At the Tracen training grounds.
Warm sunlight poured down as Uma Musume, dressed in their red-and-white training tracksuits, warmed up and sprinted across the grass, full of youthful energy.
On the slope outside the track, Seiun Sky was slowly pushing Starlight, going on their daily stroll.
Finding a relatively flat spot, Seiun Sky brought the wheelchair to a stop.
She slowly leaned over, resting her head near Starlight's ear.
"The weather is so nice today. It's so warm, I just want to lay on top of Starlight and have a beautiful nap~"
The lazy, soft words drifted into her ear, causing Starlight's horse ears to twitch involuntarily.
She tilted her head slightly.
"How are you sleepy again? Or is it that taking care of me these past few days has made you exhausted, Seiun Sky?"
"How about I find some other friends to help out? You go and get some rest, okay?"
'Hiss... What's going on? Even though Starlight-chan's tone and intent are clearly out of concern for me, why do I feel a chill running down my spine?'
Seiun Sky's expression froze.
She quickly straightened up, squinting her eyes as she laughed it off.
"Hehe, I'm not tired, not tired at all! Starlight-chan, shall we keep going?"
Shaking her head, Divine Starlight glanced at the sky.
As a warm, gentle breeze brushed against her cheeks, she spoke with a smile.
"Let's stay here for a while. It feels quite nice."
"I was thinking the same thing..."
Rustle, rustle, rustle...
The sound of footsteps approached from a distance, followed by two adorable voices.
"Starlight-onee-sama!!"
Hearing the call, Divine Starlight opened her eyes and looked back along with Seiun Sky.
When she saw the two cute little Uma Musume running toward her with smiles, her heart felt like it was melting.
"Dia-chan and Kita-chan~?"
The two little Uma Musume ran to Starlight's side, leaning against her lap— one on the left and one on the right.
Behind them, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen saw this scene and let out helpless laughs.
"Sigh. Starlight-chan's charm is truly immense. Even our fans can't resist it."
"Hmph, of course. Starlight-chan has always been so excellent, perfect... beautiful..."
Hearing Mejiro McQueen's praise, Tokai Teio's mouth twitched.
She spread her hands and teased:
"I remember you didn't say that back in the day. The newcomers might not remember, but I remember clearly: Our Young Lady McQueen once rejected Starlight-chan's confession~"
In an instant, Mejiro McQueen's face turned beet red.
She gave Tokai Teio a light shove.
"Stop bringing that up! People change! At that time, I just didn't know Starlight-chan well enough."
"Alright, alright..."
On the other side, Starlight rubbed the heads of the two little Uma Musume and said with a smile:
"Ah, today is Open Day. I almost forgot."
"Mhm! We came specifically to see you, Starlight-onee-sama~ Although Mejiro McQueen is my idol now, I've always remembered your racing silhouette!"
'What is this kid saying?'
Pinching Satono Diamond's chubby little cheek, Starlight smiled and replied:
"Is that so? I'm really happy to hear that. But McQueen-chan is also amazing, Dia-chan really has unique taste."
"Hmph hmph, of course! And not just that, Starlight-chan, in the future I want to become an Uma Musume just like you and Mejiro McQueen!"
With her hands on her hips, Satono Diamond was full of confidence.
"Tch, I think Tokai Teio is stronger than Mejiro McQueen."
"Clearly McQueen is stronger, okay!"
Facing Kitasan's words, Satono Diamond immediately retorted.
Seeing that these two little Uma Musume were about to start an argument, Divine Starlight quickly reached out to interrupt them.
"Alright, alright, no fighting. Good friends should get along harmoniously. Stop it right there~"
She took each of their small hands and folded them together.
"Then, Starlight-onee-sama, you tell us— between Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who is actually stronger?"
Kitasan Black rested her little head on Starlight's lap, her expression looking incredibly adorable.
Even though the two Uma Musume being discussed were standing not far away, Starlight looked up toward them.
Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen suddenly felt a bit flustered.
Though their gazes drifted awkwardly, Starlight could vaguely sense that both of them were also waiting for her answer.
This was currently the most heated topic of debate: Between Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio, who was actually stronger?
"Mhm... as for Teio, she just won the Satsuki Sho, which is the first leg of the Triple Crown."
"Right? Tokai Teio is definitely stronger!"
Hearing this, Kitasan Black immediately straightened up, her hands on her hips as she spoke triumphantly.
"But McQueen-chan just won the Tenno Sho Spring."
"Exactly! Mejiro McQueen isn't inferior to Tokai Teio at all, and McQueen is a middle-to-long distance specialist!"
Clenching her small fists, Satono Diamond explained very seriously.
"Aiya~ with you two putting it like that, it's hard for me to judge. Teio is a short-to-middle distance Uma Musume, while McQueen focuses on middle-to-long distances..."
"I think both of them are amazing! Okay? In my heart, they are both the best..."
Hearing those words, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, who had been eavesdropping from behind, breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief.
On the other hand, the two little ones were somewhat dissatisfied with that answer.
"Starlight-onee-sama, you're not just trying to brush us off, are you?"
"Yeah, if you absolutely had to choose only one, who would it be?"
"Alright, alright, have mercy on me, you two little rascals."
Watching the silver-haired Uma Musume in such a predicament, Seiun Sky couldn't help but clutch her stomach and burst into laughter.
"Hehe... fine, fine~ but Starlight-onee-sama, you have to get better soon, okay?"
"Mhm, I'm really looking forward to seeing you standing on the racetrack again."
McQueen and Teio approached to lead the two little Uma Musume away.
Watching the four of them leave, Starlight waved her hand in a firm response.
"Mhm, I will..."
"Ahaha! I really can't stand it. I didn't expect to see you in a situation like this."
Ryo Nishizaki walked over to Starlight's side, his tone teasing.
"It's not something that can be easily concluded anyway. Besides, with Teio and McQueen right there, saying one is better than the other would definitely make the other one sad."
"Starlight-chan is as gentle as ever..."
"Teio has the Derby coming up soon. We're training this afternoon, would you do me the honor of coming by to watch?"
Ryo Nishizaki came around to the front of Starlight, squatting down and pressing his hands together in a pleading gesture.
He said "watch," but with a stance like that, he clearly wanted Starlight to give them some special coaching and suggestions.
"Fine, fine, fine. I get it. I'll go watch this afternoon."
"Hehe... Starlight-chan! I hereby appoint you as the Training Consultant for Team Spica— I'm sure everyone will welcome you."
Listening to Ryo Nishizaki, Divine Starlight squinted her eyes and raised an eyebrow.
"Why don't you just give me your Trainer position while you're at it? A consultant, really?!"
"Haha! Everyone is looking forward to seeing you this afternoon. I've got things to do, so I'm off first!"
Sighing, Divine Starlight watched Ryo Nishizaki's retreating back with a look of utter helplessness.
Turning her head back to Seiun Sky, who had been waiting quietly, she waved with a smile.
"I'll be relying on you to take me there this afternoon, Sky-chan~"
"Mhm, leave it to me! Starlight-chan, I'd be happy to carry you around all day."
"That wouldn't do! I already feel bad for taking up so much of your time, Sky-chan."
"Come on, let's head to the cafeteria for lunch~"
"Mhm, okay..."
Grasping the wheelchair handles, Seiun Sky began walking toward the dining hall, thinking expectantly to herself:
'If I really could carry Starlight-chan for a whole day, how wonderful would that be?'