Along with the laughter came bursts of applause. Kitasan Black and the others looked over in surprise, only to see three Horse Girls approaching from the direction of the beach.
One had light brown twin tails, another had Dark Brown Neat Short Hair, and the last wore an exaggerated smile and a pink crown. They were Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, and T.M. Opera O.
When training had ended yesterday, Kitasan Black had heard Senior Yamato say that Vodka Senior would arrive in Atami today, so she had gone to the station early in the morning. She had not expected the two of them to run into Senior T.M. Opera O and come to the beach together.
So had they arranged to meet, or had they just happened to run into each other...?
As Kitasan Black puzzled over this, Mikki Rocket had already rushed toward T.M. Opera O and the others in delighted surprise.
"Senior T.M. Opera O! G-good morning! Y-you must have had a tiring journey!"
After greeting them with a slight stammer, she hurriedly bowed to Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka as well.
"Good morning, Senior Yamato! And... you must be Vodka Senior, right? M-my name is Mikki Rocket. It's nice to meet you, please take care of me!"
"Oh! Just like Senior T.M. Opera O said, you're really full of energy, Mikki Classmate."
Brushing aside the bangs before her forehead with a flourish, Vodka smiled and extended a hand to shake Mikki Rocket's. Then she turned to Kitasan Black and swept back her bangs again.
"Senior T.M. Opera O already told me, but... it's been a while. Did you miss me, Little Kita?"
By the time Mikki Rocket ran over, Kitasan Black had already suppressed her doubts and jogged over with Little Anzu.
Hearing the joy in Vodka's voice, she