The sun was nearing the horizon.
Starlight and King Halo strolled along the outermost ring of the training ground, both Uma Musume breathing heavily with beads of sweat lining their faces.
"There's still a little time left before the break ends. We'll reach the starting line by then."
"Haah... haah... Starlight-senpai, are you planning to participate in the Oka Sho?"
"That's right. I entered the preparation phase quite early to get ready."
Clutching her chest, King Halo tried to steady her breathing, feeling a deep sense of awe at the other girl's sheer physical stamina.
"Still, I can't underestimate my opponents, they are very strong too. That's why I have to keep training hard..."
After training alongside her, King Halo was certain that the silver-haired Uma Musume before her possessed formidable strength.
It was as if they weren't even in the same dimension.
Whether it was basic fundamentals or advanced techniques, she was beyond anything an Uma Musume of King's current level could compare to.
Yet, despite that, the girl showed no sign of slackness or arrogance, continuing to refine her skills with diligent persistence.
Thinking back to the grand, boastful words she had spat out before the Yayoi Sho, King Halo felt a wave of intense shame.
Her face flushed red, and she took a few quick steps to get in front of Starlight, bowing slightly.
"I'm sorry... Starlight-senpai, for saying such arrogant things to you before... I-"
Seeing this, Starlight smiled softly.
She reached out to pat the other girl's head, her voice as gentle as flowing water.
"Why apologize, Halo-chan? I like your confidence, that's the real you."
"Is... is that true, Senpai...?"
"Of course. After all, you are strong, Halo-chan. I can feel it. It's just that your power hasn't been fully unleashed yet."
"So please continue to hold onto that unique confidence of yours, okay?"
"I'll always be rooting for you~"
It felt as if the world around them had been muted, leaving only Divine Starlight's warm, melodious voice flowing into King Halo's ears.
Looking at the petite silver-gold Uma Musume, King suppressed the flutter in her heart and let out a long, deep sigh.
Her gaze sharpened, and her voice became firm.
"I will, Senpai! I won't let you down..."
Hearing this, Starlight playfully pinched the other girl's cheek.
"The most important thing is not to let yourself down, silly~"
Starlight stepped past her, clasping her hands behind her back as she skipped toward the starting line.
"Alright, let's hurry up. Once we finish this last set of acceleration sprints, we can call it a day."
Coming to her senses, King Halo's face turned beet red.
Her body trembled as she turned around and cried out in annoyance:
"Starlight-senpai!! Honestly, please maintain your etiquette!"
"Hahaha... sorry! You're just so prim and proper, Halo-chan, I couldn't resist teasing you~"
After the training session concluded, the two Uma Musume approached Kiryuu Inami.
"How do you feel, King Halo-san?"
"Thank you for looking after me. Today's training was very enlightening."
"That's good... If you want to train with Starlight again next time, you don't have to be so sneaky about it."
"Ah... mm, I understand..."
Lowering her head in embarrassment, King Halo didn't quite dare to meet the trainer's eyes.
"Alright, alright, I'm done lecturing. By the way, Starlight-chan, let's go grab some yakiniku together!" Kiryuu Inami said, closing her folder and waving her hand toward the exit.
"Yay~! Inami-chan, is it that same place as last time?"
"Of course. I've already booked our table."
Turning toward King Halo, Starlight extended an invitation.
"Halo-chan, do you want to join us? I'd really like to have dinner with you..."
Glancing up at the fair, delicate hand offered to her, King Halo hesitated for a moment before finally reaching out to take it.
"S-since it is a sincere invitation from a senior, I certainly won't refuse..."
Seeing her agree, Starlight immediately pulled King Halo to her side, linking arms with her as she cheerfully kept pace with Kiryuu Inami ahead.
After a pleasant dinner, King Halo returned to her dormitory and sat on the edge of her bed.
Looking at the photo on her phone of her and Starlight together, she didn't want to admit it, but she truly was happy.
"Suzuka-chan, Suzuka-chan! Starlight-senpai said she's bringing me some of her handmade desserts tomorrow~!"
"Mm~ I saw. But Spe-chan, you can't eat too much. You have to watch your weight closely right now."
"Ehehe... I know, I know~"
The voices of Special Week and Silence Suzuka drifted in from the hallway, it seemed the two had just returned.
The moment King Halo heard the name "Starlight," her ears instinctively perked up.
Looking at the photo on her phone, she somehow found herself pouting with a hint of dissatisfaction.
'If I had met Starlight-senpai first, the one enjoying her personal guidance and handmade desserts would have been me...'
"Wait, what are you thinking, King Halo! What a wicked thought..."
She shook her head vigorously, violently tossing that idea to the back of her mind.
"While she is indeed better, gentler, and prettier than I imagined... I am King Halo! How could I be like Special Week and the others?"
The self-proclaimed noble King Halo took this moment to harshly criticize the behavior of Special Week and her group.
Whether she was truly noble or just a little bit jealous in her heart... it was hard to say.
Taking a deep breath, King Halo stopped overthinking.
After washing up, she chose to go straight to sleep.
The next day at noon.
She was carrying her school bag, thinking about returning to the dorm to change into her training gear and rush to the training ground.
However, as she passed Special Week and Suzuka's room, she noticed the door was slightly ajar, and she could faintly hear conversation from inside.
"Wow, is this the chocolate cake Starlight-chan made? It's so pretty!"
"Suzuka-chan, can I see yours?"
"Sure, but they should be about the same."
Opening Suzuka's box and looking at the exquisite milk-white cake inside, topped with a little bear cookie decoration...
"This one is so cute too!"
"Mm, I almost don't want to eat it..."
The two Uma Musume likely had no idea that a single eye was peeking through the crack in the door at that very moment.
'Cake... so she really does make cakes, and they look that good... Dammit.'
"Oh my. King Halo-san, may I ask what you are doing?"
Startled, King Halo stood up abruptly and looked at the Uma Musume who had addressed her.
She spoke in a hurried tone:
"I-It's McQueen-san! My shoelace came undone, so I was leaning down to tie it."
Mejiro McQueen nodded skeptically, appearing as though she didn't want to dig any deeper.
"I see. You really should tie your laces securely next time, it wouldn't do to get injured over something like that."
"You're right, haha... Ah? What's that in your hand?"
Hearing this, Mejiro McQueen curled her lips into a very smug smile, lifting the box as if to show it off.
"This is a cake Starlight-chan gave me. Hehe... apparently, she made it herself. I'm heading back to my room right now to have a taste."
"Well, I won't chat any longer. See you next time."
Hurrying past King Halo while cradling the gift box, Mejiro McQueen rushed toward her own dorm.
Left standing there with complex emotions, King Halo's fists clenched slightly.
"How could I possibly feel envious over a mere cake? Haha... as if!"
With that, she let out a cold huff and headed downstairs.
One had to admit, watching her like this, she really did seem a little different from the other Uma Musume.