"Aiya, I was just teasing you earlier, I'm not actually afraid of the dark..."
Starlight felt a bit helpless as her arm was being held tightly by an Uma Musume with dark blue highlights in her hair.
"Since I said I'd see you back, Starlight-chan, I naturally have to watch you enter your dorm myself!"
'And while I'm at it, I can find out exactly where Starlight's room is, hehe...'
Suddenly, a very cold voice rang out from behind the two of them.
"Starlight-senpai."
"Aaahhh!!"
The silver-haired Uma Musume wasn't startled, but Helios beside her immediately shivered and lunged into Starlight's arms.
Ignoring the "accessory" clinging to her, Starlight turned her head slightly.
Assisted by the moonlight, she could see an Uma Musume whose sky-blue eyes were glowing with a strange brilliance.
"Bourbon-chan? Why are you here?"
"You had not returned, Senpai. I was concerned, so I came to investigate."
A smile played across her lips as Starlight said with a touch of pleasant surprise, "Is that so? Sorry for making you worry. I went to play with Helios and the others..."
Nodding, Mihono Bourbon walked slowly to Starlight's side.
She reached out, gently pulled Helios off of her and set her aside, then took Starlight's hand and led her away without looking back.
"In that case, there is no need to trouble Daitaku Helios-san. It is sufficient for Starlight-senpai to return with me."
"Eh? Wait— wait, hold on! Let me come along too!"
Late at night, inside the dormitory.
Mihono Bourbon stared at the ceiling, finding it difficult to fall asleep.
She couldn't understand the current situation. Usually, she fell asleep exactly on schedule.
'This will not do. If I do not sleep now, tomorrow's training will be delayed.'
But as she closed her eyes and prepared to drift into dreamland, scenes of Starlight's afternoon kept surfacing uncontrollably in her mind.
First, accompanying Rudolf to the lounge, then eating grilled seafood with Helios, and finally, the image froze on her being hugged by Helios.
'It's not right. Senpai took such good care of me this morning...'
Abruptly sitting up, she looked toward the nearby bed where the silver-haired Uma Musume was sleeping soundly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she got up and walked over with quiet steps.
She lifted the other girl's duvet and slid inside.
Thump, thump, thump...
Her heart was racing. It was only after she was actually lying next to Starlight that she realized what she had done.
However, before she could process her thoughts, the first thing she sensed was a wave of refreshing fragrance.
The faint scent brought a feeling of coolness that smoothed over most of her inner restlessness.
She turned her head slightly to look at the other's exquisite profile.
Only now did Bourbon realize why so many people liked hugging Starlight.
'Even just staying by her side feels like this...'
She cautiously scooted a bit closer to her.
Her eyelids began to grow heavy, and she slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Starlight was woken up by the heat.
Slowly opening her eyes, she felt fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
'Strange, why is it so hot? Wait... why do I feel like I'm in someone's arms?!'
Looking up slightly, she saw Mihono Bourbon's peaceful sleeping face, her closed eyelids looking very relaxed.
There was a faint smile on the corner of her mouth, one look told you she was having a beautiful dream.
"Bourbon-chan? Bourbon-chan..."
"Mhm... Starlight-senpai."
Slowly opening her eyes, Mihono Bourbon rubbed them, her voice a bit soft and sleepy.
But the moment her consciousness cleared and she saw the scene before her...
She launched out of bed instantly and stood up.
Looking at Starlight's bewildered expression, she recalled what she had done last night, and her face turned a deep shade of crimson in a flash.
Waving her hands frantically, Mihono Bourbon said in a panic, "I am sorry! I am sorry, Starlight-senpai, I did not do it on purpose..."
Sitting up, Starlight adjusted her hair and looked at the little Uma Musume before her.
She narrowed her eyes and said with a smile, "No need to apologize, I'm not upset. How did you rest, Bourbon-chan?"
"I... I am fine."
"Then you'd better hurry and prepare for training, it's getting late~"
After giving her reminder, Starlight set about getting up and changing her clothes.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Mihono Bourbon's eyes shrank, and she hurriedly began changing as well.
The days of the summer training camp passed by in this peaceful, steady manner.
On the day of the ball, Starlight was taken early by Daiichi Ruby to the grand hall where the event was being held.
Dressed in a white gown adorned with gold accessories, Starlight was as breathtaking as ever.
Beside her stood Ruby in a black evening dress, who lightly extended her hand.
"Let us go, Starlight-chan."
Resting her hand upon Ruby's, Starlight nodded. "Mhm..."
As classical, melodious music echoed through the hall, many elegantly dressed guests danced in pairs, Starlight and Ruby among them.
The two moved to the beat, their graceful figures drawing many admiring eyes.
Up at the second-floor railing, a petite figure who had been boredly swirling a wine glass suddenly froze.
Dream Journey's eyes narrowed slightly behind her monocle.
Dressed in a sleek, grey suit, she looked incredibly composed and low-key.
Her pupils reflected the silver-white figure on the dance floor below.
"Starlight-chan... so you came too. Although I'm a little sad I couldn't share a dance with you, still..."
Soon, the dancing ended, and the dinner portion began.
It was the typical sort of affair where business tycoons gathered with wine glasses, ignoring the food to focus entirely on discussing collaborations and investments...
"I was truly happy to be with Starlight-chan today. You may head over there to dine, I have some matters to attend to and will catch up with you later." Ruby said with a smile, her hands folded neatly in front of her.
"Mhm, go ahead and get to work. I'll be fine on my own."
Starlight strolled to the banquet table, picked up a plate, and began to serve herself some delicacies.
Although the focus of such gatherings wasn't the food, she had to admit the dishes tasted quite excellent.
She took a small fork and savored a piece of tender grilled steak bite by bite.
Tap, tap, tap.
Crisp footsteps approached, followed by a small hand resting gently on Starlight's shoulder.
With her cheeks puffed out with food, she was about to look back when a steady, magnetic voice whispered in her ear.
"Starlight-chan... I didn't expect you to attend this kind of gala."
Her ears twitched. Starlight was surprised.
"Dream-chan?!"
Habitually wrapping an arm around the girl's waist, Dream Journey leaned into Starlight and used a tissue to lightly wipe a bit of sauce from the corner of Starlight's mouth.
"Mhm. How does it taste?"
"It's alright, quite delicious. Do you want to try some?"
Looking at the shrimp held to her lips, Dream Journey smiled slightly and opened her mouth to eat it.
"Since Starlight-chan is feeding me personally, I must naturally have a taste."
"While I am delighted to run into you, the only flaw is that I couldn't share a dance with you..."
"Well, Ruby did make an appointment with me months ago~"
"Eh? Isn't this banquet hosted by her family?"
"Eh?! She hosted it..."
'It's impossible that she hosted a gala of this scale just to dance with Starlight, right?'
'After all, they are both fillies...'
Thinking this, Dream Journey released her hold on Starlight's waist and moved to her side.
"Are you having a good time on your seaside vacation?"
"It's great, I'm having a lot of fun with everyone~"
Nodding, Dream Journey moved in front of her and leaned in closer, offering an invitation.
"Would you like to go on a trip with me later? Just the two of us..."
Just as Starlight was about to agree, Daiichi Ruby's voice drifted over from nearby.
"Miss Dream Journey, there are several individuals who wish to discuss a joint venture with you."
"I shall take Starlight-chan and depart first, so I won't disturb you any further..."