Culture Festival.
At this moment, Barbatos was completely unaware of Special Week participating in the "Beef Noodle Eating Challenge."
Following the original plan, she went with Seiun Sky to their project—the café run by Fuji Kiseki and the others.
She wanted to see if it was the legendary maid café she'd heard about.
Approaching the café, they could see quite a few people already lingering nearby, as if they weren't quite ready to go in yet.
"To attract so many people... I guess this is what happens when legendary Uma Musume open a café," Barbatos mused.
While Uma Musume did drink coffee under normal circumstances, they often preferred carrot juice or other drinks. Most people were probably here for Fuji Kiseki, Narita Brian, and T.M. Opera O.
"I wonder if the seniors will be wearing maid outfits or something."
"Oh? Do you like the maid type?" Seiun Sky tilted her head, a playful smile on her face. Who would have thought Barbatos was into that?
"Ahem, no, it's just that maid cafés are a pretty famous concept here in Japan, you know?" Barbatos explained.
"Just imagine seniors like Kiseki-senpai and Brian-senpai in that style. Wouldn't it be interesting to see them in maid outfits?"
Whether it was Fuji Kiseki's dashing, masculine-like handsomeness or Narita Brian's cool, refreshing rough vibe, seeing either of them in a maid outfit would be quite a sight.
Just then.
She saw Fuji Kiseki step out of the café.
What in the world was Fuji Kiseki wearing? It had nothing to do with the word 'maid.' She even had a small crown on her head, looking somewhat like T.M. Opera O.
Noticing Barbatos and Seiun Sky, Fuji Kiseki smiled and walked over, placing her left hand on her chest.
"Ah, if it isn't Princess Barbatos and Princess Seiun Sky?"
"We just had some seats free up. Might I invite the two princesses inside to enjoy some coffee with us?"
Princess?
Barbatos couldn't help but scrutinize Fuji Kiseki's outfit. This getup, could it be...?
A terrifying thought crossed her mind. Was the café run by Fuji Kiseki and the others actually a prince café or something? Were a bunch of Uma Musume here playing the role of princes?
"Well, Kiseki-senpai, let's go in and have a look."
"Then please follow me, you beautiful princesses~" Fuji Kiseki invited with practiced grace.
With Seiun Sky's agreement, the two followed Fuji Kiseki and were escorted into the café.
Looking around, Barbatos also spotted Narita Brian, T.M. Opera O, and even Vodka from Spica—the one their lecturer often used as an example—all dressed as princes...
Each of them wore a small crown on their head. So it really was a prince café!
Of course, given their general vibe, it was never going to be a maid café or anything like that.
As they took their seats, 'Prince' Fuji Kiseki promptly brought over two steaming cups of coffee, seemingly without giving them a chance to choose their preferred brew.
After setting down the coffee, Prince Fuji Kiseki then presented a menu to the two of them.
Both Barbatos and Seiun Sky saw what was on it.
What they needed to order here didn't seem to be the coffee. The menu had the words "Custom Order" at the top, but the options listed below were "Different Types of Princes."
"So, Kiseki-senpai, what type of prince are you?" Seiun Sky asked.
"Fair Princess Seiun Sky, I am the orthodox prince type," Fuji Kiseki introduced herself. She then pointed out the others in different areas. "Over there is the arrogant-but-clumsy type prince—Narita Brian."
"Just so we're clear, I'm not here because I like doing this."
"And opposite is the prince who looks arrogant but is actually pure-hearted—Vodka."
"Eh? My type? I-I-I have no idea!"
"That one over there, you could say she's the super-narcissistic prince—T.M. Opera O. She's pretty much playing herself."
"You have already been captured by me~"
"..."
After Fuji Kiseki finished her introductions, Barbatos could only think that these legendary Uma Musume really knew how to have fun.
Maybe she could find a chance to get a prince outfit herself and try some roleplay with Seiun Sky.
Then she could use the excuse of being a prince to hold Seiun Sky's hand.
Ahem. That kind of thing would have to wait until she was sure about her feelings for Seiun Sky. Otherwise, wouldn't it seem like she was just being a flirt?
Barbatos immediately dismissed the idea. After all, she and Seiun Sky had known each other for less than two months. Doing something like that would feel too abrupt. Besides, Fuji Kiseki and the others were running a proper prince café.
If she were to dress as a prince, it would feel a bit... insincere.
Narita Brian chose that moment to walk over. The princes at the prince café weren't required to stay with the customers the entire time, only to approach when serving coffee or taking orders.
The reason Fuji Kiseki was chatting with them like this was because they were familiar with each other.
"Might these two princesses require any further assistance?" asked the arrogant-but-clumsy Prince Brian.
Truthfully, she was mainly curious about Barbatos and Seiun Sky's current state of mind.
After all, tomorrow they would be facing the Heisei Top Three, led by Oguri Cap.
She wondered how they would perform in the upcoming relay race.
Barbatos studied Narita Brian for a moment. Honestly, the prince outfit didn't seem to suit Brian as well as her usual attire; it lacked her usual sharp handsomeness.
Seiun Sky thought for a moment, then smiled. "Actually, we do need a favor. Prince Kiseki, could you come with me for a moment?"
"Of course, beautiful princess."
Then, Barbatos watched as Seiun Sky whispered a few words to Fuji Kiseki and the two headed towards a room inside the café.
"What's going on?"
Barbatos was puzzled. What was Seiun Sky planning?
But she didn't think too much about it. Since Seiun Sky didn't say anything, she'd just wait here, drink her coffee, and wait for her to return.
"She left right after I got here?" Narita Brian glanced in the direction Seiun Sky had gone. Staying in her assigned arrogant-but-clumsy character, she appropriately showed a hint of sadness, though she didn't actually mind much.
"Brian-senpai, I'm sure lots of people outside came here specifically for you. Is it really okay for you to be spending time with me here?"
"I told you, I'm not here because I like it. I just got invited by T.M. Opera O and the others."
"Happened to see you here, and I'm a bit curious about how you plan to handle Oguri Cap."
Seeing that Barbatos wasn't really buying into the whole prince-princess act, Narita Brian dropped the persona and started talking normally.
"Oguri Cap-senpai, huh? So, Senpai, the race schedule you all arranged basically confirms I'll be up against Oguri Cap-senpai, doesn't it?"
After all, while the relay race proposal came from the Emperor, it was Narita Brian who announced it.
As a student council member, it wasn't surprising she knew Barbatos was assigned the third leg.
"I originally prepared a move I was saving for a G1 race. But now I have no choice but to use it early against Oguri Cap-senpai."
"Senpai, because of this, you're making me show my hand early. So, doesn't that mean this coffee should be on the house?" Barbatos said, half-jokingly.
It was true she had a move prepared for G1-level races. Wanting a free meal was, of course, just a joke; she wasn't short on money, and besides, the prices at the Culture Festival were very reasonable.
Both she and El Condor Pasa were now adapting well to G3-level races. They even had a good chance of winning at the G2 level.
But G1 was different. That was the domain of the top active Uma Musume at their peak.
According to her original plan, for the G1 race at the end of December, she intended to purchase "Miss Fortune" and "Sion".
Miss Fortune's W ability plus Sion's ultimate would likely give her the strength needed to compete for a win in a G1.
She wanted to enter the Winter Dream Cup with an undefeated record and an aura of invincibility, trying to defeat a legendary Uma Musume.
But now, in this relay race, she needed to face the legendary Oguri Cap.
In terms of accumulated Essence, she had nearly 3100 Blue Essence (the PC version), and close to 1500 Essence (the mobile version). So, she planned to assess the situation when facing Oguri Cap and decide whether to purchase "Miss Fortune" or "Sion."
If she only considered the final sprint, "Sion" would be a very good choice.
"A move saved for a G1 race?" Narita Brian placed a hand on her hip and smiled, somewhat surprised. She had to admit, this was the famous Barbatos for you. She hadn't even won a G2 race yet, and she was already preparing for G1s?
But winning a G1 race wasn't that easy.
--+--
Beef Noodle Eating Challenge.
The MC was passionately commentating on the ongoing contest.
The three staff members responsible for serving ramen to the competing Uma Musume were already sweating from the hectic pace.
"Currently in the lead is contestant number 2—Taiki Shuttle! She's already on her 93rd bowl of beef noodles, and her speed remains incredible! Is this the power of the fastest short-distance Uma Musume, a member of Team Rigil?!"
"Right behind her, trailing by three bowls, is Special Week!"
"The rookie Uma Musume from Team Spica, Special Week, is incredibly fast! She's showing top-tier speed! It looks like this contest is turning into a real clash of titans!"
"Will she have a chance to catch up to Taiki Shuttle? Or will she be able to hold off the charging Oguri Cap?!"
"The legendary Uma Musume Oguri Cap seems a bit off her game today, surprisingly lagging in last place! Is she planning to unleash her monstrous final sprint on the home stretch to overtake everyone?"
This eating contest at the Culture Festival was different from typical ones.
Usually, eating contests were about who could eat the most food within a set time limit.
But here, it was about who could simply eat the most food, period—no time limit! In other words, they ate until they were full!
Super Creek, who was cheering for Oguri Cap from the sidelines, had a slightly worried expression.
"Oguri is probably worried about affecting her performance in tomorrow's relay race. Who would have thought both Taiki Shuttle and that Special Week could eat so many bowls of beef noodles?"
Inari One furrowed her brows slightly and shouted towards the competing Oguri Cap, "Give it your all and win this contest! How can you hold back thinking about another competition!"
"Oguri! Go all out!"
Hearing this, Oguri Cap's eyes lit up. She immediately felt herself get into the zone.
Inari One was right.
How could she not give her all in today's contest because of tomorrow's race?
Since she had already entered, she couldn't let down the beef noodles in front of her, nor could she disrespect her fellow competitors!
In the next moment, her eating speed increased dramatically. She began closing the gap on Taiki Shuttle and Special Week ahead.
"Whoa! Oguri Cap is accelerating! She's rapidly gaining on Taiki Shuttle and Special Week!"
"I wonder if Taiki Shuttle can maintain her lead all the way, or if Special Week or Oguri Cap can come from behind to win?!"
The contest was heating up, almost like a G1 race itself. The spectators were swept up in the intensity, cheering loudly for the three competitors.
Silence Suzuka placed her right hand over her heart. "Do your best, Spe-chan."
--+--
Prince Café.
Prince Brian had left to attend to other customers.
Barbatos was browsing the in-system equipment shop. After her recent G3 victory, she had accumulated another 1400 gold.
Gaining gold by demoralizing opponents wasn't limited to overtaking them from behind.
If she was fast enough to make other Uma Musume feel it was hopeless to catch up, making them sigh 'Muri' (Impossible!), the system would also judge she had demoralized them.
Having already bought boots, 1400 gold wasn't enough for a significant speed upgrade.
Unless she could participate in another race before the relay, she wouldn't be able to afford a full major item to boost her speed another notch.
As for what to buy after [Dead Man's Plate], she had already decided: [Youmuu's Ghostblade], commonly known as "Youmuu's" or "the Ghostblade."
She hadn't originally planned on this because, in the mobile version's shop, the out-of-combat movement speed bonuses from [Dead Man's Plate] and [Youmuu's Ghostblade] shared the same passive name and thus didn't stack.
But a few days ago, while browsing the gold shop, she noticed that in the PC version equipment available for gold, [Youmuu's Ghostblade]'s passive had a different name from [Dead Man's Plate], meaning they could stack.
It was a shame there was no time before the relay race to farm enough for another item.
"Hello there, my princess."
That familiar voice sounded by her ear. It was Seiun Sky.
Barbatos looked up at her with a smile, wondering why she was copying Kiseki-senpai and the others' schtick.
But the moment she saw Seiun Sky, her heart seemed to skip a beat. Seiun Sky was now dressed in a prince-like outfit, complete with a small crown perched on her head.
I think... I might have just been charmed?
--+--
T/N: Oh yeah, im grinning from ear to ear
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.