In the afternoon.
After a pleasant chat, Rice Shower and Mihono Bourbon became familiar with each other, and Rice Shower finally stopped stuttering nervously in front of the other.
Because of this, she also understood better that Mihono Bourbon wasn't as cold and robotic as she seemed.
She was actually quite gentle.
"By the way, is Rice Shower also participating in the farming event?"
"Mm... Rice Shower was also assigned a plot of farmland, where she planted many radishes, tomatoes, potatoes, and garlic."
"I heard Starlight-chan is a judge, so I wanted to make you a big meal."
"I'm looking forward to it~ Rice Shower's cooking has always been excellent..."
With her face slightly flushed, Rice Shower lowered her head and squeezed out a few words through her teeth.
"Thank you... thank you for the praise, Starlight-chan. Rice Shower's cooking isn't as good as Starlight-chan's yet."
Seeing that it was about time, Rice Shower stood up, said goodbye to the two Uma Musume, and left.
Just as she reached the doorway at the staircase, a purple-haired Uma Musume walked up slowly, carrying a gift box in her hand.
Two pairs of purple eyes met, and both Rice Shower and the other froze.
"Rice Shower-san?"
"Ah..."
"For the upcoming Tenno Sho, I'll be in your care, Rice Shower."
Approaching, Mejiro McQueen slowly extended her hand, her tone very calm.
Looking at the outstretched hand, Rice Shower hesitated for a moment before slowly shaking it.
After letting go, she took small steps and walked away.
"Rice Shower won't lose."
A soft, gentle voice came from behind, and Mejiro McQueen froze in surprise.
She turned to look at the petite figure of the black-haired Uma Musume.
'What's going on... that intense aura just now, such a strong sense of pressure... was that Rice Shower?!'
Click.
Pushing open the door, McQueen walked to Starlight's bedside and looked at the Uma Musume holding an apple.
She placed the gift box in front of Starlight.
"How rude of you. While I was injured and recuperating, you didn't even come to visit..."
"...It's not that, it's just that McQueen needed to rest quietly. It wouldn't have been appropriate to disturb you..."
Starlight scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Hmph."
With a cold snort, Mejiro McQueen came to the bedside and sat down, slowly picking up the gift box.
Opening it, she revealed an exquisitely crafted cream chocolate cake.
The chocolate on top looked glossy and shiny, with a faint sweet aroma tinged with a hint of bitterness wafting to the nose.
Both in appearance and scent, it was clearly made from very expensive ingredients.
"Is this for me?"
"Of course... This was made when a Baking Master visited our family and worked with the Pastry Chef.:
"It was originally part of a larger cake, but this small piece couldn't be finished, so I brought it for you to try."
With that, she stuck a small fork into the cake and placed it in Starlight's hand, while McQueen snatched away the half-eaten apple.
Blinking in confusion, Starlight looked up and saw McQueen about to eat the half-eaten apple.
She quickly reached out to stop her.
"You're not going to eat that, are you...? That's the one I was eating."
Pausing slightly, McQueen looked at Starlight's slightly flushed face, then glanced at Mihono Bourbon, who was pretending to read a book but was actually sneaking glances from the other side.
McQueen coughed awkwardly twice.
"Ahem, of course not... You're overthinking. I'm going to train now. I'll just throw this apple away for you."
With that, McQueen stood up and turned to leave.
Just as she was about to pull open the door and step out, Starlight whispered a reminder.
"The trash can is in the corner."
"...I know! You don't need to remind me!"
After McQueen left, Starlight looked down at the exquisite chocolate cake in her hand.
She pulled out the fork and glanced at Mihono Bourbon beside her.
"Want to share it with me? Bourbon-chan~"
Shaking her head, Mihono Bourbon didn't look up, keeping her eyes fixed on the book in her hands.
"No need... By the way, does Senpai really like sweets?"
Using the small fork to scoop up a piece, Starlight stuffed it into her mouth, then rolled her eyes and smiled with curved brows.
"Of course! Who doesn't like sweets? Having something sweet when you're unhappy can be very healing."
Nodding, Mihono Bourbon quietly took note of this.
"By the way, your book is upside down. Can you really read the inverted text?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Mihono Bourbon's previously calm expression instantly turned a shade of red with embarrassment.
She hurriedly straightened the book.
"...I'm just testing my calculation skills."
Nodding, Divine Starlight savored the small cake while muttering under her breath.
"What's wrong with all of you today? You all seem to have something on your minds."
"Rice Shower, McQueen, and you too... is it because the pressure is too much?"
Carefully looking at Starlight's stunning profile, the chocolate sauce smeared at the corner of her mouth looked very tempting.
For some reason, Mihono Bourbon's face flushed even redder.
"Maybe..."
As evening approached, Mihono Bourbon was taken by the nurse to change her medication, leaving only Starlight alone in the room.
The sky was dyed with the remnants of red, and in the hospital room, Starlight was scrolling through her phone.
Suddenly, a call came in.
"Huh?"
Seeing the name, she was surprised for a moment.
After clicking to answer, a childish voice came through.
"Starlight-onee-san~ Are you at the hospital right now?"
"Yes, Cheval-chan, what's up?~"
"I want to come see you. Is that okay?"
"Sure, but it's getting late today. Maybe tomorrow..."
"No need, I'm already here, Starlight-onee-san..."
"Huh?!"
Before Starlight could finish her surprise, the door was pushed open directly.
"Starlight-onee-san~ I'm coming in..."
"Oh, okay."
A moment later, a little Uma Musume wearing a white hat peeked her head in, her blue eyes sparkling.
"Starlight-senpai..."
"Mm-hmm, come sit over here~"
Nodding, Cheval Grand took small steps to Starlight's bedside.
She pulled an item from the small bag at her waist.
"This is a lucky charm I made from four leaf clovers I collected at the park, and I also put a folded paper crane inside..."
Taking the charm, Starlight hung it around her neck and waved her hand.
"How nice~ Thank you, Cheval-chan."
"Mm. I hope in the next race, Starlight-onee-san stays safe and doesn't have to be hospitalized again..."
"I'll try my best, but the track is unpredictable, and it's not something I can control. By the way, Cheval-chan, how did you get here?"
"I... my sister brought me."
Noticing the evasiveness in the other's eyes, Starlight slowly reached out and took Cheval Grand's small hand.
"Tell me the truth~ Otherwise, I'll get angry, Cheval-chan."
Shivering slightly, Cheval Grand lowered her head, her tone tinged with unease.
"I... I was worried about Onee-san, so I came alone without telling Mother and the others..."
"Although I'm really happy you came to see me, this... isn't right. It's very dangerous for a little Uma Musume to wander around alone outside."
"I... I know I was wrong."
Patting the other's head, Starlight picked up her phone.
"I'll contact a friend to take you back..."
"No, don't! Onee-san, I want to stay with you a little longer. Is that okay~?"
Glancing out the window, Starlight said with some concern.
"I don't mind, but it's getting dark soon, and your mother will be very worried—"
"Onee-san has my mother's phone number, right? Contact her and let me stay here for the night!"