Today was exceptionally clear.
A warm sun hung high in the sky, and a cool breeze swept past, carrying away the fallen leaves on the ground.
At the entrance of the plaza, a massive plaque for the Culture Festival stood tall. On either side were countless balloons and colorful ribbons.
The members of Team Spica stood in a neat row.
Special Week was just about to ask about the plan for the day, but then...
"Hahaha! I'm going to explore every single inch of this place!"
"Tch, you? I'll definitely be the first one finished!"
Daiwa Scarlet mocked Vodka's boastful words, and the two promptly locked foreheads.
"Wanna bet, Miss Perfect?"
"Bring it on, Flat-chest! Think I'm scared of you?"
The two Uma Musume took off like rockets without another word, leaving a cloud of dust that sent Special Week's hair flying.
"Um, well... since that's the case, we—"
Her words were cut short again.
Tokai Teio seemed to have spotted something, her eyes sparkled as she skipped off excitedly in one direction.
"It's the President's cafe! Ahhh, President, I'm coming!"
A drop of sweat rolled down Special Week's forehead.
She looked toward the other side.
"McQueen-chan, you..."
"I am obviously going to find Starlight-chan! Her class opened a restaurant, and there is a Starlight-chan in an apron waiting to serve me!"
Mejiro McQueen was visibly excited.
She adjusted her collar and prepared to head toward the Senior High section, but before she could take two steps, a mercilessly large hand landed on her shoulder.
"Hehe, my shop just happens to be missing a poster girl. McQueen-chan, your 'Starlight time' will have to wait until I'm done here~"
With that, Gold Ship held a sign in one hand and hoisted McQueen with the other, marching toward her fried noodle stall.
"Let go of me! I don't want to be a poster girl! I want to go see Starlight-chan..."
Watching the members of Team Spica vanish one by one, only Silence Suzuka and Special Week remained.
"Ahahaha... it seems everyone has their own plans. So, Suzuka-chan, what do you think?"
Shaking her head, Suzuka rubbed her chin and smiled.
"Nothing yet. Why don't we go together? Let's just follow the guidebook for a bit."
"Mmh, okay! Let's go!"
"By the way, I'm very interested in Starlight-chan's class shop. Shall we check it out later?"
Silence Suzuka narrowed her eyes slightly and nodded.
Back with Starlight, she was currently weaving through her classroom carrying a tray, dressed in a small pink-and-white frilled apron.
"Starlight-chan, I'm sorry that there are so many customers. Thanks for the help."
As she entered the kitchen, Mejiro Ardan spoke with a bit of embarrassment.
"It's okay! I'm happy to help everyone. It's just... this outfit feels a bit tight. It's pressing against my chest and feels a little uncomfortable."
"Ahahaha, it can't be helped. Among Uma Musume of your height, none of them have a figure as good as yours."
Mejiro Ardan looked at Starlight's ample bust and gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Well~ it's fine..."
"Starlight-chan! Order please..."
"Coming, coming! I'll get back to work now~"
After waving goodbye, Starlight walked over to the Uma Musume who called for an order, picking up a small notepad to begin recording.
"What would you like to order?"
"Ehehe... um, Starlight-chan, can I take a photo with you?"
"Sure, go ahead!"
Around one in the afternoon, after serving the last wave of guests, Starlight was finally able to relax.
"Starlight-senpai~! Where are you going?"
Spe-chan, who was currently hunched over a table near the door eating, looked up and spoke with a mouth full of meat buns.
"My shift is over! I'm going to walk around and enjoy the festival."
"Oh, I see! Suzuka-chan and I just finished. Your classmate Oguri Cap-senpai is amazing— she took first place in the donut eating contest!"
Starlight gave a wry, narrow-eyed smile and patted Spe-chan's head.
"Is that so? Haha, I've long since gotten used to that... Oguri-cap really does love to eat. I remember she even sneaked some of my breakfast once~.
"What?! You're saying you're leaving!?"
A sharp, high-pitched interrogation rang out from the entrance, clearly filled with a mix of sorrow and despair.
Wearing a kimono and still holding a fried noodle advertising plaque, Mejiro McQueen stared with wide, trembling purple eyes, looking at Starlight in utter disbelief.
However, perhaps because too many people were staring at her, she became self-conscious.
She quickly propped the plaque up by the door and coughed twice to regain her composure.
"W-what's wrong, McQueen-chan?"
Realizing she had lost her cool, Mejiro McQueen waved her hands and gave a sheepish smile.
"Ahahaha, nothing, nothing. It's just... a pity my timing was so poor..."
"Starlight worked hard all morning, so she really should rest. McQueen-san, please be understanding."
Silence Suzuka, who had been quiet until now, stood up and walked to Starlight's side, offering McQueen a smile.
"Of course, of course. I wasn't blaming Starlight-chan. I just feel a bit unlucky for arriving so late."
"It seems McQueen-san just finished her shift too. Starlight-chan, you wouldn't mind serving one more guest who came just for you, would you?"
At that moment, Mejiro Ardan stepped out from the kitchen, drying her hands with a white towel while making the suggestion to Starlight.
Nodding, Starlight walked slowly to McQueen's side.
She reached out to brush away the strands of hair from McQueen's face and offered a gentle smile.
"What would you like, McQueen-chan? Please, have a seat here~"
McQueen, whose mood had been in the pits, looked at Ardan in surprise.
Seeing Ardan nod with a smile, she excitedly wagged her tail behind her and hurried to the table.
"I... does Starlight-chan have any recommendations?"
"Well, how about an omelet rice infused with 'delicious heart magic'? Almost every guest who comes here orders it~"
After a flurry of activity, Starlight leisurely untied her apron.
Looking at the purple-haired Uma Musume who had just been coaxed into a state of pure bliss, she waved her hand and said:
"I'm heading out. If it gets busy this afternoon, feel free to call me~"
"Mmh. Chiyono O, catch up... Don't worry, Starlight-chan, just enjoy yourself this afternoon."
Yaeno Muteki, arms crossed, called out the "supervisor" and nodded to Starlight with a smile.
"Coming, coming! Hehe, Starlight-chan! Let's go!"
Trotting to Starlight's side, Sakura Chiyono O naturally linked her arm with Starlight's.
"Alright~"
In the plaza, the pink-haired Uma Musume pulled the silver-haired girl through various stalls.
Suddenly, a very cheerful voice rang out:
"Wow~! Starlight-onee-san!!"
Turning toward the sound, they saw Kitasan Black running toward them, holding a stick of cotton candy and wearing a cute little round hat.
Her blue and white jacket paired with yellow shorts made her look exceptionally lively and adorable.
Seeing that she was about to pounce, Starlight quickly opened her arms to catch her.
"Kitasan-chan~ Good afternoon—"
"Good afternoon! Starlight-senpai, I'm so lucky to run into you!"
"Indeed. Aren't you with Air Groove and the others?"
"Air Groove-senpai said we can explore freely and meet at the plaza exit later."
"I see. In that case, do you want to join me?"
"Yes, yes!"
"This is Sakura Chiyono O, my classmate."
Turning to look, Kitasan Black gave a brilliant smile. "Hello, Chiyono O-senpai~"
Sakura Chiyono O couldn't help but rub the girl's small head. "Hello, hello."
And so, holding the hand of the young Uma Musume while being pulled by the pink-haired one, Starlight walked forward.
However, they hadn't gone more than a few steps before a voice of utter disbelief came from the side.
"Starlight-senpai... Wh-Who is she?"
Her body stiffened. Turning toward the side of the path, Starlight met the trembling gaze of Cheval Grand, who was sitting on a bench.