Hearing Special Week's exclamation beside her and seeing the spark of admiration in her eyes, Divine Starlight narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Spe-chan, you really like that runner, don't you?"
"Yes! Yes, I do! The way she runs is so beautiful, and she's so strong. To gain such a massive lead and take the championship like that..."
With a slight curl of her lips into a smile, Starlight extended an invitation.
"How about I take you to meet her in a bit? We happen to be good friends~"
"Eh? Is... is that allowed?"
"Of course. Your senpai here has quite a few connections at school."
Looking at the silver-haired Uma Musume brimming with confidence, Special Week swallowed hard.
'It feels like I've encountered someone truly incredible!'
As a newcomer, she couldn't help but elevate Starlight's status significantly in her heart.
Because something had come up with Ryo Nishizaki, he called Kiryuu Inami for help, and Nase Fumino had a press conference to attend nearby.
Thus, only Starlight and Special Week remained in the stands.
Adjusting her backpack, Special Week listened with great interest as the senior beside her shared various anecdotes and curiosities.
"And then there's the Student Council President. Don't be fooled by her stern appearance— she's actually a big softy, and she loves telling puns and corny jokes."
"If she ever looks for you, just relax."
"Is that so? I understand, senpai!"
"Mm-hmm... Oh, Suzuka is leaving the track. Come on, let's go wait for her outside the runners' locker room."
"Okay, Starlight-senpai!"
As they walked down the stairs and were about to turn a corner, a water bottle—who knows where it came from—rolled across the floor.
Divine Starlight didn't notice and stepped directly on it.
The bottle still had quite a bit of water in it, and the cap was screwed on tight, so the air pressure inside was enough to support Starlight's foot.
Just like that, our little silver Uma Musume slipped, her feet sliding out from under her as she tumbled backward.
Special Week, following closely behind, saw this and reacted with lightning speed, catching her instantly.
A soft body, as delicate as a marshmallow, fell into her arms.
For this Uma Musume who had been lonely in the countryside for years, it was the first time she had felt the warmth of another of her kind.
Special Week subconsciously held Starlight a little tighter.
"Phew~ That was close, that was close. Honestly, water bottles should be thrown into the trash can."
Calming her heart, Starlight slowly looked up and smiled at the dazed Special Week.
"Luckily Spe-chan was right behind me to catch me in time, otherwise I would have taken a nasty fall."
Special Week didn't react. Starlight tilted her head and reached out to poke her cheek.
"Spe-chan? Special Week-san?"
"Ah! Ah... sorry, sorry, Starlight-senpai! I spaced out for a moment."
Hurriedly releasing Divine Starlight, Special Week took a few steps back. Her face was flushed, and she awkwardly rubbed the back of her head.
After straightening her clothes, Starlight waved it off dismissively.
"It's fine. Spe-chan, thank you for catching me just now. If it weren't for you, I might have gotten hurt."
"Ehehe, it's nothing, it's nothing. Just glad I could help."
"Mm, then let's hurry, or else Suzuka-chan will be heading off to prepare for the Winning Live."
Looking around at the crowded hallway, Starlight turned and held out her small hand to Special Week.
"There are a lot of people around, and since it's your first time here, Spe-chan, don't get lost. Take my hand."
Looking at the hand reached out toward her, Special Week's eyes widened. She hesitantly reached out and grasped it.
Feeling that softness and warmth, Special Week's heart rate picked up slightly.
Back at the farm, she had never interacted with other Uma Musume.
Encountering a beautiful Uma Musume who was so warm and welcoming was something she wasn't quite used to yet.
Starlight didn't think much of it. Seeing that the other girl had taken her hand, she began to lead the way.
As the two of them disappeared into the crowd, a mysterious Uma Musume in a veil emerged from a corner.
Her dark red eyes stared at the water bottle Starlight had stepped on, her eyes narrowing involuntarily.
"That Uma Musume... who is she? Why is it that, upon meeting Starlight-chan for the first time, she gets to embrace her and even hold her hand..."
Clutching her fingers, Still in Love began to mutter to herself.
Her mind couldn't help but drift back to that rainy night.
Because of an injury during training, she had been struggling to return to the dormitory. Suddenly, an umbrella was extended toward her.
She looked up to see an Uma Musume also dressed in training gear.
The girl's hair was a bit messy. Her bangs, damp from the rain, clung to her forehead.
Her running shoes were caked in mud, and even her leggings were splattered with grit.
Breathing heavily, the girl smiled at her.
"Shall I help you over there?"
"Ah... thank you."
Those eyes, shaped like hexagram stars, were carved deeply into her heart.
Standing beneath the dormitory building, she watched the girl's silhouette as she returned to the training grounds—it was so resilient and beautiful.
As for why Starlight doesn't remember this?
It's because Still in Love wasn't wearing her veil, and her hair was a bit of a mess.
As that final thought faded, the romantic flashback in Still in Love's mind came to an end.
"Not long ago, when I saw those beautiful eyes of yours again in the deep of night, I knew... this must be a fated encounter granted by the heavens."
With a curl of her lips into a smile, Still in Love walked slowly to the water bottle and took a deep look at the mark where the other had stepped.
Then, quite reluctantly, she tossed it into the nearby trash can. She turned and resumed her "stealth mission."
Shortly after the mysterious veiled girl left and the crowd dispersed, Symboli Rudolf sat nearby with her legs crossed, shaking her head with a sigh.
"What is wrong with the young Uma Musume these days? Their auras are so heavy, and all over such trivial matters."
"Um... the person who threw a water bottle under a cute junior's feet just so she could rush forward and catch her doesn't really have the right to say that."
Maruzensky leaned against the wall nearby, teasing her.
"Ahem... that was just a coincidence. Besides, wasn't that the trick you taught me?"
"I couldn't help it~ Who knew Starlight-chan had such a reliable junior behind her?"
"Can you come up with some more dependable ideas? This is still a bit inappropriate, what if Starlight-san actually got hurt?"
"True, I'll be more careful next time. But didn't you say, President, that it needed to be efficient, powerful, and direct~?"
Suddenly, Maruzensky thought of a great idea.
"Didn't Starlight-chan say some bad things about you while watching the race? How about we call her to the Student Council for a few days next week?"
"I'd really like to have a chat with her too."
Beside them, Air Groove—having listened to their conversation—silently took out her phone and sent a message to Starlight.
As for the content, it was classified.
"Suzuka-chan!!!"
Silence Suzuka, dressed in her outfit and heading to rehearsal, turned at the sound of the voice. Seeing it was Divine Starlight waving, she immediately broke into a smile.
"Starlight-chan... and this is...?"
"Hehe, this is your fan~ she's also an incoming student."
"I see. Hello... I am Silence Suzuka."
Nodding, Silence Suzuka spoke to Special Week with a smile.
"H-hello! I'm Special Week! Suzuka-senpai, that race just now was truly spectacular!"
"Thank you. Winning a race for the spectators who support me is a happy thing for me as well."
"Good luck with the Winning Live in a bit, Suzuka-chan."
"Mm, I will, Starlight-chan."