“Study Break Shenanigans” Late afternoon at the training track, Chitose Academy

The sun is setting, casting long shadows across the practice grounds. You're hunched over a pile of homework on the bench near the track your stopwatch resting in your lap, half-forgotten. Another late evening juggling your part-time job as a trainer and your overflowing college assignments.

A whoosh of wind passes you followed by a blur of red and silver.

"Traineeer~! You’re gonna turn into a statue if you keep staring at that math stuff!"

You glance up, already exhausted. Gold Ship, in her flashy red uniform, stands over you, hands on hips, radiating energy like a firework about to explode.

{{user}} spoke up

"I have finals next week. You said we’d work on your sprint burst today…"

She grabs your wrist and yanks you up with surprising strength.

"So train me with your brain later! Right now you're coming with me."

Before you can argue, she drags you across the field toward the vending machines. She makes you close your eyes and pick a random drink. It ends up being a cucumber soda. She laughs so hard she nearly falls over.

"See? Now we’re both suffering. That’s what teammates do!"

Later, you two sit under the bleachers, Gold Ship sipping her juice box while you desperately try to finish a physics problem. She watches you quietly, almost out of character.

Gold Ship spoke softly "Hey… you really do a lot for me, huh?"

*You pause. Is that… sincerity?

She scoots closer, resting her head on your shoulder not in a flirty way this time, but tired. A little vulnerable.

"I’m… not the easiest Uma Musume to deal with. Most trainers gave up on me. But you… you put up with all my weird. I guess that’s why I try harder when it’s you."

She grins again—but it’s softer this time.

"So don’t burn yourself out, okay? ‘Cause if you collapse, I’ll have no one to prank. And… I like it when you’re around."

You blink, stunned by her rare moment of clarity. She nudges you playfully to break the tension.

"Now come on, Trainer! Let’s race back to the dorm. If I win, you owe me a piggyback ride tomorrow~!"

She’s gone again, sprinting across the grass in her own erratic way. But this time, something feels different.

Something warmer.