Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, evening had arrived.
A lingering streak of crimson sunset filtered through the window.
Feeling the light a bit too bright for her eyes, the short-haired Uma Musume, who had been leaning against the silver-haired Uma Musume's shoulder, blinked her eyes open.
As her consciousness returned, she slowly withdrew her hand from Starlight's arm and rubbed her eyes.
After letting out a yawn, she sat up straight, stretched, and looked over at the little silver-haired Uma Musume beside her, who was still patiently reading a picture book.
The girl's golden eyes were sparkling, resembling two translucent yellow diamonds under the sunlight.
"Are you awake?"
"Mhm... yeah~ Sorry, Starlight-chan. I said I'd take care of you, but I ended up falling asleep first... and I even leaned on your shoulder..."
Turning her face to meet the other's questioning smile, Seiun Sky scratched her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed.
Gently swaying her head, Starlight spoke with a teasing tone.
"Well, Sky-chan must be very tired, so it's good to rest for a bit. Besides, you look very cute when you sleep, I took quite a few photos~"
Placing the picture book on her lap, Starlight took out her phone, opened the gallery, and waved the screen.
The first row was filled entirely with Seiun Sky's adorable sleeping face.
"Ahhh?! No way! Starlight-chan, delete them quickly—"
"Don't be shy, they look great. Hey, don't break the phone!"
In the end, Starlight couldn't hold out and let the red-faced Seiun Sky snatch the phone away.
With her cheeks puffed out like a little teal cat, her fingers tapped frantically on the little trash can icon on the screen to delete them.
"Honestly... how could you do that, Starlight-chan? You're too mean. Just you wait, I'll get back at you later."
Covering her mouth with a giggle, Divine Starlight reached out nonchalantly.
"Alright, the deleting is done. Give me the phone back, and let's go have dinner together~"
"Yeah, before I knew it, it was already night. Okay."
Returning the phone to the silver-haired Uma Musume, Seiun Sky stood up from the bedside and spoke.
"What do you want to eat? I'll go get it for you."
"Nooo. Take me with you, okay? I want to go out for a stroll too..."
Seeing the little silver-haired Uma Musume acting so spoiled and pleading, who could possibly resist?
Seiun Sky agreed without a second thought.
After changing clothes, she picked up Starlight and headed downstairs.
Upon arriving at the first-floor lobby, Seiun Sky sat the silver-haired girl down on a nearby chair.
"Wait for me here like a good girl, and don't move around, Starlight-chan."
Rubbing the girl's head, Seiun Sky swayed her head lazily and walked back upstairs.
It was during this short moment that she was away that a blue-and-black haired Uma Musume came skipping out from the dormitory opposite.
She was preparing to head to the snack street with her best friend, Mejiro Palmer, when she spotted the silver-haired Uma Musume sitting on a chair in the lobby.
"Hoya! I-Is that Starlight-chan? What is she doing... whatever, I'll go say hi first!"
Daitaku Helios put away her phone, adjusted her blue short-sleeved shirt and her denim shorts, and then sprinted toward the Miho Dormitory.
"Starlight-chan, Starlight-chan! Good evening—!"
Divine Starlight, who was looking down at her phone, was startled by the sudden, bright voice.
"Ah! Phew... It's just you, Helios. You almost scared me to death!"
"Ehehe, sorry, sorry! I just got excited seeing you here. What are you doing, Starlight-chan?"
"I'm going to have dinner in a bit. I'm waiting for Sky-chan to get my wheelchair."
Her eyes lighting up, Helios quickly raised her hand.
"Hi-hi! I want to go too! Starlight-chan, take me with you, pretty please~"
"Sure, let's go together then."
"Heck yeah!I get to eat with Starlight-chan, oh yeah~ I get to go out with Starlight-chan, oh yeah-yeah!"
Helios began to sing and dance around.
Starlight thought it was quite amusing, so she casually picked up her phone and recorded her.
Clack, clack, clack.
Upstairs, Seiun Sky walked down slowly.
Seeing the scene before her, she asked with some confusion:
"What are you two doing?"
Helios slowly stopped her movements, and the lyrics about to pop out of her mouth came to a screeching halt.
She blinked.
After glancing at Seiun Sky, she turned her head to look at the silver-haired little Uma Musume, who was still recording while stifling a laugh.
Slowly, Helios squatted on the ground and clutched her head.
"Ahhh!"
Ignoring her for a moment, Seiun Sky pushed the wheelchair over to Starlight's side and picked her up to place her in it.
"Alright, let's head out. Where are we going for dinner?"
"...I haven't really decided yet. Let's just walk and see~"
"Okay~"
Pushing Divine Starlight, Seiun Sky had already begun leading her out of the dormitory lobby.
Realizing what was happening, Helios hurriedly scrambled to her feet.
"Eh! Eh, eh, wait for me! If you guys don't know where to go, how about the newly opened snack street? Palmer is waiting for me there."
"A newly opened snack street? That sounds pretty good. Let's go there, Sky-chan."
"Mhm, okay."
Following alongside them, Helios watched Seiun Sky pushing Starlight's wheelchair and felt a bit dazed.
She asked tentatively:
"Um, how about I help push Starlight-chan for a bit? I'm very reliable!"
Flexing her arm, Helios patted her bicep, trying to show off her strength.
However, looking at the bright but slightly airheaded expression on her face, Seiun Sky couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.
"Haha, let her give it a try. I can use the remote control myself anyway," Starlight said.
Since Starlight-chan had put it that way, Seiun Sky couldn't say much more.
She slowly let go and spread her hands.
"Alright, I'll leave it to you. Be careful, okay?"
Gulp.
"Don't you worry!"
Helios cautiously placed both hands on the wheelchair handles and gently pushed it forward.
"How... how is it, Starlight-chan? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere...?"
"Hahahaha..."
"Pfft..."
"Hey! Wh-what are you two laughing at? I'm being careful!"
Starlight waved her hand and spoke reassuringly.
"Just relax. You look really hilarious acting like that."
"Fine..."
The three Uma Musume made their way to the entrance of the snack street.
From a distance, they spotted Mejiro Palmer wearing a colorful shirt topped with a brown trench coat.
She looked quite elegant.
Seeing them arrive, she walked up with a smile.
"You're finally here! The aroma wafting out from inside was about to make me starve!"
"This Helios was so slow, there was nothing we could do~" Seiun Sky waved her hand, complaining helplessly.
"What's that supposed to mean? I was just afraid of Starlight-chan getting hurt, okay? Get with the program."
"Alright, Helios, let's head in. I've already scouted out quite a few delicious-looking stalls."
Patting her friend's shoulder, Mejiro Palmer, being the good bestie she is, naturally saw through the little fluster in her heart and led the three Uma Musume inside together.
The lively spirit of the snack street was very strong. Many customers were chatting while visiting the various specialty snack stalls lining both sides.
Holding a box of takoyaki brushed with a secret sauce, Starlight ate one herself, then turned her head toward Helios, who was still dutifully pushing the wheelchair behind her.
She picked one up with a toothpick and held it out.
"Helios~ open wide—"
'Wh-what?! Takoyaki personally fed to me by Starlight-chan? This bite is definitely going to be pure bliss, fam!'
'I have to savor this carefully...'
After swallowing hard, Helios slowly opened her mouth to eat it.
She squinted her eyes, carefully savoring the sweet, soft, and chewy takoyaki.
The large chunks of octopus tentacles inside were fresh and sweet with a great snap.
It was, of course, absolutely delicious...