"Hah!"
"Heeyah!"
In the lounge, Platinum started practicing her military-style boxing.
Agnes Tachyon held her head, looking at Platinum with affectionate eyes as she gently said, "We're about to race, why don't you take a break for a bit?"
Agnes Tachyon was all about compromise.
If you said Platinum did nothing but eat and sleep all day, Tachyon would whip out the riding crop and drive her into motion.
But when Platinum trained on her own, running on the track late into the night, not letting herself rest even a second before the race, then Tachyon would be the one urging her to take it easy.
She was worried she might have actually given Platinum some kind of mental complex.
To this day, there was no clear consensus on whether Uma Musume with mental health issues could ever return to the racetrack.
Though Tachyon knew Platinum was just nervous before the race... she truly couldn't understand what Platinum had to be nervous about.
I mean, you already beat Golden Sixty, so why are you still acting so timid in the Yayoi Sho?
Could any of these competitors possibly pressure you more than Golden Sixty did?
Getting all worked up over a race like this—looks like you still need more training.
"Whew!"
Platinum finished a set of military-style boxing, coming to a stop. A fine sweat covered her body, her face flushed and rosy. She was pretty much warmed up.
"I'm ready now." Platinum exhaled slowly, opening her eyes. A sharp, cold gleam flashed within them.
She was fully prepared!
Neo Universe wasn't here, Tokai Teio wasn't here either.
She'd checked the entry list for this race, and though she didn't know why there were only eight participants, Nice Nature was the only one she remembered...
It seemed the only obstacle between her and victory was Ms. Nice Nature.
Poor Ibuki Maikagura... completely overlooked by Platinum due to her low profile.
Right now, I'm in peak condition!
Even if Symboli Rudolf were on that track today, I'd bite her down, no question.
Watching Platinum start another set of military-style boxing, Agnes Tachyon bit her lip, unsure whether to advise or not.
"By the way, didn't you go out for a walk earlier? Learn anything?"
"Uh, well... Hah!" Platinum threw a jab.
"I did see some Uma Musume, but not Nice Nature. This place is just too big—I got lost."
"So I tried asking the Uma Musume I met in the hallway for directions, and also to find Nice Nature's lounge and gather some intel."
"Hyah!" Platinum took a big step forward. "But for some reason, whenever I talked to them, they wouldn't answer. They just kept shaking their heads."
"There was even one who stared daggers at me the moment I approached, and I hadn't even said anything to her. The Nakayama Uma Musume are so unwelcoming."
"In the end, I could only slink away after saying, [I look forward to meeting you on the track.]" Platinum pouted, still feeling a little wronged.
She hadn't done anything, so why was everyone treating her so poorly?
Had she been isolated by the others without even realizing it...?
This was school bullying, plain and simple!
"..." Agnes Tachyon squinted at Platinum, realizing she genuinely hadn't noticed. "Oh."
This girl... is really so dense... that it never occurred to her why only eight runners entered this Yayoi Sho!
Tachyon had once suspected that Platinum's head was filled with nothing but play, eat, and sleep—and now it seemed that was exactly the case.
Those other girls... they're afraid of you.
But after a moment's thought, Tachyon decided not to point it out.
Mainly because she found Platinum's behavior—acting so timid despite being the top pick—utterly amusing.
After all, Tachyon only cared that Platinum won... Beyond that, she had a bit of a mischievous streak.
"Enough of that." Tachyon patted Platinum's shoulder. "Get ready to head out."
Platinum retracted her fist, patted the number bib hanging on her chest, and raised her arms, waving them.
"Woooh—!"
Letting out a meaningless shout, Platinum charged out of the lounge and onto the racetrack.
As her field of view widened, the small spot of light ahead expanded—Platinum burst onto the green turf, saw the azure sky, and heard the roaring crowd.
"Now entering the track—the number one pick, Platinum!"
The announcer's voice echoed across the venue.
"The hero who ventured to Hong Kong and returned triumphant! Hailed as the dazzling princess, she dominates her opponents with absolute superiority on the track—an unstoppable runner from another dimension!"
"Could there possibly be anyone left who can halt her march to victory?"
...Of course there is, there has to be!
Hearing the announcer's words, Ibuki Maikagura thought to herself.
Because I'm the rival Platinum acknowledged! I will definitely give everyone an exciting race!
Ibuki Maikagura took a deep breath and stepped onto the turf.
"Now entering is the second pick, Ibuki Maikagura!"
"Ibuki Maikagura is also a remarkably strong Uma Musume, undefeated in her previous races. She is a shining new star."
"Does she resent being ranked second in popularity? Ibuki Maikagura is full of fighting spirit. We look forward to her delivering a spectacular performance."
Ah, seriously, everyone else was smart enough to avoid this race... Why am I still here...
Nice Nature pressed a hand to her forehead as she stepped onto the track.
Oh, I really regret this. I should've just stuck with the original plan and entered the Spring Stakes instead.
But still...
"The third pick, Nice Nature, is a steady and skilled performer. Though she's often had bad luck, perhaps today she'll bring us a surprising miracle."
Lifting her head, Nice Nature strode forward.
There are just some times... when you want to challenge your own limits.
"Go, go, go, get first place—!" In the stands, a certain blue-haired shorty jumped and shouted, whether Nice Nature could hear her or not.
"Nice Nature?" Hearing the announcer, Platinum twitched her ears and glanced back.
Looking past the chestnut-haired Ibuki Maikagura, Platinum spotted that flame-red hair.
It was Ms. Nice Nature, the one she'd been thinking about.
Noticing Platinum's gaze, Ibuki Maikagura's eyes instantly sparkled. She touched her cheek and puffed out her chest.
As Platinum approached, Ibuki Maikagura put her hands on her hips, tilting her nose up with a haughty hum. "Hmph, it's not like I was looking forward to racing you or anyth—"
"Excuse me, coming through." Platinum bypassed Ibuki Maikagura and stopped in front of Nice Nature, under the chestnut-haired girl's disbelieving stare.
Nice Nature had also assumed Platinum was heading for Ibuki Maikagura, so her stopping right in front of her left Nice Nature momentarily stunned.
"Eh, Platinum-san..." Nice Nature fiddled with her hair, trying to start a conversation, but Platinum just raised a thumb.
Then, Platinum took a deep breath and, mimicking how Agnes Tachyon had once threatened her, drew that thumb horizontally across her own throat.
"...Eeeeh?!" came the sound of Ibuki Maikagura staring tearfully at Platinum.
"...Eeeeh?!" was the panicked cry of Nice Nature, who had no idea what she'd done to earn Platinum's hostility.
--+--
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.