The next day, in the Team Spica training room.
Okino stood before the whiteboard, using a marker to clearly outline the upcoming race schedule.
"First of all, let's congratulate Myriad Dreams on winning the Winter Cup! To—"
Before he could even finish his sentence, the training room erupted in warm applause.
"That was amazing, Dreams-chan!" Special Week shouted excitedly.
The other teammates chimed in with their congratulations as well.
"Thank you, everyone!" Myriad Dreams smiled bashfully.
Okino continued, "To strike while the iron is hot and build up your fanbase further, I've already registered Dreams-chan for the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at the end of the year."
Hearing this, Silence Suzuka looked at her junior with a gentle gaze.
"I didn't expect Dream-chan to be able to challenge a G1 race again so soon. It's truly something to be celebrated."
"However, to ensure that nothing goes wrong—"
Okino's tone shifted as he wrote the words "Keisei Hai." next to the "Hanshin JF" entry.
"We need an adaptation warm-up. Although the Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap is a G3 race, it is also a shorter race, and the distance is 200 meters longer than the Hanshin race."
"Myriad Dreams, I want you to treat the Keisei Hai as a practice race to adjust your rhythm and get used to the sensation of short-distance racing."
"Yes! I understand!" Myriad Dreams nodded earnestly.
Meanwhile, in another training room.
Marvelous Sunday was drenched in sweat on a treadmill.
Ever since witnessing Myriad Dreams hoist the Winter Cup trophy, an unprecedented sense of urgency had been driving her.
She knew deep down that she had to put in ten times the effort to have any hope of catching up to that figure.
Just then, the sports news playing nearby caught her attention.
The report prominently featured Myriad Dreams' name and mentioned her upcoming participation in the Keisei Hai..
Marvelous Sunday's gaze instantly became sharp and determined, and she abruptly increased the treadmill's speed.
'Just you wait, Myriad Dreams! This time, I will definitely win!' she vowed in her heart, her running stride becoming even more powerful.
"Sunday-chan, you're exceptionally motivated today, aren't you?" Fuji Kiseki, drawn by the commotion, walked over with a smile.
Seeing her friend, Marvelous Sunday immediately turned off the treadmill and stepped forward, her voice unable to hide her excitement.
"Kiseki-senpai! The news says Myriad is entering the Keisei Hai! I have to work harder— I must defeat her in that race!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Fuji Kiseki nodded understandingly, then flashed a reliable smile.
"In that case, would you like me to invite another senior to help you with some special training? Double the guidance might lead to an unexpected breakthrough."
"Is that really okay? I already troubled you so much last time..." Marvelous Sunday was both pleasantly surprised and a bit embarrassed.
"Of course it's no problem," Fuji Kiseki waved her hand breezily.
"Last time's training didn't manage to secure you the win, so this time I'll definitely find you a more senior and even more powerful predecessor!"
Following this, Fuji Kiseki brought Marvelous Sunday to the Team Rigil training room.
Seeing Fuji Kiseki arriving with Marvelous Sunday once again, Maruzensky stepped forward to inquire.
"Maruzensky-senpai, I'd like to ask you to help train Marvelous Sunday. In a month, she'll be facing Myriad Dreams in the Keisei Hai."
"Without special training, she definitely won't be a match for Myriad."
Maruzensky listened and gave a thoughtful reply. "Certainly, I can do that— though I should mention, even I'm not entirely confident I could beat little Myriad."
With that said, Maruzensky led Marvelous Sunday out onto the track.