"Of course. This is a classic model, and it holds great commemorative value."
Dream Journey walked slowly toward it, seemingly wanting to take it down and examine it.
She stood on her tiptoes and reached out.
However, whether it was due to her lack of height or the fact that the musket was hung too high, she actually couldn't reach it.
"Cough, cough..."
Hearing the dry cough, Orfevre, operating with perfect unspoken understanding, stepped up behind Dream Journey.
She grabbed her sister's waist and lifted her high into the air.
With her sister's assistance, Dream Journey successfully retrieved the musket.
After playing with it for a moment, a nostalgic smile touched her lips.
The silver frames of her glasses reflected the overhead light, making it impossible for Starlight to read the emotions in her eyes.
"Unfortunately, the other party in the deal wasn't very sincere. After the situation was 'handled,' she accidentally fell into the sea."
After hanging it back up, she signaled to Orfevre behind her.
Once Dream Journey was set back down, she clasped her hands behind her back and strolled over to the window.
Gazing out at the midday scenery, she continued:
"There are still many artworks I wanted to purchase from her..."
"That really is a shame~ Well then, since there's nothing else for me to do, I'll take my leave. Bye-bye—"
Starlight subconsciously reached out to support Sirius Symboli, only to suddenly realize something. She said in surprise:
"Eh!? Sirius, you're all better? I guess I don't need to help you walk anymore."
After a couple of sheepish laughs, Starlight turned and started heading toward the door.
In the background, Dream Journey's eyes flicked toward Orfevre.
Following the signal, Orfevre quickly moved behind Starlight and scooped her up.
The sudden weightlessness caught Starlight off guard.
After flailing for a few seconds, she slowly turned her head to look at a smiling Dream Journey.
"Is there something else, Dream-chan?"
"It's nothing urgent. I just wanted to have a cup of tea and chat with Starlight-chan for a while. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"
"It would be best not to refuse, Starlight-chan..."
Orfevre's magnetic voice vibrated right by her ear.
Starlight shivered involuntarily and rubbed her horse ears before answering.
"Fine, fine. I'll stay with you for a bit then."
Beside them, Sirius Symboli's expression froze.
She turned to look at Dream Journey in disbelief.
Seeing Sirius's look of 'wanting to say something but hesitating,' Dream Journey feigned confusion and asked:
"What is it, Sirius? Your paperwork is already finished, you may leave."
"You'll be heading abroad soon, so I'm sure you have plenty to prepare. I won't keep you any longer."
The scene shifted, and before she could even react, Sirius Symboli found herself standing outside the door.
Looking back at the tightly shut door, her fists clenched tight.
"Tch... you two!"
Inside the clubroom, Starlight blinked, finding herself seated on a sofa with a teacup in her hands.
Turning to look at Dream Journey, who was drinking tea with elegant poise, she said with a smile:
"Dream-chan, it's been a while since we last met~"
"Yes, indeed. Ever since we had dinner last time, you haven't come to see me for a very long time."
Her eyes were unreadable as Dream Journey looked at her own reflection in the tea, her tone slow and deliberate.
"I originally wanted to introduce my perfect sister to you, but today isn't too late either."
As she spoke, Dream Journey looked toward her sister, who as dazzling as the sun, with a sense of pride.
"Elder Sister, didn't you say that I didn't need to get to know any inconsequential outsiders?" Orfevre asked, recalling her sister's past words.
Dream Journey set down her teacup.
She slowly shifted her gaze toward Divine Starlight, looking into those golden eyes, noting the smooth silver-gold hair and that gentle smile.
"She is different from those other Uma Musume. Just like her name suggests, Divine Starlight... she is an Uma Musume capable of emitting a radiance as brilliant as my sister's."
With that, Dream Journey leaned in closer.
She reached out and gently stroked Starlight's cheek, looking at her much like she looked at her own sister.
The affection in her eyes was plain to see.
"I could see it from the very first moment I laid eyes on her. So, my sister... I hope you can become friends with her."
With her arms crossed, Orfevre also looked toward Starlight.
She had always agreed with her elder sister's judgment, and this time was no different.
"Since it is Elder Sister's request, then Divine Starlight, I acknowledge you as a friend."
Holding her spoon, Starlight stirred her tea and gave a sheepish laugh.
"Well then, thank you very much, Orfevre..."
Letting go, Dream Journey looked at Starlight's attire and remarked, "You were training today as well, weren't you? You've worked hard."
"I'm used to it, so it's no problem."
"It's a pity Miss Sirius Symboli has such impure motives. She's deceived you quite a bit, hasn't she?"
Starlight blinked, looking somewhat puzzled.
"Not really. Sirius hasn't done anything out of line, and she even trained with me today."
Shaking her head, Dream Journey looked at the innocent silver-haired Uma Musume and said with a smile:
"Her leg wasn't actually cramping. She simply wanted you to support her."
"I know."
To Dream Journey's surprise, Starlight confirmed it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
This gave Dream Journey a start, and she asked in return:
"Even knowing that, you still supported her?"
"Otherwise, what? Sirius just wanted to spend some quality time with me before she leaves this place."
"As I said, she didn't do anything inappropriate, and she trained with me for so long, so of course I should respond to her kindness in kind."
Dream Journey's pupils contracted sharply, before she slowly allowed the flutter in her heart to settle.
'No, she is different from my sister...'
'The light she emits isn't blindingly sharp, instead, it is incredibly gentle, making one can't help but want to be close to her.'
In the afternoon, Dream Journey stood by the window, watching that silver-haired figure on the distant training ground.
Her finger tapped rhythmically against the windowsill.
"It seems Elder Sister likes her very much..."
Suddenly, Orfevre's voice came from behind.
Dream Journey's posture stiffened for a moment, then she turned around and smiled dismissively.
"Mm. But I only see her as another version of you. She has a shadow of you in her."
Orfevre shook her head.
Walking to Dream Journey's side and looking out at the training ground, she disagreed.
"She is not like me, and you are not treating her like a sister, Elder Sister. I can see it, you have a different kind of emotion toward her."
"To make Elder Sister feel this way after only a few brief meetings... she is impressive, but not as much as I am."
"Yes... in my heart, my sister will always be the strongest and the greatest."
Around mid-March, the Yayoi Sho officially began.
As a precursor to the Satsuki Sho, one of the Classic Triple Crown races. it was a very significant event.
Winning this race meant earning a direct qualification for the Satsuki Sho.
Standing outside, Special Week wore a red training jacket over her racing silks.
"Trainer! Trainer! You finally made it!"
She had spotted Divine Starlight walking toward her from a distance.
"Good luck, Spe-chan~ Win this race, and you'll get to wear your cute racing silks soon~"
"Yes! I'll do my best! I'll definitely let you see them then~!"
After patting her head, Starlight joined Team Spica.
After greeting everyone one by one, she noticed an unexpected face.
"Eh~ Teio-chan, why are you here too?"
"Starlight-senpai, I've decided to join Spica!"
"Really? That's wonderful! I'm sure you'll find the atmosphere you're looking for here."
"Of course! I actually wanted to get McQueen to come over too, but she said she didn't quite fit in here, so I didn't push her."
Nodding, Starlight said with a smile:
"Well~ things like that can't be forced."
"Alright, Spe-chan, hurry to the inspection~ Seiun Sky and the others have already gone in."