Back in the dressing room, Peach Waves pulled out her phone and exchanged contact details with King Halo. The three chatted for a while, laughter echoing through the room, before Peach Waves finally stepped outside—where Longjing and Okino were waiting.
She jogged over with a smug grin, hands on her hips.
"Grandpa, Mr. Okino! How was I? Pretty awesome, right? Was that a great finish or what?"
The two men couldn't help but laugh at her proud little pose.
Longjing reached out and affectionately ruffled her hair.
"Yes, yes… our little princess is the strongest."
"I'm just disappointed. I thought you were really going to win by making your opponents laugh to death."
Peach Waves rolled her eyes and launched a playful flying kick at Okino.
"Scram!"
Okino tumbled dramatically, rolled twice, then popped back up and dusted himself off.
"Haha, just kidding. So, Princess—what are you planning for the winner's stage?"
Gar.
Peach Waves froze mid-smile.
Oh no… I have to sing and dance too? What do I do? Is it like Special Week's punishment performance? That's mortifying.
I can't run off either… they'll suspend me from the Fugitive Stage. What now?!
Okino watched her spiral and leaned in, intrigued.
"Wait… don't tell me you're unprepared?"
"W-What? Of course I'm ready! I've practiced a super awesome dance!"
Her Grandpa and Okino exchanged skeptical glances.
"How awesome?"
Peach Waves wiped her nose and grinned.
"Easy to shake, impossible to mess up. Ever heard of it? My dance fits any four-four beat. No last-minute panic needed!"
Okino scratched his head.
"Sounds great, but… you still have to sing. What's your plan?"
"Eh… I'll just lip-sync. Let the background dancers carry the vibe."
She clapped her hands and crossed her arms confidently.
"Anyway, my early race photos are definitely going to dominate tomorrow's headlines. I just hope the winner's stage doesn't steal the rest of the spotlight."
"You're confident, huh?"
"Absolutely."
"Alright, Okino—let's leave her to rehearse."
"Got it. Princess, we'll be in the audience waiting for your performance!"
"Okay, okay. Go, go!"
She waved them off, then stood still, dazed. Only when the crew came to call her did she snap out of it and head backstage.
King Halo and Lightning Box were rehearsing when she arrived.
"Princess! You're here!"
"You already set the tune?"
"Yep. Want to rehearse together?"
"No need. I've got my own rhythm."
"Alright then."
The spotlight dropped.
Peach Waves stood center stage, surrounded by a sea of glowsticks.
She held back the grin tugging at her lips, ignoring the flutter in her chest.
As the music began, she stepped forward, bent slightly, and began shaking her hands in front of her chest.
Her quirky, offbeat dance contrasted sharply with the energetic Uma Musume choreography behind her.
King Halo and Lightning Box froze mid-step.
"Wait… what is this style?!"
The audience was equally stunned.
"What kind of dance is that?"
Okino and her grandpa stared, eyes wide.
"Senior… has she always been this abstract?"
Longjing, watching Peach Waves flail her hands, shook his head.
"She's always been sweet at home. Did you teach her this?"
"Unjustly accused, senior!"
Despite the confusion, something magical happened.
The audience began mimicking her hand movements, glowsticks swaying in rhythm.
Reporters snapped photos like mad.
And just like that—Peach Waves made her mark.
Her debut was a success.
Shining Weekly: Overrun by Princess.
At Tracen Academy, Class C Junior High.
Seiun Sky lounged at her desk, flipping through the fresh newspaper.
"This Princess is something else."
Urara stood beside her, laughing.
"She was so polite during her debut—and still managed to trip coming out of the review booth!"
"She's powerful, though. That final 200-meter burst? She passed seven racers. Not even KIng Halo could outrun her."
Seiun Sky turned the page—and froze.
A full-page photo of Peach Waves mid-dance, with King Halo and Lightning Box behind her.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess makes a grand entrance with a magical dance."
One of her classmate ran up to King Halo, who was surrounded by classmates.
"So, Halo—didn't you say debuting was easy?"
King Halo blushed and slammed the desk.
"H-Hey! That was just a fluke! She's too strong!"
"What about you, Condor? Think you can beat her?"
Condor waved dismissively.
"Of course! I'm a wild bird. That Princess? I'll soar past her."
"Pfft. She's way too gorgeous for you to compare."
Everyone turned to stare.
Wait… is Halo fangirling? Is this still our tsundere queen?
"Alright, enough teasing. Class is starting."
Grass Wonder turned around and called out.
"Come on, let's go."
That evening, Peach Waves sat at the training ground, sleeves rolled up.
A bottle of water appeared beside her.
She looked up and smiled.
"Thanks… Suzuka, it's you."
Suzuka sat down beside her as Peach Waves drank.
"Peach, I went to watch the debut match. Why didn't I see you?"
Poof.
Peach Waves nearly choked.
"Ah! It's fine, Peach-chan."
Suzuka leaned over and gently patted her back.
"Sorry, I was too anxious. What did you say?"
"I went to see the debut match. Why weren't you there?"
Her tone was soft, but her eyes sparkled with playful curiosity.
Peach Waves' eyes darted nervously.
"Ah, well… I had a stomachache. Missed registration."
"Is that so?"
"Yep! Sorry, Suzuka-chan. I made your trip a waste."
"Not at all. The match was amazing. I thought Radiance would win, but that Princess… she was incredible."
"Really? What did she look like?"
"She wore a mask. You couldn't see her face clearly, but she was beautiful. And powerful."
Suzuka's gaze drifted to Peach Waves' ponytail, bouncing as she sat excitedly.