Rudolf did not respond to Starlight's questioning look, instead, she picked up the bowl and savored the soup carefully.
"So, Madam President? Do we still need to continue the run?"
Seiun Sky, feeling guilty, looked toward Rudolf.
"...What would be the point of going back now? Everyone else is already preparing to return."
"Is that so? What a pity~ I really wanted to finish the rest of the route."
Raising an eyebrow, Symboli Rudolf set down the bowl and watched Seiun Sky, who was wearing a look of feigned disappointment.
"Fine. Since you all feel that way, then on Monday afternoon, I will arrange for the three of you to run another round."
Grass Wonder looked happy, perhaps because she hadn't been able to finish properly, she intended to take it seriously next time.
Seiun Sky's face, however, turned incredibly pale. As her eyes darted around in a panic, they suddenly collided with Starlight's sharp gaze.
Within a moment, she lowered her head out of guilt.
"Madam President~ Ahahaha... can I not participate? After all, as you know, I'm a short-distance runner. Running such long distances all the time might..."
Starlight pressed her hands together and spoke to Rudolf with a smile.
"I wouldn't know about that. But your aptitude data shows a B in long-distance..."
"Aiyah, alright, alright."
Reaching out to pat Divine Starlight on the head, Symboli Rudolf checked her phone and stood up, addressing the three of them.
"Right. You three wait for me at the school gate on Monday afternoon. I still have work to handle, so I'll be going first."
Watching her depart, Starlight immediately stood up and shifted her gaze back to the short-haired Uma Musume who was currently trying to act like a timid quail.
"Sky-chan~! What's wrong with you? Are you also feeling unwell...?"
"N-No, Starlight-chan. Um, Nishino Flower is looking for me, so I'll be going now. Bye-bye, senpai—!"
Slightly startled, Starlight watched the already disappearing figure of Seiun Sky and put a hand on her hip.
"At least help me walk Grass-chan back."
"It's alright, Starlight-senpai. I'm fine now."
"Ma, ma~ don't be like that. One still needs to be careful, this is exactly when secondary injuries are most likely to happen."
Waving her hand, Starlight went to settle the bill and then accompanied Grass Wonder back.
That evening, in Starlight's dormitory.
Two Uma Musume were lying on the floor, a plate of snacks and milk sitting beside them.
A picture book was spread out between them, and Rice Shower and Divine Starlight were flipping through it with great interest.
"This is the latest chapter. After reading with Starlight last time, I couldn't stop thinking about it. So when the new one came out, Rice bought it immediately."
"Really?! That little cliffhanger from last time was actually bothering me quite a bit."
While looking at the illustrations, Starlight casually picked up a cracker and popped it into her mouth.
It was a very ordinary action, but Rice Shower's face suddenly turned bright red upon seeing it.
Noticing the other's strange behavior, Starlight asked in confusion:
"What is it, Rice-chan... are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
"N-No, it's not that. It's just, it's just... that piece you just ate, Starlight... Rice had already taken a bite of it."
"Eh... This? It's nothing. I don't find Rice-chan gross."
"I am so sorry, Starlight! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Rice just thought that cracker didn't taste very good, so I put it on the edge of the plate."
Sitting up, Rice Shower began to apologize frantically, nodding her head.
Seeing this, Starlight couldn't help but give a wry smile. She reached out and cupped Rice's face with both hands.
"Alright, alright. I know Rice didn't do it on purpose, and I'm not angry with you. If you run into anything that doesn't taste good in the future, I'll help you finish it."
Feeling Rice's cheeks become scorching hot, Starlight watched her nod slowly before she quickly scrambled to her feet.
"R-Rice is going to stand on the balcony for a bit. It's a little hot."
"Mm, okay."
The cool breeze brushed against Rice's cheeks as she gazed at the distant sky.
The scene from a moment ago kept echoing in her mind.
The silver-haired Uma Musume cupping her face, the tenderness and care in those eyes... she found herself deeply attached to it.
Rice Shower's purple eyes glowed with determination, illuminated by the moonlight.
She slowly clenched her fists and murmured to herself, "Starlight... Rice will protect you, just like the knight in the picture book."
Suddenly, in the dormitory across the way, a pair of scarlet eyes lit up.
Because the two dorms weren't far apart, Rice Shower definitely noticed that gaze. It felt as though a demon or ghost was watching her.
Her small body stiffened abruptly, and Rice Shower began to tremble.
"Ah~!"
"What's wrong, Rice?"
Hearing the startled cry, Starlight immediately came to the balcony to check the situation.
"Starlight, Starlight, there's a ghost..."
"A ghost? Where? Don't be afraid, Rice, I'm here!"
Quickly pulling Rice Shower close, Starlight warily scanned their surroundings.
Slowly extending a hand to point at a certain balcony in the opposite dorm, Rice Shower said in a panicked tone:
"Th-There, over there."
Following the direction of her finger, Starlight indeed saw a pair of scarlet eyes.
At first, she was startled too, but when she narrowed her eyes and looked closely, she realized it was just another Uma Musume admiring the view.
The girl wore a white veil on her head, and her chestnut hair was quite messy, tousled by the evening breeze. Her red eyes were gazing off to the side, seemingly lost in thought.
But Rice Shower's exclamation caught her attention, and she looked toward the source of the sound. A golden hexagram glowed brightly in the night.
"How... beautiful~ Filled with an aura I adore."
A slightly melancholic voice emerged from this Uma Musume's mouth, and then she slowly reached up to caress her cheek, earnestly admiring those bright golden eyes.
Just like that, two gazes, one red and one gold, successfully met. However, not long after, Starlight left, which made the red-eyed Uma Musume feel a sense of regret.
"I truly wish I could possess these beautiful eyes for myself..."
Back on the other side...
Rice Shower now felt incredibly ashamed. She had just made such a resolute decision to protect Starlight, only to end up being the one protected by Starlight instead.
Sitting on the bed, Starlight looked at the black-haired Uma Musume with her head bowed, unsure what to do for a moment.
"Um, Rice-chan, how about we sleep together tonight?"
"Eh? This, this, is that alright?"
The word "no" was hard to utter at this moment. Rice Shower stammered for a long time, only to finally ask in return.
"Of course it's alright. Don't worry, there won't be any ghosts."
"Mm, mm... Thank you, Starlight-chan."
For some reason, Rice Shower felt no fear at all now. Instead, she was filled with a joyful emotion.
The two changed into their pajamas and lay on the bed. Looking at the silver-haired Uma Musume sleeping peacefully beside her, Rice Shower subtly snuggled closer.
"Thank you... Starlight-chan."
The next morning.
The gentle sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains.
Ding ding ding~
The phone rang, successfully waking up the two Uma Musume. Reluctantly reaching out to grab the phone from beside her pillow, Starlight pressed "answer."
"Hello... who is it~"
Her soft, sleepy voice emanated, causing the person on the other end to be momentarily stunned.
"Did you just wake up, Starlight...?"
"Mm, McQueen-chan, what's up?"
"A really nice new dessert shop just opened in Jōnan. Want to go check it out together?"
"Sounds good. When?"
Rice Shower, lying next to her, slowly opened her eyes. She stared at the phone in Starlight's hand for a while. Suddenly, she began to shift her body, bumping into Starlight.
Pat-chi—
Their small heads gently bumped together.
"Mm... What's wrong, Rice-chan?"
"My hair... my hair was being pressed down just now."
"Is that so? My bad, my bad."