"A Temple Fair?"
Legend looked up, somewhat curious.
After a day of training, it was now rest time.
Thanks to the special nature of the summer training camp, the Uma Musume had much more rest time than they did at school.
"Yeah, I heard from the Waitress, there's a Temple Fair in a nearby town that lasts about three days, and it's happening these next few days!"
Vodka said excitedly.
"Hey, that sounds pretty good," Gold Ship said.
"So, is anyone interested in coming with me?" Vodka looked at everyone expectantly.
"A Temple Fair, I'll pass... I have a date with the President," Tokai Teio looked up, thought for a moment, and refused.
"Um, Mejiro Ardan also made plans with me," McQueen said, somewhat troubled.
"Me too, I've already agreed to go out with Grass Wonder and the others," Special Week said apologetically. "What about Suzuka-san?"
"Ah, as for me, Air Groove Senior asked me to keep her company for a while," Suzuka also said.
"How can this be...?" Vodka lowered her head, a little disappointed.
"Hmph, if you sincerely invite me, it's not like I can't agree..." Daiwa Scarlet tossed her head tsundere-like.
"...No way," Vodka pouted.
"You rascal!"
The two started bickering again.
"Well, a Temple Fair, since we have nothing else to do, why don't we go check it out? What do you think, Oba-chan?"
Gold Ship put down her Rubik's Cube and asked Legend, who was reading nearby.
"Let's go together then."
She replied indifferently.
"Hmm?" x4
The four who already had plans all twitched their ears simultaneously.
"Really? Big Sister is willing to come?" Vodka's eyes sparkled.
"That's rare, Oba-chan, I thought you'd refuse," Gold Ship said, somewhat surprised.
"Why would I refuse?" Legend asked.
"Did no one ask you out?"
How could a social butterfly like you not have plans?
"Sorry no one asked me out then," Legend's face darkened.
She didn't know why, but lately, no one had asked her to hang out.
...A miscalculation!
I thought Legend (Classmate) had plans! x4
The group of four with plans secretly cried out in dismay at their miscalculation.
Usually, they all run off so quickly, why are they slacking now?
They all looked at the other three simultaneously.
"It's fine, it's fine, Big Sister, wanna go?" Vodka shamelessly sidled up to her.
"Sure," Legend didn't refuse.
"Yay!" Vodka cheered.
"Wait, I'm going too!" Seeing that Vodka had found someone, Daiwa Scarlet couldn't afford to be tsundere anymore.
It wasn't that she was worried about Legend stealing her CP; if anything, she could join in too. After all, with Sister Legend's conditions, I'd be making a huge profit!
The main thing was that everyone had plans, but she didn't. Wouldn't that make her the odd one out? Daiwa Scarlet needs to save face, you know!
"Heh heh, this sounds fun. Count me in!" Gold Ship raised her hand with a grin.
"Alright, the four of us will go together. It's on me," Legend said with a smile.
"Yay! Long live Sister Legend (Big Sister)!" Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka cheered, hugging each other.
Meanwhile, Gold Ship watched the others, who were all reacting differently, with a mischievous grin.
Such is the variety of life.
"Alright, let's go inform the Trainer, and then we'll head out."
Legend stood up and set off with the three of them.
Leaving only four heartbroken people behind.
...
It took a little while to reach the Temple Fair town.
The sun had just set; the timing was perfect.
"Oh, it's unexpectedly lively," Legend said, looking at the various stalls with some surprise.
"Well, annual events like this are rarely bad," Gold Ship said.
"Mm, in that case, let's split up here. Remember to meet back at this spot later." Gold Legend looked at the impatient Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, and said with a touch of helplessness.
"I'm first!!" Daiwa Scarlet dashed off.
"I won't lose!!" Vodka wasn't about to be outdone.
"...They really are energetic, aren't they, Golshi?"
"..."
"Golshi?"
Legend turned her head, only to see Gold Ship pulling out her peddler's kit from who knows where and disappearing into the crowd.
"...Great, I'm the odd one out again," Legend muttered.
Forget it. Since she was already here, she grabbed a flyer at the entrance and started wandering around.
"Let's see, this Temple Fair's special 'Love & Marriage Amulet'? Produced by a half-immortal, guaranteed effective? What is this?"
Legend looked at the flyer, feeling confused.
Did Temple Fairs really need this kind of stuff to attract crowds now?
She bought a double-scoop ice cream and wandered aimlessly while licking it.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to."
She was suddenly bumped into.
"It's fine, it's fine, it was my fault... Nice Nature?"
Even while protecting her ice cream, Legend looked up and saw that red hair.
"...Legend? Why are you here?"
Nice Nature finally realized who she had bumped into.
"I'm just here to check out the Temple Fair. What about you, Nice Nature? Why are you here?"
"It's Nice Nature! Ugh~ I'm here to help the uncles and aunties around here."
"? You know people here?"
Legend was surprised. Nice Nature knew people even in a place like this?
"I met them when I passed by a couple of days ago."
Nice Nature replied.
"Oh, Nice Nature-chan, is this a friend? Here, thanks to you guys for taking care of Nice Nature."
A passing uncle stuffed two cotton candies into their hands.
"...Impressive!"
She got familiar with everyone in two days? What terrifying social skills!
You're a dark horse, Nice Nature.
Legend didn't understand it, but she was deeply shocked.
"What stupid things are you saying?" Nice Nature rolled her eyes adorably.
"By the way, is that a kimono?" Legend stepped back and looked at Nice Nature's outfit.
"It's a yukata. And you're really not wearing a yukata to a Temple Fair?" Nice Nature retorted.
"...I don't have that habit," Legend replied.
"Forget it. Anyway, do you want to buy anything?"
"I don't really want to buy anything... How about takoyaki?"
Legend was feeling a bit hungry.
"Alright, follow me."
Nice Nature led Legend to a takoyaki stall.
"Um, hello..."
"Welcome! Isn't this Nice Nature? Bringing a friend along? Come, come, have this on the house!"
As soon as Nice Nature greeted them, the uncle selling takoyaki saw it was her and immediately gifted them a large box of takoyaki.
"..."
Legend looked at the takoyaki shoved into her hands, then at Nice Nature, who was shyly responding to the uncle's concern, and fell into deep thought.
"Sorry, sorry, everyone is a bit too enthusiastic," Nice Nature said, returning to Legend's side, feeling a bit apologetic.
"Nice Nature!"
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"How about we go on a date tonight?" Legend said, dropping a bombshell.
"Wh-what!?" Nice Nature's face turned bright red.
"If I hang out with you, I feel like I could freeload until the Temple Fair ends."
The ulterior motive was revealed.
"...You're too realistic! Pay for your own stuff!"
Nice Nature retorted.
"Hehe, hm?" Legend chuckled, then looked to the side.
"What is it?" Nice Nature asked.
"Nothing, I just thought someone was watching us just now."
"You're probably imagining things. Let's go, I'll take you around some more."
"Okay~"
The two walked forward side by side.
"...I think I just saw something incredible..."
Mejiro Dober walked out from a corner, watching the two walk away, muttering to herself.
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