Starlight stepped out of the bathroom, already fully dressed.
She adjusted her skirt and turned to look at Seiun Sky, tidying herself up as she spoke.
"What do you want to eat, Seiun-chan?"
Shaking her head, Seiun Sky climbed down from the bed.
"I don't know. Starlight-chan, I'll just follow you..."
Seeing the other girl stepping closer and closer, Starlight retreated half a step and asked curiously.
"Seiun-chan, why aren't you in class? Why did you run to my dorm so early in the morning?"
"Why are you asking that? And Starlight-chan, what's with that half-step back... I'm so hurt~"
Looking at her pitiful little act, Starlight had a smile on her face, but her words were sharp and clear.
"Don't try to 'moe' your way out of this, Seiun-chan. Why aren't you in class?"
Her composure crumbling, Seiun Sky awkwardly averted her gaze.
"Well, I wasn't feeling great, so I asked the teacher for a leave of absence..."
"Really?"
"Mhm, really, Starlight-chan~"
"Then if I take you out with me later, won't it be hard on you? How about I walk you back to your dorm so you can rest?"
As she spoke, Divine Starlight turned around and pulled a pair of leather shoes from the shoe rack by the door.
"Wait, wait, Starlight-chan! Don't! Didn't you tell me you'd spend time with me after your race? That's why I came!"
Hurrying to Starlight's side, Seiun Sky grabbed her hand and spoke urgently.
After finishing, the "azure cat" even rubbed against Starlight's shoulder like a spoiled pet.
Although she had rested for a full day, the race had still been exhausting, so Starlight didn't have much energy to lecture her.
She reached out and gently flicked Seiun Sky on the forehead.
"Stop clinging to me. Hurry up and change so we can go."
"Ouch! Where, where are we going?"
"To get you food, where else?"
"Hehe... Yay! Starlight-chan."
Once the two Uma Musume were ready, they headed toward a nearby restaurant.
Carrying her small satchel and holding Seiun Sky's hand, Starlight strolled along the street.
Meanwhile, at the Junior High division, Class C.
It was the end of the second period. King Halo, who was chatting with her friends in the back, looked at the empty seat in the front row and couldn't help but frown.
"It's been all morning. Why hasn't Seiun Sky shown up yet?"
"I don't know. Halfway through the second period, she said her stomach hurt and went to the restroom."
King Halo nodded, deep in thought, when she suddenly heard Special Week's voice from nearby.
"Whoa! Seiun-chan actually went to Starlight's dorm!"
"Huh? For real...?"
Haru Urara, who was known for popping into other classrooms, hurried over to look at the message on Spe-chan's phone screen.
"That actually happens quite often since she usually goes to Starlight-senpai's room for afternoon naps."
"But it's class time right now..."
Grass Wonder's expression was unreadable, her voice calm but carrying an imperceptible trace of gravity.
Her ears twitched as she overheard the conversation, and King Halo's hands reflexively tightened.
'This girl... No, Starlight-senpai just finished a race and is in her recovery period. I can't let her be disturbed.'
With that thought, as the third period began around 10:00 AM, the teacher was busy explaining key points on the board, our King Halo raised her hand.
"Teacher, I'm not feeling very well in my stomach..."
Moving her gaze from the blackboard, the teacher looked at her and nodded.
"Go ahead..."
Standing up, King Halo walked slowly out of the classroom.
After taking a deep breath, she immediately began rushing toward the school exit.
Watching her leave, Grass Wonder's eyes were filled with worry, her hands folded on the desk as she nervously picked at her nails.
'What's going on... why do I feel so uneasy?'
'Seiun-chan shouldn't have any "intentions" toward Starlight-senpai, and King-chan barely even interacts with her...'
Beneath her furrowed brows, Grass Wonder's eyelids were twitching incessantly.
Anxiety-desu~
She had nearly picked her nails raw.
Letting out a sigh, Grass Wonder stood up in front of everyone and spoke softly.
"Teacher, I have a bit of a headache. I'd like to go to the nurse's office..."
"Mm... go ahead."
After leaving the classroom, Grass Wonder headed toward the exit while simultaneously sending a message to Starlight on her phone.
The time was currently around 10:20 AM.
A total of three "warriors" from the prestigious Junior High Class C had now been deployed.
As for why Grass Wonder and King Halo, despite leaving so early, hadn't managed to reach Starlight's dorm as Seiun Sky had?
"Miss Hayakawa, please just open the gate. I really have an urgent matter~" King Halo pleaded, looking at the "Green Devil" standing at the entrance.
"That's right. My head really hurts right now, and I need to go to the dorm to get my medicine..." Grass Wonder added from the other side, feigning distress.
In response, the Chairman's secretary, ever the pillar of duty, remained unmoved.
She advised them in a flat tone:
"If you two are hoping to leave school early, I suggest you give up. There is a medical office on campus with professional doctors."
"If you are feeling unwell, you may go there for treatment."
Seeing this, the two Uma Musume had no choice but to drop the act and walk away.
"What's your deal?"
On the path, King Halo glanced at Grass Wonder and questioned her.
"I feel very uneasy. Something might happen to Starlight-senpai... what about you?"
"Hmph. I just don't want that lazy Seiun Sky to disturb Starlight-senpai's rest, that's all."
"I noticed Starlight-chan hasn't replied to my messages. Usually, that means she's sleeping, yet Seiun-chan managed to get into her room."
Grass Wonder's worried words made King Halo freeze instantly.
"What! You mean Seiun Sky entered Starlight-senpai's room while she was completely defenseless?!"
"Don't worry, Seiun-chan is simple-minded and doesn't have many ideas. She probably just wants to spend some time with Senpai."
"Trust me, I am Senpai's neighbor."
"Then what did you mean just now when you said something was going to happen to Starlight-senpai?"
...
Faced with King Halo's counter-question, Grass Wonder fell silent.
It was true— that sentence had actually been meant for herself, a futile attempt at self-reassurance.
The two Uma Musume loitered near the school gate for a long time.
It wasn't until they saw Hayakawa Tazuna leave after finishing her shift that they bolted toward the exit.
Unfortunately, they were a step too late.
"Look, there's Starlight-senpai and Seiun-chan."
Squinting, Grass Wonder pointed at the two small figures at a distant intersection.
"Let's catch up."
The scene shifted.
Starlight blinked, sitting in a corner of a fast-food restaurant.
She looked at the two panting Uma Musume across from her and asked in confusion.
"Why aren't you two eating at the academy cafeteria? Why did you follow me? Are you tired? Here, have some water."
Taking the cup, King Halo picked it up gracefully.
After taking a small sip, she shot a glare at Seiun Sky, who was sitting next to Starlight.
Then, she spoke to Starlight in a soft tone.
"It's nothing, Starlight-senpai. By the way, was your rest this morning alright?"
"Yeah, it was fine. Except for this little one sneaking into my bed."
With that, Starlight reached out and playfully rubbed Seiun Sky's head.
"Um, Senpai... did Seiun-chan do anything... inappropriate to you...?" Grass Wonder asked with concern.
"Hey, I was very well-behaved. How could you think of me like that..."
Squinting her eyes while leaning on the table, Seiun Sky purred lazily, enjoying Starlight's touch as she retorted.
"While I appreciate the concern, Grass-chan, Seiun-chan is a good kid. Please don't speculate about her like that."
"I wasn't bothered at all."