Because Gold Ship had switched into yet another outfit, with a bit of makeup on top, Tokai Teio didn't recognize her at all—only wondering why the usual front-desk onee-san who always worked weekends wasn't here today.

Symboli Rudolf, however, did recognize her as the gray-haired beauty who had been on the bus with them earlier. But since she wasn't acquainted with her, and randomly prying into strangers' business was rude, Rudolf said nothing.

"Hello, we'd like to book a standard room for the morning." Teio walked up to the counter like it was routine, pulling out enough money from her pocket and setting it on the desk.

"Understood." Gold Ship, acting the part of a professional, typed the details smoothly into the computer.

But after she'd finished opening the room, she suddenly pulled out a party popper from behind the counter—aimed it right at them.

Pong!

Before anyone could react, the party popper burst, colorful confetti raining down onto their heads.

"Congratulations~ You're our store's 100,000th group of customers! To celebrate, you get a 20% discount, plus a complimentary 'Beautiful Girl Companion Service.'" Gold Ship smiled, pocketed part of the money, and returned the rest.

"W-We won something?" Teio was thrilled at first—then a little suspicious.

This place only opened a few years ago… could it really already have had one hundred thousand groups of customers?

Still, lucky was lucky. At least they got 20% off, and that "something else" she hadn't heard clearly, but surely it was good too…

So Teio cheered: "Yay~!"

"Excuse me…" Mizuno raised his hand, questioning Gold Ship.

"If I may ask—this 'Beautiful Girl Companion Service.' Who exactly is the companion?"

He wasn't interested in the service itself—he had already guessed who it would be.

"Why, me of course~" Gold Ship placed her hand against her chest.

Mizuno: "….."

Ha. Just as he thought.

So this whole "100,000th group of customers" was clearly Broshi's invention, just an excuse to keep sticking around him.

But then—how did she even get this job at the front desk? Did she secretly make the original worker vanish into thin air and take their place?!

Gold Ship read his doubt instantly, and quickly explained via thought-wave:

[Broshi]: Relax. It's legit. I applied here yesterday afternoon.

Applied?

Mizuno suddenly remembered. No wonder yesterday, while he was prepping the celebration banquet in the cooking classroom, Broshi had slipped out a few times for who-knows-what. So she'd come here… to apply as a karaoke receptionist?!

Just yesterday noon she'd learned Mizuno would be going out with Teio today—by afternoon she had investigated Teio's favorite karaoke spot, and by evening had landed a job here.

Broshi… you really are something. That efficiency—scarily fast!

"Ehh?! So it's drinking companionship?!" The moment Teio understood what the prize really was, her attitude did a full 180.

"Um, could we maybe not have that service…?" Teio said.

She had gone out today to be with the person she liked, to grow closer through fun and laughter together.

If some stranger Uma Musume joined in, the atmosphere would surely change. Everyone would feel restrained, unable to fully enjoy themselves. That would ruin the whole point of going out with Mizuno and President Rudolf.

So Teio wanted nothing to do with this prize.

"Indeed. One of us is still a child, can't drink—best not to have that kind of service." Rudolf agreed.

"President, I'm not a child, I'm just underage." Teio retorted.

"Alright, alright." Rudolf patted her head gently.

"Mizuno, what about you?" Rudolf looked his way.

Mizuno thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"I don't need it either."

"Eh?! Sir, are you sure?" Gold Ship panicked at once.

That "100,000th customers" thing really had been her fabrication—just so she could justify staying near him. Teio and Rudolf refusing was fine, they didn't know her real intent. But why would Mizuno, who did know, refuse too?!

If even he didn't agree, then what excuse did she have to guard him closely?

Unwilling to give up, she pressed, "But sir, it's free! Wouldn't it be a waste not to?"

"If you're worried about waste, then just double it and give it to the next customer," Mizuno suggested.

"Sorry, sir. The service can only be claimed once, it can't be doubled." Gold Ship explained. "And the next customer might not even want it."

"I see…" Mizuno thought seriously, then offered a very constructive idea:

"Then donate it to children in impoverished mountain villages. Consider it charity."

"Children in mountain villages don't need drinking companions!!" Gold Ship burst out.

"Haha, just kidding. Anyway, we don't need it. Thank you."

Mizuno politely declined, then secretly gestured to her—don't worry, they were only going to be singing in a private room with Teio and Rudolf. No danger would come of it.

"…Alright." Faced with Mizuno's firm refusal, Gold Ship could only sigh helplessly.

Forget it. There were surveillance cameras in the rooms. If Mizuno really got into danger, she could always storm in later.

So she gave up on pushing her companion service, and instead pulled out a tablet, preparing to monitor them in real time.

"What's our room number?" Teio asked.

"Room 420," Gold Ship replied.

"Thank you."

Teio thanked her politely, then happily tugged Rudolf and Mizuno toward the room.

Halfway there, Rudolf suddenly reached out to touch Teio's head.

"President?" Teio tilted her head, puzzled.

"Teio, you've got confetti in your hair. Let me get it." Rudolf explained, gently plucking a few bits of paper from her fluffy locks.

Earlier, Gold Ship's party popper had showered them all. With the two long-haired Uma Musume, quite a bit had gotten stuck deep in their hair.

"Eh, you've got some too, President." Teio returned the favor, picking out pieces from Rudolf's hair.

After she finished, Teio suddenly turned her gaze toward Mizuno.

"Mizuno…"

He jolted in alarm, shaking himself violently to scatter all the confetti off before she could reach him, then feigned innocence: "What's wrong?"

"…" Teio fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Mizuno, I think a few pieces slipped into your clothes. Want me to get them out for you?" She leaned closer, eyes shining with anticipation.

"Hm?" Mizuno quickly stepped back.

Good grief. If Teio were to "help" him get confetti out from inside his clothes, wouldn't that mean letting her reach her hands all over under his shirt?

"No need. I can do it myself." Mizuno refused.

"But how can you get things out from inside your clothes yourself? You'd have to take your jacket off. I can help you take it off, you know." Teio moved in again.

"…" The sheer intent in her words made Mizuno realize immediately what she was after.

So that's it. She still hadn't given up her curiosity about his real appearance, and was trying to use this as an excuse to strip him…

"It's not that hard, see?"

Mizuno grabbed the cuff of his right sleeve with his left hand, then drew his right arm inside his jacket, leaving the sleeve hanging limp. Groping around inside—

A few seconds later, a few confetti scraps were tossed out through the small gap between his collar and hood.

"All done." He pulled his arm back out, dusted his hands.

"Guh…" Seeing her plan foiled, Teio drooped her head, dejected.