Silver Charm straightened up slightly from Myriad Dreams's comforting embrace. Though she didn't pull away completely, maintaining a very close distance.
She looked up, her silver eyes shimmering with an unusually bright and sincere luster under the moonlight as she gazed earnestly at Myriad Dreams.
"Myriad, how about... we make a bet?"
Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible nervousness, yet it remained remarkably firm.
"A bet?" Myriad Dreams blinked, her expression showing confusion as she struggled to keep up with the sudden leap in conversation. "On what?"
Silver Charm took a deep breath, as if bolstering her courage, and then spoke clearly.
"On the Belmont Stakes— a bet on which of us will win."
The content of the bet itself wasn't surprising, so Myriad Dreams followed along and asked, "And the stakes?"
Hearing this, Silver Charm's eyes flickered slightly with a hint of craftiness and a touch of pleading.
She said softly, "If I win the bet... you have to grant me one small request, okay?"
She placed special emphasis on the word "small."
Myriad Dreams agreed without hesitation, but Silver Charm was the first to speak.
"I bet that Myriad will win~~"
Myriad Dreams couldn't help but laugh. "Who bets like that? Betting on someone else to win? Shouldn't you be betting on yourself?"
She had completely unexpected that Silver Charm would propose such a wager.
Silver Charm shook her head, her gaze burning as she looked at Myriad, her tone absolutely certain.
"No, the reason I'm betting you'll win is because..."
She paused, her voice softening with a sense of almost blind faith.
"I have confidence in you."
This reason left Myriad Dreams momentarily speechless, unsure of how to even argue against it.
Seeing Myriad's speechless expression, Silver Charm struck while the iron was hot.
She lightly grabbed Myriad's sleeves, swaying them gently, her tone carrying an obvious plea... or perhaps even a hint of... acting spoiled?
"Just promise me, Myriad~"
Her voice was soft, like a feather brushing against the heart.
"I promise the request won't be too much, really! Just one very, very small thing..."
Facing Silver Charm like this, Myriad Dreams found she simply didn't have the heart to refuse.
She sighed helplessly and finally nodded.
"Alright, alright, I promise. But..." she intentionally straightened her face, trying to look serious.
"I hope your request really isn't too over the top, Silver Charm."
"Absolutely not!" Silver Charm guaranteed almost instantly.
A brilliant smile erupted on her face, like a child receiving a most beloved gift— a smile so pure and bright it chased away all lingering shadows.
Overjoyed and losing herself in the moment, she took another step forward and threw her arms around Myriad Dreams in a tight hug.
Like a kitten relying on its master, she affectionately nuzzled her cheek against the crook of Myriad's neck, her voice bubbling with excitement and satisfaction:
"I knew Myriad was the easiest to talk to!"
Feeling the warmth of the body in her arms and the undisguised joy, Myriad Dreams stiffened slightly at first, but soon relaxed.
A helpless, yet indulgent and gentle smile appeared on her face.
In the end, Myriad Dreams and Silver Charm strolled together for a long time.
It wasn't until the moon hung high in the sky that Myriad Dreams finally returned to the dormitory with her companion.
Upon returning, Myriad went straight to bed to ensure she maintained her peak condition.