At the training grounds, in the area occupied by Team Rigil.
Symboli Rudolf finally had some rare free time to focus on her own training.
After completing a set of short-distance sprints, she returned to the back of the line alongside Air Groove and Maruzensky.
Tap, tap, tap.
Grass Wonder and El Condor Pasa ran side-by-side toward the distance.
Watching these two figures streak past her, Rudolf couldn't help but let a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth.
Seeing these juniors galloping across the turf always allowed her to find traces of her past self.
However, when her gaze drifted further away and landed on a familiar silver-and-gold figure, her brow furrowed involuntarily.
"Trainer, I have something to attend to for a moment."
Hearing this, Tojo Hana glanced at Rudolf and nodded.
She tended to be more lenient with these veterans. Since they no longer needed to run in active races, there was no need to be overly strict with their training schedule.
"Oh dear~ Luna really is something. Isn't she a bit too preoccupied with Starlight~?" Maruzensky teased, turning to Air Groove.
Stroking her chin while watching Rudolf's departing figure, Air Groove spread her hands and replied.
"I've heard a bit from the President regarding Starlight-san's training intensity, so it's not just the President who is concerned."
"If anyone trained at Starlight's intensity, their body wouldn't be able to handle it."
"It's that serious?!"
"Yes. Leaving aside the specific content of the training, just look at the schedule: Morning practice, regular afternoon practice, extra practice at night, and a full day of special training on weekends."
"Add morning classes to that, and it's already difficult to stomach."
"And she has kept this up consistently. Starlight will likely train even harder during the race prep season."
Maruzensky couldn't help but feel surprised.
The aura the girl had emitted yesterday when awakening her Unique Skill had even affected her, standing as she was at the very edge of the field.
"It's no wonder the Unique Skill she awakened is so powerful. I expect she might just become the next overlord of the medium-distance turf."
As they spoke, the two Uma Musume drifted off to the side to chat— a common occurrence that Tojo Hana didn't bother to correct.
For the trainer, the most important focus right now was El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder, as their upcoming race schedules were very tight.
Stretching her body, Starlight squinted her eyes and enjoyed the warm sunlight for a moment.
Just as she was about to head over to Team Spica's area, her shoulder was suddenly grabbed by Rudolf.
"Starlight, you shouldn't be appearing at the training grounds today, right?"
Her body stiffened.
Starlight hurriedly pushed the other's hand away, turned around, and said, "Eh? It's the President! Why aren't you training? Why come looking for me?"
"Don't change the subject. Are you trying to sneak in more training again?"
"Ahaha, well, of course not~ I've definitely kept the President's instructions close to my heart."
"It's just that I'm here to accompany Spe-chan for her training. She's participating in the Yayoi Sho soon, so I'm just practicing with her for a bit. The intensity isn't high at all..."
"Then give me those weighted bracelets of yours. I'll keep them safe for you."
Hearing this, Starlight put on an innocent smile and began to play dumb.
"Eh? What bracelets...? Oh~ I left them in the dorm, I'm not wearing them. Rest easy, President."
Glancing at the small hands Starlight was pointedly hiding inside her sleeves, Rudolf's expression remained indifferent.
She didn't waste any more words.
She stepped forward, scooped Divine Starlight up in her arms, and began walking toward the exit of the training grounds.
"Hey, hey, hey! Where are you taking me? Put me down—!"
Since she was being carried over Rudolf's shoulder, Starlight balled up her fists and gave Rudolf's back a few light thumps.
"To your dorm, obviously. I need to make sure those bracelets stay with me. Now, stop making a fuss."
As she spoke, Rudolf opened her palm and gave Starlight's backside a few firm swats.
Her face flushed crimson as Divine Starlight sensed the gaze of numerous Uma Musume across the training grounds.
If she were carried all the way back to the dorms over someone's shoulder like a sack of potatoes, she'd undoubtedly be trending on the academy forums by tomorrow morning.
"Stop, stop, stop! I'll give them to you! Just put me down, okay?!"
With a slight smirk, Rudolf gently set her down.
Without a word, she simply extended her hand in a clear gesture.
Standing on solid ground once more, Starlight pouted, her face a mask of reluctance.
She slowly and deliberately straightened her training suit, shot Rudolf a sidelong glance, and then unfastened the bracelets from her wrists, dropping them into the other's palm.
Rudolf weighed the bracelets in her hand and patted the girl's head with a smile.
"Go on then. Oh, and wait for me at the training ground entrance when you're finished this evening."
"I will not! What would I wait for you for?"
Rudolf didn't answer. She stuffed the weights into her pocket and looked at the defiant little Starlight, saying nonchalantly:
"You don't have to wait. But in that case, you won't mind if I join in on this sparring work, right? I have quite a bit to say when it comes to guiding juniors."
"I'll wait, I'll wait! I was just joking. I can handle Spe-chan's business myself— there's no need to trouble you!" Starlight said with a forced smile, stepping forward to give Rudolf a playful nudge toward the exit.
Rudolf reached out to pinch Starlight's cheeks, kneading them a few times before finally turning to leave.
Starlight let out a long sigh as she watched the figure walk away.
She gave a small huff and ran over to Team Spica.
"Starlight-senpai, you're finally here!"
The moment Special Week saw Starlight, she dashed over and pulled her into a hug.
"Ouch— easy, Spe-chan! You're going to crush your senpai to pieces..."
"Ehehe, sorry Senpai! When do we start?"
Gazing at the clumsy junior before her, Starlight wondered exactly when this little girl had started loving to nuzzle against her.
'Does she think I'm a giant carrot or something?'
"What's wrong, Senpai? Ah, right, here is the plan the Trainer gave me. Please take a look."
Taking the sheet, Starlight began flipping through it as she walked toward the rest of the group.
"I'll be counting on you to look after Spe-chan these next few days, Starlight-chan~" Ryo Nishizaki said, walking over with a grin and a lollipop in his mouth.
"You should try acting like an actual Trainer for once. The number of Uma Musume joining the team is growing."
"We've got ones who bicker, ones who slack off and won't practice, and this one who lacks confidence and is always tripping over herself."
"Only Suzuka-chan, who transferred from Rigil, is actually low-maintenance."
"Hey, that's not my fault..."
"If it's not yours, whose is it? Uma Musume are all pure, cute, and hardworking, if they've ended up like this, it must be because your guidance is poor."
With her hands on her hips, Starlight gave Ryo Nishizaki a thorough scolding.
Silence fell as Silence Suzuka watched from the side.
'The way Starlight-chan lectures people is really reliable and cute... it's quite comforting.'
Ryo Nishizaki felt completely wronged, but Starlight wasn't listening to a word of his excuses.
To Starlight, her precious juniors were all kind, lovely, and ambitious. If there was a problem, it was definitely because the Trainer was incompetent.
"Alright, I'm taking Spe-chan to warm up. How about the rest of you join us?"
"Really? Yay! I want to train with Senpai!"
"Me too, me too!"
The two younger ones, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, hurriedly followed Starlight and Spe-chan to the outer track.
Suzuka, naturally, followed silently behind them.
Ryo Nishizaki looked around at the empty space surrounding him and began to have a professional crisis.
'Is Divine Starlight... actually better at training Uma Musume than I am?'