After seeing clearly who the visitor was, Starlight's tense heart finally settled down.
She asked in confusion:
"Is something the matter, Sirius?"
"Do you have any idea how far Rudolph went today?"
Serious seemed genuinely bewildered by what had happened. She didn't show any of her usual aggressive, predatory demeanor.
"What did she do? I don't know anything about it… besides, I've been with Luna almost since I woke up. She didn't really do anything, did she?"
"What! You've been with her this whole time… No wonder you didn't answer when I called."
Hearing Sirius mention this, Starlight suddenly remembered the phone calls.
She asked curiously:
"So, was there something you needed me for?"
"I'm going abroad in a few days to race… I might be gone for a long time, so I wanted to find you and hang out today."
"Is that so? I'm sorry, that's my fault."
"Tomorrow, do you have time tomorrow then? You definitely do, right? Starlight-chan."
"I have training tomorrow, so I don't have time..."
"...Also, can you let go of me first? I'm not going to run away, so stop locking me in place."
With a bashful smile, Starlight spoke up.
Realizing what she was doing, Sirius hesitantly and slowly released her grip, but her eyes remained fixed on the other girl like a predator watching its prey.
Straightening her clothes, which had become a bit disheveled, Starlight rubbed her chin and thought it over.
"I definitely can't skip training. After all, I'm about to participate in the Oka Sho, so I'm sorry, I really don't have time tomorrow."
"I can train with you tomorrow. What do you think?"
"Aren't you leaving for a long trip soon? Don't you need to prepare your luggage and everything?"
"I've already commissioned Dream Journey to help with the preparations."
"I see… Alright then, see you at the training grounds at 6:00 AM tomorrow."
Seeing Starlight about to leave again, Sirius quickly stepped in front of her, blocking the path.
"Is there anything else?"
"…Good luck with your race. Don't let me hear the news that you lost while I'm abroad."
"Mhm~ don't worry, I'll definitely give it my all."
Looking at Starlight, Sirius found herself momentarily at a loss for words, even though her heart was full of things she wanted to say.
She slowly stepped aside to give her room and watched Starlight walk away.
Early the next morning, as soon as Starlight arrived at the bottom of the dormitory building, she saw Sirius already waiting there.
"Didn't we agree to meet at the training grounds?"
Seeing Starlight come out, the wagging of the tail behind Sirius accelerated as she stepped toward her.
"I just came out. Since the time was about right, I figured I'd wait for you here."
"If that's the case, why didn't you go into the dorm lobby? It's still quite cold in the morning."
"Hmph. Thanks to our 'wonderful' President, I'm not allowed to enter or leave your dormitory building," Sirius teased irritably.
"Huh? Why is that?"
Seeing the little Uma Musume in front of her making a dazed and confused expression, Sirius narrowed her eyes and leaned in close.
She reached out and slowly brushed a strand of hair away from the other girl's ear.
"Isn't it all because of you, little Starlight~ She doesn't even treat Teio with this much importance…"
"She holds you in her palms like a precious treasure, terrified that someone might steal you away."
Taking a small half-step back, Starlight gently patted Sirius's hand away and looked at her with a hint of skepticism.
"I think that might be your own problem. The President has never stopped Rice Shower or the others from looking for me, right? It's not good to pin everything on her."
Starlight then put a hand on her hip and began to lecture.
Clearly, these biased words made Sirius quite unhappy.
Her face clouded over, and her tone turned cold.
"Let's not talk about those irrelevant things. Let's just start training. I'm actually quite curious to see just how you became this strong."
"Alright! Then let's begin."
Without paying it much mind, Starlight clenched her pink fists and spoke with a look of firm determination before turning to run toward the training grounds.
At first, Sirius Symboli was relaxed and composed. After all, she was someone who had once dominated the turf.
However, once she actually started following Starlight's training regimen, she realized just how terrifying it truly was.
On the grass of the training grounds, Sirius sat crouched in a somewhat ungraceful manner, her expression slightly contorted.
Panting heavily, she watched the silver-gold figure in the distance, who was still jogging to recover her stamina.
'She's panting too, she's exhausted as well... so why can she still stand? Why can she still run?'
"Let's start the next item, Sirius!"
Turning around, Starlight adjusted her breathing and walked toward Sirius. She reached out a hand with a smile.
Sirius's mouth twitched.
She was starting to regret coming along to train, but her stubborn, competitive nature won out.
She decided to persevere. At the very least, she couldn't let Starlight look down on her.
Nodding to Starlight, she slowly reached out and placed her hand in the other's.
Starlight's hand was soft yet slightly damp, she had clearly worked up quite a sweat.
As Sirius stood up, a light breeze brushed past, fluttering the silver hair of the Uma Musume before her.
A faint, fresh fragrance wafted into her nose.
Somehow, Sirius felt her chaotic, ragged breathing gradually steady... the stinging sensation in her lungs eased slightly.
'Perhaps... I really can hold on a little longer?!'
"Try to keep up. This speed-endurance set will last a long time. If there's even a slight slip-up midway, you might catch a stitch in your side."
After giving her warning, Starlight let go, turned, and began to sprint.
Nodding as she watched the receding back of her companion, a touch of resolve appeared in Sirius's eyes.
She had originally intended to accompany Starlight just to find an opportunity to grow closer to her.
But now...
She simply wanted to persevere, to follow that figure and complete the training plan.
Pushing through the ache in her thighs, Sirius began to run.
The shift in her mindset and goal made the current speed-endurance set feel a bit easier, and by mimicking Starlight's pace ahead of her, she not only saved energy but improved her cardiovascular efficiency.
'This little Uma Musume really knows her stuff when it comes to training...'
As noon approached and the long speed-endurance session finally ended, Starlight looked at Sirius, who was now lying on the ground with zero regard for her image.
Starlight didn't say much, only offering a happy smile.
"That's amazing, Sirius... you're the first Uma Musume who has been able to finish my entire training session with me."
"Heh... this... this kind of intensity is a piece of cake for me," Sirius replied, her voice still stubborn even as her hand trembled while waving it dismissively.
"So impressive~ As expected of Sirius. I'll go grab some energy drinks. Our morning training is officially complete."
"Mhm... alright."
Lifting her head slightly to watch the departing figure, Sirius could finally rest without worry.
However, before she could even catch her breath, her phone suddenly rang at the most inopportune moment.
"Tch... who is it?"
Reluctantly, she picked up the phone and swiped to answer without looking. A cool, calm voice rang out.
"Sirius, could you please come to the Support Department? Some of your materials weren't submitted in full, and we cannot proceed with the follow-up work."
"I know, I know. I'll be there in a bit."
"Sorry to bother you. I'll see you shortly then."
Dream Journey spoke with an apologetic tone before hanging up.
On the other end, Sirius sighed and complained, "Honestly, having to go over there now..."
Suddenly, a cold sensation pressed against her cheek.
Sirius flinched, and as she looked up, she met Starlight's curious eyes.