While everyone was having a great time at Nimble Beret’s barbecue stall, time flew by, and it was the first day of the Autumn Festival for the Flash series of races.
In the restaurant, four Uma Musume dressed in maid outfits stood in a row. Lu Jue also put on a clean and tidy chef's uniform, exuding a hint of elegance in his every move.
“You look great,” Lu Jue said.
“Is, is that so?” Nu Tao clasped her hands in front of her, her ears drooping.
She had prepared herself mentally when she put on this outfit today. Yet, she still felt a little shy.
“Of course~” Lu Jue gave an encouraging look, then turned to Eishin Flash and Taiki Shuttle.
Aside from Rice Shower, these three were about the same height, and their figures were curvaceous, truly embodying the essence of ‘slender branches and plump fruits.’
Eishin Flash was also wearing this kind of outfit for the first time, but being used to part-time jobs, she adapted easily, and her straightforward personality made her less prone to shyness.
She even teased Lu Jue in return, “Mr. Lu Jue, you wouldn’t be trying to satisfy your personal desires, would you?”
The other three Uma Musume, hearing this, all turned their questioning gazes towards Lu Jue.
Haha, you got it right, but there’s no reward.
“What are you talking about, what is this!” Lu Jue said with a righteous expression, “I just wanted to unify the work uniforms, and when I asked you, you didn’t offer any suggestions.”
“Oh~” Eishin Flash drew out her last syllable, “Then it was my fault for misjudging.”
“Bro… Trainer sir.” Privately, she called him Oni-chan, but in front of outsiders, she had to call him Trainer. Rice Shower sometimes found it hard to change, “Then why isn’t it a Dragon Kingdom cheongsam?”
“Hmm? Rice Shower wants to wear one?” Lu Jue looked at Rice Shower with a smile. He certainly didn't mind unlocking new outfits for Rice Shower.
“No, no.” Rice Shower waved her hands repeatedly, “I just wanted to ask.”
“You just wanted to ask?”
Anyone who knows how to punctuate understands the deep implications within that statement.
“No, no.” Rice Shower frantically waved her hands again, noticing Lu Jue's smile, and then realized Lu Jue was teasing her again, “I won’t talk to Trainer anymore…”
“Alright, the first customer is about to arrive. Everyone, get ready to welcome them.”
...
On the first day of the festival, Teresen Academy was quite lively. Even if you walked to a less crowded corner, you could still hear the noisy chatter from all directions.
All in all, it was joyous.
There were also two neurotic Uma Musume running down the aisle, occasionally showing off their drifting skills at corners.
“I’m done exploring here! Next stop! Vodka, you’re too slow!”
“You’re the slow one, Daiwa!”
...
Narita Brian and Rhombus Amazon held up tourist signs, followed by a group of children from a kindergarten.
Watching Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka sprint past, Rhombus Amazon complained, “Are those two crazy?”
“Geez~”
...
After half a day of opening, the “Rigil” cafe was packed with people, and the entrance was crowded with many girls.
“Please enjoy your meal.”
“Beautiful lady, your coffee has arrived~”
Symboli Rudolf, Agnes Digital, and Fuji Kiseki were all dressed in suits, elegant and dignified, attracting the guests' undivided attention, who continuously took photos with their phones.
Tojo Hana, who was helping out, looked at the bustling shop and sighed, “There really are a lot of customers today.”
“Yes, and you even lent Taiki Shuttle out,” Fuji Kiseki said.
“A miscalculation, I should have pulled Taiki Shuttle and Xiao Lu over together,” Tojo Hana shook her head and chuckled.
...
The idle “Dream” team members also explored the festival. They didn’t split into groups but went together as a team, walking and playing.
Silent Suzuka held the festival activity map, walking at the very front, chatting with Special Week as she walked.
Tokai Teio and Uralala were often drawn away by some shops midway, leaving the group on their own, and then returning with a bag of delicious or fun things.
Seiun Sky aimlessly followed behind Silent Suzuka and Special Week, neither speaking nor looking left or right, just walking silently.
Compared to the festival activities, what was on her mind was more important to her.
“Xiao Te, there’s an eating contest over there, why don’t you go participate?” Silent Suzuka pointed to a crowded area ahead.
“I can’t, Silent Suzuka, I eat so little normally.” Special Week was very unconfident… no, she had no self-awareness.
Silent Suzuka, with a piercing gaze, patted Special Week’s shoulder, “Xiao Te, I believe in you.”
“This, this…”
“Let’s go, sign up! There’s a prize if you win, and it’s okay if you lose.” While Special Week was still hesitating, Silent Suzuka had already pulled her hand and started walking.
Remembering Seiun Sky behind her, Silent Suzuka turned and said, “Seiun, do you want to come to the eating contest with us? Or do you want to wander around by yourself?”
“I’ll go with you guys~” Seiun Sky thought for a moment and said.
In her current state, she wasn’t really interested in anything.
Silent Suzuka nodded, “Okay, then let’s go.”
...
The three walked to the registration desk, and to their surprise, the host was their acquaintance, El Condor Pasa.
“Xiao Te! Silent Suzuka, and Seiun!” El Condor Pasa greeted the three, finally resting her gaze on Special Week, “Xiao Te is going to compete, right?”
“Eh? How did you know right away?” Special Week pointed at herself in surprise.
“Yes. We’re signing Xiao Te up,” Silent Suzuka said.
“No problem, here’s a number for Xiao Te, once the contestants are in place, the competition can begin!”
Silent Suzuka and El Condor Pasa talked for a few sentences, and a number tag was already hung on the still bewildered Special Week.
Special Week could only passively accept it. She glanced at the three Uma Musume on the other side who also wore number tags, silently reciting their names.
“Super Creek.”
She looked like a very gentle older sister, but somehow, Special Week thought of her Mom-chan… besides being gentle, there was also a feeling of being much more mature than herself.
Source: Anime screenshot, delete if infringing.
“Tamamo Cross.”
She had pigtails, and her small frame seemed to contain a lot of energy.
This one, Special Week knew, was a very impressive senior.
Source: Anime screenshot, delete if infringing.
“Finally… Oguri Cap senior.”
Her expression was a bit stiff, and her eyes were a bit lifeless… Special Week recalled the nickname Lu Jue often gave him. She felt that the title “Especially Dull” should really be given to Oguri Cap.
Same as above.
...