay? I’m sure you’ll find new favorites!

Oh, right! There’s this café Teio took me to the other day—the sandwiches had super crisp lettuce and just the right kick of spice. They were amazing! Let’s go together next time!"

"Mm, got it. I’ll adjust the schedule."

Alright! Next date secured!

If you leave these things too long, they get awkward—or schedules stop lining up. At least, that’s what Nature, the great love expert, says.

If possible, it’s best to lock things in while the excitement is still fresh.

The glass I raise, filled with a sense of accomplishment, tastes like the sweet wine of victory.

Well… it’s just plain cold water, though.

After finishing our meal and returning to the room, the attendant had already prepared everything.

"W–whoa, whoa—futons! They’re set up right next to each other!?"

"Well, of course. That’s the kind of inn this is, isn’t it? The soundproofing and security are solid, and there’s even a private family bath.

Besides, isn’t it a bit late to be surprised? Back during the France trip, we slept in the same bed almost every day."

"Asking to sleep next to someone and actually sleeping right beside them are completely different things!"

"Are they?"

"This guy was raised in a prestigious family and still has zero sense of modesty!!!"

I clutch my head.

This man is so attractive, yet his defenses are unbelievably low.

At this rate, he must have unintentionally led countless women on before.

Like that girlfriend he supposedly had back in university—seriously, I feel bad for her…

Well, I’m different, though!

I’m Ayumu-san’s beloved horse girl!!

He said I’m his favorite!!!

"Well, if you don’t like it, we can move them apart. Here, I’ll—"

"I never said I didn’t like it! I’m actually really happy about it!?!?"

"Wilm’s pretty energetic today."

…And just like that, as we continued chatting—

The evening sun beyond the large window, lingering longer these days, finally sank, and night deepened.

Fun times really do pass in the blink of an eye.

If we just keep enjoying ourselves without thinking, these two days will be over before we know it.

Yeah.

It’s about time… I have that conversation.

After we’d had our fill of excitement and settled down—

When the large moon became visible beyond the window—

"Ayumu-san, can we talk for a bit?"

I tuck away my high spirits and speak in a more serious tone.

Ayumu-san may be a bit absent-minded at times, but when it comes to me, he’s perceptive.

He nods. "Let’s talk out on the veranda."

He prepares drinks for both of us.

And so, in that quiet space at the back of the room—the veranda—

Sitting in a woven chair, I face him.

After pouring juice into our glasses, he leans back and settles in.

My partner, Horino Ayumu, speaks with unusual seriousness.

"Go ahead, Wilm."

…That makes me happy.

We’re on the same wavelength. I don’t even have to say it—he understands.

Now that the URA Finals are over, my “first three years” have come to an end.

That’s why… this feels like the perfect timing to confess.

Of course—

Not about love.

About who I really am.

Let me be clear.

I want to run alongside the man named Horino Ayumu for the rest of my life.

He’s the one who found me, opened a path for me, warmed me… and saved me.

…Yeah, I know. If I’m being honest, maybe it didn’t have to be him. Maybe someone else could have done the same.

But in reality, it was him.

And because of that, I came to like him, to know him—and then to like him even more.

I love how he seems so serious, yet shows a playful side at the most unexpected moments.

I love how he appears bad at being considerate, but once you get close to him, he’s incredibly attentive.

I love how he prioritizes my desires over his own, yet still scolds me properly when it matters.

I love how he respects me both as a racing Uma Musume and as an individual.

I love how, despite his sharp, handsome features, he still likes things in a boyish, almost childish way.

I love how, even though he cares for all Uma Musume… he still calls me his favorite.

I love him, love him, love him—there are so many things I love, I could go on forever.

Of course, I don’t blindly accept everything.

There are things that bother me, things I wish he would change.

But even those flaws are part of who he is.

And I love Horino Ayumu—both his strengths and his imperfections.

Whether this feeling is called love, affection, admiration, or obsession… I don’t know.

But there’s one thing I can say for certain.

The one who saved me is Ayumu-san.

And the one I fell for… is Ayumu-san.

…That’s exactly why.

I don’t want to hide anything from him.

I take a deep breath in, then slowly let it out…

Meeting his gaze, I gather every bit of courage from the depths of my heart.

"...I have a secret I’ve never told anyone.

It’s something very important… and also something painful and cold."

For a moment, it felt like a chill ran down my spine.

Trauma is troublesome like that.

Even though I know logically that it’ll be fine… even though I understand that he would accept me—

The fear still rises instinctively, whispering, What if I’m rejected again?

But even so…

I want to share this secret with Ayumu-san.

"Yeah. I’m listening."

Hearing that simple, sincere response—

I want to tell him.

I want to tell the person I love.

"...You said before, didn’t you? That you believe in things like past lives and reincarnation."

"I did. And I still stand by that."

How much of that is genuine?

How deeply does he believe it? How far is he willing to accept something beyond logic?

Ayumu-san’s words reveal only part of his thoughts—they never show the whole picture.

So all I can do is trust.

Trust that what I’m about to say falls within what he can accept.

And… trust that the bond we’ve built over these three years will be enough for him to believe me.

"...If I told you that I’m a ‘reincarnated person’ who retains almost all of my memories from a past life… would you believe me?"

I said it.

I finally said it.

If he thinks it’s some kind of delusion, or childish nonsense—that’s fine.

All I wish for… is that the trust between us doesn’t break.

…Carrying memories from a past life—

It’s not normal. It’s unnatural.

People reject what’s different. They distance themselves from it.

I’m an abnormal existence—a middle school third-year with the memories of a university student.

Not a pure Uma Musume, but something mixed… something distorted.

Something that doesn’t match the image he once believed in.

When the person you’ve cared for as a child their age—someone you’ve even called your most beloved Uma Musume—turns out to be something so abnormal…

How much shock would Ayumu-san feel?

I’m not him, so I don’t know.

And because I don’t know… I’m afraid.

Afraid that, just like when I was a child, I might end up alone again.

…After saying it, I lowered my gaze.

I could feel the warmth draining from my face.

It had been a while since I felt this.

Like tracing a blade over an old scar—a faint, lingering tension.

My mouth felt dry. My thoughts wouldn’t settle.

I didn’t even have the courage to look him in the eye.

I just waited quietly for his response—

"Well, I already knew."

"...Huh?"

The words were so casual that I couldn’t help but look up.

When I raised my head, Ayumu-san was calmly tilting his glass, completely at ease.

"...Wait, what? What did you just say?"

"I said I know. That you’re a reincarnated person."

"Whaaaaat!? Huh!? W–why!? How!?"

"Well, when you relax, you tend to blurt out things like ‘past life’ or ‘reincarnation cheat’ every now and then."

He said it with mild exasperation, leaving me completely stunned.

It’s true… when I relax, my thoughts slip out more easily. There were times I nearly said things like that and had to cover them up.

But… he knew?

No, that’s impossible. There’s no way.

People don’t just accept things that defy common sense.

Even I doubted it when Ayumu-san once said something like, “Masa has spiritual abilities.”

Until there’s solid proof, things like that just sound like jokes—and even now, part of me still finds it hard to believe.

That’s how it is.

People struggle to accept what they don’t understand.

Just because I let a few strange words slip, there’s no way someone could be certain.

And yet—

"Why would you believe something like that…?"

"Because I’m a reincarnated person too."

…………。

…?

………………………………!?!?

"W–wait, what!? No—huh!? What!?"

"Once you accept that there’s one exception—yourself—it’s not strange to think there might be others like you.

Though I’ll admit, I was surprised when I realized that the Uma Musume I happened to meet was the same kind of ‘reincarnated person.’"

Ayumu-san chuckled softly as he swirled his glass.

I… could only stare at him in shock.

"Y-you really are… reincarnated? You actually remember your past life?"

"Horse—"

"!!"

My body jolted.

"An animal—the original owner of the horse soul that became the basis for Uma Musume.

It might sound rude to Hoshino Wilm, but… I never imagined I’d be reincarnated into what feels like a two-dimensional world. Even now, that part doesn’t quite make sense to me."

…That was knowledge no one in this world should have.

Something from before reincarnation—something I thought only I possessed.

Even Hoshino Wilm herself tilted her head slightly, confused—animal…? two-dimensional…?

And yet, Ayumu-san knew.

Which meant—

He truly had memories of a past life.

…Ayumu-san—

He’s the same as me.

I had always believed I was the only reincarnated person in this world.

That no one could truly understand how I felt.

That no one could grasp what I was going through.

But I had accepted that.

As long as someone knew me—and still accepted me—

As long as Ayumu-san stayed by my side, that was enough.

That’s what I told myself.

And yet—

Ayumu-san is the same kind of reincarnated person as me.

Someone who could understand my fears, my struggles, my happiness—

All of it?

The one person who truly understands me?

…Haha.

Can something this convenient really exist?

"...Is this a dream?"

"Not a dream. See?"

"Ah—h-hey, that hurts…"

He lightly pinched my cheek, the small sting grounding me in reality.

This impossibly convenient moment didn’t fade.

Right in front of me, Ayumu-san was smiling.

"...Thank you, Wilm.

From what I can tell, that was a very important secret for you. I’m really glad you trusted me enough to share it.

And… well…"

Kneeling beside me, he scratched his cheek—a rare, slightly bashful gesture.

"If we’re both reincarnated, then there are things we can share that no one else could understand… things only we can truly grasp.

Being able to share that with you—to walk forward at the same pace… yeah, that makes me happy."

That slightly boyish smile—

Seeing it, I…

"...Honestly… how much more are you planning to make me fall for you? At this rate, I might end up completely dependent on you."

I let out a soft laugh.

And to hide the overwhelming pounding in my chest—and the tears welling in my eyes—

I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around him, pressing my face into his yukata.

The person I love most.

The one person in the world who might truly understand me.

"I love you. I really do… I love you, Ayumu-san."

Beneath the shining moonlight,

I gave voice to feelings he would likely never hear.