The air solidified.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Gold City's forehead as she stared at Starlight's back.
She wanted to say something, but the words felt stuck in her throat, refusing to come out.
The silver-haired Uma Musume slowly turned her head toward Gold City, narrowing her golden eyes with a gaze that felt incredibly piercing.
After studying her for a long while, Starlight slowly squinted and said with a smile:
"So, City-chan likes this style of stockings? You even went out and bought a pair. It's a shame I lost mine, though~ I wonder which cute little mouse stole them?"
"Ah... hahaha, y-yeah... what a shame. I'd really love to see Starlight-chan wear them again. How about I just give this pair to you?"
Shaking her head, Starlight declined.
"That won't be necessary. Since you have them hanging in such a prominent place, they must be very important to you. It would be inappropriate for me to just take them away."
With that, Starlight gave a wave and turned to leave.
"Alright, I'm heading out. If there's any news from your side, remember to come find me... Bye-bye~"
Click—
The door closed, leaving Gold City alone in the dorm room.
She let out a long, heavy sigh of relief.
'Starlight-chan's eyes were so scary just now. She definitely seems to have realized, but she didn't seem angry... which means she isn't repulsed by what I did.'
'Could she actually like me?'
'Well, regardless, this kind of behavior is a bit much. I should apologize.'
Thinking this, she brushed back her messy platinum-blonde hair, took a deep breath, and rushed out the door.
Catching Starlight just as she was about to head down the stairs, Gold City called out to her.
"Starlight-chan!"
Stopping in her tracks, Starlight turned around and asked curiously:
"Is there something else, City-chan?"
Quickly stepping forward, Gold City took Starlight's hand, her tone very solemn.
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have taken your things. But back then, you left them in the changing room and didn't take them with you, so I... I brought them back."
"It's fine. I wouldn't get angry at you over something like that. Besides, like you said, I was the one who accidentally left them behind..."
"Then... then can you stay and keep me company for a while? W-we can discuss our future plans... and also! I... I can..."
The platinum-blonde Uma Musume was desperately trying to find a reason to keep the other girl there.
Her flustered anxiety and the slight flush on her face were actually quite cute.
However, as far as Starlight was concerned, no complex reason was needed.
If you simply asked, this little silver-haired Uma Musume would stop in her tracks and go back with you.
"Mmh, then I'll stay for a bit. Let's go."
"Eh?"
"What are you standing there for? Let's go~"
"Oh! Right, okay!"
...
...
With only one week left until the Tenno Sho, the hype for the race was reaching a fever pitch.
Large screens in the city, subway posters, and exhibition displays were all covered with the face-off between Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
It was safe to say that everyone was eagerly anticipating this showdown.
Inside the rehearsal room:
As the final beat of the song dropped, Starlight slowly came to a halt.
She and Gold City pressed their palms together and gave a synchronized wink.
"Great! Today's rehearsal was excellent. Keep it up."
As the staff member finished speaking, Starlight, breathing slightly hard, let go of Gold City's hand.
She couldn't help but remark:
"Being an idol doesn't seem like an easy job at all."
"It's not so bad. Starlight-chan is actually amazing. You mastered all the basic dances in less than a day."
"Haha, thanks for the compliment, but I'm still not that smooth. City-chan had to lead me through most of it..."
After finishing the rehearsal, Starlight changed her clothes in the locker room and took out her water bottle to rehydrate.
Suddenly, her phone on the nearby chair chimed.
When she glanced over, she saw it was a message from Gold Ship.
"Huh? A special guest program? Me on camera? For what...?"
"Hehe, since it's a civil war between two members of Team Spica, we obviously have to put together an interview special. As our unofficial assistant, Starlight-chan, you should come too!"
On the other end of the phone, Gold Ship extended the invitation.
"Well, alright. Tomorrow at noon, right?"
"Exactly, exactly... With Starlight-chan there, our program's view count is definitely going to skyrocket!"
"Okay. Thanks, Ship-chan~"
Hanging up the phone, Starlight set it aside and let out a somewhat helpless laugh.
"Starlight-chan, I'm out of water, I'm so thirsty~"
Suddenly, a weary-looking Gold City leaned in close to Starlight's side.
"Here, I only have half a bottle left—"
Gold City's eyes lit up as she quickly took the bottle, her tail wagging happily.
After spending the last few days together, Starlight had discovered that this Uma Musume— acclaimed as a "once-in-a-century beauty"— actually had a surprisingly pleasant personality, much like a bright, cheerful golden retriever.
"Hm? What is it, Starlight-chan...?"
Seeing Starlight dazed for a moment, Gold City tilted her head inquisitively after finishing the water.
"Ah, nothing. I just think City-chan is very beautiful~"
"Is... is that so? Hehe... Starlight-chan is very beautiful too..."
"Rehearsal ran a bit late today, so we probably won't make it back to the dorms. There are rest rooms upstairs, why don't we sleep there together?"
"That works. Is there a shower? I'd like to rinse off."
Feeling a surge of joy in her heart, Gold City stepped forward and took Starlight's hand, suggesting:
"There's an onsen shop right next door. Why don't we just go soak in the hot springs? What do you think?"
"Eh? Okay, let's go to the onsen then—"
The next day at noon.
In the center of the training grounds, Team Spica was setting up an interview set.
Special Week had her training jacket draped over her shoulders like a lab coat, holding up cue cards.
Behind her, Vodka was lugging a video camera while Daiwa Scarlet handled the lighting.
They actually looked quite professional.
Once Gold Ship and Trainer Ryo Nishizaki were ready, Starlight arrived as well.
After a quick nod, Gold Ship picked up the microphone and greeted the camera.
"Hi-hi~! Hello everyone, welcome to the Gold Ship Exclusive Channel!"
"Today we are honored to have the trainer of Team Spica, Mr. Ryo Nishizaki! And our assistant coach, Ms. Divine Starlight!"
"As the hottest Uma Musume of the year, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen are about to face off in next week's Tenno Sho."
"Trainer, do you have any comments? Which Uma Musume are you favoring more, hmm?"
Nishizaki, who had been trying to act "cool and aloof" off to the side, was caught off guard by the question.
Sighing, he looked at the cue card Special Week was holding up, which had two words written on it:
Play Dumb.
"Huh? No way I'm doing that—!"
Finishing his sentence, he turned around and sprinted away.
"Hah! Trying to escape? How pathetic..."
Faced with Nishizaki's rebellion, the corners of Gold Ship's mouth curled into a playful smirk as she strode after him.
In an instant, she tackled Team Spica's trainer to the ground.
"Let me go! I don't want to do an interview like this!!"
"Come on now. Trainer, just hang in there. It's only interesting if we film it this way~"
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Divine Starlight's forehead.
She took a small step back, then turned around to try and sneak away quietly.
'This interview feels like a disaster waiting to happen. I'd better get out of here while I can...'
"Ah! Starlight-chan is trying to run too! Someone catch her, my hands are full over here!"
Before Gold Ship could even finish her sentence, a cue card was tossed into the air.
Special Week, looking incredibly excited, performed an explosive start and charged forward.
"I'll do it! I'll do it!"