"This won't do, Shirayuki-san."
In the dance studio, the instructor was critiquing Fujiwara Shirayuki's steps.
"Your movements are too stiff, the rhythm isn't fluid, and your expression is lacking. If this continues, you'll have to retake the next dance exam."
Shirayuki silently nodded.
"In short, you need to improve your dance moves. Practice more during your free time after class. You have such good flexibility; you shouldn't be making mistakes on something so simple."
The bell rang, and the instructor left the studio. Special Week hurried over.
"It's okay, Shirayuki-san!" she immediately comforted. "Even though it's different from what the teacher taught, I could tell your movements were powerful and had their own unique charm! I really like your dancing!"
"Thanks, Spe-chan."
Shirayuki smiled. This was the umpteenth time she had been criticized by the teacher for not being able to dance well.
It was no wonder. After all, this was the first time she had danced in over twenty years. Although she had been dragged by friends to try it before, it was always street dance.
This was the first time she had ever tried the kind of dance performed on the winner's stage.
Originally, she thought she could just wing it, but in practice, she found it much more difficult than she had imagined, especially the teacher's requirements.
'Show a cute smile,' 'be more lively,' 'show a joyful expression.' Shirayuki had seen all these poses, but to perform them without any buildup was simply too difficult.
The other students in the class, however, were doing quite well. Especially Special Week; her smile was adorable.
Could it be because they are pure girls, and I am only half a girl, that the difference is so great?
Shirayuki was conflicted. Just then, Mejiro McQueen, dressed in dance attire, walked over.
"That won't do, Spe-chan," she said. "Shirayuki-san's problem right now is that she can't dance well. It's not the time to affirm her dancing style. Aren't you just making it harder for her to change?"
"Eh... Shirayuki-san, that's not what I meant! I was just trying to say, don't be too discouraged. Your current style has its own charm, just not the kind the teacher is looking for!"
Listening to Special Week's flustered explanation, McQueen slapped her own face.
"Let me handle this," she interjected. "Shirayuki-san, I've already figured it out. The reason you can't dance well is that your femininity is too low!"
McQueen bluntly pointed out the problem.
"Wh-what!" Shirayuki took a step back. "My femininity... is low?"
"That's right," McQueen said with her hands on her hips. "Whether it's speaking or doing things, your actions are too rough, almost like a boy's. But dancing requires delicacy, a girl's vitality, which doesn't match your state at all. So, if you don't change your rough attitude, it will be very difficult to learn to dance well."
"I-I see."
What McQueen said did make some sense. Every time she danced, she felt unusually irritable. She couldn't do such subtle movements. She would rather do street dance than hold her hands in a heart shape and then blow a kiss.
Honestly, watching a Horse Girl do these things would make her fall in love with them, but doing it herself felt incredibly strange.
Surely no otaku is so obsessed with idols that they would get up and dance themselves, right? The probability of becoming a stalker is much higher than that.
However, as a Horse Girl, these were necessary experiences. The winner's stage was part of the competition, a symbol of honor, and also a way for them to express their gratitude to the fans and audience who supported them.
So, since she had decided to become a Horse Girl, she had to dance well on the winner's stage.
"McQueen, what should I do then?"
"Cultivate your femininity, of course," McQueen said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Can that be cultivated?"
"Of course," she replied. "First is your own charm, then etiquette and cultural literacy, followed by your life's passions, and finally, social skills and leadership ability."
Every Horse Girl from the Mejiro family received education in these areas, especially etiquette, which they were strictly trained in from a very young age.
"No wonder. Every time I see you eat sweets, you have a certain elegance." Shirayuki pinched her chin.
"After all, I pay great attention to dining etiquette."
"Does secretly hiding sweets in a bag also count as dining etiquette?"
"Where did you... ahem! Don't talk nonsense, Shirayuki-san! How could I possibly do something that would damage my image?"
"Last time I went to the cafeteria, I saw you in the corner..."
"We're talking about your problem now! My affairs are my own!" McQueen's tail flicked up.
"Sorry."
"Well, anyway, if you want to learn about these things, I can teach you some. Of course, you can also ask Dober. Although she's not very good at communicating with people, she still remembers everything the Mejiro family taught her."
"Then I'll go ask her when I get back."
Shirayuki prepared to cultivate her femininity.
But before that...
She took out the glasses and headed to Agnes Tachyon's lab.
She had to return this thing.
The affection-boosting function was really useful, but it had run out of battery in less than half an hour. She had to get Tachyon to expand the battery capacity.
Perhaps this thing could be used to enhance the relationships between the Horse Girls in the future.
Arriving at the lab, Shirayuki knocked twice on the door. A few seconds later, a dark-haired girl opened it.
Seeing the golden eyes, Shirayuki was taken aback.
"Cafe-senpai?"
"Shirayuki-san," she said, surprised to see her. "Please, come in."
"Ah... okay."
Shirayuki entered the room.
As soon as she stepped inside, she felt as if she had entered another world. The curtains were drawn, and a celestial-shaped lamp sat on the table. The dim light shone on the walls, making the murals painted with galaxies and stars glitter.
The entire room was filled with a sense of mysticism, making her feel as if she had stepped into a fairy tale.
"Please wait a moment. I'll... make you a cup of coffee."
With that, Cafe drew aside a curtain and went into the innermost room, leaving Shirayuki sitting stunned on the sofa.
Did I... just get transported to another world?
Wasn't this Tachyon's lab? Why did it suddenly look so different?
It was as if reality had been sectioned off. The classroom, originally filled with experimental equipment, had suddenly opened up into another world.
Her gaze fell on a music box on the table.
Was that there before?
She raised an eyebrow.
The half-open music box seemed to possess a magical allure, drawing her in. Just as she was about to reach out and touch it...
Slap!
Her wrist was grabbed. A dark figure stood beside her.
"Cafe-senpai, you're back."
"Don't touch it," she said. "Otherwise, something bad will happen."
"Something bad?"
Before she could ask further, Cafe turned and left the room.
"Senpai, where are you going?"
"Sorry for the wait."
A gentle voice came from the inner room, and the dark figure reappeared, holding a cup of coffee.
"I brewed some coffee with a lighter taste... I hope you like it."
Looking at the Cafe who had just walked out of the inner room, and then at the door that had just closed, Shirayuki's eyes widened.
....
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