There's one thing that needs to be said clearly.
An Umamusume's extraordinary traits aren't limited to just their physical capabilities.
There's also their appetite.
Putting aside all trivial, meaningless details… one simple fact remains: the training intensity Umamusume endure is extremely high, rigorous enough to require tremendous effort. Consequently, sufficient nutritional intake—carbs, protein, dietary fiber—is an absolute necessity.
And Tracen Academy certainly wouldn't be stingy in that regard.
...
Garden Gale and Tokai Teio walked side by side.
Surrounding them were dazzling neon lights, vibrant LEDs from the bustling city, mixed with street vendors loudly promoting their food. The aroma of sizzling woks mingled in the air, chaotic yet harmonious, creating a uniquely inviting atmosphere.
As they walked Garden Gale occasionally glanced over at Tokai Teio. Of course, she only dared peek when Teio wasn't looking, cautiously using the corner of her eye, not brave enough to openly meet her gaze—that would put far too much pressure on Garden.
Still...
Why does Teio-san seem so happy?
She wore a constant smile on her face… even her walk felt energetic and joyful, humming a soft tune with unclear lyrics but a cheerful melody.
Almost like she enjoys walking with me.
No, no, no… impossible.
The instant that thought surfaced, Garden Gale violently crushed it.
She ruthlessly denied it to herself—Don't be so full of yourself. Impossible. No one could ever like someone like you. Not this gloomy, inferior self, who can barely even speak up properly. Someone who can't achieve anything.
It's just a delusion.
Even if Tokai Teio was genuinely happy, it must be because of the food. It definitely had nothing whatsoever to do with Garden herself.
Yet, little did she know…
Tokai Teio was precisely happy because of Garden Gale.
In fact… even this whole eating-together thing was secondary—it was entirely because of Garden. Honestly, Teio had long wanted to talk with Garden Gale. The two of them, famously known as the Junior Division's two prodigies, had actually never interacted much before. Tokai Teio was extremely curious about what kind of person Garden was, what sort of strengths she had—and now, finally having the chance to get close, how could she pass up the opportunity to get clingy-clingy?
…However.
After interacting with Garden Gale up close...
Tokai Teio found herself somewhat surprised. Garden didn't seem as distant or aloof as everyone said—instead, she'd even taken the initiative to invite Teio for dinner, which had given Teio a genuinely warm feeling. Garden Gale was a good person—that was Teio's strong gut feeling, her intuitive sense.
And Tokai Teio always trusted her intuition.
So she didn't object at all to building a closer, stickier relationship with Garden Gale.
While thinking Tokai Teio suddenly spotted a familiar storefront, her eyes immediately sparkling!
"Naa!" she called out, pointing excitedly. "There! My favorite honey drink shop! Garden-san, wanna try it? It's super good! My treat!"
Garden Gale hesitated briefly: "Ah…?"
They hadn't really spoken much until now.
Yet Teio still managed to remain this enthusiastic… and honestly, compared to Garden, who was supposed to be the one who invited Teio out, Teio felt much more like the initiator. She was incredibly natural at socializing—so powerful. Garden admired it deeply.
"Come on, come on! It's super tasty!"
Seeing Garden hesitate, Tokai Teio showed no hesitation at all. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Garden Gale's arm, holding tight and gently swinging around, tugging Garden eagerly toward the honey drink stall.
Are you actually acting spoiled right now, Teio!?
Garden Gale's brain completely short-circuited.
Facing this kind of offensive, she couldn't even muster a word of refusal: "…Okay."
"Hehe!"
Upon hearing Garden's agreement, Teio giggled happily. Approaching the stall owner, she called out, "Bossu, I'm here again! Two honey specials, please! One cup with super deadly sweetness, and one normal-sweetness!"
"Ah—didn't you just have one a few days ago, Teio? Consuming too much sugar will make you gain weight and slow you down. President Rudolf will personally show up to reprimand me, y'know?" Seeing a regular customer approach, the stall owner kindly advised her. Clearly, their relationship was good enough that he'd sacrifice profits to look out for her health.
Teio scratched her chin thoughtfully, quickly crafting an excuse: "Today's special—I'm treating a friend, hehe."
…Friend?
Garden Gale didn't participate in the conversation.
But when she heard those two words, she couldn't help but feel slightly moved inside. Were they already considered friends now? Probably… Teio was even treating her.
No, no. Maybe Teio is just super outgoing—what if everyone is her friend? Maybe she treats everyone she knows to honey drinks. I can't assume too much.
She nearly fell into delusion again.
Good thing I stopped myself.
Garden Gale lightly slapped her cheeks, forcing herself awake again.
Yeah, no matter what, I'll definitely repay her for this honey drink later. After all, our relationship isn't that—
She didn't even finish that thought.
Garden Gale saw Teio interacting again with the shop owner, and lightly bit her lower lip.
The stall owner scratched his head. "This is actually your first time bringing a friend here, isn't it? Young lady, please keep an eye on Teio. Definitely don't let her drink too many of these honey specials!"
"Ah, now that you mention it, it actually is my first time!" Tokai Teio bit her nail, looking serious, thinking hard. After confirming through her memories that she'd indeed never brought anyone else to drink honey specials before, she brightly smiled again, declaring:
"Because Garden-san is special! Really, really special!"
Special.
Really, really special.
Words could cut like weapons, like blades stabbing straight into Garden Gale's chest. But this time, they no longer hurt. Instead, biting her lip gently, she felt as though she were floating through a gentle dream.
…But we only just met.
Their relationship wasn't close enough for Teio to call her "really, really special."
…You're just tricking me again, right?
She bit her lower lip tightly, thinking hard.
Garden Gale was desperately pushing away this warmth. She feared it deeply, afraid it would become the same nightmare-like pain from her past, afraid she couldn't bear it.
Just then, the two honey drinks were ready. Tokai Teio accepted both cups, immediately handing the normal-sweetness cup to Garden Gale. Her smile radiated brightly like a little sun:
"Here, try it! It's really tasty!"
Garden Gale hesitated briefly.
Then she carefully accepted the cup, gently holding it with both hands. Although it was just a drink, she treated it as if it were some precious treasure. Opening the lid slowly, she took a small, cautious sip.
"…It's delicious!"
After just one sip, Garden Gale sincerely voiced her admiration.
The stall owner beside them also smiled warmly. Seeing someone appreciate his creation filled him with satisfaction, and he happily asked:
"How is it? Nice and sweet, right?"
It really was sweet.
Just like how Garden Gale felt inside right now—sweet.
It made her truly happy.