"You're putting more work into your look compared to usual, Gold City."
"It's just your imagination."
"Tosen is right! Sis really said mirror check!! Mirror got you on one-and-one, and you're losing, sis!!"
"It's just your imagination."
"Will there be a shooting session today?"
"No. There won't be."
Something is up!!
On one of the tables in the cafeteria, a group of 4 uma musumes can be seen sitting with their meals in front of them. The group consists of Gold City, Tosen Jordan, Daitaku Helios, and Mejiro Palmer.
Tosen Jordan's fingers tap against the table repeatedly as she tries to figure out her blonde friend. Her long, curly brown hair was tied into twin ponytails, each secured with a cheerful blue ribbon that bounced every time her head moved. Her tealish blue eyes, which are normally shining with mischievous light, are now shining with intense curiosity. She knows Gold City very well, and it's not every day she acts like this.
Sitting opposite her, Daitaku Helios couldn't sit still as she moved her head around to watch Gold City from multiple angles. Her long brown hair is pulled into a high ponytail, cascading in soft waves with playful blue highlights that catch the light like streaks of sky. Her ponytail whips her surroundings as the girl moves her head at the speed of light. Her eyes are wide as she tries to capture the smallest detail about her friend, and her smile is infected with her curiosity.
Between those two and opposite of Gold City, Mejiro Palmer looks confused, but still keeping her manner. Her long brown hair flows in gentle waves, tied back with care, and one streak of white curls forward like her very own signature. Her bright, clear blue eyes try to analyze the blonde supermodel. Being a member of the Mejiro family, Palmer isn't alien to reading people. She's not as good as Ramonu, but she can still do it.
"I suggest we eat our meal before the bell rings. I'm not going to help any of you if you get hungry during class."
"SPLAT it out, bestie beans!! Spill the tea on your sneaky secrets!! Are we not BFFs?!?"
"As I said, you girls are just imagining things. There's nothing wrong with me. Eat your meals."
The 3 umas squinted their eyes at the supermodel, signaling her that they might back down now, but they're not giving up. They have the full intention of figuring out why their friend has been putting on more makeup than usual. Red mascara on her upper eyelids. Small hint of lipstick as a complement rather than the focal point.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."
"I'm done."
"WAIT WAIT! Nah! I ain't eat!! Food still clean!! You bugging!! CHILL!!!"
XxX-XxX
"YO TRAINER MUYAKU!! We pulled up today's training!! Let's run it now!!"
"Uuuh… Evening too, Daitaku Helios."
"What are you girls doing here?"
"Oh come on, City~~ Didn't we say we're going with you to today's training?"
"I don't remember."
"Too bad! We're here!! Let's go!!"
"Sigh… For the love of the Goddesses…"
"It's okay, City. The more the merrier."
"Palmer, sigh… Trainer, say something."
"If City is okay with it, then I'm okay with it too."
You spineless bastard!! Stand your ground for once, for Goddesses' sake!!
Gold City couldn't believe that her friends had decided to invade her training session. Normally, Gold City wouldn't mind being with her friends, but today is different.
"..."
On the edge of the training field, a red-haired young man is sitting on his own with a notebook in his hand. To a bystander, he looks like an artist painting by how hard he is staring. Only Gold City knows that his eyes are focused only on Gold City.
I wonder if my makeup is visible from there.
Gold City unconsciously looks at herself. Making sure that she is properly wearing her gym clothes. Making sure that there are no leaves or dirt on her hair. Making sure that she doesn't look nervous or anything like that. She is feeling more nervous than when she was standing in front of a camera.
"Gold City?"
"Yes!"
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"Yeah… Yeah, I am. Let's continue with the training."
"Alright!"
XxX-XxX
"Tell me!! Let's be girlboss, but don't gatekeep!! Drop the truth bomb on us!!"
"There's nothing. All of you are just imagining things."
In the Ritto Dormitory common room, several Uma Musumes can be seen hanging around. Amongst those Uma Musumes are the quartet of gyarus. They are lying around a circular sofa with chips and soft drinks on the table in the middle.
"I still can't figure it out. Can you at least tell us why you're not telling us? We all know you're hiding something, City."
"That's because there's nothing, Palmer."
"If you don't tell me, I'll paint your nails all black."
"Can you do the left one first?"
"Aaah!! We can't win!!"
Gold City was busy scrolling through her phone. She wasn't necessarily looking for anything, instead, she was waiting for a message from a certain someone.
She keeps refreshing her phone, hoping that his message will pop up. She contemplated whether to call or message him first. Perhaps he forgot. Maybe he needs to be reminded about Gold City and the deal.
*Ping*
"!!!"
Gold City's heart almost explodes when the young man's name flashes on her notification. She hasn't read what the content of the message is, and the anticipation is killing her.
Please accept me. Please accept me. Please accept me. Please accept me.
With trembling fingers, Gold City opens up the young man's message.
Trainer Igo Heita: After thinking about it. I'll give it a try. I'll make you a training menu you can do on top of your normal training. I expect payment, though. Text back to me if you want to discuss that. We'll do it over the phone or in person.
"Mmh!! Mhhmhh~~"
Gold City's heart bloomed the moment she read the message. She can't contain her happiness inside any longer, and some of it seeps through her mask. The edges of her lips curve upwards, and she is giggling like a little girl.
"Aah!! Girl are smiling!! Seize her phone!!"
"Wait!! Don't touch my phone!!"
"She is hiding something!! Get her!!"
And on that night, Fuji Kiseki has to catch the gyarus that are doing laps around the dormitory.