Inside a certain restaurant.
The interior decor was quite minimalist, featuring simple cyan walls and wooden tables and chairs.
"Hello, I am Gold City. Sorry for the trouble tonight."
Looking at the girl before her— an Uma Musume hailed as a "once-in-a-century beauty"— Kiryuu Inami pushed up her glasses, looking slightly stunned.
"Trainer?"
"Oh, oh! It's nothing, it's nothing. Please, both of you, have a seat."
Inami let out a sheepish laugh as she handed the menu to the newcomers across from her.
"What would you like to eat? Tonight's my treat."
Scanning the menu, Divine Starlight ordered while saying with a smile, "I've never been to this shop. How did you find it, Trainer?"
"My father used to bring me here when I was a kid. Don't let the plain storefront fool you, the food is actually fantastic."
"I see~ Hmm... it's so hard to choose. Why don't you decide, City-Chan?"
"Eh? I told you not to call me by that name..."
Lowering her head slightly, Gold City nevertheless reached out and took the menu.
"When did you two become so close?"
"To be precise, I knew who she was, but she only met me today."
"That makes sense. After all, Gold City is beautiful and has worked as a model and an idol. It's normal to recognize her."
Hearing Inami's praise, Gold City's expression soured slightly. She gripped the menu tightly, her thoughts unreadable.
"That's not it. I recognized her because I went to watch her last G2 race."
"Eh? When did you go see it? Why didn't you ask me to come along?"
"I did tell you, but you said you were busy playing games with Ryu Nishizaki..."
"!? Dammit, if I had known, I would've gone with you."
"My last G2... Divine Starlight..."
"Hmm? Were you calling me?"
The other girl's voice was quite low, Starlight didn't hear clearly and asked again.
"Ah, no. I was just asking if there's anything else you want to order?"
"No need! I trust your taste. I expect it'll be very compatible with mine."
Starlight waved her hand and laughed.
"That's probably impossible..."
"Don't worry, you two. I've eaten everything on this menu, and there isn't a bad dish in the house," Kiryuu Inami chimed in.
"Oh, right, Trainer! I have to tell you— at the place where I first met Daitaku Helios, I saw City-chan too."
"Hmm? That happened?"
"Yeah. She was walking really fast, and there was a pink-haired Uma Musume tailing her from behind."
"Wait, what?"
Upon hearing this, the menu slipped from Gold City's hand. She asked in shock, "You... you and Daitaku Helios saw that?!"
"Yeah."
"Then why didn't you come over and help me?! I thought it was some kind of pervert or something. It scared me to death!"
"Eh? She didn't really look like one, though... well, I mean... I guess she was holding a camera, but..."
"I know. That Uma Musume is named Agnes Digital. She said she wanted to take photos with me. I was honestly speechless..."
"Hahaha... I even saw your comment under Helios's post back then."
Seeing her laughing like an idiot, Gold City felt a surge of irritation. She stepped forward and gave the other girl a thump on the shoulder.
"Ouch! What was that for? That hurts."
"That's what you get for making fun of me."
"Tch... Anyway, what's in that bag?"
Starlight pointed toward the black bag next to her friend and asked.
"Th-these are just my old clothes I changed out of. You're not allowed to look!"
"Fine, fine, I won't look... Hey! Waiter, can I get a glass of juice?"
Starlight didn't pay it any more mind, turning instead to order a drink from the waitress.
After their simple dinner concluded, Starlight and Gold City were sent back to the academy dorms.
Although the race was over, reporters and the media certainly weren't going to let this opportunity pass. Divine Starlight had gained significant exposure.
Thanks to her good looks and the "buff" of having used Gold City as a background character in her victory, her fan count grew rapidly.
She had already met the requirements to participate in G2-level events.
The next morning, in the Middle School division just after class...
Looking at the newspaper in her hands, Mejiro McQueen stared at the photo of Divine Starlight, remaining silent for a long time.
Nearby, the excited voice of Haru Urara rang out.
"Aha! Starlight-senpai is so amazing, she actually beat Gold City-senpai! Okay~ Urara has to do her best too!"
Saying this, Haru Urara picked up the newspaper and happily ran off to the classroom next door to find Seiun Sky and the others.
"McQueen-san! The teacher is looking for you..."
"McQueen-san?"
The Uma Musume wearing glasses next to her called out twice.
"Ah... Y-yes, what is it?"
"Are you okay, McQueen-san? You didn't react at all when I called you just now."
"Ahaha... It's nothing, nothing at all."
Mejiro McQueen stood up with a sheepish laugh. Once she reached the hallway, her brow couldn't help but furrow.
"Dammit, Divine Starlight. I will definitely beat you."
Her competitive spirit and pride ignited a flame within her. After calming her nerves, she pushed open the door to the faculty office.
"Excuse me, Teacher."
"Ah, McQueen-san, you're here."
"Teacher, was there something you needed from me?" Mejiro McQueen asked with a composed expression.
"It's like this: Summer training camp is coming up soon. Since you don't have a Trainer yet, you will be assigned to a senior Trainer's group for joint training."
"I see. I understand, Teacher."
"Good. This is the substitute Trainer for your summer camp, as well as the senior student in your group."
As she spoke, the teacher pulled out a sheet of paper from the side and handed it over.
After taking it and reading the names on the list, Mejiro McQueen immediately lost her composure.
"Um, Teacher! Can I switch groups?"
"Well... I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Then can I choose not to be assigned? I can train by myself."
"That won't do. The academy regulations cannot be changed. If you really don't want to, McQueen-san, you could choose not to participate in this camp at all."
"No, I'll participate... Excuse me, Teacher, I'll be going now."
"Ah, er... Alright."
Watching her walk away with her head down, the teacher was a bit bewildered.
"McQueen-san..."
Suddenly, the voice of Starlight echoed in her ears. Mejiro McQueen's expression looked a bit pained, and she clenched her fists.
"Divine Starlight, hmph! I am no pushover! I will face you head-on!"
As the words left her lips, a vision flashed through McQueen's mind: She was crossing the finish line with a "distance" lead over Starlight.
She imagined the wonderful scene of her opponent kneeling on the ground, questioning her very existence.
"Hehe... Ahem. As for this afternoon's limited-edition gourmet pastry sale, I should probably have the butler arrange to buy them first."
Straightening her posture, Mejiro McQueen flicked a strand of hair by her ear, looking forward to it immensely.
During self-study period.
While other students were discussing what to have for lunch (and one certain gray-haired Uma Musume was already eating), our Divine Starlight was busy scribbling away, buried in remedial studies.
In the past, her grades were good because she simply didn't train, so she had time to read and study. Now, she did nothing but train, and during class, she was a corpse slumped on her desk, causing her grades to plummet.
Staring at the dense rows of examples in her correction notebook, Starlight's hand began to tremble as she held her pen.
"This afternoon's exclusive break time... I originally wanted to use it to sleep, but I guess I have to go to the library..."
"Excuse me, Starlight-san, are you free this afternoon?"
Turning her head slightly, she saw an Uma Musume standing beside her with flowing black hair and a single white streak.
The woman's gentle blue-violet eyes and stunningly beautiful face gave off a sophisticated, motherly aura of beauty.
"Ah, but I have to do remedial lessons this afternoon..."
The other girl gave a slight smile, her black-gloved fingers brushing against Starlight's cheek.
"Could I ask you to be my model? I want to create a beautiful painting of you, and I can also guide you through the material for your exams."
"In that case, I would be delighted. But please, elegant onee-san, wait for me a little while. There's still some time left before class ends."
Slowly setting down her pen, Starlight gently took the hand on her face and agreed with a smile.
"Forgive me. I will wait for you outside."
Releasing her hand, Mejiro Ramonu turned and walked slowly out through the back door.