Winter break—for students who've finished a semester's worth of studies, it's a time to truly let loose.
No more heart-stopping alarm clocks ringing in your ears; no more dragging yourself out of bed, bleary-eyed, for school; no more sitting in a classroom for half the day… Once vacation starts, all students have to face is family nagging and the homework teachers assigned before the break.
Sleep as long as you want, play whatever you like, do whatever you feel like doing.
—Now that's what you call a student's paradise!
But just as students are eagerly looking forward to the long break, a door stands firmly in their way.
A trial known as the "final exams."
To meet "Long Vacation," one must first step through this gate.
Fail the trial, and students will get a taste of the agony that is make-up classes during the holidays.
All who enter here, abandon hope…
"Bless, what in the world are you going on about all of a sudden…"
Though she was used to her friend's occasional quirks, Satono Diamond still felt a little helpless watching Bless the Moment suddenly stand up mid-conversation, muttering under her breath. "Weren't we just talking about Kita-chan's final exams?"
"Yeah, and wasn't I talking about exactly that?"
Bless the Moment spoke with conviction. "If Kita-chan fails her finals, she'll have to take make-up exams. Then you won't be able to go out and have fun with her, Dia."
"Mmm…"
Kitasan Black clutched her chest and let out a soft groan.
Her grades weren't exactly bad, but they weren't great either—always hovering somewhere in the middle.
Lately, though, she'd been slacking off, and it showed: she'd failed a subject or two in a recent practice test.
…With less than a month left before finals, if she couldn't pull her scores back above the passing line in time, she'd be stuck in make-up exams over winter break.
"How about we hold a study session at Kita-chan's place this weekend?"
Satono Diamond suggested, "With me and Bless helping, we should be able to get her grades back on track before finals."
"Well, it might not need to be that formal."
Bless the Moment shook her head, then waved a hand once she had both girls' attention. "Just do more practice problems."
"The more problems you solve, the more you understand how to tackle that type of question. Your scores will go up naturally."
"No escaping."
Seeing that Bless was trying to dodge the idea in her own way, Satono Diamond smiled and cut off the white-haired Uma Musume's exit route. "You're helping."
"...Fine, fine."
Bless the Moment, who'd originally planned to lounge at home, saw no way out and reluctantly agreed. "Saturday or Sunday? Morning or afternoon? What time?"
"Let's meet at Kita-chan's house Saturday morning at eight."
Satono Diamond said cheerfully, deciding Kitasan Black's Saturday plans for her.
"Alright then… Can I have the banana from the cafeteria today?"
Bless the Moment nodded, then held her hand out to Satono Diamond.
"You know the rule—if you want it, you have to come get it yourself."
"I knew you'd say that."
The white-haired Uma Musume looked at the chestnut-haired girl right in front of her and sighed in resignation. "…Never mind, it's yours."
"Giving up that easily?"
"What choice do I have? I can't run, and I can't outrun you two."
Bless the Moment shrugged.
"…Now I feel like I'm bullying you, Bless."
Satono Diamond grinned and held out the banana in her hand toward the white-haired Uma Musume.
"Aren't you, though?"
Bless the Moment grumbled, but her body obediently accepted the banana her friend offered. She peeled it and popped the fruit into her mouth.
Mmm… delicious.
The white-haired Uma Musume closed her eyes contentedly.
"So, are you coming this weekend?"
"I'll be there."
Bless the Moment nodded. "I already said yes—why wouldn't I go?"
"Good."
Satono Diamond turned to Kitasan Black. "How about you, Kita-chan? Is that okay?"
"Huh? You're both coming?"
Kitasan Black, who'd been listening to the conversation, lit up with excitement. "Yes, yes! It's been a while since you came over to my place. Mom, Dad, my brother and sister—they've all missed you."
"So it's settled?"
"Mhm!"
Kitasan Black nodded firmly. "Then I'll be waiting for you at home on Saturday?"
"Okay."
Satono Diamond nodded.
Hmph… Satono Diamond only had to suggest the plan and agree, but Bless the Moment had much more to consider.
The white-haired Uma Musume thought for a moment.
…If I remember right, Kita-chan's dad just held a concert. Maybe I should bring something to help soothe his throat when we visit this weekend.
Bless the Moment quickly made up her mind.
"I heard you two have endurance running for afternoon training?"
"Yeah."
Satono Diamond nodded.
"Want me to prepare salt water for you?"
"…How would you manage that, Bless?"
"The shop near the school gates just got a new shipment of salt soda."
Bless the Moment replied cheerfully. "It tastes pretty good, you know? Don't you wanna try it?"
"Near the school gates? Outside campus?"
Kitasan Black shook her head. "But we're not allowed to leave campus during school hours, right?"
"It's fine."
Satono Diamond pointed toward the school entrance. "I'm pretty friendly with the security guard there. If I explain, he'll let us out."
"But if a teacher happens to see us…"
"Then I'll just say I wanted to bring you two some soda to help replenish your energy."
Bless the Moment's slender finger turned and pointed toward her own face. "I'd say I'm fairly well-known around this school, after all."
"Being the only Uma Musume at Tracen Academy who can't run does tend to stick in people's minds."
"…"
"…"
Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black exchanged a look, staying silent.
"See, this is what I mean—you're all way too cautious!"
Bless the Moment rolled her eyes, watching the two hesitate over their words.
The white-haired Uma Musume stood up under her friends' gaze, turned toward them, and reached out a hand. "…Lunch break is about to start. We should head back to the classroom."
"Okay."
Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black nodded.
--+--
"Sigh…"
"What are you sighing about now?"
In the Central Tracen Student Council room, Symboli Rudolf finally set aside the work in her hands, unable to bear the brown-haired Uma Musume's sighs since she'd entered.
She looked up and asked, "Couldn't manage to invite that interesting junior I told you about last time."
"Interesting junior? That girl you met at the spectator stands?"
Symboli Rudolf put down her pen. "You're that taken with her?"
"Of course!"
Maruzensky nodded, though a hint of regret colored her tone. "…It's a shame, really. Her health isn't good."
"Otherwise, I might've seen her running on the track one day."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.