Although Tokai Teio was the first to send her message and "won" the little contest, it was far too obvious that Symboli Rudolf and Mizuno, as seniors, had deliberately held back to let the junior shine. Teio spotted it in an instant—saw right through the fake lag—and decided it was unfair. She flat-out refused to accept the result and demanded a rematch.

"..." Symboli Rudolf and Mizuno thought for a moment, then agreed to Teio's request.

"Alright."

So the three of them edited new messages into the chat box again, waiting for referee Tokai Teio to give the signal.

"Three, two, one!" At Teio's order, they all pressed send at the same time.

[One Loving Family]

[Symboli Rudolf]: Karaoke

[Mizuno Sora]: Karaoke

One second later.

[Tokai Teio]: Karaoke

...

"This…" Looking at the chat screen, everyone fell into silence.

It was obvious—Teio had copied Rudolf and Mizuno's trick from earlier, deliberately waiting until the others had sent before she did, wanting to lose on purpose and hand the victory over to them.

But Teio was still too young. While she was busy letting them, Rudolf and Mizuno—this time not even bothering with delay—had outright swapped their answers to match Teio's own chosen destination...

So Teio both won again... and lost again.

"Mo~" Teio puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Rudolf and Mizuno with dissatisfaction.

"You two let me win again, didn't you..."

Meeting that accusing look, Mizuno averted his eyes, guilty.

"Crap, she noticed again..."

If it had only been Mizuno changing his answer, his intention to yield wouldn't have been so obvious. If questioned, he could've even brushed it off with a "suddenly felt like going to karaoke."

But he hadn't expected Rudolf to do the exact same thing.

And when two people use the same trick, the intent stacks, glaringly magnified—making it instantly obvious to anyone watching.

It was like one man reporting he'd seen a mermaid. The two police officers listening found it so ridiculous they couldn't help but laugh. When asked why they were laughing, both answered: 'Because we suddenly remembered something funny'. Just one look, and you knew it was a lie.

Kids, do you know what happens if you deceive Tokai Teio?

Answer: You end up in the basement~

Mizuno was already trembling at the thought of such a terrifying consequence. Rudolf, however, seemed unbothered, smiling gently:

"But Teio, weren't you letting us too? Holding back on purpose for our sake—so considerate, and very cute~"

"Mo..." This time it was Teio's turn to avert her face, cheeks faintly red.

Because she too hadn't played seriously, she had no right to criticize the others.

But still, being let win felt awful. And to be let win by her most respected idol and her most beloved trainer—worse.

That feeling of being treated like a little kid, Tokai Teio hated it. What she wanted most of all… was their recognition.

So Teio stubbornly refused karaoke and instead chose the bookstore, the place Rudolf and Mizuno had picked.

Meanwhile Rudolf, wanting nothing more than to spoil Teio, insisted on going to karaoke—the place Teio had wanted.

While the two Uma Musume argued over karaoke versus bookstore, Mizuno offered a suggestion.

"How about this? Karaoke in the morning, bookstore in the afternoon. That way, everyone gets to go where they want. How does that sound?"

Why choose? Why not have it all.

Teio and Rudolf thought it over seriously, then nodded in agreement.

"Sounds good~"

So, happily, they finalized their plans: karaoke in the morning, lunch out at a restaurant, and then the bookstore in the afternoon.

They waited at the roadside for about ten minutes before the bus to the shopping district finally arrived.

They boarded together. Since each row had at most two seats, Rudolf and Teio sat side by side, while Mizuno sat alone just behind them.

It was early weekend morning; the bus was almost empty, just a few elderly grandpas and grandmas heading out to buy groceries. The driver, seeing no one else boarding, was about to hit the gas.

But just as the bus was about to pull out, a slightly sweet voice called to the driver:

"Sorry, please wait a moment."

A tall gray-haired Uma Musume girl hurried aboard.

Her figure was slender and elegant, her eyes clear, dressed in a pure white one-piece dress. Smooth long hair draped over her shoulders; every glance, every smile exuded grace. She carried the aura of a flower on a high peak, out of reach.

"So pretty…" Teio couldn't help whispering in awe.

"Mm… feels like I've seen her somewhere before…" Rudolf frowned, a sense of familiarity tugging at her, but no matter how long she thought, she couldn't place her.

Mizuno, however, as soon as he laid eyes on the so-called gray-haired beauty, froze as if struck by lightning.

Not because he was stunned by her beauty—though she was stunning—but because he knew her.

Not just "knew" her, but knew her very well. The sort of "sharing the same room every night" well.

So the answer was obvious… the true identity of this graceful gray-haired girl was—

"Ship-bro…" Mizuno's mouth twitched.

That's right. This elegant young lady was none other than his good brother, Gold Ship!

Though she was beautifully dressed, projecting refined nobility, utterly rid of her usual absurd, chaotic aura—the contrast was so extreme even Rudolf, who normally never forgot a face after seeing it once, hadn't recognized her. Let alone Teio, who simply assumed she was some Uma Musume model she'd never seen before.

But Mizuno and Gold Ship had a wavelength, a mental link. Even if she turned to ashes, he'd still recognize her! Never mind just a change of clothes.

One glance—authentic. Certified: Ship-bro.

Most likely, since Mizuno had said he wouldn't take her today, but she didn't trust him to go out alone, she'd disguised herself just to stay nearby and protect him.

So Mizuno quickly turned his head away, pretending not to know this gray-haired beauty.

Gold Ship spotted him at once. A faint smile appeared on her face. With graceful steps she approached, leaned down, and in a polite tone asked right by his ear:

"Excuse me, sir, may I sit beside you?"

Then Gold Ship winked at him.

[Gold Ship]: Mizuno-dono, I'm here.

"…" Mizuno was speechless.

The bus had plenty of empty seats, yet Gold Ship had to pick the one next to him. Her intentions were clear enough…

But since her disguise was solid, with no way for others to realize she was Gold Ship, and since her goal was genuinely to stay close and protect him, Mizuno reluctantly agreed.

"Go ahead…"

"Thank you."

Gold Ship gave a courteous bow of thanks, then settled gracefully into the seat beside him. She smiled sweetly, every gesture like that of a noble young lady from a great house—eerily similar to Mejiro McQueen.

"…" Mizuno was even more speechless.

Ship-bro! Why are you acting all ladylike!? Change back already!