The atmosphere froze.
Peach Waves stared wide-eyed at the ropes, sacks, and shackles scattered on the ground. She took a half step back, swallowing hard.
"What… do you mean?"
Rudolf, still bent in a bow, glanced behind her and sighed.
"Ahaha, surprise, Princess. Please don't overthink it."
She straightened up and gave a strained smile to the masked horse girl in front of her.
"Y-yes? Well, if everything's fine, I'll be leaving now!"
Peach Waves spun on her heel and bolted. Rudolf reached out instinctively.
"Wait."
"What now?"
"Would you like to visit Tracen Academy as a guest?"
"Nope! Got stuff to do. Bye!"
Peach Waves didn't give her a chance to reply. Then she sprinted away, muttering to herself.
Rudolf's teammates are terrifying…
Just outside the field, Longjing intercepted her.
"Hey, kid—where are you going? You still have the winner's stage!"
Peach Waves stumbled mid-step hearing the voice.
Oh no! I forgot! What do I do? Rudolf's watching… I can't just wave awkwardly again!
Longjing patted her shoulder.
"You're not going to pull another weird stunt, are you?"
"No, Grandpa! I'm singing seriously this time. I promise—you'll be impressed!"
Longjing squinted, unconvinced.
Spotlights hit the stage.
Peach Waves stepped out in a trendy jacket, her mask now sporting two black sunglasses. Behind her the backup dancers waited.
She tapped the mic.
"Lately, I've been, I've been losin' sleep…"
Electric guitar riffs kicked in.
"Yeah, we'll be tin stars…"
The rhythm surged. The crowd leaned in.
"I see this life, like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line…"
"And my face is flashing signs
Seek it out and ye shall find…"
Peach Waves raised her hand, voice booming, energy high.
Her dance didn't match the backup choreography at all—but it didn't matter.
Longjing twitched.
Last time it was a weird dance. This time it's weird singing. But… why am I getting hyped?!
The audience swayed to the beat. Peach Waves grinned.
Just kidding. This never fails.
At the outer fence, Sirius—short dark hair, white highlights—watched with interest.
"Oh~ very cool."
She gave a thumbs-up.
Rudolf raised an eyebrow.
"You came to see her too?"
"Had time to kill. Wanted to see if she's as good as the papers say."
"And?"
"She's great. That song made me want to race her."
Rudolf chuckled, watching Peach Waves shine on stage.
To avoid being mobbed, Peach Waves dashed to the bathroom, changed out of her stage outfit, and emerged casually.
She spotted Hishi Amazon on a bench.
"Yo, Amazon-senpai. Still chanting Buddha's name out here?"
Hishi Amazon looked up from her phone and sighed.
"President told me to wait here. Hey, Peach-chan, have you seen the princess?"
"Princess? Nope. Why?"
"Ugh… elders messed up again, and I'm the one suffering."
"Want a drink? I'll grab one."
"Really? Thanks, Peach-chan!"
A few minutes later, Peach Waves returned with two juices.
"Here you go."
Hishi Amazon slurped happily.
"You're the best. But where do you think the princess went? She's so elusive."
"No clue. If you're just gonna sit here, I'll head off."
"Okay. Bye, Peach-chan."
As she watched Peach Waves leave, Hishi Amazon sighed.
"She's really in a hurry… but still brought me a drink. If she's the princess, I'll cry…"
The next day, Peach Waves jogged alongside Special Week at the training ground.
"You feeling nervous, Spec? Tomorrow's your debut."
"Honestly… yes! What if I mess up?"
"Relax. I believe in you. Just run like you always do."
"Really?"
"Of course. If you don't trust yourself, trust me. Have I ever let you down?"
Special Week's eyes lit up.
"Exactly! I trust you, Peach-chan!"
They rounded a corner. And Peach Waves asked:
"So… how's your winner's stage prep?"
Thud!
Special Week tripped and face-planted.
Peach Waves rushed over.
"Special Week! Are you okay?"
Special Week sat up, rubbing her nose.
"I'm not ready at all! What do I do?!"
Peach Waves tapped her chin.
"Hmm… I have a plan!"
Special Week blinked as Peach Waves pointed dramatically to the sky.
"After training, we'll practice dancing. My routine's super simple—you'll learn it in one go!"
She patted her chest proudly.
"Really? You're amazing, Peach-chan!"
Special Week hugged her.
"Haha, okay, okay! Let's train first!"