Several months of high-intensity special training passed steadily under a regular (though still painful for Myriad Dreams) routine.
This afternoon, having completed all her training programs, Myriad Dreams— chewing on her signature gum— began her rare free time, wandering aimlessly through the academy.
As she drifted toward the familiar swing set area, she spotted a figure sitting there alone from a distance.
The girl's head was lowered, and even her iconic, lively twin-tails seemed to droop.
She was enveloped in a visible aura of low spirits.
It was Marvelous Sunday.
Curious, Myriad Dreams walked over and lightly patted her back.
"Sunday, why are you..."
"Uwaah!"
Marvelous Sunday jumped in fright, snapping her head up.
Once she realized it was Myriad Dreams, her first reaction wasn't to answer, but to look around nervously like a startled rabbit, her eyes scanning every corner.
"Wh-What are you looking for?" Myriad Dreams was baffled by the reaction.
"Is Ya-Yaeno-san here? She's not with you, right?" Marvelous Sunday asked in a low voice, still haunted by lingering fear.
The awkward scene of being caught in the middle of those two and their subtle atmosphere last time was still fresh in her memory.
Myriad Dreams said, very confused, "She's not here? After all, she has her own training to do."
Having confirmed the "dangerous person" wasn't nearby, Marvelous Sunday let out a long sigh of relief and patted her chest, though the dejection on her face remained obvious.
Myriad Dreams sat on the swing next to her, tilting her head.
"So, what exactly is wrong? Usually you're so happy-go-lucky, but today you look like a withered little tomato."
Marvelous Sunday sighed, her shoulders slumping. "In the Arima Kinen... I lost. I lost to Sakura Laurel."
Her voice was muffled, carrying obvious frustration and gloom.
Myriad Dreams blinked, then skillfully fished a piece of gum out of her pocket and handed it over.
"Here. For you."
Marvelous Sunday looked at the familiar piece of gum and let out a helpless sigh.
"Sigh, you... is your way of comforting people always gum?"
Despite the complaint, she took it anyway, unwrapped it, popped it into her mouth, and started chewing vigorously, as if trying to grind her frustrations to bits.
Myriad Dreams chewed her own gum, offering comfort in her characteristic, somewhat lazy and blunt tone.
"What's there to be sad about? Just win it back next time. Besides, you've lost to me twice, and I didn't see you this sad then?"
These words were like lighting a fuse.
Marvelous Sunday instantly "exploded," jumping off the swing and waving her small fists, lightly drumming them against Myriad Dreams' shoulder and chest.
"Hey! Who comforts people like that?! Those are two completely different things! Besides, the two times I lost to you were G2 races at most. The Arima Kinen is a G1! A G1! The meaning is totally different!"
Seeing her all puffed up with anger, it seemed her vitality had returned.
Myriad Dreams dodged symbolically while unable to stop herself from laughing. "Yes, yes, G1. G1 is very important. That's why you have to work harder and win a G1 back next time!"
"Hmph! I'll do it even without you telling me!"
Marvelous Sunday stopped her assault and stood with her hands on her hips. Though she was still pouting, the haze in her eyes had clearly dissipated.
She looked at Myriad Dreams' "heartless" smile and finally couldn't hold it in anymore, letting out a "pfft" as she laughed.
"Honestly... it's useless being mad at a girl like you."
She sat back down on the swing and began to pump her legs forcefully, as if trying to leave all her unhappiness behind her.