That same evening, inside the cafeteria.
The Horse Girl who were eating dinner suddenly let out exclamations, their gazes all directed towards the television set built into the room.
On the TV screen, the figure of Rudolph Symboli was shown in a press conference.
"Rudolph Symboli, is what you just said true?"
The voices of reporters kept ringing out, filled with disbelief.
"It's true. By the name of Emperor Rudolph Symboli, I announce my participation in this month's Japan Cup."
Rudolph Symboli's expression was resolute; she nodded slightly, uttering the most impactful words of the day.
The Emperor, who had achieved the Triple Crown with an undefeated record just yesterday, announced her participation in the Japan Cup.
It was unexpected and sudden, yet understandable and not difficult to comprehend.
For a time, people's reactions varied: some cheered excitedly, some pondered with lowered brows, and some showed worry.
The excitement and cheers were because another major contender had joined the local contingent for the Japan Cup.
The possibility of defeating the overseas Horse Girl and defending local honor was undoubtedly increased by a few points.
The lowered brows and deep thought were because, with this, Chitose Meiji and Rudolph Symboli, two Triple Crown Horse Girls, would also face off on the track.
Who among them would ultimately be stronger or weaker?
The worry, on the other hand, was due to concerns that Rudolph Symboli's race schedule was too tight.
With insufficient rest, would she be able to perform at her full potential?
Would there be any unexpected physical problems?
In any case, Rudolph Symboli's participation immediately pushed this year's Japan Cup to the peak of discussion.
"As expected, it's come to this. Chitose Meiji and Rudolph Symboli, two Triple Crown Horse Girls..."
At a table somewhere in the cafeteria, Katsuragi Ace stared at the TV screen, her expression somewhat serious, her thoughts swirling.
On the street outside, Chitose Meiji looked up slightly at the large screen hanging on a tall building, a smile appearing on her lips:
"Rudolf, I knew you'd race. Let's have a good run together."
Amidst everyone's anticipation, time slowly advanced, and the Japan Cup drew closer.
However, before that, there was still a race this week worth paying attention to.
Han Hime, the Horse Girl who had dominated the new generation with eight consecutive wins since her debut and six consecutive graded race victories, was having her first G2 race.
The Daily Hai Nisai Stakes would take place on Saturday morning at the Kyoto Racecourse.
Unlike usual, this time Polaris Glacier departed on Saturday evening.
After dinner, accompanied by the Head Maid, Kumi Trainer, and bodyguard Horse Girl like Kita no Shori Homare, she boarded the Old Butler's newly replaced extended Rolls-Royce Phantom and headed towards Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
The hotel had been booked in advance, and upon arrival, they checked in directly.
There were no twists or surprises; she fell asleep in the night, awaiting the arrival of the next day.
The next day, one hour before the race began.
The Kyoto Racecourse was already filled with a large audience, and discussions occasionally arose among the crowd:
"Han Hime will most likely win this time too. I have to say, her leading is truly powerful."
"Exactly. Other Horse Girl in the same race either run out of stamina halfway through the race or are overtaken by a burst of speed in the final straight."
"In the current new generation, she can truly be called the strongest in Japan."
"The strongest in Japan... if Han Hime could participate in this year's Japan Cup, wouldn't the chances of a local victory be even greater?"
"Hey, hey, you can't just say things like that. Having a Junior Horse Girl participate in the Japan Cup is too reckless."
"Neither the long-standing rules nor the URA would allow it; it's already a pipe dream."
"That's true, I also feel it's a bit of a pipe dream."
After a slight pause, another voice joined in:
"I can understand your thoughts, after all, since the Japan Cup began, no local Horse Girl has ever won."
"It's a local honor, yet it has been taken by overseas Horse Girl several times. It's truly embarrassing."
"In such circumstances, one can't help but imagine a scene where powerful local Horse Girl gather together and jointly achieve victory."
Regardless of the audience's discussions, inside the waiting room at this moment.
"Young Miss, how do you feel today?"
Kumi Trainer asked softly while fastening the bib onto Polaris Glacier.
"Same as usual, very ordinary."
Polaris Glacier replied calmly. Her motivation wasn't at its peak, but it wasn't bad either.
As early as the Hakodate Stakes before, she had determined that no one among the current local Junior Horse Girl could surpass her.
Even Mihono Bourbon, who was in the same race as her this time, was no exception; at most, the distance between them wouldn't be as great as before.
As for whether she could experience the feeling of being closely pursued, Polaris Glacier no longer held much hope.
Before long, after bidding farewell to the Head Maid and Kumi Trainer, she pushed open the door and walked along the athlete's passage towards the racecourse.
During this time, she encountered Mihono Bourbon, who was just coming out of her waiting room.
The two exchanged glances, neither speaking, merely nodding in greeting, then walking side-by-side.
The commentary and live broadcast for this race were handled by a man and a woman, with the Announcer (Female) now giving the opening remarks:
"The Kyoto Racecourse also has beautiful weather today. Under the gaze of numerous spectators, the Horse Girl participating in this race are officially entering."
"The most eye-catching one is undoubtedly this Horse Girl, Han Hime Polaris Glacier, who is currently on an eight-race winning streak."
The commentator also chimed in at the opportune moment:
"Having already earned the title of the strongest in the new generation, she is also racing today as the one to be challenged by other Horse Girl."
It was unclear when this consensus was reached, but aside from watching Han Hime crush other Horse Girl to victory, the audience watching the race also wanted to see if any Horse Girl could perform differently, even if it was just to withstand the pressure and not lose speed during the race.
On the turf, Polaris Glacier turned to look at the stands, raised her hand slightly and waved, and the audience immediately gave her enthusiastic cheers and support.
"Polaris..."
Beside her, Mihono Bourbon watched silently, fighting spirit gradually emerging in her eyes, and a dark, frosty aura unconsciously appeared around her.
"Hmm? This is..."
Feeling the extremely strong presence of a gaze directed at her, Polaris Glacier turned her head slightly to look, and a smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
【That's it. Work hard to become stronger, pursue with all your might, and thus please me.】
As race time approached, accompanied by the sound of the starting signal, the participating Horse Girl walked towards the starting gate.
Polaris Glacier drew gate number three, and Mihono Bourbon drew gate number four.
"All Horse Girl have entered the gates."
Kyoto Racecourse, turf, 1600 meters, clockwise, track conditions good.
The weather was clear, with six participating Horse Girl, among whom Polaris Glacier was overwhelmingly the most popular.
A G2-level race with only six Horse Girl participating was relatively rare.
This was mainly because most Horse Girl of the same generation gradually became unwilling to race against Han Hime.
After all, knowing clearly that they would lose, it was better to avoid her and participate in other races.
Returning to the race course, the 1600-meter Kyoto track included an initial long uphill straight, a large curve formed by turn three and turn four, and then the final straight.
She had run quite a few mile races and was already very experienced.
"Daily Hai Nisai Stakes..."
The Announcer (Female)'s voice continued, and the Horse Girl inside the starting gate all took their pre-race stances.
"Now..."
"Clang!"
The gates opened, and Polaris Glare's chilling aura erupted. A familiar blue-haired figure was the first to charge out, followed closely by a brown-haired figure, and then the remaining four Horse Girl.
"The race has begun! All Horse Girl are starting in a straight line, heading along the long slope of the Kyoto Racecourse towards the third turn."
Polaris Glacier still chose to go full speed from the start, holding nothing back, skillfully releasing Polaris Glare's chilling aura around her, which swept backward with the wind.
A little further back in the leading position, Mihono Bourbon, feeling a wind resistance colder than any previous co-run, couldn't help but be slightly stunned, her thoughts stirring:
"This is... colder than any time we've run together before. Polaris has indeed become stronger."
Although she didn't know this was due to entering a special time period, she didn't feel flustered.
After months of training, her stamina attribute had greatly improved.
If it was now, if it was only a 1600-meter race...
Her attention gradually focused, and the aura around her began to fluctuate, actually blocking Polaris Glare's chilling aura completely outside her body.
"Polaris Glacier, is she really choosing a strategy to create distance?"
"Following not far behind is... Eh? There's actually a Horse Girl following not far behind?!"
"It's Mihono Bourbon! Mihono Bourbon is following closely behind Polaris Glacier! Can she sustain her stamina?!"
It wasn't just the Announcer (Female) who was surprised; the audience was too.
Perhaps because it was truly so rare, everyone's gaze involuntarily converged on Mihono Bourbon, wanting to see more of this Horse Girl's performance.
Polaris Glacier was also a bit surprised when she heard this.
She could feel the stamina of the four Horse Girl behind her being devoured by Polaris Glare's chilling aura, which then partially fed back to her, but Mihono Bourbon's share was missing.
Based on experience, it was likely that the opponent had released her aura to block it.
But that was only under ordinary circumstances. One should know that it was November now, and her Polaris Glare's chilling aura had been strengthened; it should have been able to penetrate the aura of other Horse Girl.
【What exactly is going on?】
She was very confused and curious, but she had no intention of looking back. She simply kept looking forward, maintaining her lead according to her own rhythm.
It was as if it were a race between just the two of them, as the four Horse Girl behind, due to various concerns, did not dare to chase too closely.
"Entering the corner of the third turn, Polaris Glacier is still in the lead. Is she preparing to accelerate?"
"Mihono Bourbon is in second place, still able to maintain her speed, and her stamina seems to be ample."
"The group of Horse Girl behind is controlling the distance, cautiously chasing."