After class, during lunch break.
Gold Legend bought a bottle of cola, leaned against the Vending Machine, and started drinking.
"Ha! Cola really hits the spot when you chug half the bottle in one gulp!"
After pondering life for a moment, Gold Legend began thinking about recent events.
"...I'm surprisingly busy."
Training, Student Council work, studying, and most importantly, playing and encounters!
Every day had something interesting, and every day was fulfilling.
"Looking at it this way, Transmigration isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Gold Legend mocked herself.
Although she still hadn't fully let go, being able to face her new life calmly was perhaps a form of growth.
With the spirit of drowning her sorrows, she chugged the rest of the cola, burped, tossed the empty bottle into the trash can, and stretched.
"Well, that's that. Contentment brings happiness; life goes on!"
Muttering incoherent words, Gold Legend reverted to the appearance of a proper Gold Family Uma Musume.
"Oh, wait, is that."
The corner of her eye caught sight of a familiar figure.
Refreshing short hair, sunny disposition.
——It was Mejiro Ryan.
"Then the black-haired one beside her must be Mejiro Dober?"
Gold Legend thought, deciding to go up and say hello.
"Speaking of which, next holiday, McQueen said she wants to go to the newly opened cosmetics store."
The black Uma Musume said.
"She also invited us and Mejiro Ardan. Ryan, did you know about this?"
"Eh! I haven't been paying attention to messages lately, this is the first I've heard... A cosmetics store, such a girly place!"
The short-haired Uma Musume said in surprise, her expression filled with longing.
"Mejiro Ardan and McQueen are fine, but I'm not really suited for makeup..."
The black-haired Uma Musume said without confidence.
"That's not true at all! Dober is so cute, it would suit you perfectly!"
"C-cute!"
The black-haired Uma Musume blushed.
Wow, she's so good at this!
Gold Legend, who had been listening in because she hadn't found the right moment to appear, thought silently.
If I had this level of awareness, I wouldn't have been single right up until I transmigrated in my last life.
"Although I think makeup is a bit early, I kind of want to try it out. If Dober comes along too, I'd feel more at ease... Is that okay?"
She's still pressing the attack!
"I-I know. But you absolutely mustn't sell me out, okay?"
The black-haired Uma Musume clearly couldn't resist. She surrendered.
"Okay, okay, I know! Let's work hard together!"
The victor: Mejiro Ryan!
"Nice! Dafu!"
Gold Legend couldn't hold back and involuntarily made a noise.
"Eek!"
The timid black-haired Uma Musume was so startled she immediately jumped behind Ryan.
"..." x3
What should I do if I accidentally scare someone? Waiting online, quite urgent.
Gold Legend was momentarily speechless.
"...You startled me. Is something wrong? Legend-san? May I call you that?"
As expected of a Mejiro Family Uma Musume, Ryan quickly recovered, her manners and posture impeccable.
"Ah, it's nothing. Just call me that. Sorry for startling you both. And who is this?"
Gold Legend calmly accepted the out Ryan provided, and even took the opportunity to ask to meet a new friend, demonstrating her thick skin.
"Ah, this is Dober, Mejiro Dober. She is the jewel of our Mejiro Family."
Ryan introduced her with a smile.
"...Hello, my name is Mejiro Dober."
Dober peeked out from behind Ryan and spoke cautiously.
"Ah, hello. My name is Gold Legend. I'm McQueen's friend, and I also happen to know Ryan."
Gold Legend attempted to make Dober lower her guard.
"...Are you, the one McQueen talks about?"
"?"
"No, it's nothing. Nice to meet you."
Dober was still somewhat cautious, but her attitude was noticeably more relaxed.
"So, Legend-san, is there anything you needed?"
Seeing Dober relax, Ryan also breathed a sigh of relief and brought the conversation back on track.
"Nothing much, I just happened to see you, so I came over to say hello."
Gold Legend said frankly, as this was indeed her intention.
"Just that? I thought you were planning to socialize with us Mejiro Family Uma Musume and perhaps ask about McQueen."
Ryan said jokingly.
"Why would I ask about McQueen?"
Gold Legend was confused.
"Eh?" x2
"Hmm?"
The three Uma Musume looked at each other... Gold Legend bought two more drinks and handed them to the two from the Mejiro Family, then sat down on a chair by the aisle.
"Thank you."
"Thank you, you shouldn't have."
The two Uma Musume from the Mejiro Family also sat down nearby, but it was clear that one of them was still very reserved.
"You don't have to be so nervous."
Gold Legend said, a little helpless.
"Sorry, Dober isn't good with strangers."
Ryan also said with a wry smile.
"So, what happened to McQueen?"
Gold Legend asked.
"Ah, this…"
Ryan didn't know how to begin.
"What do we do, Dober? McQueen didn't say anything."
Ryan frantically hinted at Dober with her eyes.
"McQueen, this place is surprisingly very girly."
Dober-chan, the literary girl, was lost in her own world.
"…"
Looking at the two Uma Musume with their unfeigned expressions, Gold Legend gave them a deadpan look.
"If it's inconvenient, then forget it."
Gold Legend said. After all, it was just a momentary curiosity.
"Phew."
Ryan, having been let off the hook, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Speaking of McQueen, are you all planning to go out together this weekend?"
Gold Legend took a sip of her freshly bought coffee and casually brought up a topic.
Ugh, it's so bitter. No, I must control my expression.
"Ah, yes. After all, we're family members, childhood friends since we were little. It's quite normal to go out together on weekends."
Ryan said with a smile.
"Exchanging feelings is also an important part of being family members, Legend… don't you and your classmates do that?"
Dober carefully glanced at Gold Legend, then timidly echoed Ryan's words.
"…"
Recalling the chaotic members of the Gold Family, Gold Legend couldn't hold back and showed a subtle expression.
Her expressions are so rich, she's really an interesting person.
Dober, who had been secretly observing Gold Legend, thought to herself.
"We Gold Family don't do that."
She ended the topic with that one sentence.
"I see."
Mejiro Ryan didn't mind.
Perhaps because lunch break was still long, the two began to chat about everything under the sun.
The enthusiastic and cheerful Ryan suited Gold Legend's taste perfectly. The two hit it off as if they had known each other for ages, chatting happily, which even made Dober gradually get used to Gold Legend and become much closer.
"By the way, Legend, are you free this weekend?"
Ryan, whose attitude had improved so much that she was practically ready to become sworn sisters with Gold Legend, asked happily.
Gold Legend thought about her plans.
Oguri Cap and Senior Tamao needed to train for the Autumn Tenno Sho; Student Council work was almost done, the rest could be left to Senior Air Groove; Miss Hayakawa's holidays were different from theirs, so she probably wasn't free; Urara had no races this weekend; Nice Nature and Teio seemed to be planning to go out together, and there was no fun to be had on the Shopping Street; the Gold Family members were always elusive on weekends, so no need to worry about them; Senior City seemed to have modeling work, so it wasn't good to disturb her; the aunts and uncles at the Police Station must be very busy, so she wouldn't bother them.
"I'm very free this weekend."
Gold Legend's answer was frank and straightforward.
"Then would you like to come to the cosmetics store with us? McQueen would surely be delighted."
Ryan extended an invitation.
"Is that okay? Isn't that your family gathering?"
"It's fine, McQueen and Mejiro Ardan won't mind."
Dober also followed up with a coordinated effort.
"Then I shall humbly accept."
After all, she had nothing better to do.
Gold Legend readily agreed.
At this moment, Gold Legend still didn't know what awaited her.
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