"Eh? But I was trying to save the ball..."
"That ball was clearly flying toward the area behind me, naturally, I should have been the one to receive it."
"Wasn't I just—"
"Alright, although we lost a point, I forgive you."
"Ah?! You forgive me? But... I don't feel like I did anything wrong."
"If you didn't do anything wrong, then why is your face red?"
Divine Starlight had to admit, the moment those words left the other's mouth, she was utterly bewildered.
'Isn't this redness from being smacked by the ball earlier?!'
"Then when are you going to let me up, President?"
Hearing this, Rudolf didn't panic at all. She explained with perfect composure:
"The impact just now caused localized paralysis. My arms have no strength at the moment, so we'll have to wait a while."
"Localized paralysis? President, do you need the first aid kit...?" Kiryuu Inami, believing her, hurriedly asked.
"Localized paralysis... how impressive. Even so, the President can remain this calm?"
Rolling her eyes at Tokai Teio beside her, Mejiro McQueen's mouth twitched as she watched Rudolf's blatant performance.
"No need. Such a trivial injury is not worth mentioning."
'Wow, so cool. As expected of the Emperor.'
A dry bit of sarcasm echoed in Starlight's heart.
After a long while, the two finally stood up, and Starlight tossed the ball back to the other side.
"Then, the match continues."
The little interlude ended. The score was now 2:1.
Tokai Teio stood in the backcourt clutching the ball, staring at Rudolf, who was waiting in a ready stance across the net.
'President, I will definitely defeat you.'
Her eyes were determined as she threw the ball into the air and leaped with all her might.
Bang!
A heavy impact sounded. Under high-speed rotation, the volleyball actually changed direction in mid-air.
The moment it crossed the net, Rudolf misjudged it, causing her defense to be less than solid. The ball grazed her arm and drifted toward the empty space at the back right.
"Yes! I broke through— "
Just as the ball was about to hit the ground...
Da-da-da—
The sound of crisp footsteps rang out, leaving faint footprints in the sand. Starlight's figure flashed toward the ball, she joined her hands, slightly adjusted her angle, and successfully received it.
"What—"
"That footwork... how interesting~" Mr. C.B.'s eyes widened slightly in admiration.
"Good save."
After landing, Rudolf moved quickly to where the ball was falling and tossed it high into the air once more.
Starlight, already leaping, timed it perfectly and slammed the ball down with immense force.
Pa—!
A ripple of air seemed to emerge around her palm. The volleyball flew across like a cannonball. This spike was so powerful and heavy that it hit the ground before any of the three Uma Musume on the other side could even react.
"Point to Team Starlight!"
Leaping down from mid-air, Divine Starlight once again landed into that familiar embrace. She frowned, looking at Rudolf.
"President? You're doing this again..."
"I should be asking you. There's so much space around us, why did you choose to jump right from my position?"
Pouting, Divine Starlight didn't want to argue with her, so she simply struggled out of the hold and clapped her hands.
"How about you go up to strike, and I'll play defense?" Starlight said, pointing behind her.
'I feel like something isn't right...'
"Sure, no problem with me..."
Rudolf nodded nonchalantly and moved to the backcourt, while Divine Starlight stayed in place, waiting for the incoming attack.
The skill gap between the two sides wasn't very large. The match was intense, and the score gradually widened.
At the same time, a realization slowly dawned on Starlight.
'Is it that I'm subconsciously gravitating toward Rudolf, or is she specifically waiting for me in certain spots?'
'Why do I end up in her arms every single time?'
Confused, Starlight stood up and turned to look at Rudolf, who seemed to be plotting something. Sensing the gaze, the President looked back with a look of feigned bewilderment.
"What's wrong?"
"Serve the ball."
"How am I supposed to serve with you staring at me like that?"
"Is there a necessary connection between the two, President?"
"Of course. I need to plan my route, mhm."
"What route?"
"The defensive transition route. What other route could there be?"
Starlight scratched her cheek and took a long, deep look into the other's eyes. Detecting nothing out of the ordinary, she turned back around.
Watching all of this unfold, Mejiro McQueen couldn't help but cover her face with her hand.
'Is this girl actually a little bit dim-witted?'
And so, the match concluded. The result was a narrow victory for McQueen's team.
As for why it was a "narrow" victory?
The volleyball was heading straight for Starlight's position, but Rudolf suddenly shouted:
"I can hit this one back directly!"
Then she charged forward.
The shout was so sudden that Starlight didn't have time to dodge. Consequently, the two collided once again.
Now with a slightly red and swollen forehead, Starlight sat on a chair, arms crossed, staring at the nonchalant Rudolf in front of her.
Beside her, Kiryuu Inami produced an ice pack and placed it against Starlight's brow to cool the swelling.
"The ball was already falling right into my hands, President. Why did you have to charge in?"
"I shouted the moment it flew over. It's just that Starlight-kun's reaction was too slow, which led to us bumping into each other."
Sighing, Starlight picked up an energy drink and took a sip.
'Even though I am a firm materialist, I really feel like Rudolf is my kryptonite.'
"I think we simply lack chemistry between us. There is still plenty of time left in the summer training camp. How about we find more opportunities to cooperate?"
Listening to the other's serious-sounding analysis, Starlight nodded repeatedly.
"Mhm, mhm. You're right. There probably won't be another opportunity, though."
'I am never cooperating with Rudolf again.'
'Heh... whether there's an opportunity or not isn't up to you, Starlight-kun.'
Thus, both of them kept smiles on their faces while harboring entirely different schemes in their hearts.
"Starlight-senpai, how is your forehead? I heard a loud 'thud' from all the way over there."
At that moment, Tokai Teio walked over to Starlight's side and asked with concern.
"I'm fine, Teio-chan. It's just a little red."
Looking at the red bump on Starlight's head, Teio put her hands on her hips and started lecturing.
"Be more careful next time! President, you and Starlight-senpai should communicate more!"
Rudolf nodded, echoing her in agreement. "Teio is right."
"Uh... I get it, Teio-chan. Next time there's a match like this, let's be on the same team, okay?"
"No problem! Next time, I'll lead Senpai to victory—!"
"I'm looking forward to it. Teio's performance today was really cool~"
Rubbing her nose, Tokai Teio said proudly, "Of course. After all, I, the great Teio, am a genius!"
"It's about that time, morning training is over. How about we go grab some lunch?"
Mejiro McQueen's ears perked up instantly. "Good. Let's go eat first."
Unlike Oguri Cap, who was a true glutton, McQueen simply enjoyed eating good food.
Standing up, the three Uma Musume and their trainer headed toward the restaurant they had visited previously.
Behind them, Rudolf and Mr. C.B. exchanged a brief glance before following along.
"Eh? Is the President joining us too?"
"Yes."
"Yay! I want to sit next to the President!"
"After lunch, do you want to go for a walk in the woods over there?" Mejiro McQueen, walking beside Starlight, suggested.
"A walk? Sure. This is my first time at this training camp site."
"Eh? Aren't you in the Senior High division? Why is it your first time?"
"I didn't participate in the previous organized camps, I stayed cooped up in the dorms."
"Is that so? Then I've been here one more time than you. I'll lead the way later."
"Alright. Thanks, McQueen."
Just as the group was walking toward the restaurant, the sound of a commotion drifted over from the distance. Starlight stopped in her tracks and looked toward the source of the noise.