In the little over two days leading up to the race, Polaris Glacier and Yuu Mai were practically inseparable.
They trained together, ate together, and went out together…
Then, on the night before the race, they finally reached the point of sharing a bed.
At 10:30 PM, in the newly tidied large room.
The lights were off, and the air conditioning was on.
On the soft bed, the two Horse Girl, covered by blankets, were whispering:
“Speaking of which, after the Epsom Derby, do you have any other races scheduled, Polaris?”
Yuu Mai asked curiously, her eyes closed, and her long chestnut hair spread out.
“Not for now.”
Polaris Glacier also had her eyes closed, her voice very soft, and her thoughts still quite clear.
Among the previously set goals, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Kikuka-shō (Kikuka Sho) were both scheduled for November.
The Japan Cup was also in November, the Autumn Tenno Sho in October, and the Arima Kinen in December.
It was only early June now, and the race schedule for the intervening months was still unclear; Kumi Trainer hadn't mentioned it.
“However, if more races are added, I hope they are G1 level; lower ones are not necessary.”
On one hand, her standards had risen, and she no longer cared for G2 or G3 races.
On the other hand, she was used to running in her racing silks and didn't want to go back to basic training attire.
“Is that so…”
Yuu Mai fell into a brief thought, then spoke again:
“There are still summer G1 races here in the UK, like the Eclipse Stakes, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Yorkshire Oaks.”
“If there aren't suitable options in Japan, Polaris, why don't you try one of these races?”
Try one?
A smile slowly appeared on Polaris Glacier's lips; regardless of those three races, she was more concerned about another question now:
“Yuu Mai, are you saying all this just to make me stay here longer?”
Yuu Mai truly was thinking that; she just wanted the Polaris Glacier beside her to stay in the UK…
In a place she could reach, a place where they could communicate closely…
To stay longer.
She didn't deny or hide it, admitting frankly:
“Yes, I truly think so, from the bottom of my heart.”
Hearing this, Polaris Glacier's ears twitched, and the smile on her lips deepened a few shades:
“Alright then, I'll reluctantly stay here a bit longer.”
“And while I’m at it, I’ll win all three of the races you mentioned.”
Win all of them? That truly is…
Yuu Mai suddenly had a feeling of something unexpected yet reasonable.
Thinking about it, the one beside her was Polaris Glare.
A monster among monsters who had already fought consecutive battles and achieved overwhelming victories multiple times; how could she be measured by ordinary standards?
“Polaris, you are truly incredibly strong, so strong that most Horse Girl can only look up to you.”
“The geniuses you've left behind must have suffered a heavy blow.”
That was natural; she had crushed the pride of countless geniuses to this day.
The unwillingness and regret revealed by those Horse Girl in defeat had played out countless times in the shadows.
Sports competition, by its very nature, is a path where one's success is built upon the downfall of many.
While she basked in cheers and brought dreams and aspirations to people, she also caused the shattering of other Horse Girl' dreams.
Polaris Glacier was well aware of these things; her running would not stop because of them, but would only continue forward.
For herself, and for the lovely people who had always supported her.
“Yuu Mai, does that include you?”
Her voice continued to sound:
“How can you even say that? Who was it that forcefully dragged me along for over two months of parallel running at the beginning of the year?”
“Having to experience Polaris Glare's chilling aura and defeat every day, it's a testament to my strong will that I didn't fall into despair, alright?”
Yuu Mai's tone was somewhat helpless; she didn't want to recall those times at all, they were too draining.
Both mentally and psychologically.
“I apologize, I was indeed too persistent at that time.”
Polaris Glacier said, opening her eyes and turning her body to get closer to Yuu Mai:
“Even now, I still look forward to you catching up again, Yuu Mai…”
“Just like when we first met, with that powerful Absolute Speed, to have a truly meaningful showdown with me.”
At that time, she was truly enveloped by an unprecedented joy and excitement.
Her Horse Girl' blood boiled, and her desire to win was so high it was almost eroding her rationality.
“This expectation, whenever you appear in my sight, it always surges out uncontrollably.”
Her hand caressed Yuu Mai's cheek, feeling the warmth of her body temperature.
“I am truly honored to be given such expectations by you, Polaris…”
Yuu Mai also opened her eyes, stretched out a hand from under the blanket, and grasped the cool, soft hand that was caressing her cheek.
In the dim, unlit environment, the two looked at each other, as if seeing the special emotion in each other's eyes.
Crimson-gold aura, ice and platinum aura, things only Horse Girl could understand.
Polaris Glacier's eyes widened slightly, and Polaris Glare's chilling aura involuntarily emanated from around her:
“Yuu Mai, you are special in my heart.”
“Promise me, become stronger, and then one day in the future…”
“Have a truly meaningful showdown with me on the final straight of an official race, okay?”
If she had a wish, it would probably be this one she was thinking of now.
The next moment, she was suddenly embraced tightly by the person in front of her, whose voice was exceptionally solemn and firm:
“Ah, I promise you, Polaris.”
“I will bear this expectation of yours; I will definitely become stronger.”
“Whether it's the strongest in Europe, or the strongest in the world…”
“As long as I haven't truly stood side by side with you, I will continue to become stronger without cease!”
Their mutual promise was made, and Polaris Glacier smiled, closing her eyes again.
This is good, this is enough.
With this promise, she could also wait with peace of mind.
Her breathing gradually became even.
“Polaris?”
Realizing that the Horse Girl in her arms had fallen asleep, Yuu Mai gently loosened her arms.
She stared at her face for a while, then pulled up the blanket and also closed her eyes.
Tomorrow was race day, so she needed to sleep early to have enough energy.
For now, this would do.
Soon, two even breathing sounds mingled together.
The next day, at seven in the morning, Polaris Glacier gradually awoke from sleep according to her biological clock, slowly opening her eyes.
“Hmm?”
Looking around with a slight daze, she found that the person who had shared her bed last night was gone, seemingly having already gotten up early.
She pulled back the covers, stretched a little, got out of bed, and opened the curtains; sunlight instantly streamed into the room.
It was a good day, so the condition of the track's turf today would likely be excellent as well.
She went into the bathroom to wash up, changed into her casual clothes for going out, and all the things she might need for the race, including her racing silks, had already been packed beforehand.
Coming downstairs to the main hall, the Head Maid had already prepared breakfast.
Sitting down in a chair, she thought for a moment and asked:
“Head Maid, where is Yuu Mai?”
“Miss Antona woke up very early for her morning exercise; she should be finishing up now.”
Not long after she spoke, Yuu Mai, dressed in her training clothes, walked in from the direction of the training ground behind the house.
The two Horse Girl looked at each other and greeted each other with smiles:
“Good morning, Polaris.”
“Morning, Yuu Mai.”