"Ah! It's Z-chan! Can I have your autograph?"
"Sure."
"Ah! Z-chan! Can I take a photo with you?"
"Sure."
"Z-chan, my phone seems to be broken, can you take a look?"
"Let me see. (A series of actions) Hmm, the camera is broken. I recommend getting a new one."
"Thank you very much!"
From early in the morning, Special Week watched a group of Uma Musume approach Zero with requests, and surprisingly, Zero basically agreed to all of them.
Yes, both of them were at the academy, but Zero was simply there out of boredom.
Hmm? Alice Digital? She's currently frantically rushing her manuscript because her deadline is approaching; she's usually too busy doting on Uma Musume.
"Um... Z-chan... aren't you tired?"
"Hmm?"
"I mean, with so many Uma Musume coming up to you and all..."
These past few days, due to Special Week's valiant performance in her debut race, she had gained some fans at the academy. At first, she was quite happy, but after a few days, she started to feel a bit scared of them.
After all, Tracen has almost no male presence apart from Trainers.
In short, Special Week's gaze at Zero was now filled with admiration.
"Well, you get used to it gradually."
"That's more than just getting used to it." A voice came from behind, startling Special Week.
Turning around, she saw a woman wearing a long-sleeved white lab coat over her school uniform, the sleeves long enough to cover her hands with some to spare.
"Oh, what's up, Suko? You actually left the lab?" Zero also felt a wave of surprise.
"Ah, nothing much, mainly ran out of black tea and coffee beans, just wanted to ask Rudolph for some funds."
"I think she definitely won't approve it = ="
Air Groove (Agnes Tachyon), her true form is CNo.107 Neo Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon.
Ahem, of course not. She is an Uma Musume famous in another sense.
She started her debut race with an exceptionally excellent record of four wins in four races, but later, due to suspensory ligament inflammation, she was forced to retire before even completing her Classic year. Afterward, to complete her physical modification research, she began to specialize in various experiments.
She often creates various strange concoctions for other Uma Musume to drink for experiments. Her main victim is her good friend Manchester Cafe, followed by Narita Taishin of BNW and Fuji Kiseki, who is both a dorm leader and a good friend. However, there are actually no dangerous drugs; they are basically just unscientific prank potions, with occasional miraculous drugs.
By the way, she has a very good relationship with Daiwa Scarlet of Spica... or rather, she dotes on her, often giving her nutritional supplements for eye care and fatigue relief, nominally as "by-products." And according to the Three Goddesses, the efficacy of these medicines is quite good.
But none of that matters. As for how she met Zero... she was actually caught by Zero.
It was a bright and sunny day... There was an Uma Musume named Ines Fujin at Tracen, who had two younger sisters and therefore often took on various part-time jobs to help support her family. On this particular day, she encountered a mysterious Uma Musume.
"Oh my, I have good news for someone like you, you know?" Air Groove, passing by, struck up a conversation with her.
"There's an easy job that pays well, want to try it?"
Based on the inherent belief that Uma Musume are not bad people, Ines Fujin easily trusted her.
"Eh!? What is it, what is it!"
"The job content is... to taste test my newly developed energy bar. Simple, right?"
"Oh! That's perfect for me!"
Due to her frequent part-time jobs, Ines Fujin had no resistance to energy bars, which were delicious (very sweet), cheap, and provided energy.
"Right? But there's a very small chance it might mess up your body, but I guarantee the pay is high. What do you think?"
"I can accept a little risk!" After all, it was a taste test, so a slight chance of risk was acceptable! And the pay was also... "Tracen Student Council! Open the door!!" When the two arrived at Air Groove's laboratory, the door was suddenly kicked open, and Manchester Cafe, Air Groove, and Zero rushed in.
Then Air Groove was dragged away by Air Groove and Zero, while Manchester Cafe stayed behind to explain to Ines Fujin and warn her not to casually accept any taste-testing invitations from Air Groove.
At that time, Zero had just joined the Student Council. Because she was a new face, Air Groove took an interest in her, and then due to a series of coincidences, the two became friends.
Of course, even Zero couldn't escape the effects of Air Groove's drugs. Once, because of a drug, her mindset turned childlike, and while wandering around the school, she would cling to everyone she met, asking for hugs. When she recovered, she still retained the memories of that time, almost dying of embarrassment.
Later, that day's Zero became a campus legend, rumored to be "the Uma Musume fairy who wants to hug you on sight."
So, to get revenge, Zero specifically teamed up with Manchester Cafe. While Suko was looking at research reports and drinking black tea, Zero, with extremely fast and silent movements, swapped the black tea for coffee.
As for why it was coffee, it's because Suko (an ultimate sweet tooth) and Chaza both have their preferences: one likes black tea, the other likes coffee, and neither can stand the taste of the other's preferred drink.
So, Suko's research goals now included creating black tea that Chaza could drink and coffee that she herself could drink.
Anyway, watching Suko's face contort in a reflexive grimace from drinking coffee was incredibly satisfying, and even Chaza rarely smiled like that.
End of flashback. Also, Suko often applied to Rudolph for various funds using strange reasons. Although she occasionally did produce some useful things, most of the time it was just a waste, which gave Rudolph a huge headache.
And this time, with the reason being merely "not enough black tea and coffee," it would definitely be rejected. However... "Since you told me, you must want this, right? = =" Zero pretended to pull something from her bag, but actually exchanged high-grade black tea and coffee beans from the system.
"Oh~ Thanks~ You're welcome to bring this person next to you to my place, okay?"
"No thanks."
"Heh heh heh~"
"Um... Z-chan, who was that Uma Musume just now?"
"Air Groove. If she asks you to taste-test something, absolutely do not agree."
After that day, Special Week heard all sorts of things about Air Groove from Zero, and finally returned to the dorm with questions.
So, what exactly was the reason Z-chan accepted the experiment, even though she clearly knew there was a problem with the other party's medicine?
And Z-chan's behavior this morning... Remembering how any request to Zero in the past would always be resolved, a possibility suddenly flashed through Special Week's little head.
Z-chan... couldn't possibly be unable to refuse other people's requests, could she?
Recalling how Zero would always agree to help her with things like bathing and massages these past few days, Special Week gasped.
No, I have to find a way to get Z-chan to myself quickly! Otherwise, she'll definitely be snatched away by someone else!
If Zero could hear Special Week's imaginings, who knows what her reaction would be.
Meanwhile, Silent Suzuka, who shared a dorm with Special Week, looked at Special Week, who was lying in her arms with a constantly changing expression, in confusion.
To use Z-chan's words... is Little Special having a seizure?
I remember at times like this... *smack!*
"Ow! What's wrong, Suzuka-san!" Oh no, did Suzuka-san find out about my feelings for Suzuka-san and Z-chan... "Little Special seems absent-minded... so..."
"Ah! But you didn't have to hit me QAQ"
"Ah haha, sorry about that. Anyway, Little Special, turn over for a moment, it's time to clean the other ear."
"Mhm!"
Good thing Suzuka-san didn't notice... PS: I feel a bit uninspired today... maybe it's because I don't have any ideas. I'll definitely do better tomorrow!