Heading downstairs to the entrance of the training grounds, Starlight hadn't even stepped inside before she was pulled into a tight hug by Special Week.
"What should I do, Master~!"
The strength behind the hug was quite significant. Even after catching her, Starlight was forced back two or three steps.
She reached out to pat Special Week's head, asking in confusion:
"What's wrong, Spe-chan?"
Special Week looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, and pointed toward the area behind her.
Following her gaze, Starlight's eyes narrowed slightly.
There stood Symboli Rudolf in her school uniform, arms crossed, looking at Ryo Nishizaki with a stern expression.
"All of you... aren't you tired of fooling around?!"
"One after another, you show not even the slightest bit of respect for the Winning Stage. Do you have any idea how the media is criticizing you?"
"Yes, President. This issue is my responsibility. I failed to have them learn idol skills."
Behind him stood a shivering Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, while in the distance, Gold Ship was busy playing chess against herself.
Right at that moment, Special Week walked over, clinging to Starlight's arm.
"Now, now, Madam President, please don't be angry. All the Uma Musume in the team successfully made their debuts."
"It's only natural they'd forget a thing or two in the excitement."
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Rudolf's furrowed brow instinctively smoothed out.
She turned and said with a smile:
"I suppose you're right..."
As she spoke, Rudolf smoothly pulled Starlight over to her side.
Special Week, whose arms were suddenly empty, hadn't even processed what happened before she saw Rudolf patting Starlight's head while speaking.
"Starlight and Tokai Teio happened to be the winning duo of the last idol competition. Let the two of them teach your team."
"Understood. I'll leave it to them."
Ryo Nishizaki bowed respectfully in thanks, feeling a weight lift off his chest.
Nodding, and seeing that the matter was settled, Rudolf turned to leave.
"Hey, hey! Why are you pulling me away, President? I still have to train?!"
Rudolf said nothing in response, but the grip on Starlight's hand tightened as she directly led Divine Starlight away.
Still dressed in her training gear, a bewildered Starlight soon found herself sitting on the sofa in the Student Council office.
"What are you doing, President? I'm supposed to be training!"
Across from her, Rudolf unhurriedly poured herself a cup of black tea. She looked at Divine Starlight and chuckled softly.
"I've already checked in with your trainer, you're resting today. Spend some time with me here in the Student Council."
"President! We clearly agreed before that resting every other day was my maximum concession. I need to train today!"
Taking a sip of her tea, Rudolf frowned slightly.
"Your training intensity is very high. Your body won't be able to handle it if you keep this up, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
"It's really not necessary, President... Jeez, if I'd known, I wouldn't have told you my training schedule..."
Starlight pouted and grumbled as she sat back down in frustration.
"First you made the Trainer reduce my intensity, and now you're cutting my training time. I hate you!"
"...Even if you hate me, I won't back down. I've seen too many examples around me, I don't want you to end up like them."
"Never able to take another step to run again."
It was true, Rudolf was right.
Furthermore, ever since those "reward options" disappeared, the recovery potions and ointments in her possession had been steadily dwindling.
She couldn't afford to train herself to death with zero inhibitions like she used to.
"...I'm sorry for throwing a tantrum. Thank you for your concern..."
Having realized this, Starlight looked up and apologized to Rudolf.
"It's fine. As long as you understand."
...
A long silence followed her words. Rudolf simply watched the pensive Divine Starlight.
"President~"
"Yes, what is it?"
"I was thinking... if there's a very mediocre Uma Musume, one without extraordinary natural ability or exceptional talent, can she still shine?"
After hearing Starlight's words, Rudolf slowly shifted her gaze upward, looking at the framed motto on the wall.
"One Uma leads the way, ten thousand Umas lose their luster... I think it is very difficult."
Rudolf squeezed those words out from between her teeth.
Perhaps those young Uma Musume who haven't experienced the reality of the turf would feel that as long as they are diligent enough and passionate enough, they can make it.
But Rudolf didn't think that way.
Because she was the "Emperor", because she was a Triple Crown winner, and because she possessed that natural aptitude and talent.
It was because of these things that she could see more clearly what those Uma Musume who lost to her were truly lacking...
"But I don't think you need to worry about such things, Starlight."
Facing this question, Starlight slowly raised her head, revealing a smile.
The expression made Rudolf freeze for a moment.
Bitter. It was a bitterness so thick it couldn't be brushed away.
"In my case... haha... just like my name suggests, I'm only able to radiate light because of 'Divine protection'..."
Looking out the window, Starlight watched the lingering glow of the setting sun.
"Alright, let's just treat it as idle chatter. What are you doing next, President?"
"Hmm... want to make some sweets with me? It just so happens there are plenty of materials left over from the last campus event here at the Student Council."
"Sure! let's go."
Standing up, the bitterness on Divine Starlight's face vanished instantly, replaced by her usual cheerful and gentle demeanor.
The two Uma Musume carried the ingredients for making sweets to the Home Economics classroom.
Starlight took an apron from the cabinet by the door and tied it around herself.
Then, she picked up another one and tossed it into Rudolf's arms.
"Right! Let's get started. First, we need to wash our hands properly..."
Coming to the sink, Starlight turned on the faucet and began scrubbing her hands while humming a light tune.
Suddenly, Rudolf stood behind her and leaned forward slightly.
She nearly pulled Divine Starlight into her embrace, and her hands reached out to clasp Starlight's.
"Let's do it together. To save time and water..."
"Ah~ Luna! Luna, you brat! Let go, let go! The water is running down my arms and into my sleeves!"
"I haven't washed mine clean yet, wait a moment."
After the two finished washing their hands in a playful manner, they began to divide the tasks.
Starlight looked at the chocolate-colored fluid in the metal bowl and said with a smile:
"Not bad~ cupcake liners, cupcake liners..."
Standing to the side, Rudolf watched the silver-haired Uma Musume's lively movements.
Those golden eyes were focused intently on the paper liners and the batter in her hands.
'If you didn't have Divine protection, would you really not shine?'
While Rudolf was lost in thought, Starlight suddenly turned around and said with a laugh:
"Luna-chan! Look, this shape is pretty, right?"
"...You filled it too much. It'll definitely overflow once it goes into the oven."
"Eh! Really? Okay, I'll pour some out then~"
The two Uma Musume busied themselves for a while.
Finally, looking at the freshly baked cupcakes, Starlight sat in a chair and impatiently picked one up.
"Ha-hu, ha-hu... Mmm~ so delicious! President, you should eat one too, it's really good!"
"Yes, thank you."
Taking the cake Starlight handed her, Rudolf unhurriedly peeled back the paper liner and took a taste.
"I think I should resume training tomorrow. As long as I'm careful, it should be fine—"
"Hmm. I'll help you check your feet tonight. If there are no issues, then you can."
"Ha!? Why do you have to do that? President, you don't have some kind of weird fetish, do you~?"
"Well, I saw you were quite happy massaging Grass Wonder earlier..."
"What! That was because Grass-san had a sore foot, I was just helping her out!"
"Besides, President, how do you even know about that?!"