[The Arrogant Challenger Platinum Aims for Oaks Victory!]
The headline hit Platinum like a bolt from the blue.
After staring at the bold text for a moment, Platinum raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and tapped to read more.
She wanted to see exactly what this criticism had to say about her.
--+--
[Three weeks ago, in the debut race of the rising star Daiwa Scarlet, an unexpected dark horse emerged and defeated her.]
[That dark horse was—Platinum!]
[Even more astonishing, after just a week's rest, she went on to dominate a G3 stakes race by an overwhelming margin.]
[But now, after only two weeks of recovery from back-to-back races, she dares to challenge the prestigious 2400-meter GI race—the Japanese Oaks!]
[Such a reckless schedule makes her the most audacious horse girl in Japan's history, bar none!]
[From debut to challenging the Oaks, barely three weeks have passed—not even a full month. If Platinum manages to defeat Mejiro Dober…]
[She will set a new record, not just in Japan but worldwide, for the fastest G1 victory after debut! A rookie ascending to champion status in less than a month!]
[But—that's impossible. The proud Pegasus will pay for her arrogance. Let's all wait and see!]
--+--
The article wasn't long, but it made its point clear—nobody believed in Platinum.
The reason? Her brutal racing schedule, something unheard of in Japan's Uma Musume racing history.
Challenging a G1 race within a month of debut? Even elite racers from Europe and America would be stunned.
By any measure, it was madness.
"Hah, that's it?"
After finishing the article, Platinum closed the tab with a disappointed sigh.
Her confidence remained unshaken.
She'd expected something more… entertaining.
In Platinum's mind, once she won the Oaks—everything would change.
By then, the headlines would probably look like this:
[The Usurper, Platinum, Approaches the Japanese Derby!]
[Pegasus Platinum Claims the Japanese Derby, Securing the Second Crown!]
[The Great Irregular Triple Crown Pegasus Arrives at Her Loyal Kikuka-shō!]
To make it all real—to extort some gold from Agnes Tachyon—Platinum refused to back down.
But as she pocketed her phone and neared the racetrack, a faint frown crossed her face.
Something was bothering her.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the race itself—but something outside of it. The audience.
"I can't believe Agnes Tachyon actually gave me tickets… and front-row seats right next to her."
On one hand, great news.
On the other… terrible news.
It meant her "kind, big-brother doctor" persona had fully convinced Agnes Tachyon!
Enough that the little mad scientist was willing to splurge on expensive, connected front-row seats—just for her.
With Agnes Tachyon's trust secured, winning the Irregular Triple Crown, boosting her medical skills, and fully curing Agnes Tachyon would guarantee a generous payout!
That was the good part.
The bad part?
That very same "doctor" was about to step onto the racetrack—right under Agnes Tachyon's scrutinizing gaze!
"Tch… I'll need a solid excuse after the race."
"Can't let Agnes Tachyon catch on."
Compared to the race itself, Platinum seemed far more concerned about… everything else.
--+--
Soon after.
The lazy Assassin, Platinum, arrived at the racetrack—still lost in thought.
--+--
Meanwhile—inside the racetrack, near the competitors' entrance.
Mejiro Dober stood just outside, listening to the encouragement of her two sisters from the Mejiro family.
The first to speak was Mejiro McQueen, the current queen of long-distance racing. Having recently defeated her rival, Tokai Teio, she radiated the confidence of a champion.
"You've got way more experience than that half-baked rookie, Platinum!"
Her words carried the weight of their family's legacy.
"We're trained in the Mejiro stables—don't embarrass us out there!"
McQueen grinned, giving Dober a firm pat on the shoulder.
Beside her, the elegant tactician, Mejiro Ramonu, smiled gently.
"That's right—show them your spirit!"
Bolstered by their words, Dober's expression sharpened. A fierce aura emanated from her.
Even if Platinum had the potential to become Japan's strongest in the future—that was later.
Right now… Dober would be Wellington, she would be Blücher—she would crush this would-be Napoleon before her rise!
'Platinum… this Oaks will be your Waterloo!'
As a top-tier racer from the prestigious Mejiro family, there was no way she'd lose to some rookie who debuted less than a month ago!
With that, Dober turned and strode toward the competitors' area.
Her imposing presence left McQueen and Ramonu nodding in satisfaction.
"Now that's more like it!"
--+--
A short while later—the spectator stands.
Tens of thousands of fans filled the seats, their murmurs buzzing through the air.
"Dober's got this, right? She's Mejiro's genius prodigy!"
"Kyoei March is strong too—she's got a real shot."
"What a shame… if Platinum had waited till next year, she could've gone for the Filly Triple Crown unbeaten. Why the rush?"
"I'M DOBER-CHAN'S LOYAL DOG!!"
Amid the chatter, the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, signaling the racers' entrance—and the race's imminent start.
[Welcome, everyone, to the classic Japanese Oaks!]
[In this grueling 2400-meter battle, only the most radiant flower will bloom at the finish line!]
[So—who will it be? Let's find out!]
[Racers, please enter the gates!]
--+--
Moments later, all the horse girls stepped into their starting gates.
The tension in the air thickened instantly—even the crowd's noise dimmed to a hush.
But in the front row… one seat remained empty.
Manhattan Cafe and Agnes Tachyon sat together, but the spot beside them was conspicuously vacant.
The scientist girl furrowed her brow, puzzled.
"Dr. Lin… where are you?"
Frowning, Agnes Tachyon pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Something feels… off."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.