"Waaaah... Senpai~ I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry..."
After Symboli Rudolf had left, Starlight arrived at the Otaku Club room, only to be immediately lunged at by a sobbing pink-haired little Uma Musume.
Initially, she was a bit confused, but Starlight quickly realized what had happened— that specific photo of hers had been "snatched" by someone.
How should she put it?
Even though she had repeatedly cautioned her yesterday and the other girl had been so adamant in her promise, the secret had leaked in less than a day.
Anyone would naturally feel a bit upset.
However, Starlight's thoughts shifted when she saw how heart-wrenchingly Agnes Digital was crying, her school uniform was already practically soaked through with tears.
Knitting her brows, she asked in confusion:
"Who took the photo?"
Hearing the question and letting out a few hitching sobs, Agnes Digital slowly looked up at Starlight's small face.
She said hesitantly:
"I—I just arrived at the clubroom and found the Pr-President there... She insisted my camera contained 'inappropriate content' and took it away."
"She... she said she'd give it back tomorrow..."
Hearing this account, three black lines appeared on Starlight's forehead.
She was utterly speechless but also felt quite helpless.
She patted Agnes Digital's head and comforted her:
"It's okay. Since it was taken by the President, it's not Digital-chan's fault."
"Starlight-senpai, I... please don't hate me!"
Burying her head back into Starlight's gentle embrace, Agnes Digital spoke in a voice that was almost a plea.
"How could I? I quite like Digital-chan, so I won't hate you. Even if... even if that photo really leaked, I still wouldn't hate you, so stop crying."
In utter disbelief, Agnes Digital's pupils trembled.
She stared at the silver-haired Uma Musume who was still offering her a smile.
'Even though I did something so terrible, Senpai... she still chooses to forgive me. And she even said it herself— that she likes me!'
As a blush began to spread across her face, Agnes Digital lowered her head shyly and slowly released her grip on Starlight.
"...Starlight-senpai! You—I! I, I, I... You're my oshi for life!!"
It was an almost hysterical shout.
Afterward, Agnes Digital collapsed onto the floor, her strength spent, covering her burning red face with both hands.
Starlight stood there dazed, watching the girl's still-shaking body.
Even though she was clearly embarrassed to death, she had used every ounce of her strength and courage to shout such... such a shameful declaration.
The other girl's adoration and affection were so sincere and pure that they resonated deep within Starlight's heart.
Stepping forward, Starlight knelt down and gently pulled Agnes Digital's small hands away.
The girl's darting eyes paired with her beet-red face were truly adorable.
Squinting her eyes with a smile, Starlight reached out and gave her cheek a soft pinch.
"Digital-chan is so cool~ To be able to say those words so firmly. I'm taking you seriously. If I don't see you at one of my races, I'll be very sad, you know..."
Staring blankly at the silver-haired Uma Musume, Agnes Digital's lips curled upward as she gave a slight nod.
"I won't miss a single one of Starlight-senpai's races! Even if I'm deathly ill, even if—"
Seeing that she was about to say something even more extreme, a startled Starlight quickly covered the girl's mouth.
"Enough, enough! I get it... I've already felt your heart!"
After helping her up, Starlight took a deep breath.
She looked around the clubroom and said with a hint of anticipation:
"So, Madam President? What are we doing for our club activity next?"
"Eh, th-this... I want to make some merchandise for you, Starlight-senpai."
"Merchandise of me?! That sounds so interesting. I'll do it with you."
Without giving Agnes Digital a chance to refuse, Starlight pulled her over to the workspace, and thus began their Otaku Club activity.
Once the club session ended, Starlight headed to the training grounds.
She changed her clothes and began her daily training routine. By nightfall, she finally rushed back to the dorms.
Arriving at her door, she was just about to take out her keys to go inside when Rudolf's voice called out from behind her.
"Training is over?"
"Ah, yeah... Luna-chan."
Knowing that the other party possessed that photo of her, Starlight responded somewhat stiffly.
Closing the door to her own room, Rudolf walked slowly toward Starlight, looking at the girl's flushed face, which was still beaded with a bit of sweat from her recent workout.
After a long silence, Starlight tilted her head and asked tentatively:
"Would you... like to come into my room and sit for a while?"
"Alright."
Entering Starlight's cozy dormitory, they passed the little Shiba Inu at the entrance.
Rudolf noticed an orange cat lying on a chair, so she gently moved it to the bed before taking the seat herself.
She watched as Starlight hung up her school bag, tossed her soiled training clothes into the basket by the bathroom door, and began to change.
The silver-haired Uma Musume, now in casual wear, went to the cabinet and took out two black tea bags.
She brewed the tea and brought it over to the desk next to Rudolf.
"Drink some tea first, Luna-chan. I'm going to take a shower, then we can talk."
As Starlight turned to leave, Rudolf instinctively reached out and grabbed her hand, making a teasing suggestion:
"How about we go together? I haven't showered yet either."
"...Okay."
"Huh?! Wh-What did you say?!"
"We can go together... but please don't do anything reckless."
"...Of course, I won't!"
The scene shifted to the bathroom. Starlight stood with her back to Rudolf, her small hands lathering her hair with soap.
Suddenly, a cool sensation touched her back.
Starlight's body shivered slightly as Rudolf's voice sounded in her ear.
"Let me help you."
"Mm... thanks."
The rhythmic pitter-patter of water echoed in the shower stall.
Starlight sat on a small stool, receiving Rudolf's back-scrubbing service.
She had originally thought they could finish peacefully, but to her surprise, Rudolf spoke up after all.
"That Otaku Club you joined... an album featuring a 'Magical Girl' was released recently. That model was you, wasn't it?"
"Since the President already knows the answer, is there any need to ask?"
"I suppose not. You looked quite beautiful in that outfit... however, I found some 'interesting' photos in the camera belonging to that President/photographer."
"How could you let her take things like that, Starlight-chan!"
As the words fell, a firm force pulled Starlight into Rudolf's embrace.
Those strong hands were now pinching the ticklish spot at Starlight's slender waist.
"Th-that... she didn't do it on purpose..."
"Oh? So you're saying you knew she took that kind of photo of you?"
"Huh?! Rudolf, you trapped me!"
Starlight turned around, but her indignant retort died in her throat.
Rudolf's wet face looked calm, but the trace of grievance and sadness in the depths of her eyes was palpable.
"There won't be a next time. If you're worried, you can come along to accompany me— or supervise me— is that alright?"
"...Okay~"
'Strange... why is Rudolf being so weird? Has she changed her strategy? Or is she creating a new persona just to trick me...'
Once the washing was over, Starlight stood by the bed, looking at the motionless Rudolf.
She narrowed her eyes and smiled.
"Goodnight, President. I'm going to sleep."
"Can't we sleep together?"
"Well..."
"Fine... Goodnight."
Slowly turning around, a dejected Luna began to walk away with her ears drooping.
"Ugh! Fine, I get it! Let's sleep together—"
With her back to the silver-haired Uma Musume, the wicked Rudolf curled her lips into a smirk, looking every bit the strategist who had just seen a plan succeed.
She had long since realized that this adorable Ash-grey Uma Musume was the type who could be moved by kindness but never by force.
Today was merely a test of that theory, and she hadn't expected it to be so successful.