Hearing Daiichi Ruby say this, Starlight couldn't help but feel a bit moved.
She slowly reached out and grasped the other girl's slightly cool, petite hand.
"I'm so happy to hear Ruby say something like that. Alright then, I'd love to dance with you too."
"Oh my, Starlight-chan is truly popular. I see a scene like this every time we meet..."
Suddenly, from Starlight's right side, came the light chuckle of Fine Motion.
The two Uma Musume instantly let go of each other's hands.
Starlight turned her head and greeted her nonchalantly.
"Fine-chan, you're finally here. You're so slow~"
"It couldn't be helped. The apartment I'm temporarily staying in is quite far from here, and a new ramen shop opened downstairs. I couldn't resist and ended up lingering there for a bit."
"So Fine Motion-san enjoys noodle-based foods?"
"Of course. Do you like them too, Ruby-san?"
Ruby rubbed her chin and shook her head.
"I only eat them occasionally for a change of pace, I haven't reached the level of 'loving' them."
"What about you, Starlight-chan? What kind of food do you like?"
Hearing this, Divine Starlight looked at Fine Motion's expectant gaze, narrowed her eyes, and said in a playful tone:
"Me? Hmm... I like whatever Fine-chan likes to eat~"
Fine Motion hadn't expected Starlight to tease her like this, and her face flushed slightly.
"Sigh... Starlight-chan, although it makes me happy when you say things like that, I'd prefer it if you were more serious."
"I am being very serious~"
The three Uma Musume, being the top favorites for this race, had naturally been arranged to sit together.
The photographers hiding in the shadows had hoped to capture some sparks of friction or tension between them.
However, this current image of them chatting and laughing intimately seemed a bit off.
A photographer adjusted his glasses and said, looking somewhat dazed:
"Normally, wouldn't there be daggers drawn and some trash-talking in a race like this? Why is it like this?"
Immediately following the conclusion of the press conference, the Oka Sho officially began.
Starlight changed into her racing clothes, draped her exclusive cape over her shoulders, and stood in the lineup for the inspection.
Outside the field, Special Week looked at the path paved with cherry blossom petals and the cherry trees in full bloom on both sides, feeling a wave of emotion.
"Wow... is this a G1 race? It's so beautiful..."
"Well, it is the Oka Sho after all, so it has to have some signature features. But there are so many people."
Vodka marveled as she looked at the long lines of people waiting to enter the spectator stands.
"Hmph, this is Starlight-senpai's race, so of course there are more spectators than at other events."
Daiwa Scarlet said, her hands on her hips as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Eh? Where did Suzuka-chan go?"
"Spe-chan, Suzuka went inside a long time ago..." Tokai Teio pointed toward the entrance.
"Ha! Then we'd better hurry too..."
While the Spica crew was rushing through the queue to get in, our Student Council President was already leisurely seated on the sofa of a VIP box.
Looking at the figure on the empty inspection stage on the big screen, she unhurriedly poured herself a glass of red wine.
She had already pre-purchased all the VIP tickets through special channels, so she could enter early for any race that Starlight participated in.
Was this the power of the President's influence?
As the trainer for Team Rigil, Tojo Hana naturally came to watch as well.
"Senpai, you're as early as always." Kiryuu Inami said with a smile, looking at Tojo Hana who was holding a tablet.
"Ah, Inami. Yes... Divine Starlight's current strength is very much worth studying and observing."
"Naturally, I had to come early."
"The fact that Starlight and I have achieved this much today is all thanks to the training plans and guidance you gave me back then."
Tojo Hana shook her head.
Looking at the fresh turf below, that silver, lonely figure flashed through her mind over and over again.
Aside from Inami, Tojo Hana was the person who had paid the most attention to Starlight.
From the early mornings spent in grueling solo training to now, training alongside other Uma Musume.
She had been watching silently, wanting to see how this Uma Musume of mediocre talent would grow.
"I merely gave you a bit of guidance. Whether you can succeed and how far you can go... it still depends on the combined efforts of you and Starlight."
"That's so mean, Inami-chan~ You two are whispering here without me."
Ryo Nishizaki walked over from a distance with one hand in his trouser pocket, his tone teasing.
"Hmph... still as messy as ever. I really don't know how you have the nerve to accept it when Inami calls you 'Senpai'."
"Well I'm a Trainer with a prize-winning Uma Musume now, so why wouldn't I?"
Hearing this, Tojo Hana turned her gaze toward Special Week in the distance.
After observing for a long while, she said helplessly:
"If she stays like this, her Satsuki Sho will be an impossible success."
At those words, Ryo Nishizaki sighed, and his expression turned serious.
"I know. But she said it's fine, as long as she trains with all her might."
"Although I'm worried, seeing her so optimistic... I think it's fine this way."
That was just how Ryo Nishizaki was. Compared to Tojo Hana's stern seriousness, he preferred to believe in the Uma Musume' own will, letting them run happily.
Seeing him like this, Tojo Hana had nothing more to say. She let out a soft sigh.
"I hope you're right."
The three Trainers fell silent.
Below them, at the inspection stand, the Uma Musume began to file out one after another.
After the inspection, Starlight watched the cherry blossom petals scattering occasionally in the air and listened to the passionate roars from the spectator stands.
She reached out to catch a petal, slowly tightening her grip.
"I hope to see you at your full strength this time, Starlight-san."
Daiichi Ruby walked over slowly, her hands folded gracefully in front of her.
"Yeah, me too. I hope to see your radiant figure, Ruby."
After their brief exchange, the competitors began their warm-ups.
The announcer started the introductions one by one.
"Welcome everyone to the first leg of the Triple Tiara, the Oka Sho! What kind of brilliant figures will these athletes bloom into on this 1,600-meter turf?"
"Let's wait and see!"
"The number one favorite for this race is, without a doubt, Divine Starlight. Looking at her condition today, she seems determined to seize the championship!"
"Even so, Akasaka-san, the second favorite, Daiichi Ruby, is not to be underestimated."
"Her chasing style is like that of an elite hunter, devouring the prey in front of her. I'm sure you remember it vividly, don't you?"
"Haha, indeed. My apologies for the oversight, Shizuka-san."
An elegant, black-haired woman sitting next to Akasaka gracefully picked up her notes and continued.
"Furthermore, Starlight's old rival, Fine Motion, has also come to this race. Let's wait and see what kind of sparks will fly between the two."
As the two commentators finished, the runners moved into the gates and took their positions.
"Starlight-chan! Starlight-chan! Do your best!!"
"Starlight-chan, I love you—!!"
Such a loud and blunt cheer came from none other than our Daitaku Helios.
Actually, she hadn't originally intended to do this.
After all, Ruby was on the field too, wasn't she? It was a bit awkward.
But she couldn't help it...
"Aaaaah! Starlight-senpai is so cool! I want you to step on me, Starlight-senpai!!!"
'Eh?! Weren't you quite shy just a moment ago?!'
'What is this, did you go berserk or is this a second personality?!'
Next to her was an even more ferocious pink-haired Uma Musume, wearing a "Starlight" fan-shirt.
Swept up in the atmosphere, Daitaku Helios felt as if she had found her tribe and began to cheer at the top of her lungs as well.
'Those two are so enthusiastic...'
Observing this, Starlight shifted her focus toward the signal lights in the distance.
As the light turned from red to yellow, and finally green.
Bang!
The gates swung open, and Starlight shot out like a catapult, taking the lead.