Divine Starlight turned around in a hurry, not daring to linger for even a second as she lifted her foot to leave.
However, Symboli Rudolf was quick to react. She reached out with her large hand and grabbed Starlight's wrist, using her other hand to push her back.
Just like that, she pinned the silver-haired Uma Musume against the wall.
"There's no need for such trouble, Starlight-san. I think you're quite suitable. After all, the current rumors were all caused by you."
Rudolf leaned down, slowly bringing her face closer to Starlight's.
"Do you really intend to just ignore it?"
The warmth of Rudolf's breath brushed against Starlight's face, causing her to shyly cast her eyes downward.
"Pre—President, I don't know how to ice skate. I'm afraid I won't be of much help. Please just let me go—"
Curling the corners of her mouth into a smirk, Rudolf released her wrist and instead wrapped an arm around Starlight's waist.
"It's alright. I'll teach you. It's the perfect chance to build that atmosphere from the video, isn't it?"
Rudolf's tone carried a forceful edge, effectively cutting off all of Starlight's escape routes.
Having no choice, Starlight reluctantly agreed.
"I'll contact the Chairwoman this afternoon. Let's begin practicing immediately, shall we?"
Rudolf led Starlight over to the sofa to sit down and gave her head a gentle rub.
"No, no, no, President! You can't rush these things!"
"Why? Do you have something urgent to attend to...?"
"Ah, well... yes, yes! I'm about to participate in my first G1 race soon, so I need to enter my preparation period."
'Hehe... Little Rudolf, the choice is yours, but I am an Uma Musume in training.'
Taking a deep breath, Rudolf looked at the mischievous expression in Starlight's eyes and reached out to pinch her cheek.
"True, the race must take priority. I suppose I should go have a word with Yaeno Muteki-kun then. That 'sparring' the two of you do in the evenings... we'll have to put a stop to that for now."
Swish—!
The moment those words left Rudolf's mouth, Starlight froze on the spot.
'Fine then, the President really knows how to pull off a beautiful counter-play...'
"President, you'll regret this."
Leaving those words behind, Divine Starlight turned and left the Student Council Room.
After changing into her training gear, she headed to the clubroom to discuss the G1 race with Inami.
"Since you're competing in a Mile race again, your recent training plan must focus primarily on Power and Stamina."
"Understood, Trainer."
"The entry list for the Championship is out. Do you want to take a look?"
Nodding, Starlight took the tablet and began scrolling through it.
"Second in popularity... Sakura Bakushin O? Hahaha..."
Starlight's eyes lit up for a moment.
"I'll remember what happened today. Just wait until I finish a month of bitter training, I'll definitely cut you down!"
Inami gave a helpless smile and waved a hand.
"Besides her, the one you really need to worry about is this person..."
The stylus pointed to the last name on the list—the third most popular pick, an Uma Musume with short hair tied in a ponytail.
She wore a red flower-styled hair ornament by her ear. Dressed in a white, aristocratic outfit, her turquoise eyes were filled with elegance and nobility.
"Fine Motion... She's that royal Uma Musume from a foreign monarchy, right?"
"Her strength is not to be underestimated either."
Starlight nodded seriously. Having raced against Rice Shower before, she knew all too well how powerful opponents she hadn't encountered yet could be.
What followed were several hours of drafting and discussing the training plan.
It had been a long time since her last race, and through the options provided by the system, Starlight had obtained several skill bundles.
After opening them, she had gained some common skills.
For example: Corner Acceleration, Corner Recovery, Corner Adept, and so on...
However, she still didn't have the most crucial thing: A Unique Skill.
(T/N: The original translation says that Starlight gained "common Gold Skills", but it didn't seem to fit with the actual Skill names, so I changed it to just common skills.)
Most Uma Musume capable of competing in G1 races possessed such a "finishing move," which was the source of Starlight's current anxiety.
Currently, the only way to bridge that gap was to break through with overwhelming raw ability.
On the other side, Symboli Rudolf arrived outside the clubroom where Yaeno Muteki usually trained.
"Ahem, Yaeno-san."
"Ah, Madam President! Is there something you need?"
"I heard you are participating in a martial arts competition soon, is that correct?"
Nodding, Yaeno Muteki asked with a hint of confusion, "Indeed, President. So, the reason you've come to see me is..."
"I'm afraid Starlight-san will no longer be able to join you for your special training. She has a race next month as well and has officially entered her preparation period."
"Therefore, you should look for someone else..."
With that, Rudolf swept her sleeve, turned, and walked away, leaving Yaeno Muteki standing there looking rather forlorn.
A smirk played on Rudolf's lips as she thought to herself:
'My little gray Uma Musume, since you want to use your preparation period as an excuse, I'll play along. And what was that about me regretting it?'
'Hehe, I am the Emperor! I am the Student Council President of Tracen Academy. In everything I do, there is no such thing as regret!'
Glancing back at Yaeno Muteki, who looked utterly bewildered in the wind, Rudolf shook her head and sighed.
"Ah... you can't handle her, Yaeno Muteki. I admit you are a powerful rival. But an Uma Musume like Starlight... only I can truly manage her."
Clenching her fists, Yaeno Muteki finally snapped out of it and took a deep breath.
'So... so you've entered your preparation period?'
'Even so, you still agreed to my unreasonable request. You even smiled and comforted me, even though you were hurting.'
She looked up at the clubroom behind her, reminiscing about the moments they spent training happily together just the other night.
Though it had only been one evening, it was enough to deeply touch Yaeno Muteki's heart.
"Starlight-chan..."
As if a realization had struck her, a look of firm determination appeared in Yaeno Muteki's eyes. She had made a decision.
The next morning.
In a good mood, Rudolf picked up her bag and left the dormitory, heading toward the Student Council Room.
However, as she passed the training grounds, her body suddenly stiffened.
With a complicated expression, she stared at the figures galloping across the turf in the distance.
It was none other than Divine Starlight and Yaeno Muteki.
"Is this really okay, Yaeno-san? If you spend your time helping me prepare for my race, what about your martial arts competition?"
Hearing the concern in Starlight's voice, Yaeno Muteki said with a smile, "It's no problem, Starlight-chan. I really love the feeling of running with you, and besides, it actually helps with my own discipline."
"I'm sorry... Yaeno-san. I promised we would practice martial arts together in the evenings..."
"There's no need to be sad, Starlight-chan. As long as I am with you, it is the best form of training for me."
"That's a bit much, isn't it? I don't have that kind of influence!"
"Of course you do. I'm certain of it."
...
Their conversation drifted faintly into Rudolf's ears.
Her expression immediately soured into one of sheer frustration.
'What is going on... how did Yaeno Muteki bounce back so fast? Accompanying Starlight through her prep training while simultaneously doing her own martial arts discipline...'
'She's being that hard on herself?'
Rudolf had to admit that even she couldn't help but feel a sliver of admiration for Yaeno Muteki.
Race preparation was grueling enough, but adding martial arts training on top of it made for a hellish workload.
'To make such a sacrifice just for Starlight...'
Turning away with a dark expression, Rudolf continued toward the Student Council Room.
Recalling the words Divine Starlight had said to her, she shook her head and let out a forced, mocking laugh.
'Hehe... regret? Impossible. I, Symboli Rudolf, never regret!!'
'I admit you have immense charm, Divine Starlight. I admit that seeing you and Yaeno Muteki training together feels... a little unpleasant. But so what!'
'In the end, I, Symboli Rudolf, will be the winner.'