TOSSED into the changing tent erected beside the headquarters, Nichika was dazzled by the plethora of costumes hanging inside. Crimson dresses, deep sea green tuxedos, ceremonial clothes with long flowing sleeves, and traditional garments lined the racks. There were even different styles of clown clothes that made her question who in the world would choose to wear them.
“W-Wow.”
“Don’t dawdle near the entrance, dearie. Hurry in. Let me see, for a young lady like you this dress with a revealed back is nice—no, you should go for this one that accentuates your overall cuteness…”
The woman in charge of costumes picked out pieces with a pro’s eye. She rolled up her sleeves and began throwing large piles of clothes to the side.
“Now we’re talking! All the contestants this year brought their own outfits. You’re about the only one making use of our collection.”
“I am?”
“Not that I blame them. They can prepare more lavish outfits with their own money…”
Ten minutes later, the older woman nodded with satisfaction at Nichika attired in a cutesy, frilly, and puffy peach-colored costume. Frankly, to Nichika, it looked like she was wearing a clichéd magical girl outfit.
“Looks like we have a winner.”
“Isn’t this a little too frilly? How do I put it…? Exposing this much skin is embarrassing.”
Embarrassed by the oddly translucent material making up the skirt, Nichika pulled down its hem in a bid to hide her thighs. The older woman heartily laughed off her concerns and gave her back a small push.
“It’s a festival out there. Showing a little skin never hurt anyone! Off you go!”
“Wah! Aah!” Nichika was pushed out of the tent and nearly fell over, but spun around with the momentum of catching her balance to thank the woman. “Thank you so much for your help!”
“Good luck! I’ll be cheering for you from the ground!”
Nichika returned her wink and thumbs-up with an appreciative smile. Resolved to face whatever came her way, she hopped on her broom and took off.
“Wow…!” A little girl who saw her pink skirt fluttering in the sky raved all about it to her mom. “Mama! That girl is so cute! She looks like a fairy princess!”
“She does. Want to cheer for her?”
“Yeah! Good luck, fairy princess!”
Nichika waved and ascended to the air stage doubling as the start line. She landed on the white block, and a staff member sprinted over to her. He wrapped a cream-colored leather wristband around her wrist and spoke at hyper speed.
“Please hurry. You’re the last to arrive. You don’t have any magic items on you, do you? Okay, okay. Let me examine your broom.”
He half snatched the broom from her and passed it through a silver box. A beep sounded and the lamp turned green.
“No extras have been added. You’re good to go. Head over there.”
Broom in hand, Nichika moved to the edge of the stage where the competitors stood in their starting positions. Eye-catching decorations adorned the start gate, and when she looked over the side of the stage, she saw the whole audience staring up at her. She scanned the multitude of faces for a man in all-black.
“What’s with that getup?” a beautiful woman in a short blue dress snorted at her. “This isn’t a dress-up party.”
Her rude attitude irked Nichika, but she was too overwhelmed by the woman’s perfect body and how she rocked her tight outfit to come up with a smart comeback.
“U-Um, I hope we can have a good race…”
Responding with humility shut her up. The woman huffed and looked away. Just past her a blonde bombshell was viciously arguing about something with the handsome young man in front of her.
These people are s-scary…
A flourish of trumpets blared through the village, signaling the start of the race and cutting through the strangely toxic mood.
“Thanks for waiting, everyyybodyyy! Everyone in the world wishes to see a Windy Village broom race once before they die. And our largest pride and joy, the Sylmia Cup, is about to BEGINNNN!”
An enthusiastic voice boomed from beyond the village walls, and then something large flew in. On top of a winged pedestal was a little man with glasses decked out in a golden suit holding a microphone. Sylmia stood next to him in a flamboyant costume. Cheers erupted from the crowd when they saw him.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I, Clogg, the boring rank and file employee at town hall, shall be serving as announcer again this year! It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’m slaving away at town hall just for this day—Oops, forgive the slip of tongue. I’m just kidding. Really, section chief!”
The crowd exploded with laughter at the angry “hey!” that rose up from somewhere below. Lifting up the same leather wristband as the competitors, the announcer explained the rules.
“Alrighty, you probably don’t need the reminder, but here are the rules! This wristband acts as a marker. All of the contestants are wearing one. They have to run it through the various checkpoints set up around the village, and the first person to touch the wind orb on top of the clock tower wins! Man, is it simple! It’s because of its simplicity that you can see the difference in flight skill!”
Nichika took a good look at the band on her right wrist. Ten bead-sized black orbs were arranged in a line. They’d likely light up at every checkpoint.
“Incidentally, the markers have the ability to draw in wind mana to drive away other mana! In other words, attacking your rivals with fire and water isn’t allowed!”
The announcer’s explanation helped Nichika get her head in the game. This race was purely about competing with wind mana. She’d be vulnerable without her fire magic, but she didn’t have room to complain.
“Okey-dokey, that’s enough with the boring rules! How about a word from our sponsor, Lord Sylmia!”
The Great Wind Spirit accepted the microphone and stepped forward. The crowd stopped their raucous cheering and silently waited for him. He slowly opened his mouth, letting his words ride on the gentle winds.
“I am…beautiful.”
Both master and apprentice, on the surface and in the air, fell forward a little at that ridiculous line. More than used to the Wind Spirit’s catchphrase, the residents grew even more excited. Enthusiasm erupted from every end of the village.
Sylmia continued his speech with a dignified expression. “And the world is beautiful. You who try your hardest to live through each day are also a beautiful sight to behold. Even I, who have lived for hundreds of years, have yet to grow tired of gazing upon the brilliance of your lives.”
If trying your hardest to live through each day makes you beautiful, then does that mean some small part of me has that brilliance too? Nichika squeezed the broom in front of her chest.
“Now show me everything you’ve got in you!”
As soon as those closing words were said, the contestants around her mounted their brooms.
“Please go to the start line,” a staff member instructed when she was too surprised to do anything.
“What? Already?!”
A second after she hastily hopped on her broom, the start gate flung open.
“Fly Awaaaaaay!!”
A great chorus that shook the ground roared through Windy Village.