Sakura Baimu returned to Rice Shower's hospital room and stood in the doorway, watching the sleeping Rice Shower for a while.
Rice Shower was sleeping soundly; thanks to Sakura Baimu's recent treatment, Rice Shower's recovery was progressing very well.
Since Sakura Baimu and Mihono Bourbon took over her treatment, Rice Shower had remained soundly asleep.
Since she could sleep so deeply, it was a sign that Rice Shower was at peace.
If Rice Shower were constantly worried about whether her legs would recover or whether she would be able to run again in the future, she certainly wouldn't be sleeping so peacefully.
Although Sakura Baimu didn't get to see Rice Shower wake up and learn from her whether the person taught her about the Zone was Golden Crown Eagle, Sakura Baimu had a basic understanding of what had happened in the past two days.
It was very likely that it was Golden Crown Eagle.
"Whether it's her or not, I'll find out once I go to the Tracen Academy track today."
Sakura Baimu thought to herself.
If this student who was injured again was really deliberately targeted by Golden Crown Eagle to lure her there…
Sakura Baimu thought to herself, her eyes slowly narrowing.
--
Sakura Baimu left the hospital, went home to wash off the hair dye, changed back into her outfit from last night, and went to the Tracen Academy track once more.
The number of people at the Tracen Academy track tonight was not much different from yesterday.
She saw almost no Tracen Academy students.
"I knew you'd come."
Sakura Baimu suddenly heard Golden Crown Eagle's voice.
She turned around and saw Golden Crown Eagle still holding a coin, walking toward her step by step.
At this moment, Golden Crown Eagle's expression was exactly like a hunter who had seen its prey take the bait, as if Sakura Baimu's appearance tonight was entirely expected.
"I have a question for you."
"I did it," Golden Crown Eagle answered before Sakura Baimu could even ask.
"What about Rice Shower?"
"Rice Shower…"
Golden Crown Eagle chuckled softly. "I saw how hard she worked for Takarazuka Kinen, so I helped her win. She should thank me, actually."
"Do you know what the consequences would be if Rice Shower fell while using her Zone?" Sakura Baimu asked softly.
"Fall? How would I know she would fall?" Golden Crown Eagle tossed a coin in her hand, feigning ignorance as she watched Sakura Baimu.
"So what are you doing at the academy tonight? Training?"
Golden Crown Eagle had challenged Sakura Baimu to a match for the second time last night, but Sakura Baimu had refused.
This time, she wanted Sakura Baimu to speak first.
"I should have warned you before, don't use your Zone to hurt Umamusume at the academy."
Sakura Baimu spoke calmly, as if chatting casually with a friend.
"Intentionally? Giving your all in a match is normal, isn't it? They were too weak to withstand the Zone, what could I do? Was I supposed to deliberately hold back, like yesterday?"
Golden Crown Eagle bombarded Sakura Baimu with several questions, deliberately trying to provoke her.
Ever since losing to Sakura Baimu last night, she had felt incredibly uneasy.
The loss to Sakura Baimu weighed heavily on her mind, making Golden Crown Eagle resentful all day.
"Hoo—"
Sakura Baimu let out a long breath and tossed her backpack onto the grass.
The instant the backpack hit the grass with a dull thud, Sakura Baimu appeared directly in front of Golden Crown Eagle.
The next instant, Sakura Baimu's forehead was pressed against Golden Crown Eagle's, their blue and green eyes almost touching.
"I told you, you'll regret it if I come looking for you."
Sakura Baimu's aura erupted without warning; the chilling glint in her eyes was clearly visible to Golden Crown Eagle at such close range.
But Sakura Baimu's tone remained perfectly calm, as gentle and serene as a mountain stream.
The threat in her words was unmistakable, yet Sakura Baimu's gentle, soothing manner of speaking created a stark sense of unease in Golden Crown Eagle.
A powerful fear welled up within Golden Crown Eagle; her instinctive urge to flee vanished, her legs feeling like lead, unable to move.
The same panic and breathlessness she felt the previous night when Sakura Baimu had given her advice washed over her again.
And under Sakura Baimu's intense gaze, she found herself unable to utter a word in rebuttal.
Unlike the previous night, when Sakura Baimu's tone was heavy and forceful, this time it was soft and gentle.
This time, the contrast between Sakura Baimu's words and her tone was even more pronounced for Golden Crown Eagle.
"Come on, you choose the distance, the direction, the track."
The cold glint in Sakura Baimu's eyes vanished instantly. She moved her forehead away from Golden Crown Eagle's, her aura instantly receding, as if the previous scene had been nothing but an illusion.
Only now did Golden Crown Eagle feel the pressure around her dissipate, finally having the leisure to think about other things.
Because until Sakura Baimu withdrew her aura, she couldn't think of anything other than fear and trembling.
"You unleashed your aura again when I wasn't looking, didn't you?"
Realizing she had been thwarted once more, Golden Crown Eagle felt a surge of anger. She, an Umamusume who had activated her Zone, had been twice rendered immobile by Sakura Baimu's aura—it was utterly humiliating.
"2400m, Turf," Golden Crown Eagle spoke coldly.
Upon hearing this, Sakura Baimu immediately turned and walked toward the starting line without saying a word.
--
This minor altercation between Sakura Baimu and Golden Crown Eagle wasn't particularly noticeable on the vast Tracen Academy track.
At least, that was from the perspective of Umamusumes who were busy with their own affairs.
In fact, several eyes had already been focused on Sakura Baimu the moment she appeared on the track.
Besides Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky, who were still watching from the night before, there was one more spectator tonight.
That was the previous American Umamusume to win the Japan Cup—Obey Your Master.
She had been summoned by Golden Crown Eagle, who had sent Obey Your Master to watch her match against Sakura Baimu.
At this moment, Obey Your Master sat alone on the steps of the stands, watching Sakura Baimu in the Zone with great interest.
"This seems to be an Umamusume I've never seen before. She hasn't mastered her Zone yet, but her aura is incredibly powerful; she's even intimidated Golden Crown Eagle."
Obey Your Master looked at Sakura Baimu with her star-like eyes and chuckled softly