Hearing this, Rudolf gave an amused, slightly exasperated scoff and stepped forward to rap Divine Starlight on the head.
"Just what kind of person do you take me for?"
"Sorry, sorry~ Aiya, thanks to the President's guidance today, my understanding of running has improved significantly."
"I am glad I could help. It means this old Uma still has some use left."
The lights illuminated Rudolf's face, her eyes shimmering with a nostalgic glow.
"Yeah~ the President is in her prime. I don't see any signs of being 'old' at all."
"Hmph... you little gray thing, you certainly have a way with words. Alright, let's head back quickly before we miss the curfew."
"Got it."
Walking back to the dorms, Rudolf looked ahead and asked curiously:
"Where did you get that bracelet? Its utility is remarkable."
"Ah, I happened to buy it at an equipment shop by chance. I forgot the specifics, it's been quite a while."
Nodding, Rudolf sensed that Starlight wasn't keen on sharing the details, so she didn't press further.
She simply reminded her:
"Don't use that thing constantly. It's hard on the body. Do you understand?"
"Mm-hm, okay. Since the Madam President has given her warning, I shall naturally keep it engraved in my mind."
Silence followed. Neither spoke again as they made their way to the dormitory corridor.
Rudolf looked at Divine Starlight, contemplating something before speaking.
"How about... the two of us just live in one dorm room? It would free up an extra empty room."
Turning back to see the expectant look in Rudolf's eyes, Starlight curled her lips into a smirk.
"I'll have to decline, Madam President~"
"Fair enough. I was just speaking casually— get some rest."
"Yeah, I know. You too. Goodnight~"
Closing her door, Starlight stood in the middle of her familiar little nest and set down her schoolbag.
'That "Option Interface"... it's been appearing less and less lately.'
'It hasn't even popped up for several days in a row.'
'But it doesn't matter. It was only meant to be a support tool, in the end, I have to rely on myself.'
In fact, Starlight had already prepared herself for its disappearance from the moment it first showed up.
Thus, she only felt a sense of sentimental reflection now rather than panic. She knew that the sweat she had shed and the effort she had put in along the way would not disappear.
"When did it start...?"
She tried to search her memories. Suddenly, her golden eyes froze.
"It was... during the race with Rice Shower. In the latter half, I suddenly lost consciousness. I don't know what happened."
Since then, the options had appeared less and less frequently.
"Forget it, I won't think about it. Sleep, sleep. More training tomorrow."
The next day, in the classroom.
Starlight was peacefully sprawled across her desk, waiting for class to end.
Suddenly, the phone in her desk drawer vibrated at an inopportune moment. Starlight opened her eyes.
Remaining in her hunched-over position, she stealthily took out her phone to check.
Daitaku Helios: Yo~ Starlight-chan! Come find me in the Academy Hall after class. I've got something cool to show you!
Starlight: What is it?
Daitaku Helios: Secret, secret! You'll know when you get here.
Starlight: Alright. I was planning to go to the vending machine for a drink anyway.
Daitaku Helios: Oh yeah~!
Putting her phone away, Starlight closed her eyes again.
'What new trick is Helios up to now? I just hope she doesn't get disciplined by the Student Council.'
'Helios, I won't be the one to save you then.'
Class ended shortly after. Starlight spoke apologetically to the Uma Musume crowding around her.
"Everyone, I have something to take care of right now. Can we chat later?"
Leaving the classroom, she strolled over to the Tracen main hall.
From a distance, she could see Helios standing expectantly next to a potted green plant.
She walked up quickly behind her and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Helios~"
"Ah—!"
With a startled cry, Helios spun around, letting out a sigh of relief once she saw who it was.
"It's just Starlight-chan~ You scared the life out of me."
"What kind of guilty conscience do you have to be this jumpy?"
"No, it's nothing... I just have a surprise for you."
Tilting her head in confusion, Starlight asked, "What is it? What is it?"
Daitaku Helios gave a mysterious smile and pulled a megaphone out from behind her back.
The moment she pressed the play button, a burst of powerful music hit the air. The catchy rhythm was paired with her slightly comical dance steps.
"Love you! I like you so much! ..."
It was a very blunt and passionate rap, seemingly intended for a confession.
After listening to the whole performance quietly, Starlight clapped along enthusiastically.
Seeing the expectant look in Helios's eyes, she praised her.
"Not bad at all~"
"Eh!? Really?!"
"Yeah. So, are you planning to use this to confess to Daiichi Ruby?"
Facing the question, Helios shook her head flatly.
"Eh? Then who is it for...?"
"It's for confessing to you."
"Huh!? Wh—why are you confessing to me... aren't you pursuing Ruby?"
Seeing Starlight ask this, Helios's face flushed slightly.
She shyly started twiddling her fingers, lowering her head, not daring to look at the gray Uma Musume in front of her.
"Because... because I feel like I like Starlight-chan more now... and Ruby doesn't pay any attention to me at all..."
"Only Starlight-chan plays with me."
Stealing a glance at Divine Starlight, Daitaku Helios blurted out her reasoning.
Starlight swallowed hard.
She didn't feel afraid or that anything was particularly wrong, instead, she said with a smile:
"Thank you for writing this confession song for me, Helios."
"Then... then do you agree to be with me? Can we hold hands... can we hug... can we kiss...?"
With every question, Helios took a step closer.
By the time she finished the three questions, she was less than half a step away from Starlight.
Looking at her up close, seeing eyes filled with both longing and caution, Divine Starlight knew her moment of testing had arrived.
Daitaku Helios was like a glass bottle containing a heart, if her answer was wrong or if she wasn't careful, it could shatter instantly...
She gently placed both hands on Helios's shoulders.
"Calm down... Helios."
"Sorry, sorry, sorry! Did I... did I scare you?"
Helios hurriedly took several steps back, her ears drooping as she spoke to Starlight with shifting eyes.
"Of course not. It's just, Helios-chan, I haven't said yes yet, so you can't do those things with me. Understand?"
"Then... when will you say yes?"
"Well..."
Just as Divine Starlight was frowning in a moment of difficulty, an ill-timed voice suddenly rang out.
"Yo~ you really are popular, aren't you, Starlight-chan~"
In the distance, Sirius Symboli walked over slowly, one hand on her hip, looking on with great interest.
"Let me see... Hmm~ such a blunt and crude confession. So you like this kind of thing?"
Subconsciously grabbing Helios's hand, Starlight pulled her behind her protectively.
"That's none of your business, Sirius-san..."
"How about I put together a confession for you? It'll definitely be grander than this one. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Starlight clearly felt Helios's hand flinch.
"I don't need it, and I wouldn't go anyway, so don't bother. Helios-chan put a lot of heart into this. I can feel it."
"Don't be so coldhearted~"
Starlight ignored her, pulled Helios along, and left.
Watching their retreating backs, Sirius's smile didn't fade.
When Starlight turned back to look at her, Sirius gave her a meaningful look.
'Don't forget to thank me properly once this is over... little Uma Musume~'
Starlight blinked helplessly.
'I know, I know. Thank you, Oh Great Sirius...'
Arriving at a small grove, Starlight turned to face Helios. She smiled and reached out to pinch the other girl's cheek.