Dictus adjusted her glasses. "Actually, Brian-san played a crucial role in the entire operation."
"What role?" Urara asked with wide-eyed innocence.
"Because of Acting Chairman Kashimoto's policies, we couldn't freely enter or leave the Academy. But Brian-san was different. As the Student Council Vice President and a recluse, she perfectly fit Kashimoto's requirements from any perspective.
To hold the party, we needed supplies. Since Brian-san was the only one who could move freely within the Academy, we entrusted her with the task."
The crowd let out a collective "Ooh" and burst into applause.
"As expected of Dictus! So reliable!" McQueen praised loudly.
"That's not true at all!" Dictus protested vehemently.
Whether it was Kousei's imagination or not, Dictus seemed slightly flustered.
"Hmm?" Kousei's ahoge perked up.
"Wait a minute!" Brian suddenly interrupted, waving the shopping list in her hand. "There's way too much stuff here. I can't possibly carry all this alone."
Indeed, there was no way Narita Brian could manage this by herself.
"I've already considered that, so I've asked Sirius-san to come along as well."
"Huh? Why me? I have absolutely no interest in parties," Sirius replied, rejecting the idea without hesitation, her expression clearly annoyed.
Dictus's glasses glinted. "I anticipated Sirius-san's refusal, given her personality. Teio-san, please."
In response, Teio grabbed Sirius's arm, tilted her head upward, and adopted a pitiful expression.
"Please, Sirius! I'll be so heartbroken if we can't throw a party for Twin Turbo!"
This tactic proved remarkably effective. Though Sirius maintained her usual aloof demeanor, her inner turmoil was undeniable.
Even as she preserved her "keep away" aura, her tone and attitude softened considerably.
"Since the festival isn't urgent anyway, I might as well help you guys out. Besides, I'm bored stiff."
With that, Sirius turned her head away, refusing to speak further.
Classic tsundere behavior, one might say.
"Yay! Besides the President, Sirius is my absolute favorite!"
"Hmph."
Though being compared to Rudolf irked Sirius slightly, she let it slide, since it was Tokai Teio who had said it.
Cool and silent.
"I have a question," Kousei raised her hand.
"Please speak, Kousei."
"Even if Sirius manages to sneak out, how will she get back? Carrying all those things will be inconvenient. It can't be that simple, right?"
Kousei's question hit a blind spot, and Dictus fell silent in thought.
"After all this talk, you haven't even figured out how to get Sirius back," Narita Brian scoffed.
"Am I imagining things? You seem a little angry," Kousei observed.
"Of course I'm angry! If I don't get my grilled meat, Brian will have to go back to eating broccoli," Teio retorted, hitting the nail on the head.
Stung by Teio's words, Narita Brian shuddered but didn't argue.
"Then why not just leave the stuff at the school gate and have Brian make multiple trips?" Kousei suggested.
Narita Brian: "?"
"No, that would make our intentions too obvious. Acting Chairman Kashimoto would notice," Dictus said, shaking her head.
"In that case, I've thought of someone who could help," Teio suddenly grinned mischievously.
-
"Hi everyone! Good afternoon!"
Tokai Teio's so-called "helper" turned out to be Maruzensky from the Student Council.
"I've heard all about the situation, so leave it to your onee-san!" Maruzensky seemed brimming with enthusiasm.
But the others hadn't yet snapped out of their surprise. Kousei stared blankly at Maruzensky.
Maruzensky, one of the Student Council members who rarely makes public appearances. She seems so mature—or perhaps just... old?
Since she's in the Student Council, she must be an exceptional powerhouse.
Noticing Kousei's curious gaze, Maruzensky teased with a grin, "Little Kousei, captivated by your onee-san's charm?"
"Ah? N-no... I mean... uh..." Kousei stammered, flustered.
"Hehe~ Just kidding! Using humor to lighten the mood is all the rage these days, you know~"
"Ah! I see now!"
Kousei eyed Maruzensky warily. She feels so different from the others.
Emperor, of course, was in a league of her own, and Narita Brian and Air Groove both exuded the aura of formidable champions.
But Maruzensky was different. She lacked that sharp, imposing aura.
With her radiant smile and lively personality, she perfectly embodied the image of the friendly neighborhood sister.
Rumored to possess overwhelming potential, she now seemed more like a senior who casually tossed around terms she'd picked up from who-knows-where, never putting on airs.
Even at first meeting, she effortlessly drew people in.
Judging by the results, Maruzensky and Mr. CB hadn't chosen to compete in the Seishun Cup, likely disapproving of Acting Chairman Kashimoto Riko's approach.
"So, to put it simply, we just need to find a way for Sirius-chan to sneak in with the stuff, right?"
"Sirius-chan?"
Everyone's gaze turned toward Sirius, a mix of curiosity and bewilderment in their eyes. Sirius forced herself to remain calm.
"Eh? Sirius-chan? Who's that? What a cute nickname~" Kousei feigned ignorance, but her mischievous gaze locked onto Sirius.
Perfect. This was exactly what Sirius needed. She'd been itching for an outlet, and before Kousei could react, Sirius grabbed her and began mercilessly ruffling her hair.
"Sirius-chan? That's me! What's the problem?!"
"N-nothing! Nothing! I was wrong, Sirius onee-san!"
Kousei, who relied heavily on physical combat, was firmly suppressed by the tall and powerful Sirius. Witnessing this, everyone silently agreed to keep their mouths shut.
"This treatment is completely different from how the Emperor is treated..."
"They're so close! Is this the junior Sirius-chan always mentions?" Maruzensky exclaimed, dropping a bombshell that silenced both Sirius and Kousei.
"What's this? You're actually quite concerned about me, aren't you? Why can't you just be honest?"
"Shut up. You're the last person who should be lecturing me about that."
Getting back on topic:
"Brian-chan and Sirius-chan, you two can go ahead. I'll handle things here."
Brian and Sirius left with hesitant steps, their doubts lingering.
"Alright, we need to wrap this up before they get back," Maruzensky said, her gaze sweeping over the group before settling with delight on McQueen and Kousei.
"I do have a plan, but I'll need Kousei-chan and McQueen-chan's help."
Kousei & McQueen: Suddenly, we have an ominous premonition.
At the school gate:
"Everyone~ Look over here~"
In contrast to Maruzensky's enthusiasm, McQueen clutched her chest shyly.
"Why is this happening?"
The three of them were now dressed in strange performance costumes, each holding a vintage-looking fan.
"What's this fan for?" Kousei asked. Having trained in dance since childhood, she had worn all kinds of performance costumes and looked far more natural than McQueen.
Even she had never seen costumes or dances quite like these.
"Kousei-chan, don't you know? This is the hottest dance trend right now! Even the most popular idols are doing it!" Maruzensky exclaimed.
Kousei's eyes widened in realization. "Ah, I see! The trendiest, huh? No wonder you're always at the forefront of fashion, Maruzensky onee-san!"
Maruzensky basked in Kousei's adoring gaze, while McQueen stared at her fan and struggled to speak. "Showa idols?" she finally managed.
"Alright! Kousei-chan, dance with me!" Maruzensky urged.
"Okay!" Kousei replied.
Maruzensky raised her fan above her head and began to sway it. Kousei mimicked her movements, while McQueen, looking utterly resigned, reluctantly joined in.
Driven by Maruzensky's enthusiastic shouts, more and more Umamusume gathered to watch. Soon, the gate security had to intervene to stop the impromptu performance.
Sirius and Narita Brian seized the opportunity to sneak onto campus from outside, their flamboyant entrance proving remarkably effective.
Afterward, the group worked together to set up, a task that consumed a significant amount of time until the sun began to set.
Despite the long wait, Twin Turbo remained absent.
"That's strange... Why isn't Twin Turbo back yet?"
The group grew puzzled. After all, a gathering without its main character hardly qualified as a proper event.
Just then, Dictus spoke up again.
"Um... could it be... that Twin Turbo lives in the Miho Dormitory?"
Filled with uncertainty and anticipation, this extraordinary second racing year officially began amidst the lively commotion.
The diminutive protagonists had now officially entered the Classic Grade.