Early morning, at the central lodging area of the farm.
Starlight slowly opened her eyes and exhaled a soft sigh.
She gently patted Tokai Teio, who was clinging to her arm beside her.
"Teio, I'm going for morning practice. Do you want to come?"
Rubbing her eyes, Teio spoke with a voice thick with sleep and a soft, hazy tone.
"Going... Starlight-chan."
After letting go, the two Uma Musume climbed out of the large bed and went to their respective sides to change and wash up.
Click—
The door pushed open.
Starlight, dressed in her red training gear, happened to bump into Silence Suzuka, who was just stepping out of her own room, also clad in training clothes.
"Good morning, Starlight-chan~"
"Morning~"
"Good morning, Suzuka-senpai!"
Suddenly, from behind Starlight, Tokai Teio poked her head out energetically, a bright smile on her face.
Seeing her emerge from Starlight's room, Silence Suzuka paused for a moment.
She narrowed her eyes and asked with a forced, thin smile:
"Teio, why... why are you sleeping in Starlight-chan's room again?"
"Hehe... we were playing games together last night~"
Teio explained, flashing a peace sign at Suzuka.
"Is that so... Starlight-chan, both of you are still recovering from injuries, so please try not to stay up too late."
Suzuka's tone was unreadable.
"Oh, it's fine! We went to sleep around ten last night, we didn't stay up late at all. Anyway, let's get to morning practice!"
With that, Starlight tapped her foot on the ground to gauge her condition for the day, then began jogging toward the exit.
Outside, on the flat dirt path, the three Uma Musume ran in a single file at a slow jog.
"Suzuka-chan, you don't have to stay with us. You can run at your normal pace."
Looking at Silence Suzuka beside her, Starlight suggested.
"It's alright. I don't have any races coming up soon, so being with you both is fine."
"But Teio, I recall the Trainer arranged some upcoming races for you. How is your recovery going?"
"Ah... I, well... hehe, I feel like I won't be fully recovered until next week!"
Suzuka narrowed her eyes as she watched the expression on Teio's face.
She seemed to see right through something, but she didn't call her out directly.
Instead, she sped up a few steps to pull up alongside Starlight.
"Starlight-chan, would you like to go to the hospital for a check-up this afternoon?"
"Hmm... Sure, let's go with what Suzuka says and check it out. Teio, you should come too, right?"
"Ah, I-I think I'm good..."
"What's wrong, Teio-chan? It could be dangerous if there's a hidden issue. It's better to go for a follow-up."
Silence Suzuka's voice carried a hint of concern, though a trace of a smile flickered in the depths of her eyes.
"Yeah, Suzuka is right. Teio, come with me and get checked out~"
With a sigh, Tokai Teio had no choice but to agree.
In the afternoon, Starlight sat on a chair in the examination room.
Before her, a doctor in a white coat looked at the scans on the computer while reaching out to examine the bone structure of Starlight's leg, which was still in the process of mending.
"How does it feel when I press here?"
"Mmm... a bit of a dull ache."
"And here?"
"Hiss! That hurts."
She couldn't help but jerk her leg up, nearly knocking the doctor over.
Calmly leaning down to dodge, the doctor patted the dust off his collar and adjusted his glasses.
He turned to fill out the paperwork while speaking.
"Miss Starlight, your recovery speed is quite good. Have you been doing rehabilitation training lately? Like jogging or light exercise?"
"Yes, but I always apply medicinal patches after every session."
Nodding, the doctor stopped talking and focused solely on filling out the forms.
Scribble, scribble...
Silence fell over the examination room, with only the sound of the pen gliding across the paper echoing.
To be honest, Starlight felt quite nervous at a moment like this.
There is truly nothing scarier than a doctor suddenly knitting their brows and letting out a sigh.
Fortunately, after the doctor finished filling out the forms in his hand, the corners of his mouth slowly curled upward.
"Your recovery progress is good, Miss Divine Starlight. If no accidents occur in the future, there is a high probability you can return to the track."
"However, due to the long period of rest, your physical strength and conditioning may no longer be what they once were."
"Furthermore, training like you used to is absolutely out of the question... you must be careful moving forward. Even after they heal, your legs will be very fragile."
"They'll be what is commonly known as 'glass legs.' Do you understand?"
Listening to the doctor's instructions, Starlight nodded, her gaze turning somewhat complex.
"My recommendation is to retire peacefully. If you insist on racing, a hospital bed will become your permanent residence."
"I see... thank you, I understand. But, I still want to try one more time."
In the lobby's waiting area, Starlight walked out holding her report.
At that moment, Teio and Suzuka crowded around her to ask about the situation.
"Well overall, things are looking good... I'll be fully recovered soon... I'll be able to race again shortly! You guys better look forward to it!"
"What about Teio? How did it go?"
Seeing Divine Starlight look her way, Tokai Teio lowered her head in slight embarrassment.
"She has completely recovered and can race normally now." Suzuka answered for her.
"Is that so!? That's great news! Teio, you should hurry back to Team Spica. I'm really looking forward to seeing you back on the track."
"...O-Okay."
Looking at the expression on Teio's face, Starlight felt a bit puzzled.
"What's wrong? Haven't you always wanted to return to the track? I was hoping we could compete against each other out there just once~"
"Yeah, that's true, but... I just feel like my heart isn't in it lately..."
'Return to the track?'
Recalling the last time she returned to the race, only to be utterly blown away by Mejiro McQueen and the other Uma Musume, Tokai Teio felt a wave of hesitation rise in her heart.
To be honest, she really did want to race, but she was afraid of losing again, afraid of getting hurt again... and she wanted to spend more time with Starlight.
But looking up into Starlight's expectant eyes, Teio's heart began to steady.
'I'm actually here hesitating, while Senpai is so looking forward to seeing me on the track. Her gaze is so firm that I almost feel...'
"Alright, let's head back and talk more there," Suzuka suggested, looking from Starlight to the downcast Teio.
"Yeah, okay..."
In the evening, the three Uma Musume returned to the farm.
"I'm going to take a shower first, Teio..."
"Okay."
As the sound of splashing water echoed from the bathroom, Tokai Teio sat on the edge of the bed in her pajamas.
She stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the star-studded night sky.
Her eyes were full of conflicting emotions.
Suddenly, her gaze drifted to Starlight's small bag sitting on the sofa nearby.
The medical report was sticking halfway out.
"Honestly, Senpai, don't just leave your bag lying around like that..."
She walked over, intending to hang it on the coat rack.
But the moment she picked it up, the clear text on the exposed report made Tokai Teio freeze in her tracks.
The words "Doctor's Recommendation: Retirement" felt like a physical blow to her heart.
Tears began to drip onto the report as Tokai Teio started to sob quietly.
'Why? Even though... even though Senpai's legs are like this... she's still looking forward to competing with me. But I...'
'I have to get back on that track. Not just for Senpai, but for myself...'
Slowly tucking the report back into Starlight's bag, Tokai Teio wiped the tears from her face.
Her heart was finally ready.
'I can lose, and I can get hurt, but I cannot be a coward. I can't lack even the courage to stand on the starting line.'
'I am Tokai Teio... a genius Uma Musume!'