...
She pushed a small serving cart, and on top of it sat a three-layer cake.
The cake itself was crafted into a dreamy circular stage, each tier covered in delicate fondant.
Standing on it were the Q-version figures of the "Dream" team Uma Musume, dressed in their respective victory outfits, lifelike and adorable.
The middle tier's stage was slightly smaller but more refined.
Haru Urara's Q-version figure was poking her own little cheeks, utterly cute. Beside her, Rice Shower had her mouth curved into a crescent moon smile outlined in frosting.
And on the very top tier stood only one figure—Special Week.
Her Q-version stood tall and proud, expression resolute; edible gold dust sparkled across her victory outfit like she'd just been showered in golden rain.
Behind her, a small flag stood tall, with the words "Japan's Number-One General" written on it.
"Wah~~ Wah wah~~~" Matikane Tannhauser's little mouth gaped open, gasping in repeated surprise.
Haru Urara couldn't wait any longer; she hopped up from her seat and leaned right up to the cake, admiring the cute figures up close. "I'm right here! Rice-chan's next to me— so cute~"
"Haru Urara-chan is super cute too." Rice Shower tilted her head and gave a gentle smile.
Tokai Teio and the others stood up as well, gathering around the cake tower.
"Trainer, why does my queen look so grumpy? Did someone make her mad?" Tokai Teio pointed at Mejiro McQueen's Q-version figure. "And her cheeks look so chubby—like little steamed buns, haha~"
Compared to Tokai Teio's playful figure, Mejiro McQueen's Q-version looked especially stern. Lips tightly pressed, brows faintly furrowed—the tsundere aura was perfectly captured.
Mejiro McQueen's cheeks flushed hot; the tips of her ears trembled quietly, but she couldn't refute the smug Tokai Teio. She could only turn her gaze to Lucian. "To-Torena-san... why didn't you make one with me smiling?"
"Emmm... this was all done by my friend. He probably wanted to capture your cool, one-of-a-kind expression." Lucian scratched his cheek, eyes drifting away.
He absolutely wasn't going to tell Mejiro McQueen that he'd based it on his own preferences.
"So that's how it is..." Mejiro McQueen accepted the explanation.
"Trainer! What are these little Uma Musume made of?" Twin Turbo's tiny tiger fangs were fully bared as she stared unblinkingly at Nice Nature on the cake.
No admiration for the craftsmanship—pure, unadulterated hunger.
"Let me think... they're made of candy and chocolate, I suppose." Lucian said.
"Yay! Then later I'll bite off Nice Nature's 'head' in one go!" Twin Turbo's eyes sparkled with excitement. Feeling it wasn't enough, she added, "Actually, why not eat the whole 'Nice Nature' in one bite! One 'Nice Nature' per mouthful! Swallow them all down!"
Nice Nature stiffened, fists clenched. "Twin Turbo, then later I'll chew you until you're bald! Then lick your clothes until they melt, and I won't even eat the rest—just show you the art of 'melting.'"
As Nice Nature spoke, Matikane Tannhauser's mind couldn't help but visualize it.
She gave a tiny shiver, seemingly picturing the bizarre sight of "Twin Turbo" slowly melting into syrup, and muttered under her breath, "Nice Nature... that's really lacking in nice nature."
...
After Silence Suzuka locked the wheels on the cart and secured it, she slipped silently out of the crowd like a ghost melting into the shadows and sat back down beside Lucian.
While everyone's attention was still captivated by the magnificent cake tower, Silence Suzuka leaned in slightly, close to Lucian, speaking in a low voice only the two of them could hear:
"Next time, don't put me next to Meisho Doto!"
"Why..." Before he could finish, Lucian felt something precisely latch onto the softest spot on his waist.
The pressure wasn't heavy—just a clear warning.
Lucian immediately dropped the act. "This order really wasn't on purpose—there are so many people here, mercy~"
"Hmph. Won't happen again." Seeing Lucian plead, Silence Suzuka finally withdrew her hand, downed the juice in front of her in one go, and swept away her irritation.
Unfortunately, Lucian chose exactly that moment to let out a cheeky laugh.
"Lucian-kun, you'd better let me pinch you after all—otherwise I'll feel uncomfortable inside." Silence Suzuka set down her empty glass, tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and said.
"Wait a sec... hiss—" Before Lucian could finish, the familiar pain bloomed at his waist.
"Trainer~ I want to pinch too~" Seiun Sky came back and sat on Lucian's other side.
"Did Bailey set you up like this?" Lucian covered his waist but still managed to joke. "Stretch your waist over here—I'll give you a pinch."
"What? I mean I want to pinch you like Suzuka did~" Seiun Sky was just teasing; she didn't go too far.
She pulled out a photo she'd just taken of her own Q-version figure sitting leisurely on the edge of the "stage," holding a frosting fishing rod with a carefree expression.
"Why is my 'little Seiun Sky' sitting on the stage fishing?"
"Guess."
"No way I'm guessing." Seiun Sky pouted, looking a little wronged, but then her expression shifted to a sly smile. "But it's not unacceptable... it'd be even better if there was a 'little Trainer' hanging from the fishing line below, hehehe~"
"There is." Silence Suzuka cut off Seiun Sky's fantasy. In a tone as if it had nothing to do with her, she said, "But I already ate the 'little Trainer' in the kitchen earlier."
"Oh... what's there to brag about? Like no one's eaten it before."
Lucian rolled his eyes at the two of them, stood up, and escaped this dangerous zone.
...
"Stop looking, stop looking." Lucian squeezed into the crowd of Uma Musume, helpless. "You were all just yelling about being starving—now you're not hungry anymore? Hurry back to your seats."
"Ooh~~"
"Got it~"
"Trainer, don't chase us away~"
...
Once everyone obediently returned to their seats, Lucian breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Save the cake for after dinner. Let's eat first—the food's ready to serve."
Matikane Tannhauser: "Yay—!!!"
Haru Urara: "Trainer, Haru Urara's tummy is so flat from hunger—Rice-chan's is growling too."
Rice Shower: "Haru Urara-chan..... don't say that out loud."
Twin Turbo gripped her chopsticks, having swallowed who-knows-how-many mouthfuls of saliva already.
...