"Oh my~~ Isn't it my lovely little brother?"
"!!"
Upon hearing that voice, the red-haired young man quickly turned his head toward where it was coming from. There are 4 Uma Musumes standing where the voice is coming from, 3 adults and 1 at around high school age.
"Oh my~ It is~"
"Wait! You girls didn't tell me you're visiting."
"It wouldn't be a surprise now, wouldn't it, dummy?"
"Are they your families, Trainer Igo Heita?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah! The three hags are my older sisters, while the little one there is my cousin."
"Who are you calling old hags, brat?"
"Fufufu~~ And is this your trainee?"
"Ah! No! I'm not a student at Tracen yet!! My name is Almond Eye!! It's an honor to meet you!!"
Almond Eye can't put it into words, but she feels the urge to bow her head. It's as if talking to these people is the biggest blessing one could receive in this world.
"How cute~~ No need to bow your head, darling. My name is Brinda Pholbog Heita."
The one who talked was the Uma Musume with the long, smooth violet-blue hair with a little bit of deep sea green at the ends. Her voice brings calmness to the deepest part of Almond Eye's heart as if she had been poured holy water internally. Her glowing seafoam blue eyes bring extreme calmness to Almond Eye's mind.
"The name is Kyree Lurbyt Heita. Lift your head, kid. No need to bow like that."
The next one to talk was the one with the spiky Mahogany short hair. Unlike the rest of the sisters, she is the only one who supports a scar on her face. It doesn't look like she is ashamed of having it. The gaze that is cast by her deep fuchsia eyes is sharper than even a sword.
"Hey, kid! This is a festival! Don't get so uptight like that! My name is Arianda Bayrel Heita! Glad to be your acquaintance!"
The third one shares the same hair color as the young man. The only difference is that Arianda's hair becomes lighter towards the end. She has a big, cheerful smile on her face, almost as if it were glued onto her.
"Big Brother!! I miss you so much!!"
"BUGH!!"
The last one rammed straight into the young man and slammed into him full force. Almond Eye feels pressure from the 3 older Uma Musumes, but she only feels familiarity with the younger one. She looks younger than Almond Eye, but perhaps she feels like that because they are both in High School.
"Hey now!! Introduce yourself first!!"
"Ah… Mm… Since big brother told me to, I will!! Greetings, I'm Equinox."
"...greetings."
Her bob cut wavy, metallic black hair reflects light onto everyone's eyes as if to announce her arrival. To contrast such darkness, a perfectly straight white streak ran down her bangs, like a guide marker for victory. Lastly, a low ponytail ran behind her back, like a whip. It's long enough that it almost touches the back of her knees.
Uma Musume, who runs professionally, rarely has long hair. Unlike a tail, a hair is at the same height as faces, so it might get in the way of other runners behind you, and you might get disqualified for it. So long hair has become a way for Uma Musume to announce how confident they are.
If her long ponytail doesn't announce just how confident she is, her blazing red eyes could help with that. It's shining with nothing but utter confidence and pride. A similar pair of eyes to her older cousin.
"With big brother, I will reach the top of this world!"
"You need to enter Tracen first, Equinox."
"That's why I've been studying with big sisters. I now just need to wait for my age!!"
"Don't teach her anything stupid, hags."
"You're one to say. She learn her confidence from you, dummy."
Almond Eye watches the family from the sidelines. The way they bicker doesn't have any malice behind it. It's like a family reunion, and she feels like she is invading something she shouldn't.
I should leave. I've already secured what I want anyway.
"Ah! Trainer Igo, I'll excuse myself. I have to meet up with my friends so that we don't get separated when going back."
"Ah… Okay. Take care of yourself."
"Hey!! Don't you think you haven't paid enough attention to me?!?!"
"Gah! Don't hug me too tight!! You're an Uma Musume, and I'm just a human!! You're stronger than me!!"
"Then pay attention to me, you dumb butt!!"
"You've been getting more dependent lately. What have these old hags taught you, huh?"
"Dear Igo, a little brother should be cuter."
"Make me."
"Is it just me, or has he gotten worse?"
"Fufufu~~ At least he is happy."
"Because I can finally be free."
"Free, huh? Come here, you little–!! Grab him!! We need to teach him his place!!"
Kyree put her little brother's head in her arms and locked him in a headlock. Brinda hugs his left arm while Arianda hugs his right. The smallest one hugs his body like before.
"Gah! Let me go!!"
"Dear Igo, you should learn to recognize blessings. Plenty of men have been ogling your sisters, you know? Don't you feel jealous?"
"Please get married and leave me alone."
"I suppose it's time for a heavy correction for this dummy."