Flashy Step's newfound aura was somewhat expected by Aoi; someone as bright as her was supposed to discover it sooner or later, but it was celebrated nonetheless. After all, it is a big achievement; some umas never are able to awaken their aura. So there are some requirements for it according to what Aoi knows about, what they learn in the trainers' college:
First, you can't force an uma to awaken the aura. Even if you explain it to them, it just doesn't work that way.
Second, the aura is a manifestation of the uma fighting spirit and wishes to keep pushing forward.
Third, only those who truly believe in themselves will eventually awaken their aura.
Fourth, having goals or the support of other people truly helps to achieve this.
And other mumbo jumbo, but what I can get about all of it, it's about the aura, it's something abstract and different for each uma, some achieve this out of frustration, others out of ambition, or other complex feelings, so it's about strong feelings.
'I hope I could awaken my aura too...'
I felt the envy stinging deep within me. And I hated feeling like that. Flashy had worked hard to achieve everything she had, unlike me, who had to be given a second chance out of mercy... for some reason even if it sounded cool to get that aura, it was hard for me to feel like I could achieve it, maybe it's because I was originally human and don't feel that crazy inhuman calling for races as the other uma musume? I hadn't even noticed such a thing was happening with other umas. I thought it was some highlight in the show, but now it turns out it was real.
...
...
...
The next days were relaxing.
I tried to keep hidden within me the newfound frustration, but overall, I really enjoyed being lazy, and for some reason, the system has been quiet lately; maybe it knows I'm on my vacation and won't bother me. But I must admit, now training alongside Flashy suddenly ain't so funny anymore, since now she randomly begins to glow and surpass me...
"Baaaaaka," I heard the gremlin taunting me ahead, "Slugish Meek!"
'This damn brat!'
There I was, running like an idiot behind the gremlin who took my sunglasses just to taunt me, all while Aoi drank something from the comfort of her chair while looking at us with a smile on her face.
'Sensei, the gremlin is bullying me!'
As if I would admit defeat so quickly! I was about to race her again when Aoi interrupted us. She was talking with a person who handed her a flyer. She got near us and seemed happy, or hyped about something.
"Girls, there will be a carnival tonight!"
"Can I just stay in my room?" I said not in the best mood after losing all morning to Flashy.
"Of course," Said Aoi, "Of course you can't."
"Poor Meek! She wants to hide from the mighty Flashy!" Flashy proclaimed, talking in 3rd person just to annoy me more.
In the end, I spend the rest of the morning trying to catch up to her, and an important part of the afternoon recuperating from how tired I end up being.
...
...
...
I have to give it to Aoi, tho. The carnival was fun. And Flashy looked cute on her yukata, like an angel spawned from the deep web or something akin to that. It was my first time experiencing a festival like this. I had seen it many times in anime, but being there is a different story; the games, the food, the dances, everything was very good, and I was actually glad that I had come.
"Mmmm, this tastes good~" I said in a very good mood and high spirits as I munched on a glazed apple.
After visiting many stalls, I was left to wander alone while Aoi and Flashy danced on a bonfire. I didn't want to join, but I wanted to explore a little more, and as I kept looking at the stalls, I noticed a small path near the temple where the festival was being held that we didn't explore while I was with the girls. It looked a little shady, but still, there were plenty of people on it.
'Huuuh... I bet nothing wrong will happen if I go that way... right?'
After thinking about it for a minute, I just decided to give it a go. The stalls looked a little weird; a lot of people wearing traditional clothes walked around while talking.
(The system has disconnected)
As soon as I stepped into the path, the stupid malfunctioning system disconnected. It was strange, but it didn't matter how I tried to interact with it; it was impossible in he end, as if it had never existed in the first place...
'I knew it was ineffective, but this... huuh... whatever...'
The stalls sold all kinds of trinkets, lucky charms, and weird stuff like rabbit feet and other weird things. Maybe it was a section that was given to the temple to sell stuff in order to earn some money.
"Hey, pretty fillie," Said a girl at one of the stalls. I couldn't see her features because she was wearing a strange attire that hid her face. "Want to have a check at your fortune?"
I looked around, but none seemed to notice. The girl laughed.
"Yes, you, I'm talking at you, Missy."
"Me?"
"Who else?" She opened her arms. "So, want to give it a try?"
"I'm sorry, I don't have money," I said with a poker smile, trying to walk away.
"Who said anything about money?"
I sighed. What a pain, I don't really believe in this kind of stuff.
"Hehe~ How cute, you look troubled, maybe is that you don't believe in this kind of art?"
I rubbed my temples and nodded.
"Aww, such a shame, and it took so much work to push away that ghost that haunted you a few moments ago... really, girl... what did you do to have such an abominable spirit on your shoulders?"
"Eh? What do you mean?" I said, now a little nervous, none around seemed to care about our exchange.
"How do you call it?" The mysterious girl crossed her arms. "Shysthem? Or something like that?"
I opened both my eyes wide open, now feeling cold sweat all over my body. The girl laughed even more at my reaction.
"Worry not! This one-sama will tell your fortune now!" She said, dramatically extending an arm.
Next thing that happened was strange, very strange and scary, the glass sphere on the table began the shine with a bright white glow and I saw myself reflected on it. And when I say myself, I mean my old self.
"Mmmm... Mmmmm! I see!" She looked directly at the ball while her hands danced around it. "So that's how it is... and that's why you saved Tannhauser... yes yes...."
After a whole minute that felt like a century, she threw some clothes over the ball.
"Great misfortune has fallen upon you, and it's not something simple~" She said in a tone that chilled my blood. "Maybe a family burden? Someone who hated your family? And that misfortune has chased you across time and space to this place, I saw a future full of happiness... but the shadow of death and misfortune always hugging you, like a vulture waiting for its prey."
I was damn too stunned to talk. I kinda understand what she said, but I was too focused to understand.
"I... I..."
"I can't stop that fiend forever, sadly, not in my current status," She said, referring to the system. "As an advice, don't trust in that evil spirit, it's a devil caressing your soul, offering rewards, but have you ever wondered... at what exchange?" She shook her head and then threw at me a bright golden coin. "Keep this near you always! This is not the solution, but it's the key to the solution!"
As I opened my hand after catching it, I saw a golden coin with a cat embedded on it.
"Now a quest I must give, search on Tracen a girl named Fukukitaru, help each other, and the outcome might be that both of your curses might be broken." I could swear she smiled, "Tell her Shiraoki sent you!"
"Meek! There you are! What are you doing here?"
(The system is back online)
(Rebooting...)
As I looked, I saw the gremlin Flashy was waving at me, and when I looked around, I was alone on a dirt track without any stalls. In front of the path I was exploring was a "Keep out" sign. I was trying to understand what was going on, but then...
'Ahh... forget it...'
I felt the world spinning around and collapsed to the ground. But the coin in my hand was tightly gripped.