"Whew." Standing in front of the Mejiro Family mansion, Gold Legend let out a deep breath.
Taking the letter out of her pocket again, Legend's expression was somewhat complicated.
"Should I say, as expected of Ardan? To be this formal," Gold Legend muttered to herself.
Ever since Ardan's birthday—or more accurately, since making that promise to Oguri Cap—Legend had been intentionally or unintentionally ignoring matters involving Ardan.
To be precise, she was avoiding it.
As long as she didn't face the person involved, she could pretend this never happened! Avoiding it might be shameful, but it's effective!
As long as she didn't give an answer, her relationship with Ardan wouldn't change.
However, no matter how much you avoid an issue, if you don't solve the root cause, it will catch up to you sooner or later.
A sudden letter broke Legend's self-deception. Ardan had invited Legend to visit the Mejiro mansion.
"It's time to give an answer." Legend carried a resolve that wasn't exactly firm.
She pressed the doorbell and waited a moment before an elderly, elegant butler opened the gate for Legend.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Gold Legend. The young lady has been waiting for quite some time," the butler said with perfect manners.
She followed the butler into the house.
"Legend, welcome to my mansion," Ardan said, standing in the hall with a smile.
"...Oh, hi Ardan, how have you been lately?" Gold Legend greeted her awkwardly.
"Everything is great, except for the fact that someone has been avoiding me lately, which makes me a bit sad."
"Ahaha..." How am I supposed to respond to that? Legend chose to change the subject.
"By the way, why are you wearing a dress?" Legend only then noticed the clothes Ardan was wearing. Although it wasn't extremely formal, it was undoubtedly a dress.
"Hehe, how is it? Does it suit me?" Ardan lifted her skirt hem and spun around in front of Legend.
"...It couldn't be more perfect," Legend exclaimed sincerely.
"Huhu, I'm quite fond of this dress too," Ardan nodded proudly. "It really captures my heart. Legend-san, that aspect of yours really makes me very happy."
"..."
"As for why I'm wearing a dress, it's just a rehearsal," Ardan said with a smile.
"A rehearsal?"
"Coincidentally, this is related to why I asked you to come over, Legend-san."
"What is it?"
"Actually, every summer, the Mejiro Family holds a Ball. This Ball is held to promote interaction among the younger generation of Uma Musume; it's a Ball that only Uma Musume can attend," Ardan explained. "Everyone interacts in the garden under the sun, singing and dancing together..."
"...In such hot weather, that sounds terrifying," Gold Legend tried her best to appear unromantic.
But Ardan ignored Legend's retort and continued on her own: "Not only that, there will be special desserts and black tea, provided in unlimited quantities."
"..." Gold Legend seemed to have realized something.
"However, to attend the Ball, you need a dance partner..." Ardan suddenly paused. "Ah, who would dance with me? Where is my fated person?"
"..." You aren't hiding your intentions at all...
Listen to me, Gold Legend. You have already made a promise to Oguri. You still have things you need to do. Reasonably and emotionally, you should choose to refuse right now. This is the integrity you should have as an upright person!
Gold Legend opened her mouth.
"By the way, after Classmate Oguri Cap received her invitation from me, she very readily invited Classmate Tama."
Oguri! Just for unlimited desserts and black tea, you've abandoned me like this?
However, even so, I will not give in! It's just an invitation from Ardan, I absolutely have no...
Ardan winked at Legend mischievously....way to refuse.
"May I?" Legend lowered her noble head.
"Of course! After all, when it comes to my fated partner, Ardan, it can only be you, Legend-san."
"..." I can't hold out much longer.
"Since it's decided, let's go prepare!" Ardan smiled, and without waiting for Legend to answer, she pulled Legend's hand and walked deep into the mansion.
...
"So beautiful." Standing in the middle of the garden, Gold Legend exclaimed in admiration.
"Isn't it great? Even though it's already summer, the flowers here are still blooming beautifully, just like in a fairy tale." Ardan looked at the garden gently, speaking softly.
"Indeed. Did you take care of this area too, Ardan?" Legend watched a butterfly fly by in front of her, asking softly, as if afraid to disturb something.
"Of course, after all, this is my mansion." Ardan puffed out her chest proudly.
"...Yours?"
"Yeah, although my assets might not be as much as yours, Legend, I am, after all, the real deal—the eldest daughter of the Mejiro Family. It's not strange for me to have some private property, right?"
...There's an operation like this?
Perhaps because she was used to the values of her previous life, Gold Legend had never considered this aspect.
"And I decorated this mansion myself, without McQueen and the others knowing," Ardan said somewhat proudly. "Well, although this place is a secret to everyone else, I still wanted Legend to see it. How is it? It's great, right?"
...It's magnificent.
"Alright! That's enough for the introduction. We should get to work."
"What are we doing?"
"Oh right, I forgot to mention it. Those attending the ball need to make flower crowns for their partners, and then at the ball, you exchange crowns."
Something like this exists?
No, this definitely has some special meaning, right? I refuse to believe this is something a normal dance partner needs to prepare!
Don't try to fool me!
"This means exchanging intentions and swearing vows to each other. Isn't that romantic?"
"..." The script wasn't written this way!
I really can't handle this anymore... Legend was swaying precariously.
"Well then, let's get started." Ardan winked at Legend. "Remember to choose flowers that suit me."
For a moment, Legend's heart stopped beating.
After some time, Legend stood before Ardan again, carrying the collected flowers.
"Huhu, is this Legend-san's impression of me?"
Legend shyly hid the flowers behind her back, unwilling to speak further.
"Well, leave these flowers to me for now. To ensure they don't wilt, they need special treatment," Ardan said with a smile. "Elder Butler, I'm entrusting these to you."
"I understand, Young Lady." The Old Butler, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, took the flowers from Ardan and Legend.
"So, that's all for today! On a side note, I asked the butler to prepare afternoon tea. Would Legend-san like to attend the tea party?"
...Okay.
When it came to Ardan, Legend was always helpless... "..." Taking a small sip of black tea, Legend finally calmed down a little.
I was completely led by the nose... Reflecting on her actions just now, Legend was speechless.
"So, Legend, is there anything you want to say to me?"
Ardan set down her black tea and spoke softly.
"...What are you referring to?"
Legend put on an act.
"Even when you're pretending, you're cute, Legend." Ardan smiled. "Haven't you decided yet? Your answer to me."
"...If I refuse, what will you do?" Legend asked with difficulty.
"If you agree, I will love you forever. If you refuse, I will pine for you forever." Ardan's reply was swift and decisive.
"..."
"——Legend-san!"
Ardan did not wait for Legend's reply.
Legend raised her head and saw Ardan's resolute eyes.
"Am I carved into your heart?"
The same question as last time.
"In your heart, does my [Future] exist?"
The same expression as last time.
The difference was that her gaze was even more resolute.
"..."
Gold Legend closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
In her mind, she recalled every little moment since they met.
She suddenly felt that only a short amount of time had passed since they first met.
She suddenly realized that they had known each other for so long already.
It was truly unbelievable; they hadn't shared many special memories since meeting.
But deep in her heart, the image of the girl before her definitely resided.
Gold Legend opened her eyes again.
The girl in front of her waited quietly.
A hero cannot flee the battlefield.
"Without a doubt, you are carved into my heart."
Gold Legend said so.
Moreover, the [Future] truly exists.
The girl before her showed an expression of joy.
Now and in the future, without a doubt, Mejiro Ardan was carved into Gold Legend's heart.
She had to admit it frankly: Gold Legend was utterly defeated.
"To me, you are eternal [Belno]."
Ardan covered her mouth in surprise.
"Then, it's a promise," Ardan's voice trembled slightly. "We will carve each other into our hearts and paint our future... This is our exclusive [Eternity]."
The girl said this with a happy smile.
...Okay.
I'm sorry, Oguri.
Legend silently apologized in her heart.
"...If you're worried about Classmate Oguri Cap, it's fine."
As if sensing the emotions in Legend's heart, Ardan pouted unhappily.
"Huh?"
"I already communicated with Classmate Oguri Cap a long time ago."
Although she was angry, some things still needed to be clarified.
"Classmate Oguri Cap and I knew that, given Legend-san's personality, things would definitely turn out this way."
After all, she's a heartbreaker with no self-awareness.
"So we reached an agreement a long time ago."
"What agreement?" Gold Legend was confused.
"Legend-san, go guess yourself!" Ardan folded her arms in a huff.
"Eh, no, wait..." Gold Legend frantically tried to cheer up the girl in front of her.
However, the effect did not seem very obvious.
Clearly, Gold Legend's path of romance is still long and arduous.
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