"Starlight-chan, are you doing this of your own free will?"
The speaker was Gold City. As for why she was asking such a thing, it remained a mystery.
"Of course! Why are you asking that...?"
"Hey, hey, Gold City! How could you think of me like that? I didn't force Starlight-chan at all."
"Is that so..."
'Why didn't I think of inviting Starlight-chan myself? Right, there's the Idol Selection in two months, I could...'
A few thoughts flickered through Gold City's eyes, and her hand, hanging at her side, tightened slightly.
However, the other Uma Musume present didn't notice her unusual behavior.
"Starlight-chan, it's our turn! Let's go~"
"Mm-hmm."
Stepping onto the stage, the two took their predetermined positions. As the rhythmic, upbeat music began to play, Daitaku Helios took the lead, humming along to the melody.
After circling the stage once, she moved to Starlight's side.
She interlaced her fingers with Starlight's while resting her other hand on Starlight's waist. They began to dance exactly as planned.
The performance went smoothly, with cheers erupting continuously from the audience.
However, sitting in the center of the front row, Symboli Rudolf looked a bit displeased.
If Starlight were on stage alone, she might have had the interest to observe every detail with rapt attention. But with someone else added next to her, it was a bit of an eyesore...
"What's wrong, President? You look a bit pale."
Beside her, Air Groove noticed her colleague's strange demeanor and inquired.
"It's nothing."
'If I'd known this was the kind of performance I was going to see, I wouldn't have approved it.'
In contrast, Tokai Teio, sitting in the back row, was watching quite happily.
"Starlight-senpai is so pretty! I want to sing on stage with her too. What do you think, McQueen-chan?"
"Ahaha, indeed..."
'Tsk, as if there's anyone here who doesn't want that.'
Soon, amidst the applause of the audience, Starlight and Daitaku Helios bowed hand-in-hand before leaving the stage.
"Yay! Starlight-chan, I didn't expect our chemistry to be this good!"
Throwing an arm around Divine Starlight's shoulder, Daitaku Helios spoke excitedly.
"I didn't expect it either. Don't forget to treat me to dessert!"
"Don't worry, don't worry! I'll treat you as soon as we get back."
"Alright, then I'll head back to the dorm first. I have training tomorrow."
Starlight nodded and prepared to leave, but instinctively, Helios grabbed her hand.
"Um, Starlight-chan... could you come stay at my place tonight?"
A voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz drifted out as Helios lowered her head, looking somewhat bashful.
"Huh? What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly..."
"No, nothing! I mean... can you go for a walk on the beach with me?"
Starlight heard her clearly this time. She checked the time on her phone and nodded.
"Of course—"
"Of course you can't. I have business with her, so please go by yourself, Daitaku Helios-san."
Before the acceptance could leave Starlight's lips, Symboli Rudolf's voice rang out from nearby.
"Ah, Pre-President? What business do you have with Starlight-chan?"
With her arms crossed, Rudolf's lips curled into a smile as she slowly walked up to the two of them.
"That is something you aren't permitted to know, Helios-san."
"If that's the case... then Helios, I'll go see the President first."
Frowning, Helios was reluctant. She tightened her grip on Starlight's hand, seemingly having no intention of letting go.
Seeing this, Rudolf's smile vanished, and her eyes turned cold as she stared at Daitaku Helios.
"What? Do you have some kind of objection to me?"
Sensing the tension in the air, Starlight turned to look into Helios's eyes. She reached out and patted the other girl's head.
"Maybe I'll be back in just a little while, right?"
"...Okay."
Only after Starlight's comfort did Helios reluctantly let go. Watching the two figures walk away, she finally realized her behavior just now had been a bit strange.
"What are you dazed for? There's a BBQ at the cafeteria tonight, let's go get some food."
Mejiro Palmer waved a hand in front of Helios's eyes and spoke.
"Fine, let's go."
On the other side, Starlight looked at Rudolf walking ahead and asked:
"So, what's the matter, Madam President?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"So mysterious... I haven't gone and committed some kind of mistake, have I?"
Shaking her head, Rudolf spoke with a hint of exasperation.
"Hardly."
And so, fueled by curiosity, Starlight was led by Rudolf back to the President's dorm room.
Sitting on the sofa, Starlight stared blankly at a large box of chocolates on the table, then looked up at the smiling Rudolf.
"Madam President, this is..."
"A gift for you. Think of it as a reward for looking after Teio."
"You called me over here specifically just to give me this?"
Rudolf nodded, waving her hand dismissively as if it were a minor detail.
"Precisely."
...
After a long moment of silence, Starlight hesitantly reached out and took the chocolates.
"Thank you, President. I'm very happy you gave me these. So... can I go now?"
"You may not."
"Ah, is there something else?"
"No."
"Then why stay?" Starlight asked bitterly.
Looking at the Student Council President before her, she truly couldn't fathom what the other woman was trying to achieve.
"You seem to be avoiding me."
"I'm not! Why would you think that?"
"Heh, truly?"
"Err... haha, pure coincidence. I didn't do it on purpose. Oh, look! I should try these chocolates you gave me. They look like a high-end brand."
After a few awkward laughs, Starlight lowered her head and began to unwrap the box. Rudolf's lips curled into a smile as she calmly picked up her teacup.
She sipped her tea while watching the Uma Musume in front of her.
"Let's drop that for now. You plan to start entering Graded Stakes soon, right? Are there any specific races you want to run?"
Relieved at the change of subject, Starlight slowly popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth and tilted her head in thought.
"Nothing specific yet. I'll see how the Trainer arranges things."
"Is your Winning Outfit being customized?"
"Not yet..."
"Do you need me to contact a designer for you?"
"Eh? Thank you, President, but I don't want to trouble you. I'll find one myself."
Rudolf nodded, the emotion in her eyes suddenly shifting. She asked nonchalantly:
"I watched your performance today. What did you think of it?"
"It was good! Considering we only rehearsed for a short while this afternoon, getting that kind of result is great."
Starlight took another chocolate and put it in her mouth.
"What did the President think?" she asked, looking at Rudolf with a grin.
"Heh heh... it was abysmal."
Clang—
The sound of the teacup being slammed heavily onto the table, coupled with Rudolf's words, made Starlight's body shudder.
'Wait, girl... how can your face change moods so fast?'
"For the 'Uma Musume Best Idol Selection' in two months, the Student Council is required to send a pair to participate."
As she spoke, Rudolf stood up and walked step-by-step until she was right in front of Starlight. She slowly leaned over, reached out, and pinched the piece of chocolate currently dangling from Starlight's lips, giving it a gentle snap.
Snap—
A soft cracking sound echoed. Starlight watched in a daze as Rudolf put that half of the chocolate into her own mouth.
"Would Starlight-san be willing to form a pair with me?"
Rudolf narrowed her eyes, a charming smile plastered on her face as she offered a sincere invitation.
"Why pick me, Madam President?" Starlight asked curiously after swallowing her own half.
Rudolf reached out gently and stroked Starlight's cheek.
She can't possibly think she looks charming like this, can she?
Starlight narrowed her eyes and playfully brushed the President's hand away.
"During this training camp, no matter what activity I join, I somehow end up paired with the President. But you're always targeting me, intentionally or not... so I'm not really inclined to accept your invitation~"
"Is that a rejection?"
"You wouldn't use your presidential authority to somehow force me into it, would you?"
"If you agree now, there won't be any more 'somehows' in the future, will there?"
The atmosphere between the two grew intense. Fortunately, at that moment, a phone suddenly began to ring.