The custom shop’s glass door gently closed behind them, shutting out the campus’s hustle and bustle.
The shop was filled with a faint scent of silk threads and cedar, and warm yellow light filtered through the carved screens, illuminating the rows of sample garments, making them appear even more exquisite.
Ryo followed Maruzensky to the Central display area, her gaze unconsciously drawn to a moon-white gown in the window—its skirt layered like waves, inlaid with delicate silver threads, reminding her of Kamisato Ayaka’s attire from a game in her previous life.
“Little Ryo, what style do you like?” Maruzensky pulled her to sit on a soft velvet sofa, her fingertips gently tracing a handed-over catalog, her tone carrying a hint of lazy amusement.
“Do you want something grand and flamboyant, or simple and sleek?
After all, it’s a Winners Uniform; it needs to be beautiful but also not hinder your running, you know.”
The shop owner was a gentle middle-aged woman with silver-rimmed glasses, holding a tape measure, her smile amiable: “I watched the live broadcast of this young lady’s race yesterday; an eighteen Uma Musume length lead is astonishing!
The most important thing for a custom Winners Uniform is to fit the body while also considering athletic functionality, especially for an Uma Musume’s Winners Uniform.
The skirt length and waistline design will affect stride and center of gravity.”
Ryo’s fingertips caressed the edge of the catalog, and memories of Kamisato Ayaka from her previous life naturally emerged—that combination of furisode and haori, possessing both the elegance of Japanese style and a sense of agility.
The white main color scheme was clean and sharp, yet hid ingenious details.
She looked up at the shop owner, her crimson eyes holding a clear vision, her tone firm and decisive, completely devoid of the usual girlish hesitation: “I want to use white as the base, incorporating some Japanese elements, but simplified to be entirely functional for running.”
“Tell me more specifically?” The shop owner took out paper and pen, carefully taking notes.
“The top should be a short haori style, just above the waistline, to avoid dragging when running.” Ryo’s pace was steady, her thoughts clear; her scattered experience in design-related fields from her previous life came in handy now.
“The sleeves should be three-quarter length, with a light blue subtle pattern embroidered around the cuffs, like frost flowers condensed on the fabric; the collar should have a simple light green rope tied into a bow, without complex decorations.”
She paused, her gaze falling on her legs, recalling the stride length during races, and added: “The skirt should be an A-line cut, about ten centimeters above the knee, to allow for wide strides.
The outer layer should be thin, breathable chiffon, and the inner layer lined with cotton to prevent chafing.
A small slit on the side will increase range of motion, and a few clusters of silver irises embroidered at the slit, subtle and not flashy.”
Maruzensky sat beside her, chin propped on her hand, her brown eyes full of amusement, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest of the sofa: “I didn’t expect Little Ryo to have so many ideas, both pure and cool, it really suits your appearance on the track.” She suddenly extended a finger and gently poked Ryo’s cheek, her tone carrying a hint of deliberate flirtation, “But how about adding a red ribbon?
Like that touch of red in your hair, it would be so eye-catching fluttering when you run, and it could outline your slender waist.
It would be such a shame to hide such a good figure.”
Ryo’s cheeks suddenly flushed, and she turned her head as if burned by a spark, avoiding Maruzensky’s touch.
She had never been teased so directly about her figure, and her ears instantly turned slightly red, but she forced herself not to appear timid—after all, she was a strong contemporary who could stand alongside Symboli Rudolf, possessing an inherent tenacity that refused to yield: “Red is too flamboyant; light blue and white are fresher and don’t affect focus on the track.”
“Is that so?” Maruzensky chuckled softly, leaning slightly forward, her warm breath brushing Ryo’s earlobe, her voice lowered to a whisper, with a deliberate allure, “Red is so passionate, like you when you cross the finish line.
And…” Her gaze swept over Ryo’s waistline, her smile deepening, “Who knows, maybe a certain ‘Emperor’ who always has a stern face would like to see you dressed brightly?”
“Senior!” Ryo’s voice held a trace of imperceptible embarrassment, yet she still straightened her back, not backing down.
She knew Maruzensky was deliberately teasing her, but having never experienced such ambiguous probing, she couldn’t help but feel her heart race, her fingertips secretly clenching the hem of her clothes.
Seeing this, the shop owner smiled and smoothed things over: “This young lady’s design is very reasonable, balancing aesthetics and practicality.
We can reserve a decorative spot at the waist, and you can adjust it later if you wish.
Shall we take your measurements now?”
Ryo felt as if she had been granted a great pardon and immediately stood up.
The shop owner carefully measured her shoulder width, waist circumference, hip circumference, and leg length, recording every detail.
Maruzensky watched intently from the side, occasionally interjecting: “Madam, her shoulder line is very straight, the top can be tightened a bit to look more energetic; her leg length ratio is good, the skirt can be a tiny bit shorter to highlight those long legs~”
“Maruzensky!” Ryo glared at her, her cheeks flushing even more.
And a little annoyed.
“I’m just telling the truth.” Maruzensky smiled, her eyes curving, her brown long hair gently swaying with her movements.
“Little Ryo is so beautiful, you should show off your strengths.
When the Winners Uniform is ready, you’ll surely charm a large audience, and maybe even a certain ‘Emperor’ from your cohort?”
Ryo didn’t respond, simply letting the shop owner measure her.
Recalling Symboli Rudolf’s deep brown eyes burning with fighting spirit in the stands yesterday, a strange emotion arose in her heart—as strong contemporaries, they were each other’s most recognized opponents, but Maruzensky’s words added an indescribable nuance to this pure competitive relationship.
After taking her measurements, the shop owner confirmed the fabric material and color, and added: “Would you like to customize running shoes as well?
We have styles specifically designed for Uma Musume, lightweight, breathable, strong grip, and adjustable cushioning based on foot shape.”
“Yes, I want them to match the Winners Uniform style.” Ryo immediately nodded.
“The upper should be white, as simple as possible, with a thick sole and cushioning function; a small ‘Ling’ character embroidered on the side of the shoe in silver thread, to echo the skirt pattern.” She paused, adding details, “The shoe collar height should be below the ankle, not affecting ankle movement, and the shoelaces should be light green, matching the color of the collar knot.”
“No problem, we’ll notify you both for a fitting in a week.” The shop owner wrote everything down and handed the receipt to them.
It was past two in the afternoon when they left the custom shop.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Maruzensky stretched, her voice lazy: “Done!
Now, let’s treat ourselves.
I know a super great dessert shop; their strawberry parfait and tiramisu are amazing.
Little Ryo, want to try some?”
“Okay.” Ryo had no resistance to desserts; she loved strawberry-related sweets in her previous life.
Thinking of the sweet and soft strawberries and the cool, silky cream, she couldn’t help but swallow, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.
Maruzensky couldn’t help but laugh at her expression: “Look at you, you little glutton!
Come on, I’ll drive you there; it’s only ten minutes away.”
She led Ryo to the parking lot, where a red sports car was conspicuously parked, its streamlined body particularly eye-catching.
Maruzensky opened the car door and gestured, “Get in, my exclusive passenger.”
Ryo sat in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt.
The sports car’s interior was exquisite, with black leather seats accented by red stitching, full of athletic flair.
Maruzensky started the car, stepped on the accelerator, and the sports car shot out like an arrow from a bow, the scenery outside the window rapidly receding.
“Senior, slow down!” Ryo instinctively gripped the armrest, a flicker of panic in her crimson eyes, but she quickly calmed down—after all, as an Uma Musume, her adaptability to speed far exceeded that of ordinary people.
“Don’t be scared, I’m a very good driver.” Maruzensky turned her head to glance at her, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
“Occasionally experiencing speed and passion, it’s quite similar to how you feel running on the track, isn’t it?”
As she spoke, she skillfully turned the steering wheel, avoiding the vehicles ahead, without reducing speed.
The wind outside blew through the car window, rustling Ryo’s silver long hair, her red hair on the right side fluttering freely in the wind.
She gradually adapted to the speed, watching the streetscape rapidly passing by outside the window, feeling the wind, and the panic in her heart slowly faded, replaced by a sense of freedom and abandon.
“How about it?
Exciting, right?” Maruzensky turned her head, looking at the smile on her face, her tone a little proud.
“When you get your driver’s license, I’ll take you for a drive on the suburban highways, fewer people, fewer cars, so you can fully experience speed.”
“We’ll see.” Ryo smiled and shook her head.
“Right now, I just want to train hard and beat Rudolf in the next race.”
“Oh?
So ambitious.” Maruzensky raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing.
“But Rudolf is indeed strong; you’ll have to work hard to beat her.
Don’t worry, with me, your senior, I’ll definitely help you.” She reached out and gently ruffled Ryo’s hair, her fingertips warm.
“Even if you can’t win, it’s okay, you still have me.”
Ryo’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she avoided Maruzensky’s touch: “Senior, please drive carefully.”
AI Model: deepseek-chat
Maruzensky chuckled softly, no longer teasing her, and focused on the road ahead.
Ten minutes later, the sports car stopped in front of a dessert shop named’Sweet Breeze Cottage’.
The shop was small, warmly decorated, with potted plants at the entrance and cute stickers on the windows.
Stepping into the shop, a rich, sweet fragrance greeted them.
The small booth by the window was covered with a pink tablecloth, and photos of desserts hung on the wall.
Maruzensky, familiar with the place, led Ryo to the window seat.
A server immediately handed them menus.
“I’ll have the strawberry parfait and tiramisu,” Maruzensky said without hesitation, then looked at Ryo.
“Little Ryo, the mango crepes and matcha daifuku are also excellent.”
Ryo looked at the pictures on the menu, and memories from her past life surfaced once more—her mother often took her out for desserts when she was little, and her favorites were strawberry parfait and mango crepes.
She looked up at the server and said, “I’ll have the strawberry parfait and mango crepes, thank you.”
While waiting for the desserts, Maruzensky rested her chin on her hand, gazing intently at Ryo with a deliberately suggestive tone.
“Little Ryo, we have such similar tastes—we both like strawberry parfait.
That means we’re really fated, don’t you think?”
“Maybe,” Ryo replied somewhat awkwardly, shifting her gaze to the window, her cheeks still tinged with a faint blush.
“Not just ‘maybe,'” Maruzensky leaned closer, close enough to see her long eyelashes.
“We’re both Uma Musume, we both love desserts, we’re getting our Winners Uniforms tailored together, we’re going for drives together…
maybe this is destiny?”
Ryo’s heart skipped a beat.
She cleared her throat, trying to mask her fluster.
“Maruzensky, you’re joking again.”
“I’m not joking at all,” Maruzensky’s expression grew a bit more serious, her brown eyes reflecting the sunlight from outside.
“I really enjoy spending time with you, whether it’s training or shopping.
Little Ryo, do you feel happy when you’re with me?”
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, a warm feeling stirred in Ryo’s heart.
Since coming to this world, Maruzensky was the first person to treat her so kindly—not only guiding her training but also accompanying her for shopping and desserts, making her feel a warmth she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
She nodded, her tone genuine.
“Yes, I do.
Thank you, senpai.”
“Good,” Maruzensky smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, before reverting to her mischievous expression.
She reached out and gently tapped Ryo’s nose.
“Let’s go out together often from now on.
When training gets tiring, we can have desserts, go for drives, and relax.”
Ryo’s cheeks grew even warmer.
Just as she was about to speak, the server arrived with their desserts.
The strawberry parfait was piled high, topped with fresh strawberries and drizzled with pink strawberry sauce, a small flag sticking out from the top.
The mango crepes had soft, white wrappers filled with plump fruit and cream.
The tiramisu was dusted with cocoa powder, rich and silky.
“Wow, it smells amazing,” Ryo picked up her spoon and took a bite of the strawberry parfait.
The cool, silky cream blended with the sweet and tangy strawberries, creating a rich, sweet but not cloying flavor—exactly as she remembered from her past life.
Her eyes lit up, and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
Watching her expression, Maruzensky couldn’t help but smile too.
She scooped up a bit of tiramisu and a bit of strawberry parfait, then held the spoon out to Ryo’s mouth.
“Little Ryo, try this combination.
It tastes even more special.”
Ryo froze for a moment, staring at the spoon held to her lips, her cheeks flushing crimson.
After a brief hesitation, she lowered her head slightly and opened her mouth to accept the dessert.
The rich cocoa flavor mixed with the sweet and tangy strawberries created a uniquely delightful taste.
“Delicious, right?” Maruzensky grinned triumphantly, scooping up another spoonful of her tiramisu.
“Want to try some more of mine?”
“No, thank you, senpai.
I’ll manage on my own,” Ryo quickly waved her hands, picking up her own spoon to take small bites of her mango crepes, not daring to look at Maruzensky again.
Maruzensky didn’t press further, simply watching her with a smile, her eyes filled with affectionate mischief.
The two chatted as they enjoyed their desserts, topics ranging from training to amusing Academy stories.
The atmosphere was light and pleasant, though Maruzensky’s occasional suggestive teasing kept Ryo’s cheeks flushed.
By the time they finished their desserts, it was already past four in the afternoon.
Maruzensky paid the bill, and they walked out of the shop together.
“How about another drive?” Maruzensky suggested.
“No, senpai.
I should head home.
I have early training tomorrow,” Ryo shook her head.
“Alright, then I’ll drive you home,” Maruzensky didn’t insist.
The sports car started up again, heading toward the upscale villa district in the suburbs.
Ryo’s home was a standalone villa with white walls and a blue roof, surrounded by lush greenery in a beautiful setting.
The car stopped in front of the villa gate.
Ryo unbuckled her seatbelt and was about to push the door open when Maruzensky suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Little Ryo,” Maruzensky’s voice held a hint of husky suggestiveness as she leaned slightly closer.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in for some tea?”
Ryo’s heart raced instantly, her cheeks flushing bright red.
But then she suddenly remembered she wasn’t some easy-to-tease pushover.
She took a deep breath, a flicker of cunning flashing in her eyes.
Instead, she gripped Maruzensky’s wrist firmly but not too forcefully, slowly leaning in until their faces were close.
With a tone of feigned composure, she said, “Senpai, if you keep flirting with me like this, aren’t you afraid you’ll be the one to get shy first?”
Maruzensky was taken aback, clearly not expecting the usually shy Ryo to counterattack so suddenly.
She looked into Ryo’s flushed yet determined eyes, felt the warmth of her grip on her wrist, and found her own cheeks uncontrollably reddening.
Her previously composed smile froze, and the tips of her ears instantly turned scarlet—this seemingly shy peer of hers hid a dominant streak similar to the ‘Emperor’s’, one she just hadn’t shown before.
“I…” Maruzensky opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.
Her usual eloquence failed her completely.
A flicker of panic flashed in her brown eyes, and her ears turned so red they seemed about to drip blood.
Watching Maruzensky’s high-attack, low-defense reaction and instant blush, a small sense of triumph welled up in Ryo.
She released Maruzensky’s wrist, pushed the car door open, turned, and waved at her with a somewhat cheerful tone.
“Goodbye, senpai.
Drive safely.”
With that, without waiting for Maruzensky’s response, she quickly walked into the villa, her retreating figure carrying a barely noticeable skip in her step.
Maruzensky sat in the car, watching her Back view, her cheeks still burning.
She raised a hand to touch her own face, but couldn’t suppress a smile—this peer of hers was getting more and more interesting.
Ryo entered the villa and was greeted by the maid, Sakura.
Dressed in a neat maid uniform, Sakura bowed respectfully.
“Welcome back, miss.
Shall I prepare dinner?”
“No need, Aunt Sakura.
I’ve already had dessert,” Ryo shook her head, handing her coat to Sakura.
“Just a glass of warm water will be fine.”
“Of course, miss,” Sakura took the coat and turned to the kitchen to fetch the water.
Ryo walked to the living room sofa and sat down.
Looking at the spacious, empty room, a touch of loneliness washed over her.
Her father, Chisato Shigeaki, was a renowned entrepreneur who spent most of the year abroad managing his business.
Her mother, Brilliant Radiance, had once been an outstanding Uma Musume and, after retiring, lived abroad with her father.
Only Aunt Sakura was at home to take care of her daily needs.
In her past life, her parents were also often away due to busy work schedules, so she had grown accustomed to living alone from a young age.
She never expected her circumstances in this new world to be so similar.
Still, it was alright.
Now she had new goals—to run on the racetrack, win races, become an outstanding Uma Musume like her mother.
She also had rivals worth respecting and…
a senpai who loved to tease her.
Sakura returned with the warm water and handed it to her.
“Miss, you seem very happy today.”
Ryo took the glass, took a sip, and smiled.
“Yes, today I went with Maruzensky-senpai to get my Winners Uniform tailored and had some delicious desserts.”
“That’s wonderful,” Sakura nodded with a smile.
“Please let me know if you need anything at all.”
“Alright, Aunt Sakura.
Thank you for your hard work,” Ryo said.
Sakura bowed and retreated.
The living room fell quiet again.
Ryo leaned back on the sofa, closed her eyes, and images from the day involuntarily surfaced in her mind—Maruzensky-senpai’s teasing and her own counterattack during the Winners Uniform fitting, the thrill of the drive, the satisfaction of the desserts, and the fierce, competitive gleam in Symboli Rudolf’s eyes.
She opened her eyes and looked out the window at the setting sun.
The evening glow bathed the lawn in a golden light.
She knew the road ahead was long, the training would be tough, and the races would be intense, but she wouldn’t back down.
Carrying the memories of her past life and the dreams of this one, she would run freely on the racetrack and shine with her own brilliance.