Chapter Text
The sun blazed high over Tracen Academy, painting the dorms in a spring glow that screamed cute. Curren Chan burst through the door, her strawberry-themed ponytail bouncing, glitter pen tucked behind her ear like a royal scepter. Next Monday was no ordinary Monday—her 15th birthday loomed, a sparkly milestone shared with her dance squad bestie, Hishi Miracle! Sure, other Umadols might share the date (Tracen was bursting with talent), but Curren’s plans were peak cuteness: a yacht party on the Sumida River, where she’d spread her glittery charm across Tokyo’s waterways.
Curren flung the dorm door wide, striking a pose—hand on hip, tail swishing like a pink metronome. “Ayabe-chan!” she sang, pointing at Admire Vega, who was dusting their shared bookshelf with her usual gloomy precision. “Brace your heart for the cutest news! Sit, sit, sit!” She thrust a yacht rental document at Vega, eyes twinkling like a shoujo manga heroine.
Vega blinked, her long brown hair swaying as she plopped onto her bed, clutching the paper. “Your birthday part invitation, I presume?” she said, voice dry but softer than last year’s gloom. “I owe you for the petition, but please don’t make my ears ring with your party plans. A boat? You’re not steering, are you?”
Curren flopped onto her own bed, legs kicking, giggling like a wind chime. “Silly goose! The birthday queen doesn’t steer! I hired a legit captain, so everyone can sparkle !” She clasped her hands, eyes starry. “Picture it: my herd, a pink yacht, strawberries galore!
#CuteCurren15vibes!”
Vega scanned the document, one eyebrow twitching. “And ‘by everyone you mean?”
“My besties, obviously!” Curren twirled her glitter pen, tail flicking. “It’s Miracle-chan’s birthday too, so the dance squad’s a must—Bono-chan’s chaos, Top Gun-chan’s star power, Mirako-chan’s sweetness. I need a sprinter rival for sportsmanship—Baku-chan’s too loud for a boat, and Halo-chan might overwhelm you. Taiki-chan’s chill, but she hasn’t respond yet. No Flower-chan, though—she wouldn't like the waves.” Curren pouted, then brightened.
Vega paled slightly. “Manageable… unless Akebono flips the yacht. You sure about this?”
Curren leaned forward, chin on hands, grinning softly. “Don’t worry, Ayabe-chan! I’ve planned a cute cruise, not a splash fest. I'll keep it lively, but safe!” Her mind flicked to Bakushin’s wild energy—adorable, but a river’s no place for her sprint chaos. Taiki’s calmer, perfect for waving at Tokyo locals!
Before Vega could reply, a voice boomed from the hallway, rattling the dorm’s pink curtains. “I’LL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT! OPEN UP!”
Vega winced, muttering, “There go my ears.”
Curren’s ears twitched, her tail swishing double-time. Bono-chan must’ve spilled to Amazon-chan! Time for maximum cuteness. She flung the door open, winking coyly at Hishi Amazon, Tracen’s tallest Umadol, whose warrior aura loomed like a storm cloud. Arms crossed, her black ponytail gleamed under the dorm lights, but her eyes softened at Curren’s grin.
“Morning, Amazon-chan!” Curren chirped, striking a peace-sign pose. “Please don't scare Ayabe-chan—that’s not cute! Wanna hear my yacht plan? It’s peak sparkle!” She fluttered her lashes, tail flicking like a metronome.
Amazon’s gaze narrowed. “Next time, consult before renting boats, Curren. Rivers aren’t your personal glitter pool. Some citizens aren’t lawful, and I’m not risking my cousins on a shaky yacht!” Her voice was stern, but her stance relaxed—a sign Curren’s charm was working.
Curren tapped her temple with her glitter pen, feigning an “oopsie” pout. “My bad, Amazon-chan! Big oopsie from Cute Curren!” She bounced forward, poking Amazon’s bicep playfully. “But here’s the fix: join us! You’re, like, Brian-chan-level strong—nobody’d mess with our yacht! Plus, you’d celebrate Miracle-chan’s birthday with us! Cute, right?” She tilted her head, eyes wide, radiating shoujo sparkles.
Amazon hissed, but a smirk tugged her lips. “You’re relentless. I’m not Air Groove, ruining birthdays over bad ideas. Fine, I’ll supervise and inspect that yacht. One wrong move, and I’m docking it—no nurse wing visits on my watch. And no, you can’t charm me into backing off.”
Curren swished her tail, grinning like she’d won a sprint. “Challenge accepted, Amazon-chan!” She spun to Vega, who’d been silent, clutching the document. “Ayabe-chan agrees, right? Safety’s super cute!” She winked, hands clasped.
Vega stood, sighing. “I’ll check the yacht too. I trust the captain, but your ‘lively’ friends worry me.” She glanced at Amazon. “Just… no more yelling, Hishiama.”
Amazon scratched her head, sheepish. “Sorry for that. I shouldn't lost my temper. Lunch is on me. We’re good?”
Vega nodded, a tiny smile breaking through. “We’re good. I’m actually relieved you’re onboard. Curren’s friends are… a lot.”
Curren squealed, side-hugging Vega. “You mean cute! Say it, Ayabe-chan!” She fluttered her lashes, tail tickling Vega’s arm.
Vega rolled her eyes, but her smile widened. “Fine, you and your friends are cute. Need to hear it every day?”
“Like air!” Curren giggled, releasing her. “You and Amazon-chan will love the yacht—pink lanterns, strawberry cake, the fresh breeze!Have fun inspecting!” She waved as Vega and Amazon exited.
Amazon muttered, “You’ll make me gray early.”
Alone, Curren flopped onto her bed, brushing her tail with a dreamy hum. Her birthday was shaping up to be a glittery triumph—her herd, a Sumida cruise, and even Amazon singing her praises (well, almost). She grabbed her phone, snapping a dorm selfie with her glitter pen.
Curren fired off one last text to her Big Sis.
Karaoke tonight? Just us. Super-secret, super-short. Promise I’ll keep it cute and quiet! 🎤💕
Rules were rules: no mixing trainers and big public parties. A private pre-birthday duet would have to do.
But first—besties. She needed to lock in catering, dresses, music, and, um… calmly explain that Amazon-chan had just deputized herself as security. They probably knew already. News sprinted around campus faster than Bakushin.
🦄🦄🦄
The pool sounded like summer: whistles, splashes, the rubbery squeak of kickboards. Curren peeked in and spotted Almond-chan slicing clean lines in freestyle, Grass-chan pacing rest intervals with monk-like calm, and Café-chan hovering at lane three, eyes on the tiles, black hair trailing like quiet smoke.
Not a recruiting trip—today’s yacht had a passenger limit, and she’d promised Ayabe a “manageable crowd.” Still, she lifted a hand in a friendly little wave, the universal I’m around if you want to chat. Training came first; cute could wait its turn.
Maya-chan was working on her breaststroke with kickboard drills—sharp pulls, tidy kicks, zero wasted motion. Diligence in a ponytail. Curren grabbed a seat with a perfect view, tail flicking to the rhythm of the laps, remembering the time Maya-chan and Turbo-chan tried that “spin like the video” trick and wobbled into the infirmary. (Nice Nature had held both hands and scolded them during the escort)
“Haai, haai—Maya-chan, can you come over?” Curren cupped her hands around her mouth.
Mayano turned a little too sharply and splashed a sheet of water onto Almond-chan’s face.
“Hey!” Almond sputtered, blinking through droplets.
Mayano popped upright, mortified. “My bad! I forgot not everyone’s wearing goggles. Keep it up! Looking great!” Thumbs up. Megawatt grin. Damage: minimal.
She paddled to the ladder and climbed out, water ribboning down her arms. Curren offered a towel and a giggle. “Cute save. You’re in luck—it’s me and not Amazon-chan. You should know she's coming to our party and checking the yacht as we speak.”
Mayano paled. “I didn’t know, but… yeah, that tracks. Public party, seniors get prickly, plus the family thing. We’ll keep the focus on our own twinkle!” She spun once, dopey-happy, then steadied her feet.
Curren leaned in. “Sorry to pull you from laps, but we need a mini council—catering, outfits, playlist. Monday’s basically tomorrow in disguise.”
A soft voice arrived at her shoulder like a shadow settling. “Should I save your gift for the day after?”
“Kyaa!” Mayano flailed, nearly re-entering the pool by accident. “C-Café-chan, don’t sneak upon me like that!”
Curren steadied Maya-chan by the wrists and turned with a respectful dip of her head. Café’s gaze was the same as ever—calm, velvet-dark, listening to something the surface didn’t hear.
“That’s thoughtful, Café-chan,” Curren said gently. “Late is perfectly fine. And, um… I’m sorry—I can’t invite you to the yacht. The capacity’s tight, and I promised a small herd for safety.” A beat. “But I’d love to see you soon.”
Café’s expression didn’t change, but something eased at the corner of her mouth. “I prefer the night anyway. Happy birthday, Curren.”
Mayano, still a little frazzled, bobbed her head. “Thanks for understanding! If you have time before Monday, we—”
“No need.” Café turned her gaze back to the water, to the slow ripple of lane lines. “If the fortune I believe in is right, I’ll always have a place in Cute Curren Chan’s heart.”
Curren’s smile warmed. “Always. Take care, Café-chan.”
She didn’t pry. Not here, not now. Onyx Tower things were for quiet corridors and moonlit corners, not the echo of a crowded pool. Maybe she’d pay a respectful visit after lights-out, if the stars lined up.
“Okay!” Curren clapped twice, businesslike, bouncing on her toes. “Mayano—early lunch planning session? We’ll snag Mirako-chan on the way, loop in Kitasan if schedules allow, and I’ll update everyone on the Amazon situation.”
Mayano perked. “Yes, Captain Cuteness!”
Across the lanes, Grass-chan gave a little wave—approval distilled to a single graceful gesture. Almond-chan, now recovered, flicked a playful splash in their direction, which Mayano skillfully dodged by ducking behind Curren.
Curren giggled and continued, ticking items off on her fingers. “Menu: light bites to start, then the main star—cake. Dresses: shimmer for us, something that won’t tangle in a river breeze. Music: up-tempo for day, slow for sunset. And a safety brief to show respect for Amazon-chan.”
Mayano’s eyes sparkled. “Do we do the candle blow with Mirako-chan at golden hour?”
“Obviously!” Curren sang. “Two wishes, one skyline, maximum sparkle.”
Her phone buzzed. A photo from Ayabe-chan: Amazon on the pier, towering over a very nervous-looking captain… and giving a reluctant thumbs up. Another message:
Inspection ongoing. So far, acceptable. Don’t push it.
Curren’s heart somersaulted. She texted back a cascade of hearts and a halo emoji, then tucked the phone away.
“Ayabe-chan says things looking good at the riverbank.”
Mayano whooped, then slapped a hand over her mouth as the lifeguard raised an eyebrow. “Sorry! Quiet whoop.”
Curren squeezed her hand. “Finish your cooldown, then meet me by the gate. I'll find the rest of our dance squad .”
“Roger that! Captain Curren!” Mayano saluted, then slipped back into the lane with a neat dive, legs carving twin silver lines behind her.
Curren lingered a moment, watching the rhythm of the pool—the glide, the breath, the press of hands through water. A good herd had many currents: steady ones like Grass-chan, bright ones like Maya-chan, deep ones like Cafe-chan. She was the splash, the sparkle, the girl who knit them together.
She blew a kiss toward the mirror-bright surface and headed for the exit, a tiny hop in her step.
Party planning waits for no Uma. 🩷
End of part 1