"The race has started! This is McQueen's fourth race since her debut, and it's looking to be her fourth consecutive win!"
"Indeed. At her current level, she would have absolutely no problem participating in G1-class races. Her dominance is simply too strong."
At the commentary booth, Akasaka suddenly spoke to her colleague.
"Do you think she can maintain this winning streak, just like Divine Starlight?"
"That's hard to say... The race is about to reach its climax, so let's keep our eyes on the track for McQueen's performance!"
On the track, Mejiro McQueen was dressed in her racing clothes with the number 12 plate attached to her chest and back.
She was calmly warming up on the grass behind the starting gate.
'Once this race is over, I'll be only one win away from Teio. Hmph! Once you get careless and lose, let's see if you can keep acting all high and mighty in front of me!'
At the thought, Mejiro McQueen's fighting spirit surged even higher.
She slowly stepped into the gate and waited for the start.
In the stands, Seiun Sky slowly carried a silver-haired Uma Musume up. After finding their corresponding seats, she set her down comfortably.
Then, she hurriedly ran back down to grab the wheelchair.
Standing nearby, Nishino Flower covered her mouth and giggled softly.
"Starlight-chan is truly amazing, making Sky-chan become so diligent."
"I feel a bit embarrassed constantly troubling her..."
After sitting down beside her, Nishino reached out and patiently helped straighten Starlight's clothes.
"It's nothing at all. Starlight-chan is our best friend, we're very happy to be able to take care of you."
"Exactly, and Starlight-chan used to take care of me all the time... we've just swapped roles, that's all."
Having folded the wheelchair and set it aside, Seiun Sky waved her hand dismissively.
Bang!
The sound of the gates opening rang out, and the three Uma Musume focused their attention on the track.
Mejiro McQueen once again chose to run as a Late Surger.
In the latter half of the race, she surged forward with absolute speed, crushing the competition and winning the race perfectly.
She bowed slowly to the audience and tossed her hair, preparing to leave.
However, her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of Divine Starlight in the stands, clapping for her.
Her footsteps instantly froze.
'St-Starlight-chan came too!! She came to watch my race even in her condition? Thank goodness I didn't let her down.'
Patting her chest, Mejiro McQueen breathed a silent sigh of relief.
She turned her head to steal another glance.
Beside her, Seiun Sky was leaning against Starlight's shoulder, eating popcorn while watching the event, while Nishino Flower was busy taking photos with Starlight on her phone.
Slowly clenching her fists, Mejiro McQueen felt a bit of a sour twinge in her heart.
'Dammit, if it weren't for my tight racing schedule lately, I'd be the one taking care of Starlight-chan. I'd be taking her out for sweets, and then going to her room at night to...'
At that thought, Mejiro McQueen's face turned slightly red.
She shook her head and quickly hurried off the field.
That evening, while Seiun Sky went out to buy dinner, Nishino Flower was supporting Divine Starlight.
Our silver-haired Uma Musume was practicing walking by now. Her right leg had mostly recovered, and she was currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Fine beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her frame was trembling.
Her fair, tender foot was flushed red from the pressure against the floor. Her other leg remained heavily wrapped in bandages.
"Is Starlight-chan okay? If it's too much, let's sit down and rest for a bit?"
"I'm fine, Nishino Flower. Let me stand for a little longer..."
Taking a deep breath, Starlight adjusted her posture and prepared to start her practice again.
"Honestly, Starlight-chan is like a stubborn little mule..."
Seeing that she insisted on continuing, Nishino Flower could only focus intently on watching over her.
Eventually, appearing truly unable to hold on any longer, Starlight plopped down onto the bed and grinned.
"Do you think... if I keep practicing like this every day, I can really start running again?"
"Mhm, of course you can! Keep at it, Starlight-chan, I believe in you!"
"Haha, thank you, Flower-chan~"
Click—
The door opened, and Seiun Sky walked in carrying two bags of takeout containers.
Seeing Nishino Flower helping Divine Starlight wipe away her sweat, she said with a smile:
"Starlight-chan, are you practicing standing again? It's so dangerous. You should at least wait until both legs are mostly healed before you start."
"I get it, I get it. What's gotten into you, little Uma Musume? You're even more of a chatterbox than Flower-chan now."
Hearing this, Seiun Sky froze for a moment.
'Eh... true. How did I end up like this? Clearly, before...'
"Hahaha, I think it's pretty good. Sky-chan is very diligent now~"
"Exactly! I'm about to become completely dependent on you."
"Eh? That's fine by me! You can depend on me for the rest of your life, Starlight-chan~"
Setting the bags down on the side table, Seiun Sky sat down next to Starlight and grabbed her arm, her words half-joking and half-serious.
"Now, how would that work... alright, alright, what did you buy? I'm hungry now."
"I got some rice balls and sushi from the convenience store, plus some fried chicken legs and bento boxes!"
"...I could have cooked if you had just bought groceries. Why is it all fast food? How can Starlight-chan eat like this?"
Scratching her head, Seiun Sky spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
"It's mostly it's because I was passing by and saw the discounted bento, so I just went in... haha."
"It's fine, it's fine. It's nice to eat convenience store food once in a while, I haven't really been there much."
"Let's talk about tomorrow later, okay~"
Taking Nishino Flower's hand, Starlight spoke with a smile.
"Fine then. I just finished praising Sky-chan and then this happens... sigh."
The three Uma Musume chatted and laughed as they finished their dinner.
The next morning, inside the Ritto Dormitory, in Tokai Teio's room.
The adorable little Uma Musume was tidying her outfit.
Her bed was neatly made, and a cool poster of Symboli Rudolf was still hanging on the wall.
Beside her, the orange-haired Uma Musume was still snoring away under the covers, completely undisturbed.
"Alright, let's go!"
Grabbing her school bag, Tokai Teio pushed open the dormitory door.
She headed toward the shopping district and found her usual special drink stall.
She ordered a super-rich honey drink. While waiting, many fans came up to talk to her, and Teio responded enthusiastically.
Our little Teio seems to be quite the celebrity now.
"Sorry, sorry! I have to get to class soon, let's talk next time~"
Seeing that the crowd was growing, Tokai Teio politely declined with a bit of a struggle and then sprinted toward the Academy.
Tracen Academy, a new morning of a new day.
Hayakawa Tazuna, dressed in her green uniform, stood elegantly at the gate, greeting the Uma Musume as they entered.
As Tokai Teio came running in, she greeted Tazuna only to find the rest of Team Spica waiting for her nearby.
"What's up, everyone? Is there something important?"
Gold Ship, standing on her Segway, blinked and said casually:
"Did you forget? Today is the Academy's Open Day, and our team was put in charge of leading the tours."
"Is that so... okay!"
And so, Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio arrived at the meeting point for the visitors.
Unsurprisingly, it was two familiar faces: The adorable Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond.
"Wow, it's Tokai Teio! I-I'm a huge fan of yours!"
Bouncing on her toes, Kitasan Black spoke with great excitement.
"I am too, Mejiro McQueen-san!"
"Eh? Don't you like Starlight-senpai anymore?"
"Of course I do!"
Hearing this, Mejiro McQueen was taken aback at first, then asked:
"You two actually know Divine Starlight?"
"Mhm... Starlight-senpai went camping with us last time, and she took us around during the Culture Festival too."
"I see, what a coincidence. Do you want to go visit Starlight-senpai after we finish touring the Academy?" Tokai Teio chimed in with a grin.
"Eh! Is that really okay?! We haven't seen her at all since Starlight-senpai was hospitalized for her injury..." Satono Diamond said, looking a bit dejected.