"That's a great shot, Karen-chan. Are you really good at taking pictures?"
Polaris Glacier smiled as she glanced at the photo displayed on Karen-chan's phone.
"Yes, Karen-chan always takes pictures to record things she likes and happy moments!"
Matikane's ears twitched, her face filled with the joy of achieving her goal.
"Sister, can I post this photo on Jun Yu Circle?"
She wanted more people to know about Polaris Glacier, to give her more attention. After all, her sister, with such powerful strength, shouldn't have her influence confined to a small circle.
"Jun Yu Circle, huh? Yes, you can. I use it myself. Karen-chan, can you send me a copy of the photo?"
She wanted to post it on her own account as well, considering it a form of proper management.
Matikane naturally agreed, and then the two of them posted updates on Jun Yu Circle together.
"By the way, Karen-chan, when did you start following me?"
Polaris Glacier put down her phone, recalling Karen-chan's sudden message that day.
Karen-chan had suddenly messaged her, saying she wanted to come to the race and meet her, even though they hadn't had any prior communication.
"Hmm... The first time I noticed you was in June."
Matikane blinked, recalling, "At that time, Karen-chan was browsing information on Central Tracen Academy's Jun Yu Circle and accidentally discovered your simulation race video, Sister."
"To be able to compete with Triple Crown Horse Girls and even win, Karen-chan thought you were amazing, Sister."
"It's just that Karen-chan wasn't paying much attention to races back then, so she didn't really care much."
"And the second time I noticed you, Sister, was in online reports, when you were called Han Hime..."
At this point, Matikane turned her head slightly, narrowed her eyes, and smiled.
"Karen-chan thought about going to watch the race in person, to see if Han Hime was truly as dazzling as reported."
The truth was, she was incredibly dazzling; the light she emitted completely overshadowed the other Horse Girl in the race, making people want to keep their eyes solely on her.
"So that's how it is. It seems we have quite a connection."
After listening, Polaris Glacier understood. She remembered that after the recording of her simulation race with Chitose Meiji was spread, it indeed garnered attention from the outside world.
It wasn't surprising that Karen-chan, as someone who frequently follows online information, would notice her.
"By the way, Karen-chan, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? Would you like to join me?"
"Hmm... Although Karen-chan would love to join you, Sister, my family is waiting for me. We plan to take the train back after watching the race."
"I see."
Time was running out, and they had enjoyed their time together.
The two Horse Girl waved goodbye to each other outside the racecourse and went their separate ways.
The winner's stage for this event was scheduled for the evening. Polaris Glacier and her companions found a hotel to serve as their temporary lodging.
After lunch, she had a brief interview with Yukishiro, and after informing the Head Maid, she returned to her room to rest.
Around four in the afternoon, she woke up somewhat groggily from her sleep, picked up her phone, and saw that Maruzensky had sent her a message.
"Polaris, you worked hard in the race. Congratulations on another victory."
Perhaps it was because Maruzensky was confident that Polaris Glacier's strength would not lose in G3-Grade Races.
Maruzensky and Rudolph Symboli did not come to watch the race this time; they stayed at the Academy.
Polaris Glacier tidied her long hair, which had become messy due to an uncomfortable sleeping position, and typed a reply while brushing her fingers through it:
"Thanks, Maruzensky. Let's hang out again sometime. That ramen shop we went to last time was pretty good."
She got up, went into the bathroom for a quick wash, and then prepared to head to the Hakodate Racecourse for the winner's stage rehearsal.
At 6 PM, under the gaze of the gathered audience, the winner's stage, with Polaris Glacier as the center, officially began.
This time, she was still very happy. She sang and danced with joy.
So much so that she even began to entertain the idea that winning races was solely for the winner's stage.
Of course, this thought arose purely because the intensity of the races she was currently participating in was not yet high enough.
Running is fun, the feeling of being closely pursued by other Horse Girl is very enjoyable, and the winner's stage is also very exciting.
The current race intensity is simply not enough; she doesn't feel the sensation of being closely pursued by other Horse Girl. So, naturally, the winner's stage is all that remains to pique her interest.
"I wish time could pass faster, quickly reaching the Classic Grade, so I can participate in G1-Grade Races."
"If it's a G1-Grade Race, there will definitely be even stronger Horse Girl."
The next morning, on the train ride back to Fuchu, this thought suddenly popped into Polaris Glacier's mind.
She slowly opened her eyes and poked Kumi Trainer's shoulder, who was sitting to her right:
"Trainer, are there any G1-Grade Races that a junior Horse Girl like me can participate in here in Japan?"
"Hmm? G1-Grade Races that a junior Horse Girl can participate in..."
Kumi Trainer turned her head, a little puzzled as to why her young lady would suddenly ask this. After some thought, she replied:
"Asahi Hai and Hanshin Juvenile Fillies."
(Some might wonder why the Hopeful Stakes isn't mentioned. Let me explain here.)
(The Hopeful Stakes was originally limited to 3-year-old junior fillies and was a G3-Grade Race. It wasn't called the Hopeful Stakes, but rather the Radio Nikkei Hai Nisai Stakes.)
(It was only in 1991 that it was changed to allow both fillies and colts to participate. In 2014, it was promoted to a G2-Grade Race, and then in 2017, it was promoted to a G1-Grade Race.)
(According to the timeline of this book, the Hopeful Stakes is currently still a G3-Grade Race.)
"When can I participate?"
Upon hearing this, Polaris Glacier immediately became interested, a hint of anticipation visible in her eyes.
"Eh? This..."
Seeing her young lady's expression, Kumi Trainer was first stunned, then replied:
"December. Both races are held on the same day, young lady, you..."
The same day, huh? It seems she can't participate in both.
After all, she couldn't perform on the winner's stage in two places at once. It was a bit of a shame.
"Trainer, if I were to participate, which one would you recommend?"
"If I had to say, I'd recommend Hanshin Juvenile Fillies."
Although it was a bit early to discuss this, since her young lady asked, as her Trainer, she certainly had to answer.
"The final stretch of the Hanshin Racecourse has a large uphill slope, and running it will allow you to gain experience."
Polaris Glacier listened, nodded, and had already made up her mind:
"I understand. When the time comes, I'll participate in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies."
For now, she would wait and participate in graded races.
As for OP-Grade Races? Participating in them would be less beneficial than running a few more laps on the training track, so there's no need.
Time passed imperceptibly, and a storm of graded races, stirred up by Polaris Glacier, gradually spread.
The Niigata Kinen in August, and the Sapporo Kinen and Kokura Kinen in September—all three G3-Grade Races were swept by Polaris Glare's chilling aura.
Yukishiro also diligently published reports related to these races.
For a time, rumors spread that "Han Hime dominates junior races, unstoppable."
And because each victory was by an overwhelming margin, no one questioned the consecutive races.
After all, Han Hime not only didn't show fatigue from consecutive races, but she also grew stronger with each race. The Horse Girl who competed against her were almost developing psychological shadows.
"Yo, good morning, Han Hime. Your recent races have been quite crazy."
In September, the Academy had already started, and the Horse Girl who had been on summer training camp had all returned.
In the classroom, Polaris Glacier, who was sitting in a chair resting her face on her hand and daydreaming, suddenly heard a familiar voice.
She looked up and saw that Sirius Symboli had appeared beside her desk, looking at her with a smile on her face.
"Oh, it's Sirius. Good morning."
Polaris Glacier immediately showed an appropriate smile and greeted her in return.
"By the way, why are you calling me that now? Isn't it better to call me Polaris like before?"
"Hehe, your reputation has spread throughout the entire junior division. It would be strange if I didn't call you Han Hime."
Sirius Symboli smiled and shrugged slightly.
She wondered where Sirius Symboli had gone this summer; her aura felt much stronger.
"No, please don't. It would sound strange if you called me Han Hime. Just keep calling me Polaris."
Polaris Glacier smiled and turned her head to look at the back of the person in the front desk:
"The same goes for you, Mihono Bourbon."
Hearing her name, Mihono Bourbon half-turned and nodded, saying, "Of course, Polaris."
This one was the same; after a whole summer of training, the fighting spirit in her eyes had grown even stronger.
The smile on Polaris Glacier's lips widened slightly. She had competed against so many Horse Girl, but she had overlooked these two clearly extraordinary During the same period by her side.
"By the way, have you two completed your debut races?"
Upon hearing this, Sirius Symboli and Mihono Bourbon exchanged glances, both confidently stating:
"That's already done."
"It was a very easy victory."
Compared to running alongside Polaris Glacier, a debut race without facing Polaris Glare's chilling aura was truly just a warm-up.
"As expected. I knew you two would be fine."
Just as she finished speaking, the class bell suddenly rang. Sirius Symboli immediately returned to her seat, and Mihono Bourbon also turned back around.
The teacher, as always, pulled open the classroom door and walked in punctually. After a brief introduction, she began her lecture.
During lunch break, the three Horse Girl, for the first time in a while, walked together to the cafeteria.
"Polaris, do you have any thoughts about racing abroad?"
As they walked, Sirius Symboli suddenly spoke.
"Racing abroad?"
Polaris Glacier paused slightly, then replied, "I haven't thought about it at all. Why do you suddenly ask?"
"Hmm... It's a long story, but basically, my family wants me to go abroad, and I can't make up my mind, so I wanted to get your opinion."