(T/N: This chapter title...)
And so, following Starlight's arrival, Mihono Bourbon stopped reading and quietly watched Starlight tidy up the room.
"You arrived so early, Bourbon-chan~"
"Negative. It was not early. I arrived at the training camp site approximately 12 minutes and 23 seconds before you, Starlight-senpai."
"Haha... you really have a funny way of talking, Bourbon-chan."
After organizing everything, Starlight sat down beside Bourbon.
"Oh, right! I have some snacks I bought on the way here. Let's eat together, Bourbon-chan~"
Looking at the small box being held out to her, Mihono Bourbon gave a slight wave of her hand.
"Negative. Today's intake has been completed. Excessive consumption of additional nutrients will cause—"
Before she could finish, Starlight popped a cookie into her mouth.
Bourbon froze for a moment, then began to chew subconsciously.
The sweetness of the cookie combined with its crunchy texture caused her ears to give an involuntary twitch.
"Is it good?"
Hearing Starlight's question, she looked somewhat flustered and gave a stiff nod.
Crunch, crunch...
The crisp sound of the cookie echoed in her mouth.
After swallowing the bite, Mihono Bourbon frowned and looked at Divine Starlight.
"Starlight-senpai, I have training to perform later. If I continue to consume excess carbohydrates and sugar, I will be unable to eat dinner."
Blinking, Starlight used a slightly coaxing tone as she leaned closer to Mihono Bourbon.
"Don't be so rigid~ It's a rare trip to the seaside, there's nothing wrong with relaxing. It's not good for you to always be so wound up, Bourbon-chan."
"...Is Starlight-senpai always like this?"
"No, of course you have to take training seriously. But in the remaining time, letting yourself relax is also very helpful."
After Starlight said this, Mihono Bourbon stopped arguing.
Her hands remained folded on her lap, and her posture stayed ramrod straight as she gazed at the small silver Uma Musume before her.
'This girl's strength is already legendary within the Academy, so any advice she gives surely carries significant reference value...'
As she thought this over, a faint smile slowly appeared on Mihono Bourbon's face.
"In that case, I shall use Starlight-senpai as a reference for my training over these next two months."
"Great~ I hope I can be of help to you."
That evening, Starlight naturally attended the barbecue party.
She sat on a long wooden bench, holding a plate piled high with sausages and grilled meat, steam rising from the food.
She looked out at the shimmering ocean in the distance, which reflected the stars and the bright moon.
Holding a fork, Starlight admired the night view while savoring the delicacies.
The sounds of other Uma Musume chatting drifted from behind her.
"It's rare to see you here..."
Symboli Rudolf was dressed in a black swimsuit with a white long-sleeved shirt draped over it, holding a glass of orange drink.
She walked over step by step, the rustling sound of her feet on the sand matching her pace.
"I like lively places, but once in a while, it's nice to just be alone quietly like this."
Starlight squinted her eyes and smiled, waving her fork.
Sitting down beside her, Rudolf took a sip of her carrot juice and said with a light laugh, "Well said. However, I still hope you can have someone by your side to keep you company."
Stuffing a piece of sauce-covered meat into her mouth, Starlight teased with puffed-out cheeks, "By that, you wouldn't happen to be referring to yourself, would you...?"
"Correct. I hope it is me. And you? Who do you wish to have by your side?"
"It doesn't matter... whoever accompanies me, I'll be very happy."
Although Starlight's tone was casual, to Rudolf's ears, it still sounded a bit...
The smile on the corner of Rudolf's mouth dipped slightly.
She frowned and reached out to pinch Starlight's cheek, kneading it playfully.
"Don't mess around, Rudolf~ I'm eating..."
"A pity I couldn't room with you. I was thinking about doing all sorts of things with you at night."
Slowly releasing her hand, Rudolf gazed into the distance, her tone steady and unhurried.
As the night breeze brushed past their hair, Starlight's movements paused, and she awkwardly shifted her body a bit further away.
"True indeed. I didn't expect the local tyrant of Tracen to finally have a day where she's restricted."
Rudolf was unfazed as she turned her eyes toward the small Uma Musume beside her.
"That sentence would carry a bit more weight if you weren't currently shuffling away."
With that, she reached out, hooked her arm around Starlight's shoulder, and yanked her over in one swift motion.
The sudden force pulled the tiny Starlight right into Rudolf's embrace.
Starlight held onto her plate steadily, barely managing to keep the food from falling out.
"Hey now, you really don't consider external factors at all, do you? I'm still holding a plate..."
"An Emperor naturally only needs to consider her own mood, does she not?"
Rudolf reached out and pinched Starlight's chin, tilting the small face up to meet her gaze.
Just then, the atmosphere began to drift into an indescribable sort of ambiguity.
Step, step...
The sound of footsteps approached.
Daiichi Ruby walked over with elegant strides, her hands folded gracefully over her stomach. She was dressed in a deep red lace swimsuit.
"Pardon me for interrupting your enjoyment."
Ruby's voice rang out in a flat tone.
Rudolf stopped what she was doing and turned to look.
"Ruby-san? Is there something you need...?"
"Yes... There is a promise between Starlight-san and myself. Please forgive me, but I am not at liberty to disclose the details to you."
"Oh, that matter... Alright, Rudolf, I've got things to do. Enjoy the view by yourself~" Starlight finished the food on her plate in a messy scramble and stood up with a smile.
"Wait, hold on—"
"Let's go, let's go, Ruby-chan~ We'll talk somewhere else."
Rudolf tried to reach out to stop her, but Starlight simply grabbed Ruby's small hand and vanished with her in the blink of an eye.
"Sigh... That little Uma Musume!" Rudolf complained with a dissatisfied pout, slowly lowering her hand.
"Starlight-chan... I originally intended to take you to pick out the dress for the ball today, but perhaps tomorrow would be better, what do you think?" Ruby asked, her face flushing slightly.
"Sure, that works~ Will we need to rehearse anything afterward? My training load for this summer camp isn't very heavy, so I can spend time with you."
"Is that so? Then... then after we pick the dress, let's do a bit of a practice."
Starlight nodded and reached out, gently wiping away a few crumbs of pastry from the corner of Ruby's mouth.
"I'm all yours for the arrangements~"
Stunned by the sudden contact, Ruby lowered her head slightly and pulled out a mirror to check herself.
"My apologies, Starlight-chan. Just now... I was tasting some refreshments with friends."
"It's fine. Doesn't this just prove that Ruby-chan was in a hurry to see me? I'm actually quite happy about it~"
"Is... is that so? I see... well, it's getting late. Let's meet tomorrow morning, Starlight-chan..."
After a hurried bow, Ruby turned and walked away with her head down.
"See you tomorrow morning~!"
The next morning.
After checking in with her Trainer, Starlight arrived at their pre-arranged meeting spot.
"Starlight-chan? Starlight-chan!! What are you doing here~?"
Suddenly, a surprised and delighted shout came from the distance.
Then, as if the person had confirmed it was her, the voice was suddenly right in her ear.
In the next instant, her arm was hugged by someone. Starlight reacted and turned her head.
"Daitaku Helios. Hmm... I'm waiting for someone. I have to go out for a bit."
"Eh? Re-really? With who? I wanted to go catching crabs with you..."
Starlight patted her head and suggested with a smile, "Tomorrow, okay? I'll come find you tomorrow..."
"Mmm... okay. I guess it'll have to be that way..."
Suddenly, a luxury car pulled up in front of the two of them.
The window rolled down, and Daiichi Ruby looked out at Starlight with a neutral expression.
She then spared a glance at Helios, finally fixing her gaze on their linked arms.
After a short pause, she spoke.
"Let us go, Starlight-chan."
"I'm off! See you later, Helios~"
As Starlight climbed into the car and watched the two Uma Musume drive off, Helios was left standing there dazed.