Having just been coerced into joining the Student Council, Myriad Dreams hadn't even had time to adjust to her new identity before Symboli Rudolf mercilessly shoved a mountain of documents her way.
Looking at the stacks of paper high enough to submerge her petite frame, Myriad felt her vision go dark, as if she could see her freedom waving goodbye.
"Ugh... is this the legendary 'blessing' of overwork..."
With no tears left to cry, she could only resign herself to fate.
Picking up a pen and chewing gum to stay alert, she began her struggle against various reports, event plans, and budget applications.
When she finally finished the last document through sheer willpower (and system assistance), she was so exhausted she nearly collapsed into a "Uma Musume pancake."
Right on cue, President Rudolf reappeared like a precision timer.
"Miss Myriad Dreams, well done."
Rudolf offered a perfunctory word of praise before immediately shifting gears.
"Tomorrow, NHK— the nation's largest television station— has an exclusive interview. They specifically requested you, the newly crowned Dirt Triple Crown winner."
"An interview?"
Upon hearing this, Myriad Dreams shook her head fiercely.
"Too much trouble! Not going, not going! Just say I was injured during training and need quiet rest!"
Rudolf's brow furrowed instantly, and the low pressure radiating from her caused the room temperature to drop several degrees.
She raised her hand and unceremoniously delivered a sharp strike to Myriad's head.
Thump!
"Ow! That hurts!" Myriad wailed, clutching her forehead.
"This is the nation's largest TV station! The live signal covers the entire country!"
Rudolf's tone carried an unquestionable authority.
"Your image represents not just yourself, but Tracen Academy and the entire Japanese Uma Musume world! This is no time for selfishness!"
Seeing Myriad's lingering reluctance, she issued her final command:
"You must participate, no matter what. I will arrange for Air Groove to accompany and assist you throughout the process to ensure you don't say anything... scandalous in front of the cameras."
Clutching her still-throbbing head, Myriad pouted and replied feebly, "Fine, fine... I'll go..."
...
The next day, at the interview site.
The lights were blazing, and the cameras were ready.
Myriad Dreams sat in a beautifully decorated interview chair wearing proper racing clothes.
However, she looked like a wilted flower, listless, with unfocused eyes, forming a sharp contrast to Air Groove, who sat upright beside her with a standard professional smile.
The elegant and capable female host wore a friendly smile as she began her questioning.
"Student Myriad Dreams, first of all, congratulations once again on your triumphant return! Your expedition to America and your unprecedented achievement of the Dirt Triple Crown is truly a magnificent feat!"
"May I ask, after experiencing such a glorious expedition, what is your greatest personal feeling or thought?"
It was a very conventional and safe question.
However, the lethargic Myriad barely let it pass through her brain. She subconsciously answered in a lazy tone thick with exhaustion:
"Thoughts? Not really any thoughts... I just feel... so tired, I want to go back and sleep..."
"!!!"
The moment the words left her mouth, the perfect smile on Air Groove's face, sitting slightly behind her, froze for a fraction of a second.
But in the next heartbeat, her white-gloved hand snaked out like a silent serpent to Myriad's waist.
Finding a patch of soft flesh, she pinched a small fold with her fingertips and gave it a merciless, clockwise twist!
"Sss—!"
Myriad Dreams nearly leaped out of her chair! The sharp pain in her side instantly cleared most of her grogginess.
She whipped her head around only to meet Air Groove's gaze through her glasses.
Air Groove gave her a look filled with "peaceful" warnings that clearly said:
"—Care to say that. One. More. Time?"
The host clearly noticed the subtle movement and Myriad's momentarily distorted expression, but she was a high-level professional.
Without changing her expression, she maintained her smile, waiting for Myriad's official answer.
Grimacing in pain, Myriad Dreams quickly sat up straight and cleared her throat.
She forced a smile onto her face (one that Air Groove still found incredibly stiff) and spoke into the microphone again, trying to sound as "official" as possible to fix the blunder:
"Uh... haha, just a joke. What I meant was... this expedition made me deeply realize the intensity of international competition and the importance of relentless effort, as well as... uh... the importance of team support!"
"Yes! I'm very grateful to the Academy, my Trainer, and everyone who supported me! I will continue to work hard!"
As she spoke, she felt the "pincers" at her waist finally loosen slightly, but Air Groove's "you just wait" look still felt like a thorn in her back.
Myriad wept internally.
'This damn interview... is more exhausting than running a Triple Crown race!! President Rudolf, Air Groove-senpai, are they both devils?!'