The Takarazuka Kinen— the final homestretch sprint.
A cold wind blew beneath the warm light as the sweat-drenched Uma Musume on the track stared ahead, everyone pushing themselves to their absolute limits.
Special Week's speed surged as she overtook the pack, seizing the first-place position.
Looking at the approaching finish line, excitement naturally bubbled up in her heart.
Clatter, clatter, clatter—
However, the sound of footsteps rapidly closing in from behind caused her to stiffen, and she cast a quick glance backward.
Grass Wonder's silhouette had already appeared and was blowing past her. She overtook Special Week with ease, pulling ahead by a full three lengths.
Recovering from her shock, Special Week tried to give chase with everything she had, but Grass Wonder was faster.
'What's happening? Why... why can't I close the gap between us...'
Crossing the finish line, Special Week fell to her knees on the turf once again, questioning her very existence as sweat dripped from her cheeks onto the grass.
'How could this be... I didn't win. Suzuka-chan and everyone else were watching, even the injured Starlight-chan came, yet I—'
Rustle—
A shadow loomed over her.
Special Week slowly looked up to see Grass Wonder, who was still panting, her face still glistening with sweat.
She steadied her breath and spoke.
"I treat Spe-chan as a friend and a respected rival. That is why I took this race seriously."
"But what about you, Spe-chan? What did you take me for?"
Leaving those words behind, Grass Wonder didn't linger and walked toward the backstage area.
Special Week's purple eyes trembled as Grass Wonder's words echoed in her ears.
The race was over. She had lost another one...
The scene shifted to the dormitory.
Special Week stood at her desk wearing pink-and-white pajamas. On the desk were the lucky charms everyone had given her.
'What should I do... should I go see Starlight-chan?'
As for our Divine Starlight, after a long period of being bedridden, she was finally able to use a wheelchair.
On the cobblestone path of Tracen, Gold Ship was standing on the footplates at the back of the wheelchair.
"Go, go, go! Starlight-chan, let's head out!"
Starlight, sitting in the wheelchair and gripping the joystick on the armrest, felt a bit helpless.
"Golshi, while I don't mind giving you a lift, isn't it a bit much for you to come along every single time?"
"Now, now, riding on Starlight-chan is the best! My scooter hasn't arrived yet, so I'm just getting a feel for it in advance. Let's go!"
After dropping Gold Ship off at the entrance of the school building, Starlight prepared to begin her daily stroll around campus.
She stopped for a long time in front of the statue of the Three Goddesses.
Behind the statue's fountain, an Uma Musume with short, chestnut-red hair was sobbing.
"Um, excuse me, is everything okay?"
"Ah! I-It's nothing,. I was just... feeling a bit down. I'll be fine in a moment."
Nice Nature wiped away her tears, composed herself, and turned around, only to realize it was the silver-haired Uma Musume who was currently the talk of the campus.
With tears still in her eyes, a smile nevertheless tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Y-You're Divine Starlight?"
"Mhm, that's me. But don't be a stranger. Tell me what's bothering you..."
"...Ah! Aren't you that Uma Musume who debuted alongside Teio?"
Stroking her chin in thought, Starlight recalled the other girl's name.
"Your name is Nice Nature, right?"
"Eh, e-eh?! You actually remember my name."
"Mhm, of course! You are a very cute Uma Musume, after all."
Maneuvering her wheelchair over to Nice Nature, Starlight reached out and patted her head.
Nature's face, already flushed from crying, turned a deeper shade of crimson at the compliment.
She lowered her head slightly, soaking in the gentle sensation of the girl's touch.
"Since Starlight-senpai knows who I am, then you must know that I injured my leg during a race. Now I won't be able to participate in the Satsuki Sho or the Derby... I!"
Her gaze shifted down from Starlight's small face to the figure sitting in the wheelchair, landing on the legs completely wrapped in bandages.
Nice Nature's words came to an abrupt halt.
'What... what am I doing saying these things in front of Starlight-senpai! If we're talking about injuries, her legs are actually fractured.'
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Starlight-senpai, for saying all that in front of you."
Starlight waved her hand dismissively, her tone gentle.
"It's alright. If you don't mind, Nature-chan, would you like to take a stroll around the academy with me?"
"Ah, yes, sure... I'd be very happy to go with you, Starlight-senpai!"
And so, Nice Nature stood up and moved behind Starlight's wheelchair, pushing her at a leisurely pace as they began to wander through the campus.
Looking toward the training ground, a few Uma Musume were already practicing. The way they sprinted across the field was so full of vitality.
Once upon a time, Starlight had been just like them, but now...
Her hands resting on her thighs tightened unconsciously. Starlight spoke softly.
"Nature-chan, you have to work hard from now on... but don't be too hard on yourself, or you'll end up like this senpai here."
"Mhm... I understand, Senpai. But why did you train so desperately? Your strength was already more than enough."
"My strength only exists because I trained so desperately. The moment a star is at its most brilliant isn't when it's hanging high in the sky, but when it's falling."
"I am but a very ordinary Uma Musume. Only through falling can I see the moment I radiate light."
Yes, Starlight knew the harm in what she was doing, but she didn't want to be mediocre or remain unknown.
She didn't want to leave this world without leaving behind even a single footprint.
"Keep at it. I believe you can do it, Nature-chan~"
"Thank you, Senpai. I will."
Nice Nature looked at the silhouette of the silver-haired Uma Musume before her, feeling deeply moved.
She finally understood what the Uma Musume who shone so brightly on the track was truly like.
Though she had always heard stories from others, only through real contact could she feel the charisma radiating from her.
At noon, Starlight arrived at the cafeteria. She ordered some food and found a corner to begin her meal.
If there was one benefit to her current situation, it was that she didn't take up a seat.
Picking up her chopsticks, she unhurriedly picked up a carrot from the plate, popped it into her mouth, and chewed slowly.
Clack—
Suddenly, a tray was set down on the table opposite her.
Divine Starlight looked up to see Seiun Sky waving with a smile.
"Starlight-chan~ Good afternoon. Is it okay if I sit here?"
"Mhm, sure."
"Man, there aren't any races for a long time now. It's great! I can finally get some proper rest."
"Sky-chan, you're as lazy as ever."
Poking at the fried fish on her plate, Seiun Sky picked up a piece, put it in her mouth, and squinted her eyes with a smile.
"Eh~ it really is comfortable this way. By the way, Starlight-chan, how do you get into bed like that?"
Swallowing her food, Divine Starlight froze for a moment and scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"It is a bit troublesome, but the President comes to help me. She carries me to bed..."
Clack—
The chopsticks dropped onto the table. Seiun Sky's squinted eyes snapped wide open in an instant.
"Hm? What's wrong, Sky-chan...?"