A few days later, the Tracen Academy Festival was in full swing. A large banner reading "Welcome Guests" hung at the school gate, and crowds of visitors streamed in without pause.
"Gold City-san! I'm your fan, can we take a photo!?"
Near a blonde, model-like Uma Musume, a group of younger fans bowed eagerly.
"Sure."
She agreed without hesitation.
The festival wasn't just for students to relax. It was also a rare chance for fans to interact with Uma Musume up close. Some of them even used the opportunity to make a bit of money.
"Fresh cream cakes! Just made! Buy two for 20% off, three for 30%! Sir, would you like one?"
While walking through the festival, Chiya was suddenly stopped by a short-haired girl presenting a tray of cakes.
"How do they taste?"
"Guaranteed satisfaction… oh, you're a Tracen trainer." She noticed the badge on his chest.
"Any discounts?"
"Buy five, get one free."
"I'll take five."
"Coming right up!"
As she packed them, another Uma Musume with twin tails rushed over and grabbed her.
"Vodka! What are you doing? The trainer's looking for you!"
"I'm earning funds for our next activity."
"Forget that, come on!"
"Wait— hey, sir, here's your cake. Thanks for your purchase!"
She was dragged away mid-sentence.
"…They're busy," Chiya muttered, taking a bite.
As he wandered, he kept an eye out for students who might need help. The student council recommendation list hadn't grown in over a week. If this kept up, Shirayuki's application might fall through.
"Chiya."
A familiar voice called out.
He turned to see a short-haired woman approaching.
"Aoi. And Meek."
"Walking alone?" Aoi Kiryuin asked.
"Yeah, just looking around."
"…Mind if we join you?" she brushed her hair back. "It's our first time at a festival like this."
"Sure, come along." Chiya pulled out the cakes. "Meek, want one?"
"…Cake. Yes." Happy Meek replied immediately, still chewing on a sausage.
"Aoi, you too. The students made them."
"Then I'll gladly accept."
Meanwhile, in Shirayuki's tea room, an unexpected guest arrived.
The moment she saw those dark red eyes, Shirayuki instinctively stepped back.
"Tachyon…-senpai."
"Shirayuki-san." She smiled in that unreadable way of hers. "Nice setup. Who designed this?"
"It was Mejiro McQueen and Grass Wonder."
Tachyon nodded and took a seat.
"Here's the menu."
"Black tea, please."
"Right away."
After Shirayuki returned with the order, Tachyon rested her chin on one hand.
"Finally, someone with taste opened a tea room. I don't have to suffer through that awful coffee smell anymore."
"…You don't like coffee?"
"Of course not. Bitter, unpleasant, even sugar can't fix it."
She dropped several sugar cubes into her tea.
"Tea, on the other hand, is excellent. Add enough sugar and it's perfect."
Shirayuki stared at the nearly overflowing cup.
"…That's just sugar water now."
"Exactly. That's why it's great."
After taking a satisfied sip, Tachyon continued.
"By the way, have you thought about my proposal?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your list hasn't grown, has it? At this rate, getting into the student council will be difficult."
That hit exactly where it hurt.
Shirayuki had made no progress recently. It wasn't that people didn't need help, but most situations were minor. She couldn't just ask for recommendations over trivial things.
"You're worried my lab is dangerous, aren't you?" Tachyon said calmly.
Isn't it?
She took another sip.
"Despite the rumors, not everything in my lab is dangerous. In fact…"
She pulled out a small case.
"I have something with me."
Inside was a pair of thick-lensed glasses.
"This is my latest invention. The Affection Meter Glasses."
"…Affection meter?"
"They allow you to see how much someone likes you."
"You're kidding, right? This isn't a game."
"You'd be surprised. Affection can be quantified. Tone, expression, breathing, body temperature, micro-expressions… combine those with my algorithm, and you get a fairly accurate estimate."
"…That actually sounds plausible."
"I'm currently testing them. Would you help me?"
"…Me?"
"Yes. This is the experiment. Nothing dangerous, is it?" she smiled.
"…It sounds fine."
Following her instructions, Shirayuki put on the glasses and pressed the button.
A white flash.
A blue data grid spread across her vision.
She looked at Tachyon.
A number flickered into place.
72
"…What does the number mean?"
"Affection level. Strangers are around 50. Acquaintances, 60. Friends, 70. Close friends, 80. Lovers, 90."
"…Then what's 100?"
"Obsessive fixation. Rare. Those people wouldn't let you walk around freely." Tachyon paused. "You said mine is 72?"
"…Yeah."
"…Interesting. I care about you more than I thought."
"…This thing might be inaccurate."
She couldn't imagine being "friends" with Tachyon.
"It's still in testing. That's why I need your help."
She took another sip.
"I'll go try it out then."
Without hesitation, Shirayuki rushed out of the tea room, eager to test the glasses.