...
Leaving aside how everyone was happily chatting at Dextrous Bailey's barbecue stall, in the blink of an eye, the first day of the Twinkle Series Autumn Festival arrived.
In the restaurant, four horse girls dressed in maid outfits stood in a row. Lucian was also wearing a clean and neat chef's uniform, his every movement carrying a hint of elegance.
"You all look great," Lucian said.
"R-Really?" Doto clasped her hands in front of her, her ears drooping slightly.
She had mentally prepared herself a lot before coming here in this outfit today. Still, she couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed.
"Of course~" Lucian gave her an encouraging look before turning his gaze to Ines Fujin and Taiki Shuttle.
Aside from Little Rice Shower, these three were about the same height, with curvaceous figures that gave off a "slender yet bountiful" vibe.
This was also Ines Fujin's first time wearing such an outfit, but as someone who often worked part-time jobs, she adapted easily. Her straightforward personality also made her less prone to shyness.
In fact, she even teased Lucian in return, "Lucian-san, you're not trying to satisfy some personal desire of yours, are you?"
The other three horse girls immediately turned questioning looks toward Lucian upon hearing this.
Hahaha, correct—but no reward for guessing right.
"What kind of nonsense is that?!" Lucian put on a righteous expression. "I just wanted to standardize the work uniforms. Besides, when I asked for your opinions earlier, none of you had any suggestions."
"Oh~" Ines Fujin drew out her syllable. "My bad for misjudging you, then."
"Onii-chan... I mean, Trainer-san." In private, she called him "Onii-chan," but in front of others, she had to address him properly. Rice Shower sometimes had trouble switching. "Then why didn't you choose a qipao from your country?"
"Hmm? Rice Shower wants to wear one?" Lucian smiled as he looked at her. He certainly wouldn't mind unlocking a new outfit for her.
"N-No, no!" Rice Shower waved her hands frantically. "I was just asking."
"You were just... asking?"
Anyone who understood the weight of that pause knew exactly what deeper meaning lay behind it.
"No, no!" Rice Shower waved her hands again in a fluster. Noticing Lucian's smirk, she finally realized he was teasing her again. "I'm not talking to Trainer anymore..."
"Alright, the first customer will be here soon. Everyone, get ready to welcome them."
...
On the first day of the festival, Tracen Academy was bustling with activity. Even if you wandered into a quieter corner, you could still hear the lively chatter coming from all directions.
It was a joyous atmosphere overall.
There were also two particularly energetic horse girls sprinting down the pathways, occasionally pulling off drifts at corners.
"I've already checked out this area! Next stop! Vodka, you're too slow!"
"You're the slow one, Daiwa!"
...
Narita Brian and Hishi Amazon held up sightseeing signs, followed by a group of kindergarten children.
Watching Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka dash past, Hishi Amazon muttered, "Are those two crazy?"
"Who knows~"
...
After just half a day of operation, the café run by "Rigil" was already packed, with a crowd of girls gathered at the entrance.
"Please enjoy your order at your leisure."
"Beautiful lady, here's the coffee you ordered~"
Symboli Rudolf, T.M. Opera O, and Fuji Kiseki were dressed in sleek suits, exuding elegance and grace, which kept the customers' eyes glued to them as they snapped photos with their phones.
Toujou Hana, who had come to help, looked at the lively shop and sighed. "There are so many customers today."
"Indeed. And you even lent out Taiki Shuttle," Fuji Kiseki remarked.
"A miscalculation on my part. I should've dragged both Taiki Shuttle and Lucian over here," Toujou Hana said with a wry smile.
...
The idle members of "Dream" also wandered around the festival. Instead of splitting into groups, they stuck together, playing and exploring as they went.
Silence Suzuka led the way, holding a festival activity map and chatting with Special Week as they walked.
Tokai Teio and Haru Urara, however, kept getting distracted by various stalls along the way, breaking off from the group before returning with bags of tasty treats or fun souvenirs.
Seiun Sky trailed aimlessly behind Silence Suzuka and Special Week, neither speaking nor looking around, simply walking in silence.
Compared to the festival activities, the thoughts weighing on her mind held far more significance.
"Spe-chan, there's an eating contest over there. Want to give it a try?" Silence Suzuka pointed ahead to a spot surrounded by a crowd.
"I-I don't think I can, Suzuka. I don't eat much normally..." Special Week lacked confidence—no, more accurately, she lacked self-awareness.
Silence Suzuka's eyes gleamed with determination as she patted Special Week's shoulder. "Spe-chan, I believe in you."
"B-But..."
"Let's go sign up! There are prizes if you win, and it's fine even if you lose." While Special Week was still hesitating, Silence Suzuka was already pulling her along by the hand.
Remembering Seiun Sky behind them, Silence Suzuka turned her head. "Seiun, do you want to come with us to the eating contest? Or would you rather explore on your own?"
"I'll go with you~" Seiun Sky thought for a moment before answering.
In her current state, nothing really sparked her interest.
Silence Suzuka nodded. "Alright, let's go."
...
When the three arrived at the registration booth, they were surprised to find that the host was none other than their acquaintance, El Condor Pasa.
"Spe-chan! Suzuka, and Seiun!" El Condor Pasa greeted the three, her gaze finally settling on Special Week. "Spe-chan's competing, right?"
"Eh? How did you know right away?" Special Week pointed at herself in surprise.
"Yes. We're signing Spe-chan up," Silence Suzuka said.
"No problem! Here's a number for Spe-chan. Once all the contestants are ready, the competition can begin!"
After a brief exchange between Silence Suzuka and El Condor Pasa, a bewildered Special Week found herself wearing a contestant number.
Left with no choice, Special Week accepted her fate. She glanced at the three other horse girls also wearing numbers and silently noted their names.
"Super Creek."
She seemed like a gentle, elegant older sister, but for some reason, Special Week was reminded of her own mother—not just gentle, but also far more mature than herself.
"Tamamo Cross."
She had her hair in twin tails, and her petite frame seemed to contain boundless energy.
Special Week knew of her—she was a very impressive senpai.
"And finally... Oguri Cap-senpai."
Her expression was somewhat blank, her eyes vacant... Special Week recalled the nickname Lucian often gave her ("Special Dull"). She felt that "Dull Cap" would suit Oguri Cap much better.
...