After finishing breakfast, Mizuki carried her tray to the collection area. She passed by Oguri Cap's table, where T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto were chatting with her. However, the content of their conversation was... strange.
Oguri Cap asked curiously, "Opera O, why do you always carry a pen when you go out?"
"Ha— hahaha~~"
T.M. Opera O gave her standard laugh, then reached out in a dramatic gesture to explain: "A pen? Because for a brilliant existence like me, the 'Overlord of the Century's End,' I am always too dazzling! In case someone asks for my autograph, I must have a pen ready at all times!"
"Even though nobody has gathered the courage to ask yet, an Overlord needs to be prepared to accept her fans' attention!"
"Awa-wa-wa-wa..." Meisho Doto was stunned. Opera O was so confident and truly brilliant.
"I see. Without a pen, you can't sign autographs," Oguri Cap realized. Then she raised her head and applied the logic: "I guess I should bring a pair of chopsticks whenever I go out too."
Beside Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross was already mentally exhausted.
"Hey! Oguri Cap, you idiot! How on earth did you link that to bringing chopsticks?! And you too, Opera O, what kind of move is carrying a pen?! Can't you guys be normal for once?! Someone, please, give back me up!"
Tamamo Cross was on the verge of a breakdown, panting heavily, unable to even yell at them properly anymore.
"Ha— hahaha!" T.M. Opera O laughed heartily again and gracefully applauded Oguri Cap's behavior. "Incredible! Bringing chopsticks? Oguri Cap-senpai, that is indeed the way to go, because that way you can eat even more!"
Mizuki passed by, and hearing Tamamo Cross's hysterical shouting, she could feel how much despair she was in right now.
Good grief, as expected of T.M. Opera O, carrying an autograph pen everywhere. If it were Meisho Doto, she'd probably carry apology letters; whenever she messes up, she can just hand one over.
But she also noticed that every Uma seemed to carry something specific when they went out.
For instance, Matikane Fukukitaru— she'll suddenly whip out a fortune-telling crystal ball and start going "Happy Lucky, thank you Shiraoki!"
Then there's Sounds of Earth— she carries an automatic violin. Never mind if she's actually playing it or not, you just tell me if it sounds good. She practically shouts the word "Classy" when she's out in public.
Mizuki sighed. Uma Musume were indeed a bit ridiculous.
As she was thinking this, she walked out of the cafeteria and headed toward the Chairwoman's office. The bell had already rung, so there were no girls on the road, everyone was in class.
Or so she thought...
"Wow! Trainer Mizuki, Maya-chan finally found you!"
The little cutie Mayano Top Gun— also known as the Little Adult— suddenly appeared in front of Mizuki. With her petite stature, orange hair, and doll-like face, she was currently beaming with an expression of pure refinement.
"Wait, Mayano, shouldn't you be in class? Are you... skipping?"
Mizuki rubbed her head. What was the saying her dad liked so much? If a kid doesn't listen, it's usually because they're spoiled. A good beating should fix it!
Unfortunately for Muziki, Mayano Top Gun is an Uma Musume. If one of the two got a beating from the other, it'd likely be Mayano holding the belt.
The Little Adult was indeed something else. Mizuki was forced to give her a mental thumbs up and wish her better luck than Mizuki had.
Back in the day, she slept in too much only to wake up, go to class, and find the homeroom teacher had thrown her desk out.
It was traumatizing.
Hearing Mizuki's question, Mayano gave a cheeky giggle and said:
"No, no! Maya-chan is already a mature lady, you know? Classes don't matter. I listened to Neicha-san and came to dance for Trainer Mizuki!"
"Trainer-san, what kind of dance do you like to watch? This is a request from a lady like Maya, so you can't refuse!"
After saying that, Mayano placed a finger against her cheek and struck a cute pose.
"Neicha-san?"
Mizuki finally understood what was going on.
It really was you, Nice Nature. You really are an expert at tricking kids.
'How enviable.'
'No, wait... how cruel!'
That's what she meant!
Definitely!
"Yeah! Nature said that as long as Maya dances for Trainer-san, Trainer-san will like Maya! Ehehe."
"So~~ Trainer-san, what kind of dance do you like? Maya will perform for you!"
Mayano was very happy. She felt she was just one dance away from becoming a mature lady.
"Honestly, Mayano, when you talk to Nature, you need to download an anti-fraud app."
Mizuki sighed.
"Eh? What do you mean? Trainer-san, was Nature lying to me?" Mayano's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You're right. After all, I never made such a request," Mizuki told the truth.
"Uuuu... Nature, you're so mean!"
Mayano was about to burst into tears. Nice Nature is on a roll today. First she made Twin Turbo cry in the morning, and now she's about to make Mayano cry.
Nice Nature, your crimes are grave!
"But Trainer-san, do you really not like Maya...?" Mayano asked sadly.
"It's not that, Mayano. Sigh... go ahead and dance."
Seeing Mayano's expression, Mizuki couldn't bear it and decided to tell a white lie on behalf of Nice Nature.
"I was just playing a little joke before. Nature was right— I'm really looking forward to Maya's dancing."
Hearing this, Mayano was over the moon and immediately said:
"Really? Great! Then what does Trainer-san want to see? Maya can satisfy any request!"
Mayano struck a cute pose.
"Anything is fine."
Mizuki figured she might as well see how Mayano's Live performance looked. Mayano nodded and immediately started dancing. She performed the opening segment of "Make debut!"
Mizuki noticed that Mayano's body was very flexible, making her perfect for this kind of cute dancing. She played the background music on her phone and moved to the rhythm; it actually looked quite good.
The spins, the hand waves, and the playful winks were all perfectly timed.
As the music ended, Mayano finished the first half of her dance.
"Hehe! Maya is done. What does Trainer-san think?" Mayano looked at Mizuki expectantly.
"Mm, very good. I'm starting to look forward to Mayano's victory performance."
Mizuki gave her approval, which made Mayano very happy, causing her eyes to fill with light. However, as soon as Mizuki finished speaking, an idea popped into her head. She leaned down and whispered something to Mayano.
Mayano's expression was quite a sight after hearing it.
"Trainer-san, are you saying that as a mature lady, Maya-chan needs courage and organizational skills?"
Mizuki replied: "Yes. After all, a LIVE is a group stage. Watching you dance alone isn't enough, it has to be a group dance! So, bring Nature to the cafeteria first, then bring the others. That's how you become a more charming, mature lady! By dancing for all of the students and teachers in the cafeteria!"
Mayano was completely fooled again and nodded repeatedly. "But what if Nature doesn't agree?"
Mizuki thought for a moment and said: "If she doesn't agree, then Maya should just cry pitifully until she does."
"Okay, Trainer! Maya will definitely do it!"
Mayano nodded. As for fake crying, she could learn that in a heartbeat. Moreover, she thought Trainer Mizuki was very interesting; you could do a lot of fun things with her.
Without realizing it, Mayano had started to like this Trainer and wanted to play with her more.
But for now, what Mayano had to do was find Nature and bring her to dance in the cafeteria.
As Mizuki watched Mayano leave, she looked forward to the future developments. She felt that Nature still had a conscience. If Mayano pushed her acting to the limit— crying so heartbreakingly that it would shatter anyone's soul— Nature's guilt would likely explode, leading her to agree immediately.
When Mayano actually drags Nature to dance publicly in the Tracen cafeteria, the hilarity will be legendary.
Mizuki felt she had to bring a camera to record it all and then show it to Nature's neighbors. Or she could use it to threaten Ms. Nice Nature...
"Neicha-san, you wouldn't want the video of you dancing at Tracen to be seen by the neighbors, would you...? Just do me a little favor and I promise I won't release it..."
"Join our Spica and become my Trainee!"
Mizuki was incredibly excited at the prospect. Nice Nature, so you finally have a day like this! She waited silently for Mayano's good news.
'Hmph! Her child-tricking skills won't save her now! I'll make sure she has no way out!'
Mizuki continued toward the Chairwoman's office and immediately heard Mayano shouting for help— it turned out she ran into Air Groove, who was catching her to send her back to class.
Mizuki pretended not to hear and hurried back to Spica to write her log. There was too much to write about today.
As for Mayano...
Well, let's just say that Sky-chan's Sweeping Gang will be gaining a new member tonight.