Starlight's inquiry received no response, and the knocking at the door sounded again.
Climbing out of the blankets, she scratched her messy hair.
Starlight made her way to the door, tidied her pajamas slightly, and then opened the door with a frown.
The first thing she saw was a chestnut-haired Uma Musume leaning against the doorframe. She was dressed in a sharp, clean-cut suit.
In her hand, she toyed with a single rose.
"Good morning~ Starlight-chan..."
Sirius Symboli struck a pose she thought looked dashing and held out the rose.
"You... what kind of stunt is this?"
"Hmm? We made a promise on Monday night. This weekend, you belong to me~"
A question mark practically popped up over Starlight's head.
Her expression was complicated as she hesitantly reached out to take the rose.
"Thanks... but I don't remember saying those words?"
"I think I only agreed to have a meal with you?"
Reaching out to stroke the other girl's soft, tender cheek, Sirius spoke as if it were a matter of course.
"Then you must have remembered wrong, Starlight-chan~"
"Is... is that so?"
"That's how it is. Alright, the hallway is no place to talk, let's go inside."
Starlight was pushed into the room by a confusingly assertive Sirius.
After casually closing the door behind her, Sirius began to survey the dormitory.
First, there was a faint, clean fragrance. While not intense, it was very pleasant, causing her whole body to relax involuntarily.
By the door sat a doghouse built from small wooden boards and cardboard boxes, inside was a Shiba Inu snoring away while clutching a bone.
On the bed where Starlight had slept, the blankets were kicked aside haphazardly, and a small white cat lay by the pillow.
On the balcony, two or three more cats were playing with a ball of yarn.
The birdhouse on the wall was already empty. The birds had likely already flown out to forage.
Pulling out a chair to sit down, Sirius looked at Starlight—who was still standing by the door—and nodded in appraisal.
"This room of yours looks quite cozy, and surprisingly simple. I thought for an Uma Musume like you, the decor would be a bit more... magnificent~"
"Magnificent? As long as the place is comfortable to live in, I'm not that picky."
Shaking her head, Starlight walked slowly to the desk, placed the rose into a vase, and waved her hand dismissively.
Returning to sit on the edge of the bed, she casually scooped the little white cat into her arms. While smoothing the little creature's fur, she asked:
"So, if we're eating, shouldn't that be in the evening? Is there something you need from me right now?"
Crossing her legs, Sirius corrected her.
"No, no, no. Your entire day belongs to me, not just dinner time."
Raising an eyebrow, Starlight gave a warning with a fake smile.
"Sirius-chan~ Raising the price on the spot isn't what good girls do. If you keep unilaterally modifying the promises I made, then please leave."
Standing up, Starlight made a gesture indicating the exit.
Seeing this, Sirius waved her hands in a rare moment of flustered panic.
"Alright, alright, don't get worked up. I was just joking with you."
Only after she sat back down did Starlight return to her usual expression.
"Actually, I really do have a reason for seeking you out. You know that after an Uma Musume wins a G1 race, they are sometimes invited to celebratory banquets."
"You probably haven't prepared a formal dress for the party yet. How about I take you to buy one? Besides, everything you spend today is on my tab."
Seeing the other girl's generous display, Starlight spoke helplessly.
"Well, thank you for that, but I'm not short on money... I'll pay for it myself. Thanks for coming to remind me about this today, though."
With that, Starlight scratched the white cat's belly before placing it back by the pillow.
She stood up and went to the wardrobe to pick out clothes for going out.
Seeing this, Sirius's eyes lit up.
"So, you're agreeing to go out with me?"
Poking her head out from behind the wardrobe door, Starlight nodded.
"Of course. You're dressed so formally, and you even went through the trouble of bringing me a flower."
"What are you planning to wear? Let me have a look, maybe I can give you some advice?"
Seeing that most of Starlight's body was hidden behind the wardrobe door, Sirius spoke up.
"I don't really have any fancy clothes, so I won't trouble you."
Soon, Starlight finished changing, closed the wardrobe door, and tossed her pajamas into the bathroom basket.
"Alright, wait for me to brush my hair, and then we can head out~"
Standing up from the chair, Sirius narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze scanning Starlight's outfit from top to bottom.
She wore a simple cream-colored floral long-sleeved top paired with a black-and-white paneled long skirt.
On her legs were black tights, and she had draped a warm coat over the ensemble.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
"What's that supposed to mean? Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?"
"Nothing, it just feels like you're dressed like a little girlfriend out on a date with me."
With a slight blush on her face, Starlight said with a smile, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'm not going."
"It's an objective evaluation. Believe it or not, if you brought Rudolf here, she'd say the exact same thing."
Ignoring her, Starlight went to the shoe rack, changed into a pair of white casual shoes, and pushed open the door to head out with Sirius.
Sirius had prepared quite thoroughly this time, even arranging a private car.
After pulling open the rear door, she made a very gentlemanly "after you" gesture.
Feeling a small surge of surprise, Starlight stepped into the car and sat down.
As she glanced around, she noticed quite a few Uma Musume starting to gossip at the sight.
Sirius curled her lips into a smirk, closed the door, and got in from the other side.
Inside the car, she looked at the gray-haired Uma Musume staring out at the scenery and crooked her finger.
"Why stay so far away from me? Come closer."
"How much closer can I get? There's only half a person's width between us. Do you want me to sit on your lap?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, that's an option. Come on, sit here," Sirius said, nodding in agreement without a hint of surprise as she patted her thigh.
"I think I'll pass~ Save that spot for your future little girlfriend~"
"...Maybe that'll be you?"
"Why are you like this too? Is my charm really that great?"
Starlight began to stroke her chin, acting quite narcissistic.
After that, the two didn't talk much until they arrived at a large shopping mall.
Under Sirius's lead, they made their way to a clothing store.
The sales assistant, seeing two Uma Musume approaching, hurried over and said with a smile:
"Welcome, how can I help... Ahh!! You—you're Ms. Sirius Symboli?! You're so handsome! Could I please have your autograph?"
Upon recognizing her, the shop assistant quickly pulled out a small notebook.
Sirius let out a grin as she took the pen and notebook. She used the tip of the pen to playfully tilt the girl's chin up, her voice dripping with charisma.
"Of course, beautiful lady~"
After signing her name, Sirius tucked the notebook and pen back to the assistant, stepped aside, and introduced her companion.
"We're here today to pick out a formal dress for this little Uma Musume. Can you help arrange that?"
"Ah! This... this is Ms. Divine Starlight... Working overtime today was definitely the right choice, to meet two of my favorite Uma Musume at once!"
"Hello there~"
"H-hello, Ms. Starlight. I've been watching your races ever since your comeback. Could I have your autograph too?"
"Of course you can~"
After getting Starlight's autograph, the overjoyed assistant tucked away her notebook and regained her professional composure.
"I'll get things settled for you right away. Please come to the back so we can take your measurements."
Following the staff's guidance, Starlight left the area.
"Ms. Sirius, are you and Ms. Starlight good friends? To think you'd come to pick out a dress together..."
Facing the curious shop assistant, Sirius's eyes darted as if she had thought of something, and she spoke.