“Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!!!”
When Rudolph Symboli turned to face the audience, the venue erupted in another round of thunderous cheers.
Just by standing there, she captivated everyone's gaze, making the other Horse Girl in the race mere backdrops.
“She’s certainly strong, but why didn’t she continue to accelerate at the end? She could have pulled ahead by an even greater margin, couldn’t she?”
Polaris Glacier followed Maruzensky towards the jockey tunnel, her voice filled with a hint of confusion.
“Perhaps there was no need to.”
Maruzensky smiled, recalling:
“Ever since her debut race, Rudolf has always held back a bit of her strength. Even if her words suggest otherwise, looking down on her opponents from above is something Rudolf often does.”
This applied both in the literal sense of looking down from a high position and in the psychological sense.
“And this arrogance, unique to the Emperor, is one of her personal charms, which the audience also loves.”
“So that’s how it is. It really seems to fit Rudolf’s public image.”
As the student council president of Central Tracen Academy, the Horse Girl in the academy generally held her in great awe.
She also had her own pride; it seemed very difficult for her to lower herself and patiently communicate with others, at least for now.
Polaris Glacier slightly lowered her brows, suddenly thinking of that little Horse Girl who always ran in the park on her days off.
She wondered if Rudolph Symboli would be more patient and amiable when interacting with her little fan.
“That was a beautiful victory, Rudolf.”
In the jockey tunnel, facing Rudolph Symboli who walked in from the track, Maruzensky offered verbal congratulations while handing her a bottle of water.
“Thank you.”
Rudolph Symboli took it, not rushing to drink, choosing instead to shift her gaze to Polaris Glacier.
The Polaris Glacier was slightly stunned by this, not reacting for a moment, until Maruzensky winked beside her as a hint, and then she suddenly realized, “Rudolf, congratulations! You achieved such a comfortable victory.”
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Rudolph Symboli’s lips, and she nodded, seemingly very pleased, “Thank you, Polaris Glacier, I’m very happy to hear you say that.”
Afterward, she finally opened the bottle and rehydrated herself.
“Alright, I should probably go deal with the reporters now. Do you two want to come along?”
“Only if you don’t mind us sharing your spotlight, Rudolf.”
Maruzensky replied with a faint smile, while Polaris Glacier pondered for a moment, then nodded.
The three first returned to the lounge and changed into their Central Tracen Academy uniforms.
Rudolph Symboli also took the opportunity to wash her face and wipe her hair with the tissues she carried.
In the interview room, when the three Horse Girl entered, the waiting reporters immediately stirred.
“The Emperor is here...!”
“Not just the Emperor, but also Super Car, and even Han Hime is here...!”
The next moment, the flashes from cameras began to fire continuously.
Rudolph Symboli stood in the center of the stage, Maruzensky on her right, and Polaris Glacier on her left.
Facing so many flashes for the first time, the Polaris Glacier frowned slightly, turning her head a little to the side, and only turned back once she had adapted a bit.
Just then, the interview with Rudolph Symboli officially began:
“What are your feelings after winning this race?”
“What are your plans for the next race?”
“Is there anything you’d like to say to the other competing Horse Girl?”
To these questions, Rudolph Symboli maintained a professional smile and replied one by one:
“I feel my condition has improved even further.”
“The Kikuka-shō (菊花赏).”
“Continue to strive for higher realms. I look forward to seeing you all on bigger stages in the future.”
Normally, the interview could have ended here, but the two Horse Girl accompanying her today were simply too intriguing.
Leaving aside Super Car Maruzensky for a moment, as she had accompanied Emperor Rudolph Symboli in several races already.
In contrast, everyone’s curiosity was more focused on Han Hime, who was making her first appearance as a companion, and was currently active in junior races as a new generation Horse Girl.
That Horse Girl with exceptionally eye-catching blue long hair—Polaris Glacier.
“Um… may I ask about the relationship between the Emperor and Han Hime?”
Driven by curiosity, a middle-aged reporter stepped forward slightly and tentatively asked.
The relationship between a senior and a junior—this should be the most official answer. If one wanted to be cautious, saying this would undoubtedly be the best option.
Rudolph Symboli closed her eyes slightly, and after a moment, opened them and said, “Companions who shine together in the Twinkle Series.”
She paused, as if uncertain, and then, looking thoughtful, asked, “Is that an acceptable way to put it?”
Hearing this, the scene fell silent for a moment, then the middle-aged reporter was the first to nod, affirming, “Of course, no problem! Of course, no problem!”
Indeed, just as the Emperor said, both she and Han Hime were entities shining brightly in the Twinkle Series.
As for the word “companion”? Given that Han Hime accompanied her to the interview room, doesn’t that explain everything?
Their relationship was very good, and perhaps Han Hime was even already a member of the Central Tracen Academy student council!
The other reporters also reacted, one after another expressing their affirmation, feeling as though they had stumbled upon a major scoop without realizing it.
Ultimately, the interview concluded with a group of reporters wearing satisfied expressions.
“As expected of you, Rudolf. You handled those reporters so easily.”
During lunch, in a private room at the hotel, Maruzensky said with a smile on her lips.
“It’s nothing, really. I just said what needed to be said.”
Rudolph Symboli also smiled, picking up a slice of carrot with her chopsticks and putting it into her mouth.
The winner’s stage performance wasn’t until 8 PM, so they decided to rest here for the night and return to Fuchu tomorrow morning.
Rooms had already been booked, one for each of them.
“By the way, Maruzensky and Rudolf, do you have any plans for this afternoon?”
Polaris Glacier had just finished sending a message to the Head Maid, saying she wouldn’t be returning today, and hearing their conversation, she interjected.
“That’s right... How about the three of us go shopping together and look for some good restaurants or something?” Maruzensky suggested.
“Hmm, that sounds good. It’s rare to come out, so we should definitely explore more,” Rudolph Symboli agreed.
Seeing that both of them agreed, Polaris Glacier naturally had no objections, so it was decided.
Although the three were either current top contenders or renowned veterans, no one bothered them during their afternoon shopping trip.
Passersby turned their heads frequently and were very excited, but none approached, not even tentatively.
On one hand, the aura of the three Horse Girl clearly conveyed that they did not wish to be disturbed by outsiders.
On the other hand, athletes also needed their private time, and everyone understood this, so they wouldn't do anything unlikable without reason.
“Oh, they’re selling Taiyaki! Rudolf and Polaris, let’s go buy some.”
After walking around most of the street, when they passed a park, they unexpectedly found a mobile stall.
“Taiyaki, huh? Sounds good.”
Maruzensky and Rudolph Symboli both looked over, while Polaris Glacier asked with a mix of curiosity and confusion, “What’s that? Is it delicious?”
“Hmm? Polaris, haven’t you ever had it?”
Maruzensky was slightly stunned, then smiled and reached out to take Polaris Glacier’s hand, pulling her towards the stall: “It’s very delicious! You might even want a few more after you try it.”
Hearing this, Polaris Glacier also became interested. She decided to see what all the fuss was about.
Rudolph Symboli smiled and shook her head lightly, stepping forward to follow, and the three gathered in front of the stall.
The shop owner was a middle-aged man, with the typical appearance of a working-class person, and he could barely hide his surprise upon seeing the three Horse Girl.
Fortunately, relying on his rich experience in serving customers, he calmed down and welcomed them: “What flavors would you ladies like?”
“I’ll have one with red bean paste, please.”
“I’ll have one with white bean paste.”
Maruzensky and Rudolph Symboli ordered their desired flavors first, while Polaris Glacier looked at the menu of available flavors, thought for a moment, and said, “Please give me one with custard.”
“Alright, please wait a moment.”
With a response, the shop owner began to get busy.
A few minutes later, Polaris Glacier looked at the fish-shaped pastry in the small paper bag in her hand and took a tentative bite.
Feeling the taste on her taste buds, her eyes instantly lit up.
“So, so delicious…”
Under Maruzensky’s unsurprised gaze, the Polaris Glacier approached the stall again, her voice much more excited: “Shop owner, three more custard ones, please, and one of each of the other flavors.”
“Alright, I’ll start making them for you now.”
On the way back to the hotel, Polaris Glacier was carrying an extra plastic bag in one hand, while her other hand was still bringing a Taiyaki of a different flavor to her mouth.
“How is it? Wasn’t I right?”
Maruzensky turned her head slightly to look at Polaris Glacier, her smile unwavering.
“Mhm, mhm.”
The latter was still eating and couldn't reply properly, only nodding affirmatively.
Rudolph Symboli watched their interaction, genuinely feeling that such days were particularly relaxed and pleasant.
Suddenly, she recalled something Maruzensky had mentioned in passing, and now it didn't seem impossible.
One day, she would ask Polaris Glacier for her thoughts and see if she was willing to join the student council.
“I’m not willing.”
The next morning, on the train back to Fuchu, facing Rudolph Symboli’s invitation, Polaris Glacier gave an immediate and decisive negative reply.
“...Could you tell me why?”
Having her first invitation to another Horse Girl to join met with such a firm refusal, Rudolph Symboli found it difficult to maintain the smile on her face.
“Firstly, I’m still only in the junior division, and currently need to focus on preparing for next year’s Classic Series.”
Polaris Glacier certainly wouldn’t join. Why would she, perfectly fine, go sit in a meeting room and handle documents?
With that effort, it would be more enjoyable to run a few laps on the training track instead.
“Secondly, if it’s about contributing to the Twinkle Series, then isn’t me continuing to participate in races the same thing?”
And besides, with Maruzensky already assisting, was her joining truly necessary?