The Fluff & Sparkle Grand Prix (Part 3)

“I’ve won!”

Bianca murmured under her breath without thinking.

She should’ve just kept quiet... There’s no way a machine could ever win. She’s just an android. How stupid can she be?

As she thought this, a mean-spirited smile curled across Bianca’s lips.

But the very next moment, the entire audience erupted into thunderous applause. Unable to hide her joy, Mashu broke into a beaming smile.

For the first time that day, however, a look of unease appeared on Bianca’s face.

What if I lose?

The thought flashed through her mind.

The voting ended, and the judges carefully checked the results.

Mayutan, Debiru, and Ama Enbo waited tensely for the moment, their hearts pounding.

Meanwhile, Tanimaki was still passed out drunk, sleeping soundly with a blissful expression on his face.

“And the winner is... congratulations! It’s Mashu!”

A tremendous cheer erupted from the crowd.

Bianca collapsed to her knees.

The final vote totals were revealed as well, showing that Mashu had won by an overwhelming margin.

“Mashu!”

Ama Enbo leaped onto the stage and threw himself into Mashu’s arms.

Mayutan and Debiru joined them onstage and warmly congratulated her.

Mashu offered the audience her heartfelt thanks.

Bianca watched her in silence, struggling to hold back her tears.

Then she walked straight over to Mashu and quietly said,

“Congratulations. Thanks to you, I think I finally understand what true beauty really is.”

The two firmly shook hands, then gently embraced.

They sincerely praised each other’s efforts.

Mashu decided to settle in the town together with Ama Enbo.

“This town will accept us. I don’t have to feel self-conscious about being an android here.”

At last, Mashu had found a place where she belonged.

As a result, this would be the last time she traveled alongside Tanimaki and the others.

As for Tanimaki, he had spent the entire contest snoring away in his sleep, so he had absolutely no idea what had happened.

—30 days until Tanimaki’s death—