A bird chirped outside the window.
Kaito opened his eyes and let out a lazy yawn. His senses stirred awake like fresh snow melting in spring. From his right came a soft, pillowy warmth—a black-haired girl curled up against his shoulder like a kitten. Her jet-black long hair spread beneath her, and against that darkness, her snow-white skin looked even more delicate.
Her slightly modest chest rose and fell gently. She was clearly still asleep.This was a scene Kaito had seen far too many times before.
By habit, he pulled her closer, burying his face against her.
A faint coffee-like scent drifted into his nose. Her smooth, supple skin was springy and inviting to the touch.
Normally, Kaito slept until he woke naturally. Later, for the sake of fitness, he forced himself into discipline—his chaotic lifestyle had been steadily eroding his mental state.At this hour, he should have been getting up for his morning run.
But for some reason, his body felt abnormally exhausted today—like he'd been exercising nonstop for an entire day and night.
He reached out and gently stroked Tea Seat's ears.
He loved Uma Musume ears—soft, fluffy, and every bit as satisfying as petting a cat. Their tails were the same: plush, faintly fragrant, perfect for passing time. Once you started petting them, hours slipped by without you noticing.
Waking up in the morning and rua-ing a Uma Musume's ears—was there anything more blissful than that?
No. Absolutely not.
Under Kaito's gentle caresses, Tea Seat slowly woke up. Her gaze was unfocused as she looked around. The moment she saw Kaito, it was as if a switch flipped—her thoughts snapped into clarity.
She remembered last night.
She had brought the Trainer back to the dormitory. Seeing how full of energy he was, she'd wanted to help him relax.
At the time, her mind had been filled with nothing but the Trainer. She couldn't think of anything else. And then—pop—after parting from his burning warmth, full and satisfied, she had lain beside him and fallen asleep.
…Why did it turn out like this?!
Tea Seat's mind exploded.
How did I let myself do something like that on impulse?!
It was… it was…! She couldn't even find the words to describe her actions.She had defiled the Trainer—the Trainer who shared the same loneliness as her—using him without permission while he was asleep.
What did I do…?!
Overwhelmed with regret, Tea Seat lifted her head, wanting to beg for his forgiveness.But Kaito was calmly holding her, casually playing with her ears.
That lazy, relaxed expression—he didn't look like he cared about last night at all.
…What's going on?The Trainer isn't angry. At all.
Could it be that he woke up halfway through and pretended to be asleep?
The movies Tea Seat had watched began asserting themselves—because aside from that, she couldn't think of any other explanation.
After all, if you woke up to find your Uma Musume naked beside you, wouldn't you panic?
"Trainer…" Tea Seat spoke softly.
Hearing her voice, Kaito's hand paused. He turned his head, his black eyes meeting hers. A few seconds later, he quietly withdrew his hand and pressed his fingers to his forehead.
Right.This isn't the game.
Kaito suddenly sat upright. The blanket was pulled aside by the movement, exposing Tea Seat's boneless, delicate body.
Seeing the marks on the bedsheet that hadn't yet dried, the man hesitated for a moment.
"Tea Seat… don't tell me I tied you up and dragged you back here last night?"
The girl sat up as well, clutching the blanket to cover her chest. The blush on her face spread all the way down her neck.
Without hiding anything, Tea Seat honestly confessed what she had done. She hadn't considered the Trainer's wishes—possessed by impulse, she had forcibly united with him. She was fully prepared to be scolded.
But after listening, Kaito's expression cleared with understanding.
I see.
So it wasn't that he tied someone up.It was that he got tied up.
That explained everything.
"Trainer… aren't you angry?" Tea Seat curled in on herself, sunlight bathing her shoulders and highlighting their soft, collagen-rich curve. "I did… that kind of thing…"
"If I say I'm not angry at all, that'd be a lie," Kaito said seriously."But why didn't you wake me up? If you had, I could've been more proactive."
"…Eh?"
"It's a bit of a shame. What a waste of such a perfect opportunity."
As a healthy young man, how could Kaito possibly refuse an invitation from a Uma Musume—especially Tea Seat? Besides, given the situation, there was no emotional tug-of-war involved anyway.
His life was nothing but daily routine and battle.
And yet, his first night spent with a real Uma Musume had been wasted just like that.
"I didn't even get to see Tea Seat when she was at her most tempting," Kaito lamented.
That single statement made Tea Seat's pupils tremble.
…What?The Trainer doesn't hate it. Not only that—he actually likes it. No—he really likes it!
Does that mean… the Trainer and I feel the same way about each other?
The corners of Tea Seat's lips curved upward.
I made the right call.
Unaware of the quiet scheming in her heart, Kaito yawned again and glanced at the clock on the wall.
He was still in the real world.He hadn't gone back.
Thank goodness.
If he stayed alone in the "game world" for too long, even his sanity would start to warp. If it continued, he wasn't sure what he'd become. If he started chasing stronger stimulation—diving into the grotesque—then it would truly be over.
Not just for him.Every Uma Musume in Tracen would suffer with him.
No one could stop Kaito inside the game world. He could do whatever he wanted. A dating sim turning into a yandere simulator in a single second wasn't out of the question.
"Trainer…" Tea Seat's bare feet peeked from under the blanket. Stirred by his words, a familiar warmth returned to her body. "If you don't mind, then maybe we could… again—"
"Kaito!"
The director's voice rang out from outside, followed by the click-clack of the doorknob turning.
Director!? Why is she here?!
Kaito's heart skipped violently. Only now did he remember—he still had work.He was late!
He glanced at Tea Seat, then decisively pushed her down onto the bed, wrapped her tightly in the blanket, stuffed her underneath, and turned his back to shield her. Their bodies pressed close together.
The entire sequence flowed smoothly.
Just as Kaito finished, the door opened and Akikawa Yayoi walked in.
"Shocking! You're still asleep?! Do you know what time it is?!"
"Director," Kaito coughed weakly, half-acting, half-sincere. "I'm not feeling well. Dizzy, weak all over… probably caught a chill last night. Didn't tuck the blanket in properly."
"You're not feeling well?! Is that okay? Should I call a doctor?" Akikawa Yayoi's chest tightened.
"No need. I'll be fine after resting a bit."
Akikawa Yayoi walked over and plopped down on the bed.
At this moment, Tea Seat and the director were separated by nothing but Kaito.
He remembered how Tokai Teio and Seiun Sky had nearly torn him apart fighting over him. If the director saw Tea Seat sleeping with him, wouldn't she explode on the spot?
Uma Musume weren't like game characters.If they said they'd end you, they would end you.
Akikawa Yayoi reached out, about to feel Kaito's forehead—
"Ah!"
"What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing."
Tea Seat had bitten him.