Episode 1: A Wild Start to the Race

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Pecorine
What is this New Year's Landsol Guild Race thing?

Karin
I can answer that question for you.

Kyaru
Gah, Karin... What are you up to now?

Karin
Indeed. The truth is, this event is being organized by the Guild Management Bureau.

Karin
In order to determine "Landsol's Guild of Fortune", we're having a competitive race between guilds, starting from the city and extending all the way out to the shrine!

Kyaru
What? Do you guys at the Bureau have that much free time?

Karin
Well, perhaps we could just leave it at that? In any case! The champion guild will be crowned the "Landsol's Guild of Fortune!"

Kokkoro
Guild of Fortune? That does sound like a very impressive title.

Karin
It's said that the guild that's chosen to be the Guild of Fortune will bring prosperity not just to its own members, but to all those around them.

Karin
Further, it's not simply a title that you get. The members of the winning guild will also have their pick of a number of great prizes!

Pecorine
You mean like, a super luxurious dinner!? Drool...

Karin
Um, well... There isn't any food on the list, because we'd be too worried about it spoiling. We don't want to be liable for causing food poisoning incidents...

Kokkoro
Lady Pecorine's digestive tract is not susceptible to such things.

Kyaru
Koro, do you mean that as a compliment?

Pecorine
It's too bad that there isn't any food, but the title of Guild of Fortune does sound wonderful! I wonder if I'd be able to participate...

Karin
We don't have any food, but we do have prizes like restaurant coupons. If you'd like to read about the prizes in detail, please take a look at this catalog!

Suzume
T-Thank you very much...

Kyaru
Participate... You're not exactly dressed for running, though!

Pecorine
Aw, Kyaru, don't sweat the details! Racing in this garb would make for some great memories!

Kyaru
I wouldn't go through all this suffering just for some memories...

Suzume
U-Um! I don't suppose that I could also participate, could I?

Kyaru
Huh? What's this, all of a sudden?

Suzume
T-The truth is... One of the prizes is this "Pine of the Spirits"... ^[1] It says that, if you decorate your door with this for New Year's, then the spirits will bless you with good luck for the year to come.

Suzume
We don't really have the money at the orphanage to buy such expensive things, but if I were to win it here, then it might make up for the earlier incident with the business partner...

Pecorine
That's a nice idea! Okay, Suzume, let's race together!

Kyaru
It works out, since I'm not doing it.

Pecorine
Eh, c'mon, let's run together! Look, look, there might be prizes that you'd want, too!

Kyaru
Don't just thrust the catalog into my hands! As if there'd conveniently be something I want...

Kyaru
(... A free, full-course dinner at a luxury restaurant!? W-We're always eating monster cuisine, so it might be nice to go to something like this with everyone... Pecorine would be really happy, wouldn't she?)

Kyaru
... Sigh. Fine. If you're that desperate, then I guess I'll just have to participate.

Pecorine
Yay! I'm glad you're all motivated too! Which prize caught your eye?

Kyaru
T-That's a secret! It's got nothing to do with you!

Pecorine
Ah, but that means we'll have 5 people. We can only have 4 on a team, so... Hmm.

Kyaru
Then, how about Yuuki uses his power from the sidelines to support us? If we do that, then...

Kokkoro
Lady Kyaru, we mustn't cheat. Further, I simply cannot ask Master do so much running...

Yuuki
1. "Then, I'll do my best to cheer you on."

Kokkoro
Ah, Master... Having you cheering me on will give me great strength.

Kyaru
You sure can be simple... In terms of the rules, is it all right for Suzume to be on our team?

Karin
Yes, there's no problem. There are other guilds who are collaborating in the same way...

Kurumi
B-Big sister Suzume?

Suzume
Eh? Oh, if it isn't Kurumi. What are you doing here?

Kurumi
Um, well... I wanted to participate in the race, so, um... I ended up signing up with Little Lyrical...

Suzume
Huh!? Are you sure you'll be okay, Kurumi!? You know you'll have to run really far, right?

Kurumi
Yeah. I thought it might also be good practice for acting, to have to run in front of other people... I heard that the race will be broadcast throughout Landsol via projection magic, so Mama Saren might get to see me if I try hard, too.

Suzume
B-Broadcast!?

Suzume
(I thought that if I worked hard while Lady Saren wasn't looking, I'd be able to make up for my earlier mistake, but... This means she might see me doing this...)

Announcer
Then, all of the participants for Ward 1, please assemble at the starting line!

Kurumi
Oh. Um, I have to go... Big sister Suzume, I'm gonna try hard not to lose to you guys.

Suzume
Ah, yes! Please be careful!

Later.

Announcer
The first leg of the race will run through Ward 1! Ward 2 racers, please get yourselves ready at the next starting line! Other non-racing guild members, feel free to board one of the follower carriages to cheer your guildmates on!

Announcer
The battle to become Landsol's Guild of Fortune is beginning! Which guild's sash will emerge victorious!?

Tomo
Normally I prefer the sword, but today, I'll be donning this sash to uphold the pride of Nightmare... I'll make sure I run through the tape in first place.

Lima
I-I'm not a monster, so relax, everyone! It sure is tough, racing in a mascot costume!

Tamaki
Nya ha ha, allow me to show you the secret plans of the Mercurius Foundation!

Kurumi
Breathe in... Breathe out...

Ninon
Rin, pyo, to, sha!^[2] My spirit is in perfect balance!

Kyaru
Wait, why am I in Ward 1!?

Pecorine
Huh? Well, you said you were so excited to race that you might keel over...

Kyaru
Don't exaggerate! I never said anything like that!

Announcer
With that, ready, set... Go!

Tamaki
I'm going first!

Kyaru
Ah! H-Hey! Wait up, you all!

Tomo
This is a race -- nobody's going to wait for you, you know.

Announcer
Oh, my, racer Kyaru was busy responding to racer Pecorine, and she's fallen far behind! The Gourmet Palace is in quite a bind!

Kyaru
Grr! It's just as impossible to run in this as I'd thought! Argh, I'm gonna be crushed like this!

Later.

Announcer
Now, a short time after the start of the race, the standaings are racers Tomo, Tamaki, and Ninon in a tight race for first! Racer Lima is farther back, and racers Kurumi and Kyaru are bringing up the rear!

Tomo
(If I don't put in a strong showing for first place, I just know that Christina is going to be waiting for me in Ward 2 with some great sarcasm, so I'd better do something about this near-tie...)

Tamaki
... It's about time.

Mifuyu
Tamaki, now!

Tamaki
I've been waiting for this! Time for an all-out sprint!

Ninon
Oh! Her speed is just like the wind!

Announcer
Racer Tamaki is speeding up!

Tamaki
(The Mercurius Foundation shelled out big bucks to develop these Boost Boots... Code name, "Cheetah"!)

Tamaki
(It might be borderline unfair, but this cat is evolving into something even faster!)

Ninon
Ninja Art! Chaotic Red Snapper Technique!

Tamaki
Nya, nya, nya! It's taiyaki! A ton of taiyaki is falling from the sky! I'm digging in! ... U-Uh-oh... It tastes like paper...

Ninon
Heh heh heh! Great success! It was cardboard taiyaki!

Tomo
(Seems like this disturbance is just what I need... I have an opportunity!)

Announcer
Racer Tomo! While racers Tamaki and Ninon were going back and forth, Tomo has taken the lead! This could be decisive!

Ninon
D-Do not leave me behind, now!

Later.

Christina
Ahaha! Not bad, Tomo, coming in first place! Now, give me that sash!

Tomo
Hah, hah... No words of appreciation? Well, it's about what I expected. The rest is yours.

Christina
Good work on the first leg. But now, the duty falls to me!

Ninon
Ka-blam! If you would!

Monika
Yeah! We're only a little behind first place. I won't let your effort go to waste!

Tamaki
Akino, hurry and catch up to them!

Akino
Argh, how could you have done this poorly while wearing the Cheetah!? If we lose this race, you'll be covering the Cheetah's development costs!

Tamaki
Don't do me like that, nyaa!

Announcer
The frontmost group has handed off to the Ward 2 racers, one after another! What of the racers who are farther behind!?

Lima
Aaah! Everyone's so fast! Wait up! Pbbt, pbbt, pbbt!

Announcer
What could this be... Racer Lima is spitting up all over the road.

Kyaru
Hah, hah... To think that I'd come in last... If I was just wearing anything other than this, I'd... Huh?

Kurumi
Hah... hah, hah...

Kyaru
(That's... Kurumi, right? I should at least be able to come in ahead of her.)

Kurumi
Eeek!

Suzume
Kurumi!!

Announcer
Unbelievable, Racer Kurumi has fallen over! This is racer Kyaru's chance!

Kyaru
All right! Lucky me!

Kurumi
Ooh... Sniff... Hic...

Kyaru
... Sigh. Hey, you.

Kurumi
Eek! Y-Yes...?

Kyaru
C'mon... Get on.

Kurumi
... Huh?

Kyaru
I said get on -- I'll carry you on my back! You're hurt, so you shouldn't push yourself.

Kokkoro
Lady Kyaru...

Announcer
Incredible, she's extended her hand! What a wonderful turn of events!

Kurumi
B-But...

Kyaru
Ugh, this is getting annoying! Here, up we go!

Kurumi
Eep!

Kyaru
There we are... Are you holding on tight?

Kyaru
(A-As good as this looks, it really is hard to run while carrying someone else. I don't have much strength left...)

Lima
Are you okay!?

Kyaru
Huh!? Wait, why are you running the wrong way!?

Lima
I can't just stand by while a little girl is hurt. So, here! Get on board!

Kyaru
What is this... A wheelbarrow?

Lima
We're already pretty far behind, and I wouldn't feel good just leaving you two behind and handing off to Shiori.

Lima
So c'mon, get on!

Kyaru
You're sure kind. All right, here goes.

Kurumi
T-Thank you...

Lima
Here we go!

Kyaru & Kurumi
EEEEEEK!

Lima
Ahaha! This is fun!

Kyaru
You're jumping up and down too much, dummy!

Announcer
All of the spectators are applauding this display of kindness and love! Drama, tears -- the New Year's Landsol Guild Race has it all!

Kurumi
I'm a little scared, but... Thank you, both of you.

Lima
If you wanna thank me, do it in Ward 2! We're headed straight there!

Kyaru
I-I-I'm gonna dieeeee!!