About one or two weeks have already passed since the start of the summer training camp.
Although it was half-vacation and half-training, the Uma Musume were working hard and breaking a sweat for the sake of their fans and themselves, pouring everything into their practice for the upcoming races.
Finally, on a Sunday, an announcement was posted in the group chat for all the Uma Musume.
The gist of it was that Symboli Rudolf had approved a proposal for something akin to a talent show or performance gala.
The organizers were, without a doubt, the "gal" duo: Daitaku Helios and Mejiro Palmer, with Air Groove overseeing them to ensure no unnecessary trouble or chaos broke out.
Wearing her star-rimmed sunglasses, Daitaku Helios held the planned manuscript in her hand, swaying her body back and forth as she thought.
Beside her was Mejiro Palmer, who was busy counting the related equipment.
Turning to look at the twisting and swaying Helios, Palmer stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder.
"What wonderful thing are you daydreaming about? You look so happy."
The sudden touch gave Helios a visible start. She turned around and handed over the manuscript in her hand.
"Palmer~ Look, look! This..."
Peeking at it, Mejiro Palmer discovered it was a plan for a duo performance.
"Not bad! You planning on performing this?"
Straightening her back, Helios made rock-and-roll signs with both hands and gestured excitedly.
"Of course! I'm going to go invite my Milady. I'm sure once she sees this, she'll be more than willing to perform with me."
"And then, sparks of love will fly during our performance. Hehehe..."
As she spoke, Helios began to cover her mouth and giggle foolishly. Seeing her like this, Palmer shook her head helplessly.
"Sigh~ Good luck with that. I'm going to find Tosen Jordan and Gold Ship then."
"Hey, hey, hey, hey! Is this the place to sign up for the performance? I want on stage too!!! My breakdancing is top-tier!"
The voice arrived before the person did. Gold Ship came charging over, clutching a completed performance form.
"Palmer, I'll leave things here to you! I'm off to find Milady~"
In the blink of an eye, Palmer saw that Helios had already hopped and skipped away into the distance.
Twitching her lip, Mejiro Palmer looked at the Ash-haired Uma Musume in front of her and said with some resignation, "Alright, please wait a moment."
In the morning, under a parasol near the shore.
A delicate table was set with freshly brewed black tea and pastries, complemented by the ocean view and the occasional sea breeze. It was a picture of pure elegance.
Dressed in a light red dress with black polka dots, Daiichi Ruby picked up her teacup, took a gentle sip, and spoke.
"Is your leg injury feeling any better, Miracle-san?"
Sitting opposite her, the Uma Musume with short blue hair and a refined, jade-like aura smiled.
"Thank you for your concern, Ruby-san. I can already attempt some short-distance exercise."
"That is good. Every time I see your figure running with such tenacity, I am moved by it."
"You flatter me. I am simply trying to do the things I love."
As expected of high-society Uma Musume, they had to bring their own tea leaves and pastries wherever they went, they truly knew how to enjoy themselves.
Fortunately, this period of leisure was drawing to a close.
After scouring the entire training camp resort using her information network, Helios finally located this little secluded spot where Ruby and Miracle were.
"Milady~ Milady...!"
Sprinting over, she presented her "masterpiece" under Ruby's calm gaze.
"Helios-san, you've come..." K.S. Miracle greeted with a smile.
Nodding, Helios took the black tea offered by the other girl and took a sip to quench her thirst.
"How's your leg?"
"Thank you for asking, it is no longer a major issue."
Although K.S. Miracle and Ruby spent a lot of time together, Helios and K.S. Miracle actually had a fairly good relationship.
After all, Miracle didn't cause trouble, didn't use extreme methods, and didn't stand in anyone's way. Sometimes she even spoke up for Helios.
The main issue was simply Helios's own lack of charm in Ruby's eyes.
It could be considered a sort of delicate balance.
"Hmm, this is indeed quite good. Are you going to perform on stage?"
"Yes, yes, yes! I was hoping Milady could do it with me!"
Helios was incredibly excited, her large, watery eyes staring with wide-eyed anticipation at Ruby, who was currently deep in thought while looking over the draft.
Shaking her head, Ruby handed the proposal back.
"I am sorry, Helios-san, but I am truly not well-versed in this style of performance. Hmm... I likely would not be able to meet your expectations. Therefore, I hope you can find someone else."
"Eh? Milady, is it— is it really a no? Can't we just..."
Beside them, K.S. Miracle picked up her teacup and spoke.
"Hmm... I think Ruby-san could perhaps try something new. And Helios-san, don't be so impatient."
"But this is indeed a field in which I lack expertise."
"Ah, is that so... Well, alright then."
Once again, our Helios returned in crushing defeat.
Looking at the sheet in her hand, she felt truly disappointed. If they were back at the Academy, she could at least go to the "therapy stump" to let it all out.
"Wait, that's right, don't I still have..."
Meanwhile, let's shift our perspective to the fishing area.
Starlight held the fishing rod in her hands, clumsily fumbling her way through while following Seiun Sky's instructions from the side. She managed to successfully cast the hook.
Watching the float bobbing on the water in the distance, she asked uncertainly, "Is this really okay?"
"Oh, don't worry, Starlight-chan. I'm a pro."
Although her voice was as lazy as ever, Seiun Sky couldn't help but notice Nishino Flower sitting next to Starlight. Flower was currently feeding Starlight fruit with a beaming smile.
'This isn't quite how I imagined this going...'
With her expression souring slightly, Seiun Sky prepared to focus her attention on her own rod. Maybe she'd pull up a big one?
"Oh, it's moving, it's moving...!"
And wouldn't you know it— just as Seiun Sky finished that thought, a fish actually bit.
Except, it was on Starlight's line.
Perhaps her "Nature Affinity" was at work, because the fish were all flocking toward Starlight. This resulted in several hours passing where Seiun Sky didn't catch a single thing.
On the other hand, Divine Starlight, a complete novice, had a basket so full it couldn't hold any more.
'H-how can this be? Even for beginner's luck, this is a bit much!'
"Um, Starlight-chan, how about we swap spots? I feel like the feng shui over here isn't great for me."
Hearing this, Starlight tilted her head in confusion.
'Do people check feng shui for fishing?'
"Oh, okay, let's swap then."
Not thinking much of it, the two Uma Musume switched places. However, the fish that had been waiting for their chance on Starlight's original side simply moved right along with her.
Seiun Sky: [Clown Face.jpg]
In truth, if Starlight wasn't fishing and was just standing there, Seiun Sky might have actually had a bountiful harvest.
What a shame...
"Starlight-chan! Starlight-chan!!!!"
While the three Uma Musume were still immersed in the world of fishing, Helios came running over, shouting at the top of her lungs.
"Helios? What's the big rush...?"
"Hehe, isn't there that performance show tonight? I'm missing a teammate— can you do it with me?"
Approaching her, Helios handed over the manuscript.
Nodding, Starlight placed the fishing rod into Nishino Flower's hands and took the papers to look them over carefully.
"This is pretty good~ Did you ask anyone else?"
"Uh... I originally wanted to invite Milady, but I got rejected. So, here I am looking for you!" Helios said, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
"..."
"So I wasn't the first person you looked for? So in your eyes, I'm just the backup plan, huh?"
"That— well—"
Handing the manuscript back, Starlight smiled and said to Helios, "Since that's how it is, then what else is there to say... I'm going back to fishing."
"Don't— don't be like that, Starlight-chan!! You're my last hope...!"