With the French Derby concluded, the British Epsom Derby was next.
After performing on the winner's stage in the morning, Polaris Glacier and the others boarded a plane to London in the afternoon.
They landed approximately two hours later.
In the airport hall.
"What, no hug for me?"
Polaris Glacier spread her arms, a smile on her face, her tone relaxed.
In front of her, Yuu Mai, who had come to pick them up, chuckled at the sight:
"No, I was just a little stunned to see Polaris again."
She said, slowly opening her arms as well, and leaned in to embrace the Polaris Glacier in front of her.
"What do you mean 'see again'? We just had a video call, didn't we?"
Polaris Glacier had one arm around the other's back, the other around her waist, her chin resting on her shoulder.
After fully savoring the warmth of the person in her arms, her voice unconsciously softened a lot.
"That was just a video call, it can't compare to a real meeting."
Yuu Mai stroked the soft blue long hair, feeling the continuous coolness emanating from her embrace, and her restless mood, which had been agitated by multiple simulation races, calmed down considerably.
A moment later, the two separated tacitly, now holding hands.
The Head Maid, who had been silently smiling since earlier, spoke up at the appropriate moment:
"Young Miss, Miss Antona, shall we head to the manor?"
"Okay, the driver is already waiting outside, we can go straight there."
With that, everyone set off.
Watching the two Horse Girl walking ahead, holding hands, Kumi Trainer thought for a moment, then leaned closer to the Head Maid and whispered:
"Head Maid, does Madam know about Young Miss and Miss Antona's relationship?"
Hearing this, the Head Maid paused slightly, then gave her a peculiar look:
"Kumi Trainer, do you think anyone else could approach the Young Miss without Madam's permission?"
"Uh... this..."
At that, Kumi Trainer also realized.
Indeed, given Madam's doting on the Young Miss, it would be impossible for her to casually allow others to approach her.
"But... is this okay?"
"Hmm? Kumi Trainer, what do you mean?"
Looking at the two girls ahead, Kumi Trainer lowered her voice again:
"Of course, I mean the fact that they are both Horse Girl. In various aspects, can it really work?"
"Hee hee, that's not something we need to worry about."
The Head Maid's gaze clearly looked at the Young Miss's left ear accessory and Miss Antona's right ear accessory:
"Our focus now should be on their racing careers, providing our full support."
She paused briefly.
"As for more personal matters, let's save them for when we pray and make wishes at the shrine during the New Year."
After getting into the driver's car, they soon arrived at the manor in London.
It was past five in the afternoon, and the rooms had already been tidied by the maids.
Polaris Glacier first went to the bathroom to wash up, and only came back down after changing her clothes.
She came to the main hall and found Yuu Mai leaning on the sofa watching TV, with race replays displayed on the screen.
She wasn't watching intently as if doing research, but rather in a very normal, relaxed manner.
"Want to watch together? It's the replay of last year's Epsom Derby."
Seeing her, Yuu Mai smiled and extended an invitation.
"Mhm, sure, just to pass the time."
Polaris Glacier responded, walked over to her, and sat down.
She turned her head, thought for a moment, and then suddenly leaned her body, resting her head on the other's lap.
"?!"
Yuu Mai saw this, her mouth slightly agape, looking as if she wanted to speak but couldn't.
She tentatively reached out and lightly poked Polaris Glacier's cheek, and upon finding no reaction from her, she changed to stroking.
Then slowly moved upwards to her ear...
"It tickles a little."
The next moment, the Polaris Glacier responded—her ear twitched unconsciously.
Her voice showed no displeasure, merely expressing a simple thought.
"Mhm."
Yuu Mai lightly responded, then moved her hand back to the cool cheek.
The commentary of the race in the replay continued, but neither of them seemed to be paying attention.