Author's Note: I am not an editor or a pro writer. I will write this the best I can and edit it the best I can. I also do not own Uma Musume, for it is owned by Cygames. Watch the animes, and read the mangas for they are pretty good. Finally, please enjoy.
After Moving Into the Airbnb
Sweet Pollen POV
They were avoiding me again—or at least that's what it felt like.
I watched the rest of the team go about their business without giving me a single ounce of attention. I thought we'd all made a good impression on each other when we first met, but aside from Steel, Norn, GW, KiWi, and Mama, everyone else seemed to avoid me like the plague.
At this point we knew each other well enough for me to notice patterns, and one stood out: all the former men—except KiWi—who were now lesbians kept their distance. I was bisexual, like Norn and Gray, but somehow it felt like everyone who could be attracted to me was actively steering clear.
Did I do something wrong?
Did they hate me?
Was I ugly?
Back home I hadn't been the prettiest girl, but I could at least tease a few ladies and gents without them running for the hills.
So I started investigating.
Every time I asked, people dodged the question or looked at me like I should already know the answer. I kept hitting a wall—not the fun, break-through-it kind, but the frustrating dead-end kind.
It reminded me of when I was younger. I'd been a tomboy—football, rugby, martial arts, anything rough. Then puberty hit and suddenly I was "hot," but when I tried embracing my feminine side, the popular girls mocked me. Dresses and makeup, they said, were wasted on someone as boyish as me.
That's when my childhood best friend stepped in. She shut everyone up and helped me learn to own myself—fashion, confidence, playful teasing. By high school my debut was a success. I was cool, cute, and a perfect hybrid, able to tease both boys and girls with ease.
Athletically, I shifted into marathon running when my old sports disappeared, and I kept martial arts to channel my aggression. I was good—really good—but infamous too. If no one was looking, I'd bump competitors out of my way. Disqualified? Fined?
No regrets.
Now I was here, hearing about obstacle racing—running and hitting people? With a stronger body? Music to my horse ears.
Still… this new look kept nagging at me. I'd only ever seen Kitasan Black in anime form. Was she considered ugly in her world? Was I ugly now too?
Frustrated and exhausted, I found Mama Blues.
"Oh, sweetie, what's wrong?" she asked.
I spilled everything—the avoiding, the teasing that went nowhere, the ugly fears.
"Why is everyone avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? Do they hate me?"
Mama groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Not this oblivious, low-self-esteem nonsense again. First Vic, now you."
She softened, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"You're rough, and you're beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Honestly, you're even cuter now—you look exactly like Kitasan Black."
That eased the knot in my chest, but not the mystery.
"Then why isn't my teasing working?"
"Because," she said carefully, "you shouldn't toy with people's feelings. Consequences might follow. And the only reason those consequences haven't hit yet… is fear of Rose."
My ears perked. A lead.
"So go ask her," Mama finished. "I can't tell you myself."
I shot up.
"Thanks, Mama. Love you like my own."
I ran straight to the B&B library, where Rose usually hid out with her books.
I burst in.
"Rose, what did you do?!"
She squealed, jumping in surprise—then blushed and looked away. Definitely suspicious.
"What did you say?" I pressed. "Everyone's avoiding me whenever I flirt or tease them."
She suddenly stepped forward, voice loud and sharp.
"Why are you flirting with other people?!"
I blinked, stunned.
"Why shouldn't I? I'm free to tease whoever I want."
Her face turned crimson. She looked down, voice barely a whisper.
"Because… you're m—"
"What was that?" I teased, leaning closer. Teasing her always felt the best—like instinct.
Before I could push further, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close, eyes pouting but determined.
"I won't let anyone else have you."
Warmth flooded my chest. Joy, pure and simple.
Fine. If Rose wanted to monopolize my teasing, she could have it. It felt too good anyway.
We stayed like that the rest of the night—her reading, me scrolling on my phone—quiet, comfortable, together.
⸻
Outside the Room — 3rd Person POV
After the commotion of Sweets barging in, the rest of the team gathered outside—only to be stopped by Mama Blues, who silently shushed them and blocked the door.
They peeked inside.
"What the hell was that?" ImP whispered.
"Seriously, just get together already," Rain muttered.
"You don't get to call anyone an idiot," Gray shot back. "You're the biggest dumbass here."
Rain bristled. "Say that again, beanpole—"
"Both of you, quiet," Mama hissed.
"Oh my," Norn said dreamily. "If it were me, we'd already be in bed."
"Same," Spice grinned, and they high-fived.
"I can hear the music of their love," BlaD sighed.
Jo blinked. "What does that even sound like?"
BlaD responded with an over-the-top air-guitar riff.
Lily scoffed. "All that and she still didn't figure it out. Is Sweets dense or just special-grade dense?"
"You shouldn't talk," Steel smirked. "I know about your recent interests."
Lily immediately started sputtering.
"Ooh, Lily's making weird sounds," KiWi said excitedly.
GW covered her mouth. "Quiet, child."
Then she turned to Vic. "Should we intervene?"
Vic shook her head.
"Leave it. The team may not be ready for relationships… but neither are they."
She calmly stepped between Rain and Gray, effortlessly separating their standoff before walking away. The others followed, giving the pair inside their privacy.
Mama caught up beside her with a smile.
"You looked pretty cool there."
Vic shrugged lightly.
"Just used to handling situations like this."