In the early morning of the 31st December, the gates of Tracen Central Academy were officially opened to the public. It was in celebration of Christmas and the New Year—and it would also be the stage from which many of this generation's most beloved umamusume would say their farewells as they embarked on their voyage.
As one might expect, thousands of people eagerly entered from every corner of the country. And how could they not be excited? There were only so many chances for the normal citizen to enter this place, and for the Director to suddenly announce this festival mere days before holding it? It didn't matter how far they had to come from—their dedication to their oshi would drive them even to the ends of the Earth!
But the Director played one last trick on all these loving fans, one that would surely send many to the grave–
"Welcome, my mistresses." I said, my expression soft as I greeted the new group of people who'd just arrived at my classroom. It was a group of girls this time, and their eyes were as wide as saucers as they saw me bow to them with deference, dressed impeccably in a butler's outfit. "It is my honor to serve you today."
"Kyaa~!"
"S-So dreamy!"
"Hehe, Butler Star? Slurrppp~"
I chuckled softly. Despite the different time, it seemed idol culture remained the same as always. "Now," I held out my hand towards the girl at the front of the group. "Allow me to lead you to your table."
The girl took a sharp breath as she slowly reached her hand out. But one of her friends soon got tired of how slow she was being and playfully smacked her back. Except it caused the girl to freak out and trip instead, sending her tumbling towards the ground.
Or at least it should've, but I intervened at the last moment.
With a single sweeping move, I took the girl's hands and pulled her up, holding her as if she was to be my ballroom partner. "My, I hope you did not injure yourself." I smiled faintly. "It would be quite the shame for this day of celebration to turn out so sour, no?"
"Y-Y-Y-Yes…!" She stuttered out, her face completely red.
The girl who tried to get her moving stared at her with opened jaws, before she grit her teeth in jealousy. And she wasn't alone—practically everyone else who was inside our little cafe was seething in jealousy as they saw how the girl was being treated like a princess.
I hid a smirk.
See, this was supposed to be a small celebration that only involved everyone in Tracen Central. But as one might expect from the Director, that little celebration soon ballooned into an entire festival. Suddenly each class was being asked to have a theme we were to play into, and unable to resist the temptation, I decided to be that one person who suggested that our class play-act as a maid/butler cafe.
I couldn't help it. It was practically everywhere in anime, and I wanted to experience it at least once.
And personally? I was having a blast. It was rare for me to use my acting skills for something other than my usual heroic persona, so having another outlet felt refreshing. Not only that, but seeing how flustered my guests would become fulfilled that tiny sadistic part within me.
The vibes were generally positive. Super Creek in particular was more than happy to serve as everyone's maid, likely because it fulfilled her budding maternal instincts. Sakura Chiyono O also seemed to be having a good time, though that was probably because she was Chiyono O.
The same could not be said for Dicta Striker, who had not stopped glaring at me from the moment we began our little act.
"You suck." She scowled, her cheeks bright red as she tugged down the maid skirt she was wearing. "Why the fuck do I gotta wear this shit while you get to prance around!?"
I playfully flipped my hair back, using some of my new powers to let my hair sparkle. "Cause I got them vibes, girl~" I said, grinning widely. "Well, and you were the one who didn't listen. Whoever said that it was only a maid cafe~?"
Mejiro Ardan giggled as she walked by. "She isn't wrong." She said, smiling serenely as she patted her own butler's uniform.
"See?" I said.
"I hate you."
I smirked as I glanced at Ardan. "She's such a tsundere, isn't she?"
Ardan nodded, her expression serious. "Very much so." She sighed mournfully. "It is terminal, I'm afraid. Our most talented doctor was unable to find a cure for it."
"I hate you guys." She said as she grit her teeth.
"Oh, truly?"
And suddenly I moved, sweeping Dicta into my arms as I leaned forward, letting our fingers tangle as I let our faces remain inches apart. "What might I do to change that, my dear maid?"
"Y-You-!" She said, her face bright red, and it only turned brighter as everyone else began squealing in delight. My grin widened slightly, already hearing the way some fans were shipping the two of us in the background. "Let me go!"
"Hmm~" I playfully smiled as I glanced to my left. "Well, in that case–"
I spun and freed Dicta from my grasp, but Ardan had been waiting right next to me. She skillfully grabbed onto Dicta, and this time it was Ardan who was holding Dicta. "Why don't I hold you instead?" Ardan offered with a confident smile. Her usual demeanour certainly didn't match a butler's, but at that moment, she seemed far more like a prince.
Dicta gulped, not even noticing the way some of her fans had collapsed from sheer euphoria.
I laughed softly as I headed for the entrance. I gently pulled the door open, ready to welcome some more guests into our cafe. But instead I caught sight of a brown blur, and I deftly stepped back to avoid a face-hugging maneuver from one excited Tokai Teio, before I swept the young umamusume into my arms. "Why good morning, oh future champion."
Teio grinned as he looked up at me. "Good morning, senpai!"
Not far behind her, Symboli Rudolf sighed softly as she smiled. "Teio, you know you can't do that." She said, having reminded Teio many times before.
Teio pouted. "But Star's fast enough to catch me."
"I'm afraid I'm an anomaly in that regard." I said as I gently placed her back down. "And good morning, Rudolf. Nice to see that you aren't dressed in that Christmas tree outfit you suggested a few days back."
The usually stoic president's face flushed red as her ears flopped flat onto her head. "I-, I thought it would fit the mood." She said, her entire body drooping with disappointment.
"Well, maybe not this time around, but I'm sure there would come a time when such an outfit would come into fashion."
And immediately Rudolf's ears perked up. "You think so too?"
I nodded seriously. "Absolutely." I said. And I wasn't even lying—the world just needed to wait for the Emperor to finally mellow out into being Teio's dad, and then we could finally bear witness to the sight of the usually pun-loving Emperor who turned into a wet cat whenever her love interests came within 5 meters of distance.
"Ah, that aside, I do have some news."
I blinked. "What is it?"
She smiled. "Your additional guests have arrived."
My eyes lit up, and I smiled. "Is that so? They arrived quicker than I thought."
I wasn't only talking about March, Shibasaki, and my parents. When I realized that this celebration had ballooned into something far bigger, I decided to see if I could maybe extend an invitation to a few other people I knew, even if we were only mild acquaintances. After all, the party had turned into an official event, so I wouldn't feel too awkward about including them.
And one of those extra guests just happened to be a certain young umamusume who would soon follow in my footsteps.
"Then please wait for a moment." I smiled slightly. "Let me finish attending to my current guests, then I'll follow you out."
Rudolf nodded. "Then we'll go tour around while we wait." She gently took Teio's hand. "Come, Teio."
"Mm! Let's go look around, Pres!" And as they turned to leave, Teio sent me a cheery wave as she grinned. "See ya' later, senpai!"
I smiled and waved back, holding back a snort as I caught that subtle glare Rudolf was sending my way. Other people might've been intimidated, but after I saw how she nearly fumbled her reunion with Mr C.B., whatever presence she had was basically gone in my eyes.
I gently laughed as I headed back into my classroom.