Strolling along the paths of Tracen Academy, Starlight held Cheval Grand's small hand.
The surrounding cherry blossom trees were adorned with decorations resembling ice crystals, and blue-and-white gift bags had appeared on the ground.
"This is the Main Building, club activities are usually held here. Behind it is the Teaching Building, where we attend our classes."
Looking at the buildings Starlight pointed out, Cheval Grand nodded as if trying to take it all in.
Afterward, Starlight led her to the training grounds.
"And this is where we train. The facilities here are fully equipped. You'll be training here in the future too~"
"R-Really? Can I really... even with someone like me..."
Squish~
Starlight didn't give her a chance to finish. She knelt down and cupped Cheval Grand's small face with both hands.
"There's no problem... I believe you can do it. Even if you seem a bit timid on the outside, I can see it..."
Her golden eyes peered through the girl's sky-blue eyes, seemingly reaching the purest part of her heart.
"The resilience in your heart and your thirst for running are so brilliant."
"...Ah, a-as for that, okay. Thank you for your trust, Starlight-senpai."
The little girl's face turned red once again.
Starlight let go and placed her hands on her hips, looking into the distance.
"I'm an Uma Musume who likes gaining the attention of others. I love the feeling of running on the track, other Umas' passionate hearts, and the expectant gazes of the audience and fans."
"I put in a lot of effort for that, but because of some mishaps, I can't participate in the Classic Triple Crown, and I won't be able to stand on the stage of the Derby."
Raising her head, Cheval Grand looked at Divine Starlight's somewhat forced smile.
She could clearly feel the hidden disappointment within her.
"I! I— I will become a Racing Uma Musume just like you, and I will stand on that stage in your place!"
Clenching her fists, Cheval Grand spoke those words with incredible determination.
Hearing this, Starlight let out a gratified laugh and reached out to pat her head.
"Mmm, thank you, Cheval-chan. But I'll say it again: You don't need to become me. You will be even more dazzling than I am."
"Just be yourself."
"I understand... Starlight-senpai."
"Good! Let's continue the tour. There are still many interesting places in Tracen. Once we've finished a full lap, we'll head to the plaza over there to have some fun."
"Quite a few clubs and classes are holding events right now."
Near noon, Starlight had finished taking Cheval Grand on a basic tour of almost all of Tracen.
Mid-way through, they had encountered other Uma Musume who had come to visit the academy with her, but Cheval Grand didn't intend to return to the group.
"Is it really okay? You seemed to have come as a group. If someone is missing, that teacher will be quite troubled, right?"
Hesitating, Cheval Grand looked up at Divine Starlight and tightened her grip on her hand.
"I want to stay with Starlight-senpai."
"Aiya~ it's hard to refuse when you plead like that, little Cheval. I'll explain things to the teacher later. Your day belongs to me now~"
"Mmm, okay. Please take care of me, Starlight-senpai!"
"Heh heh, it's too late to regret it now. Alright, let's go! Let's see if there's anything good to eat."
Over at the plaza, various stalls had been set up on both sides.
Some showcased special talents, some prepared gourmet food, and others featured novel activities.
A gray-haired Uma Musume wearing a kimono with a red bandage tied around her head was currently brandishing a spatula over a griddle. Golden noodles sizzled over the heat.
"Oi, Starlight-chan!!! Want a serving? It's super delicious. It's my newly developed Caramel Yakisoba!!"
Upon seeing her, Gold Ship immediately waved her arm excitedly.
Walking up, Starlight looked at the little Uma Musume beside her and asked uncertainly:
"Are you sure it's good?"
"Of course! Just look at how well it's selling~"
Gold Ship pointed her spatula toward a nearby bench.
Starlight followed the gesture and saw Oguri Cap leaning back against the bench, holding seven or eight boxes of yakisoba, her cheeks bulging as she chewed continuously.
Twitching her lips at Gold Ship's repeated coaxing, Starlight eventually bought a serving.
She picked up a fork, swirled a bunch of noodles, and blew off the steam.
Then, with a mischievous grin, she crouched down in front of Cheval Grand.
"Hey, hey, little Cheval... would you mind testing for poison for your lovely Starlight-senpai? Is that okay~?"
"This... Mmm, okay, Senpai."
Looking at the noodles held to her lips, Cheval Grand nodded determinedly. She opened her mouth and ate them.
"Ha-hu, ha-hu~"
Perhaps because they were too hot, she puffed air out of her mouth twice.
A flavor profile of salty and sweet exploded in her mouth, and she furrowed her brows to savor it seriously.
"How is it? Does it taste good?"
"It's salty and sweet. The taste is strange, but it's not bad."
"Phew~ Glad it's not bad. Let's finish it together then, Cheval-chan."
As she spoke, Starlight wound some noodles around the fork and popped them into her own mouth.
'Ah... that, that fork was just used by me. Does Senpai not care...?'
Thinking about her own saliva being sent into Starlight-senpai's mouth along with the yakisoba, Cheval Grand felt an indescribable sensation in her heart.
The crimson flush on her face showed no signs of fading.
"Cheval-chan, come on, have another bite~"
"Oh, ohh, ah~"
After the two Uma Musume finished off the yakisoba bite by bite, Starlight tossed the box into a trash can by the bench.
She instinctively glanced at Oguri Cap, who was still eating with great relish nearby, and felt a momentary sense of bewilderment.
'Could this person's eating prowess truly be superior to mine?'
After her silent reflection, Starlight took Cheval Grand to continue their tour. Along the way, they bought small cakes, skewers, takoyaki, and more.
Finally, as they reached the second street, they spotted a coffee shop.
Stroking her chin, Starlight seemed to recall something.
"That place seems to be run by the Student Council. Doesn't that mean I can have Rudolf serve me tea and water?!"
With a spark in her eyes, Starlight said to Cheval Grand, "Let's go, little Cheval. We'll rest there for a while."
"Okay... Starlight-senpai."
The shop wasn't large, but it was exceptionally popular, unsurprisingly, the clientele consisted mostly of young girls and ladies.
The Student Council members were dressed in sharp, black tailcoats, looking incredibly handsome.
Combined with the unique charm each one displayed, the title of "lady-killers" was perfectly embodied here.
Pushing open the door, Starlight found a corner to sit in and sighed with emotion.
"It's so crowded. As expected of the Student Council... Cheval-chan, what would you like to drink?"
"Just milk is fine. Thank you for the treat, Starlight-senpai."
"Hai-ya, it's nothing. Compared to what I'm buying you, your smile is the greatest reward for me."
Thump-thump, thump-thump...
The throbbing in her heart hadn't stopped since the moment she met the silver-haired Uma Musume.
Looking at the other's smiling face, Cheval Grand dazed out for a moment.
'Starlight-senpai is truly so beautiful, so kind, so wonderful...'
"Ah, welcome. And what would this lady and this cute Uma Musume like to order?"
While looking at the menu, Starlight felt a tap on her shoulder, followed by Rudolf's deep voice.
"A glass of milk and a latte. Thank you, Madam President."
"Hmph... you're welcome."
A short while later, a latte and a glass of milk were served.
Starlight looked at Rudolf in front of her, took a sip of the latte, and smiled.
"Tsk, tsk. This outfit really suits you, Madam President. Let's take a photo."
Setting down her cup, Starlight took out her phone and snapped a photo of the two of them together.
She was just editing the text to post an update when, on her other side, T.M. Opera O appeared out of nowhere.
The seat behind her was also taken over by Air Groove.
The three Uma Musume just stood there, staring down at the silver-haired Uma Musume.
Realizing things were going south, Divine Starlight tried to leave, but it was too late.
She raised her head with an awkward laugh, looking up at a clearly ill-intentioned Rudolf.