However, all their thoughts about Starlight's running were mistaken.
The sounds they heard, even during the morning training with Yaeno Muteki, had merely been the result of Starlight running while her "Weight Level 2" was active.
Even if she turned the weights off, Starlight might not necessarily outrun Yaeno Muteki, but she would at least be able to go toe-to-toe with her during the early and middle stages of a race.
As the final set of interval sprints came to an end, Starlight adjusted her weights back to zero. A sensation of lightness, as if an updraft of wind were lifting her, washed over her.
She even had the illusion that she could fly if she just gave a light hop.
"Your condition during scheduled training days is great, Starlight-chan. So why do you always look like you're suffering and complaining when we do extra practice on rest days?"
"About that... haha, I'm not telling you, Trainer!"
Extra practice on rest days usually happened on Sundays. Starlight typically used those sessions to push her absolute limits— specifically, sprinting with "Weight Level 3."
If things went well, she'd keep training, if not, she'd take a break immediately. This way, it didn't interfere with her regular training schedule.
"Fine then. Once you've rested up, I'll go check with Tojo Hana-senpai to see if we can arrange a mock race for you."
"No need to apply, I'll run with her!"
A very confident voice rang out. The two turned to see two ears covered in red frabric. Looking down, they saw none other than Tamamo Cross.
Wagging her tail, she approached Starlight with an imposing air and pointed a thumb at herself.
"If I win, will you team up with me for tomorrow's synchronized swimming class, Starlight-san?"
"Tomorrow's swimming class? Are our two classes combined?"
"Yeah. If I win the match, you have to team up with me."
[Option 1: Coldly reject Tamamo Cross.]
[Option 2: Accept her challenge.]
"Eh, I mean, I could, but what if I win?"
"If you win, the White Lightning will team up with you tomorrow!"
Starlight blinked and tilted her head, asking in confusion:
"Isn't that exactly the same thing?"
Tamamo Cross, who had been squinting with a mysterious smile, felt her face flush slightly. She gave a few dry coughs.
"Ahem! You should know that getting the chance to train as a team with me is a rare opportunity!"
Seeing Starlight shake her head blankly, Tamamo Cross waved her hand and said, "Fine, what do you want then? It's not like you can win anyway."
"Then I'm not racing. Why bother if I can't win?"
"Wait, what?"
Seeing Divine Starlight actually prepare to leave with her Trainer, Tamamo Cross scrambled forward to block her path.
"Hold on! How can you be like this? Shouldn't you be more fired up for a fight?!"
"Fired up, huh~? Winning is important, of course, but Tamamo Cross-san, you can't be the only one getting a benefit here. What do I get if I win?"
"That... this... ugh! Fine! You say it— what do you want?!"
At this, Starlight finally walked forward with a playful grin and gently cupped the other girl's face.
"Even if the chance of winning is slim, if I do win, could Tamamo Cross-san please make me breakfast tomorrow?"
Their faces were inches apart. Those golden eyes reflected Tamamo's own face. There was the warmth of her breath and the touch of those small, warm hands.
Tamamo Cross's face turned bright red. She hurriedly swatted Starlight's hands away, scrambled back a few steps, and pointed at her.
"Fine! I accept! Hmph, just you wait to be blown away, Divine Starlight!!!!"
Starlight found it a bit funny watching her run off in a flustered state to start her warm-up.
"Alright, now that I have an opponent, Trainer, let's start our preparations too."
"Right, okay."
Snapping back to reality, Kiryuu Inami quickly pulled out the data sheets to begin analyzing a tactical plan.
The news of the match between Tamamo Cross and Divine Starlight spread through the ears of every Uma Musume still on the training field in just a matter of moments.
Quite a few of them stopped their own training, deciding to head over and see what the excitement was about.
"Why?!"
Over on the other side, Yaeno Muteki clenched her fists and couldn't help but shout out with a frown.
"Starlight-san, why did you accept her challenge but not mine?"
"Oh, don't get so worked up. You already ran with her this morning," Mejiro Ardan said beside her, waving her hand to calm her down.
"Hmm? Is there a race to watch? Looks like I arrived just in time."
As these muffled, indistinct words were spoken, the two turned their heads to look toward the source.
Oguri Cap approached with a protruding belly and puffed-out cheeks, carrying over a dozen boxes of fried rice in her arms.
"Uh... which meal exactly is this for you?" Yaeno Muteki twitched her lips and couldn't help but criticize.
"It's just an afternoon snack. Since I still have to eat dinner later, a little something to pad the stomach will do."
"Ahaha, so you do know there's still dinner coming?" Mejiro Ardan added, a cold sweat running down her forehead.
The three of them headed together toward the designated field for the match. Arriving at the very front of the spectator stands, Super Creek waved them over with a beaming smile.
"Over here, over here! The view is quite good from this spot."
Directly opposite the four of them stood Tojo Hana and the members of Team Rigil.
Symboli Rudolf stood with her hands on her hips, looking down at Starlight and Tamamo Cross as they warmed up, along with several other Uma Musume who were acting as pacers.
"I didn't expect her to challenge Starlight..."
"It's quite interesting, isn't it? Just what we needed to cure the boredom of today's endurance training," Maruzensky, standing nearby with her maroon hair, said with a laugh.
On another side, Silence Suzuka and Grass Wonder, who had just paused their training and walked up, both looked down at the track in unison.
"Go for it, Starlight-senpai~!!"
Near the entrance, Haru Urara came jogging over, followed by a lazy-looking Seiun Sky and Nishino Flower walking beside them.
Standing up and taking a few light hops, Starlight felt light and in good form. She looked around. A large crowd of Uma Musume had gathered to watch the show.
Then, she turned her gaze toward the hyperactive white-haired Uma Musume beside her and let out a helpless sigh.
'Another friendship match, and another challenge against a "boss" tier opponent. There's no way I can win this, but I'll give it my all.'
'As long as there's an Option Reward involved, it's definitely not a loss.'
At the starting line, Starlight, Tamamo Cross, and a few other Uma Musume to set the pace were ready.
Meanwhile, outside the field, a distracted Mejiro McQueen was walking by. Noticing the commotion at the training ground, she curiously followed the crowd to take a peek.
"Why is it her again? I'm leaving... actually, wait, maybe I'll stay and watch."
"It's not like I'm watching for her sake. It's only because the White Lightning is here that I've decided to observe a bit."
After seeing it was Divine Starlight, McQueen had initially turned to leave, but her curiosity got the better of her.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, an unnamed Uma Musume acting as referee raised her whistle. A gentle breeze blew through, and the whistle's blast tore through the quiet atmosphere.
Bang!
Just as all the Uma Musume were preparing to push off, a silver figure shot out ahead of everyone, instantly opening up a lead of nearly three lengths.
"!"
Tamamo Cross's pupils shrank violently as she stared at Starlight's back from the side.
'What the— ?!'
It wasn't just her, the other Uma Musume watching the race were stunned by the scene.
"What's happening? Why was Tamamo slow off the blocks?"
"No, she wasn't slow. It's that Starlight was too fast," Yaeno Muteki countered, answering a confused Oguri Cap.
"Was your start suppressed like that too?" Mejiro Ardan asked, recalling Yaeno Muteki's earlier comments.
"Yes, but not this dramatically. This morning, she only led by one length."
Her gaze, sharp as a sword, remained locked onto Starlight's figure. Yaeno Muteki's fingers trembled unconsciously.
'Divine Starlight, to think you were holding back like this... just you wait.'
Back on the track.
Though startled by the start, Tamamo Cross was a veteran of the battlefield. Once she regained her senses, she charged forward immediately.
Da-da-da! Da-da-da!
The crisp sound of footsteps began to echo, vibrating throughout the entire training field. Watching that figure pull further and further away, Tamamo Cross gritted her teeth, arcs of electricity flashing in her eyes.
"Is she planning a Great Escape?"
A blue aura surged around Tamamo's body. The turf seemed to shatter like glass beneath her feet as she accelerated.
Tamamo Cross went all-out, intending to clash with her opponent head-on.
There had originally been several Umas to set the pace in the race, but after this initial burst, only two gray-haired figures remained at the front of the field.