The silver-haired Uma Musume was led by Still in Love to the entrance of the equipment room.
Just as they were about to enter, Starlight came to a halt.
Looking at the silhouette of the girl before her, she felt an eerie sensation.
'Strange... why do I have a bad feeling about this?'
"What's wrong? Starlight-chan, let's go in and look for it together..."
Though she felt a sense of danger about going inside, Starlight weighed her options and followed anyway.
Tracen's equipment room was quite large, filled with various models of training equipment and props, almost all of which were the latest versions.
There wasn't even a speck of dust to be seen.
Looking around, Starlight was just about to turn and ask Still exactly where the hairclip had been dropped.
"Still-chan..."
Click.
The sound of the equipment room door being locked rang out.
Starlight's words cut off abruptly as her golden eyes locked onto the reddish-chestnut-haired girl.
"What is... What is the meaning of this?"
Tap, tap, tap.
Stepping forward with a slow, steady pace, Still in Love held her hands behind her back.
The anxiety on her face had quietly vanished, leaving only a mysterious and dangerous smile.
The red in the depths of her eyes emitted a faint glow as Still in Love let out a soft chuckle.
Faced with this sight, Starlight instinctively took a step back.
"Starlight-chan, now it's just the two of us... hehe~"
The little silver-haired cutie in front of her was like a bewildered little rabbit, constantly retreating with a trace of stubbornness on her face.
To Still in Love, she was like a tiny feather, constantly teasing the very strings of her heart.
Finally, Starlight's back pressed against something soft.
She glanced back and saw it was a vertical mat. She raised both hands, pressing them against her own chest.
"Th-that, what exactly is going on, Still-chan... behave normally."
"Normally? Hehe... Starlight-chan, I am very normal..."
Reaching Starlight's side, she slowly extended a hand to pinch a stray lock of hair by the other's ear, rubbing it between her fingers at a leisurely pace.
"The scent on Starlight-chan is as enchanting as ever... I really love it."
The moment those fingertips brushed against her cheek, Starlight couldn't help but shudder.
She had already guessed roughly what Still in Love was trying to do.
"Even though I watched you from the side for so long, as soon as another Uma Musume showed up, she took your hand and left with you. It made my heart feel so uncomfortable."
Leaning her body forward, Still in Love buried her head in Starlight's embrace.
She let go of the hair and instead wrapped her arms tightly around the girl's waist.
"What should I do, Starlight-chan? I really want to just... or maybe keep you trapped in a place only I know about, just like this. What do you think of that, Starlight-chan?"
She slowly raised her head, her red eyes meeting Starlight's face.
Thump.
However, what Still in Love saw was not a look of pitiful terror, but an expression of regret.
Starlight's brows were knit, and a light shimmered in the depths of her eyes.
Slowly opening her arms, Starlight returned the embrace.
Her petite palms rested on Still in Love's back, gradually pulling her closer.
Still in Love froze.
This time, it was her turn to tremble.
Seeing those eyes again, seeing that pretty face, and feeling the embrace initiated by the other girl, she couldn't help but be moved.
As a flush gradually filled her face, Still in Love gave Divine Starlight a tentative look and whispered:
"I'm sorry... I-I lied to you."
"Um, Still-chan, although I didn't prepare it specially, this is the one I've been using lately... Next time, I'll prepare a beautiful one for you."
"Ah, th-this, actually... the hairclip you gave me isn't lost. I lied to you..."
"Is that so? Didn't I tell you? Next time, don't tail me from the shadows, it's so scary. If you want to, just come to my side."
"That way, you won't have to worry about other Uma Musume coming around, right?"
Still in Love straightened up and nodded.
"Mmh, you're right, Starlight-chan..."
'Whew, she almost scared me to death.'
'Is Still in Love under too much pressure? Her mental state seems a bit unstable. She changes from one moment to the next. I didn't even say anything and she started apologizing.'
"Still-chan, can you let go of me now?"
"No..."
As if marking her territory, Still in Love kept nuzzling and rubbing against Starlight.
Finally, she pulled the silver-haired little Uma Musume in front of her and gathered her into a tight embrace.
"Starlight-chan is covered in the scents of others... it smells bad. I like your own scent. If there are others on you, I'll rub mine onto you."
"You're an Uma Musume, not a puppy~"
Just as the words left her mouth, Starlight suddenly felt a wave of moist warmth on one of her horse ears.
This was followed by the gentle pressure of teeth nibbling lightly.
Her body trembled as she tried to break free, but Still in Love held her too firmly.
Starlight spoke up, pleading for mercy.
"Don't, don't do that, Still-chan~ It tickles!"
"Hmph..."
Releasing her hold, Still in Love looked at the drooping horse ears atop the girl's head and reached out to pinch them.
"Starlight-chan's ears... they're so delicious..."
Once she caught her breath, Divine Starlight hurriedly pushed the other girl away.
She tried to calm her racing heart while looking at the Uma Musume who was still smiling in front of her.
It was confirmed: Her mental state was definitely not quite right.
"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving! Goodbye, Still-chan."
Approaching the exit, Starlight placed her hand on the doorknob and pulled hard, only to find it locked.
Turning around, she saw the veiled Uma Musume twirling a key in her hand with a soft chuckle.
"Starlight-chan~ be a good girl and stay with me for a while longer, okay? Otherwise, you won't be able to get out... please..."
Seeing that Starlight remained unmoved, Still in Love added a pitiful plea.
Sighing, Starlight walked slowly back to Still in Love and reached out to poke the girl's cheek.
"Do you have any plans for the Culture Festival?"
"My class is doing a haunted house. They said I'm suited to play a knife-wielding slasher... Do I really look like one, Starlight-chan?"
Caressing her own cheek in confusion, Still in Love asked with uncertainty.
"Ahahaha, it's alright... Still-chan is actually quite pretty."
"What about you, Starlight-chan? What are you doing for the Culture Festival? You can come to our class to find me."
Facing that expectant gaze, Starlight didn't have the heart to be too blunt, so she could only speak ambiguously.
"Maybe? I don't know yet. Our class is going to be quite busy during the festival, but if there's a chance, I'll definitely go."
Even though she didn't get a definitive answer, Still in Love wasn't too pushy.
She nodded with a smile and slowly took Starlight's hand.
"Alright... I want to go to Starlight-chan's dorm tonight. Can we sleep together?"
"What if I say no?"
"Then I'll follow you there in secret..."
"That's a disciplinary violation! Fuji-san will punish you."
"If it's for Starlight-chan, I don't mind being punished~"
Reaching out to gently pat the other's head, Starlight finally agreed.
"Fine. After school, go report it to Fuji-san. I can't have you getting punished because of me."
"Thank you, Starlight-chan. I'll prepare tonight's dinner."
Narrowing her eyes, Still in Love revealed a smile that looked exceptionally beautiful and gentle.
Inside Matikane Fukukitaru's fortune-telling tent, Helios spoke up.
"I wonder why Starlight-chan isn't back yet. School is almost over."
"Hmm... As for that, who knows? Maybe there's a lot of work in the equipment room..."
"Tsk... if I'd known, I would have just gone with her... Oh! Starlight-chan, you're back!"
"Yeah, sorry to keep you waiting."
Seeing the silver-haired little Uma Musume walk in, Helios happily approached and took her hand.
"Let's go, quick! Palmer just messaged me saying they're about to hold a donut eating contest over there. They're setting up the stage now, maybe we can snag a few for ourselves."
"Okay! Let's go..."