"Phew... It's over, it's over!"
After the Victors Stage ended and saying goodbye to Ameshima An and others, Seiun Sky raised her arms above her head and stretched her body.
Feeling the cool summer night breeze on her, Seiun Sky comfortably narrowed her eyes, occasionally letting out sounds like 'woo...' and 'hmm...'.
"Finally, I can go home and sleep... Oh, right!"
Seiun Sky, suddenly remembering something, opened her eyes and looked at Saito Asuka, who had already half-inserted himself into the driver's seat of the car.
"What about Canned Food? Did it eat well today?"
"You can rest assured."
Saito Asuka guaranteed: "...I left it with the cafeteria staff. It must be full now and sleeping soundly."
"Full, huh..."
Seiun Sky's movements suddenly paused upon hearing Saito Asuka say this, and her expression became subtle.
Although there's a saying, 'Nine out of ten orange cats are fat, and the last one crushes the bed,' still...
...She didn't really want to adopt an orange cat so early.
And if she were to judge based on her past experiences...
Wouldn't Canned Food be overfed by now?
"Trainer, I think since the race is over, it's better if we go back to school early."
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed, so Seiun Sky dove into the back seat and said to Saito Asuka and Nakayama Megumi, who were still chatting in front: "...After all, it's not early anymore."
"Hmm? It's only seven-thirty..."
Saito Asuka was stunned, then subconsciously checked the time.
"Trainer."
Seiun Sky seriously interrupted Saito Asuka before he could finish: "Are you sure it's really okay to leave Canned Food with her?"
...What could be the problem?
Saito Asuka originally wanted to say that, but after remembering Seiun Sky's previous complaint about the cafeteria auntie overfeeding her, he fell silent.
"...You're right, we should go back quickly."
Saito Asuka nodded gravely, then started the car.
Thirty minutes later, as the car just stopped at Himeji Tracen Academy, Seiun Sky opened the car door and ran towards the school cafeteria like a gust of wind.
"Is she that anxious?"
Nakayama Megumi, sitting in the passenger seat, looked at the Black-haired Horse Girl who quickly merged with the darkness, a hint of confusion on her face: "That auntie should know how to control herself, right?"
"..."
Saito Asuka averted his gaze without a word.
...Although he really wanted to answer 'yes,' after that previous example, he wasn't so sure anymore.
"...It's almost eight, I'll take you back first."
Saito Asuka stiffly changed the subject, then drove into the darkness under her dissatisfied gaze.
"Oh! Isn't this little Fūga?"
When Seiun Sky found the cafeteria auntie, she was wiping windows.
Upon seeing the Black-haired Horse Girl's reflection in the window, she turned around in surprise and then grabbed Seiun Sky's hand.
"...I watched today's race too, it was a wonderful race."
First, she congratulated the Black-haired Horse Girl in front of her for winning today's race, then the cafeteria auntie's words poured out of her like a rapid-fire.
"Are you hungry? Or thirsty? Do you need me to make you something to eat? Or..."
"Oh my, how enthusiastic."
Seiun Sky raised her hand, a little troubled: "...But unfortunately, I'm just here to pick up my greedy little cat~?"
"...Greedy little cat?"
The cafeteria auntie was first stunned, then her face showed an understanding expression as she clapped her hands: "Oh, oh, I see, no wonder Director suddenly left a cat with me to take care of."
"So that's your cat."
"Mm-hmm, yes it is~?"
Seiun Sky replied cheerfully, then in the next moment, her expression became a little nervous.
"By the way... Auntie, you didn't feed it too much, did you?"
"No, Director specifically instructed me."
The cafeteria auntie shook her head, then took another step forward: "Little Fūga, do you want to eat something in the cafeteria before going back to the dorm? There's some leftover food in the cafeteria, just heat it up and..."
"An invitation from a girl... Although I'm very tempted, I can only say I'm sorry."
Seiun Sky thought for a moment, then clasped her hands together, a apologetic smile on her face: "I'm a bit tired after the race, and I have to wake up early for morning practice tomorrow, so..."
"I see..."
The cafeteria auntie nodded, then, after saying 'Wait for me here,' turned and walked into the inner room.
Half a minute later, she reappeared in Seiun Sky's line of sight, holding a sleeping orange kitten in her arms.
After gently taking it, Seiun Sky whispered her thanks to the cafeteria auntie, then carefully carried it out of the cafeteria.
"Phew... That's good, that's good."
The Black-haired Horse Girl, walking out of the cafeteria, carefully held the sleeping orange cat and let out a sigh of relief.
Although its belly felt a little bloated, at least the cafeteria auntie hadn't overfed it.
Canned Food, whose belly was gently pressed by Seiun Sky, smacked its lips, then waved its little paws, and continued to sleep soundly.
Oh, how cute.
Looking at the little kitten unconsciously 'kneading dough,' Seiun Sky resisted the urge to keep teasing it and carried it back to the dorm.
Good night, my cute little one~?
After putting it on the soft cushion, Seiun Sky simply washed up and then went to bed to rest.
With a 'click,' the room fell into darkness.
...
"...I saw a very interesting Uma Musume today."
Rudolph Symboli, back at Central Tracen Academy, ultimately could not avoid processing documents.
She sat in her chair, looking at the numerous documents in front of her, and suddenly asked, "Air Groove, do you want to hear it?"
"After you've finished with these documents, I'll patiently listen to whatever you want to say."
Air Groove, still writing furiously, said without looking up, "...But before that, please finish all the remaining work for today."
"President!"
Air Groove's resentment was clearly visible in her words.
Silently dumping all the work on her, then running off to wander around outside by herself...
...How many times has this been?
"Cough!"
Rudolph Symboli, stared at by Air Groove's resentful eyes, coughed unnaturally and nervously averted her gaze.
Then, with her silence, only the rustling sound of writing remained in the room.