As the third period began, the four Uma Musume who had been in secret negotiations returned silently to the classroom.
Among them, only Sakura Chiyono O wore a smile on her face. No one knew what kind of methods she had used to achieve this.
The most tragic one was undoubtedly our dear Class President, Yaeno Muteki.
"What were you guys up to?"
As soon as she sat down, Starlight quietly leaned over to ask Sakura Chiyono O.
Turning her head to look, Chiyono O saw the silver-haired Uma Musume's cute face filled with curiosity.
Her golden hexagram eyes sparkled brightly, looking for all the world like a beautiful painting.
Flustered, Sakura Chiyono O waved her hands, her gaze drifting away.
"Nothing, we didn't do anything."
Such an obvious brush-off made Starlight quite displeased.
She puffed out her cheeks slightly, gave a small huff, turned her head away, and lay down on her desk to go back to sleep.
"Fine, don't tell me then..."
"Eh, Starlight-chan?! Don't be mad, we really didn't do anything."
"I'm not mad."
Although Starlight truly wasn't angry, to Sakura Chiyono O, it undoubtedly seemed like she was.
She put down her pen, reached out to tug at the clothes on Starlight's shoulder, and pulled gently with a hint of grievance in her voice.
"Starlight-chan, if you're not mad, why are you acting like this toward me...?"
"What am I doing?"
"You won't look at me..."
Finding this statement a bit funny, Starlight sat up straight and turned her head to face Sakura Chiyono O, her tone flat.
"Is this better?"
"No. You didn't talk to me like this before..."
Blinking, Starlight stopped responding to her.
She gave a faint smile, then directly lay back down on the desk and went to sleep on her own.
Her body stiffening slightly, Sakura Chiyono O completely panicked.
She had worked so hard to convince the other three to let her be the one to go on a date with Starlight during the Culture Festival.
If Starlight ignored her now, what would happen then...?
After imagining a scenario where Starlight treated her with cold indifference, Sakura Chiyono O shook her head decisively.
'No, I have to apologize first. Starlight-chan, please don't hate me!'
She scooted her chair toward the silver-haired Uma Musume, until their chairs were almost touching.
Sakura Chiyono O leaned over and whispered into Starlight's ear.
"Starlight-chan, I'm sorry. Please don't hate me..."
Her voice was very soft, sweet, and even carried a slight tremor, as if she were about to cry.
This made the squinting Starlight freeze instantly.
She opened her eyes in a daze and slowly looked toward her friend.
"What's wrong? Why would I hate you?"
"Just now, the four of us were discussing who would accompany you during the Culture Festival. We're afraid the Student Council will take you away... Starlight-chan."
Nodding, Starlight understood and spoke softly.
"I don't hate you. Don't overthink it, Chiyono O..."
"But the tone you used with me just now was so cold compared to before, and you had a look of impatience on your face."
"I'm sleepy, And we're in class right now, of course I have to speak quietly..."
Seeing that no matter how she explained it was useless, and that if she didn't do something, this light-pink-haired Uma Musume looked like she might die of guilt, Starlight sighed inwardly.
Starlight moved her chair back a bit and then lay her head down on Sakura Chiyono O's lap.
This move stunned the pink-haired Uma Musume.
Feeling the warm breath on her thighs, she instinctively placed her hand on top of Starlight's head.
Gently patting the girl's leg, Starlight said in a soft, sweet voice:
"Alright, alright, I'm not mad at you, Chiyono O... Can you let me use your lap as a pillow? The desk is too hard, it's uncomfortable to sleep on~"
Seeing this, Chiyono O's heart instantly filled with joy. She nodded hurriedly.
Her hand began to gently stroke Starlight's fluffy head.
Just then, the teacher's voice rang out, breaking the warm atmosphere the two had just entered.
"Chiyono O-san, where is Starlight-san who sits next to you? Did she not come...?"
The smile on her face froze. Sakura Chiyono O looked up stiffly, and upon meeting the teacher's gaze, her tone turned frantic.
"T-Teacher. Starlight-san is feeling a bit unwell, so she's lying down to rest."
Adjusting their glasses, the teacher stared at the pair for a long moment before nodding.
"Hmm... Very well. If she can't pull through, she can go to the infirmary to rest. Starlight-san doesn't need to force herself to stay here."
Slowly raising her hand, Starlight gave a weak wave.
"Okay..."
Letting out a secret sigh of relief, Sakura Chiyono O slowly lowered her head, looking at the silver-haired little Uma Musume lying beneath her.
Her heart couldn't stop racing.
That soft little face was currently pressed against her thigh, the fluffy horse ears twitched from time to time, tickling her slightly.
Surrounded by a faint fragrance, this usually diligent Uma Musume found herself unable to focus on the teacher's lecture.
The dull drone of the lesson, the scratching of pens taking notes, and the chirping of birds outside the window all fell into a hush.
Chiyono O felt as though she and Starlight had entered a special, private space.
Brushing her fingers through the other's silver-white hair, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
'If only... time could freeze right here. How wonderful would that be?'
But beauty only makes time accelerate. The originally long class period slipped away before they knew it.
After the chime rang to end class, Starlight slowly sat up.
She let out a long stretch and then leaned her head against Chiyono O's shoulder.
"Mmm~ Chiyono O's lap pillow is so comfortable. Much better than sleeping on a desk."
"R-Really? Starlight-chan!"
"Mm... Yes, it is."
"Then you can lie here anytime during class, Starlight-chan!"
The excited expression on the other girl's face made Starlight chuckle. She took Chiyono O's small hand in hers.
"Thanks. I'll be counting on you during the Culture Festival, Chiyono O-chan... Don't lose me, okay?"
Thump-thump.
Her pupils shrank. Sakura Chiyono O's heart felt like it skipped a beat.
The words Starlight had just spoken echoed in her ears, refusing to fade.
She could still feel the warmth of the other's hand in hers, and the weight of the girl leaning against her shoulder.
With a flush spreading across her face, she let out a shy, soft hum.
"Mmh, okay, Starlight-chan..."
"Starlight-senpai~~!!"
Suddenly, a shout from the back door broke the delicate atmosphere.
Straightening up, Starlight turned to look and saw yet another pink-haired ball of energy.
Agnes Digital was clinging to the doorframe.
Seeing Starlight look her way, she immediately broke into an excited grin.
"Starlight-senpai! It's me—"
"Digital-chan? What's up?"
Starlight stood up and left the classroom, approaching her to ask.
"Hehehe, Starlight-senpai... Um, do you have time this afternoon? We could... have a club activity..."
Hearing her mention this, Starlight was stunned for a moment.
Once it registered, she found it a bit funny.
It had been a while since she joined this "Otaku Club," and since they hadn't organized any activities yet, she had almost forgotten about it.
"Sure. What exactly are we doing?"
As if Starlight's question was the key to Pandora's box, Agnes Digital's eyes instantly turned into hearts.
Excitedly, she pulled a sketch from behind her back and shoved it into Starlight's arms.
Pointing at a magnificent dress on the page, she explained:
"Starlight-senpai! Look! This is the Magical Girl outfit I designed! It's almost finished, so it just needs the final lace design. It'll be done this afternoon!"
"When it's ready, could you try it on? We can take some beautiful photos together!"
"Y-You designed this yourself? That's incredible..."
Looking at the ornate dress on the sketch, Starlight was impressed by Agnes Digital's handiwork.
"Ehehe, designing clothes for Senpai is such a treat. If you could actually wear them, that would be the greatest reward for me..."
After folding the sketch and handing it back, Starlight patted Digital-chan's head.
"Alright, I'm really looking forward to the Magical Girl dress you've designed, Digitan~"