Published: September 9, 2025
※This is a reprint of the short story previously uploaded in the activity report.
Today's post is scheduled for 6 PM.
SS: Dance Practice
"Flutter-flutter~?"
"Pochi's dress is fluffy too."
The dress Master made for me has such beautiful lace.
I twirl around together with Tama.
"Pochi, Tama, we're going to the Royal Castle's Oppai-san's place. Are you two coming?"
"We're going!"
"Pochi is coming too."
I nod at Arisa's question. Lulu said she’s coming as well.
Since we haven’t been exercising much since arriving at the Royal Capital, we want to train together with Karina.
Nana is doing something in the garden and won’t come. Shiro and Crow are with her too.
We head to Karina’s house in the Royal Castle.
But Karina wasn’t in the lesson room.
"Huh? Where’s Karina-sama?"
"She’s a bit under the weather and resting," Elina says, shaking her head while saying, "Totally crushed."
Is "totally crushed" an egg dish? Sounds kind of tasty.
"I see. Well then, everyone else, go ahead and practice here first. I’ll go give Karina-sama a pep talk."
Arisa said that and left the room.
I wanted to go with her, but was told, "It’s a maiden’s matter, so you two should stay here," and was left behind.
"Tama, are you a maiden too?"
"Pochi is a maiden too!"
"Mm, maiden."
This definitely calls for a firm refusal!
Lulu is giggling, but this is no time to be laughing, right?
However, the yakatadzuki maid brought some sweets, so I decided to refuse after having a snack.
You can’t refuse on an empty stomach.
â—‡
"I'm full~"
"It was delicious."
"Mm, satisfied."
After eating the snacks, I’m happy.
The yakatadzuki maid’s skills are not to be underestimated.
"I wonder if the secret ingredient is ginger? If we reduce it a little and add a drop of brandy with the alcohol cooked off, it might bring out more flavor and taste even better. I have to check it when we get home."
…Lulu’s muttering is as soothing as a lullaby.
â—‡
"Hey, Pochi. Time to start practice."
Arisa shook me awake.
Ah, I had fallen sound asleep on a full stomach.
Next to Arisa stood Karina, fully fired up.
She wore a serious expression, like a lord of the layer ready to challenge us.
"We’ll put on the best dance and draw all the men’s gazes. Then, we'll make Satou regret it and feel jealous. Men are at their best when they’re chasing. I refuse to be a cheap woman who chases after men."
I don’t really understand what Karina means, but I like chasing.
Just dashing after someone and burying my head in the nest from the front makes me very happy.
Tama and I tilt our heads.
"Mia, start the music."
"Okay."
Karina began dancing with Lulu.
Both have wonderful leg sweeps. I should train my footwork too.
I start twirling and dancing with Tama.
"Good, just like that!"
Arisa arms crossed, watches everyone’s dancing and cheers us on.
But I can’t step on my partner’s feet as well as Karina or Lulu.
Tama’s dodging skills are amazing.
But Master’s dodging is even more amazing.
Someday, I’ll get good enough to dance like Karina and Lulu, and be able to step on Master’s feet!
—But, Arisa, don’t you need to practice dancing?
This short story, which was inserted near the beginning of chapter 12, has been moved here.