"Hey! Divine Starlight, are you avoiding me on purpose?"
"Huh?! No, why would you think that?"
Caught off guard by the other girl's dead-serious gaze, Starlight was actually a bit startled.
"Then why didn't you add me back, and why are you only returning now?"
"I went to see Ramonu-san for tutoring. My phone was turned off— sorry~"
Starlight pressed her palms together and gave a sheepish, squint-eyed smile.
"This afternoon, I was supposed to be at the sweets shop. But because I was waiting for you... my order of fresh-out-of-the-oven, molten-center cheese yogurt cake is now past its prime tasting window!"
Hearing this, Starlight scratched her cheek, looking bewildered.
"You actually could have gone and eaten first. We can always find another time to talk if something comes up."
"That... I don't care! Ahem! Anyway, for this summer training camp, I've been assigned to the same group as you. Trainer Inami said I should go with you tomorrow to pick out swimsuits and supplies."
"Okay, I got it."
"That's all. I'm leaving."
Flicking a strand of hair by her ear, Mejiro McQueen walked toward the other end of the hallway with elegant strides.
"Oh, right! Divine Starlight."
Just as Starlight was about to open her door and enter her room, Mejiro McQueen turned her head back and spoke.
"Hmm? What is it— "
"Add me as a friend."
Having said her piece, McQueen left without looking back.
"What's with her? Whatever, I'm too tired today, I'm just going to sleep."
Not giving it much thought, Starlight returned to her room, finished washing up, and fell fast asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.
The next morning, at 10:00 AM.
Starlight, who was still deeply immersed in her dreams, was awakened by a violent pounding on her door.
The lump under the blankets struggled for a few moments before finally, and very reluctantly, spitting out a small gray-haired figure.
With messy hair and thick bangs, she looked exactly like Starlight did in the beginning. She walked slowly to the door and pulled it open.
"So you finally decided to open the door? Divine... Eh, who are you?!"
McQueen's complaints were cut short halfway as she was completely stunned by the person in front of her.
"Eh~? Didn't we just see each other yesterday? How could you forget me so quickly..."
The moment that lazy tone came out, Mejiro McQueen finally realized who it was.
"You're Divine Starlight? Why do you look like a beggar? I didn't even recognize you."
"I was sleeping. Being forced out of bed by a certain someone... how good can I look?"
"You were still sleeping?! Do you know what time it is? It's 10:30! 10:30 AM! Usually, other Uma Musume are up early, yet you're actually still in bed."
"I really misjudged you, I thought you had changed, but it seems you're still the same as ever."
"Oh~ want to come in and sit for a bit? I might need some time to get ready," Starlight said with a smile, ignoring the critique.
"I am not going in there— "
Bang!
The wind from the door closing in her face blew back Mejiro McQueen's hair.
"Hey!"
Scene transition: Inside Starlight's dorm room.
Mejiro McQueen sat on the edge of the bed, quietly stroking a small calico cat curled up on her lap.
She looked around at her surroundings.
It was simple and cozy, but most importantly, it was filled with a sense of natural vitality. It made her unconsciously want to feel close to it.
Through the half-open window, birds would occasionally fly in. A puppy by the door lay to one side, gnawing on a small bone.
"The environment here is actually quite nice. It's a bit different from what I imagined."
After looking around, there was a hint of surprise in Mejiro McQueen's eyes.
"So, in your impression... what was my room supposed to look like?"
"Based on my impression, I expected this place to be dark and have a disgusting smell..."
Turning to look at the speaker, the gentle smile on the other girl's face paired with a high-energy hairstyle caused McQueen's eyes to freeze for a moment.
"I see. My, next time, McQueen-san, please remember to look at the whole person."
"Let's go, to the mall..."
Having changed into a simple white shirt and a black checkered skirt, Starlight waved her hand.
"Um, mmm... alright, Mejiro-san."
Standing up, Mejiro McQueen set the cat aside and followed Starlight out of the dormitory.
"I say, do you have some kind of grievance against me?"
"Whatever do you mean by that?"
"You call Palmer by her name, and you call Ardan by her name, and yet you only address me by my family name!"
In the deserted hallway, Mejiro McQueen's questioning rang out softly. Starlight stopped in her tracks, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
"Because Mejiro-san doesn't like me. Given what happened before, if the two of us get too close, it will probably spark some unpleasant rumors and gossip."
"I imagine that would be quite troubling for you. I don't want to make things difficult for you by having classmates discuss someone you dislike every day."
Her words echoed in Mejiro McQueen's heart like a tolling bell. She looked at the silver-haired Uma Musume's expression, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Besides, I won't pester you anymore. I've said that before, so please rest assured."
With that, Starlight ignored the other girl's stunned silence and walked ahead.
"Alright, let's hurry up~ After we finish shopping, I still have to go play with my friends."
"No!"
Just as she turned around, Starlight was startled by the force of Mejiro McQueen's voice. She turned back to her, confused.
"Wh-what is it? Why 'no'?"
"Ahaha, it's nothing, I was joking."
McQueen waved her hands dismissively with a sheepish laugh, then quickened her pace so much she almost vanished in a flash.
'Strange, what was wrong with me just now? Why did I say something like that...'
With her heart still pounding with excitement, Mejiro McQueen felt a bit flustered. Behind her, Starlight was utterly bewildered.
'I know I said we should keep our distance, but girl, you don't have to walk that fast...'
In the city center, on a bustling commercial street.
Starlight followed behind Mejiro McQueen. Looking at her, she finally spoke up.
"Um, Mejiro-san, maybe we should find a place to rest for a bit? You don't look like you're in a very good state."
"No need, I... I'm fine."
Mejiro McQueen stole a glance at Starlight, then quickly averted her eyes as she spoke.
"Oh, alright then."
They stepped into a fairly popular swimwear shop. Looking at the dazzling array of swimsuits on the racks, Starlight found herself in a bit of a dilemma.
"Excuse me, miss?"
"Over here, over— ... You, are you Divine Starlight?!"
"Eh, yes, that's me."
"Wow~! You're really as beautiful as you are on the TV news. Can I take a photo with you?"
"No problem. If it's a cute shop assistant, I won't refuse."
With a slight blush, the shop girl hurriedly pulled out her phone to take a picture with Starlight.
Nearby, while weighing two different swimsuits in her hands, Mejiro McQueen kept glancing over at Starlight's side.
She felt a strange sense of irritation in her heart.
Seeing that more and more people were wanting a photo, Starlight had to press her hands together and say somewhat apologetically:
"Everyone! I'm very happy that you like me. But could we perhaps postpone the photos for today? There are other customers who want to shop normally. We shouldn't affect them."
"So, for the next race, if you're all there, feel free to find me for a photo anytime."
Hearing this, the crowd felt a bit disappointed, but since what Starlight said made sense, so they all rationally chose to leave.
At most, they just snapped a few quick pictures of her with their phones before heading out.
Seeing things finally settle down, Starlight breathed a sigh of relief.
But it made sense— after all, Gold City's popularity was sky-high, and the fans who went to see her races were countless.
Since Starlight had been quite eye-catching in that race, it was only natural that people paying attention to her would increase.
'Thanks to Gold City for the boost, thank you...'
"Hey, are you going to buy something or not?"
Behind her, Mejiro McQueen was standing with her hands on her hips, holding a shopping bag.
"Ah, of course! Sorry for wasting your time, Mejiro-san. Miss shop assistant! Could you give me some recommendations?"
"You got it, Starlight-chan~!"