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The training grounds of Tracen Academy were still humming with the leftover energy of the afternoon sessions. The sun dipped low, painting the track in warm gold. Most Uma Musume had already left, but two figures remained. One sitting on the grass, the other approaching with her usual heavy, confident steps.
Narita Brian walked like a tank that had decided to be polite about it. Mayano Top Gun, meanwhile, sat in a relaxed posture, eyes glowing as always when Brian was near. Her tail flicked with a subtle rhythm that betrayed anticipation.
Brian stopped in front of her, shadow falling over Maya.
"…I’m here." Brian said simply.
Maya nodded. "Mhm."
This was their ritual. Brian would lie down, Maya would offer her lap, and the strongest Uma Musume in Japan would fall asleep like a cat who had found her favorite pillow.
Brian lowered herself, head gently settling onto Maya’s thighs.
Yet this time, Brian froze. Her brows furrowed. Her fingers poked Mayano’s waist. An awkward look was shared between them. She poked again.
"…Maya."
"Yes?"
"You’re…thinner."
Maya blinked. "Am I?"
Brian sat up abruptly, eyes wide with the kind of panic usually reserved for race-day disasters or when Rudolf would start to cook the worst puns to ever exist.
"You lost weight."
Maya tilted her head. "Maybe a little. Training’s been intense."
"No." Brian stood. "Unacceptable."
“…Eh?”
Brian grabbed Maya’s shoulders with the seriousness of a general delivering wartime orders.
"You will not starve. You will not skip meals. You will not lose even one gram more."
Maya blinked again. Now she was not only embarrassed but started to grow confused as well. "I’m not starving. I just—"
Brian didn’t wait. She turned on her heel.
"I’m going to fix this."
"Fix…what?"
Brian was already marching away.
"Brian? Brian?! Where are you going?"
The redhead started to protest, visibly upset to get ditched.
“To find Hishiama.”
"…Why?"
"So she can teach me how to cook cute food for you."
Maya’s face went blank.
Then red.
Then blank again.
"…Cute… food?"
But Brian was gone, leaving only a dust cloud and a very confused uma behind.
✈️🐺
Brian found Hishi Amazon exactly where she expected: in the dorm kitchen, wearing an apron that said "One on One."
"Amazon."
The dorm leader turned, spatula in hand. "Brian! You want a protein refill? I’ve got steak, steak, and steak."
"I need you to teach me how to cook."
Amazon froze.
"…What kind of cooking?"
"Cute cooking."
The spatula clattered to the floor.
"C—cute? Like…bento with hearts and flowers and smiling sausages?"
"Yes." sighed a slightly annoyed Brian.
Amazon stared at her like she had just announced she wanted to become an idol.
"Brian. You punch meat. You don’t decorate it."
"I will learn."
"…For who?"
Brian hesitated.
"…Maya."
Amazon’s eyes widened. Then sparkled. She grabbed Brian’s hands.
"MY LITTLE SISTER IS FINALLY GROWING UP!"
"I’m not your sister." Brian did not even try to hide the disgust that splattered her face.
"YOU ARE NOW."
Thus began the most chaotic cooking lesson in Tracen history.
Within ten minutes, the rice cooker exploded (Brian put in uncooked rice and no water). The octopus sausages looked like eldritch horrors. The heart-shaped omelet resembled a crime scene with its ketchup dripping everywhere. Gold Ship wandered in, took one look, and said "Ah yes, the downfall of civilization" before leaving.
Amazon sighed deeply.
"Brian…you’re strong. You’re fast. You’re terrifying. But you are NOT cute."
Brian clenched her fists. "I will become cute." Her voice was firm. She was way too serious for the matter.
"For Maya?"
"For Maya."
Amazon wiped a tear. "That’s the spirit." Truly, she was not that moved, she just could not stop crying at the food horrors that were presented before her and that she would have to eat to not waste it.
✈️🐺
The next day, Brian invited Maya out.
Not for training. But for a date. Teio was absolutely shocked to see Brian at the door of their shared room with Mayano. But she seemed even more shocked when she allowed herself to listen to the two girls discussing their plans for the evening.
Maya, too, was surprised. She raised an eyebrow. "A date? You?"
Brian nodded. "Yes. We are going to a restaurant."
Maya blinked. “You planned this?”
"…Yes." (Technically, Amazon planned it when they both realized the bento could not be made for now, but Brian executed it with the precision of a military operation.)
✈️🐺
They arrived at a yakiniku restaurant.
Brian’s eyes sparkled with carnivorous joy.
Maya smiled faintly. "I should’ve guessed." She was not bothered, but maybe she should have put a less flashy of an outfit.
The restaurant Brian chose wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t romantic either, well, not in the traditional sense. It was loud, smoky, and filled with the sizzling sound of meat hitting hot metal.
Maya followed her inside, her ears twitched with curiosity. She wasn’t used to Brian being the one to initiate dates. Usually, Maya had to nudge her, or trick her, or outright drag her.
Now, as they were seated in a booth, Maya watched Brian scan the menu with the intensity of a military strategist planning a full-scale invasion.
A waitress approached. "Can I take your—"
"Yes," Brian said immediately. "Meat."
The waitress blinked. "Which—"
"All of it."
Maya covered her mouth to hide a laugh. "Brian, maybe let her finish."
Brian paused. "…Fine."
The waitress, now sweating slightly, tried again. "Would you like a set, or—"
Brian pointed at the menu. "This. This. This. Two of this. Three of that. And the premium wagyu platter."
Maya turned white. "Brian, that platter is meant for six people."
"I am six people."
The waitress scribbled frantically and fled.
Maya, patting her own cheeks in the hope of bringing back some color, happily observes "You’re in a good mood."
Brian didn’t look up from the menu. "I am always in a good mood when meat is involved."
"That’s not what I meant."
Brian froze. Then slowly, very slowly, she lowered the menu and looked at Maya.
"…I am in a good mood because you are here."
Maya’s ears perked, her tail flicked as her heart seemed to be pounding bouncier. Maya’s lips curled into a shy yet excited, pleased smile. "I’m glad."
The waitress returned pushing a cart stacked with plates. A cart full of tray.
Brian’s eyes sparkled like a child on Christmas morning. The redhead watched with amusement as Brian immediately began grilling with the precision of a surgeon.
"Brian," Maya started, "you’re cooking like you’re trying to win a race."
"I am always trying to win."
"It’s not a competition."
Brian had the decency to finish chewing and swallowing her first round of meat before announcing, a little too solemnly "…It is now."
Maya laughed softly. "Against who?"
Brian pointed at the table behind them, where Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet were also eating.
Vodka noticed and waved. "Yo! Brian! Maya! Date night?"
Scarlet choked on her drink. "VODKA! You can’t just say that!"
Vodka shrugged. "What? They’re literally sitting across from each other in a yakiniku place. That’s textbook dating."
Maya gave a tiny nod, clearly happy to approve. "She’s not wrong."
Brian, meanwhile, was frozen in place, tongs hovering over the grill.
"…This is not a date," Brian said stiffly.
Maya tilted her head. "It isn’t?" Her question sounded a bit sad, but it was mainly confusion that could be read in her face.
Brian opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"…It is a date," she admitted quietly.
Scarlet squealed. "Wow, she folded pretty easily."
Vodka fist‑pumped. "Knew it."
Brian glared. "Leave."
"We’re already leaving," Vodka said, grabbing Scarlet by the collar as she dragged her away. "Enjoy your meat‑romance thing!"
Scarlet flailed. "IT’S CALLED YAKINIKU, YOU BARBARIAN!"
Maya chuckled. "They’re fun."
Brian grunted. "They are loud."
"You like them."
"…I tolerate them." The not-so-lone wolf grabs piece of grilled meat with the end of her chopsticks and gently brings it to her girlfriend's face, hoping to silence her.
Maya smiled knowingly while opening her mouth. "Mhm."
✈️🐺
As Brian devoured her tenth plate of meat, Maya leaned back, watching her with fond amusement.
"You know," Maya said, "you really do remind me of a bomber."
Brian paused mid-chew.
"…We are doing this again."
Maya nodded. "Yes." She always loved talking about planes.
Brian sighed. "Explain." She always loved when Maya talked about planes.
"Well," Maya started, tapping her fingers on the table, "you’re powerful, heavy... Built for endurance. You carry a lot of fuel…" She pointed at the meat, allowing herself to steal a bit from Brian’s plate. "You’re reliable! And when you decide to move, nothing can stop you."
Brian blinked, unsure.
"…That is… flattering?"
"It is."
Brian nodded slowly. “Then I accept.” She really thought she was going to get called a beast again.
Maya smirked. "Good."
Brian blushed, she was not sure why. She then leaned forward. "What kind of plane are you?"
Maya’s eyes sparkled. "A fighter jet." She did not hesitate.
Brian nodded. "Fast. Agile. Sharp." The wolf surprised herself, she knew way too much about it. Wait no, she just remembered the intro of that documentary they watched at their last sleepover.
"And loud."
"You are not that loud." Protested Brian, calmly. "A bit. Depends."
Maya shrugged. "Jets are."
Brian considered this. "…You are loud in your own way." She then looked away. "…You make my heart loud."
Maya’s face went pink. "…Brian."
The jay haired cleared her throat. "I said nothing." She proceeded to stuff her mouth with meat again.
"You absolutely did!" Mayano was thrilled, clapping her hands.
"I deny everything."
Mayano Top Gun laughed softly, reaching across the table to brush her fingers against Brian’s hand. The taller (but not that tall) one squeezed back.
✈️🐺
Outside, the night air was cool and gentle.
Brian walked beside Maya, hands in her pockets, expression calm, but her tail swayed with a subtle rhythm.
Maya was almost bouncing, her hands behind her back, a big smile on her lips. She turned around, letting out in a laugh: "You ate a lot!"
"I always eat a lot."
"You ate more than usual."
Brian looked away. Her girlfriend stared with curiosity. "…I needed energy."
"For what?"
"…For being romantic." She answered after an awkward pause. Maya stopped walking.
Brian stopped too. Her golden eyes were trying to escape. But Maya kept staring at her.
"…Brian."
Brian crossed her arms. "I am trying."
Mayano stepped closer.
“Brian.”
Brian swallowed. "…What."
She stood on tiptoe, swaying slightly, clinging with difficulty to Brian's shoulders, then awkwardly pressed her lips to her girlfriend's cheek.
The ginger whispered, "You’re doing great." and Brian turned red.
"…I see."
They continued walking, closer than before.
🐺✈️
The next morning, Brian woke up with a mission.
A dangerous mission.
A mission that would test her strength, her endurance, and her will to live.
She was going to cook.
For Maya.
Cute food.
She marched into the dorm kitchen with the determination of a warrior entering battle. Hishi Amazon was already there, wearing a baby blue apron with small beige polka dots.
Amazon turned, spatula in hand. "Brian. You came back." She gripped the tool tightly between her fingers, making sure not to drop it this time.
Brian nodded. "Teach me."
Amazon sighed. "Alright. Today we’re making…a cute bento."
Brian nodded again. "I will succeed."
Amazon muttered, "That’s what they all say." and handed her an apron.
Brian stared at it. It was pink with frills. And a quite stupid looking cartoon cow on it.
"…I refuse."
Amazon crossed her arms. "If you want to make cute food, you must become cute."
Brian glared. "I am not cute."
"Don’t you remember?! You are for Maya."
Brian froze. Then, slowly, she put on the apron.
Amazon sniffled. "My daughter is growing up."
"You really have to stop with this shit. I am not your daughter."
"You are now!"
✈️🐺
Amazon demonstrated how to make a simple rice ball. Of course, Brian watched carefully, then attempted her own. It came out…wrong.
Very wrong.
Amazon stared. "Brian…how did you make it square." She glances furtively at Brian's hands, perhaps trying to spot some anomaly that makes her fingers square. But no, nothing unusual.
Brian frowned. "It is efficient."
"It looks like a brick."
"It is structurally sound."
Amazon poked it. It didn’t budge.
"…Brian, this could be used as a weapon.”
Brian started smiling a bit too proudly. "Good."
"No! Not good! Mayano is supposed to eat this!"
Brian looked down at the rice brick.
"…I will try again."
✈️🐺
Amazon cracked two eggs, whisked them, and poured them into the pan.
Brian cracked two eggs.
Brian cracked four eggs.
Brian cracked eight eggs.
Amazon grabbed her wrist. "STOP. STOP. STOP."
Brian blinked. "I thought more eggs would make it stronger."
"This is not a protein shake!"
Brian stared at the pan, which now resembled a yellow swamp.
"…I see."
✈️🐺
Amazon showed her how to cut sausages into cute octopus shapes. Brian followed the instructions. Somehow, hers looked like cryptids.
Amazon stared in horror. "Brian…what…what is that."
Brian looked at it calmly. "An octopus."
"That is NOT an octopus. That is a biological impossibility."
Brian shrugged. "It has legs."
"It has too many legs!"
Brian nodded. "More legs means more stability."
Amazon put her head in her hands. "Maya is going to think you’re trying to summon something."
"…Is that bad?"
"Yes!"
That is when Gold Ship burst into the kitchen like a hurricane.
"HELLOOOO! I smelled chaos!"
Amazon groaned. "Go away." She was already losing her patience over Brian, she could not deal with Golshi for now.
Gold Ship ignored her and peered over Brian’s shoulder.
"…Oh my god."
Brian frowned. "What."
Gold Ship pointed at the sausage creature. "Is that your familiar?"
Brian blinked. "My what."
"You know, your demon companion. Your cursed buddy."
"…It is a sausage." Brian was not so calm anymore, she started growing annoyed.
Gold Ship gasped. "IT SPEAKS!"
Amazon threw a towel at her. "GET OUT!"
Gold Ship fled, cackling.
🐺✈️
After three hours of failure, smoke, and existential dread, Amazon sighed.
"Brian… maybe cute cooking isn’t your thing."
Brian clenched her fists. "I will not give up.”
Amazon blinked. "You’re really serious about this."
She nodded. "Maya lost weight. I will fix it."
"You really care about her, huh." Ama softened.
"…Yes." The beast admitted, looking away.
"Alright." Amazon smiled, clenching her fist. "Let’s try again."
🐺✈️
Few days later, Brian found Biwa Hayahide in the library, surrounded by books and charts. "Hayahide."
Hayahide didn’t look up. "Brian. If you’re here to ask about protein intake again, I already told you—"
"I am a bomber."
Hayahide froze at this weird coming out. Then slowly raised her head.
"…Explain."
"Maya said I am a bomber. A heavy one. With fuel."
Hayahide blinked. "Ah. She was using aircraft metaphors."
Brian nodded. "I see."
Hayahide adjusted her glasses. "Do you want to understand them?"
"Yes." Brian confessed, pulling up a chair to sit next to her older sister.
Hayahide pulled out a book titled Aircraft for Dummies. Out of nowhere.
Brian stared. "…Why do you have that."
"For Gold Ship." Says Hayahide flatly.
"…I see." Brian said simply when she couldn't see anything at all, but somehow it made sense anyway, because Gold Ship didn't make any sense, oh her head was starting to hurt. She focused on the book that Hayahide just opened instead.
"A bomber is a large, powerful aircraft designed to carry heavy loads over long distances. It’s stable, reliable, and built for endurance."
Brian nodded. "This matches Maya’s description."
Hayahide continued. "A fighter jet, on the other hand, is fast, agile, and designed for precision."
Brian nodded again. "This matches Maya."
Hayahide smiled faintly. "She was complimenting you."
Brian looked down. "…I know."
Hayahide tilted her head. "You seem troubled."
The younger sister looks around them, making sure they are completely alone. Twisting her fingers, she finally admits: "…I do not know how to compliment her back."
Hayahide blinked. "You? The strongest racer in Japan? Struggling with compliments?"
Brian crossed her arms. "…It is difficult."
Hayahide sighed fondly. "Brian…just tell her what you admire about her."
Brian frowned. "I admire everything."
"Then pick one thing. Or two might be optimal."
Brian thought for a while. Deep in silence, her golden gaze lost in the void, when suddenly she blurted out:
"Her voice."
Hayahide smiled. "Then tell her."
Brian stiffened. “I can not.”
"Why not?"
"…It is embarrassing."
Of course, Hayahide sighed. "Brian, you can lift weights that defy physics. You can stare down Hishi Amazon without flinching. But you can’t tell your girlfriend she has a nice voice."
Brian looked away. "…Correct."
Hayahide pinched the bridge of her nose. "You two are hopeless."
✈️🐺
After training, Maya sat on their usual place far from the track, waiting. Brian approached, slower than usual. Maya noticed immediately. "Brian?" She seemed worried.
Brian sat beside her.
"…Maya."
Maya tilted her head. "Yes?"
Brian hesitated. Then lay down, resting her head on Maya’s lap. Maya smiled softly and stroked her hair. "You’re tired."
Brian closed her eyes. "…Yes." She did had a busy day.
Maya continued gently brushing her fingers through Brian’s hair.
After a moment, Brian spoke.
"…Maya."
"Yes?"
Brian swallowed. "…Your voice is… pleasant."
Maya froze. Her hand stopped. Her cheeks and nose turned red.
"…My… voice?"
Brian nodded slightly. "Yeah."
Maya stared down at her, stunned. Then smiled. Her small but warm, glowing smile.
"…Thank you, Brian."
Brian closed her eyes again.
"…You are welcome."
Maya leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Brian’s ears twitched.
"…Maya."
"Yes?" The ginger hummed innocently.
"Do it again."
Maya laughed softly and kissed her again.
She continued stroking Brian’s hair, her fingers moving in slow, gentle patterns. Brian wasn’t asleep, not even close, but she stayed perfectly still, as if any movement might break the spell.
After a long, peaceful silence, Maya spoke softly.
"You know… you’re cute like this."
Brian’s eyes opened immediately.
"…I am not cute." She was actually quite relieved that Maya called her cute. Weird.
"You are," Maya insisted, brushing a stray strand of hair from Brian’s forehead. "At least to me."
Brian’s ears twitched. "…Only to you."
Maya smiled. "That’s enough, right?"
Brian shifted slightly, turning her face toward Maya’s stomach. "…Maya."
"Mmh?"
Brian hesitated.
"…I want another kiss."
Maya blinked. Then her lips curved into a slow, warm smile. Her eyes beamed in excitation.
"Come here."
Brian sat up, stiff and awkward, like she was preparing for a medical examination rather than affection. Maya laughed softly and cupped Brian’s cheeks with both hands.
"You don’t have to look so serious."
"I am always serious."
"Not right now."
Maya leaned in as Brian froze. Their foreheads touched first, the contact was nice as it is. Brian’s breath hitched. Maya’s thumbs brushed her cheekbones.
Then Maya closed the distance.
The kiss was gentle at first, warm and steady, like she was giving Brian time to adjust. Brian’s hands hovered uncertainly in the air before finally settling on Maya’s waist. That is when Maya deepened the kiss just a little, enough to make Brian’s tail flick once, sharply, betraying her joy.
When they finally parted, Brian stared at her, eyes wide, cheeks flushed.
"…Maya."
"Mhm?"
Brian swallowed. "…I want another."
Maya laughed and that soft, breathy sound made Brian’s heart thump like a starting gate bell.
"Brian, you’re getting bold."
Brian looked away. "…I am practicing."
"For what?"
"For being romantic."
Maya’s expression softened completely. She was not teasing anymore. She leaned in again, slower this time, giving Brian every chance to pull back.
Brian didn’t.
Their lips met again. A little firmer, a bit more confident. Brian’s hand slid up Maya’s back, steady and protective. Maya’s fingers curled into Brian’s shirt.
When they separated, Maya rested her forehead against Brian’s.
"You’re doing more than fine." She whispered.
Brian exhaled shakily. "Good."
Maya kissed her once more, a quick, affectionate peck.
Brian blinked. "…That was fast."
"Just wanted to see your reaction." She sneers, sticking out her tongue.
Brian frowned. "I did not react."
Maya smirked. "Your ears sure did!"
Brian immediately covered her ears with both hands. "No they did not." They were clearly twitching excitedly.
Maya laughed again, leaning into a reddish Brian. "I love you."
Brian slowly lowered her hands.
"I love you too."
Maya kissed her again.
✈️🐺
The next morning, the Tracen dorm kitchen was unusually quiet.
No explosions. No screaming. No Gold Ship.
Just Narita Brian standing at the counter, staring down at a neatly arranged bento box with the intensity of someone facing a final boss.
She had done it.
After days of failure, chaos, and emotional damage to Hishi Amazon, she had finally created something that looked like food.
Cute food, even.
Plane‑themed cute food, if you will.
She closed the lid carefully, as if afraid the contents might escape, and marched out of the dorm with the determination of a soldier carrying a sacred artifact.
Maya was already waiting on their usual place, posture relaxed, focused on her phone. But her tail started swifting happily when she noticed Brian approaching.
"Brian, you’re earlier than usual!" Maya said.
Brian nodded stiffly. "I have something for you."
Maya blinked. "For me?"
Brian sat beside her, back straight, hands gripping the bento box like it might explode.
"…Yeah."
She placed it on Maya’s lap.
Maya looked down.
Then up at Brian.
Then back down.
"…Brian. Is this…?"
"A bento." Brian said, voice firm. "For you."
Maya opened it slowly. Inside was a rice ball shaped like a tiny fighter jet, and next to it a sausage cut into a little runway. Egg rolls were arranged like clouds on top of a small broccoli forest. And to top it all off, carrot star everywhere.
It wasn’t perfect.
But it was cute.
Very cute.
Her eyes softened in a way Brian had only seen a handful of times. It was not glowing like usual. She seemed safe and eased.
"Brian…"
Brian tensed. "What."
"You made this?"
"Yes."
"For me?"
"Didn’t I tell you about it?"
Maya’s voice dropped to a whisper. "It’s just…beautiful."
Brian blinked. "…It is?"
"Of course! I love it!" Maya said, smiling. "It’s the cutest thing anyone has ever made for me!"
Brian turned red. She stuttered a bit. "G—Good."
Maya stared at it for a long moment. Then, in silence, she opened her phone's camera, taking several photos of her girlfriend’s artwork, already thinking about caption ideas for her umastagram.
Maya picked up the little fighter‑jet rice ball and took a bite.
Her eyes widened.
"It’s good."
Brian froze. "It is?" She asked, unsure.
"It is." Maya said, laughing softly. "Brian… you really did it."
Brian looked away, embarrassed yet strangely proud. "…I trained."
Maya leaned closer. "I can tell."
Brian swallowed, hesitant. "…Maya."
"Yes?"
"I want to do something."
Maya tilted her head. "What? I’m not sharing this one!" She exclaimed, closing the box, protective of it.
Brian hesitated, her hands clenched, tail flicking.
Then she reached out, cupped Maya’s cheek with both hands. She was so clumsy, unsure, but gentle… The kiss she gave Maya was nothing like the ones before. It grew to be firm, steady, full of intensity and some kind of unspoken devotion. She really was into it.
Maya’s breath caught.
Then she melted into it, hands sliding up to Brian’s shoulders, pulling her closer.
When they finally parted, Maya rested her forehead against Brian’s, breath warm and soft.
"That was… unexpected."
Brian nodded. "I initiated."
"I noticed."
Brian swallowed, asking shyly "…Was it acceptable?"
Maya laughed, oh this warm, bright sound that made Brian’s chest feel too small.
"More than acceptable." She whispered. “It was perfect."
Brian exhaled slowly, relief finally washing over her. Maya kissed her again, and that soft, lingering kiss tasted faintly of rice and egg.
When they separated, Maya brushed her thumb over Brian’s cheek.
"You know," she murmured, “if you’re a bomber…then I guess I’m your fighter escort."
Brian blinked. "Escort?"
Maya smiled. "I’ll fly with you. Always."
Brian’s heart thumped violently.
Maya leaned in and kissed her once more.
Above them, a breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the faint scent of spring.
Brian felt like the sky itself had opened just for them.