"Suzuka, you're here."
In the Trainer's office, Tojo Hana held a medical diagnostic certificate and a discarded training plan in her hands.
"Trainer, I..."
"Alright, you don't need to say anything more. We're pushing the training schedule back for now. The condition of your leg remains the top priority."
"For today, let's just have a simple talk about future arrangements."
"Mm. Please go ahead, Trainer..."
Looking at Silence Suzuka, who was so uneasy that she was fidgeting with her hands, Tojo Hana let out a sigh.
"Your running style puts too much strain on your legs. Although it might feel restrictive to you, we must put safety first."
"My recommendation is that a Pace Chasing strategy might be more suitable for you— "
She was about to continue when she noticed Suzuka's state wasn't right.
The Uma Musume's eyes were downcast, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking from her expression.
"Sigh... let's end it here for today. We'll discuss these matters once you have fully recovered."
"Take a good rest this afternoon."
"Mm. Thank you, Trainer."
As she stood up and prepared to turn and leave, Silence Suzuka suddenly felt her arm being supported.
"Trainer~ you go ahead and eat. Suzuka-chan has trouble walking, so I'll see her off."
Suzuka's eyes flickered with surprise as she looked at the silver-haired Uma Musume beside her. The light in the other's eyes was so pure.
Nearby, Kiryuu Inami, who was looking up with her mouth full of food, waved her hand.
"Okay, take your time. There's still plenty of time before training starts."
On the path back to the dorms.
Seeing that Silence Suzuka remained gloomy, Starlight asked with concern:
"What's wrong, Suzuka-chan...?"
"Ah, it's nothing. By the way, thank you for walking me back, Starlight-san."
"It's no problem at all. Since your leg is hurting, it's only right that I help~"
[System Detection: Option 2 confirmed. Reward: Muscle-Strengthening & Bone-Fortifying Liquid]
This was the reward for Starlight's choice to escort Suzuka back— one of the two options that had popped up earlier when Tojo Hana told Suzuka to return.
'Not bad', Starlight thought. 'I'll use it tonight to get ready for tomorrow's new training.'
"Um, Starlight-san... do you think what I'm doing right now is correct?"
"Hmm? What do you mean? Are you referring to your choice of the Great Escape tactic?"
"Yes. Do you think I should choose to change my running style?"
"Why ask me, Suzuka-chan? This is a question you should ask your own heart."
"But..."
"Well~ I don't know your exact situation, but I do know one thing: If you can do what you love in the way you like... then no matter what, at the very least, you will feel happy and blessed."
"Do what I love in the way I like... I understand. Thank you, Starlight-chan."
They arrived at Suzuka's dorm.
Upon pushing the door open, Starlight was surprised for a moment— it turned out Silence Suzuka didn't have a roommate either.
Standing at the doorway and watching the other girl struggle toward her bed, Starlight made a quick decision. She stepped forward with a smile.
"Suzuka-chan, this is for you— !"
Just as she sat down, Silence Suzuka found a bottle of medicinal liquid suddenly pressed into her hands. She looked at Starlight in confusion and asked:
"This is?"
"It's a medicinal tonic I've been using. Its effect is to strengthen muscles and bones. Perhaps it can make you feel a bit better, Suzuka-chan."
"This... I really shouldn't. Starlight, I..."
"If you can't do what you love happily, then there's no point to it, Suzuka-chan. I want to see you run happily."
"So please, take it. I have training soon, so I'll head out first. Get some rest, Suzuka-chan."
Suzuka nodded blankly as she watched the figure leave in a hurry. By the time she completely regained her senses, she was already alone in the room.
Lowering her head, she looked at the bottle of medicinal liquid in her hand.
"If you can't do what you love happily, then there's no point to it... is that it?"
Starlight's eyes flashed repeatedly in her mind, and a faint light began to shimmer in Silence Suzuka's own eyes.
She opened the bottle and, without hesitation, drank the Muscle-Strengthening & Bone-Fortifying Liquid.
The taste was an astringent bitterness that surged straight to her sinuses. Suzuka swallowed it with great difficulty, her face scrunching up from the flavor.
"Cough, cough... so bitter," she couldn't help but say after finally getting it down.
But in the next second, a warm sensation surged through her entire body, washing away the bitter taste in her mouth. The dull ache in her legs began to gradually fade.
Suzuka's eyes widened in surprise. "This medicine... it actually works."
Once the sensation settled, Suzuka recovered from her shock and tried to stand up, taking a few steps.
Although a slight discomfort remained, for the most part, she was no longer hindered.
"Thank you, Starlight-chan... I will continue to run in the way I like."
She looked out the window. On the distant training field, she could vaguely see that silver-white figure. It almost seemed as if a faint, sacred golden light was radiating from behind the girl.
'It was strange. That "eccentric" had suddenly appeared... yet whenever she was by my side, it felt incredibly soothing...'
By evening, the setting sun gradually leveled with the distant horizon. The running silver figure slowly came to a halt.
Starlight looked at the time on the stopwatch, a surge of joy welling up inside her.
"This time is a full five seconds faster than your previous record, Starlight-chan," Kiryuu Inami said with a smile, holding her clipboard.
"Mm. I'll wake up a bit earlier tomorrow. While I still have this feeling, I'll work even harder."
'At the very least, I need to unlock Weight Training Level 3.'
"Eh?! 5:30 AM is already very early. If you go any earlier, your body might..."
"It'll be fine. I get plenty of sleep, so don't worry."
"Is it really okay? I heard your room has been taken over by cats and dogs."
"They're just staying there. Besides, the dorm is quite lonely with just me, isn't it nice to have them for company?"
The two chatted as they walked away. Today's training was successfully completed.
Back at the dormitory.
Standing in front of her room, Starlight was about to push the door open when a lively voice called out to her.
"Hey! Who are you? Are you here to see Starlight?"
Turning around to see Daitaku Helios, Starlight waved her hand.
"I am Starlight, Helios."
"Eh! You... you're Starlight!?"
After her initial shock, Helios recognized the familiar eyes and voice. She took a few quick steps toward Starlight, looking her up and down.
"Guya! You're way too pretty, Starlight-chan! I can't believe you went and dolled yourself up behind my back."
"I didn't. You've been so mopey lately that I just haven't had a chance to show you."
"What! I wasn't mopey! That thing before... I was just 'processing'!"
"Mm... is that so?"
"Yeah, exactly!"
As the words fell, the two watched each other in silence until Helios finally let out a soft laugh.
"Thank you, Starlight-chan. Before, because of my own stuff, I just left you behind and ran off."
"Eh, you finally noticed? I was actually pretty sad at the time."
"Next time— no, this weekend— I'll treat you to some sweets!"
"No problem."
Opening her door, Starlight asked, "Want to come in and sit for a while?"
"Of course! I came here specifically to hang out with you!"