The [New Zealand Trophy], a Grade II mile-long race, had drawn quite a crowd.
Up until now, Hishi Amazon had never officially raced against Narita Brian. But before the black Uma Musume appeared, whenever people discussed who might become Narita Brian's biggest rival in the year-end [Arima Kinen], everyone's thoughts would inevitably turn to that dark-skinned girl galloping across the turf.
A Uma Musume who employed the 'come-from-behind' running style, she would unleash an astonishing final kick upon entering the homestretch, her terrifying acceleration power carrying her past numerous rivals.
That figure electrified countless spectators. People called her the [Heroine], a title meaning an outstanding woman among women.
"She uses the come-from-behind style too. Her form is worth studying," Sunday Silence remarked from beside her.
Sunday Serenity, having changed clothes again, sat on the grass, her gaze fixed intently on Hishi Amazon running alongside Oguri Cap.
When the race began, she would lie hidden at the very back of the pack, searching for an opening to break through.
Not only did this avoid collisions with other Uma Musume during the race, saving energy, but it also allowed her to choose the innermost rail, conserving stamina.
I see...
"But you can't do what she does, staying on the inside and waiting for a chance to burst out."
Aside from the inability to touch others, there was a more important reason.
"If a rival capable of surpassing Narita Brian suddenly appeared on the track, and stayed at the rear, then every Uma Musume, without exception, would do the same thing."
They would trap her firmly behind.
They would form a living wall with their bodies to prevent her from getting past.
Once such a blockade formed, it would pose a serious obstacle for Sunday Serenity during the day.
That's why Sunday Silence felt the need to remind her.
"Being targeted by everyone like that..." Sunday Serenity murmured.
"It sounds like becoming the target of everyone's arrows, but—" she continued, "breaking through under such circumstances would make it even more spectacular, wouldn't it?"
"Emerging triumphant from being surrounded, searching for that possibility... it sounds really cool."
'Heh.' Sunday Silence let out a laugh. 'Haha, hahaha.'
'Exactly. Whether it's day or night, whether the crowd is big or small, all you need to do is calmly show yourself, just like always.'
'Then, the result in people's eyes is merely a necessary step in our process.'
'Besides, I'm quite looking forward to seeing just how well you can mimic others' movements.'
Last time, because of the speed limit, she never got to unleash her full burst.
It resulted in Sunday Silence, who had long since reached the finish line, waiting for ages. She'd even started to worry that Sunday Serenity had gotten lost and was about to go looking for her through the windows when the other girl finally came trotting along, chasing after someone.
Clearly, the streets were no substitute for a proper track. The training spot would have to be Tracen Academy after all.
At least until the official race.
It was just a bit of a hassle.
"Having to borrow training clothes from Cafe's room every time."
The 'Emperor's' ban showed no signs of being lifted after several weeks. Patrols hadn't stopped either; those discipline committee members were still investigating for any suspicious personnel every single day.
Didn't they ever get tired?
Didn't they ever consider something like 'oppression leading to rebellion'?
"Anyway, I just hope Cafe doesn't mind..."
"Mind... what?"
A soft, almost spectral voice drifted on the wind.
A chill ran down her spine. The black-haired girl who looked just like her had appeared behind her without a sound.
"I understand... that your body becomes visible for special reasons, but if you keep wandering around, it causes problems for me."
"Uh..."
As if someone had grabbed her by the throat, Sunday Serenity found her voice stuck. Even Sunday Silence had fallen completely silent.
"Yesterday, Hishi Amazon asked me... why I didn't return with her, where exactly I had run off to. She was very worried."
Cafe's voice was devoid of emotion.
"But I went to bed early. I didn't go out at all that night."
"..."
"And in the middle school division, there's a child named Tokai Teio... the way she looks at me is a bit strange too."
"Unlike others, whose eyes show resistance towards me... with her, it feels more like... I owe her something or something..."
Teio! What are you doing, Teio!
"Then, this morning, Admire Vega suddenly started talking to me... asked me some strange questions."
But I only met her once last night?
That child who resembles a street-corner ghost.
"And Agnes Tachyon—"
Here, Manhattan Cafe's voice finally held a tremor, as if suppressing some anger.
"She said I'm always going in and out of my room too frequently, and she tried to make me take some special medicine she developed for diarrhea... but that day, I only left my room once."
She moved closer behind the girl who so closely resembled her, her tone growing gloomy.
"Really... you've been using my identity far too often lately. Too many people I don't know have some kind of connection with me now..."
Naturally introverted and not good at socializing, she was completely unable to handle these shifting perceptions.
Especially with her junior, Special Week, who had almost directly guessed the 'friend's' identity.
Fortunately, she didn't suspect a ghost. Instead, she thought Cafe had used some special method to escape everyone's notice and get to the racetrack.
Faced with those wide, earnest eyes, Manhattan Cafe had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to concoct a lie she herself hardly believed, barely managing to bluff her way through.
'That outfit... it's actually quite common, lots of people wear it. I was just following the trend. And besides, at the race, I was right next to Agnes Tachyon... she can vouch for me, the person on the track wasn't me.'
Thankfully, the younger girl was quite guileless. After asking Agnes Tachyon a couple of simple questions, she completely believed Cafe's explanation.
Even so, Cafe was left with a feeling of guilt for deceiving her kouhai, and her mood sank.
"Even if you can be seen, if you stay in the room, there won't be any problems... For example, reading books with me in the classroom, or... keeping me company and talking, either is fine..."
She clasped her hands behind her back, leaning her body forward. "What do you think?"
Her demeanor was uncharacteristically forceful.
Sunday Serenity grew very flustered.
The real Cafe had suffered quite a bit because of the identity borrowing.
Even though her tone hadn't fluctuated much from start to finish, Sunday Serenity could hear the faint trace of resentment in her words.
But somehow, this resentment didn't seem to stem from the various problems she'd caused.
It felt more like the bitterness of being neglected.
Was that even reasonable?
"I understand," Sunday Silence finally spoke.
'In the past, I never left her side...'
Now, the time spent with Cafe was minimal. Aside from nighttime training, she was basically out during the day, being taught by Sunday Silence, or else at the library learning about Uma Musume.
This frequently led to rumors of Cafe being seen at the training grounds even while she was sitting in the library, plunging her into all sorts of strange gossip.
Though there was also some admiration from certain Uma Musume who thought she could use shadow clones or something, but that wasn't important right now.
The current Manhattan Cafe was in urgent need of replenishing her supply of energy called 'friend'.
Under the gaze of those amber-gold eyes, the girl found herself unable to refuse. She nodded.
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.