"…Yo. You're crazy again today."
"Golshi-chan? What's with that attitude? You make it sound like I'm always some crazy guy."
I do have common sense, alright? The only time I go crazy is when it's about Deji-tan.
"Then what's that on your head?"
"A beret."
"That's not what I'm asking. Why do I have to wake up from my sleep and immediately see you sitting there all smug, legs crossed, wearing a beret?"
"Fufu… It was worth waking up early and preparing in advance."
"No, it wasn't."
…Well, when I was staring at the art supplies I somehow bought, I happened to start thinking.
"…Artists kind of feel like they wear berets, don't they? And so, I just bought one."
"You're such an idiot."
"No, I mean… it creates the vibe… right?"
"It doesn't. …You're totally the type who starts from the 'look' first."
"That… might be true."
"Might…? Come on. You're absolutely that type. I mean, who else buys milk and anpan because 'stakeouts mean milk and anpan!'?"
"Muu…"
…She must be talking about the day I joined Spica.
No no no—it's just that when you hear "stakeout," it's trench coat, hiding behind a telephone pole, milk, and anpan. That's the established tradition. It deserves respect.
"…Starting from aesthetics IS important. When you buy quality tools, you feel good, and you'll practice harder so you don't waste the money. And more importantly—yes—self-suggestion. To become someone suited for that role, you subconsciously begin acting accordingly."
"I'm not trying to deny what you're saying. Having the drive to act is a good thing. You've got energy to spare. What I mean is—you have another problem. I'm not gonna say what it is, though."
Another problem? She could just tell me…
"Well, anyway, in the case of the beret, it's just an artist stereotype. It doesn't actually improve your drawing skills. What are you going to use it for?"
"Hmmm… Ah, I can use it to hide my horse ears when going outside."
"So it's not art-related after all."
I can't help it. But if I can make use of it somehow, then it's fine. Result-oriented, result-oriented.
◆
"Virtue! Let's accumulate virtue!"
Lunch time. Sitting at the same table, Deji-tan's very first line was that.
"Virtue, huh. I try to be mindful of it daily, you know."
"What I mean is—let's be prepared to work for the Uma Musume-chan even at the cost of our lives! Look! The Autumn Fan Appreciation Festival is coming!"
…Yes. It's almost here. The Autumn Fan Appreciation Festival.
Is she planning to accumulate virtue and bathe in tons of fan service?
"As a student of Tracen Academy—and more importantly, as an Uma Musume-chan otaku! We must act as exemplary individuals! Meaning, if we work on the preparations—the setup, organizing, all the labor—until our bodies fall apart, then we will earn virtue by working for the Uma Musume-chan! It is PERFECT!"
"Well, I mean… we'd end up in backstage jobs anyway, right?"
"I heard the academy is very busy right now, and even the student council is desperate for people—or horses who can work. They need strong workers! And so—let's help! No, YOU MUST help! Because you have already committed something guilty—you are pushing me! What you need is virtue! Virtue!"
Hmm hmm. I see. To love—push—Deji-tan is a sin? No, surely not. The feelings I have for her must be the most important feelings for any human or Uma Musume.
"…Deji-tan. Listen. I like you—a whole lot. Probably definitely more than you like your oshis. I mean, I'm in genuine romantic love mode."
To be honest, calling this just "gachi-koi" feels shallow even to me. But for now, let's call it that.
(T/L: Gachi-koi means you're genuinely in love with an idol or character <(￣︶￣)> .)
"G-Gachi-ko—!! Wh-wha—R-R-R-romantic?? I-I see, I see yes I see very much I see hohohoho…"
Oh no. Deji-tan glitched. She's too cute.
My own words making her blush and freeze like that—it makes ME glitch.
"Well anyway. Now I can say it without embarrassment, so I will: I love you, Deji-tan! And that is NOT guilty! There's nothing wrong with calling something cute because it IS cute. Nothing wrong with liking what you like. Right, Deji-tan? You get it, don't you?"
"Inhale—exhale—HAH—HAH—!!! I-I somewhat understand what you want to say. You're saying it's no different from me loving Uma Musume-chan… That's true. I HAVE considered what it would feel like to have fans."
"Then there's no issue with me liking you."
"…I don't know. No one would push an obscure otaku Uma Musume who hasn't even debuted. I still don't understand why you—Aurora-chan—like me that much…"
Even now, I can't stop staring at her. Before "now," I had never been this obsessed with anything.
The moment I saw her, some switch inside me flipped. By the time I realized it, I was already swept away by feelings I could no longer suppress.
"It's engraved in my soul. I'm your fan number one! I've loved you since before you were even born!"
"…Why… me of all horses…"
She lowers her head.
Why does she hold so little confidence in herself? What can I do for her?
What Deji-tan needs most—the most important thing for a racehorse—is to run. To debut.
Only then can she truly understand both sides: the one who pushes and the one who is pushed.
But that is not something I can decide.
Debuting is something that determines their whole life as an Uma Musume. I must leave that to her trainer.
Then what can I do?
The answer is simple: let her experience what it means to be loved by a fan.
"The day you understand may be far, but my feelings won't change. So what I'm doing isn't guilty. If anything, I'm accumulating virtue."
"I think you should stop~ Because Deji-tan will always be Deji-tan. There will never be some large-scale merchandise campaign or me giving fan service onstage! Not now, not ever!"
"You say that now. But one day you WILL. I believe it. Anyway, that's for later. For now, virtue. Let's go earn it."
"Ah, yes. True. Let's go."
We stand up.
To help prepare for the Autumn Fan Festival.
…This is a perfect opportunity.
◆
The hallway in front of the Student Council Room.
We didn't even have to search. She was right there.
"…The President's words earlier… tree in front… mindset… ki-gamae… AH! So THAT'S what she meant! I missed it again…!"
Oh wow. She's grieving again today.
The one holding a stack of documents while looking mentally defeated is none other than Air Groove.
Student Council Vice-President. Nickname: The Empress.
Beautiful, intelligent, elegant—truly a perfect woman.
Her sleek dark bay bobbed hair, long red-shadowed eyes radiate mature allure.
And yet right now, her motivation seems at rock bottom. Judging from her mutterings, she must have been wiped out by the President's "communication style."
We came here to speak to her—or rather, to the student council.
"—Aurora-chan! Please! Go talk to her! I need to mentally transcend for a moment! I'm begging you!"
Well… seeing the Empress crushed over something so trivial—yeah, that IS cute. I get Deji-tan.
But we must still call out to her.
"Um—Air Groove-san? Excuse me. May we have a moment?"
"…Hm? Ah… What is it? Who are you, and what do you need?"
"I'm Aurore Frigate, first year of middle division. Our matter is—Deji-tan, come on."
I nudge the dazed Deji-tan.
"Hah—Ah, yes! Well! The Fan Appreciation Festival is coming soon! We would like to help everyone on the student council with preparations!"
"I see. That would help—oh, you're Agnes Digital. Last year you did something similar. If you're helping again, that would be appreciated."
Oh? They've already worked together before.
"HA!? Yes! Indeed, I am Agnes Digital, who offered help last year as well! But please forget such background character information!"
So Deji-tan did this before. How very like her.
"So, both of you will help? I appreciate it. On behalf of the student council, thank you. We need hands—especially horse hands."
"No, we're doing this because we want to."
For Deji-tan, it's for virtue. For me—it's to make her realize her worth.
"Then here. These are written documents for each committee. Nothing urgent, but please deliver them."
"Yes! Understood! I will deliver them at full speed!"
"Ah—wait for me!"
She grabbed the documents and immediately dashed off. By the time I started chasing, Air Groove-san was already gone.
"Let's begin! Take these and follow me!"
She hands me a stack.
"You're extremely enthusiastic, Deji-tan."
"Yes! For the sake of Uma Musume-chan, I would walk into fire, water, Nepalese ruins, Mexican prison—ANYWHERE!"
She lectured ME earlier, but she's exactly the same.
"…See, I think there are more people who like you than you think."
"…I-suppose-so?"
"Yeah. Because you're kind. You say it's for virtue—but what you actually do is volunteer work. Even those who don't know you would see you as saintly. Your teammates admire you too. And no one dislikes you."
"Guh—ghh!! T-That's embarrassing when said directly like that…"
She really does contribute to the school. Even Air Groove-san remembered her.
And above all—
Deji-tan is cute.
"Why is embarrassed Deji-tan so cute…? Well, you're always cute though."
"A-ha—i—It somehow feels—when you talk like that—it's so normal I can relax yes so anyway h-hi!"
She's back to normal. Very cute.
Her red-colored cheeks and beautiful aquamarine eyes make me stare. She averts her gaze, exposing her flushed cheek.
"…Ha."
Deji-tan is the best.
Time stops.
Then—
A tall shadow enters.
"Oy, you degenerates. What're ya doing here?"
Everyone's beloved Golshi-chan. Carrying a ton of power tools for some reason.
"Student council help. Just delivering papers. What about you?"
"Oh? These? Heh. Gonna remodel my newly acquired Golshi-chan Mobile."
"…Golshi-chan Mobile? What is that?"
"A super-cool machine. Perfect for me."
…she probably means that electric standing scooter.
"Well anyway, you two stick together too much. Split the papers in two and finish faster."
"Huh? Ah—Aah!!?"
Yeah… well…
"Nufufufu. Golshi-chan, even if you know, you shouldn't point it out. THAT is exactly the cute part of Deji-tan!"
To be honest, when Deji-tan said "follow me," I considered objecting.
But if SHE wants me to follow, then I follow! Even if my legs break!
"A-Anyway—Aurora-chan. Let's, um—divide the workload! Yes!"
"No. YOU told me to follow you."
"You're a damn child. Actually no—no child would ever be THIS terrifying. Well, good luck, you two. Later."
Golshi leaves, sighing.
"F-Fuu… Um, it wasn't intentional! I just forgot! Yes!"
The way she says that only adds meaning.
As for Golshi calling me terrifying—ridiculous.
I merely thought of forming a fan club for an adorable pre-debut Uma Musume—Deji-tan—after preregistering supporters, persuading President Rudolf afterward so she can give fanservice at the festival.
If we at least create the structure first, results will follow.
All of this so Deji-tan will realize her own worth.
Things will get busy.
---------------------------------------
(T/L:Hey, did you know? Agnes Digital was actually supposed to have a special nickname for Aurora—'Ororu'—in the original Japanese work before it was translated. But since so many people got confused and thought it was a typo, I just decided she'd keep calling her 'Aurora' like everyone else. Kinda sad though, because I really loved it when she said 'Ororu-chan'; it felt super cute and friendly. Honestly, it's probably my fault too for being too lazy to explain it lol (ㆁωㆁ).
Also, if I ever still write 'Ororu' somewhere, please let me know!)