Never mind the storm that Leap of Faith and Agnes Digital were about to stir up at school—let's focus back inside the butler café.
The Fan Appreciation Festival was an event similar to a school open day, allowing visitors from outside the campus to come in and tour the grounds. And those who came to visit Tracen Academy were mostly horse-racing enthusiasts or fans of certain racehorses.
---In other words, the Appreciation Festival wasn't just an ordinary school festival; it was a chance for fans to get up close and personal with their favorite Uma Musume idols.
For most Uma Musume, the Appreciation Festival was also a time for fun and games. But for those star Uma Musume, this event was downright exhausting.
Especially for a legendary, historic-level Uma Musume like Symboli Rudolf.
So, understand? Foot traffic isn't determined by the nature of the event itself, but by which Uma Musume are present.
Hence, the butler café was packed.
The scene inside the shop could no longer be described as just a crowd—the café's space wasn't small by any means, but it simply wasn't enough for the number of guests. It was beyond anything a queue ticket could solve; aside from a few occupied tables, the entire place was surrounded by a dense, looming mass of people.
And while everyone hoped to enjoy a cup of coffee here, even if they couldn't get one, just taking a photo with their idol would be a wonderful consolation.
"Your coffee, please enjoy it at your leisure." Symboli Rudolf attended to the guests methodically, utterly unfazed by the surrounding camera flashes and the sea of onlookers, without a trace of nervousness or unease.
It wasn't just Symboli Rudolf—even Air Groove, T.M. Opera O, and the others were the same. After all, these were seasoned veterans, polished by countless races and TV appearances.
In comparison, though...
"Come on, Platinum, smile for the camera~" Leap of Faith held up her phone, aiming it at Platinum, only to have the lens covered by Platinum's hand.
"Photography is prohibited in this establishment."
"What kind of rule is that~?" Leap of Faith batted her big, dewy eyes, blinking innocently. "Everyone else is taking pictures. I just want a lovely memory with my idol too~"
Watching Leap of Faith's fawning act, Fuji Kyoji felt goosebumps all over.
"Speaking of which, Platinum, aren't you going to attend to the other guests?" Fuji Kyoji glanced around.
"You see it too, right?" Platinum pointed at the surrounding visitors. "Everyone's here for the Student Council President and the others. Even if I went over, I'd just be unwanted."
"This place isn't really a café at its core—it's a brutal colosseum where Uma Musume secretly compete to see who's more popular... The number of people crowding around you determines your popularity, and whoever has the most fans gets to overshadow the rest."
"A newcomer like me is barely worth this much." Platinum stuck out her pinky finger. "Going over there would just be asking for humiliation."
"Why do you always have to make normal things sound so sinister?"
"It's fine—I absolutely adore Platinum-chan the most—in my heart, you'll always be number one—" Standing to the side, Leap of Faith cupped her hands like a megaphone and shouted.
Watching Leap of Faith, Fuji Kyoji gritted her teeth in frustration.
If we go out, don't you dare say you know me. So embarrassing.
Choosing romance over friendship.
Clip-clop, clip-clop. Loud, crisp footsteps.
"No, Taiki Shuttle. What this Platinum-chan says is correct." T.M. Opera O, adorned with dazzling earrings and a crown, strode over with theatrical grace.
"Thank you, but my name is Fuji Kyoji..."
"Even within this small café, fierce competition exists. Whether on the racetrack or elsewhere, rivalry is an inevitable part of life." Ignoring Fuji Kyoji's words, T.M. Opera O continued her soliloquy.
"And Uma Musume, being creatures with such a strong desire to win, are bound to start comparing themselves. Even if they don't show it on the surface, they're certainly thinking it in their hearts."
"Take me, for example. Even a presence as radiant as mine must admit that the Emperor's brilliance is overwhelmingly dazzling. It seems I, T.M. Opera O, am not the sole star today." Shaking her head, she let out a soft, poetic sigh.
"But!"
In a sudden shift, T.M. Opera O grabbed Platinum's wrist and pulled her forward.
"Such thoughts are by no means foul or dark."
"On the contrary, the desire to win may be fierce, but it is also glorious, something to be celebrated."
"Whether here and now, or on the racetrack—is wanting to win something to be ashamed of?"
"No, it is not!"
T.M. Opera O unilaterally dragged Platinum to the center of the crowd, completely indifferent to Platinum's look of utter disgust.
"That is to say—"
T.M. Opera O raised a finger skyward.
"The way of the butler is the way of the race!"
"Their core essence is one and the same!"
This was T.M. Opera O in her element—self-admiring, yet brilliantly captivating.
...The hell is she even on about.jpg
Platinum couldn't help but be amused by T.M. Opera O's ramblings.
Did she really think speaking illogical nonsense with a straight face would make it more persuasive?
And yet, the surrounding fans actually started clapping. Camera flashes began popping off.
Platinum felt her cheek twitch. Now she was fully, completely exposed under the spotlight.
"T.M. Opera O, we're not exactly close, are we?" Platinum whispered sharply into T.M. Opera O's ear. "If you want a dance partner, wouldn't Symboli Rudolf or Air Groove do?"
Clasping Platinum's hand, T.M. Opera O turned her to face the surrounding audience.
"My apologies—but your earlier remarks truly struck a chord with me. Though our perspectives may differ, I suspect we might be unexpectedly compatible."
"As you said, the butler café has its own competition. If that's the case, then today's winner would undoubtedly be the one with the highest sales."
T.M. Opera O sighed dramatically. "But in that case—whether I ally with Air Groove or that emperor, the outcome would be the same."
"Neither would shake the emperor's unshakable, mountain-like position."
"So, for an alliance, you are the better choice after all."
"Don't drag me into your childish games of one-upmanship!" Hearing this, Platinum was genuinely angry now. She yanked her hand back, glaring coldly at T.M. Opera O.
"Don't you think you're overstepping some boundaries here? T.M. Opera O."
Self-absorbed, and narcissistic too. While Platinum generally preferred maintaining a cool, detached politeness with others, if she was being insulted like this, she had every right to push back.
"Is that so?" T.M. Opera O looked at Platinum, seemingly unbothered.
"Or did I misunderstand? Perhaps you were secretly hoping for an opportunity like this too."
"Otherwise, why would you be standing here in this outfit?"
--+--
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.