Inside the gymnasium changing room.
Starlight sat on a bench, changing back into her school uniform.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps behind her made her ears twitch, and she turned her head to look.
Seeing who it was, she turned back around without surprise and continued dressing.
"Are you still treating me like air? How long has it been since that incident? How can you still hold a grudge until now?"
Sirius Symboli stood with one hand on her hip, a grin spreading across her face.
"So, did you come here specifically just to watch me change?"
"Of course... not entirely."
Sirius's eyes swept over Starlight's fair, smooth back as she spoke.
Her movements were swift, in no time, Starlight had finished putting on her uniform.
She stood up and walked past Sirius Symboli toward the exit.
"I'm not holding a grudge against you. After all, a 'big shot' like you was just acting officially. What's there to hold a grudge about?"
Sirius took a few quick steps to get in front of Starlight, blocking her path.
She frowned and asked, "Then why... can't you just talk to me properly?"
Crossing her arms, Starlight felt a bit exasperated but explained anyway.
"I tried talking to you properly, but you wouldn't listen. Aside from being touchy-feely, you act completely self-righteous."
"Since you won't listen to a word I say, what is there left to talk about?"
Stepping closer, Sirius reached out and pinched Divine Starlight's small chin, tilting it up slightly until their eyes met.
"Listen, little Uma Musume. Even my Trainer is nothing more than a little puppy in front of me, so..."
"So you want to treat me like a puppy too? That's truly distasteful..."
Swatting the hand away, Starlight immediately stepped around her.
"...Wait a minute."
Getting in front of Divine Starlight once more, Sirius Symboli placed a hand on Starlight's shoulder.
"I'm giving you one last chance."
This time, Starlight didn't even give her a chance to speak, she dodged and walked away.
Watching that resolute retreating figure, Sirius clenched her fist. She began to deeply doubt herself.
'This shouldn't be happening. I'm a famous dog trainer, how could I possibly fail?!'
Upon returning to her dorm, Starlight's cold expression vanished instantly.
She went to her wardrobe to change into casual clothes.
"That Sirius... is she some kind of sadist? Sigh~ Looking at it this way, it seems the cute Tokai Teio is the only normal Uma Musume in the Symboli family."
She put on a cream-colored sweater and a pair of fluffy, loose-fitting trousers.
"Hehe, I'm going out for dinner with Rice in a bit..."
Slinging a small crossbody bag over her shoulder, Starlight reached the door.
After putting on some casual shoes, she opened the door, ready to head out.
But the moment the wooden door swung open, there stood Sirius Symboli, just about to knock.
Starlight tilted her head, and after locking eyes with her for a few seconds, she slammed the door shut.
BANG!
The force was so great that the resulting gust of wind sent Sirius's hair flying.
Knock, knock, knock...
"You're planning to go out, aren't you? Is it really okay not to open the door?"
"What are you doing at my door?"
"Don't worry about that. I'm just going to stand right here."
Taking out her phone, Starlight checked a message from Rice Shower.
Rice: Starlight-chan, are you coming out? I'm already waiting for you downstairs.
Starlight: Yup~ I'll be there very soon.
Rice: Okay~ If you're busy, you can take care of your things first. Rice doesn't mind waiting a bit longer.
Starlight: It's nothing, I'm coming down now.
Closing her phone, Divine Starlight adjusted her mood, opened the door, and looked at Sirius with a squinty-eyed smile.
"Could you please move aside? I'm going out."
"Where to?"
"That shouldn't have anything to do with Miss Sirius, right~?"
"Tell me where you're going, and I'll move."
"Really?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Going to have dinner with a friend. Can you move now?"
Nodding, Sirius thoughtfully stepped aside.
Seeing this, Divine Starlight didn't hesitate and hurried past.
The Uma Musume behind her naturally followed along.
Downstairs, seeing Starlight emerge, Rice Shower gave a small wave. "Starlight-chan~ You're here."
"Mm, let's go, Rice-chan."
"O-okay..."
As they turned to leave, Rice noticed an Uma Musume following behind them.
She didn't think much of it at first— perhaps she was just heading the same way.
However, after the two little Uma Musume— one black, one white— had walked for quite a while, the girl behind them was still tailing them.
Rice Shower whispered to Divine Starlight, "Um, her... what's going on with her? Why has she been following us this whole time?"
"It's fine. Just treat her as if she's thin air."
"Oh, okay."
Inside a very homely restaurant, Starlight and Rice were led by a waiter to a pre-booked table.
"Rice-chan, I ordered last time, so can you do it this time?"
"Ah, but... Starlight-chan, what if I order something you don't like? What should I do..."
Patting Rice's head, Divine Starlight said with a smile, "It's okay. I like whatever Rice likes. Just order with confidence."
"Mm... okay."
At that moment, Sirius naturally took a seat opposite them.
She propped her head up with both hands and stared at the two of them.
Seeing this, Rice's body trembled, and she quickly held up the menu to hide her face.
"?"
"~"
After a brief exchange of looks, Starlight told Rice to start ordering while she gestured for Sirius to step outside for a moment.
Outside the restaurant, Starlight looked at the Uma Musume in front of her and asked in confusion, "What exactly are you trying to do, Sirius?"
"I want to eat with you too..."
"Then go sit somewhere else. There are plenty of other seats in the restaurant."
"I want to sit with you. Is that not allowed?"
"...Fine, but stay on your best behavior and don't cause trouble."
Nodding thoughtfully, Sirius waved her hand and added, "I have a condition. You have to agree, otherwise, I won't be 'on my best behavior'."
With a twitch of her lip, Starlight nodded and said, "Go ahead. As long as it's not over the line, I'll agree."
"My condition is that your attitude toward me has to be the same as it is toward that little black Uma Musume."
"Fine, I agree."
The condition she set is actually quite normal.
Having settled the terms, the two returned to the table. By now, Rice had finished ordering and was calmly sipping a glass of milk.
"Starlight-chan, you're back."
"Yeah. This person is... well, let's call her a friend for now. Is it okay if she joins us?"
Looking up at the newcomer, Rice nodded. "Okay."
As the dishes arrived, Starlight, Rice, and the abruptly joined Sirius began their meal.
As per her usual habit, Starlight picked up a meatball and said to Rice Shower, "Rice-chan, say 'ah'~"
"Ah~!"
Used to this by now, Rice didn't even get shy, she squinted her eyes happily as she ate it. "Thank you, Starlight-chan~"
Across the table, Sirius saw this and nudged Starlight's leg with her foot under the table.
"Ahem..."
"Alright, alright~ Open wide—"
With a helpless smile, Starlight picked up a piece and fed it to Sirius as well.
Eating the food personally fed to her, Sirius didn't want to admit it, but she was very happy.
In this strange atmosphere, the three finished their meal and returned to the dorms.
Starlight parted ways with Rice and stood at her own door, looking at Sirius who had followed her all the way back.
Before she could say anything, Sirius spoke first.
"Next time, when can you eat with me again?"
She looked at the ash-gray Uma Musume, her eyes unconsciously filled with anticipation as she asked.
"Well..."
"I'll pay."
"Um..."
"I won't cause you any trouble."
"Then, when I have time, okay?"
"When will you have time?"
"I don't know, you'll just have to wait..."
Nodding, Sirius lowered her head and began to walk away in silence.
She didn't say anything, and her face was expressionless, but her drooping tail made it clear that its owner was unhappy.
"Uh... how about this weekend?"
Suddenly stopping in her tracks, Sirius's tail began to wag. She turned around with a wide grin.
"Good. Remember what you said. I'll come find you this weekend."