After the team selection exams ended, the classroom buzzed with a different kind of energy. Mejiro McQueen stood at the front.
"We need to decide our class activity. Any ideas?"
With the tension of exams gone, it was finally time for the Tracen Academy Festival. Each class had to organize something, and the neighboring classes were already planning things like a butler café and a haunted house.
Not wanting to fall behind, McQueen took the initiative.
"I have a suggestion."
Opera O stood up dramatically.
"What is it?"
"Let us host a fashion show! Each of us will display our beauty, judged by the audience. Of course, the winner will undoubtedly be me!"
McQueen shut it down immediately.
"That would require making costumes. We don't have the time."
"Next?"
"How about a wrestling tournament!" El Condor Pasa raised her hand enthusiastically. "A passionate clash of strength! The audience will love it!"
"Too violent. Rejected."
"Violent!?" she slammed the desk. "Wrestling is art! A beautiful display of strength and form! Do not reduce it to mere brawling!"
McQueen ignored her protest.
"Anyone else?"
"How about we clear the room, put down beds and pillows, and let people nap?" Seiun Sky suggested lazily.
"Who would want to sleep here!?"
"I would," she replied, already dozing off on her desk.
McQueen pressed her hand to her forehead.
"…Is there no one reliable in this class?"
Her gaze shifted to Shirayuki.
Right. Shirayuki had mentioned transferring from Sakura Municipal Middle School. Their festivals were well-known. Maybe she had a good idea.
"Shirayuki, what do you think?"
"…Me?"
Snapped out of her thoughts, Shirayuki looked up.
"Yes. I trust you can come up with something."
McQueen's trust wasn't unfounded. Thanks to Shirayuki, Mejiro Dober had improved significantly, even managing to join a male trainer's team despite her fear of men. That alone earned Shirayuki a lot of goodwill.
"…Alright, let me think."
Shirayuki tapped her chin.
Back in her old school, the most popular attraction had been a roller coaster setup made inside a classroom. But that required time, materials, and came with safety risks. It had even been shut down within an hour.
And for Uma Musume, that level of thrill wouldn't even be enough.
"…How about an eating contest?" she suggested. "We fill the room with food and see who can eat the most. Both visitors and Uma Musume can participate."
"That's amazing!" Special Week lit up immediately.
"McQueen, I'm all in! Let's do a food contest! Burgers, pizza—"
"We can't just let visitors—"
"And desserts too!"
McQueen paused.
"…Various foods, unlimited servings…"
She hesitated. Even without a strict competition, simply offering food to visitors could work.
"…I think—"
"McQueen."
A gentle voice interrupted.
A refined, Yamato Nadeshiko-like girl stood up.
"Why not a tea room instead?"
In the end, a vote was held.
The result was clear.
Tea Room.
The "eating contest" option got only three votes.
"…Mine, Shirayuki's, and whose else?" Special Week counted on her fingers.
"Who knows," Shirayuki shrugged.
Maybe someone who secretly agreed but didn't dare speak up.
Meanwhile, in the office, Chiya placed the revised training plans into a folder.
With Fukukitaru and Dober joining the team, his workload had increased significantly. Still, as long as they were willing to learn, it was worth it.
Thinking of Dober, he recalled her excitement from yesterday.
"Shirayuki! I improved my time by one second!"
She had grabbed Shirayuki's hand, practically glowing with joy.
"It's thanks to you… and Trainer Chiya."
"I think it's your own effort," Shirayuki replied. "You've been training every night, right? Improvement is only natural."
"Maybe, but… this time felt easier. My movements were smoother. His training worked!"
Dober paced excitedly.
"Maybe I should thank him properly…"
"Thank him?" Shirayuki tilted her head. "You can talk to him now?"
"Not really… but I still want to show my appreciation. What should I do?"
The question was unknowingly directed straight to Chiya himself.
"…How about making him a bento?" Shirayuki suggested. "He's busy, so he sometimes skips meals. A homemade lunch would be nice."
"…A bento…"
Dober thought about it.
"But my cooking isn't very good…"
"It's fine. As long as it's made with sincerity, he'll appreciate it."
"…I see."
Dober nodded firmly.
"Then I'll make one. I hope he likes it."
Back in the present, Chiya leaned back slightly.
He was actually looking forward to it.
How would Dober act now, after everything she'd been through?
He couldn't help but feel a bit curious.