Episode 3: Chaos in the Forest
Announcer
We've come out of Ward 2 all tied up. The racers have reached Ward 3, all neck-and-neck! Visibility is poor in the first, so this leg of the course is certain to be a struggle!
Kokkoro
While I do not approve of Master approaching the checkpoint with so many women at his side, the fact that we are now all tied makes this quite competitive. But, Lady Jun, your armor seems like it would make running far more difficult.
Jun
I've gone about my daily life and performed all my training in this armor. It will be no problem at all.
Mifuyu
(Expending all of my stamina at the very start wouldn't be efficient. It's important to conserve my strength...)
Rin
I'm going first!
Jun
What!?
Announcer
What's this? Racer Rin has suddenly pulled ahead to first place!
Lima
Rin, you're awesome! Honestly, I thought you were gonna come in dead last!
Shiori
She's slipping through the gaps between the trees. It must be easier because she's short... right? Plus, she's accustomed to moving through the forest.
Lima
That must be it! During all that time we thought she was slacking off, she was actually training by herself! Man, Rin, you sure are full of surprises!
Rin
(It's because I've always out here collecting acorns when I'm slacking off... But I'd better keep that quiet.)
Misogi
I'm here, too!
Announcer
Oh, my! Right behind racer Rin is racer Misogi!
Misogi
Hee hee. It's because Little Lyrical always comes to these woods to play! Running through here is super easy! Ah! I can take a shortcut through those trees!
Mifuyu
A shortcut!? Then I have no choice but to take it! ... Kyaaaah! W-What is all this white sticky stuff...
Misogi
Hee hee, it's a spider web! Prank successful! Next up...!
Misogi
Ah! Hey, lady in the armor, you're gonna run into that branch if you go that way!
Jan
Ha ha. What a cute prankster. But I won't fall for something so -- gah!
Misogi
Man, I even told you... That really clocked you in the head. Are you okay?
Jun
Y-Yes. Were you actually worried for me? How kind of you.
Misogi
I'll check if you've got a bump on your head! Ta-da!
Jun
Whoa! Y-Young lady! Give that back! I can't run without it!
Misogi
Huh? ... Ooh, is that right? Well, it looks like you don't have a bump, so I'm off!
Jun
Hey, wait! My helmet! Don't take my helmet!
Announcer
Due to racer Misogi's interference, racers Mifuyu and Jun are no longer able to progress! But racer Kokkoro, right behind them, looks like she's going to help!
Announcer
In first place is racer Rin, and in second is racer Misogi... Huh? Racer Rin appears to be nowhere to be found. Could she have fallen victim to one of racer Misogi's pitfalls?
Misogi
But I didn't do anything?
Rin
Whew. Soooo comfy.
Announcer
What is this, racer Rin!? She's taking a nap in the hollow of a large tree! It's as though she's a rabbit straight out of some fairy tale!
Lima
Rin, what are you doing!? You were in first!
Rin
Hey, I know my own limits. That's it for me. Tough day. I'm going home.
Lima
Come on, Rin! You've got more in you than that! Don't give up! You can do it!
Rin
Man, you're getting too worked up... You know that has the opposite effect on me, Limalima. Anyway, good night...
Misogi
Yaaay! Number one! Mimi, we're gonna crush them like this!
Mimi
Thanks, Misogi. I'll do my best, too!
Announcer
Little Lyrical has reached Ward 4 first! Who will come in second -- racer Kokkoro, or racer Mifuyu?
Ayumi
Pant, pant!
Announcer
Ohhh, my! That is! ... Who is that?
Ninon
It's Ayumi!
Announcer
I-It's racer Ayumi from Weissflugel's team! While I was looking away, she must have stealthily slipped into second place!
Ayumi
B-But I was just running normally... Kuuka, please!
Kuuka
Eep! I-I wonder what would happen to me if this sash tied me up entirely. In front of so many people... How unseemly I would be.
Ayumi
U-Um... Please, hurry and run.
Kuuka
Eeeep. I don't mind being p-pressured by other people. A-Actually, I like it!! I'm going!
Mifuyu
That was awful... Thank you for helping me.
Kokkoro
Do not mention it -- I can't ignore people before me who are in trouble.
Mifuyu
The others might get upset at me, but... You should go ahead and take third place. If you hadn't stopped out of concern for me, then you'd probably be even farther along, after all.
Kokkoro
No, there is no need for us to trade favors. ... Rather, in that case, let us advance together. As a display of sportsmanship.
Mifuyu
If you're okay with it, then... Yes, I agree. It'd be inefficient to hesitate any longer. Let's go together.
Announcer
Tied for third are racers Mifuyu and Kokkoro! Now, they hand the sashes off to the final racers in Ward 4!
Kokkoro
Lady Suzume, the rest is up to you.
Suzume
Y-Yes!
Suzume
(I'll prove that I can work hard even when Lady Saren isn't there!)
Announcer
There's no trace of racers Jun and Rin anywhere. If they don't receive the handoff, then they'll have to advance while taking a penalty!
Matsuri
Ooh... I'm the only one who doesn't get to wear the same sash...
Christina
Ha ha ha! To think that the captain herself would be unable to make the handoff -- I'll be laughing about this for a long time.
Tomo
We don't need that right now! Matsuri, it'll be okay. Just trust in Jun.
Mahiru
We're practically guaranteed that penalty... I'll remember this, Rinrin.
On a carriage en route to the business meeting, Saren was going through some documents.
Saren
(It looks like Kurumi is already done racing, but if this meeting ends quickly, I might still be able to make it in time to cheer Suzume on...)
Saren
(Knowing her, I'll be glad enough if she doesn't rush and trip over herself. Ahh, no, focus! As much as I want to cheer her on, I need to focus on work now!)