"I-I'm so sorry!!"
The cafeteria, bustling with Umamusume eating breakfast, echoed with my heartfelt apology.
"…Huh? H-huh…?"
Deji-tan tilted her head upon hearing it. Cute.
"I'm truly sorry for last night! I don't even know how to properly apologize!"
"Last night… Ah, if you mean being pushed down—uh!—I don't really mind that… Honestly, it was fine—uh! Yes, I really don't mind, it's all good!"
"…Really?"
"Really!"
Ah, the goddess has forgiven me!
Still, even though I was forgiven, I couldn't let it rest at that. Actually, I'd been planning for a while to make something for Deji-tan as a token of my appreciation. And right now, that item is in my hands.
"Well then, as an apology… here's the creator's collection of Golshi-chan sleeping illustrations… mghh!"
Suddenly my throat tightened. Mid-sentence, someone put me in a headlock from behind. …Well, probably that white one.
"Hey. You just said 'Golshi-chan,' didn't you? Open the booklet in your hands. Quickly."
Oh? Golshi-chan seems interested in her own illustrations. Then by all means, take a good look. Hahaha…
"If my eyes aren't deceiving me… these strangely realistic drawings are none other than… Golshi-chan, right?"
"Wow… These are unmistakably Golshi-san's illustrations… They're so realistic, and even from each strand of her hair, the sense of reverence just overflows! Ahhh~ love it~"
As they flipped through the pages, both shared their impressions. Golshi-chan called them realistic, while Deji-tan called them faithful to life—descriptions of my drawings. There's a reason for this: I rely on perfect memory when drawing, so it naturally comes out this way. In this case, Golshi-chan is naturally a stunning beauty, which worked in my favor.
Still, Deji-tan said she liked my drawings. That alone is enough to keep me going for a week.
"Fufu… thank you, Deji-tan!"
"You're asking too many questions, seriously. When did you make this? And what were you planning to do with it, huh?"
The hand around my neck tightened further. Golshi-chan's face moved closer.
"The answer to the first question is during class. The answer to the second… well, to sell them… aaahhh! It's squeezing me! Just kidding, kidding! It's to give them as a gift to Deji-tan! Really, that's all!"
"…You're not lying, right?"
Golshi-chan stared at me. Our faces are now close enough that our noses almost touch.
"…I'm not lying. This is already dangerous… I'm going to die…! I'm going to die…! Deji-tan…!"
Deji-tan had been quiet this whole time, and it's easy to guess why. Seeing us this close—almost kissable—her soul is probably about to leave her body.
"…So pure… Ah…"
When I looked at Deji-tan, it seemed her soul was just about to depart. Golshi-chan let out a silent sigh and released her grip on my neck.
"…Deji-tan is as cute as ever. I almost want to kiss her sleeping face…"
"Ahhhh! A-Aurora-chan! Don't get ahead of yourself!"
Alright, she's back to normal.
"…You two, seriously… hmm… well, whatever. I'm not really angry, so it's fine. But more importantly, I came here for a reason. I want you to look at something."
Golshi-chan pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket and showed it to us. This is…
"It's a recruitment poster for Team Spica, written by the Trainer. What do you think of it?"
"'Cool you, join Team Spica and you're all set'… Hmm, it's pretty creative, isn't it?"
"…Well, it'll resonate with certain people, that's for sure."
…Team Spica's poster.
If this exists now, then for certain people it might attract them… like Vodka and Scarlet. I gave good advice, so they'll definitely join Spica. That's a relief.
As I imagined the scene I'd seen in the anime, Golshi-chan spoke up.
"Yes, just like Aurora said…! Almost no one would see a poster like this and want to join a team!"
She slammed the table and shook her fist, then raised the index finger of her other hand and continued.
"…So I came up with a solution. I want your cooperation—what do you say?"
"Yes! If an Umamusume asks, of course!"
Deji-tan answered immediately. Her motivations are simple—but that's what makes her cute.
…Still, the solution. Vodka and Scarlet will probably join just from the poster, so we may not have to do anything.
But if there's a chance to work with Deji-tan—a supreme reward—that changes everything. I'll gladly help with Golshi-chan's plan.
"Of course I'll help too… but what exactly is this solution?"
"I'll explain later. After lunch, come straight to Team Spica's clubroom. We'll talk then… Alright, I'm off. I've got preparations to do before class… see ya!"
With that, Golshi-chan dashed off.
"But… what is this solution…? If it needs manpower, is it physical work? Or dragging Umamusume along…?"
"That'd just be kidnapping. I doubt they'd actually do that."
"Hmm… who knows."
Spica has a reputation for abducting Umamusume. We might be the ones to kidnap the girls Golshi-chan targeted.
Aurora! Digital! Let's do this!
…Or something like that.
◆
"Um, Aurora…chan?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"I was just curious why you're dressed like that…"
"I thought this might be good for waiting for someone… want some?"
"N-no! That would be too much…"
Under the early summer sun, two Umamusume stood in front of Team Spica's clubroom.
The pink-haired beauty is Deji-tan, and the one with aviator sunglasses from Golshi-chan, holding an anpan and milk, is me. The milk is in a classic glass bottle—couldn't resist buying it when I saw it at the store.
"By the way… Golshi-san isn't here yet, is she?"
She told us to come after lunch, so we did—well, I came while eating lunch, but the person who called us hasn't shown up yet.
"…Maybe she's inside the clubroom?"
As I considered that, voices drifted on the wind.
I recognized them… no doubt, it's them.
"…This flyer's so cool!"
"Yeah, I totally agree."
Looking down the street, I see Vodka and Scarlet, huddled together, staring at the flyer as they walk.
"…Hah! A-Aurora-chan, hide! This is a sacred place that must not be violated!"
"Ah, okay!"
Detecting the reverence, Deji-tan and I quickly hid behind a cardboard box by the clubroom. The box rattled slightly, but we weren't noticed.
…Hiding like this, we're starting to feel like stakeout detectives.
And it seems we might witness the scene where they join the team. Since Golshi-chan was in that scene too, she must be inside now.
"This is Team Spica's clubroom? It's so quiet."
"Well, someone should be inside. Let's go…"
"Wait a moment!"
Scarlet stopped Vodka from opening the door. Why?
"Hey, maybe we should think a bit more before deciding which team to join?"
"…Why?"
…Things are taking an unexpected turn.
"…Well, looking closely, this team has few members, and the building's a bit shabby… it doesn't seem great."
"But the flyer's cool, right? And Aurora said to trust our instincts."
…Watching nervously, the situation is developing in an unexpected way.
"True… but she also said to be careful in choosing. So don't judge just one part; look at the whole before deciding."
"Yeah… let's check other things first."
…Seriously?
Crap, my advice produced an unintended outcome.
…Honestly, I don't fully understand this world. It's partly following the anime's setting, but not entirely.
Since I have memories from a previous life, it's unlikely this world shares the exact history of the anime or game. I guess it's a kind of parallel world.
If so, if we do nothing, they might join a team other than Spica.
But that can't happen. We absolutely need them in Spica.
If they don't join, Spica could disappear.
Then not only could I not see the anime's story, but… how would Golshi-chan feel if she were the only member left, never leaving the Trainer?
So, even if it requires a bit of rough handling, we need them in Spica.
"Um… Aurora-chan? Why the sudden serious face?"
"Deji-tan. Are there any ropes or bags nearby?"
"…? No, not that I see… wait, what are you planning?!"
We just need to guide them a bit, so it's fine.
Anything useful… the cardboard box!
Inside were various items. Most notable: a white object roughly the size of a person…
"…Golshi-chan, what are you doing?"
"…Damn, I got caught."
Inside were one of Golshi-chan's items, a rope, and two sacks. Why she was hiding with them is another story, but now we can 'guide' those two!
"Golshi-chan! Help me! Deji-tan too!"
"Sigh… fine, the target changes… nothing wrong here."
"…Um, isn't this kidnapping…?"
"…This is for a better future for Umamusume, Deji-tan."
"Yes! Then let's do it quickly!"
Thus, three suspicious people were born.
"Target, 10 meters ahead… Golshi-chan, block them first. I'll handle Scarlet, Deji-tan takes Vodka."
"Got it… if I speak, you act… off I go."
"Yes… good luck!"
Vodka and Scarlet already start walking. The game is on. No room for failure.
Soon, Golshi-chan leaps from the bushes in front of them.
"Hey! You two! Team Spica is running a super special campaign! Join and get a free carrot!"
…Now!
"Ah… sorry, but we… mghh!?"
Yes! Nice, Deji-tan! Vodka is secured!
"Huh!? Vodka!? What's happening?!"
All targets secured! Now to take them to the clubroom!
"Golshi-chan, hold the front for me… thanks."
"…!? Aurora voice!? Was this your doing!?"
"Scarlet… sorry for the rough handling. But it's the fastest way. I hope you understand."
It's necessary for Spica's survival, yes.
◆
The clubroom isn't far, so we arrive quickly.
Along the way, Vodka struggles and kicks Deji-tan—an accident that nearly kills me from reverence overload—but otherwise, our mission succeeds.
"…The Trainer's inside. Open it."
Golshi-chan opens the door, and a man bursts out, as if waiting for this moment.
"All right! You came! From today, you're part of Team Spica… wait, aren't there too many of you?"
The Trainer looks confused… well, the numbers did increase from the original plan.
"Well, it just happened. Initially, we were bringing in those weirdos carrying sacks… but somehow, this happened."
"Eh!? You were targeting us!?"
"…I knew it."
Golshi-chan's solution was to forcefully have us join Spica. Without guiding Vodka and Scarlet, we might have ended up in those sacks.
"Hey, don't make decisions without us!"
"Yes! Explain this!"
The two, now free from the sacks, confront the Trainer. He doesn't flinch… wait, is he trying to touch their legs? Seriously?
"…Nice legs. Strong, yet flexible. Seems like you have stamina to maintain top speed… Your name is—ugh!"
Ah, kicked.
"What are you doing!? Pervert!"
"…Scarlet, this team is kinda dangerous, huh?"
Yet, he's the Spica Trainer. Impressive—he quickly recovers and continues.
"Scarlet… good name. And you, the cool one, your name?"
"C-cool…!? Ah, Vodka… hehe, cool… okay…"
True to her easy-to-handle reputation, Vodka is falling for him already. Scarlet still looks skeptical.
He then shifts tone.
"…Vodka, Scarlet. Tell me your dreams. What do you want to achieve here at Tracen Academy?"
…! Something emotional is in the air.
"…!"
"…!"
Deji-tan seems to sense it too. We silently move to the corner.
"A dream… I have one, but…"
Scarlet falters.
"No matter how big or childish, I won't laugh. So tell me."
"…I want to be number one. I know it's vague and childish, but I want to be first—in races, anything!"
"Then come with us. We're the top team, and I'm the top Trainer. Let me help your dream come true."
"…Yes! Thank you!"
"…If you join, I'll join too! And someday, I'll definitely win the Derby! That's my dream! Trainer, count on me!"
…They really are easy.
Still, I'm glad. After all that, they joined Spica.
"…Ahh, so emotional…"
"Really emotional…"
And indeed, it was incredibly moving. Enough to make today's efforts feel like nothing. Truly grateful.
The Trainer and Golshi-chan approach us.
"Alright, Aurora. And Agnes Digital, nice to meet you."
"Um…? How do you know my name…?"
"Golshi told me. Heard there's a promising Umamusume… hmm, indeed. Small but strong legs… you're a rare talent."
"Eh!? I-I'm a rare talent… well, thank you…"
Deji-tan blushes, unused to praise. Cute.
…Not that.
Golshi-chan smirks knowingly. After kidnapping us, she probably told the Trainer how to handle it. If she can get Deji-tan, I'll come along. She knew that.
…Tricked!
"Digital, I've heard about you. So I'll say one thing."
Wait, no way.
"Do as you like."
"…! That means I can support my favorites however I want!? Is that it!?"
"Yes, do what you want."
"Thank you!!"
…
Ah, Deji-tan joined Spica. I see.
"…So, Aurora. What about you?"
…
My answer? Obvious.
"…I'll do my best from now on."
There's no other choice. My entry into Spica is sealed, like a solved chess puzzle.
"Yes! Four members secured at once! Team's survival confirmed! Woohoo!"
…Golshi-chan's happy, so it's fine.
I get a front-row view of the precious scene from the anime. Let's look at it positively.