Rudolf watched the retreating backs of the silver and black Uma Musume. Without a word, she checked the time on her phone and turned to return to the academy.
On the way to the dessert shop, as the two passed a manga store, Rice Shower came to a halt.
She looked at the book— which resembled a picture book— displayed on the shelf inside, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and longing.
Seeing this, Starlight leaned in beside her and peered inside as well.
"Since you're interested, why don't we go in and take a look?"
"Eh! N-no, it's fine. Let's just go get dessert..."
'I'll come back and buy it next time, I don't have a lot of money right now... and I have to accompany Starlight to get dessert today.'
Turning around, Rice spoke to Starlight with a smile, but her eyes involuntarily drifted back for one last glance.
"Are you really not interested? But I'm interested now! We can put the dessert on hold for a bit."
"Th-that, b-but Rice today... already—"
Lowering her head, Rice began to stammer, her face flushing crimson. Seeing this, Starlight nodded.
"Then, Rice-chan... do you like that picture book?"
Hearing this, Rice looked up into Starlight's inquiring eyes. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her fingers constantly fidgeting with her sleeves.
"But I really like eating dessert... what should we do?"
"Th-this, Rice, Rice also..."
Before Rice could finish, Starlight suddenly took her hand and led her into the manga store.
"How about this: Rice, you buy the picture book you like, and then you share it with me later? In return, I'll treat you to my favorite dessert."
"What do you think? Isn't that a great suggestion?"
Rice's eyes widened, and she allowed herself to be led. By the time she snapped out of it, she was already standing in front of the shelf.
Looking at Starlight, she saw that same joyful smile on her face. Starlight had already picked up the book Rice had been eyeing.
"Oh! This is the one, right? It looks really nice! Here, Rice~"
Starlight tucked the book into Rice's hands with a smile. "I can't wait for you to tell me the story inside, Rice-chan."
With her eyes shimmering, Rice looked at the book in her hands, her body trembling slightly. She squinted her eyes and smiled at Starlight.
"Then... let's read it together in a bit."
"Sure thing."
At the checkout, Rice opened her wallet, took out all the money she had, and purchased the book. Afterward, Starlight led her to the dessert shop.
After ordering two mousse cakes, Starlight sat down right next to Rice.
The afternoon sun shone through the window, casting light over the two Uma Musume.
On the table sat steaming black tea next to the two cakes. Spread out between them on the table was the open picture book.
Flipping through the book with a satisfied expression, Rice seemed to find her spark, occasionally sharing related stories with Starlight.
When she reached the "The End" notice of the final chapter, Rice finally looked up. She turned to Starlight, who was looking at her curiously.
The original golden sunlight had already turned into a fading crimson.
Only then did she realize that she had inadvertently become too absorbed and had finished the whole thing.
However, the thumping in her heart didn't turn into regret or a sense of "not enough" just because the story was over.
"That was wonderful... though it's a pity it's over. It would be great if there were a few more pages, right?"
Hearing Starlight's slightly regretful tone, Rice nodded, then smiled and shook her head.
"Thank you for today. Rice has many more books like this in the dorm—treasures I haven't read yet."
Rice slowly closed the book and cradled it to her chest. She turned to Starlight and continued, "I-if it's okay, Rice wants to read them with Starlight again. I want to share the stories Rice loves with you."
"Of course! I'm looking forward to the stories you like. You're welcome to come find me anytime."
Yesterday's race was wonderful. Rice Shower met the angel of her heart.
With her around, Rice felt that... even if the story reached its conclusion, she would be very happy.
"Let's take a photo, Rice. To commemorate us becoming good friends today."
"Mm, good friends. Rice and Starlight!"
Leaning against Starlight's shoulder, Rice Shower seemed a bit camera-shy, subconsciously using her picture book to cover part of her face.
With a blushing face and eyes full of joy, she gazed brightly at Starlight's phone.
No— perhaps what she was truly looking at was the silver-haired Uma Musume in the phone's display, who wore such a warm, gentle smile.
Click—
The photo was taken. Starlight looked at it and nodded with satisfaction.
"It looks great. I'll try posting it to my feed. Rice-chan, make sure to give it a like in a bit~"
"Eh, o-okay."
Putting down her picture book, Rice Shower began to scramble, fumbling through her things to find her own phone. Witnessing this scene, Starlight couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Hahaha... no need to be in such a rush. I haven't even posted it yet."
Pausing for a moment, Rice felt her face burning hot. She lowered her head and gave a quiet, muffled "Mm."
Not long after, Starlight saw that the post had successfully uploaded and spoke up.
"It's posted now, Rice. I'm counting on you~"
"L-Leave it to me—"
Tracen Academy...
After leaving the library, Mejiro McQueen tightened her grip on her school bag. Just as she was preparing to return to the dormitory, a figure blocked her path.
Raising her head in confusion, she was momentarily startled.
"McQueen-chan~ Are you heading back already?"
The soft tone came from a blue-haired Uma Musume. Mejiro Ardan looked over with a beaming smile.
"Is there something the matter, Ardan-senpai? If it isn't urgent, I shall take my leave."
Having said that, Mejiro McQueen stepped past Ardan, walking toward the distance without pausing. Ardan unhurriedly pulled her phone out from the pocket of her training suit.
"A certain prominent family stepped in to invest, changing the Idol Selection Committee's duos into trios. How impressive... I wonder who did that?"
At those words, McQueen's footsteps faltered. She furrowed her brows and turned back to look at Mejiro Ardan.
"What do you mean by that..."
"Back when she was so devoted, you were cold and indifferent, showing nothing but apathy. Now that she's let go of that obsession... you really shouldn't keep pestering her. Little McQueen."
"I am not pestering her!"
"Then why are you in such a hurry?"
"I... Ardan-senpai, you just want to be in a group with her, don't you? Give it up. Even if I didn't step in, you wouldn't have succeeded."
"Then why did you step in?"
"I simply... I simply wanted to make good on an appointment with the two of them to be together. Is there a problem with that?"
Faced with Mejiro Ardan's questioning, McQueen turned her head away in irritation and asked back.
"How could there be? McQueen-chan... as long as you're happy."
Smiling as she shook her head, Ardan was about to put her phone away when she saw a notification from her 'Close Friends' feed.
"Oh my~ Starlight-chan went out for sweets today. How lovely. It's a pity I don't have any time off, I think I'll invite her out once the weekend arrives."
As if talking to herself, Mejiro Ardan walked away with a cheerful grin.
These words naturally reached Mejiro McQueen's ears, and she frowned.
Today was the third day of her self-discipline, which meant three days without any sweets. She was already reaching her limit.
And now, her own family member had come out specifically to tease her.
Pulling out her phone, Mejiro McQueen finally reached her breaking point.
She stared at the photo filling the screen: Starlight and the Rice Shower next to her, with unfinished cakes sitting on the table in front of them.
In this state, the emotional damage was at least tripled:
1: Starlight was at a dessert shop.
2: It was a dessert shop.
3: Starlight and Rice Shower were at a dessert shop together.