At a certain stretch of turf on the training ground, a large number of Uma Musume had already gathered.
They were lined up neatly in a formation.
Grass Wonder, who was responsible for recording the entry list for this session, rose from her desk and walked slowly to Tojo Hana's side.
"Trainer, here is the list."
Nodding, Tojo Hana looked at Grass Wonder, her gaze showing a hint of concern.
"Mm. Once the testing is over, go back and rest quickly. Wait until your leg injury is healed before you resume training."
Lowering her head, Grass Wonder gave a quiet, soft hum of affirmation.
"Yes..."
After the participants finished their individual self-introductions, the race was set to begin.
Special Week glanced at Haru Urara beside her, who stood with her hands on her hips and confidence written all over her face.
She couldn't help but marvel internally.
'What's going on? Urara looks really strong!'
"Let's go too, Spe-chan!"
"Ah, right, okay!"
Following Urara to the starting line, Special Week felt incredibly nervous as she looked at the Uma Musume surrounding her.
She was so tense that when Air Groove blew the whistle, the other Uma Musume bolted while she remained dazed on the spot.
By the time she snapped out of it, everyone else was already approaching the first corner— except for Urara, of course.
"Eh!?"
Letting out a startled cry, Special Week stopped overthinking and began to run in a frantic scramble.
Fortunately, her mother had given her special training since she was a child, her fundamentals were solid, and her natural talent was exceptional.
Special Week's speed quickly allowed her to overtake several Uma Musume.
"I see... Hmph, no wonder that guy wanted to treat me to a drink—"
Watching Special Week's figure on the field, Tojo Hana lowered her head and scribbled something on her tablet, murmuring to herself.
"Spe-chan is so clumsy and scatterbrained, it's so cute... just like Rice-chan."
"Ah... um, is Starlight-chan... is she complimenting me?"
Hearing Rice Shower's shy voice by her ear, Starlight nodded and began to stroke the other girl's head.
"Of course, Rice-chan is the cutest~"
Suddenly, the mysterious veiled girl appeared behind her at some point and wrapped her arms around Starlight's neck.
She leaned her body against Starlight's back.
"Starlight-chan, what about me?"
Warm breath brushed against her horse ears, causing Divine Starlight's entire body to shiver.
"Don't just pop up behind me like that, Still. It's scary."
"Hehe, sorry Starlight-chan."
"Even though it's just a selection trial, there are still a few Uma Musume with decent strength," Yaeno Muteki said to herself, though her eyes kept drifting toward the side.
"By the way, after training ends today, do you want to go get yakiniku together?"
"That sounds good. What do you guys think?"
Nodding, Starlight agreed with the idea. Seeing that Starlight had agreed, the three Uma Musume beside her naturally followed suit.
While they chatted, the selection trial reached its climax.
Special Week looked at the figures of the remaining Uma Musume ahead of her. She gritted her teeth and chased them down relentlessly.
Suddenly, as she caught sight of Silence Suzuka standing by the stands, the image of Suzuka racing flashed through her mind.
She exerted a bit more force through her legs. Amidst flying clumps of dirt, she accelerated instantly.
Finally, after hearing a few shouts of "impossible!", she crossed the finish line.
Kneeling on the grass, Special Week began to pant heavily...
Urara, who arrived a few moments later, likewise collapsed on the ground, saying weakly:
"Spe-chan, you... you really are strong~"
'So you were at the very back, Urara?!!!'
Although Special Week had given it her all, unfortunately, due to certain irresistible factors, she did not successfully join Team Rigil.
As the selection trials concluded, Starlight and the others began moving onto the field to start their training.
Preparing for a race with four training partners and a dedicated photographer— this kind of treatment was likely something only Divine Starlight could enjoy.
After finishing their training, the group changed into their school uniforms and walked together down the small path toward the school gates.
Not far ahead, a terrifying "kidnapping" incident was currently taking place.
A tall, large gray Uma Musume wearing a mask appeared, and along with two subordinates, they shoved the melancholic Special Week into a sack.
Then, they shouldered her and carried her away.
"Ah~!! It—It's those people..."
Seeing this, Rice Shower hurriedly hid behind Starlight, pointing a trembling finger at the departing backs of the three people and their sack.
"What... what is going on here?"
Divine Starlight, who didn't know much about the school rumors, asked with a twitching corner of her mouth.
"That's Team Spica. Their coach seems to be Trainer Ryo Nishizaki. Look over there..."
Mejiro McQueen pointed to a notice board nestled in the trees nearby.
"That's their team's slogan. It's said they carry out inhumane kidnappings— if you don't join their team, they'll bury you."
"Such things actually happen? Should we inform the President...?"
"Forget it. My stomach is empty right now, let's just go eat first."
Patting her stomach, Divine Starlight made her decision.
"The reservation is already made, Starlight-chan. Let's hurry."
Yaeno Muteki looked at the reservation info on her phone and spoke to the others.
And so, the five Uma Musume pretended they hadn't seen the abduction and chose to head to the yakiniku restaurant instead.
One week before the official start of the Mile Championship.
Starlight and several other contestants were invited to attend a press conference.
On either side of her were Sakura Bakushin O, who was energetically waving and greeting everyone, and Fine Motion, who stood with her hands folded politely in front of her, maintaining a graceful smile.
Beyond the red security line in front of them, countless flashing cameras and microphones were aimed at the three girls on stage.
After a brief group interview, there were dedicated individual sessions.
Facing the reporter in front of her, Starlight's lip twitched as she struggled to handle the barrage of tricky questions.
"Regarding this race, Miss Starlight, how much confidence do you have in taking the championship?"
"Uh, if all goes well, I believe I will win."
"It seems you have considerable confidence in your own strength. Next, we have a letter written by one of your fans. Would you like to open it and take a look?"
Hearing this, Divine Starlight covered her mouth in surprise.
"A fan letter?"
"Of course. The sender went to great lengths to ask me to bring it to you."
Nodding, Starlight took the letter from the reporter and opened it.
[Respected Miss Divine Starlight, your heroic figure as you gallop across the turf is deeply engraved in my mind.
I also want to become an Uma Musume in the future, but because my older and younger sisters are all very outstanding, I worry that I don't have the talent.
But you gave me hope. I want to become an Uma Musume just like you...]
The handwriting was very neat. Words of praise and admiration took up most of the page, it was clear the sender truly liked her.
Starlight felt very happy inside, but due to time constraints, she didn't read every detail.
Once she understood the general sentiment, she folded the letter and tucked it into her pocket.
Seeing this, the reporter quickly handed over the microphone to ask:
"The message in this letter must have reached your heart. Is there anything you would like to say to this fan?"
Looking up at the reporter, Starlight thought for a moment and then turned her gaze directly into the camera lens.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"You don't need to become me, because I believe you will become even more dazzling than I am. I look forward to seeing your figure on this turf in the future~"
In a dim room, a petite Uma Musume sat in a chair watching this scene on television.
She had been very happy to see Starlight read her letter, but when she heard those words, her heart skipped a beat.
With a slight blush on her face, she pressed down on the white military cap atop her head.
Her clear blue eyes were filled with joy.
"Divine Starlight... thank you—"