Mejiro Ardan, who had already walked quite a distance, tilted her head slightly and saw Mejiro McQueen still standing dazed on the spot.
The sight of the other girl staring at her phone while biting her fingernails was somewhat amusing.
That evening.
When Starlight returned to her dormitory, she saw Mejiro McQueen standing right in front of her door.
"What are you doing here?"
Upon hearing that voice, Mejiro McQueen, who had been trying to maintain a cold and aloof persona, was instantly startled.
To be honest, she had come here on a sudden impulse, it was actually quite difficult for her to come up with a reason to give Starlight right now.
After stammering for a long while, Mejiro McQueen crossed her arms and spoke.
"Let's go inside and talk. I have something important to discuss with you."
"Alright, let me find my keys..."
Watching Starlight fumble through her pockets for a moment, she pulled out the dorm key, stepped forward, and opened the door.
Once the two of them were seated on the floor cushions, Starlight asked curiously:
"So, what's this about?"
"We are starting rehearsals tomorrow. For the Idol Selection. You know about that, right?"
"Mm, so soon... I see. What time?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Eh? But I have to go to the Student Council tomorrow."
Mejiro McQueen tilted her head in confusion.
"Did you join the Student Council?"
"No, it's just for observation. Because of a small misunderstanding involving Rice-chan earlier, they suspected I had some kind of illness, so they put me under observation."
"A misunderstanding? And then the two of you went to eat sweets together?"
In an instant, Mejiro McQueen became agitated.
"Ah, that's not it. We went to design our racing outfits together."
"Racing outfits?! Can I see?"
"Sure, hold on."
Starlight took out her phone, flipped through her photo gallery for a bit, and handed it over. Taking the phone, Mejiro McQueen nodded as she appraised it.
"It very much captures your character. It's a good design."
"Right? After that, I went with Rice to buy some picture books, and then we looked through them while eating cake at the dessert shop."
Mejiro McQueen set the phone down, her expression tightening.
"You must be present for rehearsal tomorrow morning. I've already notified Teio."
"Then what about the Student Council President?"
"I have already informed Air Groove-senpai. You needn't worry, she will take care of things for you."
"Alright then... I feel like there's something off about you~"
Starlight shifted the conversation, speaking suspiciously.
"W-What is off?"
"Your eyes... I feel like you want to eat the cake I bought back."
As she spoke, Starlight stood up and pushed the bag of cake on the table further back.
"Ahem! How rude. Even though I haven't touched sweets for three days, I still possess that much self-control."
"Is that so? Your weight must have gone up again, so you really do need to be careful."
Starlight said nonchalantly as she took her phone back and began scrolling through it, waving a hand dismissively.
"You! Who are you calling fat!"
Who would have thought that those words would hit a nerve so precisely.
Mejiro McQueen lunged forward immediately. She successfully tackled Divine Starlight to the ground.
"Ouch~ My mistake, my mistake, McQueen-chan. Let go!"
Fortunately, Starlight was quick to apologize. After McQueen got up, she cast another glance at the bag of cake on the table before heading toward the door.
"It's almost curfew. I'm going back to my own dorm. Don't forget to go to the dance studio tomorrow."
Sitting up, Starlight fixed her hair and nodded.
"Yes, yes, I remember."
Click. The door opened.
A petite figure was standing at the entrance. Seeing this, Mejiro McQueen froze.
"Ah! Why... why are you in Starlight's room?"
Dressed in an off-white shirt, Rice Shower held two picture books up to cover her face. Her visible eye stared at McQueen, her tone a bit timid.
"I only came here to notify her of a few things. Please do not misunderstand."
Having said her piece, Mejiro McQueen held her head high and stepped past Rice Shower, turning to leave.
However, before she had gone very far, it was as if she realized something. She quickly spun around and asked suspiciously, "Wait, Rice-san, what exactly are you doing here?"
Rice Shower had intended to walk into the room since the door was open, but before she could set foot inside, the inquiry came from behind.
Her body trembled slightly as she answered.
"R-Rice came to... to look at picture books with Starlight."
"Then I'll—"
Before the subconscious words could fully leave McQueen's mouth, an Uma Musume nearby interrupted.
"McQueen-chan, it's almost curfew. Your dormitory is in the opposite building, it would be best if you headed back soon."
Her eyes wide with shock, Mejiro McQueen turned her head in disbelief to see Mejiro Ardan standing there with her arms crossed and a beaming smile.
"...Ardan-senpai is quite right."
Clenching her fists, Mejiro McQueen had no choice but to give up and head downstairs.
"Hey, hey, Rice-chan~ Starlight-chan, I'll come along and keep you company—"
Click—
Before Mejiro Ardan could even finish her sentence, the sound of a door opening rang out.
Directly opposite Starlight's room, Symboli Rudolf stepped out slowly, wearing her glasses and holding an open book.
She leaned against the doorframe, pushing up her glasses with one hand while holding the book with the other, her gaze fixed intently on Mejiro Ardan.
"Eh? Ardan, you're joining too?!" Starlight poked her head out, looking quite surprised.
"Ah, haha, no. My homework isn't finished yet, so I'll pass..."
With a sheepish smile, Mejiro Ardan could sense that if she insisted on going in, something terrible would definitely happen.
Watching Ardan's retreating back as she suddenly left, Starlight was a bit confused. She turned her gaze to the side.
"Madam President, did you say something to her?"
Turning to look at Starlight, Rudolf said casually, "Did you hear anything? I merely stepped out for a breath of fresh air."
She then shifted her gaze to Rice Shower, who was standing beside Starlight.
Perhaps because the look was too sharp, Rice Shower couldn't help but shudder.
"...The two of you should also rest early. Don't stay up too late."
Ultimately, Rudolf said nothing more and turned back into her own room.
"Understood. Why is your gaze so fierce? You scared Rice-chan."
If one were to ask why Rudolf felt less hostility toward Rice Shower than toward Mejiro Ardan, it would come down to their "factions."
Mejiro Ardan and Rice Shower both belonged to the "Kind" alignment.
However, while both were kind people, Ardan's kindness was shrewd and calculating. Rice Shower was different, she was pure-hearted and had no hidden motives.
Looking for Starlight just to read a picture book— what ulterior motive could there be in that?
The next day, around the time morning duties ended.
Rudolf frowned when she didn't see Starlight's figure anywhere. Feeling a bit displeased, she took out her phone and sent a message.
Rudolf: It's been all morning. Why haven't I seen any sign of you?
Starlight: I went to the dance studio to rehearse with Teio and McQueen.
Rudolf: ? Why didn't you tell me?
Rudolf: And I didn't give you permission to go?!
Starlight: Don't be so anxious~ Madam President.
Starlight: Air Groove-onee-san let me go. And she said I don't need to come to the Student Council anymore.
Starlight: [Cutesy Sticker.jpg]
Rudolf's eyes widened. She looked at Air Groove, who was packing her things nearby to leave, and said gloomily:
"Air Groove, I didn't expect you to actually let Divine Starlight go!"
Putting on her school bag without any rush, Air Groove replied with a calm face.
"Her observation results are already out. There is no longer a need for supervision, so naturally, I released her according to the rules. Is there a problem?"
Air Groove belonged to the "Lawful Neutral" faction. Rudolf truly had no way to deal with someone who strictly followed the rules like her.