On the day of the race, inside the racers' tunnel.
Myriad Dreams and Marvelous Sunday had a chance encounter.
Marvelous Sunday had traded her usual relaxed demeanor for eyes burning with a determined flame. She took the initiative to greet Myriad:
"This time, I will definitely win!" she said, clenching her fist tightly, her voice carrying an unquestionable resolve.
Myriad Dreams smiled faintly and responded calmly, "Then you'd better be careful. I've awakened my Zone as well."
"Whoa!" Marvelous Sunday's eyes lit up.
She clasped her hands in front of her chest, her tail wagging happily. "Then I really have to bring out my full strength! This just got way more marvelous!"
Inwardly, she cheered herself on.
'With the special training from Maruzensky-senpai, I definitely won't lose!'
"Well then, let's see the truth on the track," Myriad Dreams said with a nod.
"Alright, alright!" Marvelous Sunday gave her tail an excited flick. "I'll give it everything I've got!"
Next came the final introductory segment.
When it was time for Myriad Dreams to present herself on stage, she addressed the audience:
"I am the successor of the new generation of the Kongō Yaegaki Style! Today, I shall win this race in the name of the Yaegaki Style!"
"Myriad..."
In the stands, Yaeno Muteki was stunned to hear Myriad Dreams introduce herself that way.
She knew that Myriad was trying to share her burden and help promote the Yaegaki Style.
Soon after, Myriad Dreams turned and headed toward her starting gate.
Marvelous Sunday took a deep breath, feeling the tense atmosphere of the racecourse.
Having experienced defeat once, she was exceptionally nervous this time, but she repeatedly told herself "I have to run faster this time!"
The moment the gates opened, two figures shot out like arrows from a bow.
'Go for it, Marvelous Sunday, you're the best!' she shouted in her heart while swinging her limbs with all her might.
By sheer coincidence, both had chosen the Great Escape tactic. In this short-distance race, it was the most direct way to settle the score.
The more experienced Myriad Dreams quickly seized the lead position.
'Darn it, she's in the lead again!' Marvelous Sunday grit her teeth and accelerated once more. 'I have to work harder!'
Myriad Dreams sped along the track, feeling the thrill of the speed. The wind against her face made her enjoy the duel even more.
Behind her, Marvelous Sunday was also giving her all, she never wanted to taste the bitterness of defeat again.
It wasn't until the 1,000-meter mark that Myriad Dreams finally expanded her Zone.
To her surprise, Marvelous Sunday released her own Zone at the exact same time.
This time, Myriad Dreams deliberately held back the misleading effects of her Zone.
With her current strength, she was already a step ahead, so using hallucinations to interfere with this innocent and lively junior felt a bit too cruel.
She truly couldn't bear to see this "little bundle of joy" with teary eyes.
Despite this, Marvelous Sunday grit her teeth and desperately chased Myriad Dreams' silhouette.
In the end, Myriad Dreams was the first to cross the finish line, claiming victory once again.
Marvelous Sunday arrived at the finish in second place, gasping for air, her face written with frustration.
"Sigh, I still lost..." she muttered, clenching her fist in annoyance, but she quickly pulled herself together.
"I'll definitely win it back next time!"
This defeat was understandable— sprinting and the Great Escape tactic weren't her strengths to begin with.
Yet, knowing she was at a disadvantage, she still chose the riskiest tactic. That courage was worthy of respect.
In the stands.
"She's gotten stronger again?"
Watching Myriad Dreams as she received the cheers of the crowd, Maruzensky couldn't help but marvel that the girl had managed to improve further even after the Winter Cup.
"Go and comfort your friend, Fuji-san. It must be hard to lose to the same person twice in a row."
Fuji Kiseki nodded.
After all, Marvelous Sunday was one of Tracen Academy's genius Uma Musume, losing twice consecutively would surely be painful.
And indeed, that was the reality.
On the field, Marvelous Sunday slowly walked off the track, her horse ears drooping low.