After the prayers were over, Starlight was the first to head back with Rice Shower, bringing along the gift they had picked up for Hishi Amazon.
There was still some time left before the new semester began.
"Eh!? You're going to participate in the Tenno Sho alongside Teio?!"
"That's the plan... well, to be precise, she's the one challenging me!"
"But it's laughable to think that I would ever be afraid of her. Undefeated? Allow me to be the one to break that streak!"
"Then I'll have to ask you to put down the milk tea in your hand before you say another word, McQueen-chan~"
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Starlight looked at McQueen chugging her milk tea with a look of pure exasperation.
"Ahem! Today is a cheat day, Starlight-chan! This is a necessary sugar intake, otherwise, I won't have any motivation for the upcoming training."
"Sure, sure~ I get it... In that case, I'll certainly be looking forward to your race."
"Hmph. Starlight-chan, you just watch how I defeat Teio!"
"If you're going to put it like that, then I'm actually really looking forward to Teio's performance."
Hearing this, Mejiro McQueen slammed her milk tea onto the side table and leaned in close to Starlight.
"How could you! The Tenno Sho is a long-distance race— it's my home turf!"
Reaching out to poke McQueen's puffed-up, indignant cheeks, Starlight teased, "I just don't want you to get overconfident. Teio is very strong, you know~"
"I know that! Alright, I'm heading off to train. Starlight-chan, see you tonight—"
"Mm~ Good luck."
The afternoon sun was bright over Team Spica's training grounds.
Mejiro McQueen was maintaining a high speed, galloping across the grass.
Behind her, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka watched with admiration at her fighting spirit.
On the dirt of the inner track, Teio was performing high-knee hurdles.
The long line of barriers suggested the two were in a silent competition— a sight that Ryo Nishizaki was more than happy to see.
Sometimes, having a rival who is also a soulmate serves as the best possible motivation.
"That's it, McQueen! Remember the feeling of that final sprint— Teio, keep your running form standard!"
Nearby, Special Week, who had just finished her run, watched the two of them and sighed in awe.
"So amazing... they're both giving it everything they've got."
"Spe-chan, Suzuka is returning to Japan soon."
"Eh! Really? Doesn't she have more races to run over there lately?" Special Week was shocked by Ryo's news.
"I'm not entirely sure, but her coming back isn't necessarily a bad thing..."
On the other side of the field, a light pink blur flashed past.
Mihono Bourbon was beginning her sets of interval sprints with a characteristically stoic expression.
"Good speed, keep it up!"
"Understood, Trainer."
This year's goal— to become a Triple Crown Uma Musume!
Bourbon was considered to be a training maniac on the same level as Divine Starlight, and many eyes were currently fixed on her progress.
Up on the hill, the Uma Musume of Team Canopus were holding a meeting.
The team's "top strategist," Matikane Tannhauser, stood beside Minamizaka, using a conducting baton to explain points on the blackboard behind them.
"So, to become the number one team in the Academy, the first ones we must defeat are Team Spica."
Twin Turbo listened from the side, trembling with excitement.
Meanwhile, Ikuno Dictus was observing Tokai Teio training below through a pair of binoculars.
In the upcoming Osaka Hai, she would be facing off against this currently undefeated Uma Musume.
"Analyze, observe, and then defeat her to seize the championship!"
The only relatively normal one of the bunch was likely Nice Nature, who watched her teammates with a look of utter speechlessness.
"Now then, to take down Spica, we must not lose to them. How do we ensure we don't lose?" Tannhauser continued her lecture.
"I— I know!"
"Very well, Twin Turbo, you answer—"
"By not coming in second place!"
"Eh? So coming in third is okay?"
"I've got it! As long as we don't enter the race, the opponent has no chance of winning against us."
"Mm, not a bad idea..."
"And another thing! Take the lead and escape all the way to the finish! That's how you win!"
Twitching her lips at the remark, Nice Nature listened to the pair's proclamations and placed a hand on her hip to retort.
"If it were really that easy to win, why didn't you win last year's Arima Kinen?"
In last year's Arima Kinen, Twin Turbo had made the first move, initiating a lead that ultimately resulted in a massive upset where Mejiro McQueen took second place.
As for our Twin Turbo, she ran out of steam at the end and finished second to last...
"Hahaha... listening to you guys chat is so entertaining~"
Suddenly, from not far away, a silver-haired Uma Musume walked over with a giggle.
"Starlight-chan!?"
Matikane Tannhauser approached with a smile.
"Oh! So you've joined Canopus? That's nice."
"Hehe, yep! We were just discussing how to defeat Team Spica. Do you want to join us and listen in?"
"Well about that—"
Starlight looked up at the somewhat exasperated Minamizaka, narrowing her eyes as she reached out a hand.
"I think, rather than spending time here discussing tactics, you should hurry up and get to training~ Right, Trainer Minamizaka?"
Nodding quickly, Minamizaka picked up the thread.
"Right, right, right! Everyone, let's get to training!"
"You— You're the undefeated Triple Tiara from the year before last!? Divine Starlight—!"
The blue-haired girl with twin tails shouted, pointing at Starlight in surprise.
"Oh my, hello there~"
"H-Hello! I am Twin Turbo, the one who will become the strongest Front Runner of the new era! Full throttle turbo power!"
Watching her jump up and down, Nice Nature felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment for her teammate.
"Sorry about that, senpai. Turbo's personality is a bit... eccentric."
Starlight waved it off dismissively.
She ruffled Twin Turbo's head and spoke encouragingly.
"All right, then I look forward to seeing your performance at the races. Full throttle~!"
Feeling the gentle pat on her head and hearing Starlight's words of encouragement, Twin Turbo's face turned red with fluster.
Her usual swirly eyes began to spin.
"Uh, um... Oh!"
"By the way, Starlight-senpai, you don't need your crutches anymore?"
At Nice Nature's question, Starlight nodded.
"Mhm. I can walk on my own now without needing to trouble others for help, though running is still quite difficult."
"I hope you get well soon. I'd love to run a race with you, senpai."
"Thank you, Nature-chan."
Seeing his team members head off to train, Minamizaka finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He looked at Divine Starlight gratefully.
"Thank you, Starlight-san. You've been a huge help."
"It's no problem. Sometimes a Trainer needs to be a bit stricter, after all, Uma Musume are energetic and restless. It's hard to manage them if you're too soft."
"Yes, I understand. I heard Trainer Inami hasn't recruited any new Uma Musumes lately. I wonder what she's been up to?"
Hearing this, Starlight slowly lowered her head, a trace of bitterness appearing on her face.
"Well... she's probably waiting for me. I'll work hard on my recovery. Honestly... I wouldn't mind if she took on more students..."
"Anyway, Trainer Minamizaka, I'm going to head elsewhere for a bit. Bye-bye."
"Alright, take care."
Outside, having bought a strawberry crepe, Starlight sat on a bench looking at the distant scenery, lost in thought.
Just then, a pair of hands gently covered her eyes.
"Guess who I am~"
"Hmm? Is it Still-chan?"
The palms slowly moved away.
Starlight looked up and met those crimson eyes.
"Starlight-chan! You actually guessed right on the first try! I'm so happy~"
Caressing Starlight's cheek, Still in Love spoke with a tone full of excitement and joy.
"Well, Still-chan's voice is so unique, and your scent is very easy to recognize too~"