It should be around here, right?
Vaguely recalling the direction the other had last headed, Silence Suzuka searched for Manhattan Cafe.
If that girl had gotten into some kind of trouble because of losing her armband... even though it wasn't really her business, as the last person who saw it, leaving it alone just felt... wrong.
Since it wasn't official training hours yet, the training grounds held only a handful of horse girls, with almost no one else around.
The area near the western edge was terrifyingly quiet.
What business would Manhattan Cafe have coming here?
Just as Silence Suzuka drew closer, a gust of wind tangled her hair, followed by a sharp chill that seeped right through her clothes.
"So cold…"
She hugged her shoulders, her body shivering involuntarily.
Was it really this much colder near the grove?
Honestly, she was starting to feel like turning back.
Even in broad daylight, this place gave her a creepy feeling. The howling wind seemed to carry whispers, murmurs from who-knows-who.
Strange, since when was I this timid? I haven't been listening to any ghost stories lately.
Shaking her head, Silence Suzuka tightened her grip on the armband and gave herself a mental pep talk.
I've come all this way already, backing out now is no good.
Besides, there's no real reason to be scared.
As if to deny herself any chance of regret, she quickened her pace. Nearing her destination, she heard a loud 'BANG!'
Something had burst open!
"Manhattan Cafe!"
Calling out loudly, Silence Suzuka rushed forward. As she rounded the last patch of obstructing trees, she saw a burst pipe on the ground, a girl spattered with mud, and...
Silence Suzuka rubbed her eyes.
Two identical figures stood with their backs to her.
One of them, hearing her voice, turned around. Golden eyes met hers.
"Silence Suzuka... why are you here..."
But before she could finish her sentence, the vending machine to Silence Suzuka's right shuddered as if struck hard by something. A loud noise came from inside, and it began to shake uncontrollably.
"Oh no! The psychic backlash—!" the mud-splattered girl cried out in alarm.
"Look out!"
Manhattan Cafe's eyes widened.
But there was no time to react. The heavy machine, as if it had chosen its target, tipped directly towards Silence Suzuka.
Blinking up at the large shadow falling over her, the girl was utterly confused.
...Huh?
The heavy steel came crashing down upon the unprepared girl.
--+--
"Don't you think Silence Suzuka is a bit of a loner?"
Voices like that drifted through the classroom.
"She always prefers to be alone. When you talk to her, she just gives noncommittal answers, not really listening at all."
"She's so aloof, never starts conversations with anyone."
"Right, right? Even during training, she's like that."
"Even during group training, she completely ignores the other students, just runs off ahead on her own."
"Not just that, her eyes are always fixed straight ahead, like she's saying 'None of you are my rivals.'"
"Is that how it is?"
"Yep, it feels like she totally doesn't want anyone to get close."
"Really, I just don't get it..."
What is Silence Suzuka even thinking—
I really love running.
I loved it from the very first time I stood on a grassy field.
The scent of the grass, the softness of the ground, the caress of the breeze—everything about it fills me with such joy.
"If you love running that much, why not become a Racing Uma Musume?"
"Uma Musume..."
"That's right. An Uma Musume who runs faster than anyone, who stands on the dazzling stage."
"Faster than anyone!"
Hearing those words, the young Silence Suzuka's heart started thumping wildly.
In her eyes, the scenery while running was so beautiful, but even more beautiful was the sky ahead, untouched by anyone, the ground ahead, untrodden by anyone.
It was utterly captivating.
But at Tracen Academy, her ideals met reality.
"Hold your speed in the early stages, stay with the leading group. Don't start your sprint too early, or your stamina won't hold out."
That scenery she had once longed for so intensely felt further and further away.
"Your acceleration timing is still too early. There's a whole straightaway before the final bend. In your next race, don't make such a basic mistake."
Further away...
"Hello, are you Silence Suzuka?"
"I saw you training just now."
"Wow, it's completely different from the impression you give in official races. That way of running, dashing ahead all by yourself."
A trainer had approached her.
"But for us, it feels a bit too... detached."
"Almost like a character from a story."
"Haha, sorry to bother you. If you don't mind, you could always do some joint training with the Uma Musume I'm in charge of."
The man left.
But his words lingered.
A character from a story.
She remembered a story like that.
From when she was very small.
Tap, tap, tap...
The sound of quick footsteps reached her ears.
Turning around, the young Silence Suzuka saw her.
A black silhouette, running across the grassy field.
She ran so fast.
Her steps were light, almost flying over the ground.
Her body moved like an oar, churning through a sea of green.
It was as if the whole world was pushing her forward, towards some higher, more distant place.
When the figure finally stopped, Silence Suzuka ran over to her.
"Miss," she asked. "Is the view up ahead beautiful?"
Hearing the voice, the figure turned around.
"Very beautiful,"she replied.
"But there's an even more beautiful view that I haven't seen yet."
"An even more beautiful view?"
"That's right."
A peerlessly beautiful scene that only the very fastest runner could see.
A look of yearning spread across Silence Suzuka's face.
"Could I... see a view like that too?"
"If you can run without holding anything back…"
"Then of course you can."
"Well now, my 'friend' should be waking up. Please excuse me, I must take my leave."
The black figure vanished before her eyes.
Those words—'the most beautiful view'—were deeply branded into Silence Suzuka's heart.
Thinking back on it now, was that a story from a book, or a character dreamed up by her younger self?
She couldn't tell, but... it didn't matter anymore.
On that untamed field, Silence Suzuka had seen that figure running ahead.
Even with no cheers around, even in that silent world.
That figure still possessed a beauty that was... overwhelming.
Yes.
A world where no one else is needed.
Silence, is, serenity—
Why had she forgotten?
The long-buried memory was now shattered.
--+--
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.