Summer, fireworks festival—just putting those two words together paints a top-tier scene in your mind!
King Halo pointed enthusiastically at the abstract stick figures drawn on the blackboard, addressing Narita Top Road and Admire Vega with vibrant energy.
The ever-diligent Top Road raised her hand and asked:
"But it's already early September, isn't it? And can our school's little festival really have a proper fireworks show…?"
Faced with such a sharp question, King Halo didn't flinch. Picking up a sparkler she was using as a pointer, she replied with complete confidence:
"The tail end of summer is still summer! And sparklers in your hand definitely count as fireworks!"
"Nothing can go wrong this time—top-tier me has already figured out how to get close to Dream!"
Admire Vega, who had been drowsily resting her head on the desk, let out a yawn and remarked expressionlessly:
"But weren't you the last to show up during the bread operation last time?"
"Guh!"
Struck right in the ego, King Halo had no retort. She could only let out a pathetic squeak before flopping over like a total loser. Top Road quickly rushed forward to catch her teammate before she hit the floor.
"And you call yourself a top-tier older sister?"
A cold glint flashed in Admire Vega's eyes as she pressed on mercilessly.
In her view, the King Halo from that other world was utterly foolish. If Dream Weaver's older sister had been her from the very beginning, the ending would never have been so tragic.
"Gwah—!"
Holding a pale and guilt-ridden King Halo in her arms—one who looked on the verge of crumbling from self-blame—Top Road could only play peacemaker between the two.
"Uma Musume don't make the same mistake twice. Go easy on her, Vega."
"Besides, we're all teammates on the same side now! Otherwise, we'll have to watch that T.M. Opera O keep pestering Dream nonstop."
Hearing Top Road's words, Admire Vega could only nod in agreement.
After their last showdown at the school gates, they had come to understand that no one alone could ever overcome the nonsensical, inexplicably confident force that was T.M. Opera O. That girl would undoubtedly use shameless, persistent pestering until Dream gradually grew accustomed to her presence—something the three Uma Musume absolutely could not allow.
In their eyes, only they could save Dream Weaver from meeting the same fate as in that other world. There was no way someone like T.M. Opera O could pull it off—she would only push Dream to become her rival in pursuit of greater heights, just like before.
As sensible individuals who had been defeated by T.M. Opera O, the three Uma Musume deeply distrusted her. They were certain that someone as unreliable as Opera O would only lead Dream down the wrong path.
And so, only they could guide Dream Weaver toward the right future!
The three silently vowed in their hearts.
Having steeled their resolve, they exchanged glances and began discussing how to overcome T.M. Opera O. After all, the reason they'd joined forces in the first place was precisely because none of them could handle Opera O alone.
King Halo picked herself up from the floor and, acting as if nothing had happened, pointed at the blackboard and continued:
"Based on our observations yesterday, for some reason Orfevre got tangled up with T.M. Opera O, which kept Opera from making any further moves."
"And that's our chance!"
King Halo lifted her head confidently, the earlier paleness nowhere to be seen.
Top Road was right—an Uma Musume never falls twice in the same place. Besides, the one who messed up before was the King Halo from another world—what did that have to do with her?
"According to intel from my friends, Orfevre was furious with her sister Gold Ship yesterday. She swore she'd catch her to uphold the family's honor—but she still hasn't managed to track her down."
"Our goal is to find Gold Ship before Orfevre does, then use Gold Ship to lure Orfevre toward T.M. Opera O. While those two are busy arguing, we'll have our chance to get some alone time with Dream!"
"And the name of this plan is—"
"The top-tier 'Drive the Tiger to Devour the Wolf' strategy!"
Having laid it all out, King Halo hummed proudly to herself. Admire Vega, however, wasn't about to indulge her and replied flatly:
"The 'top-tier' prefix really isn't necessary."
"It's my personal brand!"
Watching her two companions on the verge of another squabble, Top Road quickly cut in:
"That's not important right now! Let's focus on the plan—how are we supposed to catch Gold Ship when even Orfevre hasn't been able to find her?"
Hearing this, King Halo's attention was successfully redirected. She hummed proudly again, trying to strike a mysterious pose.
But under Admire Vega's calm, penetrating gaze, she quickly gave up the act and spilled the beans:
"By using connections, of course!"
"As everyone knows, Special Week and Silence Suzuka are both good friends from my class. Plus, they're in the same team as Gold Ship—they'll know her whereabouts."
"I've already built a good rapport with them. When the time comes, they'll bag Gold Ship on the spot so we can use her as bait for Orfevre. Then all we have to do is lead Orfevre to wherever T.M. Opera O is!"
"After that, it's every girl for herself—we just each find Dream on our own."
After hearing the plan, Top Road clapped her hands in admiration. Even Admire Vega, who was usually at odds with King Halo, had to privately admit that this plan was far more reasonable than stomping on bread or blocking doorways.
"You're amazing, Halo!"
Watching Top Road applaud, King Halo couldn't help but inwardly marvel at her own top-tier intellect.
First, she'd won over Special Week with a generous offering of food, convincing her to play a prank on Gold Ship. Given how often Gold Ship messed with her, Special Week was sure to agree under the temptation of treats.
Then, she'd secured Silence Suzuka's help by offering information on Special Week's whereabouts during the operation, along with a promise to arrange a private corner for the two of them to deepen their bond afterward.
But that wasn't all—King Halo had even arranged a backup. If those two couldn't catch Gold Ship, the incredibly skilled Grass Wonder would step in. With her help, catching an unsuspecting Gold Ship would be a piece of cake!
As for why Grass Wonder would help, or what it would cost to secure her assistance—King Halo could only say that the relationships between Uma Musume were complicated. Some things were better left unsaid.
Just thinking about her flawless plan made King Halo want to burst out laughing.
She'd also specifically instructed those three to report to her if they spotted Dream Weaver. Combined with the reconnaissance help from her so-called lackeys—who were really more like friends—King Halo was absolutely certain she'd get the jump on the others when it came to the "every girl for herself" phase.
'Not yet… I can't laugh now. I have to hold it in.'
'After today's festival, I'll be the ultimate winner.'
'It's over. Once today ends, I'll declare my victory.'
Watching King Halo standing at the lectern, red-faced from suppressing her laughter, Top Road and Admire Vega exchanged a glance. Both agreed that she probably didn't qualify as competition anymore.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.