What in the world are you even saying?
Becoming friends with the goal of turning into lovers?
You've got some nerve…
Platinum didn't feel the slightest ripple of emotion inside, just found it somewhat amusing.
After all, she and Sea the Stars had never met—not even a proper photo, just that one baby picture taken right after birth…
Trying to develop an interest in Sea the Stars based on an infant photo was a pretty tall order.
Just then, another message came in from Urban Sea.
[Sea the Stars is a bit of an unusual kid. I'd really appreciate it if you could be patient with her. My apologies.]
[I've thought it over, and I feel like you're the only one I can trust to be her friend. I just can't feel at ease with anyone else. She often says strange things, so she doesn't have many friends around. Even if it's just going through the motions, could you please chat with her a little more? I'm counting on you.]
Platinum's furrowed brows relaxed at once.
Well, why didn't you say so earlier? So that's how it is—you want me to be an online babysitter.
Just like hiring a companion for gaming, Urban Sea was trying to get a better grasp of the younger generation's mindset by finding an outside workaround.
To be honest, Platinum still found the whole task a bit bothersome, but Urban Sea had asked so earnestly, and it really wasn't anything difficult. She could just chat a bit here and there while surfing the web—wouldn't even amount to one-thousandth of her usual online activity.
Besides, Urban Sea was still on her list of potential anchors. Building a good relationship certainly couldn't hurt.
[Don't you worry, this Platinum's got this. I'll handle it perfectly for you.]
Babysitting? Making friends might be hard, but playing kindergarten teacher to a little kid? Easy as pie!
In her past life, Platinum had even gotten bored enough to create over a dozen chat accounts and chat with different netizens using completely different personas.
Switching between a dozen personalities in a minute—now that was scary. Being a preschool teacher? She could do it in her sleep.
Platinum switched back to the chat window with Sea the Stars.
[So, little Sea the Stars, how old are you?]
[I'm fourteen this year, the same as you.]
"Fourteen? Still just a little sprout," Platinum muttered to herself, while Agnes Tachyon shot her a look that said, 'Do you even hear yourself?'
As for that part about being the same age, Platinum simply ignored it.
[Well, you've still got a long, long way to go before you can be my lover.]
[Then how about being your friend?]
[Hmm… There's some distance there too, but not too far. Maybe two or three days' worth?]
[I see.]
[What kind of hobbies do you usually have?]
[I like running, and I like watching the clouds. Do those count?]
Watching Platinum gradually getting more and more engaged in the conversation with Sea the Stars, Agnes Tachyon clicked her tongue.
"You can be pretty nasty sometimes, you know."
"None of your business. I'm cloud-babysitting."
?
The little jeep quietly turned and pulled into a gas station.
"I need to refuel. You young ladies can get out and stretch your legs for a bit. We've got a long stretch of highway ahead," the driver explained to the three.
Platinum patted her belly in response, wobbled as she opened the car door, wobbled as her feet touched the ground, and then swayed unsteadily from side to side.
Ever since that Special Race, whether it was the exhaustion from her fierce duel with Golden Sixty, the euphoria of beating her, or her old habit of staying up late resurfacing, Platinum had been stuck in this half-dead state—like a salted fish that's been cured so well it flips itself over.
Agnes Digital also got out to stretch her shoulders, and even the driver stepped away to find a smoking room for a quick cigarette. He wouldn't dare smoke at the gas station, but going the whole drive without a single puff was unbearable, so now was his only chance.
Only Agnes Tachyon remained in the car, her slitted crimson eyes fixed intently on Platinum, who was now practicing military-style boxing in the gas station.
Her mind drifted back to a conversation she'd had with Sham.
It was on the night before the big race. Agnes Tachyon had knocked on Sham's door. After explaining her reason for visiting, she fell into a long silence.
She knew her request was highly inappropriate, but she didn't want to let this opportunity slip away.
After a period of silence, Sham motioned for Agnes Tachyon to sit, then took a seat opposite her.
"You want to know about Secretariat? Shouldn't you ask the American Racing Association? They've already made Secretariat's records public."
"That's not what I'm asking about. I want to know the things that aren't in those public records—the things only a rival like you would understand."
This was delving into rather private territory. Who knew what Agnes Tachyon intended to do with that information? If it got out, it could reflect poorly on Sham as well.
So Sham merely pondered, remaining silent.
So it's really not possible… Agnes Tachyon sighed inwardly.
"…Please." Agnes Tachyon stood up and bowed deeply to Sham. For someone as proud as her, this was the first time she had ever lowered her head to anyone.
"This is important… for both me and Platinum."
"No matter what, we want to defeat Secretariat… and her student… Flightline."
A flicker of emotion passed through Sham's eyes the moment she heard Secretariat's name.
"Defeat Secretariat and Flightline? Why would you aim for that?"
Agnes Tachyon kept her head deeply bowed, gritting her teeth. "Of course, it's because—"
"Platinum promised me."
"She told me she has the greatest talent in the world, that she's the ultimate Uma Musume who'll drive everyone wild."
"She told me she'll stand at the very peak of the world."
"So I believe in her, and I want to do everything I can to support her. Secretariat and Flightline are our greatest rivals, our most formidable enemies."
Hearing Agnes Tachyon's words, Sham's face contorted into something between a smile and a grimace. Perhaps she genuinely meant to smile gently, but the expression she produced was fierce enough to send a chill down one's spine.
"That's quite the boast."
"Putting Secretariat aside, do you have any idea just how exceptional Flightline is?"
"No one can even be compared to Flightline. And besides, Platinum hasn't even won this Special Race yet. How can you talk about challenging Flightline?"
Sham also stood up and began pacing back and forth in the room. The clip-clop of her footsteps echoed, each one striking right at the heart.
"…Ah."
Finally, Sham returned to her seat.
"Please, sit. I'll tell you everything I know."
She spoke coolly: "Not because I'm convinced you can defeat that master-disciple pair, but so that you fully understand just how strong they are."
--+--
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.