Umamusume: My Umamusume Is a Ghost! [13]

Elsewhere, Rei Sumikawa sat in his office, writing up the day’s training plan.

Every so often, the image of King sucking with all her might popped into his head.

Before long, his leg began bouncing uncontrollably.

W-what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I calm down? Clear your mind and stop thinking about it! Focus on your work!

For some reason, Rei kept involuntarily recalling what had happened that morning. The memory left him unbearably restless, like someone who had just tasted meat and was already hungry for more. It would have been better never to feed him at all; once he had a bite, there was no stopping him.

No way. Am I really addicted? No, how could I be? It only happened once…

Trying to suppress the heat smoldering inside him, Rei stood and headed to the restroom to splash some water on his face. He had only just stepped into the hallway when excited cries rose nearby.

“Her Highness? What is Her Highness doing here?”

“It’s Her Highness Orfevre!”

“Ah… Her Highness is as noble as ever today.”

Rei saw a golden figure emerge from the crowd. Her perfectly groomed long hair swayed behind her, and the two white-streaked locks at her forehead fluttered in the breeze. Her clear violet eyes were piercingly cold.

That’s… Orfevre?!

Rei stared, wide-eyed.

There was no mistaking her. The girl before him was Orfevre, the most closely watched Umamusume of the year. Just last month, she had claimed a decisive victory in the Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown, making her the racing world’s brightest rising star.

She stood with her arms folded, her expression cold and aloof. She exuded the terrifying aura of a sovereign ruling over all beneath her.

Rei had first met her a little over a year ago. Orfevre had still been a new student then, but her results were already impressive enough that every Trainer wanted to recruit her. For some reason, however, she had rejected every invitation. That was when Rei first met her.

He had casually offered her a little training advice, only for Orfevre to seize hold of him. From then on, she dragged Rei everywhere as her “retainer.”

After a practice race, Orfevre demanded that he sign a contract with her. Rather than a contract, Rei had felt as though she wanted to turn him into a servant, since her exact words had been, “From this day forth, you shall serve us.”

But Rei refused.

It was not that he disliked Orfevre. At the time, he was busy preparing for King’s race and simply had no energy to spare. Orfevre flew into a rage over his refusal and nearly beat him to death. Fortunately, her older sister intervened in time and saved him.

In any case, his relationship with Orfevre was complicated. Although he had turned her down, they had remained in contact. By now, they could just barely be considered friends.

While Rei was lost in thought, Orfevre had somehow reached him without his noticing.

“Commoner.”

“H-hey. Hello, Orfevre.”

Rei greeted her.

“…We heard you were hospitalized after protecting an Umamusume.”

“…”

“We are speaking to you, commoner.”

“Huh? Oh…” Rei awkwardly shifted his gaze away from Orfevre’s long, beautiful legs.

All sorts of terrible thoughts were surfacing in his mind beyond his control, and not even Orfevre was exempt.

How did I never notice how beautiful Orfevre’s legs were? The skin between her skirt and thigh-high socks looks so tempting. It’s as white as ice cream and almost seems to carry a faint sweetness…

No, what am I thinking?! Why am I having thoughts like this? Stop it!

“I-I wasn’t hospitalized. I just got checked out.”

“How is your condition?”

“Pretty… good.”

Orfevre gave a small snort. Without another word, she turned and walked away.

…Huh?

What was that about? Did Orfevre come here because she was worried about me?

Rei could not be sure. Orfevre’s temperament was so fierce that even when she cared about someone, it might not show at all.

Once she was gone, Rei breathed a sigh of relief. It was not because he had been nervous. Rather, he had felt an inexplicable desire for Orfevre.

Ever since King had opened the floodgates that morning, Rei felt as though he could no longer restrain himself.

I need to wash my face and calm down.

Rei turned to leave. Just then, he saw a head of burgundy hair hurriedly duck back around the corner.

He silently walked over.

“What are you doing, Variation?” Rei called, startling the girl hiding behind the wall.

“T-Trainer?”

“Who were you watching? Me or Orfevre?”

“I-I was going to say hello to you, Trainer, but then I ran into Orfevre, so I hid.”

The girl spoke nervously. Her name was Win Variation, and Rei had met her during the same year as Orfevre.

Unlike the overwhelmingly intimidating Orfevre, Win Variation seemed gentle. She smiled often, and the soft curve of her lips made her clear green eyes especially charming.

With her burgundy, jellyfish-like hairstyle and low twin tails, Win Variation looked like the sweet girl next door.

Rei often went out with her. Every few days, they would go shopping or see a movie together. Sometimes, Win Variation would also come to his room to read manga or play games.

Put simply, they had the sort of relationship where Rei could say, “Variation, I want to touch your black tights,” and she would step on his face and reply, “Trainer, you pervert.”

They were more than friends, but not quite lovers.

Incidentally, Win Variation and Orfevre belonged to the same cohort. They had raced against each other before, and Orfevre had crushed her so thoroughly that Win Variation had avoided her ever since, too afraid to face her.

The same thing had happened just now. The moment she saw Orfevre approaching Rei, she had hidden.

“How are you feeling, Trainer? I heard you were hospitalized. I wanted to visit, but your team captain, King-san, said too many people had already come by that day and that she wanted you to rest, so she wouldn’t let me.”

“I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with me now.”

“…”

“What is it, Variation?”

“Can I… take a look?”

Before Rei could answer, Win Variation walked behind him and lifted his shirt.

She covered her mouth when she saw the dreadful scars across his back.

“Trainer, this must hurt a lot… doesn’t it?”

“Variation, you lifted my shirt without asking. Next time, I’m lifting yours.”

“We can talk about that later. Ah… Trainer, you’re covered in scars.”

The girl reached out and gently stroked Rei’s back, her face full of concern.

“They’re only scars. They’ve already healed, so they don’t hurt anymore.”

“Just tell me if you ever need anything. After all, you’re my… g-good friend…”

Win Variation spoke with both concern and embarrassment, her cheeks flushed.

T/N: OUGHHH OFYS LEGSSSSSSSSSSS

This is a fan translation of 赛马娘，我的马娘是幽灵 by 风与林 Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!