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Chapter 153 - Chapter 152, Prologue: Adagio

Sweet things easily attract bugs.

No matter when or where, there will always be bugs that don't know their own limits.

What happens to those bugs when they try to lay hands on what belongs to others?

I have to make them deeply understand that...

"Uh... McQueen, what's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?"

Legend looked at the cake in front of her, somewhat confused.

"Please open your mouth."

McQueen said with a smile.

"Huh? Oh."

Legend opened her mouth and ate the cake.

"That's really rare, McQueen actually sharing desserts with others. Ah, Deep, do you want some?"

Deep Impact shook her head like a fan.

"Eh? Deep, you don't like desserts?"

That's not the problem! The sister next to you is radiating killing intent!

Deep Impact, who was essentially a coward at heart, grabbed Legend's hand and shrank into Legend's arms.

"Legend-san, you haven't introduced this little friend to me yet..."

McQueen's voice was much lower than usual.

"Hmm? Ah, sorry, I forgot. This child is named Deep Impact; you can call her Deep. She's a junior I'm very fond of."

Legend picked up Deep Impact and held her up in front of McQueen.

Deep Impact felt like she was about to wet herself.

"Oh, I see. Pleased to meet you, Miss Deep."

"O-okay..."

Deep Impact tried hard to control her expression, trying not to cry.

If she cried here, she would be killed!

"Hmm? Is that the competitive eating contest over there? Let's go, let's go check it out!"

"Sure." McQueen answered elegantly.

Legend, carrying Deep Impact, led McQueen to the venue of the competitive eating contest.

The theme of this year's competitive eating contest was ramen.

The Gourmet Club had specially invited ramen masters from outside the school to prepare it for this event.

The competition had already entered a heated phase.

"Let's see, it's already the finals..." Legend looked at the Uma Musume sitting on the field. "As expected, Tamamo Cross-senpai, Oguri, and... Taiki Shuttle? Not Super Creek? Hmm? Special Week is here too?"

Why does this scene feel like a hodgepodge?

Legend tilted her head.

"Legend-san, why don't you call Oguri Cap-senpai'senpai'?" McQueen asked, seemingly only just noticing.

"Oguri and I are very close." Legend said frankly.

"I see..." McQueen nodded with a smile.

Deep Impact, having been put down, squeezed behind Legend.

"Ah, right, McQueen, do you want to try this takoyaki?"

Legend asked, holding the takoyaki she had bought on the way over.

"Sure, ah."

McQueen smiled calmly, but uncharacteristically opened her mouth.

"Eh?"

"What's wrong? Won't you feed me?"

McQueen asked.

"No, it's just the first time I've seen McQueen ignore etiquette and ask to be fed. It's quite novel."

Legend excitedly popped a piece of takoyaki into McQueen's mouth.

"Once in a while is fine."

McQueen cast a glance, intentionally or not, toward the contestants on the stage.

It was then captured by two contestants who had been watching this side ever since that flash of gold appeared.

Oguri Cap calmly put food into her mouth, completely unperturbed.

After seeing that scene, Special Week felt anxious for some reason, but she was simple-minded and didn't think much of it, attributing it to competition nerves. She didn't make any moves and continued with what she was doing.

Heh.

McQueen sneered inwardly.

"That looks delicious, can I try one?"

A voice suddenly cut in, causing Legend and McQueen to turn their heads.

"Hmm? It's Suzuka. That makes sense, Special Week is here too." Legend nodded in understanding. "Sorry, Suzuka, I didn't notice you."

"Rather than that, won't you give me one to eat first?"

Suzuka said with a smile.

"Oh, does Suzuka like takoyaki too?"

Legend popped a piece of takoyaki into Suzuka's mouth.

"Thanks, it's delicious."

Suzuka chewed and swallowed the takoyaki, then smiled as she faced McQueen.

McQueen reined in her smile and stared coldly at Suzuka.

Deep Impact shivered.

"Right? My taste was honed by Oguri during our many gourmet pilgrimages!"

Legend, completely oblivious, said triumphantly.

"Oh! Special Week's speed has increased! What happened? Special Week has actually caught up to the three-time reigning competitive eating champion, Oguri Cap-senpai!"

The voice of the announcer, El Condor Pasa, came over the broadcast.

Although the ramen was delicious, and it was a good thing that Suzuka, McQueen, and Legend were on such good terms, why? This feeling that only she was being left out... They were all on the same team, why was there no place for her there?... No! She had to finish eating quickly; she wanted to join in too!

Special Week activated "Full Throttle."

"Oh, Special Week has exploded! She's actually tied with Oguri Cap! Well done, Special Week! Grass Wonder, what do you think?" El Condor Pasa turned to ask Grass Wonder, who was also serving as a host beside her.

"Hehe."

Grass Wonder did not answer El Condor Pasa, but instead stared at a corner off-stage and let out a laugh.

El Condor Pasa shuddered.

Yabai, this was the laugh Grass Wonder only made when she was extremely angry. Had she angered Grass Wonder again? Was she going to be killed?

As Grass Wonder's roommate, El Condor Pasa, who was already well-versed in all of Grass Wonder's tones and laughs, began to worry.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh! Oguri! This time I will definitely defeat you fair and square and win that plushie!"

"Remarkable will and fighting spirit. Even I feel my heart surging."

Oguri Cap nodded: "In that case, I will show my respect as well!"

A surging aura erupted, and Oguri Cap emitted effects like a burning flame.

You've got to be kidding me? You're even opening a Domain in this kind of competition?

Legend was speechless, then noticed something was wrong.

"Hmm? This feeling, it's not [Ultimate Attainment]? It's not even [Overflow]?"

But didn't she break through during the Arima Kinen?

Could it be that Oguri isn't walking the path of the [Domain]?"

While I was pondering, the winner had already been decided on the stage.

"The winner is undoubtedly! Oguri Cap!"

After letting out a burp, Oguri Cap customarily handed the puppet in her hand to the burnt-out Tama, then walked towards Legend and her group.

"As long as you enjoyed the food, it's fine."

Legend comforted Special Week, whose ears were drooping because she lost the match, and smoothed her hair.

Oguri Cap walked over: "Legend, I won!"

"You even used a finisher in a match like this? And looking at your expression, you're pretty proud of yourself, aren't you?"

Using field consumption to promote energy conversion? You really are something, Oguri.

Legend said, speechless.

"A win is a win, is there a reward?"

"Only takoyaki, do you want it?"

"Ah~"

Walking to Legend's side as a matter of course, Oguri Cap occupied the space between Legend and McQueen. Ignoring McQueen's trembling pupils, she hugged Legend's left arm and opened her mouth.

"I really can't do anything with you."

Legend helplessly fed Oguri Cap.

Completely failing to notice the dark-faced Suzuka and McQueen.

"Ah, Legend-san, I want some too!"

Special Week squeezed between Suzuka and Legend, though she didn't hug Legend's arm.

"Alright, alright, alright."

Legend didn't mind and fed Special Week.

The highlights in Suzuka and McQueen's eyes faded away.

Deep Impact was still shivering.

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