Nakayama Racecourse.
Sitting in the lounge, Ibuki Maikagura felt her palms trembling slightly.
A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead. She raised her left hand to clamp down on her right, as if she could physically suppress the doubts swirling within her.
Ibuki Maikagura stared at her reflection in the mirror.
A short-haired, chestnut-haired girl brimming with youthful vitality stared back, yet a persistent, unshakable anxiety was etched between the brows of the reflected face.
She knew exactly where this anxiety came from.
She had talent, Ibuki Maikagura believed this, and it was the truth. She had recklessly wielded that innate talent, breaking through every challenge on the racetrack as easily as splitting bamboo.
But deep down, she also knew.
There's always someone better, a higher peak to climb. One day, she would meet an opponent whose natural gift surpassed her own.
She had always aimed to challenge Tokai Teio. But before she could even face Tokai Teio, she encountered a... far more terrifying rival.
A rookie, debuting overseas in Hong Kong and defeating the reigning Hong Kong Uma Musume King—a feat most wouldn't even dare to dream of.
Never mind the countless top-tier Uma Musume who had foundered and failed in Hong Kong; just emerging victorious from a field of the world's peak competitors sounded like something straight out of a fantasy.
So far, undefeated in every race. And apart from that Hong Kong venture, every single victory had been by a massive margin—never had anyone managed to run in front of her.
The Glimmering Princess, descending upon the track like a heavenly Pegasus, dominating under the name Platinum.
'No... I can't build up her morale while destroying my own...'
Ibuki Maikagura sharply slapped her own cheeks.
Hadn't she already decided to test the mettle of this Pegasus?
The fact that she was still here, still determined to run in the Yayoi Sho, was a testament to her own courage, wasn't it? Why shrink back now?
Forcing a dry chuckle, she placed her hands on her hips in the empty lounge, then let her head droop, feeling the corners of her mouth stubbornly refuse to lift into a smile.
'I just can't smile... No matter what, facing an opponent like that, I just can't bring myself to smile...'
There were only eight entrants for this year's Yayoi Sho. This situation was far from common.
While no one said it out loud, everyone understood the reason behind it.
Avoidance.When faced with an opponent considered utterly unbeatable, it was better to just steer clear.
Only those with extraordinary confidence in themselves, or those not running with the sole aim of victory, or those who truly had no other choice... would participate in this race.
Sensing the gloom gathering between her brows again, Ibuki Maikagura shook her head fiercely, trying to desperately drive away the unease.
She twisted the doorknob and stepped out into the hallway, intending to wander a bit and clear her mind. Staying cooped up in the lounge wouldn't improve her mood one bit.
The corridor was deserted. Staff and trainers, aiming to let the competitors fully prepare, wouldn't disturb the participants unnecessarily.
The only sound was the echo of Ibuki Maikagura's own footsteps.
...Strange. Those weren't just her footsteps. Ibuki Maikagura's ears twitched, immediately recognizing the discrepancy.
She wasn't exactly startled, though.
This was a public space, and it was the day of the Yayoi Sho.
It was perfectly normal for someone else to be here—maybe a staff member, or perhaps another competitor...
Another competitor...
Ibuki Maikagura froze in her tracks. As her own footsteps ceased, the other set of footsteps became crystal clear in her ears.
Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap.
Light yet steady, Ibuki Maikagura could easily imagine the gait of the approaching figure: it would be proud and elegant, like a haughty swan, each step and stride precisely measured, the footsteps of someone long-trained.
Her own trainer was skilled at listening to the footsteps of Uma Musume. He had told her once:
—'The sound of an Uma Musume's footsteps is as important as her heartbeat. Listen to them, and you can discern what caliber of Uma Musume she is.'
—'If the steps sound crisp but are disorderly, it means she has power but hasn't refined her control. If the steps are hesitant and the sound faltering, it means the Uma Musume lacks confidence in her own legs, and might even have some insecurities.'
—'Your footsteps sound excellent, among the finest I've heard. But they aren't perfect yet.'
Ibuki Maikagura knew, she was hearing those so-called perfect footsteps now. Her breath suddenly grew heavy, her body locked in place, a cold sweat breaking out across her skin.
'It has to be her. These footsteps could only belong to that person!'
'That terrifying rival whom all the other Uma Musume here are avoiding!'
'What is she doing here? Shouldn't she just be waiting patiently for the entrance?'
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The footsteps behind her drew closer, still maintaining that unhurried, precise rhythm.
Ibuki Maikagura stiffly shifted her eyes, wanting to turn her head, but her body felt paralyzed, utterly refusing to obey her commands.
'...What a joke. Have I really been scared out of my wits?' Ibuki Maikagura felt the absurdity and irony of it.
Was she really like a puppet now, being manipulated at will?
'If I lose my nerve here, what's the point of running? I might as well just roll back home!'
Clenching her fists tightly, Ibuki Maikagura turned her body, stubbornly fixing her gaze on the visitor behind her.
As she turned, the footsteps halted right in front of her. It was indeed that dazzling, pure white figure.
The hallway lights were dim, and Platinum stood directly under one, the glare making it hard for Ibuki Maikagura to clearly see her face.
But shielding her eyes now would be tantamount to admitting defeat.
So, Ibuki Maikagura stubbornly thrust out her chest, enduring the stinging light that made her eyes water.
They stood staring at each other for an unknowable length of time—perhaps only seconds, but it felt like several minutes to Ibuki Maikagura.
Then, she heard the pure white figure let out a soft, seemingly satisfied sigh.
"I look forward to meeting you on the track." The words were tossed out lightly as the white figure turned and walked away.
Under Ibuki Maikagura's disbelieving gaze, Platinum simply left, just like that, without a single backward glance.
...What? What was that for? A cold sweat drop traced its way down Ibuki Maikagura's cheek.
'Was that it? Screening her opponents before the race?'
'Only those who still had the will to fight against her were worthy of sharing the stage?'
'How... domineering. It's just like, just like... how Symboli Rudolf was in her prime.'
Gazing at the now empty corridor, Ibuki Maikagura pressed a hand to her chest; her heart was still pounding violently, refusing to calm down. But amidst the shock... a thread of pride actually welled up inside her.
'She acknowledged me. I'm an opponent worthy of sharing the track with Platinum!'
--+--
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.