Early morning.
At this hour, the Uma Musume were either sleeping in, rushing to finish homework, or eating in the cafeteria.
Some had already arrived at the training ground for morning practice.
Inside the clubroom, Starlight and Kiryuu Inami were holding a secret meeting.
The topic: The tactical plan for the Oka Sho, a Grade 1 race.
A standard 1600m mile race was, in some ways, a bit of a disadvantage for Starlight.
Had this been her debut race, she would have been a shoo-in for the win, but now her tactics were well-known, and more than a few Trainers were studying her running style.
It was safe to say many top-tier Uma Musume had already developed counter-strategies.
'I think it's necessary to practice my late-leg explosive power to better synergize with my Gold Skill,' Starlight thought as she listened to Inami introduce the revised training menu.
"Alright, that's the plan for this afternoon. As for early morning and evening training, you can decide those yourself, Starlight-chan."
"Understood, Trainer."
"On another note, Special Week is also intensifying her training... I presume it's for the Classic Triple Crown? I wonder if she can succeed."
"Hard to say. For Spe-chan, her opponents include Seiun Sky, King Halo, and El Condor Pasa. All of them are incredibly strong."
"True... well, I'm heading back to catch up on some sleep. See you this afternoon, Starlight-chan~"
Yawning, Kiryuu Inami picked up her bag and left the clubroom.
"Mhm, see you this afternoon, Trainer~"
Once the Trainer left, Divine Starlight was the only one left in the room. She began her preparations.
"Looks like I need to go find my dear classmate..."
In the morning, before the first period began, Divine Starlight walked into the classroom.
With a clear objective in mind, she approached a gray-haired Uma Musume who was focused intently on eating and poked her shoulder.
"? Is something the matter, Starlight-san?"
"Oguri Cap, do you have some time lately?"
Hearing this, Oguri Cap stopped eating and looked Starlight up and down.
"I'm actually quite free. Do you need help with something?"
"Yes. I want to train with you for a while. Specifically, I want to do exactly whatever you do for your training."
"Sure, I don't mind. When do we start?"
"From this afternoon, after four-thirty."
The moment she heard the time, Oguri Cap immediately shook her head.
"My training ends at five, and I have to go to dinner after that. There won't be any time."
Seeing this, Divine Starlight quickly shoved an extra-large drumstick in front of her.
"Don't be so quick to refuse, Oguri-chan~ I won't let you accompany me for nothing. How about I treat you to dinner afterward?"
The moment those words were out, Oguri Cap's face instantly lit up with joy.
"Really?"
"Of course! Don't worry, I'll make sure you eat your fill of the good stuff!"
"In that case, I will definitely help you with this. Hehe..."
With her eyes sparkling, Oguri Cap reached out, took the drumstick, and agreed.
Having settled the deal, Starlight returned to her seat in high spirits, humming a tune as she organized her books.
Suddenly, a pair of hands gently brushed across Starlight's neck and cupped her soft, squishy face.
"Starlight-chan~ what kind of training are you doing now that you even need Oguri Cap to join you?"
"Oh, Super Creek~ Your hands are so cold..."
"Hehe, I just washed them. I'm just using your face to warm them up."
Holding Creek's hands, Starlight turned around to see Super Creek's gentle face.
"I'm preparing for the Oka Sho. There are quite a few powerful Uma Musume among the opponents."
"I see. Little Starlight is as hardworking as ever. Have you had breakfast yet?"
"I have."
"Is that so? I prepared a box of sushi. If you aren't full yet, Starlight-chan, please have some."
"Yay! Creek-chan, you're the best~"
Smiling as she took the sushi handed to her, Starlight opened the lid and began to savor it.
"Eat slowly... here, have some miso soup."
Patting her head, Super Creek picked up her own thermos and poured a cup of soup for Starlight.
"Mmm~ Slurp—"
'Ah... Super Creek is as considerate as ever. Being her seatmate is truly one of life's greatest blessings.'
"Oh my, I just walked into the classroom and encountered such a heartwarming scene... It seems you both are in excellent spirits."
At the back door, Mejiro Ardan walked in slowly with her schoolbag.
Seeing Starlight and Super Creek, she spoke in a soft, gentle tone.
"Why are you so late today? Did something happen?" Super Creek turned to ask with concern.
"No, nothing much. I just had to stop by the teacher's office."
After setting down her bag, Mejiro Ardan walked up behind Starlight and reached out to brush a grain of rice from the corner of her mouth.
"Creek-chan made sushi again!? How nice... the flavor is quite good too."
After popping the grain of rice into her own mouth, Ardan offered her review.
"Hey Ardan, there are untouched ones in the box! How could you eat that one~" Starlight stopped eating, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"Hehe... it's fine, it's fine. I actually just wanted to see the look on Starlight's face when she blushes."
"Mm~ I'm satisfied now."
"Ahem. We're switching seats after class starts. Is everyone ready?"
At that moment, Yaeno Muteki, who had just returned from the teacher's office after handing in homework, stood at the podium to remind everyone.
"Whoa... switching seats again? Starlight-chan, it looks like there's a good chance we'll be separated..."
"Yeah... Creek-chan, waaaah, I don't want to leave you~!" Starlight hugged Creek's arm, playfully acting heartbroken.
"Honestly, you two... you've been seatmates three times across three seat swaps. Aren't you tired of it yet?" Sakura Chiyono O, sitting in the row in front of them, teased helplessly.
"Hmph, you don't understand, Chiyo-chan. Being seatmates with Creek-chan is pure bliss. I get to feel motherly care every single day~"
Stroking Starlight's head, Super Creek waved a hand dismissively. "It's not that exaggerated."
Once the pre-class banter ended and the teacher entered the room, the seat swap officially began.
"Hmm... let me see here..."
The elderly teacher adjusted their glasses and spoke slowly.
"Super Creek and... Oguri Cap."
"What! Creek-chan is the very first one?"
Starlight couldn't help but gasp.
Ignoring whatever the teacher said next, her small hand under the desk tightly gripped Super Creek's hand.
"Creek-chan~ are we finally going to be separated?"
"Sigh. There's no helping it, Starlight-chan. But don't be sad, we're still in the same class."
"I guess~"
Meanwhile, Mejiro Ardan, sitting diagonally in front, caught the scene out of the corner of her eye, a smirk forming on her lips.
'Hehe... why do you think I was late, Creek-chan?'
'Sorry, but for the next three weeks, I'll be taking Starlight-chan for myself!'
Standing near the teacher, Yaeno Muteki's gaze swept across the room.
Seeing the expression on Mejiro Ardan's face, she couldn't help but smile slightly.
'Hoho, you're still too naive, Ardan~ I've already "corrected" your little scheme. I'll be the one taking Starlight-chan!'
"Ahem. Now, Divine Starlight and... let's see, Sakura Chiyono O. You two will be in the last row by the window."
"Finally, Yaeno Muteki and Mejiro Ardan. You will be in the first row by the door."
As soon as these words were spoken, many of the Uma Musume were left in a state of shock.
Just then, a chestnut-red figure flashed past the door.
Maruzensky walked by carrying a stack of documents.
Her gaze landed on Sakura Chiyono O, and a smile tugged at her lips.
'Chiyo-chan, don't say I never help you out~ Good luck!'