"Hello there, my princess."
Facing Seiun Sky, who was dressed like a prince, Barbatos felt her heart skip a beat.
Had she left earlier with Fuji Kiseki because she wanted to change into a prince's outfit? Was she planning to work as a server in the prince cafe?
That was impossible.
Barbatos wasn't that foolish. If Seiun Sky just wanted to work as a server, given her personality, she could have simply asked Barbatos to leave first.
There was no need to specifically make her wait here, only to come out after changing clothes.
So, the truth could only be one thing: she was hitting on her!!!
She specifically changed into prince attire and came over... No way? Could it be that she likes me?
But the problem is, why is Seiun Sky the prince, and I'm the princess? Something feels off about this!
Shouldn't I clearly be the one on top?
Can't let this stand. At the very least, I can't lose in terms of presence!!! Revitalizing the glory of our kind, we Uma Musume have a duty we cannot shirk!
Next time, if there is a next time, I will be the one wearing the groom's outfit!
I swear on the dignity of my phantom limb, I cannot lose!
In an instant, a flood of strange declarations surged to the forefront of Barbatos's mind, compelling her to directly reach out and grab Seiun Sky's hand.
"Hello, my prince. Would you care to explore the culture festival with me?"
When faced with someone they like, Uma Musume often become capable of anything, even if the Uma Musume herself wouldn't admit it.
Seiun Sky never expected Barbatos to be this bold.
Feeling the sensation of the hand holding hers, feeling the warmth from Barbatos's palm, she pressed her lips together, let out a soft 'Mhm,' and didn't refuse the invitation to go out and explore the culture festival dressed like this.
Although the two had originally been exploring the festival together already, this was different now. It wasn't just because Seiun Sky had changed clothes, but also because of their joined hands.
This feeling was more like a couple than just friends.
With her hand held by Barbatos, a faint blush rose unbidden to Seiun Sky's cheeks as they left the prince cafe together.
Inside the cafe, Fuji Kiseki, who had just returned with Seiun Sky and finished serving coffee to a customer, paused, sighing with emotion. "Ah, to be young."
T.M. Opera O, who happened to be passing by, patted her shoulder. "So, you're planning to run just four more races and then return to your hometown to get married?"
"?"
Fuji Kiseki expressed that she didn't understand, but was profoundly shocked.
When had she ever said she would run just four more races and then return to her hometown to get married!!!
--+--
Barbatos, holding Seiun Sky's hand, walked out of the prince cafe. She hadn't expected herself to become so brave in just that single moment.
But since she'd already grabbed the hand, letting go now would probably make her seem too cowardly. Besides, Seiun Sky didn't seem to be resisting.
Even though the way she held her hand wasn't correct—not interlocked like in those TV dramas—it still felt soft and very pleasant.
Holding Seiun Sky's hand felt even more satisfying than hoisting the Summoner's Cup, even though she hadn't yet competed in the League of Legends professional league. That was just the feeling she had.
It was as if... as if she wasn't holding Seiun Sky's hand, but grasping the entire world.
'I think I like her.'
The moment this thought surfaced in her mind, Barbatos, the self-styled love master, realized what an incredible thing she was doing. She was holding the hand of the Uma Musume she liked.
Thump-thump-thump. The noise of the culture festival around them seemed to be muted.
All she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat and the warm sensation transmitted from their joined hands.
Should she let go? If she let go now, would it make her seem guilty?
But if she didn't let go, would it cause Seiun Sky's favorability towards her to drop?
Reality wasn't a dating sim game. She couldn't see the mutual favorability meter. She could only guess and ponder bit by bit.
Until the other party revealed their heart, it was impossible to truly understand their thoughts.
Maybe Seiun Sky changed into the prince outfit just for fun?
Maybe the reason she got nervous when holding hands was simply because she wasn't used to holding hands with another Uma Musume?
For a while, neither of them spoke, both seemingly lost in their own thoughts as they wandered through the festival.
Barbatos held Seiun Sky's small hand, her mind largely occupied by the point where their skin made contact. Her palm even grew sweaty from the excitement and nervousness, emotions that had reached their peak.
What scenery was around them? What shops did they pass? She completely ignored it all.
From a distance, others could see a handsome 'prince' and an Uma Musume in Tracen Academy's uniform.
They could see their hands clasped together, the 'prince' with a shy blush, her gaze seeming somewhat distant.
The Uma Musume in the standard uniform, however, was less reserved than the 'prince,' grinning like a husky.
It was only when people got closer and could clearly see their faces that they recognized them: the stars of tomorrow's relay long run, the wildly popular Barbatos and Seiun Sky, who had won her debut race by over 10 lengths.
Were they actually a couple?
Amidst the crowd, Tokai Teio, who had been about to call out to them, froze in place.
For a moment, she felt a surge of envy. If only she could stroll through the culture festival with the president like this.
After walking for who knows how long, Barbatos's chaotic thoughts, and the excitement and nervousness from holding Seiun Sky's hand outdoors for the first time, finally subsided a little.
Looking at the path ahead, she suddenly had no idea where they were.
'So embarrassing,' getting so distracted just from holding Seiun Sky's hand that I didn't pay attention to the way. At least I didn't bump into any other Uma Musume or anything.
Beside her, Seiun Sky kept her head down, seemingly counting the ants on the ground, her expression unreadable.
Scanning their surroundings for a topic to break the somewhat silent atmosphere, Barbatos noticed a milk tea shop situated not far away.
Uma Musume rarely drank milk tea. While delicious, it easily added weight, and lacking restraint could affect future race performance.
Normally, they'd only treat themselves to a cup occasionally.
Giving the small hand she held a little shake, Barbatos said, "...My treat for some milk tea."
Hearing this, Seiun Sky still didn't look up, lacking her usual boldness, and only replied with a soft, quiet "Mhm."
'I never should have changed into that prince outfit...'
--+--
[Beef Noodle Big Eater Challenge]
"Congratulations to contestant Oguri Cap for successfully finishing with a score of 1511 bowls of beef noodles, defeating the dark horse contestant—Special Week—by a margin of 2 body lengths to claim the championship of this competition!"
By now, both Oguri Cap and Special Week were sporting bellies far more exaggerated than a ten-month pregnancy, completely unable to eat another bite.
--+--
T/N: Oh yeah, green on green yuri
--+--
T/N: Classroom of the Elite Fanfic Up!
--+--
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.