"W-Wait a second!!"
After already confirming with President Symboli Rudolf that she'd go meet Mejiro Dober, Tokai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen to pick out a race outfit...
Miss Pegasus seemed to remember something, her exquisite face rarely showing a trace of confusion and bewilderment.
'I'm...'
'Not actually an "Uma Musume," am I?'
Uma Musume were a unique species in this world, possessing excellent physical abilities—generally about three times stronger than humans.
Among them, those who loved running and had extraordinary talent were known as Race Uma Musume.
What's important to know is... this world really has gods!
The Three Goddesses often mentioned by the Race Uma Musume actually exist.
But her own race wasn't Uma Musume at all!
She remembered clearly: she was a Kuranta from Terra. Though her appearance might resemble an Uma Musume's, they were fundamentally different.
If race outfits were blessed by the Three Goddesses, would she, as a Kuranta, even get their blessing?
A little puzzled, Platinum couldn't help but feel slightly worried.
But she wasn't overly anxious, because... she'd already appeared on the track without any issues and finished three full races. That at least proved she had the Three Goddesses' tacit approval.
Regaining her composure, Platinum stopped worrying. She picked up her phone and turned to head toward the location Symboli Rudolf had sent.
"Alright, time to go see Dober, Teio, and the others."
Mejiro Dober—the girl she'd just raced against two days ago in the Oaks—seemed to have been pretty shaken up by the match.
It's been two days already; she should have sorted out her feelings by now, right?
--+--
Shopping street outside Tracen Academy.
"Huh? Platinum's coming?"
"Got it!!"
Tokai Teio, holding a honey-sweet drink, ended the call.
Beside her were the sisters Mejiro McQueen and Mejiro Dober, waiting for their order at a dessert shop.
When Tokai Teio mentioned the name "Platinum," the ears of the stunningly beautiful but aloof Mejiro Dober immediately twitched slightly, and her body instinctively turned.
It was as if Mejiro Dober had developed PTSD because of that silver-white Pegasus, instantly captivated and distracted by her very mention.
The silver-white Pegasus who glanced back mid-race!
'I don't think I'll ever forget you my whole life!'
'I've never been so impressed by any Uma Musume before.'
Just that one race, that conversation, that interview—almost every word Platinum had spoken was deeply engraved in Mejiro Dober's memory.
This cool beauty still wasn't sure what her current complicated feelings meant. Was it... simple resentment? Or was it a bit of admiration for this powerful pegasus?
As for her sister, the steadfast Mejiro McQueen—steadfast in both personality and weight—her first reaction was still focused on the shop, intently waiting for their desserts.
But a second later, Mejiro McQueen belatedly processed the news, dabbing her lips as she spoke up.
"Eh, Platinum?"
"What's she coming for?"
Tokai Teio quickly explained, sharing that Platinum needed a race outfit.
"Race outfit?"
"Yeah, remember? Platinum wore the same outfit from her debut right through the Oaks."
Only after Tokai Teio mentioned it did Mejiro Dober realize...
After all, at critical moments in a race, who has spare attention to notice what a rival is wearing or whether they've changed outfits?
Now that it's brought up, it does seem true?
"Mhm, so I'm taking Platinum to pick out or custom-make a Victory Outfit."
"Want to come along?"
A task from the president, and it involved that Pegasus Platinum!
For the first time in decades since Japanese racing was established, an Uma Musume had won a G1 in just her third career race! Setting a remarkable record!
Not only that, Platinum's three races took just one month! Another unbeatable super record—going from unknown to famous G1 champion in a month!
And she was even aiming for the irregular triple crown, deemed impossible! That unbelievable choice of schedule deeply shocked Tokai Teio.
Given the chance, Tokai Teio kinda wanted to face Platinum in a practice race! So this opportunity to connect was not to be missed.
Not a moment of mourning for Mejiro Dober's defeat!
The next to arrive on the battlefield is—the undefeated double crown winner, Tokai Teio!
Beside Tokai Teio, the two Mejiro fillies had complicated expressions.
The first to speak was Mejiro Dober, who had experience racing against Pegasus Platinum.
The cool beauty tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, replying earnestly.
"I'm in."
"What about you, McQueen?"
Mejiro McQueen also nodded with interest. As she stepped forward to collect her dessert from the shop, she said:
"Then I'll come too. I want to see what kind of race outfit that Pegasus will have, and find out..."
"Will the Three Goddesses grant her any weapons?"
--+--
A short while later.
Platinum followed her phone's GPS to the marked location.
The world's only Kuranta girl had come here with great interest in race outfits.
And ahead of her were: the eagerly watching Mejiro Dober; the cheerfully grinning Tokai Teio; and the pleasantly plump Mejiro McQueen, head bowed as she delicately savored her dessert!
"Platinum!"
Miss Pegasus walked over and greeted them.
After a brief exchange, Tokai Teio started leading the way down a somewhat remote path near Tracen Academy.
Having been in Japan for a month, Platinum had never come this way before, so she couldn't help asking:
"The Victory Outfit... is there some procedure? Is it troublesome to get?"
The first to answer was the aloof, icy beauty Mejiro Dober.
"It's actually quite simple. You can apply through the URA officially, or go directly to a specific artisan to custom-order or buy one."
"But the URA application process is complicated and time-consuming—might not make it in time for the Derby... so it's best to just buy one directly. Then, after a ritual to worship and receive blessings from the Three Goddesses, it officially becomes a race outfit."
"They say lucky Uma Musume might even receive weapons bestowed by the legendary goddesses as part of their outfit, which they can wear in races and victory ceremonies."
Platinum listened with great interest, nodding calmly to show she understood.
So the Three Goddesses might just fancy her and drop some gold or gear?
Now informed, the pegasus girl followed Tokai Teio and finally stopped at a shop entrance.
But as she stepped inside, Platinum's expectant smile suddenly froze.
'W-Wait, after transforming I came out as usual—without my wallet! Race outfits definitely aren't cheap, I can't just...'
'Gulp... work here as a "front desk girl" to earn the outfit?'
--+--
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.