Story Reader / Festival Event Story / To the One and Only You / Story
Thank you for coming.
I'm sorry, [player name]. To drag you out on your birthday, of all days...
But... this is a necessary step.
At Discord's invitation, you arrive at Constellia, a place you hadn't set foot in for a long time.
The sprawling green field is set for a competition, and Discord seems single-mindedly fixated on winning the grand prize.
When she revealed the catch—that participants must enter in pairs—you agreed to be her partner.
Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to our first-ever Maid and Butler Competition!
A maid and butler competition? So that's what this is about. Don't tell me the prize is some latest-model robot vacuum...
Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation! Now, let's not waste another second. The first challenge starts now!
What's the core of housekeeping? Precision and presentation! Competitors, you must set the dining table perfectly before you, in the shortest time possible!
Before the host's final syllable has even faded, Discord is a whirlwind of motion.
Please, just relax, Commandant. Allow me to handle this.
You are gently but firmly guided into your seat. In the space of a single breath, the plain table before you is transformed, now draped in an immaculate white tablecloth and set with neatly arranged tableware, complete with decoratively folded napkins.
Now that's what I call finesse! Every movement is pure elegance!
It's nothing worth mentioning.
Incredible! It seems the first round was too easy for our talented contestants. No matter! Let's turn up the heat with challenge number two!
You have one minute to prepare a full afternoon tea service on your table! Begin!
For a moment, you wonder if you misheard the challenge. But not a single other contestant objects. Instead, they all throw themselves into their tasks with an enthusiasm that rivals Discord's.
To your astonishment, several teams have already finished.
Team Sanitizer is pulling out pre-packed takeout from their belly!
And Team Lazer is attempting to bake their scones on the spot using high-energy beams! The innovation!
Ooh! A close call! They pulled back just as the dough started to smoke... That was almost a charcoal biscuit!
Are none of the participants in this competition actual maids or butlers?
Done.
A perfect, golden-brown madeleine materializes on the plate before you, its warm, buttery aroma irresistible. You find yourself eager to take a bite.
Beside it, a cup of Earl Grey tea sits, steaming invitingly.
Fortunately, I came prepared.
A wave of relief washes over you. At least the refreshments for this afternoon tea are normal, and they seem utterly delicious.
You've always been curious how Discord manages to conjure everyone's afternoon tea as if by magic. When asked about it, this was her answer:
I've undergone rigorous training.
What a display! Our remaining contestants are truly the best of the best!
And now, for the final event! Let's talk about a servant's most sacred duty. It's not cleaning or cooking... It's protecting their master!
The rules are simple! The team whose master is the last one standing wins the grand prize! Defend them with everything you've got!
At the host's signal, chaos immediately erupts. Contestants turn on each other like rivals, the air crackling with imminent conflict.
I won't let you lay a finger on my master!
Your world becomes a storm of shadowy movement and flying projectiles. But nothing gets close. A defensive network of fine red threads slices through the air, deflecting every attack with surgical accuracy.
After an earth-shaking battle, the commotion finally ceases.
"Beep—" The host powers down the battle simulation. The contestants, though visibly frazzled, are unharmed; the entire fierce battle was confined to your connected virtual devices.
Ma'am, your championship prize. It's... extremely valuable... a bolt of the finest, hand-loomed fabric...
Discord's eyes light up as she claims her prize, a brilliant spark of delight shining within them.
Without a moment's delay, she eagerly changes out of her regular clothes and, with needle and thread already in hand, begins to sew.
A neckerchief rests against the most sensitive skin on the neck. The fabric must be soft. It must be perfect.
I've long thought your everyday attire was... lacking.
This premium fabric is exactly what you needed.
With a final, satisfied snap of the thread, she adjusts the neckerchief with meticulous care. A matching gemstone brooch is pinned into place, and she doesn't step back until she's scrutinized her handiwork from every angle.
So that's it. She entered the competition, fought so fiercely... all for this. To make a gift for you...
As long as it makes you happy.
With Discord, you're always on the receiving end of this relentless, effortless care. You haven't been able to help at all, and the sheer one-sidedness of it all leaves you feeling deeply, and wonderfully, self-conscious.
Only a few small scraps...
Mimicking the techniques you'd just witnessed in the competition, you clumsily fold the spare fabric and secure it with a pin, shaping a small, imperfect flower brooch.
You then gently take Discord's hand and place the humble token in her palm.
Is this... for me?
She lifts it up, gazing at the simple fabric flower as if it were a priceless jewel for a long moment. Then, a warm blush begins to bloom across her cheeks.
Thank you... I will cherish it. Always.
Happy birthday, [player name]. I'll carefully tailor this precious moment we share today and tenderly stitch it into the fabric of my memories.
