Feeling the dull ache radiating from her limbs, Silence Suzuka furrowed her brows slightly and moved around to stretch.
"Even though we did plenty of relaxation training, there's still some discomfort this morning. I wonder what today's training will be like?"
After tidying her bed, Suzuka changed into her training gear and glanced over at Special Week, who was still fast asleep, hugging her giant carrot plushie.
She stepped forward and gave her a gentle nudge.
"Spe-chan, time to wake up for training..."
"Mm... what time is it...? Suzuka-chan, don't tease me, let me sleep a bit longer..."
Hearing this, Silence Suzuka tried calling her a few more times, but our Spe-chan was like a little piglet who refused to wake up, not budging an inch.
Seeing that training time was fast approaching, Suzuka shook her head helplessly and hurried downstairs.
Just outside the dormitory entrance, she saw the other Uma Musume waiting at the gate.
"Suzuka-senpai, you're here! Eh? Where's Spe-chan?" Tokai Teio asked immediately upon seeing her.
"Um, Spe-chan is still sleeping. I couldn't wake her up no matter what..."
Looking around, Suzuka was surprised to find that even Gold Ship had arrived on time.
"Are you... McQueen-san?"
"Good morning, Suzuka-senpai." Mejiro McQueen greeted with a smile, one hand on her hip.
"Hey~ McQueen-chan, just join us already~"
"Allow me to consider it. We have training in a moment, you'd better save your energy."
Turning her head away, Mejiro McQueen ignored the Gold Ship who was pestering her.
"Starlight-chan, when do we start?"
With an expectant smile, Mejiro McQueen asked Starlight.
"Don't worry, wait a little longer. Spe-chan isn't here yet, right?"
The sky was still barely lit. Starlight looked at the stopwatch in her hand, then tucked it into her pocket after a moment.
"I'll go get her. The rest of you can start warming up. Jog for five kilometers and then head to the training grounds."
After speaking, Starlight headed toward the Ritto Dormitory.
The others watched her go.
Although they didn't know what methods Starlight would use, they couldn't help but feel a wave of anticipation for Special Week.
"Then I shall begin..." Mejiro McQueen didn't engage in much small talk with the rest of Team Spica, turning to jog away from the dorm area.
"Wait for me, McQueen-chan!"
Tokai Teio hurried to follow, followed by the rival duo, Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet.
Suzuka turned to take a deep look at the dormitory building before following the group.
As the sun slowly rose from the horizon, the morning glow bathed the training grounds.
After finishing their jog, the group saw Starlight waiting for them.
Beside her was Special Week, lying on the ground like a dried-out salted fish.
"Starlight-chan, what happened to Spe-chan...?"
"I just took her with me for a little warm-up. After all, she had to catch up to your pace quickly~"
Crouching beside Special Week, Tokai Teio reached out and poked her flushed cheek.
"Hey, Spe-chan, what's wrong? What did Starlight-senpai do?"
Slowly opening her eyelids, Special Week saw Teio's curious gaze and thought back to what had just happened.
Her face instantly went pale. She sat up in a panic and shook her head.
"No, I can't say... Starlight-chan won't let me. It was too terrifying..."
Seeing her "I've seen a ghost" expression, the others swallowed hard, looking at the gentle beauty nearby who was currently explaining the training plan to McQueen.
"Good thing my alarm clock successfully woke me up..."
"Please, I was the one who dragged you up. You don't even have an alarm clock!" Daiwa Scarlet retorted, annoyed, poking Vodka's arm.
And so, under Starlight's lead, Team Spica underwent two weeks of intense training.
Ryo Nishizaki held the charts in his hand, looking at the recent data recorded on them, and couldn't help but marvel.
"What astonishing data. It seems the time has come..."
Tucking the charts away, he pulled a beautifully packaged challenge letter from his pocket and headed toward the training grounds.
The sky was clear, and warm sunlight bathed the lush green turf.
Clatter, clatter, clatter—
A figure flashed by at high speed. Behind the mask, a pair of sky-blue eyes gleamed with confidence.
Up in the stands, Symboli Rudolf, Air Groove, and the others who were warming up showed satisfied smiles at the sight.
Tojo Hana pressed the stop button on her stopwatch with a calm expression.
While checking the time, she quickly recorded it onto the tablet in her hand.
"Oh~ looking in top form, El Condor Pasa!" Ryo Nishizaki said with a smile in his voice as he strolled over to offer his praise.
"If you don't have anything urgent, please leave. It is currently training time."
"Well, as expected of Team Rigil, the strongest in the academy. So serious..."
"That's a given, there isn't much time left."
"Ahem, actually, I'm here today to deliver a gift to you. Please accept this, Tojo Hana-chan~" With that, Ryo Nishizaki handed over the challenge letter.
"This is... a challenge? Who is challenging whom?" Tojo Hana asked, looking doubtfully at the pleading Ryo Nishizaki.
"That one, of course." Ryo Nishizaki pointed toward a blonde-haired Uma Musume in the distance and smiled.
"Are you sure? She's currently the strongest short-distance Uma Musume..."
"Positive. Please, there isn't much time left."
"Sigh... I understand. It's for the one who finished third in the Satsuki Sho, right?"
"Yes, thank you so much."
Swiping her finger across the screen, Special Week's data popped up, and Tojo Hana began to make the arrangements.
"Ehhh!! Me? I'm running against Taiki Shuttle? For real!?"
Inside the clubroom, Special Week looked at her name written on the blackboard and turned toward Ryo Nishizaki in disbelief.
"Of course. It's a rare opportunity. Special Week, you should really enjoy this race."
"It'll be fine, Spe-chan! After all that hard work, you can definitely do it— or at least you won't get left too far behind," Tokai Teio encouraged.
"That's right, that's right. You can definitely do it, Spe-senpai."
"O-Okay! I'll do my best!"
"That's the spirit. Alright, let's go get ready."
Special Week looked around the room and asked curiously, "By the way, where did Starlight-senpai go?"
"She's entered her pre-race preparation period. She's about to participate in the Japanese Oaks, so she probably won't have time to come check on you guys."
"Is that so..."
"Spe-chan, Starlight-chan will be rooting for you too. She'll come watch your race tomorrow, so rest easy."
"Mm, I understand."
The next afternoon arrived in the blink of an eye, and the training grounds were already packed with spectators.
Air Groove frowned as she scolded a slow-moving Hishi Amazon.
"Amazon! Hurry up and get to the finish line, the race is about to start!"
"Aye, I hear ya, I hear ya. What's the rush...?"
Carrying two small flags, Hishi Amazon reluctantly made her way to the finish line and promptly plopped down on the ground.
Checking the time on her stopwatch, Tojo Hana signaled to Air Groove below. The flags were raised.
"Ready! Go!"
Whoosh—
Two figures, Taiki Shuttle and Special Week, bolted out instantly.
Special Week was startled to see Taiki Shuttle pull ahead of her so effortlessly.
'So fast... but, I've also grown stronger through that grueling training!'
With that thought, Special Week's eyes sharpened, and she accelerated to give chase.