Uma Musume: Beyond Peak

After receiving the notification, Kousei worked tirelessly to communicate with everyone. With the help of McQueen and Rice Shower, she managed to finalize arrangements with most of the participants within a week.

Only one remained: the notoriously difficult Leo Durban.

Leo Durban had no objections to participating in the performance or rehearsing the new dance. Her sole objection was to one particular detail: the costume.

"Why does the performance outfit have to expose my midriff?!" Leo Durban exclaimed, her face flushed with embarrassment. She stomped her foot repeatedly, her reluctance evident.

"Doesn't it look pretty?" Kousei asked, genuinely puzzled.

"It's not about whether it's pretty or not! It's just... that!" Leo Durban trailed off, staring intensely at Kousei, her urgency palpable.

"You're just embarrassed," Kousei observed softly.

"Huh?"

Leo Durban's voice was barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz, and Kousei genuinely didn't hear her. Leo Durban began to tremble, forcing each word through gritted teeth: "Are you trying to provoke me?!"

Kousei's eyes lit up. Leo Durban's glare was fierce, but tears welled in her eyes.

So this is what shame feels like? Kousei thought. This trip was worth it after all.

After some "friendly" negotiations, Kousei finally agreed to wear a costume that didn't expose her midriff, securing Leo Durban's participation.

With everyone on board, it was time to begin dance training.

Kousei was eager to teach, but her communication skills were lacking, so she had to seek external assistance.

She had already approached Fuji Kiseki beforehand, explaining her plan. Fuji Kiseki readily agreed to help, and Kousei taught her the dance.

As expected of a top-tier performance master, Fuji Kiseki completely mastered the choreography simply by observing Kousei's movements, without needing a single word of explanation.

With Fuji Kiseki's assistance, dance training should be a piece of cake, right?

"Please, Senior Fuji!"

Seeing her earnest junior, Fuji Kiseki suddenly felt mischievous. Seizing the moment when Kousei wasn't paying attention, she gently took her hand.

"Eh? Senior Fuji?" Kousei, always a beat behind, clearly had no idea what Fuji Kiseki was planning.

McQueen suddenly tensed, sensing something unusual in the air!

"There's no need for such formality, my dear little kitten~ I would do anything for you."

With her androgynous charm, handsome features, and impeccable manners, Fuji Kiseki possessed an undeniable allure. Her fans had practically taken over half of the Ritto Dormitory.

Perhaps due to her acting prowess, Fuji Kiseki's eyes held a magic rivaling spoken words. She exuded gentle warmth while stirring restless hearts.

This is bad! McQueen thought darkly.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Fuji Kiseki leaned in and pressed a kiss to Kousei's glittering fingertip. Even without her butler uniform, she remained the quintessential twilight noble.

"A-amazing!"

Kousei's face flushed crimson, like a boiling teapot. Her eyes glazed over, and she struggled to find her voice.

"A-amazing!"

McQueen gritted her teeth. Just as she'd suspected—Fuji Kiseki, the habitual offender!

"A-amazing!"

Leo Durban stared blankly at the trio. "What's going on here?"

She perfectly embodied three distinct emotions in a single expression.

Kousei felt lightheaded, completely unable to process what had just happened. It wasn't entirely her fault. Though somewhat naive, she was still a young girl—or perhaps because she was a young girl, she was more vulnerable to such tactics.

"Senior Fuji! I want one too!"

In an instant, the other Umamusume erupted in cheers, turning the dance studio into a chaotic scene.

Fuji Kiseki lightly pressed a finger to her lips. "We mustn't cause any trouble for everyone~"

WINK! Bullseye.

The Umamusume immediately fell silent, gazing adoringly at Fuji Kiseki. McQueen remained quiet, her eyes narrowed with slight hostility. Watching Kousei's dazed and dazzled expression, she muttered, "Is that girl an idiot?!"

Noticing McQueen's clenched jaw, Fuji Kiseki materialized beside her before McQueen could fully voice her frustration.

"Is a little kitten feeling sad?"

As if by magic, Fuji Kiseki produced a rose from nowhere. "Here, for you. A furrowed brow doesn't suit a proper lady~"

This sudden charm offensive instantly dispelled McQueen's irritation. Stunned, she accepted the rose.

Hmph~ Double kill.

The senior simply couldn't outmaneuver her.

Leo Durban met Fuji Kiseki's gaze and immediately averted her eyes in panic. "Dance training can be this dangerous?! Onee-san, I promise I'll come back completely unharmed!"

And so began the most grueling training regimen in Tracen history:

The Thirty Days of Hell

Fortunately, Kousei didn't need to dance. She already knew the choreography, so she could simply sit back, sip tea, and watch McQueen and the others rehearse.

But since Kousei had proposed the performance, she couldn't just sit idly by while everyone else worked hard. If word got out, she'd be the laughingstock of the entire school.

Because Kousei didn't need to practice, she took on the other tasks. The most crucial was submitting the funding request to the Student Council, as the new choreography and costumes would require a substantial budget.

Standing before the Student Council's gate, Kousei felt a twinge of nervousness. After all, this was her first time visiting.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," Rudolf's voice called out. Kousei felt a slight sense of relief. If it had been Air Groove, she might have been more intimidated, given the Empress's stern demeanor.

As Kousei entered, Rudolf was deeply absorbed in reviewing documents. Looking up, she met Kousei's gaze and smiled warmly. "Long time no see."

Despite being the President, Rudolf's smile was gentle, almost sisterly. Even knowing her formidable presence on the racetrack, Kousei couldn't help but be drawn in by her warmth.

"Long time no see. Regarding Teio's compensatory performance, here are all the expenses for your review."

Kousei submitted the report, her gaze drifting to the clock on the President's desk—a surprisingly cute Teio doll design.

"So the President's a fan too," Kousei thought, discovering a little secret about Rudolf.

After carefully reviewing the report, Rudolf smiled. "Excellent. I'm really looking forward to your performance."

"Thank you!"

Mindful of potentially disrupting the President's work, Kousei quickly thanked her and turned to leave. Rudolf wanted to chat longer, but knew Air Groove would nag her if she didn't finish her work. With a wistful sigh, she smiled and refocused on her tasks.

"It's been ages since I've been this close to the President. She's as capable as ever."

Distracted, Kousei failed to notice someone rounding the corner and collided head-on with them.

Her head swam. It felt less like colliding with a person and more like slamming into a granite wall. A sharp pain shot through her as she struggled to her feet.

"I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"

Concerned for the other person's well-being, Kousei looked up to find them standing rigidly, as if they hadn't moved at all. Vertical pupils glared intently at her.

A chill ran down Kousei's spine. It felt like being stalked by a wild beast.