"Oh, my Goddesses!! These dresses look amazing!!!"
"As expected of a supermodel like Gold City!!"
All members of Team Minaz were brimming with joy as they inspected their dresses. Every one of those dresses looked like it came straight out of a movie. None of them would look weird if an A-list actress wore them to the Oscars.
"Fold them properly and then pack them in your suitcases. Don't get them dirty, as it would cost you an arm and a leg to repay Gold City."
"We know~~~"
These dresses are designed by world-class designers and manufactured using the most advanced machinery. A simple tear would cost more than any ordinary citizen's wardrobe.
"Now go back to your dorm room and prepare your stuff. I'll submit your forms to the academy's administrative staff."
"Okay~~ Thank you, trainer~~"
"Sigh… I hope they don't embarrass themselves at the ball."
"How long have you been in this team, McQueen?"
"Sigh… I know… I'm expecting rainfall while standing on the moon."
The young man gently pats his first trainee on her head.
"We should prepare our stuff too, McQueen."
"My stuff is already at the Mejiro Mansion. I don't need to pack anything else."
"Guh! Fine!
I guess I'm the only one who needs to pack his stuff.
AH!! I forgot about the assistant trainers!!! Should we invite them too?"
"Ah… I've asked them before, but it seems that they're busy.
They're currently trying to understand how Rice Shower won the Kikuka Sho. They don't seem like someone who enjoys such social gatherings anyway."
"Fair… I targeted introverts because they're more vulnerable, but I guess this is what will come of that too, huh…"
XxX-XxX
"Is it necessary to do this?"
"Yes, Suzuka."
Day has become night, and it is time for the entire Team Minaz to board the Shinkansen bound for Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto before continuing to Sapporo. All of them enter the train normally, except for Goldship, who has to hop since she is in a potato sack.
There are places where Goldship's antics would cause a major disaster, and inside the Shinkansen is one of them. The young man wasn't taking his chances and put the troublemaker in a potato sack to lessen her power. It was hard to explain to security, but they got through regardless.
"This will take four hours, so go to sleep, all of you. I don't want any cranky umamusumes in the morning."
"What about you, trainer?"
"I slept in the afternoon, so I can tank a single sleepless night. Besides, Cafe brewed a thermos full of coffee. I'll be alright."
"Okay."
The young man sat beside McQueen, Suzuka sat with Urara, and Teio sat with the breathing potato sack. This is the optimal seating arrangement to minimize disaster from occurring.
"Mmhhh~~"
As the ride goes on, the monotone white noise causes most of the passengers to drift into the land of dreams, including the umamusumes.
"Mmmhhh~~ No pickles~~ Urara hates pickles! Zzz~~"
"Mmmmhh~~ Don't touch me there, trainer~~ Aah~~ Zzzz~~"
They're enjoying their sleep very well, huh?
The young man giggles as he hears the 2 umamusumes behind him talk in their sleep. He doesn't hear Teio's small talk, but he hears her loud-ass snore. It makes him wonder how Mayano ever slept in the same room as that speaker.
"Mmmhh~~ Trainer~~"
"Yes, I'm here, McQueen."
The young man answered when he knew well that the lady was fast asleep. McQueen has been calling him over and over again in her sleep, restlessly twitching as if she had the worst nightmare of her life.
The young man knew what McQueen was seeing in her sleep for her to be so on the edge. It's the same concern that makes her cry her eyes out on the young man's chest. The fear of her trainer being taken away.
Mejiro Asama… I had glimpses of her in my previous life and heard some chatty rumors. But I truly know nothing of her in this life.
She invited me by name.
Asking Ramonu to come and deliver the invite instead of McQueen, even after knowing I'm McQueen's trainer. What is her intention in doing so? What is her end goal?
And can I stand up to her?
"Heh…"
Of course, I can.
I'm no honorable knight, nor chivalrous hero.
I will use every weapon in my arsenal to make sure I win…
Even if I have to destroy the Mejiro Family.