Warm lighting revealed a quiet atmosphere. The interior space was composed of red, wood, and metal colors, subtle and elegant.
At the bar, the soul of a Japanese bar, the Shop Owner elegantly wiped glasses.
Behind him, the counter was filled with a dazzling array of liquor, the text on the bottles full of artistic flair.
Beyond the bar, several Uma Musume of the Gold Family sat neatly in a row, exuding harmony.
"So, why a bar?"
Nakayama Festa swirled the stemmed glass in her hand, her movements practiced and her demeanor elegant.
"Didn't I say? I just had a whim to have a Gold Family team-building event."
Gold Legend looked curiously at the liquor behind the Shop Owner, wanting to presumptuously identify it.
"No, no, no, I know Oba-chan, you were stimulated by the Mejiro Family's team-building event and wanted one yourself. I understand all that. My point is, why a bar for team-building? We're not old enough to drink yet."
Festa gulped down the liquid in her glass.
"Don't get caught up in such details, Little Festa. Didn't I ask the Shop Owner to prepare drinks? And aren't you enjoying yourself?"
You've already drunk a large bottle of carrot juice.
Gold Legend gave her a deadpan look.
"But who comes to a bar to drink beverages?"
You've ruined my longingof bars, Oba-chan!
"There are, we are."
Orfevre carefully pulled down her mask a little and gently sipped the milk tea in her hand.
Are you here to cause trouble?
Nakayama Festa looked at Orfevre speechlessly.
"But, Oba-chan, this is the bar the Trainer often comes to, right? I remember business here is quite good, how did you manage to book the whole place?"
Gold Ship looked around curiously at the decorations and asked with a grin.
"Yeah, Oba-chan, we're minors! Usually we can't even get in."
Festa's curiosity was also piqued.
"Ah, it's simple, just buy it."
Gold Legend said casually.
"Huh?"
"Didn't I take you to see the Derby last time? I promised to reimburse the Trainer for his drinks then, and he gave me the bill in several installments. I got impatient, so I just came over and bought this bar."
Gold Legend waved her hand indifferently, explaining.
Your logic is too absurd.
The Shop Owner, wiping glasses, dared not speak his anger in front of his new boss, only silently complaining.
"That must be several months' worth of pocket money."
Orfevre said admiringly.
Can my bar be bought with several months' worth of pocket money?!
The Shop Owner was starting to lose his composure.
"Not really, you know the pocket money the family gives us is always more than we can spend, right? So I thought it was useless just sitting there, and I took it to a few financial companies that looked reliable to invest."
Then, for some reason, the amount of money multiplied several times.
"So Sister Legend didn't spend much money?"
"Anyway, the balance in my bank card hasn't changed."
If only making money was this easy in my previous life.
Gold Legend replied casually.
"Well, it doesn't matter. Money is something that grows the more you spend it, as long as it's enough."
Gold Ship changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, are we just going to sit here and drink beverages? Is this what team-building is like?"
"Hmm... it probably shouldn't be like this."
Legend fell into contemplation.
"Even if Golshi says so, there's nothing for us to do."
Orfevre took another sip of milk tea, her eyes comfortably narrowed.
"Darn it, isn't there anything interesting to do?"
Gold Ship was a little exasperated.
"I think us a group of underage Uma Musume sitting in a bar with wine glasses and drinks is already interesting enough."
Festa retorted with a deadpan expression.
"Well, let's just treat it as a family gathering, even though there are fewer people. By the way, hasn't Sister Lütu returned yet?"
Gold Legend asked.
"She's tied up with family affairs, of course. Oba-chan, why are you suddenly concerned about Sister Lütu?"
It's been almost a month, isn't it a bit late to start caring now?
Festa pulled out a pack of cigarette-shaped candies from her pocket and put one in her mouth. Her movements were so practiced, one might think she was an old smoker of several decades.
"The way you say that, of course I care about her... if she can't handle it and runs away, I'll have to become the family head."
Gold Legend said matter-of-factly.
She had only discovered her surprisingly high succession order when she was bored flipping through family documents.
"Alright, I thought you were genuinely concerned about Sister Lütu's physical and mental health."
I was just being sentimental.
"Of course I care about her," Gold Legend said righteously, "as long as she doesn't run away."
"I don't think Sister Legend needs to worry. You still have Golshi ahead of you. Don't let her appearance fool you, she's from the main lineage."
Even though we all are.
Orfevre, as if it had nothing to do with her, finished her milk tea and then asked the Shop Owner for a refill of carrot juice.
"Familiarity aside, if you talk nonsense, I'll still sue you for defamation."
Golshi's eyes were sharp, she was serious.
"Speaking of which, are we the only four family members from the Gold Family at Tracen Academy right now?"
I remember there are quite a few of us Gold Family members.
"Currently, it's just the four of us. Big Sister Lütu is working, Big Sister Menglü and Changshan are studying abroad and we don't know when they'll be back. Guodu is competing in Singapore, and new star seems to have other arrangements. Anyway, everyone is quite spread out."
"That's truly a pity."
Gold Legend's tone had no hint of regret.
"Speaking of which, Orfevre, how's your Trainer doing lately?"
Golshi looked at Orfevre and asked.
"Hmm? Although it's regrettable, she's doing very well. She's hopelessly obsessed with Curren Chan."
When her Trainer was mentioned, Orfevre, who usually prided herself on being a pure and innocent girl, showed a hint of cruelty.
"Curren Chan, Curren Chan? I remember I followed her. Such a cute child."
Gold Legend said with a smile.
"...Sometimes I wonder what Oba-chan does online? How do you follow everything?"
I remember you said last time that you followed something called Digital Paradise?
Nakayama Festa expressed her curiosity.
"Communicating with silly netizens, you get to know a bit of everything, and then you just end up following them without realizing it."
Gold Legend said that's just how it is online.
"By the way, are we just going to sit here, drink, and chat?"
Festa couldn't help but complain.
"I think it's quite interesting."
Orfevre narrowed her eyes again.
"Does one have to pay an equal price for what one wishes to obtain?"
Golshi looked up and said something nonsensical.
"…"
The three Uma Musume glanced at Gold Ship striking a pose, then ignored her and continued chatting.
"Oh, right, I recently learned how to do makeup. Do you want to see?"
Gold Legend suddenly had a whimsical idea.
"Huh? Oba-chan, with your looks, do you even need makeup?"
Festa said in surprise.
"I learned it from a senior. What do you think?"
"Then let's see it."
Orfevre indicated that she was always indifferent.
"Okay, give me a few minutes."
Gold Legend excitedly headed to the restroom.
A few minutes passed.
"...I don't know why, but my Little Gold Ship radar is telling me to run away quickly."
Gold Ship sensed danger.
"It's just a little makeup."
Festa thought, 'Could makeup really turn someone into a female ghost?'
"Sister Legend's makeup, I'm really looking forward to it."
"Ta-da! I, Your Awesome Self, have arrived!"
"Oh, Oba-chan, you're back... Pfft."
Gold Ship looked up at Legend and immediately spat out her drink.
"Golshi, are you okay?"
Festa was startled by Gold Ship, turned around, saw Legend, and then... "Pfft!"
She collapsed on the spot.
"..."
Orfevre remained silent.
"What's with your reactions?"
Gold Legend couldn't understand. Was it really that exaggerated?
"Sister Legend, if we've done wrong, you can just hit us. There's no need to debase yourself like this."
Orfevre said tremblingly.
"Ahem, Oba-chan, you're not suited for makeup. Your makeup skills are an insult to your beautiful face. I beg you, please remove it."
Festa scrambled to her feet, trembling.
Meanwhile, Golshi had already struck the pose of the Flower of Hope.
"...Is it really that exaggerated? Honestly."
Gold Legend grumbled and turned back to the restroom to remove her makeup.
"…This is the first time I've realized that makeup can be so destructive."
I don't understand it, but I'm deeply shocked.
Orfevre had an expression like she had opened a new world.
"Is there a possibility that Oba-chan's makeup skills are just not good?"
Festa took a big gulp of carrot juice to calm her nerves.
"Oba-chan's makeup skills are truly shocking."
Gold Ship also got up. This was not something an alien Uma Musume should have to endure.
"I think it's fine though."
Gold Legend, having removed her makeup, sat back in her seat.
"Oba-chan."
Festa placed her hand on Legend's shoulder, gazing at Legend's face with a profound expression.
"Promise me, don't wear makeup anymore. At least, don't do it yourself. Your face shouldn't be covered by foolish cosmetics; that's a loss for humanity."
"...Get away from me."
Believe it or not, I'll kiss you directly!
Gold Legend was expressionless... They continued to bicker for a while.
"Well, it's almost time. Let's call it a day."
Orfevre checked her phone; it was almost curfew.
"Eh? So fast?"
Golshi expressed that she hadn't had enough fun yet.
"Ha, ending it like this isn't bad, but it's a shame. We rarely come to a bar but couldn't drink."
Festa said regretfully.
"Exactly, I wanted to try it too."
Gold Ship echoed.
"..."
Gold Legend sighed, looking at the lingering Festa.
"Shop Owner, do you make cocktails? Non-alcoholic ones."
"...If you need them, Boss."
The Shop Owner's professionalism was fully displayed at this moment.
"Please give us four."
"Just a moment."
Gold Legend turned around; three Uma Musume were watching her.
Legend spread her hands, everything unsaid.
"Yay!"
Festa and Golshi cheered happily.
"Aren't you spoiling them too much?"
Orfevre said.
"This is an exception."
Legend said helplessly.
Soon, the Shop Owner handed over four non-alcoholic cocktails.
"Hmm~ So this is a cocktail?"
Festa swirled her glass, curiously looking at the liquid inside.
"Essentially, it's just mixed fruit juice, right?"
Gold Ship said, also unable to resist looking curiously.
"Well, this is the bottom line. After all, we're still underage. So, cheers!"
Gold Legend smiled and raised the cocktail in her hand.
"Cheers!" x3
After drinking, the Uma Musume tidied up and walked out of the bar together.
"How about we come again next time?"
"Sure, if you're willing to come."
"If there's a next time, trying something else would be nice too."
The Uma Musume's voices gradually faded into the distance.
"...Welcome back next time."
The Shop Owner smiled and began to clean up the remaining traces.
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