Needless to say, during the appearance segment, she naturally looked towards the stands upon entering the arena.
The Head Maid, Kumi Trainer, a group of bodyguard Horse Girl, and even Yukishiro, who had arrived at the arena at some unknown time, were all watching her.
It's worth mentioning that Yukishiro was holding a specialized camera, clearly prepared to take photos for the post-race report.
Polaris Glacier nodded slightly; this race, like the others, was one she would not lose, nor could she lose.
Just as she was about to turn around and release Polaris Glare's chilling aura to test the other competing Horse Girl and weaken their will to win, a clear shout suddenly came from the side of the track:
"Han Hime sister~!"
Her steps halted, and she looked in the direction of the sound with some confusion, finding a family standing at the very front of the stands.
The one who shouted was a small Horse Girl being held up by her mother, just tall enough to peek over the stands with her upper body.
That short gray hair and somewhat familiar face belonged to Karen, or rather, Matikane.
"She actually came, but isn't she a bit too young?"
When she browsed the Jun Yu Circle photos, she didn't think much of it, but meeting her in person, she realized the other party was indeed very young, even younger than Teio and McQueen, probably only first or second grade of elementary school?
No, it's not impossible that she's still in kindergarten.
Polaris Glacier thought for a moment, then jogged over.
"Han Hime sister, Karen-chan came to the arena just as we agreed!" Matikane happily spoke first as Polaris Glacier approached, and her accompanying parents also nodded kindly.
"Yes, I'm very happy you could come."
Polaris Glacier maintained her usual young lady persona, first nodding to the parents in greeting, then smiling as she replied.
"Hey, hey, Han Hime sister, can Karen-chan take a photo with you after the race? Please~!"
Due to her height, Matikane could only peek over the stands with her upper body when held by her mother, so her movements were somewhat restricted.
Moreover, the race was about to start, so she couldn't take up too much time.
She thought for a moment and decided to leave an impression on the other party in the way she was most familiar with, so she made a request like a spoiled younger sister.
In Polaris Glacier's eyes, Matikane was indeed like a little sister.
Upon hearing this, the Polaris Glacier naturally agreed:
"Yes, we can meet outside the arena after the race."
"Yay! Thank you, Han Hime sister."
The brief exchange ended, and as the opening music began to play, all the Horse Girl walked towards the starting gates.
This time, due to the conversation with Matikane, Polaris Glacier didn't have time to release Polaris Glare's chilling aura to pressure the other Horse Girl, so everyone successfully entered the gates.
The commentators and Announcer (Female) for this race were a man and a woman. Having read all the participating Horse Girl' information beforehand, they were somewhat puzzled by the situation.
"Today, none of the Horse Girl had any difficulty entering the gates."
"Yes, compared to the previous two races involving Polaris Glacier, today seems much more normal."
Listening to their words, Polaris Glacier, inside the starting gate, blinked slightly, her expression unchanged.
A total of ten Horse Girl participated in this race, meaning nine others besides her. Unfortunately, she drew the outermost Gate 10.
For ordinary Horse Girl, getting close to the inner lane might require extra effort.
But for Polaris Glacier, the impact was minimal. After all, no one could get out of the gate faster than her, and competing for advantageous positions was a joke.
Taking a deep breath, Polaris Glare's chilling aura skillfully gathered around her.
Hakodate Racecourse, turf, 1200 meters, clockwise, track conditions good.
There was nothing much to say about the short-distance race; it wasn't her first time running it, and she already had experience.
At this moment, the audience in the stands was buzzing with discussions.
"Han Hime, it's said that Horse Girl running behind her will be affected by a chilling aura, and their stamina will deplete faster than usual."
"She seems to be very good at the leading strategy. It feels like very few Horse Girl can keep up with that high-speed lead, and she also has an amazing burst of Absolute Speed at the end. It's truly terrifying."
"This year's new stars are gradually starting to emerge. By the way, aren't Han Hime's races a bit frequent? It hasn't even been a few days since her last race."
"Who knows? After this race, she should probably rest for a month or two. She can't keep racing so frequently, can her body handle it?"
"Oh, it's starting. That gate start is the same as always."
On the track, with the crisp sound of the gates opening, Polaris Glacier burst out first, as usual.
She successfully took the lead position, and while moving closer to the inner lane, she accelerated to full speed, creating distance from the rear.
The other nine Horse Girl were all affected by the deep Polaris Glare's chilling aura, rushing out after a moment of hesitation, and upon exiting, they were met with layers of Polaris Glare's chilling aura assailing them from the front.
"Is it really like this?! Polaris Glacier made a beautiful gate start, while the other Horse Girl were all late!"
"It seems the previous two situations weren't coincidences. This can already be understood as a characteristic of Polaris Glacier."
The Announcer (Female) and commentator each took a turn, briefly explaining and analyzing the situation on the track:
"Currently, Polaris Glacier is in the lead, pulling away from the rear at a very fast pace. It seems she plans to use the same strategy as the previous two races."
"The Horse Girl in the trailing group are very close together, and their expressions seem a bit off as they all head towards the first turn."
Regardless of the situation of the Horse Girl behind, Polaris Glacier calmly maintained the highest speed she could achieve, feeling no pressure, just as expected before the race.
After the previous two races and so many days of training, her stamina had become even more abundant, and her strength had grown stronger.
Somewhat arrogant... No! Very confidently speaking, all Horse Girl currently at the same beginner level as her...
"You, are only fit to gaze at my back, and will never catch up to me!"
Soon, the Polaris Glacier completed the first, and only, full turn, entering the final straight first.
A large surge of liberation washed over her all at once, and her stamina recovered slightly.
Polaris Glacier slowly lowered her center of gravity, and whether it was a change in her mindset or some other factor, her speed increased to an unprecedented level.
Ice frost bloomed in her eyes, sweeping across the straight with wind and snow, heading towards the finish line.
As she sprinted, the stands erupted in a frenzy.
Everyone was shocked by her speed, cheering for her overwhelming strength, and hoping she would become a new star, shining even brighter.
"So fast... Han Hime sister is running so fast... She's left the Horse Girl behind so far, so amazing..."
Matikane gazed at the Polaris Glacier on the track, her eyes unable to hold anything else, her small mouth slightly agape, her mind subconsciously deepening the image she saw until it was etched into her memory.
"Polaris Glacier! An astonishing final sprint! Her powerful strength makes her completely out of reach for the other Horse Girl!"
"300 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters, now! Finish! Line!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh!"
The stands erupted in a thunderous cheer once again, and the Announcer (Female) involuntarily stood up:
"The Snow Princess has once again set a new record with her overwhelming strength! Even a conservative estimate puts her at a lead of 17 horse lengths over the rear!"
Unlike the excited crowd, Polaris Glacier crossed the finish line with a calm expression, then slowed her pace and stopped.
Listening to the Announcer (Female)'s words, she frowned slightly.
Was the race too short? The lead in horse lengths this time wasn't as much as the last, even though she felt she was even faster in her final sprint.
"Whew..."
She let out a light breath, not dwelling on it too much. She turned to face the stands, raised her hand, and waved with a smile.
Afterward, without looking at the Horse Girl who crossed the finish line one after another behind her, she walked without stopping towards the athlete's tunnel.
A warm current surged from the depths of her heart for the third time, spreading throughout her body, gathering in her legs, smooth and natural.
She still clenched her fist slightly, roughly feeling it, her expression remaining calm.
"Good work, young lady."
As soon as she entered the athlete's tunnel, she found the Head Maid and Kumi Trainer already waiting. The latter handed her a thermos.
The bodyguard Horse Girl and Yukishiro were a bit further back, all with varying degrees of joy on their faces.
"Thank you."
Polaris Glacier took the thermos, opened the lid, and sipped from the straw for a bit.
Remembering her promise to Matikane about taking a photo, she turned to Kita no Shori Homare:
"Katsuhogi, go find a small Horse Girl with short gray hair outside the arena and invite her to my lounge."
"Understood."
Kita no Shori Homare nodded and immediately began to act.
She had noticed the small Horse Girl who was talking to the young lady earlier, so she naturally knew what she looked like.
Things went smoothly. She found the person outside the arena, and after telling Matikane's parents that they could accompany her, the family, led by Kita no Shori Homare, arrived together outside the lounge.
"Matikane, the young lady is inside."
Upon hearing this, Matikane exchanged glances with her mom and dad. After getting their nods of approval, she pushed open the door with anticipation and entered the room.
Polaris Glacier had already changed her clothes and was sitting in a chair. Hearing the movement, she turned and looked over, a smile on her face:
"Sorry, Karen-chan, I suddenly remembered that taking photos outside might be too conspicuous, so I changed the location to the lounge."
"It's okay, Karen-chan doesn't mind."
Matikane shook her head slightly, her gaze fixed on Polaris Glacier, never leaving her:
"Sister, your running was truly dazzling! This is Karen-chan's first time watching a race live, and I feel so lucky."
It was her first time watching a race live, and to witness such an impressive run, her heart was still pounding with excitement.
"Is that so? Thank you."
Polaris Glacier had heard similar words for the second time. Her tail swayed at her lower back, and she didn't forget the main topic:
"Karen-chan, how exactly do you want to take the photo you mentioned?"
"Well..."
Matikane raised a hand, put her index finger to her cheek, and made a thoughtful expression:
"Ah, can I sit on Han Hime sister's lap?"
Sitting on her lap, taking a photo using the mirror in the lounge.
"Yes, you can. Come here."
Polaris Glacier nodded and beckoned to the other party.
Matikane shyly moved closer, then Polaris Glacier gently picked her up and settled her on her lap.
Her arms wrapped around Matikane's small body, and they both looked into the mirror.
The two Horse Girl, one large and one small, were cheek to cheek, a truly beautiful sight.
Matikane had been holding her phone since earlier, and now she opened the camera function, raised it, and aimed it at the mirror to frame the shot.
"Are you ready, Han Hime sister? I'm going to take it now~"
"Three, two, one, cheese~"