After putting down her luggage, Starlight looked up toward the opposite side.
She saw Tokai Teio dressed in a black T-shirt and denim shorts, wearing a baseball cap with sunglasses perched on top. She was lugging a suitcase, waving and running over excitedly.
"Teio~!"
"Hehe! Please take care of me for the next while, Starlight-senpai!"
"Leave it to me! But you're not allowed to complain during training— "
Hearing this, Tokai Teio clenched her fist and held it high.
"Of course! Tokai Teio is invincible! I will definitely persevere to the end."
"What spirit! Let's go find Inami-chan."
"Mm, you got it! Do you need me to help carry your luggage, Senpai?"
"No need, but thank you for the offer, Teio. This is part of the training too."
"I understand!"
By the roadside outside the academy.
Quite a few Uma Musume were waiting to board buses, carrying bags and suitcases of all sizes. Near a bus stop not far away, Mejiro McQueen was standing in quiet contemplation.
By her side was a single black-and-white suitcase. She wore a small straw sun hat adorned with a decorative white flower.
"McQueen~! You're here so early— "
Hearing that lively voice, Mejiro McQueen turned her head slightly and saw Teio and Starlight walking toward her.
She was momentarily startled, then reached out to toy with a stray hair by her ear, acting indifferent.
"Naturally. A lady of the Mejiro household always maintains the principle of being punctual."
"Oh~ Your luggage is so sparse. Did you bring enough stuff?"
"Hmph. If I lack anything, I'll just buy it once we arrive. I am not lacking in funds."
Faced with Starlight's inquiry, Mejiro McQueen gave a light huff and tilted her head up slightly.
"Alright then. As expected of an Uma Musume from a prestigious family..."
Before long, a car drove up from a distance and pulled over in front of the three Uma Musume. The window rolled down, and Kiryuu Inami waved with a smile.
"Sorry to keep you three waiting. Get in."
"Heck yeah! I want the front seat— "
After stowing her luggage in the trunk, Tokai Teio was the first to hop in. This move undoubtedly left the two Uma Musume still outside in an awkward spot.
Or, to be precise, only Mejiro McQueen felt awkward, Starlight didn't mind at all.
As the car started up, the scene shifted to the back seat. The space between the two gray-haired Uma Musume was less than the width of a single person. It seemed this car was significantly smaller than a standard vehicle.
"We expect to arrive around 1:00 PM. Hmm, Starlight... how about we prepare to start training tomorrow? You should have some fun this afternoon."
"Let's skip that, let's just start training directly... but Teio and McQueen-san can go play."
"Well, that works too. I've made some adjustments to the training plan, though I'm not sure of your current conditions yet."
From the passenger seat, Teio tilted her head up confidently.
"I'm a genius, so naturally I can adapt to any training. Bring it on, Trainer Inami! I want to join in this afternoon too."
Seeing Teio choosing to train, Mejiro McQueen hurriedly spoke up as well.
"I'll join too. Don't worry, my adaptability is very high as well."
Inami nodded, unable to help but feel impressed. These two Uma Musume truly lived up to their prestigious backgrounds, both their bloodlines and natural talents were incredibly strong.
"Meow~"
Suddenly, a soft, dainty sound came from near Starlight's feet. She looked down to find a black cat. Perhaps because its fur was so dark, she hadn't noticed it at first.
"Eh? Isn't this the Chairwoman's cat? Little one, why are you here again?"
Leaning over, Starlight picked the cat up and placed it on her lap, gently stroking it.
"Purr... purr..."
"Whoa! So cute! Starlight-senpai is amazing. No one but the Chairwoman and Hayakawa-san is allowed to touch that cat."
Tokai Teio turned around, her face full of surprise. She then stealthily reached out her hand, wanting to give it a pat, but the cat immediately dodged her.
"Her room is like a zoo, it's full of cats and dogs, and even a wall full of birds," McQueen remarked.
"McQueen has actually been to Senpai's dorm?"
"Ahem... I just had some business with her and happened to catch a glimpse, that's all."
A moment later, the phone in Starlight's pocket vibrated. She pulled it out and found the message rather amusing.
Mejiro McQueen: Stop calling me "Mejiro-san"!
Mejiro McQueen: We've known each other for quite a while now, call me by my name.
Mejiro McQueen: Besides, barely anyone knows about that confession now, and those who did have already forgotten.
Divine Starlight: Eh, really?
Mejiro McQueen: Really! If you keep intentionally distancing yourself from me, I'm going to get angry.
It was no wonder Mejiro McQueen was getting worked up, it seemed every Uma Musume in the Mejiro family except her was on great terms with Starlight.
Even Tokai Teio, who had only met her once, was already using an affectionate nickname. Yet, she was the only one stuck with "Family Name + San."
Starlight stole a glance at her. McQueen's expression— eyebrows furrowed and her small mouth pouting— was simply priceless.
Curling her lips into a smirk, Starlight slowly typed out a reply.
Divine Starlight: But you don't even treat me as a friend...
Divine Starlight: [The Godfather smoking a cigar.jpg]
Divine Starlight: You won't even call me "Senpai."
Mejiro McQueen: ...
Mejiro McQueen: Senpai.
Despite being separated by less than a person's width, the two Uma Musume were having a fierce conversation online.
Just then, the car suddenly braked hard while turning, sending Mejiro McQueen crashing directly from her side into Starlight.
"Ah— !"
Duang~
Where did she hit? It's not hard to guess—
Pressed against the car door, Starlight looked down with a frown at the Uma Musume who had suddenly burrowed into her arms.
Despite the slight pain, she leaned in and whispered teasingly into the other girl's ear.
"McQueen-san, you're certainly expressive. You used to want to stay so far away from me, but now..."
Feeling the softness against her face, Mejiro McQueen's face flushed bright red. She scrambled out of Starlight's embrace.
"Ahem! You— I did not... Don't talk nonsense, I was forced into that!"
Up front, Kiryuu Inami rolled down the window and shouted angrily at the car speeding away.
"Do you even know how to drive?! Honestly— are you girls hurt?"
Tokai Teio, who didn't have anything soft to act as a cushion, clutched her bumped nose and groaned.
"Ouch... I'm okay, I'm okay. My nose is still intact and hasn't changed shape. Otherwise, the cute Teio-sama would be disfigured."
"I'm fine, I'm fine. No problems here. Is McQueen-san hurt?"
Catching the mischievous glint in Starlight's eyes, Mejiro McQueen's face burned with embarrassment as she scooted even further away.
"I-I'm fine."
"That's good. We're moving out again."
Inami didn't notice the strange atmosphere in the back. After adjusting her seating position, she continued driving.
Leaning against the window, Mejiro McQueen stared at the scenery rushing past. Her mind was a complete mess.
'What is even happening... Right, it wasn't my choice. I was just forced into her arms by the car.'
'Even though it was very soft... even though it was very warm... No, no, no! What am I thinking!'
After that little interlude, it was back to the monotonous travel time. Starlight leaned back and couldn't help but close her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
The little cat on her lap followed suit, curling up comfortably and falling into a deep slumber.
Having calmed her heart, Mejiro McQueen cautiously turned her head to look at her companion. Silver stray hairs swayed with the gentle jolts of the car. Her soft face was beyond cute.
'So... she's actually quite cute. She used to be so different though. What a strange person—'
Drowsiness eventually washed over Mejiro McQueen as well. Unable to resist, she slowly closed her eyes.
An indeterminate amount of time passed.
A soft, gentle voice, like flowing water, trickled into her ears.
"Mejiro-san... McQueen-san, wake up~ We've arrived..."
As consciousness slowly returned, Mejiro McQueen opened her eyes only to see Starlight's face looking down at her. Her head was currently resting on the other girl's lap.
"Ah~!"