It was noon, at a buffet restaurant.
"That was truly amazing, Katsuragi Ace, your final sprint."
At a table further inside, Chitose Meiji paused her chopsticks and smiled as she recalled the moment aloud.
Rudolph Symboli, Maruzensky, Chitose Meiji, Katsuragi Ace, and Polaris Glacier—the five Horse Girl intended to have their planned meal together after the race.
Following a suggestion from Polaris Glacier, they specifically found a highly-rated buffet restaurant.
Since Katsuragi Ace had won and the prize money had been disbursed, she naturally became the host.
"CB, you were incredibly strong too. Even after nearly a year away from the track, your finishing speed was still as formidable as ever. We definitely have to race properly again next time."
Katsuragi Ace laughed heartily, raised the juice in her hand, and gestured towards Chitose Meiji.
Chitose Meiji immediately understood, likewise raising her own glass, and the two lightly clinked their cups.
"Next time, huh..."
The latter's smile widened slightly, and her eyes gleamed with fighting spirit as she said,
"I'll be participating in the Autumn Tenno Sho at the end of the month. Are you coming?"
"Autumn Tenno Sho? The Autumn Tenno Sho, which has been shortened to 2000 meters?"
Upon hearing this, Katsuragi Ace pondered for a moment.
If it were the original 3200-meter Autumn Tenno Sho, her distance adaptability would certainly not allow her to run it at all, but if it was the current Autumn Tenno Sho, now shortened to 2000 meters, then that was another matter entirely.
In fact, the 2000 meters, which falls within the middle-distance range, was perfectly within her optimal distance adaptability. Using the Autumn Tenno Sho as a continuation of her battle with the other party was clearly very suitable.
Thinking of this, she raised her head and accepted the challenge, saying,
"Of course I'm coming. My race with CB shouldn't end here."
Thus, the two of them set their Autumn Tenno Sho battle. It was foreseeable that the end of this month would certainly not be peaceful.
"CB and Katsuragi Ace are really full of drive, it makes me, big sister, want to run a race too."
Maruzensky's face showed a beautiful expression as she mused, causing the four surrounding Horse Girl to uniformly turn their heads.
"That's a good idea, Maruzensky. Why don't you just make a comeback and shock everyone?"
She had withdrawn from the Twinkle Series so many years ago; suddenly returning to compete would surely shock anyone who heard or saw it.
"Not a comeback, but that one race in winter, just that one."
Maruzensky said somewhat mysteriously, but the three Horse Girl, excluding Polaris Glacier, quickly understood what she meant.
"Oh, oh, that's also very good, it's just that the timing is a bit uncertain."
"That's true, after all, that winter race hasn't been held for a long time."
"It's probably because there aren't enough people. The Horse Girl who withdrew from the Twinkle Series have all gone on with their lives. They're quite satisfied just watching races occasionally and keeping up with the new generation."
"And if they really want to run, they usually just participate in a mock race or something."
"Um... what are you talking about?"
Feeling a bit confused and vaguely sensing that she was being excluded from the conversation, Polaris Glacier slightly raised her hand and weakly asked, "What's that winter race? What exactly are you referring to?"
Upon hearing this, the Horse Girl, led by Rudolph Symboli, exchanged glances and all chuckled softly.
"This is still too early for Polaris, but since you're curious, big sister will tell you."
Maruzensky, who was sitting right next to Polaris Glacier, said, putting down her chopsticks and somewhat mischievously reaching out to grasp the latter's free left hand, feeling its coolness as she spoke:
"The Winter Dream Cup, a special race that only Horse Girl who have withdrawn from the Twinkle Series and possess a certain level of skill can participate in."
"The timing of its holding is uncertain; it only begins when a certain number of eligible Horse Girl express their willingness."
"And on that day, the Three Goddesses will descend their divine power, temporarily restoring all participating Horse Girl' bodies to their peak condition."
After a slight pause, Maruzensky added with a hint of playfulness:
"It's said that even elderly grandmothers can return to their optimal youthful state there!"
"It's truly a dream-like race, in every sense of the word."
After listening, Polaris Glacier understood, and at the same time, felt it was somewhat surreal.
Bodies temporarily restored to peak condition, even elderly grandmothers turning back into their youthful selves?
Although she knew that goddesses existed in this world, she had never imagined that they could also descend divine power.
No wonder there were statues of them in the front yard of Central Tracen Academy and in her own manor's front yard. It turned out they really were watching this world.
But... could one only participate after withdrawing from the Twinkle Series?
And there were also certain requirements regarding one's past skill, or rather, race results.
With these two conditions, it was no wonder it hadn't been held for many years.
"Is Maruzensky planning to participate in the Dream Cup?"
Quickly withdrawing her left hand from under the table, which had become somewhat warm from being held, Polaris Glacier asked casually.
"It's not about participating; Maruzensky is already a regular at the Dream Cup. Basically, whenever it starts, she's bound to be there."
Rudolph Symboli subtly noticed the small movement under the table, glanced at Maruzensky, then closed her eyes and shook her head slightly.
"However, this year, it's probably still a bit difficult."
Chitose Meiji was pensive, lost in thought.
"Alright, alright, if we keep talking, the food will get cold!"
Katsuragi Ace interrupted appropriately, pointing her chopsticks at the dishes on the table that had barely been touched since they started.
The Horse Girl also came back to their senses and continued to enjoy their meal with smiles on their faces.
It had to be said that races held locally in Fuchu were great; not only was the distance short, but after finishing the race, there was no need to stay overnight in a hotel as usual.
After the meal, everyone parted ways in three groups.
Rudolph Symboli and Maruzensky returned to the academy. The former would most likely continue handling student council documents, though she might also go to the training grounds, as the Kikuka-shō (菊花赏) was not far off.
Chitose Meiji and Katsuragi Ace seemed to have gone somewhere to play together, but they should return to the racecourse in the evening for the winner's stage performance.
Polaris Glacier, on the other hand, called the Old Butler and had him drive over to pick her up and take her back to the manor.
"Young Miss, could you come over for a moment?"
At four in the afternoon, the Polaris Glacier, who had been jogging for a while on her manor's training grounds, had her attention drawn by a sudden call from the side of the track.
She turned her head and saw it was the Head Maid, who seemed to have something to say.
After a brief thought, she decisively accelerated and ran over.
"Is there something, Head Maid?"
The two met, and Polaris Glacier was the first to ask with curiosity.
"It's like this, Madam has been sponsoring Horse Girl, Young Miss should know about that, right?"
The Head Maid tentatively brought this up first, preparing to start the conversation from there.
"I know."
Polaris Glacier nodded. Through her meeting with Yukishiro at the time, and Kita no Shori Homare's narration, she already knew what her mother was doing.
"It seems she's found another promising talent. Madam called and said she'd like me to take you, Young Miss, to meet the child."
A promising talent? Is it a gifted Horse Girl?
"Okay, let's go meet her then."
Anyway, she had no other plans right now. Kumi Trainer had also gone to the academy to attend a lecture. Instead of jogging alone here, she might as well go see this so-called promising talent.
And so, Polaris Glacier and the Head Maid, together, once again got into the Old Butler's car and set off from the manor.
After about half an hour, the car finally stopped in a parking space outside a large private training center.
"Polar region?"
Polaris Glacier looked up at the sign above. The two words translated together meant "Polaris."
She felt a subtle sensation in her heart for a moment, then turned to look at the Head Maid, who smiled and looked back at her:
"Young Miss, let me lead the way now."
She said, taking the first step towards the entrance.
Polaris Glacier silently followed. This was her first time learning about her family's businesses, and she subconsciously adopted the demeanor befitting a Young Miss.
"Good afternoon, Young Miss and Head Maid."
Seeing the two enter, the receptionist bowed slightly. She had clearly received prior notice and knew they were coming, showing no surprise on her face.
"Good afternoon."
The Head Maid gently replied, while Polaris Glacier nodded slightly.
After several turns, they followed a corridor to the rear training ground area.
Training grounds usually have multiple inner and outer tracks, and this one was no exception.
Standing at the edge of the track and looking down, one could immediately see multiple Horse Girl training on the field.
Some had already begun full-scale training, while others had not yet, all wearing white athletic wear.
"Hmm... that child is in..."
The Head Maid took out her phone from her uniform pocket, scrolled through photos, and began comparing them with the Horse Girl on the field.
"Ah, found her, found her, she's over there."
Soon, a smile reappeared on her face, and she raised a hand, pointing in a certain direction:
"Young Miss, that child is over there, can you see her?"
Upon hearing this, Polaris Glacier looked in the direction she was pointing. Her excellent eyesight allowed her to clearly see a somewhat slender, grey-haired Horse Girl doing frog jumps.
Standing beside her was a woman with long green hair, holding something resembling a clipboard. She appeared to be a Trainer.
"Let's go take a look."
Polaris Glacier said, then stepped onto the track and walked over gracefully.
As the distance gradually closed, the other party seemed to notice them. The grey-haired Horse Girl stood up and asked curiously,
"Who are you? Is there something you need from us?"
"Before that, may I first ask your name?"
Polaris Glacier subtly observed the Horse Girl in front of her, her thoughts stirring slightly.
"My name?"
The grey-haired Horse Girl didn't think much of it, gesturing to herself with her right thumb, and said with a smile,
"I'm Yuzao Cross! Make sure you remember it well!"
