“Polaris, would you like to walk with me in the front garden for a bit?”
After sitting at Mejiro for nearly an hour, and having discussed most of the topics, Polaris Glacier was preparing to leave.
Just as she was about to bid farewell, Mejiro Takamine suddenly stood up, extending a hand in an inviting gesture.
“Of course.”
Realizing that the other party likely wanted to speak privately, Polaris Glacier agreed after a brief thought.
Waving to McQueen and the other young Horse Girl, the two of them proceeded to the front garden.
“So, Takamine, is there something you wanted to tell me?”
Walking slowly, without any further small talk, Polaris Glacier immediately got to the point.
Hearing this, Mejiro Takamine first specifically glanced at the accessory on Polaris Glacier’s left ear, and then said:
“Polaris, is there any honor you wish to achieve in the Twinkle Series?”
“Hmm… a clean sweep of the Classic Triple Crown, becoming a Triple Crown Horse Girls, does that count?”
This was also the goal she and Kumi Trainer had set when they first met.
“The Classic Triple Crown, that’s not bad.”
Mejiro Takamine nodded with an expression of expectation, then continued:
“However, that can’t be considered an achievement that’s ‘created’ by you.”
After all, there has been more than one Horse Girl in history who has won the Classic Triple Crown.
And as for an undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girls, the young lady from the Rudolf family is highly likely to set a precedent this year.
“The Triple Tiara, do you know about it?”
“Triple Tiara?”
Polaris Glacier paused slightly, and relevant memories, just like before, surfaced in her mind.
The Triple Tiara mainly refers to—
Oka Sho, Japanese Oaks (Yushun Himba), and Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
(The Shuka Sho was established in 1996, replacing the Queen Elizabeth II Cup as the final race of the new Triple Tiara.)
“It is said that Horse Girl who achieve the Triple Tiara are like queens.”
A contemplative look flashed in Mejiro Takamine’s eyes as she looked up at Polaris Glacier:
“Yet, until now, the so-called queen has not yet been born, as if the generations have been unable to bear her.”
“I see, this is the first time I’ve heard of such a saying.”
Polaris Glacier looked up at the sky slightly, a smile on her lips:
“A queen… Is that your goal, Takamine?”
“To become the first in history to achieve the Triple Tiara, I believe that is the most passionate way to show love for the race.”
The two passed by the Three Goddess statue, walking towards the main gate.
“But, Takamine, by telling me this now, aren’t you afraid I’ll change my goal and switch to competing in the Triple Tiara?”
“Huhu, your confidence is indeed dazzling.”
Mejiro Takamine chuckled lightly, hinting:
“If the arrival of deep snow is unstoppable, then the ignorant people can only be forced to accept it.”
As she spoke, the image of Polaris Glacier’s blue-haired figure galloping across the snowy ground, which she had seen in the stands, suddenly flashed in her mind.
Polaris Glacier was somewhat accustomed to Mejiro Takamine’s occasional unique remarks; she was now pondering a very important question:
“Hmm… By the way, can one participate in both the Classic Triple Crown and the Triple Tiara?”
“?”
Hearing this, Mejiro Takamine was clearly stunned, her steps halting in place.
“Participation in both the Triple Tiara and the Classic Triple Crown requires advance registration, but there’s no explicit rule stating one can only participate in one.”
She mused, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at Polaris Glacier:
“Moreover, each race is a week apart, first the Oka Sho, then the Satsuki Sho, and similarly for the subsequent races.”
“Which means, it’s possible to participate in both.”
Polaris Glacier turned her head to look at Mejiro Takamine, closing her eyes and smiling.
Seeing this, Mejiro Takamine, remembering something, also smiled:
“So, what’s about to arrive isn’t deep snow, but a blizzard.”
— — — —
“Huh?! You want both the Classic Triple Crown and the Triple Tiara?!”
After that, Polaris Glacier bid farewell to Mejiro Takamine, got into the car driven by the Old Butler who had come to pick her up, and returned to the manor.
Upon returning to the manor, she immediately sought out Kumi Trainer and informed her of her newly set goal.
Upon hearing this, Kumi Trainer instantly showed an expression of great surprise, even shock.
This was understandable; winning just one of the Classic Triple Crown or the Triple Tiara was enough to make history and be remembered for eternity.
What did it mean to win both?
Regardless of the intensity of the races, the fatigue from multiple consecutive races alone would be enough to exhaust an ordinary Horse Girl, or even cause injuries that could lead to a permanent decline.
If Kumi Trainer had heard someone else say this, she would have certainly gone up to them to reason and explain how difficult and impossible it was.
But now, the one who spoke these words was not someone else, but her own young lady.
Han Hime, who had already endured several consecutive races, yet maintained her winning streak, and even achieved overwhelming victories in every race.
For a moment, she was at a loss for what expression to show, and what words to reply with.
“Oh my, Young Lady’s new goal is truly surprising.”
At this moment, the Head Maid, who had arrived in the front hall pushing a dessert cart, spoke up opportunely.
As she placed the desserts on the table, she continued:
“Although it’s a bit worrying, if it’s Young Lady, I will look forward to it.”
“Head Maid, thank you.”
Polaris Glacier smiled, picked up her fork, and began to enjoy the dessert in front of her.
“Guh… Young Lady…”
Seeing that even the Head Maid had agreed, Kumi Trainer had nothing more to say.
In reality, besides her surprise, she also harbored a desire to witness the birth of that moment.
An unprecedented achievement, one that no one before had accomplished, and no one after would likely achieve—
The so-called Six-Crown Horse Girl of the Classic races.
“Oh, Trainer, please keep an eye out for the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes in November for me.”
Polaris Glacier still remembered Mihono Bourbon mentioning running together in the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes.
“Alright… I understand…”
Kumi Trainer nodded weakly, still looking a bit dazed.
In the evening, Polaris Glacier went to Tokyo Racecourse for her winner’s stage performance.
The number of glow sticks waved by the audience was unprecedentedly large, and even Rudolph Symboli and Maruzensky made a special trip to attend.
One week later, on Sunday, Polaris Glacier once again won a G3 race with an overwhelming lead.
She had now achieved eight consecutive wins since her debut, and six consecutive graded race wins.
【Undoubtedly, Han Hime is the strongest among the 84-year new generation Horse Girl, her powerful dominance making the race lose its suspense even before it began.】
The media reports stated this.
Soon, the time came to the last Sunday of October.
This day was the 28th, not only the day of the Autumn Tenno Sho but also the day Chitose Meiji and Katsuragi Ace would face off once again.
At eight in the morning, Polaris Glacier, dressed in a long-sleeved version of her uniform, arrived at the academy and met up with Rudolph Symboli and others.
Rudolph Symboli used her authority as president to arrange a dedicated bus, preparing to take selected new Horse Girl juniors to the racecourse to watch the race.
“Katsuragi Ace, are you feeling nervous?”
On the bus, Chitose Meiji turned to Katsuragi Ace, who was sitting in the same row as her, and suddenly spoke up.
“No nervousness, but plenty of excitement. I can’t wait to compete against you on the track.”
Hearing her words, Katsuragi Ace also turned to look at her, replying with a smile.
“That’s good. I will definitely win this time; it won’t be like last time.”
“Hehe~ Both CB-chan and Katsuragi Ace-chan are very motivated.”
Maruzensky, sitting in the same row as them, also smiled upon seeing this.
In another row, Polaris Glacier was not sitting in the middle this time but by the window.
In the middle were Rudolph Symboli and Mejiro Takamine.
Yes, Mejiro Takamine was also on the list for this outing to watch the race.
She and Rudolph Symboli seemed to be old acquaintances and were conversing:
“It’s been a long time, Rudolf. Congratulations on your two crowns. This year’s new moon is particularly striking.”
“Thank you, Takamine. Is the peak that stands in the darkness, in the abyss, finally going to be revealed to the world?”
“Hehe, not yet. At least another year.”
Polaris Glacier, who had originally been looking out the car window, heard this and couldn’t help but have question marks pop up above her head.
What are you two talking about? That’s a strange way of speaking.