Nighttime. Stars glittered in the humid sky.
Though the sunflowers could no longer feel the sun's warmth, their growth never stopped. Instead, they quietly shifted eastward, slowly turning their heads to prepare for tomorrow's sunrise. At night, sunflowers actually moved twice as fast as they did during the day, making sure they'd be ready by dawn.
Just as sunflowers grew livelier at night, the moods of the Uma Musume—driven by hormones—tended to rise after dark as well.
After a full day of study and training, the Uma Musume students of Tracen Academy had plenty of stress to release. Naturally, they sought out their loved ones to spend time together.
Though the classrooms and training fields had gone still, the dorms and nearby hotels buzzed with life. Everywhere, Uma Musume dragged their trainers into rooms, soon followed by the familiar rhythm of creaking bedframes. It was a nightly occurrence by now—no one was surprised anymore.
But tonight, there was yet another lively spot.
Deep in the Tracen Academy flowerbeds, amid a sea of sunflowers, a tent glowed softly with lamplight. Laughter and cheerful chatter spilled from inside.
A group of Uma Musume sat in a circle on a fluffy carpet, happily sharing stories from their week.
What caught everyone's attention most was Air Groove's story about Mizuno's connection to this very place.
"To study Ephemeral Blooms that could blossom in a short time, Trainer Mizuno once secluded himself here for quite a while…"
"So amazing~!" Haru Urara stared at Air Groove with sparkling eyes.
"I didn't think Mizuno-san could do something like that too…" Mejiro McQueen rested her chin in her hand, mentally adding another star to Mizuno's desirability score.
"McQueen-san, have an apple." Rice Shower, who'd been listening closely, offered a carefully peeled apple slice.
"Thank you~" McQueen took a bite, then curiously eyed the small knife in Rice Shower's hand.
"By the way, Rice Shower-san, where'd that knife come from? I don't remember there being anything like that in the tent."
"Oh, this?" Rice Shower smiled sweetly, gazing fondly at the blade. "I always keep it with me, so I can serve Onii-sama better~"
"…"
Sitting at his desk, Mizuno watched the lively group laughing and chatting in his tent, a headache pounding behind his temples.
He'd expected the night to be noisy—but not this noisy.
Every Uma Musume he'd met today was now here.
Rice Shower, Tokai Teio, the members of his team, even El Condor Pasa from another—and Symboli Rudolf, who had earlier said she planned to "inspect his body" tonight—were all gathered together!
If they'd come with training questions, he could've understood.
But why were they all wearing pajamas and carrying pillows?!
Was this… some kind of organized pajama party?!
"Trainer~" Tokai Teio suddenly appeared behind him, looping her arms around his neck. Her small chest pressed against his back as her fluffy rabbit slippers dangled in the air.
"When will you finish working? Hurry up so you can play with me~!"
"Eh, that's…" Mizuno gave an awkward smile.
Play what—Uma Pyoi?!
"Sorry, but I'm really busy tonight. I probably won't have time to play…" He gestured helplessly at the pile of documents on his desk—training plans still waiting to be written.
"Ehhhhh—?" Tokai Teio whined, her horse ears brushing against his head as she pouted.
"But Trainer-san, you already wrote a whole week of plans for us! That's more than enough! You're just working on next week's—can't that wait?"
"That won't do." Mizuno shook his head firmly.
"Training plans should be prepared a week or two ahead. If something unexpected happens—er, if I get tied up with something important—I might not finish on time. That would affect your progress. You get that, right?"
"Ehh—but you don't even need to prepare mine in advance!" Tokai Teio protested, rubbing her cheek insistently against his.
"I'm a genius! Even without a training plan, I'd still run faster than everyone else!"
"So can't you use that time to play with me instead? Please~? Pleeease~?"
Her soft breath tickled his ear as she begged, all sweetness on the surface—while her hand crept along his arm, trying to snatch his pen.
If she took his pen, Mizuno-san would have no choice but to stop working and give her his full attention~!
But Mizuno, always wary of the mastermind behind Monarch's Basement, spotted her attempt instantly. No way he'd let her win that easily.
"Absolutely not!" He frowned, holding the pen high out of reach.
"Every student is equally important to me, no matter their talent. I won't neglect others for anyone's sake. Trading training time for fun is something I can't agree to!"
"Grr!" Tokai Teio puffed her cheeks, then suddenly wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, clinging to his back.
"Whoa! Teio, what are you doing?!"
"I want you to play with me!"
"But I still have work to do—"
"Forget about work!"
"I don't have time right now—maybe next time—"
"No no no! I want it now!"
Tokai Teio shook her head fiercely, clinging so tightly it looked like she'd never let go.
"Teio, please don't disturb Mizuno-san."
Symboli Rudolf approached quietly and patted Teio's head.
"Teio, think of it this way—work is like a race. Even if an Uma Musume knows she won't take first place, she still has the duty to finish her run."
"For Mizuno-san, finishing these training plans is that race."
"If you keep distracting him, he'll only take longer to finish. You don't want him staying up late, do you?"
"Uuu…" Hearing that, Tokai Teio drooped her head and slowly loosened her grip.
If anyone else had said it, she might've brushed it off. But coming from President Rudolf—the one who was always right—she couldn't argue.
Besides, if Mizuno didn't go to bed soon, how was she supposed to pull off her prank tonight…?
"Ugh… fine…" Tokai Teio's ears sagged as she slipped down from his back.
"Whew…" Mizuno sighed in relief, sending Rudolf a grateful look.
"Mm." Rudolf smiled gently in return.
"…"
Mizuno stared at that meaningful smile, suddenly uneasy.
Sure, they were both overworked administrators buried in paperwork, so it made sense she'd sympathize and step in—but something about her expression didn't sit right.
Was she really just helping him fend off Teio?
"…" He glanced at the clock. 11:30 PM.
By now, any normal student would've gone to bed. Even if this gathering had been spontaneous, they should've wrapped up already.
Yet the Uma Musume around him showed no sign of leaving, still laughing and chatting away.
"By the way…" Mizuno asked carefully,
"When exactly are you all planning to head home?"