The air fell into an awkward silence.
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Tokai Teio's forehead as she scratched her cheek.
Hardening her heart, she decided to use her ultimate finishing move.
Tokai Teio lunged forward, grabbing Divine Starlight's arm and crying out in a wheedling tone.
"I just want to sleep with Starlight-chan! I want to hear you tell ghost stories, I want to be with you... just like we were during the summer training camp"
"! I'm really begging you, Starlight-chan!"
Starlight pushed against Tokai Teio's face with her palm, feeling quite speechless.
"Are you a child? Teio... surely you're fine sleeping by yourself?"
"Waaaaah! Onegai, Starlight-senpai!"
"Alright, alright! I get it, I agree. Let go, Teio..."
"Really?!"
"Mhm, really."
Slowly letting go, Tokai Teio was as happy as a child with a new toy, skipping off to move her luggage.
Perhaps because Teio's behavior was so lively and innocent, Starlight didn't read anything else into it, she simply felt the other girl was like a younger sister who needed looking after.
Pushing the door open, a faint scent of wood drifted out.
Since Starlight's room faced the sunny side, the warm light flooding in gave it a very cozy atmosphere.
Except for the bathroom and shower area, the furniture was almost entirely made of wood, showcasing a strong rustic, pastoral style.
Placing her suitcase by the wardrobe, Starlight began to organize the duvet covers and sheets.
Seeing this, Tokai Teio didn't sit idle. Having finally managed to move in, she naturally couldn't let Starlight kick her out now.
She hurried to the other side of the bed to help.
The two Uma Musume worked quickly. Once finished, Starlight leaned back on the sofa, checking the newly created farm management group on her phone.
Suzuka: Have you two finished unpacking?
Suzuka: [Suzuka_Concerned.jpg]
Starlight: All done! What should we do next?
Suzuka: I'm currently clearing weeds in the north area fields. Starlight-chan, you and Teio can go organize the seeds in the warehouse.
Suzuka: [File Attachment]
Suzuka: These are the quantities required for the event. If there aren't enough, Starlight-chan, contact the number at the bottom of the document to request more.
Teio: OK! Starlight-chan and I will finish the task in no time!
Time flew by, and soon the weekend arrived.
The Kikuka Sho kicked off.
As the final battle of the Classic Triple Crown, it was the center of attention.
This was especially true because another undefeated Uma Musume had emerged this year, Mihono Bourbon!
Tap... tap... tap...
Backstage at the racecourse, Rice Shower was dressed in her black gown. She wore a beret atop her head, a blue rose in her bangs, and a dagger accessory at her waist.
She looked elegant and mysterious, yet carried a hint of danger.
In particular, the coldness on her face and the resolve and determination in her eyes were the polar opposite of her usual soft and timid self.
Click—
The locker room door opened, and the silver-haired Uma Musume walked in.
"Rice-chan~ Sorry I'm a bit late..."
Rice Shower's gloomy expression instantly brightened.
She turned with a smile and ran to Starlight's side.
"It's okay, Starlight-chan. Rice is already prepared."
Gripping her hand, Starlight nodded.
She pulled a mini Starlight-shaped charm from her bag.
"Here. I found this by chance on the way. It's for you~ Good luck in the race."
Lowering her head, Rice Shower looked at the charm in her palm and slowly tightened her grip.
"Mhm. Rice will do her best!"
"Then I'll head to the spectator stands first. Bye-bye~ See you after the race!"
"Okay, see you in a bit..."
Watching Starlight's retreating back, Rice Shower's hand holding the charm trembled.
She tucked it into her bodice pocket. Her gaze returned to one of steely resolve.
"Don't worry, Starlight-chan... Rice won't lose..."
"Welcome everyone to the Kikuka Sho! I am your commentator, Akasaka! Today is the day we are most likely to see the birth of an Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume."
"Let's welcome our number one favorite— Mihono Bourbon!"
Behind the inspection platform, the mechanical-themed, light-pink-haired Uma Musume slowly walked out.
She approached the center with perfect tidiness, tossing her jacket into the air.
After a deep bow, she squatted to pick it up and then left the stage.
Throughout the process, she showed no extra expression or unnecessary movement.
But this did not dampen the crowd's passion, fans and spectators cheered and applauded nonetheless.
The subsequent Uma Musume drew little attention, including Rice Shower.
In previous races against Mihono Bourbon, she had been utterly outclassed.
Therefore, almost everyone's focus remained solely on that undefeated, light-pink-haired girl.
Standing before the gate, Rice Shower looked around.
By chance, her eyes met Starlight's, and the two shared a smile.
'No... Starlight-chan's gaze has never left me... She is waiting for Rice to take the victory, so Rice cannot lose!'
All the Uma Musume entered the gates, and the entire stadium fell silent.
Bang!
The green light flashed.
After a perfect start, Mihono Bourbon took the lead. Her pace was incredibly fast.
In the back, Rice Shower was in no hurry.
Just as she had done while following the other in training, she slowly concealed herself within the pack of Uma Musume.
While Mihono Bourbon was busy contending with the other runners, she remained unaware that a cold, sharp blade was already pressed against her back.
"We've reached the middle of the race! Leading the way is our number-one favorite, Mihono Bourbon! Her condition today is as sharp as ever."
"If things continue at this tempo, victory is surely within her grasp!"
Blue energy erupted around her as Mihono Bourbon's eyes flickered with blue light.
The surrounding environment shifted as if entering a wormhole.
Unique Skill: G00 1st.F∞!
"She's accelerating! Mihono Bourbon is accelerating! She has opened a gap of five lengths from second place! She's entering the corner— now for the final straight!"
"Go for it, Mihono Bourbon!"
"Bourbon, keep going!!"
...
The entire crowd began to cheer, as if everyone had already accepted that this "Cyber Uma Musume" was now an Undefeated Triple Crown winner.
Tap-tap-tap—
Unique Skill: Blue Rose Chaser!
The wormhole transit was swallowed by a dark cathedral setting, as countless blue rose petals drifted down.
Mihono Bourbon felt a chill strike from behind.
With black flames radiating from her purple eyes, Rice Shower kicked off the ground and swung directly to the outermost lane.
Her speed skyrocketed like a rocket.
"Hey, no... you've got to be kidding..."
"Wait, no! Mihono Bourbon! Speed up—!"
Rice Shower's figure was closing the distance with Mihono Bourbon at a frantic pace.
With only a hundred meters left, she had already overtaken her opponent.
She took the race by a margin of three lengths.
The expected cheers did not come. Instead, the crowd fell into a scene of utter disbelief.
"Rice! Over here, over here! That was amazing!"
Looking at the still-stunned audience, Rice Shower simply gave a silent bow and prepared to leave.
But upon hearing that familiar call, she froze.
Turning her head, she saw that Starlight had somehow made her way to the front of the stands, with Tokai Teio beside her.
"Starlight-chan..."
Her indifferent expression gradually melted away.
Rice Shower took a few quick steps toward Starlight.
"Rice... Rice won, Starlight-chan..."
Patting her head, Starlight praised her with a smile.
"That was incredible, Rice-chan! You were so cool today!"
"Mhm, mhm! I think so too! That acceleration on the corner was really something else!" Tokai Teio added her own appraisal.
"We'll wait for you outside after the Winning Live performance, Rice-chan~"
"Mhm, okay!"
'Hehe... Starlight-chan... Starlight-chan was watching Rice, expecting Rice to win. That is enough.'