Ten thousand miles above the statues of the Three Goddesses at Tracen Center.
A blue phantom of an Uma Musume slowly materialized, speaking with a hint of frustration.
"Am I really that bad at being an inner demon?"
Suddenly, beside her, a golden phantom of an Uma Musume appeared with her arms crossed.
"I told you I should have been the one to go, but you insisted on being stubborn."
"Now, now. Little Starlight has a steadfast heart, it wouldn't have mattered which of us went."
A red Uma Musume phantom appeared beside the two, her tone light and breezy.
"That business with Seiun Sky last time was your doing. I can't believe you insisted on interfering during a fishing trip of all things."
"Hehe, wasn't she tough when she was reeling in that fish? What's wrong with a little interference?"
Facing the golden phantom's lecture, the red figure waved her hand dismissively.
Back at the training ground, Starlight gazed up at the sky.
Once the energy radiating from her surroundings had fully gathered back into her body, she turned to look at Tamamo Cross, who had already crossed the finish line, and asked gently:
"Tama, why didn't you activate your Unique Skill at the end?"
"Starlight-chan... you, you're so beautiful."
"Huh?"
"No, it's nothing! I was just stunned by you in the moment and forgot to activate it." Her face flushing red, Tamamo Cross waved her hands frantically.
"Is that so? Then let's find another chance to race again then. Today doesn't count!"
Looking at the Uma Musume before her, whose silver hair was now interspersed with gold, Tamamo Cross smiled and pumped her fist.
"Deal! We'll race again next time."
After awakening her Unique Skill, the gold at the tips of Starlight's hair began to spread throughout her mane.
It was now blended with her silver hair, giving her a look that was gentle yet possessed a hint of divine aura.
With that, the match between Starlight and Tamamo Cross came to an end.
Although the win didn't officially count, the rewards were plentiful.
Lying spread-eagled on her bed, Starlight stared at the dormitory ceiling, the excitement in her heart yet to dissipate.
"I... I have a Unique Skill now! I can finally have those close-up cutscenes in the middle of the screen!"
Sitting up, Starlight patted her empty stomach. She decided to head out to a restaurant to treat herself.
The moment she pushed open her door, a pair of crimson eyes met her gaze.
"Aaah!"
Caught off guard, Starlight tumbled straight to the floor.
She slowly sat up and looked toward the doorway.
There, under the glow of the hallway lights, stood the mysterious veiled girl with a strange expression.
Her eyes radiated a dangerous red light, looking terrifyingly eerie.
Still in Love's eyes were hazy. She reached out and gently brushed her own lips.
"Starlight-chan... where are you going?"
The ghostly voice echoed in her ear. Divine Starlight blinked her golden eyes and stood up with a slight pout.
She brushed the dust off her backside and reached out to turn on the light.
"What are you doing, Still-chan? You're being creepy."
Upon hearing this, the terrifying atmosphere surrounding Still in Love instantly vanished under the light.
She stepped slowly into the room, leaned down against Starlight's shoulder, and wrapped her hands around the other girl's slender waist.
"So, Starlight-chan~ where are you going? Can I come with you?"
"I awakened my Unique Skill today, so I was planning to hit a restaurant for a big meal... Since you're here, Still-chan, let's go together~"
Starlight reached out and patted the other's head, speaking tenderly.
"Mm... let's go together."
"Then can you let go for a second? I need to change my clothes."
"Mm... letting go."
Slowly standing up, Still in Love gazed at Starlight's face, her own expression flushed with a rosy hue.
"Starlight-chan looks so beautiful after awakening her Unique Skill. I like it so much~"
Turning around to head toward the wardrobe, Starlight seemed completely unbothered by such words.
She shed her school uniform and changed into a cream-colored hoodie and a pair of shorts.
After putting on her tights, she turned around and lightly tapped Still in Love's forehead.
"As long as you like it, Still. Let's go~"
"Okay... Starlight-chan."
Linking her arms tightly around Starlight's, Still in Love's tone remained soft and clingy.
On the way to the yakiniku restaurant, Still in Love looked at Starlight's profile and said with a smile:
"Starlight-chan~ can I sleep with you tonight?"
"No."
Her red pupils trembled, and Still in Love's grip on Starlight's arm involuntarily tightened.
"Why, Starlight-chan!"
"Are you really going to treat me like this just because I refused you? Still-chan..."
Letting go, Still in Love spoke with a trace of panic.
"No, it's not that. It's just that I want to be with you so badly. And clearly, you've said yes to so many other people, Starlight-chan, so why did you refuse me..."
"Now, now, don't say things that cause such misunderstandings..." Starlight said, exasperated.
"I saw everything... Starlight-chan. Yaeno Muteki, Mejiro McQueen, Rice Shower, and even the President..."
Starlight gave Still in Love a light flick on the head and said:
"It's exhausting following me around every day, isn't it, Still-chan~?"
"Eh..."
"And crouching near my door must be quite boring, too, right?"
"Please don't do things like that anymore, okay? it causes trouble for me and for my friends."
"If you want to see me, you can just come to my side. You can knock on my dorm room door. I won't turn you away."
"Then, then what Starlight-chan just said..."
"That was just a little punishment for what you've been doing~"
"I'm sorry, Starlight-chan... I, I..."
Trembling, Still in Love slowly reached out, wanting to touch the silver-haired Uma Musume in front of her.
However, Starlight took a step forward and took the initiative to grasp the hand reaching toward her.
"Alright, let's go eat... I'm a bit tired today and want to get a good night's sleep. You can come find me tomorrow, Still."
Lowering her head shyly, Still in Love nodded.
"Mm, thank you, Starlight-chan..."
Friday afternoon, with two weeks remaining until the start of the Yayoi Sho.
Starlight sat on a bench by the academy road, the warm sunlight bathing her.
A small bird had perched on her shoulder at some point, and a black kitten curled up on her lap, comfortably enjoying its owner's stroking.
"Luna-chan is really something, restricting my training again. And what's worse, Inami-chan, you're siding with her too. I'm so heartbroken..."
Lifting her head, Starlight watched the sun gradually dipping into the west and let out a long sigh.
"Ah, Starlight-senpai! I found you—"
Suddenly, Special Week, dressed in her red training suit, rushed up to Starlight.
She crouched down, grabbing Starlight's lower legs with both hands, and spoke with a pleading tone.
"Starlight-senpai! The Yayoi Sho is almost here. Please carry me!"
"Spe-chan~ do you mean you want me to lead your training?" Starlight asked, reaching out to pat her head.
"Yes, yes! Starlight-senpai, could you be my training partner?" Special Week asked, nuzzling her head against Starlight's lap.
"Sure~ I promise. Now get up..."
"Really! Yay, that's great! Thank you, Starlight-senpai!"
Standing up, Special Week excitedly hugged Divine Starlight.
'Ah... what a cute and energetic junior. If only Still in Love could be like this too.'
'But then again, I should thank you too, Spe-chan. This way, I can train without being restricted by Rudolf—'