Tracen Training Ground.
A 1,600-meter open race was currently underway. Cheers echoed across the field, accompanied by a fierce wind that whipped against Starlight's face.
By now, sweat was pouring down her forehead. Her body was gradually beginning to feel heavy and sluggish.
'More and more Uma Musume are falling behind', she thought to herself.
'This won't do. If I don't do something now, I'm really going to be treated like a total nobody.'
Although she often called herself an "extra," Starlight truly didn't want to remain ignored and unnoticed forever. Her expression gradually turned fierce.
'Whatever happens, I have to do something.'
Seeing the final corner approaching, a thought struck her first.
'Even if I make a fool of myself, I have to at least give it a shot. I can't just let my stamina drain away for nothing in the middle of this pack!'
Taking a deep breath, she lowered her posture and burst directly through a gap between two Uma Musume. Her speed began to climb.
Relying on sheer willpower, she pushed against the current of Taiki Shuttle's Red Skill interference.
Watching this, Kiryuu Inami couldn't help but frown. "Why now? We haven't even hit the final straight yet..."
Even Tojo Hana shook her head, signaling that Starlight's run was essentially finished.
Symboli Rudolf, while recognizing the tactical intent, felt a sense of pity. In this kind of high-pressure situation, you either grit your teeth and charge or do nothing and wait to run out of steam.
While the former was risky, it was a choice that earned a second look from the "Emperor."
"Though the outcome is no longer in doubt, her performance is quite interesting."
Just as the words left Rudolf's mouth, Starlight's next move left her stunned.
"Starlight, what are you thinking?!" Inami cried out, her voice filled with confusion and worry.
Back on the track, not long after Starlight surged forward, she realized her stamina was failing to keep up. Suddenly, her eyes locked onto the group of runners not far ahead.
In a normal mindset, if you wanted to overtake them, you would swing wide to the outside. But things were different now— Starlight had an ace up her sleeve.
'Didn't I get a Gold Skill last night?'
With that thought, she hesitated no longer. Her footsteps, which had been heading toward the outer lane, suddenly pivoted. She charged straight into the dense pack of Uma Musume.
To charge in there at a time like this was usually asking to get boxed in. This was exactly why Inami and the others were so worried.
However, the unexpected followed immediately.
The moment Starlight plunged into the cluster of runners, she activated the skill: Straight to the Point.
Instantly, her power and speed were surged. Her bangs began to flutter wildly in the wind. Between the strands of hair, her eyes— faintly revealing golden hexagram pupils— glowed with light.
Up ahead, the leader, Taiki Shuttle, sensed a gaze that felt like a hunter locking onto its prey. Surprised, she tilted her head back slightly.
Snap—
Their gazes collided. The aura radiating from Starlight's face captivated her for a fleeting second.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!!"
Back to Starlight. If it were only the initial boost, she might not have been able to break through. But Taiki Shuttle had inadvertently done her a favor by creating the necessary pressure.
Locking onto a path that looked easiest to burst through, Starlight exerted force through her legs.
Boom—
Like the roar of an engine, a grey meteor flashing with golden light flew out from the pack. She was closing in fast on Nishino Flower and Vodka.
Inami's eyes reflected Starlight's figure. Her confusion was swept away, replaced by a burst of joy. "Go for it! Starlight— !"
Beside her, Tojo Hana, who had been busy analyzing Taiki Shuttle, stopped her pen and stared intently. "This is..."
Symboli Rudolf was the same. She never expected such an unforeseen turn of events in a routine open race.
Because Starlight had successfully broken out of the pack, her speed bonus doubled. This allowed her to overtake both Nishino Flower and Vodka in just a few strides.
As she watched the light-brown figure ahead getting closer and closer...
'I can do it, right? I should be able to make it!'
Whoosh— !
Fantasy is a beautiful thing, but unfortunately, Taiki Shuttle was simply not on the same level as the current Starlight.
The moment Taiki sensed Starlight approaching, she triggered a second-stage burst. With overwhelming speed and momentum, she instantly reclaimed the distance Starlight had worked so hard to close.
'Heh, I guess it's still no use...'
Feeling her legs grow heavy, Starlight realized her remaining stamina could no longer support a sprint. To avoid injury, she had no choice but to call it a day—
Swoosh, swoosh—
Her deceleration gave Nishino Flower and Vodka the opening they needed, the two wasted no time in overtaking her.
In the end, as they crossed the finish line, Starlight only managed to secure fifth place. First place went to Taiki Shuttle, who led by a massive six lengths. Next was Nishino Flower, taking second by a one-length margin, followed by Vodka in third.
Although the race result wasn't ideal, Starlight was quite satisfied with herself. At the very least, her hard work had yielded enough results.
Slowly standing up, Starlight panted as she walked toward Inami, who was waving at her. The other Uma Musume's focus was naturally not on her.
Perhaps a few had noticed her breakout moment, but in the end, she had been reduced to a mere background character, completely blown away by the leaders.
"Starlight-chan~ You did really well today!"
Inami handed over a towel and clapped.
"Thanks. Taiki Shuttle is seriously strong, I thought I'd at least be able to close the gap a bit more."
"It's already enough. Compared to how you were before, you're quite strong now. I'll tell you the new training plan later, but for now, let's go eat. My treat— "
"Really! Thank you for your great kindness, Inami-chan— "
The two left the training ground chatting and laughing. After summarizing their experience in the club room and packing up, Inami dragged Starlight to a BBQ restaurant for a delicious feast.
On the way back, Inami looked at the grey-haired Uma Musume who had fallen asleep against her shoulder. She couldn't help but smile and gently pinch the girl's cheek.
"Let's keep working hard together, Starlight-chan~"
Early the next morning.
It was a rare day off. Because of the intense race the day before, even though it was already 9:00 AM, Starlight was still peacefully snoring under her covers.
The orange cat lay comfortably atop her chest— which had at least C+ tier volume. Thanks to Starlight's feeding, it was no longer as thin and weak as before.
Flutter, flutter—
The scene shifted to the balcony. The window wasn't closed, and because of that, an uninvited guest suddenly paid a visit.
It was a familiar hawk. After flying onto the railing, its gaze instinctively locked onto the Uma Musume still dreaming in bed.
Pop—
The sleep bubble on her nose was pecked by the hawk, and Starlight woke up involuntarily. Upon opening her bleary eyes, she was immediately startled by the sight of that large beak.
"Ehh— ! Who are you?!"
Because of Starlight's sudden movement, the hawk was also startled and took flight. Then, with amazing skill, it landed steadily right on top of Starlight's head.
"Eh? Where did it go?"
Looking left and right, Starlight asked the orange cat, which had already jumped onto the desk. Hearing this, the cat extended a paw and pointed at the top of Starlight's head.
"Meow~"
"Huh? Get down, get down! Don't stand on my head~"
And so, the peaceful morning was shattered by this hawk. After fussing with it for a long while, Starlight eventually slumped back onto the bed, panting as she waved her hand dismissively.
"Fine, whatever, do what you want..."
Seeing this, the hawk flapping in mid-air let out a few satisfied cries before slowly descending, perching itself on her head once again.