Seeing her state, Starlight tried to sit up.
But Suzuka was one step ahead, moving forward to support her and ensuring she didn't strain the injury on her leg.
Once seated, Starlight leaned gently against the headboard.
She reached out and brushed the corners of Suzuka's eyes, wiping away the teardrops.
"Why are you crying? Did someone bully you...?"
Her body trembling, Suzuka shook her head without a word.
Divine Starlight turned her gaze toward her own legs, which were completely cocooned in bandages.
"...This isn't your fault, Suzuka-chan."
Reaching out to stroke the other's head, Starlight spoke in a soft, smiling tone.
"But... if I hadn't been so useless, would... would you have not gotten hurt?"
"You would still be able to run on the turf. I'm the one who ruined you, Starlight-chan! I'm sorry—"
Her voice was hoarse, her words punctuated by sobs as Suzuka cried out.
Inami woke up.
She sat up slowly and witnessed the scene before her.
Saying nothing, she put on her clothes and quietly slipped out of the room.
She left the space to these two Uma Musume, both of whom had been forced off the track by leg injuries.
"This was my choice, Suzuka-chan. If my medicine could buy you the chance to run on the track again, I think it was worth it."
"If you saw me like this and you had a bottle of recovery medicine, you would give it to me too, right?"
Suzuka fell silent at those words, her green eyes trembling slightly.
She hesitated.
After all, it concerned one's own future, one's own legs. No one would be without hesitation.
And yet the silver-haired Uma Musume on the hospital bed had done it without a second thought.
In the depths of Starlight's eyes, there was no regret or lingering attachment to the medicine, there was only the joy that Suzuka could recover and step onto the turf once more.
Because of this, Silence Suzuka's heart ached even more.
She slowly pulled Starlight into an embrace, her arms clutching the other tightly.
"I would... Starlight-chan, if that were the case, I would."
"See? That's more like it~ Don't cry, don't cry. It's not like I have zero chance of running again, right?"
Though she said so, everyone knew how slim that chance was.
Suzuka's heart began to undergo a quiet change.
Her nose caught the still-faint fragrance lingering on Starlight, now mixed with the scent of medicinal herbs.
A strange flicker appeared in her eyes.
"Suzuka, if you still feel bad about this, then please carry my share with you when you go to the track. If I can see your brilliant and dazzling figure, I think that will be worth more than anything."
...
After a long silence, Suzuka, her head still buried in Starlight's chest, let out a soft hum of agreement.
"Mm... mm-hmm..."
Slowly releasing the other, Silence Suzuka straightened up.
Her eyes were red and bloodshot, standing out vividly in the moonlight.
She lightly curled the corners of her mouth, her tone solemn and sincere, like a profound vow.
"I will take Starlight-chan's feelings with me and shine on the track once more. I will make sure everyone sees it. The starry sky is eternally brilliant, and the light shall never fade—"
"Pfft, Hahaha... how did I never notice that the usually quiet Suzuka also has a bit of a dramatic side? Mm-hmm! That was very good!"
"'The starry sky is eternally brilliant, and the light shall never fade!'"
Hearing Starlight repeat it, Suzuka lowered her head, her face flushing crimson.
"Don't... Don't repeat it, Starlight-chan"
"Eh, but you said it yourself! I think it sounds really cool!"
The atmosphere shifted from the previous heaviness to something more lively.
Only then did Suzuka remember she had brought a gift.
Somewhat flustered, she picked up her bag, unzipped it, and took out a black-and-white patterned gift box.
"This is... a cake I made. It's for you, Starlight-chan."
"Mm-hmm, thank you, Suzuka-chan~"
Taking the box, Starlight slowly opened it.
Inside lay a small, exquisite cake topped with crushed chocolate cookies.
"It looks so delicate~ I'm almost reluctant to eat it."
"It's true that eating late at night isn't very good. Maybe save it for tomorrow?"
"Okay... then I'll listen to Suzuka and put it by the bed for now..."
"But I just noticed something... it's already very late, Suzuka-chan. Aren't you going back?"
Looking at Silence Suzuka, who showed no intention of leaving, Starlight asked curiously.
"Even if I go back now, it's already past curfew. Um, Starlight-chan, can I stay here with you?"
Nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Suzuka asked very cautiously.
"Of course you can, but where will you sleep? Should I ask someone to help bring in a folding bed?"
Hearing this, Silence Suzuka quickly waved her hands.
She gave a sheepish smile and scratched her cheek.
"I'll just sit right here, that'll be fine..."
"But... won't that be tiring? Why don't you get on the bed? If I'm careful, it should be okay."
As Starlight spoke, she began to make space.
Silence Suzuka froze for a moment.
"Ah, is that allowed? No! Wait, that's not right. Starlight-chan, I'll just sit here. I can sleep leaning against the side of the bed."
"Well, alright then. Thank you for staying with me, Suzuka-chan~"
Shaking her head, Suzuka felt a slight pang of guilt.
"It's nothing, Starlight-chan. I could stay by your side for a lifetime!"
"...F-For a lifetime?!"
Accompanied by Starlight's cry of surprise, the night passed.
Time moved on to Sunday.
Due to work commitments, Symboli Rudolf had been unable to find time to visit Starlight in the hospital.
But this time was different, she had finished her Sunday tasks ahead of schedule. She finally had plenty of time.
Consequently, she woke up early.
After getting ready, she put on her usual green shirt and gray jogger pants.
Standing before the mirror, she decided to throw on a plaid shirt as an outer layer.
Just as she was stepping out of her room, she was stopped by Air Groove.
"President, there is a batch of new documents in the office that needs your signature."
In an instant, the smile on Rudolf's face collapsed.
Nevertheless, she patiently made her way toward the school building.
On the way, she passed by the training ground.
The late autumn morning was quite chilly.
The wind brushed through Rudolf's hair, and the sunlight hit her with a hint of warmth, drawing her gaze.
The vast training ground was completely empty. The faint scent of green grass drifted to her nose.
Sunlight spilled across the turf.
This scene should have been heartwarming, yet in her eyes, it looked utterly desolate.
"...It seems a silver figure is missing."
That beautiful figure she saw every morning on her way to the Student Council was gone, leaving only the training ground behind.
That figure, drenched in sweat and facing the morning sun, who would greet her with a radiant smile... she still existed, but 'she' was no longer here.
Rudolf's nose felt a bit prickly.
After taking a deep breath, she stood still for a long time before finally turning to leave.
She knew that specific silhouette might never appear there again.
No matter how much she experienced, her heart still felt a stir of emotion, forcing her to reminisce about that time.
Even though she had only watched from the sidelines, seeing this girl go from an obscure Uma Musume to a shining, famous racer...
'That journey was truly...'
After finishing her business, she composed herself.
She sent a message to Starlight and then hurriedly began rushing toward the hospital.
Following the information sent to her, Rudolf arrived at the building and began searching for the ward.
Before long, she arrived at the door to Starlight's room.
Hearing sounds coming from inside, curiosity got the better of her, and she leaned in to listen.
"That's great~ Finally, I don't have to have my leg suspended... I feel like my leg was going numb."
"Miss Starlight, don't get too excited. Even though it's no longer suspended, you still have to be careful not to injure it. Plus, we need to do periodic checks and change the dressings."
"Ah~ okay, okay, I understand—"
Click.
The door pushed open.
Rudolf looked at the silver-haired Uma Musume sitting propped up in bed, and with a complex expression, she gave a small wave.
"Starlight-chan?"
"Ah, President! You're finally here. I was worried you might not find your way."