A sound like an explosion echoed from the ground, drawing students to a halt as they turned to look.
Caught…
Standing before her was Narita Brian, radiating an intimidating aura that seemed to say, 'No matter where you run, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth.'
How did she find me? Could she have some kind of psychic sense?
Here at Tracen Academy, the girl tended to hold back a little, not flaunting her presence as openly as she did on the racetrack.
Logically, moving around so discreetly should have made her hard to spot.
Sure, there were plenty of Uma Musume on the training grounds with binoculars, but people-watching wasn't her exclusive hobby.
How did she manage to pinpoint me so accurately?
"To think… you were this close to me all along…"
The girl's presence felt completely different off the track compared to on it.
"If not for this, I might have been completely fooled."
As she spoke, Narita Brian pulled out her phone, displaying a photo of the training field. In it, the girl's figure stood out as a strange, shapeless black haze.
I see… So that's how.
The fact that she couldn't be properly captured in photos wasn't just a way to erase her traces—it could also be used to track her down.
It seemed Narita Brian was sharper than she'd given her credit for.
"Maruzensky was the one who told me."
She could locate someone just by using a photo.
Crossing her arms, Narita Brian coolly deflated the slightly elevated opinion the girl had just formed of her.
"But none of that matters now." Putting her phone away, Narita Brian fixed a burning gaze on her.
"I've been looking forward to a rematch with you for a long time."
"..."
The girl stayed silent.
It was sudden, but…
"Well now." Sunday Silence, standing beside her, let out a low, intrigued sound.
No matter how many times she saw it, whenever her other half displayed this particular skill, it filled her with genuine admiration.
Just what kind of innate talent did it take to master mimicry to such an extreme degree?
Thump!
Her heart gave a sudden, hard beat.
Not a trace of her earlier fluster remained in the other's posture.
The unremarkable, blend-into-the-crowd presence was gone, replaced by a sharpness that cut like a blade.
Those bright golden eyes were now fixed coldly on Narita Brian, and the aura around them shifted dramatically!
This woman—!
Narita Brian's eyes widened. The very air around them seemed to grow chill under that gaze.
Yes! This was her true nature! The absolute powerhouse who looked down on everyone else!
Fighting spirit, ignited by the other's presence, coursed through Narita Brian. Her body trembled, every muscle screaming with excitement.
She was like a wild beast hearing the challenge cry of another from deep within the jungle—body tensing, coiling, ready to clash.
"I don't mind having our match right here, right now—"
Audience or not, location be damned. Wherever this opponent was, that place would instantly become a battlefield—thrilling, unforgettable, and drenched in passion.
This was the meaning she found in competition.
But just as Narita Brian was buzzing with anticipation, the other's gaze slowly slid past her.
The blade that had been poised at her throat merely grazed Narita Brian's cheek before smoothly sliding back into its sheath.
Sorry to disappoint.
She had no intention of fighting here.
After all, Manhattan Cafe and the other Tracen students were nearby.
If they caused a scene, by tomorrow, Symboli Rudolf would probably have the Student Council and Disciplinary Committee turning the entire academy upside down with a full-scale inspection.
They'd only just managed to ease up on the campus restrictions. A stir like this would mean disciplinary officers stationed at every corner, watching their every move.
She didn't need any more complications, living life at Tracen like some kind of fugitive.
Sensing the other's sharp intent withdraw from her, Narita Brian narrowed her eyes.
"Not here, then? Don't tell me you're saving your full strength for the [Tenno Sho]?"
"You can assume that's the case."
The girl replied.
"Is that so… I should have known…"
Narita Brian's knuckles cracked audibly.
If her rival had decided to go all out on the official battlefield, what possible reason did she have to hold back?
"I'll be entering that race too."
Narita Brian made her resolve.
You're joining as well?
Hearing this, the other's lips curled into a high, sharp smile.
"Interesting."
From a competitor's standpoint, she didn't mind Narita Brian adding more fuel to this fire.
However, drawing on the trainer's knowledge she'd acquired, she knew Narita Brian was making a seriously poor choice.
Abandoning a race that held deep personal meaning for you, just to fight me?
Narita Brian, you really are a beast that logic can't restrain!
"I hope it won't be a boring race."
The girl answered.
"But before that, there's someone you should go find—"
--+--
Slam—!
A hand smacked heavily against the wall. Narita Brian stared down at the brown-haired girl before her.
"Copano Rickey, right?"
"Y-yes…"
Pressing her back against the wall, the girl slid slowly to the ground, trembling as she managed to open her mouth.
Narita Brian! It's the Narita Brian!
Seeing that fierce face, Copano Rickey felt as if an entire mountain were pressing down on her. Her heart nearly froze solid.
The overwhelming pressure made it impossible to lift her head, and a faint, almost illusory scent of blood stung her nostrils.
It felt like she could be torn to pieces at any second!
"U-um, excuse me… c-can I help you?"
"Someone told me to find you."
"F-find me? Who…?"
She'd heard the rumors, of course, but facing the real person and that icy expression, Copano Rickey felt her courage shatter completely.
This is bad, this is really bad!
"Someone you know."
Someone I know?
Her mind, spurred by terror, began racing faster than ever before. Soon, she pinpointed the one person—or rather, spirit—she'd previously clashed with.
Did the ghost send you?
You're not here to beat me up, are you?!
This is a joke! Taking a single punch from Narita Brian would absolutely kill me!
What could I possibly use to fight back against her?
Miss Ghost, did we really have some kind of grudge this serious?!
"Do you know why I'm here?"
Those yellow eyes stared down at her, the wild gaze hitting Copano Rickey's chest like a sledgehammer made of steel.
She nearly collapsed into a boneless heap on the spot.
"I think… I can explain…"
There was a reason for what I did back then! Can we please just calm down and talk this over nicely?
"I am talking to you."
Leaning down, Narita Brian brought her face so close that Copano Rickey could see her own terrified, shaking reflection in the other's pupils.
Gulp…
Copano Rickey swallowed with difficulty.
At the very least… let me take a painkiller first.
"She said you understand Feng Shui." Narita Brian suddenly said something that made Copano Rickey's brain short-circuit.
It took a few seconds for her to process the words.
"I know a little, a little." She nodded hurriedly, afraid that delaying a few seconds might anger the other.
"In that case, help me out. If I were to participate in the [Tenno Sho], would the outcome be [Auspicious] or [Inauspicious]?"
"..."
Huh?
"She said since there's a risk of injury in the race, I should find you to perform a divination. To see what luck the future holds."
Finally understanding Narita Brian's request, the tension drained from her body all at once, leaving her weak.
So it was about this…
She'd thought her life was about to end right here and now.
Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, her limbs still felt like jelly as she stumbled unsteadily to her feet.
"Divination, r-right. I should warn you upfront, divination isn't a hundred percent accurate. Fate isn't set in stone. I can only give you the most probable outcome."
"Doesn't matter. Just do it."
"O-okay, then… But I need to make some preparations first. I need to get my Six Yao divination set."
"I'll go with you."
Not daring to refuse in the slightest, Copano Rickey led the way, trembling and shrinking into herself, terrified that the other might wring her out like a wet rag.
--+--
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.