Inside the dormitory, Divine Starlight looked at the figure kneeling on the carpet petting the cats.
She stepped inside after changing her shoes.
"Starlight-chan~ Let's get into bed quickly..."
Hearing this, Starlight's mouth twitched as she spoke helplessly.
"Sky-chan, don't you think there's something a bit off about the way you phrased that?"
"Oh my~ Does Starlight-chan actually want to be in that kind of relationship with me?"
Looking at the "cat" teasing her, Starlight immediately delivered a light karate chop to her head.
"Talk nonsense again and I'll kick you out."
Clutching her head, Seiun Sky stood up and stuck her tongue out at Starlight before climbing onto the bed.
Picking up a nearby cat, she stared at the ceiling and slowly closed her eyes.
Seeing this, Starlight walked over to the edge of the bed and lay down as well.
Though she didn't know exactly what Seiun Sky was thinking, Starlight treated her like a younger sister.
Lazy and scattered on a daily basis, Sky would occasionally run over to act spoiled, and whenever she felt wronged, she would just endure it on her own...
Turning her head slightly to look at the other girl's sleeping face, Starlight felt an involuntary sense of peace.
As she slowly closed her eyes and her consciousness began to blur, she felt a slight touch.
Opening her eyes a crack, Starlight saw Seiun Sky instinctively turn over and hug her.
'This little cat really can't stay still while sleeping...'
With a quiet sigh, Starlight ignored it and let her be.
In the afternoon, when Starlight opened her eyes and saw Seiun Sky's face inches away, she was already used to it.
Gently pulling her arm free, Starlight picked up her phone to check the time.
"It's training time, Sky-chan. Sky-chan, wake up..."
Warm breath brushed against Seiun Sky's cheek. Her brow furrowed as she slowly opened her drowsy eyes.
"Starlight-chan... you're going to train again."
"That's right. Can you let go of me now, little Sky?"
Instead of following instructions, Seiun Sky reached out and grabbed Starlight's hand— the one holding the phone— and tucked it back under the covers.
She then tightened her embrace around the silver-haired Uma Musume.
"Can you not go? How about you stay and nap with me all afternoon~?"
Her voice was peaceful and soft, but the strength applied by the speaker was quite significant.
It wouldn't be easy for Starlight to break free if she wanted to.
"Oh, come on. My race is coming up soon. Does Sky-chan really want to see me lose?"
Shaking her head, Seiun Sky buried her small face into the crook of Starlight's neck.
"...That tickles. Sky-chan, stop messing around, okay?"
"Mm... okay then. Go train, Starlight-chan. I won't disturb you anymore."
With that, Seiun Sky sat up and spoke with a sheepish grin.
After sitting up, Starlight didn't get off the bed immediately.
Instead, she stared at Seiun Sky's face.
"W-what is it?"
"Once I'm done with the Oka Sho, I'll spend more time with you."
Reaching out to stroke the other's face, Starlight stood up, went to the wardrobe to change into her training gear, put on her running shoes, and headed to the door.
"Remember to lock the door when you leave. I'm off!"
Click!
With Starlight's departure, Seiun Sky was the only Uma Musume left in the room, along with several cute cats.
Normally, she would have lay in the middle of the group of cats and enjoyed the sunlight.
But now...
Slowly clutching the blanket beneath her, Seiun Sky buried her head into it, deeply inhaling the scent of Starlight that lingered there.
'Every time I'm sad, Starlight is the one who comforts me... she's also the only Uma Musume who can tell when I'm hurting.'
'From the very first time we met, I could feel her aura was so fresh, like walking through a forest after the rain.'
"Starlight-chan... I'm going to train, too. I'm going to win the Satsuki Sho. I'm going to beat Spe-chan."
Taking a deep breath, Seiun Sky straightened up.
Her eyes showed a long-absent resolve.
'What does it matter if she has Starlight's personal training?'
'Starlight-chan is rooting for me...'
At the training grounds, King Halo thought exactly this as she watched Special Week training with Team Spica from a distance.
Our champion, Spe-chan, was completely unaware of the burning battle intent within the runner-up and third-place finishers of the Yayoi Sho, remaining happily immersed in her own training.
The press conference on the eve of the Oka Sho.
As one of the invited Uma Musume, Daiichi Ruby was the first to arrive.
As a scion of a prestigious noble family, her upbringing had always been impeccable.
Dressed in her black-and-white checkered dress— her racing outfit— she remained elegant and composed despite the constant flashing of cameras and thrusting microphones.
"Regarding this Oka Sho, Miss Daiichi Ruby, how confident do you feel about your chances?"
After a moment of thought, Ruby looked at the inquiring reporter and spoke calmly.
"I am not sure, but I will give it my absolute all."
"I see. That resolve is very firm indeed. Now then—"
Click.
As the doors swung open, an Uma Musume with silver-gold hair entered, surrounded by a swarm of fans.
Wearing her own black-and-white themed racing clothes, Starlight's golden pupils radiated a brilliant light.
She enthusiastically greeted fans and reporters alike while signing autographs, looking for all the world like an international superstar.
She approached Daiichi Ruby and greeted her with a smile. "Hello, Ruby~"
"Hello, Starlight-san. You are very punctual."
Raising her skirt slightly, Ruby responded with a polite bow.
"Mm-hmm, as are you..."
Starlight turned to face the reporters.
In an instant, an invisible aura dissipated from around her.
For a second, the pressure forced back the reporters who were about to rush forward with questions.
To the humans, it felt like nothing more than a sudden, strong gust of wind.
Beside her, however, Daiichi Ruby's body stiffened.
Her eyes, like red agates, trembled as she stared at the silver-haired Uma Musume.
"U-Um, Miss Starlight, may I ask what your thoughts are on this Oka Sho?"
"I will do my best to show my fans and the audience the most brilliant version of myself."
Her charismatic smile left the reporter momentarily dazed. She nodded, her face flushing slightly.
"Right, I understand. Now... your old rival from the last race, Fine Motion, is also in this competition."
"Word is she has prepared extensively, do you think she poses a threat to you?"
"I never underestimate any of my opponents. They all deserve my full effort. So, whatever tricks they have, bring them on."
"I look forward to seeing the sight of you all trying to overtake me."
"Ahaha, that is certainly a unique statement. Well then, would the two contestants please take your seats offstage."
Nodding, Starlight walked down from the stage and extended a hand toward Ruby.
Taken aback, Ruby gave a small smile and placed her hand in Starlight's.
With Starlight's support, Ruby descended the steps elegantly.
"Thank you, Starlight-san."
"You're welcome... By the way, Ruby, you look very beautiful today."
Hearing the compliment, Ruby covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh.
"No matter how beautiful I may be, I could never be as eye-catching as Starlight-san is today."
Chatting idly, the two sat in their designated seats, waiting for the other invited Uma Musume to be interviewed.
Looking at the silver-haired Uma Musume beside her, Ruby somehow recalled the words Daitaku Helios had said to her a few days prior.
"Starlight-san..."
"Yes? What is it, Ruby?"
"A month from now, my family is hosting an important ball. I am still in need of a partner, would it be possible to invite you to join me?"
"Eh? While I'd be happy to help you, Ruby, can I ask why me?"
"I don't know myself. I just feel that if I chose you as my partner, I would feel very much at peace."