A petite, black-haired Uma Musume snuggled peacefully in her arms.
The girl was breathing steadily. Beside them, Rice Shower watched the scene without blinking, looking completely at a loss.
Coming to her senses from the shock, Starlight slowly turned to Rice Shower.
She pointed a finger at Kitasan Black in her arms and silently asked with a bewildered look:
"What is going on here?"
But Rice Shower only shook her head, indicating that she was just as confused.
It seemed that Starlight's movements disturbed Kitasan Black.
The little one blinked her eyes open tremulously, rubbing them as she muttered grobbily:
"Ugh. Is it time for breakfast yet... What's this? It's so soft~"
With her restless little hands, she looked quite cozy, but her appreciative mutterings caused Divine Starlight's face to flush a deep crimson.
Fortunately, Kitasan Black also realized something was wrong.
Her body stiffened for a moment, and she slowly looked up.
When Starlight's shy, exquisitely beautiful face came into view, Kitasan Black couldn't help but stare blankly at the silver-haired Uma Musume.
"You're awake?"
Having calmed her heart, Divine Starlight offered a gentle smile.
"Ah, um, um... EH?! W-w-why am I here?!"
Finally reacting, Kitasan Black catapulted herself to the side, speaking with a look of pure, innocent confusion.
In response, both Starlight and Rice Shower shook their heads.
It seemed Kitasan Black had been pulled there by some strange, irresistible force of nature.
Suddenly feeling a soft touch on the top of her head, Kitasan Black snapped back to reality to find Starlight stroking her hair.
"Well since Kitasan is here, let's have breakfast together. I'll go prepare it."
"Ah, o-okay. Starlight-onee-san..."
Pulling back the tent curtain, Starlight finished dressing and stepped out, leaving the two black-haired little Uma Musume alone in the cramped space.
Rice Shower's eyes remained fixed on Kitasan Black.
Though she didn't show much emotion on the surface, she felt a bit bothered deep down.
After all, that spot was originally meant for her. How did this little youngster manage to snatch it away?
"Rice Shower-onee-san, good morning!"
Kitasan Black didn't seem to notice any tension, smiling with an innocent face.
"Ah, um, good morning..."
"You were the one cooking last night, and this morning it's Starlight-senpai. That's so nice! You guys even came out camping together, you must be really close friends!"
Rice Shower nodded, her purple eyes flickering with a rare spark of confidence.
"O-Of course. Rice and Starlight-chan are together. We won't be apart..."
"That's so great. I'm going to work hard to get into Tracen in the future, too. Then I can see Starlight-onee-san every day."
Looking at the girl's yearning expression, Rice Shower's eyes crinkled as a faint smile touched her lips.
"Then... you must do your best. Rice is also looking forward to that day..."
Hearing this, Kitasan Black seemed to think of something else.
She leaned forward excitedly and grabbed Rice Shower's hands.
"Then we can all go camping together after that, right, Rice Shower-onee-san?!"
Her body trembled and Rice Shower's face instantly turned bright red. She nodded hurriedly.
"Mm, mhm, yes..."
"Hooray!"
The small talk between Kitasan Black and Rice Shower successfully put the mystery of why an extra Uma Musume appeared in the tent to rest.
Outside, sitting by the fire, Starlight was preparing breakfast.
Looking at the seafood broth already steaming in the pot, she tossed in some diced carrots and corn kernels before covering it with the lid.
It would be ready after ten more minutes of simmering.
She clapped her hands and turned to start frying eggs, toasting some bread slices along with them.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached from a distance.
When she looked up, she saw a light-brown-haired little Uma Musume.
"Starlight-senpai... Starlight-senpai!"
Satono Diamond looked frantic, her face beaded with sweat.
She ran over, panting slightly as she spoke rapidly.
"Have you seen Kitasan? She woke up in the middle of the night and said she was going to the restroom, but she hasn't come back yet. Mama, Papa, and her parents are about to call the police!"
Reaching out to tidy Satono Diamond's hair, Starlight quickly turned and pointed toward the tent behind her.
"She's with me, don't panic— Kitasan isn't lost."
"Really? Thank goodness! I'll take her back now, Starlight-senpai."
"Mm, go ahead, hurry back."
Holding her spatula, Starlight watched as Diamond led Kitasan Black away at a brisk pace, finding the whole situation quite amusing.
As she flipped an egg, Starlight furrowed her brows in thought.
'So she was going to the restroom, but why did she end up over here?'
'She must have gotten lost in the dark, or was she sleepwalking?'
'Oh well, at least she isn't missing...'
In the early morning, a cool breeze brushed against their cheeks.
Kitasan Black held a sandwich with an expression of pure bliss and took a large bite.
Because it had been pan-fried, the exterior was incredibly crispy, making a constant crunch-crunch sound.
She narrowed her eyes, her small mouth full as she praised, "This is so delicious!"
Sitting across from her, Divine Starlight amusedly poked the girl's head.
"You really have a big heart, don't you? Your parents were frantic looking for you all morning."
"Ehehe, I didn't expect it either. I probably wasn't fully awake yet and just wandered over to Starlight-onee-san's side in a daze."
Satono Diamond, who was holding a small bowl of broth beside them, let out a helpless sigh.
Suddenly remembering something, she looked at Starlight and smiled.
"I heard that the Tracen Culture Festival is next week, Senpai! We'll be able to visit the academy!"
"Is that so? It's next week already?"
Seeing Rice Shower nod in confirmation, Starlight finally understood.
As she ate her breakfast, she began planning what to do for the festival.
Last time, she was snatched away by Symboli Rudolf to serve as a "poster girl."
This time, no matter what, she wouldn't let them catch her again.
Just like that, the camping trip quietly came to an end, and life returned to the dull routine of classes.
Monday morning, after the second period ended.
As her desk mate, Sakura Chiyono O was busy organizing her class notes.
"Ahem..."
At that moment, Mejiro Ardan, sitting diagonally across from her, gave a few dry coughs.
Confused, Chiyono O looked up at her.
Ardan gave a small hand signal and then stood up to leave.
Understanding the meaning instantly, Chiyono O's expression stiffened.
Her pen stopped.
After casting a subtle glance at the sleeping Divine Starlight beside her, she slowly stood up and followed.
At the end of the hallway, in a small, secluded space.
Yaeno Muteki leaned against the windowsill, looking at the assembled trio with a serious expression.
"For this Culture Festival, we must keep a close eye on Starlight no matter what. We can't let the Student Council find an opening!"
The three of them nodded. Super Creek raised her hand to ask a question.
"And how exactly are we going to do that?"
"Don't worry, I'll personally supervise this time. Hehe, I guarantee Starlight-chan stays by my side the whole time."
Seeing a trace of silliness inadvertently leak through Muteki's serious face, Mejiro Ardan frowned skeptically.
"Are you sure? Looking at you now, you don't seem very reliable. Maybe I should do it?"
"What are you saying? I'm the Class President, of course I'm reliable!" Yaeno Muteki countered quickly.
"Well, if you're putting it that way, I think the idea of going on a date with Starlight to browse the festival is something I wouldn't mind either!" Sakura Chiyono O said, blinking and clenching her fists.
"What 'date'? This is a mission!"
"But, as you said, you're the Class President. Wouldn't it be bad if you weren't there to direct our class's activities?"
Super Creek placed a finger against her chin. Her tone was calm, but the underlying edge was incredibly sharp.
"That's right, Madam President. You're a very busy person~" Mejiro Ardan added, narrowing her eyes in agreement.
"You— You guys!"