If one were to talk about festivals often emphasized in February... it would definitely be Valentine's Day, especially in a place like Tracen, where many young girls gathered.
Because of this, the Valentine's Day event was considered a grand occasion at Tracen. As for last year... it was simply because Ling had stayed at home and didn't participate.
And this year... "Hey! You guys are rebelling, kora!"
Ling was caught by everyone from Spica and Sirius and carried to the Student Council Room.
After arriving at the Student Council, everyone put Ling down, but she was seen by many people along the way ( ).
"So, Z-chan, participate!" Special Week requested Ling with sparkling eyes.
"?" What was this kid talking about, so inexplicably.
"Let me explain." The Student Council Room door was opened with a 'pat' by the Emperor.
"??" What's going on, this kind of mastermind-like statement?
"That's right, I told them to bring you here. After all, with your personality, you wouldn't participate." The Emperor nodded.
Hmm, it seems it's time for a traditional art.
Onore Symboli Rudolf!! I'll remember this grudge!
"This isn't the place to talk, come inside." Saying so, the Emperor moved aside.
Ling, whose head was fuming from the inexplicable actions, swept the documents off the Emperor's desk with her tail and then sat on it.
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The Emperor merely chuckled at Ling's petulant behavior and let it go. Anyway, those documents were just copies. Never mind sweeping them off, even if they were torn, she could just make another copy.
Moreover, Ling sitting on the desk with her legs crossed and pouting was very cute. Anything she did could be forgiven ( ).
As for the others, while they felt a bit guilty seeing Ling's current behavior, they all wore subtle smiles.
awsl
"Ahem, then let me explain the reason for forcibly bringing you here." The Emperor pulled out a proposal.
"Actually, I got the inspiration by chance. For this Valentine's Day event, I plan to hold a handmade chocolate exhibition." The Emperor also stated the goal of the event.
"Exhibition?"
"Yes, just like last autumn's entertainment race, but this time you are a mandatory participant."
"Huh?"
"After all, your popularity now is... you understand. So, on that day, there will definitely be many Uma Musume looking forward to giving you or receiving chocolate from you. So, it's better to just have you participate and give out your entries as gifts."
"Emmmm... indeed, that would be much more convenient." Ling was naturally very clear about her own popularity.
"So, who are the participants this time?"
"We plan to make it a fillies-only competition. Fillies, as the 'girls' among Uma Musume, are perfectly suited to be the ones giving out chocolate. We, the colts, led by me, will hold a similar event on White (Turf) Valentine's Day."
Events of the same theme would also be held in two phases, which would make it easier to attract attention. To increase Tracen's enrollment rate, Miss Emperor was truly putting in a lot of effort.
After all, with popular Uma Musume giving out handmade chocolates, if the event continued in the future, many Uma Musume would surely enroll to get closer to their idols.
Like Alice Digital.
"But you still haven't said why you had them tie me up = =" Zero's tail thumped against the table.
"Honestly, if you received my call and I said, 'Come over and prepare for tomorrow's Valentine's Day event,' would you come?"
"No."
"That's enough = =" While Zero usually helps out, she would absolutely not come to an event where her absence wouldn't be noticed, allowing her to slack off.
But there was no helping it. As the current most popular owner, she was a golden signboard herself, perfectly suited for promoting this event.
So, the Emperor tricked everyone from Spica and Sirius with a group five-hour free pass to a nearby high-end buffet restaurant.
The food at that buffet was made with premium ingredients, and the entrance fee alone was enough to deter most Uma Musume. Luckily, it was her family's, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to get the tickets.
It's a pity those chefs might be in for it... After all, Special Week's appetite seems to have increased since her debut, plus there's Oguri Cap... But it doesn't matter, this is a necessary sacrifice!
Zero could roughly guess why the Emperor was so insistent on bringing her. After a moment of contemplation, she finally nodded and agreed.
Looking at the Emperor, she must have prepared some contingencies in case she refused. If she agreed now, those contingencies would have been prepared for nothing. As expected of me, to do something so wicked as to make someone's efforts go to waste!
Didn't expect that, Symboli Rudolf!
She must be thinking that... the Emperor thought, looking at the faint hint of glee in Zero's eyes.
Contingencies... she certainly hadn't prepared any.
After all, they had been together for over three years, and she could pretty much see Zero's somewhat childish nature.
Always talking about holding grudges and seeking revenge, but all her so-called revenge methods were harmless pranks that the person involved might not even notice.
No, it just makes her even cuter.
At times like this, if she just pretended to have a backup plan, this child would definitely take the bait. This way, she could make the other person happy and get them to cooperate quickly, saving a lot of trouble.
Of course, that being said, she still had to keep up the act. It wouldn't be good if she was found out.
Zero's tail was quite dangerous in many ways.
In any case, after achieving her goal, the Emperor gave everyone the promised free passes.
"Yay!" xn
Although they often ate even more delicious food at Zero's place, the portions were usually small, so it wasn't quite satisfying.
Seeing the free pass, Zero also knew where these little Uma Musume got the nerve to grab her.
Alright, no desserts for them these next few days.
After silently deciding on the punishment for the next few days, Zero said goodbye to everyone and went home.
She had been forcibly taken out while playing a game, and it was still running.
Speaking of games, Zero's days off haven't been so boring lately because of a new release. She's currently playing "Uma Musume Legend: Breath of the Track," an open-world game where you can create your own character.
Honestly, it's quite addicting. If she hadn't set an alarm to remind herself to sleep, she would definitely be suffering from lack of sleep.
Of course, after going back this time, she definitely had to save first. After all, she had to participate in the event tomorrow, and she also needed to prepare ingredients.
Make it tonight, refrigerate it, and then take it to the competition tomorrow. Perfect.
As for ingredients... she'd use ones everyone could get. Using the high-end ingredients she exchanged for would be too unfair.
As Zero was purchasing ingredients, she suddenly felt a chill.
What's going on? This sudden feeling of unease... If she remembered correctly, the last time she felt this way... it was the day before Special Week's make-up exam?
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