"What's all this now?"
The girl, who had been training her concentration in the spirit world, was called out by Manhattan Cafe.
Having concealed her face once more, she stood before Agnes Tachyon's computer and followed Manhattan Cafe's pointing finger to a message on the webpage.
"'The Black Ghost's next target is the [Miyako Stakes], oh? Something like this…'"
"What do you mean, 'something like this'… Didn't you say it yourself?" Manhattan Cafe asked, bewildered.
"I said no such thing, and I've no plans to. Besides, the [Miyako Stakes] is a GIII mile race, right? Even I don't have so much free time that I'd go run a GIII right after the [Tenno Sho]."
Though actual races were the fastest way to improve, for a girl like her who couldn't rely on physical training to boost her abilities, the method of observing and thinking deeply suited her better.
So after every race, she'd spend a long time reviewing the lessons learned from it.
The methods and strategies her opponents used, her own shortcomings, areas where she could improve.
The more she analyzed, the greater her chances of winning next time.
Yes, her chances of winning.
The girl never believed she could rely on raw physical talent to win race after race.
There's always someone better, a higher sky beyond the sky.
A proud heart didn't conflict with daily self-reflection.
Look down on your rivals, but scrutinize yourself. That was the proper attitude.
She believed that no matter how powerful a body one had, eventually they'd meet an opponent they couldn't match.
So she was also experimenting with different methods to enhance her own strength.
Tactics, mentality, disruption, intimidation…
Ways to win weren't just about improving oneself; they also included shattering the enemy's morale and will to fight.
Once everything was honed to near perfection, the opponent's stamina, her own stamina, the length of the track—it all danced in her palm like marionettes.
Only the one who truly mastered the battlefield could be called the strongest. That was the girl's understanding of racing.
Lately, she'd been working hard in this direction, observing others' training, studying theoretical knowledge.
So currently, she had no intention of charging back onto the racing scene.
Besides, appearing this way once or twice was fine, but if she kept it up and they still couldn't figure it out, they might as well go back to elementary school.
In fact, this last race, she'd almost been discovered.
If not for Cafe and the others' efforts, she'd probably have been completely exposed by the central racing association already.
Once the metal number plates came off the starting gate, getting out would be much harder.
Each extra appearance increased the risk of exposure, so she wasn't about to participate in unimportant races.
Like this [Miyako Stakes], for instance.
Sure, it's a stakes race too, but compared to the 'Eight Major Races', it doesn't even come close.
Taking part would just be a waste of time and opportunity.
Hearing her 'Friend's' explanation, Manhattan Cafe nodded.
"So… that means this news is fake…"
Her 'Friend' definitely wouldn't lie to her, especially after the whole media storm. They'd promised each other to face future races together.
If her 'Friend' were truly discovered, she was willing to expose their relationship and take the blame in her place.
To that end, her 'Friend' needed to tell her future plans, not make decisions alone in secret.
That was the promise between Cafe and her 'Friend'.
After sharing her own conclusion with Agnes Tachyon, the latter scrolled through the webpage, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
"Hah… Interesting. They didn't just write which race the 'Ghost' will enter; they also posted something like an advance letter."
Right below that message.
"Probably just nonsense," Cafe guessed. "It's anonymous, after all. No need for reasons to talk."
"Maybe."
Agnes Tachyon replied absently.
"By the way, Cafe, that Fujii Senosuke guy—did he say when this website was set up?"
"About two days ago…"
"Two days, quite recent." Agnes Tachyon rested her chin on her hand. "Now that is interesting."
"Why?" Manhattan Cafe asked patiently, seeing the other's mysterious demeanor.
"Too little information, just a hunch."
Everyone knows the saying 'barking dogs seldom bite.' From the race's end until now, the central association hadn't made a move. Agnes Tachyon didn't believe for a second they were just letting this slide.
Disrupting the [Tenno Sho] in front of everyone was practically a capital offense in the Uma Musume racing world.
She was sure that beneath a calm surface, the central association was fuming, only this time they weren't making a big show of it like before.
Neurotoxin—Agnes Tachyon blinked thoughtfully. Was that the term?
There's a venomous snake called the banded krait that kills with a neurotoxin. Injected into the body, it doesn't hurt much, no obvious symptoms at first, but it causes respiratory failure and can kill within hours.
In terms of sheer danger, slow-acting venom often isn't as potent as fast-acting, but in terms of dread, it's even worse.
That feeling of being poisoned without realizing it, the terror of discovering it when it's already too late.
"You understand what I mean, don't you, Miss 'Friend'?"
Dark red pupils fixed on her.
Narrowing her eyes, the black-haired girl fell into thought.
So the other's fangs have already sunk in, injecting their venom—is that what she means?
The [Miyako Stakes], the advance letter…
Could it be that someone plans to do something at that race?
--+--
"This stone, returning it to you."
Between her injury and post-race interviews, it took Narita Brian four days before she finally found Copano Rickey.
When she saw her again, Copano Rickey was sitting on the grass of the training field, her ears drooping.
Hearing the voice, she looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the bandages on Narita Brian's leg.
"How is it?"
She asked nervously, as if she were the one injured, not Narita Brian.
"Just a sprain, no need to make a fuss." Narita Brian's tone was flat.
"A sprain, is it? That's a relief…"
Hearing this, Copano Rickey let out a sigh of relief, but she didn't hurry to take the jade back, insisting Narita Brian keep it a while longer.
"The unlucky aura around you hasn't completely faded yet. Keep it a bit longer."
Because she'd been caught giving the jade to someone else without permission, Copano Rickey had been thoroughly scolded by her parents, who demanded she get it back immediately.
But Copano Rickey stubbornly insisted Narita Brian continue to carry it.
She could still hear the ominous whispers around Narita Brian, muffled but not gone, by the jade.
But even if she told Narita Brian this, she'd probably just dismiss it as superstition, mock the foolishness of fortune-telling, and brush it off.
"What are you doing here?"
Instead of answering directly, Narita Brian changed the subject.
"Just… slacking off a little."
"Slacking…" Narita Brian narrowed her eyes. "Then, why keep that thing beside you?"
She gestured with her chin toward the hexagram divination set next to Copano Rickey.
"Ah." Copano Rickey blinked. "You noticed…"
Seeing she couldn't hide it, Copano Rickey admitted frankly, "Well, the truth is, before every race, I habitually do a divination for myself. To see if I can win, or if something unexpected might happen during the race."
Narita Brian didn't reply, waiting for her to continue.
"And so I did a reading for myself this time. The result wasn't good." A wry smile touched Copano Rickey's lips. "It seems I might lose this race."
No matter how many times she cast the hexagrams, it was the same. Failure seemed inevitable. Since the outcome was already decided, surely it was fine to slack off a bit now, right?
Watching Copano Rickey scratch her head with an embarrassed expression, Narita Brian fell silent.
She pulled out the jade stone and placed it in Copano Rickey's hand.
"Huh?"
What did this mean?
"It's not needed…" Narita Brian said slowly. "These things aren't necessary."
Whether injured or healthy, whether victory or defeat, it was all part of an Uma Musume's life.
Does knowing you might lose mean you don't run? Should you only run races you're sure to win?
What a joke. The only way is to brave the heights fearlessly, to charge recklessly toward that peak, undaunted even by death!
Lose, but refuse to accept defeat; fail, but do not fear failure. Only then can you be called a true Uma Musume!
"My injury will heal, with or without your fortune-telling." Her yellow eyes bore into Copano Rickey. "I'll make you understand that this Fang Shui and divination are just things you stubbornly choose to believe in."
There's no such thing as a pre-destined outcome.
With that, Narita Brian turned and left.
Copano Rickey stood there, stunned.
Was that it…
Perhaps more than the answer from the hexagrams, she wanted to believe Narita Brian's words.
There is no fixed outcome.
Thinking this, Copano Rickey slowly clenched the race notification slip inside her pocket.
Kyoto Racecourse, [Miyako Stakes] — Entry Notification.
--+--
T/N: Copano rickey character development?
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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.