Early in the morning, Starlight slowly opened her eyes, preparing to welcome a beautiful new day.
However, instead of the ceiling, the first thing she saw was a very cute, blank-faced little head.
'Eh?'
Mihono Bourbon was sitting on top of Starlight, staring down at her without blinking.
"Bourbon-chan? Good morning..."
"Starlight-senpai, good morning."
"What... what are you doing?"
Without getting up, Mihono Bourbon leaned closer until their little noses were almost touching.
"Observing Starlight-senpai, performing data analysis, and acquiring useful intelligence."
"Is that so? And what did you discover?"
Slowly standing up, Mihono Bourbon sat to the side.
As she watched Starlight crawl out from under the covers, she shook her head.
"Nothing."
"I'm going to train in a bit, and then I'm meeting Helios to play this afternoon. What about you? What are your plans?"
After stretching, Starlight spoke in a lazy tone while rubbing her eyes.
"Today, I will perform strength training according to the Trainer's schedule, followed by two long-distance acceleration runs in the afternoon."
"Then let's both do our best! I'm heading out now~"
After changing into her training gear, Starlight took out a comb to tidy up her messy hair.
Looking at the figure sitting on the doorstep putting on her shoes, Mihono Bourbon blinked.
She recalled the scent she had just caught, and although her expression remained flat, her tail was clearly swishing faster than before.
She walked slowly up behind Starlight, placed a hand on her shoulder, and requested:
"The morning training can be completed quickly. May I accompany Starlight-senpai?"
"Sure. I'm just doing some simple practice, it'll be very easy."
Nodding, Mihono Bourbon quickly changed into her training outfit and joined Starlight to begin their warm-up.
It was fine at first, Mihono Bourbon followed behind quite comfortably.
However, after half an hour, Starlight stopped, turned around, and said:
"Warm-up is over. Now for the formal practice. Come on, Bourbon! Don't fall behind!"
After speaking, Starlight hopped in place a few times and patted her calves. With a forceful thump of her feet, she shot forward.
Her speed was at least twice as fast as the warm-up.
Mihono Bourbon stood frozen on the spot as she watched the silver figure vanish.
"That was only a warm-up?!"
Her eyes widened slightly, and with beads of sweat on her cheeks and heavy breathing, it was clear she had already expended a significant amount of stamina.
But soon, Bourbon's gaze sharpened, and she broke into a run to give chase.
An hour later.
Starlight was sitting on a bench, casually sipping on a chilled carrot juice she had bought on the way.
The sound of footsteps approached from behind.
Turning her head, she saw Mihono Bourbon.
Her body was trembling, she was gasping for air, and sweat was pouring down her forehead like rain.
After making eye contact with the smaller silver Uma Musume, Bourbon hurried toward her like a hungry predator.
Startled by this aggressive approach, Starlight stood up and stepped back.
"Wh-what's wrong, Bourbon-chan?"
Her question went unanswered.
In the next moment, unable to hold herself up any longer, Mihono Bourbon collapsed directly onto the bench where Starlight had just been sitting.
She rested an arm over her eyes, trying to recover her strength.
"You... you must be exhausted. Or is it heatstroke?! Wait a second, I'll go get an ice pack and some water."
Catching a glimpse of Starlight's scurrying figure out of the corner of her eye, a strange sensation stirred in Bourbon's heart.
'Starlight-senpai's speed, stamina, and explosiveness are all terrifyingly high. I cannot compete with her.'
'If I were in a race against her, the probability of victory would be zero.'
Her logical analysis stopped there.
Under the scorching glare of the sun, Mihono Bourbon found it impossible to maintain cold, calculated thoughts.
She simply closed her eyes and focused on steadying her breath.
Before long, a cool and soft little hand rested on her arm.
Starlight moved Mihono Bourbon's hand away and gently placed an ice pack on her forehead.
She then picked up a small fan, squatted beside her, and began to fan her slowly.
A refreshing sensation washed over her, providing immense relief to her overheated body.
Slowly opening her blue eyes, Mihono Bourbon looked at the breathtakingly beautiful face so close to her own. Her heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
Her already flushed cheeks grew even redder...
Seeing the girl staring straight at her, Starlight blinked and asked, "How is it? Is it refreshing? Once you've recovered your strength a bit, I have some chilled carrot juice here."
"But try to take small sips, otherwise your lungs and stomach won't be able to handle it."
As Starlight's caring words reached her ears, Mihono Bourbon snapped back to reality.
She didn't speak, but gave a small nod to show she had heard.
'...So gentle, Starlight-senpai.'
The senior was seriously helping her wipe away sweat with a tissue while the cool breeze continuously brushed against her cheeks.
Yet, for some reason, Bourbon found herself unable to calm down at all.
"Do you still need to continue your training?"
"Ah... no, that won't be necessary. Based on the training volume Starlight-senpai provided, I have already met my targets for today."
Nodding, Starlight lifted Mihono Bourbon's legs, which were resting on the bench.
After sitting down herself, she rested Bourbon's legs across her own thighs.
She set down the fan and said with a smile, "Looking at your state just now, I'd better massage your calves for you. Otherwise, you'll likely get cramps when you try to walk later."
"Ah, there is no need, Starlight-senpai. I can do my own stretching later..."
Placing a finger against the tip of Bourbon's nose, Starlight narrowed her eyes and smiled.
"That won't do~ This is a little reward for Bourbon-chan for persevering. If you refuse, this senpai will be very sad."
Once again, Mihono Bourbon found herself at a total loss.
Her original intention was not to trouble Starlight any further, but looking at that smile, she found she couldn't voice any words of rejection.
Lying on the bench, feeling the constant coolness on her forehead and the perfectly measured pressure of Starlight's small hands massaging her calves, Mihono Bourbon actually felt a flicker of a wish for things to stay like this forever.
Realizing this, she hurriedly shook her head, took off the ice pack, and sat up.
"Alright, Senpai... I have finished recovering."
"Mhm, okay."
Seeing her let go, Mihono Bourbon quickly moved her legs off Starlight's thighs.
She sat up straight, adjusted her posture, and returned to her usual flat tone.
"Thank you, Starlight-senpai. I am in your debt for today, both for the training and for your just now..."
"Ahaha, it's nothing. I enjoy taking care of others, especially an Uma Musume as cute as Bourbon."
As she spoke, Starlight leaned in closer to her and pulled out her phone.
"It's almost noon. I've booked a restaurant nearby. Bourbon-chan, come have lunch with me~ Here, take a look and see if there's anything you want to eat."
"Ah, Senpai, no— please do not bring that near me. Otherwise, it will..."
Before Mihono Bourbon could finish, Starlight saw her phone begin to emit sizzling electrical sparks.
In the next second, the screen went black.
Stunned by the sight, Starlight withdrew the phone and repeatedly pressed the power button.
"Wha-What happened?!"
"I do not know. However, whenever I approach electronic devices, they malfunction for mysterious reasons. Because of this, there are almost no electrical appliances in my home."
"Hiss. Is it really that intense?!"
"I am sorry, Senpai. I broke your phone..."
"It's fine, it's fine. It's just a phone. I have a spare. Bourbon-chan, shall we head back toward the dorms first?"
Having said that, Starlight tucked the phone back into her pocket indifferently and stood up to take Mihono Bourbon's hand.