"Eh, Yaeno-san, what's the matter?"
"Um, would it be possible to have lunch with you today?"
"Eh? You want to join me?"
"Yes, that's right. If it's inconvenient, we can do it another time."
"No, no, it's quite convenient! I'm very happy you invited me. Let's go together."
"Mm, alright."
After finding a good spot, the two sat down. Starlight looked at Yaeno Muteki across from her and asked curiously.
"Yaeno-san, you've looked for me quite a few times today. Is there something specific on your mind?"
"Actually... I wanted to apologize to you. In the past, I always viewed you as someone who was listless and decadent. But seeing you return to racing and achieve victory was truly surprising."
"So that's what it was? There's no need for that. You weren't wrong, Yaeno-san— the old me really wasn't in a good state. Even I hated myself a little."
"I've watched the recording of your race. It was a very impressive and bold style of running. And you actually broke the previous record, you're really strong."
"Mm, thank you for the compliment. I don't feel that strong yet. A lot of that result came down to luck."
"There's no need to be so modest, luck is a part of strength. Could we have a match together sometime?"
'Well, it seems this was your true motive all along.'
Starlight knew something about this Uma Musume, she was known for enjoying sparring matches with powerful opponents. Starlight's mouth twitched, unsure of how to respond.
'Spar with you? Please, I only have one Gold Skill, and I can't even use it in a one-on-one duel. Isn't that just asking for a beating?'
"Of course, but my training schedule is packed recently and I don't have much free time. Would another day work, Yaeno-san?"
"No problem, Starlight-san. I'll wait for you."
After a rare lunch with a classmate, Starlight saw something new posted on the bulletin board on her way back. When she leaned in for a closer look, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"MISSING CAT NOTICE: The Chairwoman's cat has recently gone missing. Any Uma Musume who spots it, please contact us immediately. A generous reward will be provided."
"Wait... isn't that the black-furred one in my dorm?"
"And then... Tracen Academy Essay Contest. First Place: Matikane Tannhauser – 'My Father, the Chairwoman.' Second Place: Mejiro Ardan – 'My Grandfather, the Chairwoman.'"
"Is there any integrity to this ranking at all? No matter how you look at it, this is just blatant favoritism."
After some speechless complaining, Starlight pulled out her phone and called Secretary Hayakawa Tazuna.
A short while later, at the door of Starlight's dorm.
"Oh my, so the Chairwoman's cat was in Starlight's room all along?"
"Yes, he came to my room a while ago. He seems to get along quite well with Big Orange."
Starlight pushed open the dorm door.
At that moment, on Starlight's desk, Blackie and Big Orange were in a tense standoff. The hawk perched on the nearby coat rack was acting as the referee.
Below them, five or six kittens sat obediently on the floor, acting as the audience. There was even a Shiba Inu at the door greeting Starlight.
In an instant, both Starlight and Hayakawa Tazuna froze.
"Um... excuse me, Miss Starlight, but what exactly is going on here?"
"Haha... I'm not entirely sure either. Hey, Kameda-kun, what's all this?"
Starlight crouched down, patted the Shiba Inu's head, and asked. Kameda-kun barked twice and shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.
This Shiba Inu was something Starlight had found in a cardboard box at the mouth of an alleyway on her way back to the dorm the night after her race.
Seeing how pitiful it looked, Starlight had brought it back.
However, even counting Kameda-kun, there should have only been three animals in the dorm, excluding the hawk.
"Meow~!"
Suddenly, all the cats looked toward Starlight and trotted over in unison. Even Big Orange and Blackie, who had been in a standoff, crowded around her.
"Miss Starlight, are you building up some kind of private army?"
Seeing how much the group of cats clearly adored Starlight, Hayakawa Tazuna teased her playfully.
"Oh, no, it's not like that! I don't know how they got in here either. Originally, there was only Big Orange and the Chairwoman's black cat in the dorm."
"Well, although pets are permitted, please ensure they don't disturb the other students."
"I understand, Miss Hayakawa. However, the dorm room across from mine is empty, and that hawk is actually El Condor Pasa's pet from next door. It should be fine."
"Mm, alright then. I'll be taking this black cat with me. Goodbye, Starlight-san."
"Mhm, goodbye, Miss Hayakawa."
Starlight watched as the black-furred cat was mercilessly hoisted up by the scruff of its neck by Tazuna. No matter how hard it struggled or flailed, its efforts were in vain.
Turning her attention back to the new little ones rubbing against her legs, Starlight felt things were getting a bit troublesome.
"Big Orange."
She turned to the orange cat and spoke.
"Meow!"
Big Orange immediately sat up straight and gave Starlight a salute.
"I'm leaving them in your charge."
Big Orange nodded with a meow. Instantly, the kittens obediently walked over to its side and lined up in order.
"So, you already had authority over them this whole time."
Her mouth twitching, Starlight let out a sigh of admiration before carefully stepping around the kittens on the floor.
"No classes this afternoon. Time for a good nap."
After changing into her pajamas, Starlight crawled straight into bed.
Meanwhile, at the cafeteria.
At a table by the window, El Condor Pasa and Haru Urara sat together, facing Grass Wonder and Seiun Sky.
"I didn't expect Sky-chan to lose to Senior," Grass Wonder remarked as she picked up a piece of fish and popped it into her mouth.
"I couldn't help it~ Divine Starlight's pressure was incredibly strong at the time. Plus, she was so well-hidden that I couldn't find any information on her at all."
"Really? Hearing you say that makes me want to have a match with Starlight-senpai too."
"Eh? Senpai participated in the last practice match too. I even saw you on the opposite side," Urara suddenly remembered and added.
"Eh?! Really? I didn't seem to notice. My eyes were all on Nishino Flower and Taiki Shuttle-senpai back then."
"Why is that, I wonder?" Grass Wonder asked curiously.
"She clearly lives right next door, but I never noticed her before. She's obviously a very nice person, yet there's no impression of her."
"Eh, now that you mention it, it is a bit strange," Seiun Sky said, leaning back in her chair and waving her hand dismissively.
"When I was asking around the entire training center the other day, nobody said they knew her."
"Wow, hearing you guys talk makes this Starlight-senpai sound so interesting! I want to meet her too," Urara said with a laugh.
"Right! Since there are no classes this afternoon, why don't we invite Senpai to go out and play?"
"Good idea! I happen to have a few free buffet vouchers I won from a lottery. We can have a buffet for dinner!"
Urara agreed enthusiastically with El Condor Pasa's suggestion, pulling several vouchers from her small shoulder bag.
"So, who's going to invite her?" Grass Wonder asked, turning her gaze toward the listless Seiun Sky.
When Sky snapped back to reality, she realized the other two were staring at her as well.
"Wait, why me?"
"Urara-chan isn't close with Senpai, so it wouldn't be appropriate."
"What about you two? Don't you live right next door?"
"Sorry, Sky-chan, El and I have to go to a strategy meeting for Rigil. We might be a bit late," Grass Wonder explained.
"Exactly! So we're entrusting this mission to you."
The two of them worked in perfect harmony to successfully convince Seiun Sky.
"Fine, fine. I'll go find her then."