Sometime around noon.
Rice Shower sat on a chair, looking at the small fire rising before her, her two fingers constantly circling each other.
Her expression was very troubled.
"What should I do? Should I use the backup ingredients...? Maybe I should use some, if Starlight-chan returns empty-handed, at least there'll be something to fill our stomachs..."
"No, no, no, that's not right of Rice! You should believe in Starlight-chan, she will definitely bring back ingredients!"
"But, but..."
Standing up, Rice Shower rubbed her fingers and began to pace around the fire.
"Rice-chan~ What are you doing?"
Suddenly, Divine Starlight's voice came from behind.
The moment she finished speaking, the silver-haired Uma Musume's hand rested on the black Uma Musume's shoulder.
"Ah! Starlight-chan, you're back?"
"Mm-hmm..."
Starlight carried a pair of tongs over her shoulder, with a bucket hanging from the end, swaying slightly.
"So, did you get any ingredients..."
Seeing Rice Shower's nervous appearance, she looked incredibly cute.
Starlight grinned and said.
"Of course. A big fish and a few crabs. If you make some bread, it should be enough for us to eat."
Taking the bucket and seeing the fish still showing some life inside, along with the crabs waving their legs underneath, Rice Shower's purple eyes sparkled like stars.
"Wow, Starlight-chan is so amazing!"
"Hmph, of course. These guys were easy pickings~"
With hands on her hips, Starlight puffed out her chest proudly, enjoying the adoration from Rice Shower.
Moving towards a folding table on the side and sitting down, Rice Shower placed the fish on it, then took a kitchen knife from a nearby box and skillfully poked the fish's head twice with the handle.
Seeing that it was no longer moving, she brought the knife down, cutting the fish lengthwise.
After removing the bones, internal organs, and other parts, she scraped off the scales.
Once it was washed with water, she put it into a basin.
Starlight leaned back in a chair, holding a bottle of carrot-flavored soda.
After unscrewing it and watching Rice Shower cook, she couldn't help but praise her.
"Oh~ Our Rice Shower is truly amazing. You'd make an excellent wife~"
Rice Shower, who was adding the marinade, immediately blushed upon hearing this and responded somewhat flustered.
"Star- Starlight-chan, that's embarrassing... Don't say that..."
"Haha, alright, alright~"
Looking at the fish coated in seasoning, Rice Shower added an egg white and set it aside.
She went to the campfire, placed a rack on the stone pile, brushed it with oil, and first tied three large crabs onto it for roasting.
After brushing oil on the side, she spread the fish out on the rack.
Instantly, a sizzling sound rang out, and the aroma slowly wafted through the air.
Divine Starlight, who had been busy all day, was already very hungry.
After finishing her drink, she quickly sat down beside Rice Shower, her eyes fixed on the oily fish meat.
"It smells so good... Rice-chan, is this your own special seasoning? Send me the recipe later."
"Yes, it— it is... I'll send it to Starlight-chan in a bit."
"Great~"
After a long wait, the fish and crabs were cooked.
The two Uma Musume picked up their chopsticks and began to enjoy the meal after a short prayer.
The moment the chopsticks touched the charred skin, the fish meat split into chunks, with a little juice flowing out from the tender white meat.
Starlight soon picked up a piece and put it in her mouth.
A savory flavor exploded, followed by the sweet and tender taste of the fish. It was indescribably delicious.
Starlight narrowed her eyes, enjoying the moment the fish meat rolled around in her mouth.
"Ah~ Fresh fish really is the most delicious..."
Nodding, Rice Shower took a small bite and commented softly.
"It's fresh, so it tastes a lot different different from fish that has been frozen for a long time... I'll have to research more on improving the recipe later to win the farming event."
Hearing this, Starlight turned to the black-haired Uma Musume and asked curiously.
"Why are you all so motivated? Is there some kind of reward for this event?"
Hearing this, Rice Shower and Starlight locked eyes for a moment.
She shyly turned her head away and said nervously.
"T-That... I can't say. The Chairman won't let me tell you the reward..."
"Huh? Well, alright... I'm a judge, and yet they're being so mysterious~"
"I just hope there won't be too much 'creative' foods, my fragile little stomach can't handle too much abuse."
Rice Shower slowly looked at Starlight's small belly.
It was very flat, and she could even faintly see traces of training...
Thinking of something, her face turned red again, and she lowered her head to eat quietly.
Although one fish, three crabs, and a few slices of bread were certainly not enough for two Uma Musume, Starlight had bought many snacks when she came, which could tide them over.
Tonight would be the real feast.
In the afternoon.
Under the sun, Starlight lay comfortably on a chair.
Rice Shower was sitting beside her, focused on looking at her picture book.
Since they were at the seaside, besides a jacket thrown over their shoulders, both Uma Musume were wearing swimsuits underneath.
Right at that moment, a bulge suddenly appeared in the sand and gravel beneath their feet.
A little mouse broke through the mound and crawled out.
It looked up at the silver-haired Uma Musume who was dozing with narrowed eyes, its nose twitching.
Catching a faint scent, the mouse quickly climbed up and stood on Starlight's belly, gently touching it with its paws.
An itchy sensation came over her, causing the silver-haired Uma Musume's brow furrowed.
She raised large hand to scratch the itch.
But little mouse was quick. It followed Starlight's hand and swiftly moved to her chest.
At that moment, Rice Shower happened to look over and suddenly locked eyes with the mouse.
"Ah!! You, you..."
The picture book in her hand dropped to the side as she pointed at the mouse standing on the silver-haired Uma Musume's chest.
After a few moments, Rice Shower cautiously approached and spoke.
"Please don't, don't disturb Starlight-chan. Can you come down?"
"Squeak, squeak."
"Don't be like that, Mr. Mouse. You're being very rude. Can, can you come down...?"
Seeing no result, and with the other party in such a delicate position, Rice Shower summoned her courage, prepared to use her righteous hands to chase the mouse away.
Moving closer to Starlight, Rice Shower reached out with her two fair little hands.
After closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths, she opened them.
"Okay, Starlight-chan, I'll chase that evil mouse away for you right now."
Seemingly having made a decision, Rice Shower reached out to grab the mouse.
But the picture book by her leg seemed to disagree. When Rice Shower lunged forward to grab the mouse, she tripped over the book.
"Eh?!"
Rice Shower, losing her balance, fell toward Starlight, the shadows of her hands aimed right at the mouse's position.
"Squeak, squeak!!!"
This scene also startled the mouse.
A giant creature was lunging at it, so it instantly fled to the side.
Its claws happened to snag on something, but the little mouse didn't care and began to run for its life.
It jumped off the lounge chair and ran toward the distant woods.
"Wait, hold on... No, that's not right!"
Rice Shower watched as the mouse fled with a piece of blue and white fabric, momentarily stunned.
The next second.
Splat.
Rice Shower landed on Starlight, her originally righteous hands now becoming evil.
Feeling the strange sensation on her chest, Starlight slowly opened her golden eyes and was shocked by the scene before her.
Whoosh.
Her small face instantly flushed crimson, and white steam rose from her head.
Rice Shower hurriedly pulled her hands away and stammered.
"N-No, it's not like that! Starlight-chan, y-you have to let Rice Shower explain!"