Even now, the fury of being surpassed still lingered in her heart.
Polaris Glacier hadn't lost her mind; her clear thoughts quickly helped her devise a way to vent her anger: she would get back at Maruzensky.
How exactly would she do it?
Recalling Maruzensky's action of rubbing her face after their first joint run, Polaris Glacier immediately knew what to do.
She could rub her back! Not only would she rub, but she would rub hard! And preferably, she'd pinch a few times too!
Thus, the current scene unfolded.
Maruzensky held Polaris Glacier's hands, trying to pull them away, but the force Polaris Glacier was using on her face was simply too great. If she pulled them off forcefully, her cheeks would probably be stretched, and it hurt so much.
"Polaris, not yet? Big sister is sorry..."
"Not yet, I'm still angry. And Maruzensky, stay still and don't talk."
Polaris Glacier was serious, working hard to rub the face of the one who always acted like a big sister until it was red. Unconsciously, a smile gradually appeared in her eyes.
Who knows how long passed after that, but when Maruzensky and Rudolph Symboli left the training grounds and returned to the student council room, Maruzensky was covering her cheeks with both hands, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
Chimei Representative didn't follow them, choosing to stay at the training grounds for self-training.
Polaris Glacier, Sirius Symboli, and Mihono Bourbon also continued their respective training.
"Rudolf... why didn't you save me...? Was watching me suffer really that interesting?"
Maruzensky's eyes were resentful; she sniffed and suddenly spoke.
"Sorry, Maruzensky, I just thought that scene was too rare; I couldn't bear to interrupt it."
Rudolph Symboli's lips curved into a smile as she shook her head, indicating she didn't do it on purpose.
"By the way, why did you accelerate early in the simulated race? That's why Polaris Glacier got angry, right?"
"Well, I was just curious what Polaris would do if I ran ahead of her."
As Maruzensky spoke, the tail at her lower back flicked slightly.
"After all, that child always runs at the very front, and I've never seen her try other running styles, so I was very curious."
"Oh, you, you. It seems that Chimei and I were right not to help you out then."
Just for that reason, she made such a provocative move. For Polaris Glacier, the victim, merely rubbing her face was too lenient for Maruzensky.
Wait, maybe for Maruzensky, that was a very suitable punishment. Don't forget there were other Horse Girl watching on the sidelines.
She was a senior, yet she was being arbitrarily handled by a junior. What would other Horse Girl think when they saw this?
"Did you record what just happened?"
"I recorded it. The entire process of the race was also recorded, and I got permission from Polaris junior and Chitose Meiji, so I can post it on Jun Yu Circle."
"Yay! Everyone needs to see it!"
On the training grounds, the Horse Girl senior Polaris Glacier knew had just finalized a plan with several friends beside her.
Originally, she only wanted to record Polaris Glacier's racing posture, but she never expected such a surprise after the race.
If this video were posted on Jun Yu Circle, how much turmoil would it cause in the academy? How would Maruzensky's image change in the eyes of other Horse Girl?
It made the Horse Girl too curious, so she immediately went to Polaris Glacier and Chimei Representative to ask for permission, and she smoothly received it.
The most important step was already prepared. With a flick of her finger, the video was posted.
"Polaris junior, are you sure it's okay that you allowed this?"
On the grass, Polaris Glacier was jogging at a steady pace in circles when Chimei Representative suddenly appeared beside her and asked.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that, Chitose Meiji? Won't spreading the simulated race video negatively affect your reputation?"
Polaris Glacier tilted her head slightly, observing her expression.
Hearing this, Chimei Representative smiled indifferently and replied:
"Anyone with eyes can see how strong you are, Polaris junior. Maruzensky and I were both completely defeated by you."
She paused, then turned her head to glance at the Horse Girl around them who occasionally cast surreptitious glances.
"Rather than my reputation being affected, it's more like you, Polaris junior, are building your own prestige."
"Moreover, even if the video isn't spread, the Horse Girl who watched the entire process around us will spread it among themselves."
"So, don't worry about it, okay?"
Polaris Glacier pondered for a moment after hearing this, then nodded.
"Thank you, Chitose Meiji."
Should she say, as expected of the Triple Crown winner who was greeted by a large group of Horse Girl as soon as she returned to the academy?
Just from the comfort level of this conversation, Polaris Glacier felt that Chitose Meiji was much more charming than Rudolph Symboli.
Afterward, the two exchanged contact information and added each other on LINE; their relationship undoubtedly became even friendlier.
"Hey Mihono, did you notice anything in this simulated race?"
On the other side, Sirius Symboli and Mihono Bourbon were training together. The former seemed to have thought of something and suddenly asked.
"What?"
Mihono Bourbon tilted her head in confusion. What was there to notice?
"Distance! Our distance from Polaris shortened a bit this time! At least half a Horse Girl length!"
"Huh?"
"And her stamina management has improved. Although there's no definite time to confirm the final sprint, I feel she got faster."
This meant they were getting stronger, and their training was effective.
"Hmm... Now that you mention it, it does seem that way."
Mihono Bourbon nodded, deep in thought.
Running with Polaris Glacier had made her own mindset much more resilient. Even if she were to have her debut race now, she was sure she could handle it calmly and properly.
"But it's still not enough, after all."
Sirius Symboli's tone suddenly changed, and an unwilling expression gradually appeared on her face.
"Polaris's figure has blocked our way so many times. At our current growth rate, when will we be able to surpass her?"
Mihono Bourbon froze upon hearing this, then lowered her head slightly, unconsciously clenching her fists.
"I don't know... but... I don't want to give up like this."
If she were to surpass the source of that cold aura coming from ahead, what kind of scenery would she see, and what kind of feelings would she experience?
She didn't know when she started to ponder and obsess over this question, delving deeper and deeper into it, unable to extricate herself.
"Heh... you're right, we can't give up like this, no matter how many times."
A light flashed in Sirius Symboli's eyes, her expression returned to normal, and she continued:
"Let's continue training. We still need to prepare for our debut race."
"Okay."
Perhaps because of the video, the influence of this simulated race spread very quickly.
When training ended, Polaris Glacier, Sirius Symboli, and Mihono Bourbon met up and headed to the cafeteria together. They noticed that Horse Girl around them would occasionally look their way.
To be precise, they were looking at Polaris Glacier, seemingly whispering something.
However, after generally sensing their gazes, she found there was no malice, so it shouldn't be a bad situation.
"Polaris, you've really become famous. There are more gazes directed at you than ever before."
Sirius Symboli glanced around and chuckled, teasing her.
"It's fine. How do you two feel? Do you need to go ahead first?"
Polaris Glacier maintained the essential smile for her young lady persona, as usual.
"No need. If we can't even handle this level of attention, then how can we stand on the race track?"
"Agreed. It's nothing."
Sirius Symboli and Mihono Bourbon both expressed that they didn't need to. The three of them moving together within the academy had basically become fixed; they wouldn't separate unless there was an accident.
"Alright then."
Receiving such a reply, Polaris Glacier nodded slightly and didn't pay it any more mind.
Arriving at the cafeteria, the three of them secured a table in a corner, then went to get their food.
After all these days, Polaris Glacier felt her sweet tooth had returned somewhat, so this time she picked out a lot of desserts, planning to satisfy her craving after her meal.
"Yo, you must be Polaris Glacier. Nice to meet you~"
Just as she was carrying her tray, preparing to return to their table, a greeting suddenly came from the side.
"Hmm? Excuse me, but who are you?"
She turned her head to see a Horse Girl with short black hair. Her posture exuded confidence, and her facial expression easily brought to mind straightforwardness and enthusiasm.
"Katsuragi Ace. If you're a junior high Horse Girl, then I should be considered your senior."
Katsuragi... Katsuragi Ace...? Katsuragi Ace?
A Horse Girl she hadn't heard of.
Polaris Glacier's young lady persona once again came into play. She smiled, nodded, and said:
"Nice to meet you, Katsuragi Ace. May I ask if there's something you need?"
"Ah, actually, you can just call me Katsuragi Ace. I don't mind."
Katsuragi Ace waved her hand, then continued:
"I heard you beat Chimei. I think that's amazing, and I happened to run into you in the cafeteria, so I thought I'd come over and say hello."
Polaris Glacier understood what was going on upon hearing this.
"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, Katsuragi Ace. You can just call me Polaris."
"Mm-hmm, then Polaris, I'm going to get my food now. See you later."
With that, she waved her hand and walked in another direction.
She really just came over to say hello...
Polaris Glacier inwardly marveled at the straightforwardness of the other's personality, and without further delay, she proceeded to her table as originally planned.
Sirius Symboli and Mihono Bourbon were already seated in their chairs, but perhaps because they were waiting for her, neither of them had started eating yet.
"You're a bit slow, Polaris."
"Sorry, I met a senior along the way and chatted for a couple of minutes."