"Hehehe, last up is my doll~," Ardan said. "I'll save you now~."
"…" Staring at the dolls
Ardan's serious about grabbing every single one. And targeting their race outfits? That's commitment… Her beginner's luck is unreal—she nabbed Dober, McQueen, and Bright's dolls in one go, then Palmer and Ryan's. Now it's just her Paka Puchi left. All for 1000 yen… Insane.
"This spot, maybe~," Ardan said. "The back is…"
"You're unreal," I said. "Getting everyone's?"
"Souvenirs for all," she said. "Here!"
The claw opened, descending toward Ardan's doll. It gripped her figure, lifting it toward the chute and dropping it. Got it.
"I did it~!" Ardan cheered.
"Nice—full set," I said.
"Hehehe, thank you, Anii-sama," she said. "Your guidance helped me rescue them."
"Nah, that was all you," I said.
"But what now…?" she said. "I got everyone's, but I have plays left."
"Would you like to switch machines?" the clerk asked.
"Oh, is that okay?" Ardan asked.
"Yes," the clerk said. "Any prize in mind?"
"Then… that claw machine, please," Ardan said.
She pointed to one stuffed with various Uma Musume Paka Puchi dolls.
"Done," the clerk said.
"Thank you," Ardan said. "I'll keep rescuing."
"What're you aiming for?" I asked.
"Hehe, it's a surprise," she said.
Meanwhile, the Mejiro crew…
"Just one photo!" Palmer said.
"What's behind this curtain~?" Bright said.
"Palmer, we'll lose them!" Ryan said. "Hold off!"
"Bright, don't wander!" Dober said.
"They're moving!" McQueen said. "We need to follow!"
"Might grab a book if something catches my eye," I said. "You want anything, Ardan?"
"Not really…" she said. "Oh, Dober draws manga, so maybe a Veggie Carolyn book. And a muscle training book for Ryan?"
"You really think of your sisters," I said.
"Hehe, they're adorable," she said.
"Nothing for the others?" I asked.
"Mac has the butlers' sweets," she said. "Palmer's studying party slang, and Bright… what's right for her?"
"Bright… no clue," I said.
What do you get a laid-back, slow-paced Uma Musume? A pacemaker? She's not that old.
"Anii-sama," Ardan said, "I'm unsure alone. Could we look together?"
"I can help with training books, but Veggie Carolyn? No idea," I said.
"It's fine," she said. "I'm not an expert either. Besides, splitting up defeats the point. I want to be with you."
"…Got it," I said, flushing.
"My, your face is red," she said.
"Please don't get mean," I said. "Stay kind."
"Hehe, of course," she said.
We started with Veggie Carolyn, then checked training books. Naturally, Ardan clung to my arm. I thought I heard whispers around us, but probably my imagination. Ardan was blushing, though.
Meanwhile, at the manga and training sections…
"Hmm, I'll use this for reference…" Dober said.
"Dober, we'll lose them~," Bright said.
"Wow… this workout trains that muscle~!" Ryan said.
"Quite… intriguing," McQueen said.
"You two, let's go~," Palmer said. "Or we'll lose them!"
"Phew…" Ardan said. "Thank you, Anii-sama. Today was so fun."
"Outing's over?" I asked.
"Let's relax a bit," she said. "We walked a lot."
"Fair," I said. "I'll grab drinks."
"Thank you," she said.
Man… I rarely hit places . Pretty fun day.
"Thank you, Anii-sama," she said.
"Been a while since I had a day ," I said. "Thanks, Ardan. Great break."
"I'm glad," she said.
"…Anii-sama," she said. "Can I make a selfish request?"
"What's up?" I asked.
"Could you… pat my head?" she said, blushing. "I'm craving it…"
She leaned toward me, and I stroked her hair gently. Ardan started dozing, breathing softly. Probably tired—she doesn't go out much and saw a lot today. No wonder.
"…Guess it's fine for now," I said.
"Ardan-san's asleep," McQueen said.
"She looks so comfy," Palmer said.
"Trainer's probably great at head pats," Ryan said. "Ardan's wanted that for a while."
"Really~?" Bright said. "Sounds interesting~."
"Bright-san'd probably fall asleep instantly," Raw Meat said.
Ardan's claw machine triumph and thoughtful souvenir hunt shine, with her cozy head pat moment stealing hearts. The Mejiro family's spying chaos is unstoppable, while Air Groove's trust arc and Takarazuka prep linger. Fuji's prior assist keeps her arc close. The Yahari crossover fuels Hachiman's "Tengan" charm, with Haruno's shadow present. Mejiro antics—gold!
---------------------------------------------------------
📖 Unlock 10+ early chapters on my !
💖 Support me here: .com/DaoistRoeoNQ
🔓 Get ahead of the story today!