"Since you're already here... why don't you lend the Student Council a hand, Starlight-san?"
"Eh? This— how am I supposed to help? Do you want me to be a server too?"
"Hmm~ that is indeed an excellent suggestion. Air Groove, take Starlight to change her clothes."
Air Groove, who was standing behind Starlight, immediately reached out and swept her up into her arms.
"Understood, President."
"Wait, hold on! I can walk myself, don't carry me like this~!"
Watching their departing figures, Rudolf glanced toward Cheval Grand, who was still at the table, and gave a gentle smile.
"Don't worry. We're just asking Starlight to help us out, we won't do anything excessive."
Cheval Grand nodded hesitantly.
She didn't say anything, only watching the scene unfold helplessly.
Inside the dressing room, Air Groove pulled out a classic black-and-white maid outfit from the wardrobe.
After holding it up against Starlight to measure it, she nodded with satisfaction.
"Starlight-chan, wear this."
"Fine..."
Taking the clothes, Starlight let out a small sigh.
"Sigh~ If I'd known this would happen, I would have brought that new hairclip I bought. It would have matched this perfectly."
"Don't worry, we have something even better here~"
Air Groove smiled as she picked up a white lace headband and placed it on Starlight's head, taking the opportunity to give the other girl's horse ears a playful pinch.
"Change first. I'll wait for you outside and assign you your tasks afterward."
"Alright~ I got it. By the way, Air Groove onee-san, since I'm coming over to help, is there a reward~?"
"Well, for that, you'll have to talk to the President."
"Fine, fine."
After changing into the maid outfit, Starlight pulled on a pair of white over-the-knee socks. After adjusting the height of the socks, she stepped out of the room.
She clasped her hands behind her back and swayed her body, looking toward Rudolf with anticipation.
"What do you need me to do? Let's get one thing straight: These clothes aren't warm, so I don't want to go outside for promotions..."
Rudolf's hand paused as she was wiping a cup. She looked at Divine Starlight and replied:
"That won't be necessary. You can just be the mascot at the entrance. When customers come in, bow and say 'Welcome.' If they want photos or interaction, handle it as you see fit."
"The price list is right here."
Setting down the cup and tissue, Rudolf slid a small chalkboard over.
"Hand over a ten percent commission, and you can keep the rest for yourself. Is that acceptable?"
Nodding, Starlight patted her strong arm.
"Leave it to me~ I won't disappoint the customers."
Heading toward the front, Starlight was about to go say hello to the watching Cheval Grand.
However, before she could take more than a few steps, she was pulled into an embrace by an orange-haired Uma Musume.
The other girl gripped Starlight's hand with her free hand and, as if performing a theatrical opening ceremony, she declared:
"Look~! Another beautiful maid lady has appeared on our stage. Would you like me to give you a lesson or two?"
Releasing her hand, Starlight spun around and playfully tapped T.M. Opera O's nose.
"No need for that, thank you, my elegant gentleman."
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave~ I still have many points of caution to share with the newcomer."
Opera O stepped behind Starlight, her magnetic voice echoing in her ear.
She reached out to tilt Starlight's chin up with one hand while using the other to pick up a fluffy scarf, gently wrapping it around Starlight's neck.
"There's a bit of a cold draft when the door opens. Be careful to stay warm..."
"Thank you... Opera O."
Turning around, Opera O waved her hand dismissively and went back to her work.
(T/N: I love Opera O so much.)
"Starlight-senpai..."
"Sorry, little Cheval. I might be busy here for a while and won't be able to keep you company."
"It's okay. I'll stay right here and wait for you obediently."
Looking at the well-behaved little Uma Musume, Starlight couldn't resist rubbing her head.
"Good... as a reward for being such a good girl, let's take a photo together."
With that, Starlight sat down next to Cheval Grand, took her small hand, and pressed her cheek against the girl's.
Starlight smiled as she snapped a photo of the two of them on her phone.
"If there are any desserts you want to eat or drinks you want to try, feel free to order. Consider it a reward."
After saying that, Starlight stood up and took her position at the shop's entrance.
There was a set of table and chairs right next to her.
Ding-ling-ling~
As the glass door was pushed open, Starlight watched a little girl and her mother walk in. She smiled, bowed, and spoke.
"Welcome, ladies~"
"Wow! Mommy, it's a pretty maid... I really want to squeeze her ears!"
Seeing this, the mother quickly covered her daughter's mouth and said with an apologetic smile, "I'm so sorry! She said something very rude to you, Ms. Divine Starlight."
"It's quite alright~ Come here—"
Waving her hand dismissively, Starlight knelt down and opened her arms, gently picking the little girl up.
"Cute little sister, here~ You have to be gentle though—"
Sitting in Starlight's arms, the little girl reached out excitedly.
"O-Okay... they're so soft and fluffy! This is amazing!"
"Alright, time to come down now. Thank you for the trouble, Ms. Starlight."
Placing the little girl back into her mother's arms, Starlight smiled and shook her head.
"No trouble at all. Please, step inside."
With this "mascot" holding down the fort, the already popular café became even more lively.
Watching the customers constantly seeking interaction, Starlight felt a bit tired but was actually quite happy.
After taking a photo with a male fan, the next figure to walk in made her pause slightly.
"Starlight-chan? W-why are you helping out at the Student Council booth? And dressed like that..."
The newcomer was her classmate, Sakura Chiyono O.
Her dark pink short hair made her look very energetic, but she was clearly stunned to see the familiar silver-haired Uma Musume here.
She had originally intended to chat with Maruzensky for a bit, but she hadn't expected this pleasant surprise.
"Welcome~ Chiyono-chan..."
Nodding, Sakura Chiyono O leaned in close to Starlight, looking her up and down.
"Hmm? Is there something strange?"
"No, nothing. Starlight-chan! Come on, I'm taking you away with me."
"Huh!?"
Before Starlight could react, Sakura Chiyono O's sky-blue eyes lit up.
She immediately reached out, scooped Starlight up by the waist, and started running toward the door.
"No, wait! Where are you taking me~?"
"To find Creek and the others! I have to let them see how cute you look like this."
"There's no need for that! Put me down first, Chiyono-chan. You could just ask them to come over here..."
"No, no, no, Starlight-chan. They're still busy with our class activities. If I bring you over, our class's foot traffic will definitely skyrocket!"
Watching this scene unfold, Cheval Grand's eyes went wide.
'What was going on?'
'One moment Starlight-senpai was perfectly fine receiving guests at the door, and the next she was being carried off?!'
She hurried to the kitchen area and tugged on Rudolf's coattail.
"What is it? Is there something wrong with the food, little Uma Musume?"
Shaking her head, Cheval Grand gathered her emotions and spoke loudly.
"Starlight-senpai... Starlight-senpai was carried away by an Uma Musume with short pink hair!"
At these words, Rudolf's movements stopped. Her eyes showed her shock. "What exactly did she look like?"
"Blue eyes, dark pink short hair, and she seemed very familiar with Starlight-senpai."
After hearing Cheval Grand's description, Rudolf nodded in understanding and patted the girl's head.
"Alright~ you go back and sit down obediently. I'll get Starlight back for you right now."
After sending Cheval Grand out of the kitchen, Rudolf looked at Maruzensky, who was resting nearby.
"Sakura Chiyono O has made off with our mascot. Maruzensky, go and get her back."
"But I just started my break, Luna..."
"If you successfully bring Starlight back, you can rest for the entire rest of the afternoon."
"Oh my~ you said it, remember!"