Agnes Digital spent the entire afternoon adjusting Starlight's look.
She was never quite satisfied, revising the details over and over again until Starlight began to feel a bit weary, nearly nodding off.
"Digitan, I think this is enough. There's no need to make it so perfect."
"But, this is for you, Senpai! If it isn't perfect, how could it possibly be worthy of you?"
"But I'm not perfect myself. Where in the world can you find something truly perfect?"
Gently reaching out, Starlight caught the hand holding the extra ribbons and lowered it softly.
She continued with a smile:
"The fact that you made these clothes for me already makes me very happy. Being able to wear Digital-chan's handiwork is already 'perfection' in my heart."
"So, Digitan, don't hesitate anymore— just follow your heart."
Her pupils trembled, reflecting Starlight's smiling face.
Agnes Digital had followed many idols and stars before, but Starlight was...
Slowly calming her heart, Agnes Digital thought for a long time before finally beginning the final cutting and stitching.
Once the last step was complete, she stepped behind Starlight and tied her silver-white hair into twin tails.
She then took a small section and braided it, letting it rest over her shoulder.
With the masterpiece finished, she spoke with a grin.
"It's done, Senpai! Take a look!"
She held a mirror up in front of Starlight and watched as the expression she had been hoping for appeared on the girl's face.
"It's really wonderful. I wonder if I should ask Digital-chan to handle my styling for my next fan meeting?"
"Eh! Y-You'd really leave that to me?"
"Of course. It looks so good..."
"But for now, let's start the shoot! If we post these to the academy forums later, they're sure to get a lot of likes."
After standing up, Starlight walked slowly to the window and pulled back the curtains.
The warm sunlight poured in, illuminating the previously dim clubroom.
Turning around, the silver-haired Uma Musume stood with her back to the sun, looking at Agnes Digital with a gentle gaze as she extended a hand.
"Let's hurry. Once we're done, how about I take you out to dinner?"
"Mmh, okay, Senpai!"
Picking up her camera, Agnes Digital began the shoot, giving Starlight pose directions as she clicked away.
By evening, at a window seat in a certain restaurant.
Beef sizzled and popped on the grill in the center of the table.
Through the thick plumes of savory smoke, a pink-haired girl could be seen hunched over, giggling foolishly at her camera.
Picking up her chopsticks, Divine Starlight checked her phone while dipping a piece of grilled beef into the sauce and popping it into her mouth.
Looking up at her companion, Starlight said in a slightly lecturing tone:
"Alright, alright, eat first. You can look at those when we get back."
Seeing that Agnes Digital remained unmoved, Starlight became curious about what exactly she was looking at.
Setting her phone down, she leaned over to get a closer look... and instantly froze.
Her golden eyes trembled violently as a deep flush climbed up her face.
Starlight pointed at the camera, her voice wavering.
"H-How did you take that one!?"
"Aaah!! S-Senpai! What? I don't know..."
"Give me the camera."
Agnes Digital flinched, hastily hiding her treasure behind her back, her face a mask of resistance.
"No, Senpai, please! This is the request of a lifetime, please say yes?"
Taking a deep breath, Starlight slowly opened her palm, her tone making it obvious that she'd accept no argument.
"Give it to me first. Otherwise, I'm going to get angry, Digital-chan."
Hearing this, Agnes Digital knew the consequences of making Starlight angry.
While the girl wouldn't do anything drastic, her "favorability" would certainly take a massive hit.
Feeling pitiful and wronged, she placed the camera into Starlight's hand, then scooted her chair closer until she was practically pressed against Starlight's side.
Taking the camera and looking at the photo displayed on the screen, she saw that it was exactly as she feared— a shot of her skirt fluttering up, revealing her underwear.
(T/N: This is Digitan slander. I must travel to China and fistfight the Author for this insult.)
"Digital-chan... you know that a photo like this would have a huge impact on me, right?"
"Senpai, I won't show it to anyone else! It's just for me... please let me keep it, okay?"
Starlight looked at the other girl's incredibly pitiful expression.
The anticipation in Digital's eyes was almost too blinding for her to look at directly.
"...Fine. I'll just pretend I didn't see it. But! If I ever see this photo from anyone else, I... I'll... I won't talk to you for a whole week."
"Rest assured, Senpai! No matter who it is, I won't let them find out!"
After giving the camera a complicated look, Starlight handed it back to Agnes Digital.
As she said, she would just act as if it didn't exist.
In Symboli Rudolf's dorm room.
The Student Council President, busy all day, had just stepped out of the bath.
Perhaps because of the hot water, much of her physical fatigue had washed away.
After stretching her body, she slowly sat down in her armchair and picked up her phone to browse the Tracen Academy forums.
The first thing to pop up was, undoubtedly, the account of the campus's big hit: Starlight-chan's personal page.
Looking at the set of striking photos, Rudolf immediately clicked to enlarge them.
"A magical girl? I didn't expect her to like that sort of thing... but this setting is... the Otaku Club started by that girl, Agnes Digital?"
"She finally did something productive for once."
Curling her lips into a smirk, Rudolf silently saved the entire set of photos to her collection.
An idea began to form in her mind.
The following afternoon, at the Otaku Club.
Agnes Digital seemed to be in a great mood, humming a little tune as she happily approached the door.
The moment she pushed it open—
A familiar face was sitting in a chair.
The aggressive intensity in the other's gaze caused Agnes Digital to slam the door shut in a panic the second their eyes met.
Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. Her mind raced, wondering why on earth the President was here.
Unfortunately, Rudolf didn't give her much time to think.
She stood up, walked to the door, and opened it herself.
"Come in."
"Y-Yes, President..."
Inside the clubroom, Rudolf crossed her arms and legs, speaking slowly.
"Don't worry. I'm only here to confirm a few things, then I'll leave."
Huddled like a frightened quail, Agnes Digital spoke up.
"Wh-what do you need to confirm?"
"That 'Magical Girl' outfit Divine Starlight wore— you were the photographer, right?"
"Mmh, y-yes, President. I-I didn't do anything against the rules!"
Rudolf's lips curled into a smile as she waved her hand dismissively.
"I know. Relax. Since you were the photographer, the camera used for the shoot is still here, right?"
"And the photos... they're still on it, right?"
The moment those words fell, Agnes Digital's body stiffened, and her eyes trembled.
She had already guessed the true purpose of Rudolf's visit.
"Ahem... Give me the camera. I need to check if there is any 'inappropriate content' in the photos!"
With her back to the sunlight, Rudolf reached out toward Agnes Digital.
This scene felt hauntingly familiar, overlapping with Starlight's silhouette from the day before.
But while one was like an angel, this one was like a demon.
The vow she made last night echoed in her mind:
"No matter who it is, I won't let them find out."
'But Senpai... this... this person is...'
"What? Based on your expression, it seems there really are some photos that shouldn't be seen? Agnes Digital-san."
'I'm sorry, Senpai!'