"No, wait... Starlight-chan, why did you—"
After standing there in a daze for a good while, Daitaku Helios finally recovered from the shock of the scene she had just witnessed.
Her golden eyes trembled, and the smile on her face visibly vanished as she slowly hung her head.
The sounds of the other Uma Musume frolicking on the beach reached her ears.
Usually, it would have sounded lively and wonderful, but now she only felt it was noisy.
"No, that's not right! Both Starlight-chan and Ruby are fillies. Helios, what are you thinking! It must be that the young lady had some business with Starlight-chan!"
"Yeah, that's it!"
Desperately coming up with an excuse for herself, Helios walked down toward the shore with a strained smile.
Inside the stretched luxury car, Daiichi Ruby sat with poised elegance opposite Starlight.
She gestured with a smile.
"There is freshly ground coffee here, and these are pastries imported from abroad. Please help yourself, Starlight-chan."
"Mhm, thank you, Ruby-chan~"
'Wow, this car is so stable. There aren't even any ripples in the coffee from bumps in the road...'
Slowly picking up the teacup, Starlight gave it a gentle blow and took a light sip.
A hint of bitterness hit her palate first, followed by the aroma of hazelnuts, and finally a subtle, creamy sweetness.
"It's delicious..."
"I'm glad you like it."
On the beach, the sun was at its peak.
Ryo Nishizaki stood holding a folder, addressing the members of Team Spica who were seated at tables and chairs.
"Very good. There are ten minutes left until the end of the test. Those who haven't finished, hurry up, those who have, check your work carefully and don't look around!"
"I'm talking about you, Gold Ship!"
Walking over to Gold Ship, Ryo Nishizaki unceremoniously gave her a rap on the head.
"Ow! What gives! Is this supposed to be a summer training camp? Trainer—"
"It can't be helped. You have exams when you return to school, so you can't neglect your studies!"
Tokai Teio looked at the test paper in her hand, pouted, and muttered, "Why couldn't we go indoors? Why do we have to be at the beach..."
"Doesn't this give it a bit of a summer training camp atmosphere?" Ryo Nishizaki turned around and said very seriously.
Not far away, Seiun Sky, lying on a lounge chair, glanced over and laughed helplessly.
"They sure are working hard~ Speaking of which, why haven't I seen a sign of Starlight-chan? Maybe I should try to have a 'chance encounter' at her dorm door tonight?"
A smile slowly spread across her face as Seiun Sky's mind filled with the beautiful images she wanted to see.
"Hey! Sky-chan, why are you slacking off again? Have you finished your paper?"
"Ah, Flower-chan! Didn't I say I'd do it tonight?"
"Don't you know it has to be turned in this afternoon?"
Nishino Flower shook her head helplessly.
She reached out, pinched Seiun Sky's ear, and led her away.
"Eh?! Nishino Flower, wait, I'll walk myself— ow, ow, ow!"
Around lunchtime, Starlight and Daiichi Ruby returned to the training camp base.
"I'm going back first. We'll meet in the dance studio this afternoon."
"Mhm. Um... Starlight-chan, are you heading to lunch?"
Stopping in her tracks, Starlight nodded. "Yeah. Do you want to join me?"
"Yes, alright."
In the afternoon, Starlight and Ruby had several joint practice sessions before heading off to their respective tasks.
By evening, Starlight had gathered her toiletries.
Dressed in a dark-gold yukata and carrying a small wooden basin, she headed toward the hot spring baths.
Click.
The door pushed open.
Outside, Seiun Sky, who had been searching around, felt her ears prick up at the sound.
She hurriedly straightened her cyan yukata, adjusted her expression, and walked slowly toward Starlight's door.
Seeing the gear in the other's hand, Seiun Sky instantly guessed what she was planning to do.
"Cough, cough. Yay~ Starlight-chan, what a coincidence..."
Closing the door and hearing the voice behind her, Starlight turned her head.
"Sky-chan~ Are you out for a stroll?"
"Ah, I—I'm planning to go soak in the hot spring."
"Is that so? Me too. Shall we go together then?"
Seiun Sky's eyes lit up, and her tail swished behind her as she immediately agreed.
"Hmm..."
As they walked side-by-side down the small path, Seiun Sky heard Starlight make a thoughtful sound and asked curiously, "What's wrong, Starlight-chan?"
"I was just wondering, Sky-chan, are you really going to the hot springs empty-handed? Or perhaps..."
Squinting her eyes, Starlight let a knowing smile curl onto her lips as she slowly leaned toward Seiun Sky.
A bead of cold sweat seemed to form on Sky's forehead, and her heart tightened. She waved her hands dismissively.
"I, I..."
"You wouldn't happen to be planning to mooch off mine, would you?"
"Ah? Right! Yes, exactly! Starlight-chan, your body wash and shampoo both look like high-tier treasures..."
Starlight blinked, then burst into a fit of giggles.
"Hahaha, you're so funny~!"
Her face flushing red, a flustered and annoyed Seiun Sky stepped forward, grabbed Starlight's shoulders, and began to shake her.
"What are you laughing at, Starlight-chan!!"
After a while, Starlight gradually stopped. She raised a small fist and gave Seiun Sky's head a light bonk.
"Alright, hurry up and go grab your toiletries. I'm not lending you mine."
Scratching her head, Seiun Sky didn't argue. She quickly turned and jogged back toward her dormitory.
Inside the misty bathhouse, Starlight sat naked on a small stool, humming a little tune while washing her body.
"By the way, I heard you guys had some kind of exam or test today?"
Upon hearing this, Seiun Sky, who was already hunched over nearby, slumped even further.
She spoke with a look of total exhaustion.
"Ah~ yeah. There's an exam when school starts, so we had to do a round of testing today."
"Can you handle it, Sky-chan? You usually don't pay attention in class or review at all."
"Heh heh... Starlight-chan, that's where you're wrong. I'm the type of person who can get good grades without even trying."
"Is that so? Must be nice. I wish I could be like that too."
Starlight lifted the wooden basin, pouring the warm water over her head.
As the suds washed away with the stream, she stood up, preparing to head over to the hot spring pool.
"Wait, Starlight-chan, don't go yet!"
Seiun Sky hurriedly reached out and grabbed Starlight.
Perhaps her grip was a bit too strong, or perhaps the floor was too slippery, but Starlight lost her balance and fell right into the other's arms.
By the time she realized what happened, she was already sitting in Seiun Sky's lap.
Re-pinning her wet hair, Starlight looked up at Seiun Sky with a puzzled expression.
"What was that for? That was dangerous!"
"S-sorry. It's just... Starlight-chan, could you help me wash my hair and back?"
Seeing the pleading, kitten-like look in Seiun Sky's eyes, Starlight couldn't bring herself to refuse and agreed.
She slowly stood up, moved her small stool behind the other, and sat down. Lathering her hands with shampoo, she began to gently massage Sky's soft, short hair.
"Purr... purr..."
Squinting her eyes, Seiun Sky actually let out a cute, involuntary hum of satisfaction.
"Don't suddenly grab me like that next time. I'm not going to vanish or suddenly run away. Look, I almost took a nasty spill because of you."
Listening to the scolding, Seiun Sky nodded.
"Mhm... it just feels more secure that way... I won't do it again, Starlight-chan~ I'm sorry."
"I'm not actually mad at you, I'm just reminding you."
"Also, what do you mean by that? Does 'security' mean locking me in your arms...?"
"Pretty much..."
Starlight picked up the small wooden basin full of water next to her, raised it, and dumped it right over Seiun Sky's head.
Splash!
"Ack!! Starlight-chan, couldn't you at least give me a heads-up?"
Wiping her face, Seiun Sky turned around with a slight pout.
"Hahaha! That was your little punishment!"