"Pleasure to meet you. So you're the students from Tracen, huh?"
The petite young girl gazed intently at the Uma Musume who had come to receive them.
Her eyes moved from Maruzensky, who was leading the group, to Oguri Cap.
Finally, after slowly scanning everyone present, Inari One hugged her shoulders tightly.
"Ugh, I'm suddenly feeling nervous now."
"Everyone feels that way when they first come to the central circuit," Belno Light comforted, speaking from experience. "But it gets much better once you settle in."
"Actually, it's not really about being in the central district that's making me nervous..." Inari One scratched her head.
After all, Oi was located quite close to the central circuit. She'd often come with folks from her town to watch races here before.
Back then, she was purely a spectator.
But today, her purpose for coming to the central circuit was to become one of the competitors.
This meant she would be competing on the same stage as those incredible athletes she'd once watched from the stands.
Just the thought of it gave her goosebumps, making her skin tingle with excitement.
Truth be told, Inari One had initially refused the opportunity to come to the central circuit.
She felt that since she was from Oi Tracen, she should naturally compete at Oi—from her debut until retirement.
However, one day, her mentor had suddenly handed her a notice, asking if she'd be interested in developing her career in the central circuit.
At that time, Inari One hadn't been particularly interested.
After all, as the star of Oi Tracen, if she left, both the school and the local racetrack would lose half their appeal.
For the sake of her local community, Inari One couldn't just abandon everything and leave.
Until—
Her neighbors came to find her.
"We all want to see Inari One perform on a bigger stage."
"If you're holding back because you're worried about us old folks, and it costs you your future, that would be such a waste."
"That's right! We want to see Inari One on central television too!"
From the owner of the general store she frequented to the children who loved spending time with her—everyone hoped Inari One would aim for a larger stage.
But, if that happened...
"Don't worry. While you're away, all the kids at Oi are eager to step up and strive to surpass you."
Her mentor patted her shoulder.
"Aren't you aiming to become the most remarkable Uma Musume of all, Inari One?"
'Then let the central circuit see what a genuine child of Edo is made of.'
"Hahaha, rather than nervous, I should say I'm excited!"
Hands on her hips, Inari One let out a hearty laugh.
Just standing beside these individuals, she could feel an intense pressure emanating from them.
This faint, stinging sensation on her skin was far beyond what she experienced from the Uma Musume at Oi.
The almost tangible fighting spirit made her pupils contract repeatedly.
"Just as my mentor said, you can only truly run when you're facing the wind head-on!"
The strong were always the best whetstones. Competing against them would allow her to improve faster.
With Inari One now accounted for, only one person remained.
"Speaking of which, didn't she come with Inari One?" Belno Light asked, looking around.
"She? Who do you mean?"
"Another student from Oi Tracen."
"Ah, that girl..." Inari One's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "For some reason, we just didn't click. We barely spoke on the way. She's behind us, should be here soon."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a figure appeared at the station exit—a girl with chestnut-brown long hair, wearing an orange-yellow dress, who seemed very socially adept at a glance.
'Heavens chart the stars, earth arrays mountains and rivers; gazing toward the Ox and Dipper constellations, I see all stars revolving around their course.'
Her red eyes shifted, observing her surroundings.
'Dragons divide three and eight, energies belong to five elements; Yin and Yang easily wane, hard to flourish, brightness alone lacks the cause of prosperity and phase.'
"When did the central circuit's feng shui become so poor?"
Finally, the last student from Oi Tracen had arrived.
"Local record: seventeen races, ten wins, three second places, one third place."
"Known as the luckiest Uma Musume, Copano Rickey."
As if sensing the group, Copano's ears, adorned with black and yellow earrings with red edges, twitched slightly as soon as she exited the station.
She turned her head and, before any of the girls could approach, walked over with determined steps.
"Hello there," she greeted. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
She acted as if she already knew them.
It was impressive how she'd managed to find them in the chaotic crowd.
"I should have been out earlier, but you see, the Yin energy outside the station was so heavy I could barely move my feet."
She shrugged, saying things that were hard to understand.
Like Inari One, Copano's gaze gradually swept over the reception party.
However, unlike Inari One, Copano was looking slightly above and behind people's heads.
"Fate measures seven pecks, potential occupies nine dou... Impressive. Your true abilities are even more astounding than what you show on television."
When her gaze slowly moved to the space behind the girl wearing the black face mask, Copano visibly paused.
"My, my, this is... truly unbelievable."
The girl pinched her chin, letting out an astonished murmur.
'What the heck is with this strange kid?'
'She's been talking like a mystic from the start.'
The same thought crossed everyone's minds simultaneously.
Finally, with everyone gathered, the original plan was to show them around the area first.
But Inari One stated that she'd been to the central circuit many times and knew her way around.
As for Copano Rickey—
"What do you want?"
Manhattan Cafe frowned, stepping in front of her 'Friend'.
Copano had been staring intently at 'Friend' since earlier, her eyes filled with thoughtful curiosity.
"Apologies, I was just curious."
"Curious?"
"Whatever you're curious about, could you please step away from my 'Friend'?"
"You're practically glued to her. Keep your distance."
"Curious about her fate."
"Huh?"
This conversation felt like something Matikanefukukitaru would say.
"Everyone has their own destiny. Some are prone to losing wealth, some have short lives, others suffer from numerous illnesses. If left to follow its natural course, the outcome is predetermined long in advance."
"And feng shui is the divine chisel that carves one's fate."
"Since I was young, I could hear the voices of the earth and air currents. So I know a little about reading people's destinies."
Copano looked at the group. "But for some reason, I can't see your fate at all."
Standing before Sunday Silence, the girl narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her closely.
"Every person has a discernible destiny. Why is it that yours is completely invisible? This is truly fascinating."
While Copano was expounding on feng shui, Oguri Cap quietly nudged Belno Light.
"What is it, Oguri?"
"Belno, what's that 'wind and water' she's talking about? I know what water is, but wind? Can you drink that too?"
She asked a question that made everyone freeze.
"Oguri..." Belno Light covered her face. "Please tell me you weren't sleeping through basic classes."
--+--
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.