Myriad Dreams continued her phone call, chatting idly with Silver Charm.
From the details of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to recent happenings in America, and then to their respective training statuses... the atmosphere was relaxed, like a casual chat between ordinary friends.
Dreams gradually relaxed, even becoming a little drowsy, completely unaware that the other party's tone was slowly becoming anxious.
After a few more words about the weather in France and Japanese snacks, Silver Charm on the other end of the line finally couldn't hold back.
She took a deep breath, her voice rising slightly, tinged with annoyance and urgency:
"Dreams-chan! You... did you forget something?"
"Huh?" Dream blinked, still immersed in her lazy sleepiness, and asked in confusion.
"What is it? Race prize settlement? Or interview drafts? I've finished all of those."
"It's not about those things!"
Silver Charm seemed to stomp her foot on the other end, her voice coming through the receiver with a slight tremor.
"You! After the Preakness Stakes, you clearly promised me! You said that every year, for at least a few days, you would fly to America to accompany me! You promised me yourself!"
"Otherwise... otherwise, I'll print out the photos of us... ki-kissing on the racecourse and plaster them all over your Tracen Academy! I mean what I say!"
"——!!!"
Myriad Dreams, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on instantly sprang up from the bed, all sleepiness gone, her eyes wide.
'Kissing photos?! P-Plastered all over Tracen?!'
The chaotic scene of that celebration night instantly flooded her mind, making her cheeks flush crimson.
She had no doubt that Silver Charm would actually do something like that!
With her stubborn personality and her slight obsession with her, she would absolutely do it!
"W-wait!" Dreams quickly tried to explain, "That... didn't I stay for over a month last time I went to America for the Dirt Triple Crown?! D-Doesn't that count?!"
"How can that count?!" Silver Charm immediately retorted, her tone righteous.
"That was for a race! It was a proper expedition for training and competition! Every day was either training or studying opponents, that wasn't 'accompanying me' at all!"
"What I want is for you to specifically set aside time just for the two of us, for relaxed companionship! That's what you promised!"
"…"
Myriad Dreams was left speechless by her words.
Thinking about it carefully, that bet and the subsequent 'threat' seemed to... actually have been established in that context?
She had been dizzy from Silver Charm's bold actions and coquettish threats at the time, and vaguely agreed without delving into the specific definition.
She desperately picked up her phone to look at the calendar, then thought about her upcoming schedule.
Preparations for the Triple Crown hadn't officially begun yet, and apart from some routine activities and interviews recently... maybe there was a small window of free time?
Listening to Silver Charm's "Hmph, you figure it out yourself" on the other end, Myriad Dreams let out a long, resigned sigh, her shoulders slumping.
"Alright, alright... I get it."
She said weakly, "Let me check my schedule and arrange it... I'll... find a time to go over soon."
"Really? You promised!"
Silver Charm's voice instantly became cheerful, all traces of anxiety and annoyance gone, replaced by brightness and happiness.
"Then I'll wait for your news! Tell me as soon as you set a time! I... I'll prepare well! I'll be waiting for you!"
"Mm..." Dreams mumbled in response.
"Alright then! Bye-bye~ Dreams-chan!" Silver Charm contentedly hung up the phone, and a dial tone sounded in the receiver.
Myriad Dreams held her phone, remaining in the listening posture for a few seconds, then, as if losing all strength, she fell backward, collapsing back onto the bed.
Staring at the patterns on the ceiling, she let out yet another sigh of helplessness and resignation.
'Sigh... one after another... they all manage to find things for me to do...'
'I have to deal with Muteki, accompany my mothers, complete academy tasks, prepare for the Triple Crown, and now I also have to specifically take time to cross the ocean to 'accompany' Silver Charm...'
'My life as "Japan's Number One" somehow feels more tiring and out of my control than when I was an ordinary Uma Musume...'
She closed her eyes, feeling her schedule for the foreseeable future already packed with various favors owed and sweet threats.