Umamusume's days are numbered

I have never regretted giving up being a racehorse girl. Choosing to become a support horse girl, so I can be by your side, was the best decision I ever made.

Fujikoji gritted her teeth, her anger boiling inside her. She was jealous of Shirogane, jealous that Shirogane could receive such favor as the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, jealous that Shirogane could participate in the Satsuki Sho competition, jealous that Shirogane could stand on the stage.

But she was even more jealous that it wasn't her standing next to Platinum. That position was the dream of everyone who had become a Uma Musume (horse girl) or wanted to become one.

That symbolizes the pinnacle.

"You bastard—!" Suddenly, the silence of the audience was broken as Fuji Koji roared.

"Since you've managed to do this much, then keep running!"

Although I am extremely jealous, and extremely unwilling to admit it.

However, Shirokane was indeed the most beautiful racehorse girl that Fuji Koji had ever seen.

Faced with such songs and performances, Fuji Koji recalled why he initially wanted to become a Uma Musume (horse racer).

That's because I want to be the moon that can illuminate others.

As the Emperor of the East Sea heard the song coming from afar, tears welled up in his eyes once again.

This marks the end of his undefeated three-time champion journey.

At the same time, it is the starting point of a completely new path for myself.

The Emperor of the East Sea clearly heard what Bai Jin wanted to say to him.

After experiencing despair and struggle, let's set off again.

If no one can be your hero, then you must become your own hero.

"Truly..." The Emperor of the East Sea wiped away his tears with his fingers. Although he was still crying, this was the first time the Emperor of the East Sea had smiled today.

"I never thought I'd be comforted by you one day. I guess I really am a terrible person."

"The beautiful light of the moon, the quietness of the moon"

Holding each other's arms, the three people on stage supported each other and stood up again.

"The beginning is the beginning and the decay is the beginning"

Pulling her arm away from the embrace of the new universe and Leodban, Platinum walked into the spotlight on stage on her own.

Although the singing continued, a hint of surprise flashed in Leo Deban's eyes. This part wasn't originally planned for the initial rehearsals.

In other words, at this moment, it is a completely impromptu performance by Platinum.

The new universe watched Platinum's performance with an expression that said, "It should have been like this all along."

As for Platinum, even she herself didn't know why she did it. Perhaps she was truly moved by the song, or perhaps today's victory was all too precious; it was as if a voice within Platinum was urgently wanting to be uttered.

She wants to connect with many people, not just one. So she wants to dedicate her songs to everyone.

"まだ远くへ"

"Hands stretched out"

"Jun's sigh, letter, letter————"

Alice's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

The carp leaps over the dragon gate, its two palms resting on its forehead.

The Emperor of the East Sea wiped away his tears.

We have received what you wanted to convey.

So, Platinum, thank you.

At this very moment, at this moment that symbolizes both the end and the beginning, we bid farewell to the past and soar into the future.

The Satsuki Appreciation Festival has come to an end.

Episode 197 I Like You

Platinum walked alone in the staff passage, avoiding the crowd as he left the arena.

Although it rained all day, the audience's enthusiasm was not diminished much, and now that the rain has stopped.

Platinum originally wanted to meet up with Alice and the others to go back to school together, but the staff strongly but gently suggested that they go through the staff entrance to avoid a lot of trouble.

Those who don't heed the advice of elders will suffer the consequences. Although the cuckolded devils can't yet be called "old Deng," Platinum also chose to follow their advice.

As Bai Jin walked through the corridor, he suddenly looked up as if sensing something, and sure enough, he saw a dark green figure standing at the exit waiting for him.

“Congratulations on winning the Satsuki Prize.” Rudolf smiled and stepped forward.

Platinum was initially quite happy, but her face immediately fell when she saw the Rudolph symbol.

You've been waiting for me here, haven't you?

"What's there to congratulate? It's just a game." Platinum curled his lip and replied indifferently.

...So what? Rudolf symbolizes that you're not like this when you receive blessings from others; after singing, your face is practically beaming with joy on stage.

What did I do to upset her? Sigh, kids these days are so hard to understand.

If she couldn't understand it, Rudolph decided not to. She patted Platinum on the shoulder: "Any plans for tonight? Like a celebration party with teammates and friends or something?"

Platinum stopped in his tracks, crossed his arms, and glanced sideways at Rudolf: "Why hold a victory celebration at a time like this?"

Platinum won, East Sea Emperor lost, are the SPICA players going to abandon East Sea Emperor to celebrate for me? If so, I'd be a bit anthropomorphic.

Although Platinum Games has always prided itself on its anthropomorphic style, it still can't do something so rudimentary.

Platinum had already packed his concert outfit and final outfit into a ball and thrown them into his backpack. He was still wearing that windbreaker that was obviously a size too big, and he just stood there with his arms crossed, looking at Rudolf's symbol.

Platinum's initiative is generally no different from that of a koala, except that it can be exceptionally strong at times. After discussing the details of the winner's stage, Platinum went to find Rudolph's symbol without hesitation.

Rudolf symbolized being found, but it was a finding that happened through a window, where he could just see the East Sea Emperor and Rudolf symbol embracing in the rain.

Bai Jin was definitely not happy about it. "I understand you going to comfort the Emperor of the East Sea, but I wouldn't go through all that trouble with a little girl. At least send me a congratulatory text message!"

If all else fails, just edit the message for both of them first, and send it to whoever wins. It's just a matter of moving your thumb.

She herself was confused about her current state of mind.

If it's jealousy, then being jealous of the East Sea Emperor, who lost the game, is much younger than me in terms of mental age, and has been taking care of my child all this time, makes me seem a bit ungrateful.

But she couldn't comfort herself into thinking that Platinum could easily accept this.

Platinum also knew that Rudolf Symbol hadn't really done anything wrong. The East Sea Emperor had lost so badly that his Dao Heart was shattered, and he himself felt somewhat guilty. It was normal for Rudolf Symbol to offer some encouragement.

But why is congratulations for winning given a lower priority than those for losing? Even though it's not a game that symbolizes a victory for Rudolf, it makes it seem like I won the game but lost at life.

In short, Platinum is currently experiencing this awkward feeling. On one hand, she feels that getting angry about this is being childish, but on the other hand, she can't control herself.

Rudolph immediately understood the symbolism. She hadn't yet realized that the three of them had unintentionally formed the classic composition of the white album, but she could roughly guess from Platinum's sour voice.

The little darling is sulking.

Just like siblings in a family, if one sibling receives more attention from their parents, the others will be unhappy.

"Then let's go, just the two of us. I'll treat you." Rudolf pointed to the door with a thumbs-up. "It's on me today."

Kids are easy to get angry at, but also easy to appease. Rudolph's many years as student council president were definitely not for nothing.

"What about the Emperor of the East Sea?" Even though she knew that mentioning the Emperor of the East Sea at this time would make her seem petty, Bai Jin still couldn't help but ask.

Rudolph leaned closer to Platinum and ruffled her hair. "I asked Nishizaki Ryu to take her back to school. She's calmed down now and needs some rest."

"Ha! Does that mean the two of us are secretly having fun outside behind the Emperor of the East Sea's back?"

Platinum flung Rudolph's symbolic hand away, and words spilled uncontrollably from his mouth.

Only when she said it did she realize how hurtful and excessive her words were, and Platinum immediately fell silent.

Rudolf's actions symbolize good intentions, even though the relationship between the two wasn't actually that close. Rudolf's willingness to pay attention to himself in addition to caring for the Emperor of the East Sea is already more than enough.

Besides, why am I even angry? Isn't it perfectly normal for Rudolf to prioritize the Emperor of the East Sea?

Rudolf symbolizes that every bit of care he receives comes from the Emperor of the East Sea; if anyone should be angry, it should be the Emperor of the East Sea.

...Wait a minute, the premise from the very beginning is wrong.

It was just a blessing text message, how did it get blown out of proportion like this?

I don't know why... I didn't intend to argue at first, but now my temper keeps rising.

"…Sorry, that's not what I meant, I just…" After a moment of silence, Platinum finally stammered and reluctantly spoke.

"I am..."

So what if I am?

What are I really thinking?

On the other hand, Rudolph is free to do whatever she wants, so what does it have to do with me?

"I am..."

Actually, it's because Rudolf symbolizes the initial, semi-forced desire to enter one's own life, right?

From the very beginning, she led him into Treson Academy and even agreed to let him be registered under her name.

Rudolph symbolizes one's own trainer. If one has any problems, Rudolph symbolizes shared responsibility.

But she gave herself enough trust.

And the Valentine's Day chocolates, and that...that date...

What did Rudolf mean by saying those things at that time?

Or ask yourself, what were you thinking when you inexplicably followed Rudolf's symbol?

Almost uncontrollably, the words slipped out of Platinum's mouth.

"I just... like you."

Episode 198 I Like You Too

"I just... like you."

The moment those words were spoken, even the air seemed to fall silent. Regardless of Rudolf's symbolic reaction, Platinum wanted nothing more than to slap herself twice.

What am I even saying? How could I just blurt out such things? And frankly, I didn't even have such intentions...

...Really not?

Think about it carefully, if you didn't have this thought, why would you blurt out such a thing?

Whether it was unconscious or not, it at least shows that subconsciously, you had this thought, right?

He arrived in a strange world, while death continued to pursue him.

The pressure on my shoulders is increasing, almost suffocating me.

They had no one they knew, no place to call home, and were easily abandoned on the streets to fend for themselves.

At this point, it was Rudolf who symbolized the path forward.

After that, Rudolf was also a symbol that accompanied him.

Of course, others gradually gathered around him—even though he resisted them so much. Like Nishizaki Ryu and his teammates, like Surukawa Tezuna, like Alice, like Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, like the Golden Spear Sixty and the others.

However, the encounter with the symbol of Rudolf was undoubtedly the starting point of all this. In other words, it was the symbol of Rudolf who gave him a sense of belonging, a goal to survive, and accompanied him on this journey.

It's not surprising that such feelings arise.

I hadn't said it before, partly because I was shy, and partly because I didn't want to interfere too much with other people's lives... Well, actually it was mainly because I was timid, and also because Platinum herself is slow-witted.

Such emotions would normally be suppressed deep inside, and the person involved might not even be aware of them; it's a natural progression.

But today's Satsuki-sho, the embrace between Rudolf Symbol and the Tokai Emperor, became the catalyst for everything. Who could have imagined that things would turn out this way simply because Rudolf Symbol didn't send Platinum a congratulatory text message?

Thinking about it this way, platinum can be quite scary sometimes.

"me···"

Unable to bear watching Rudolf's symbolic reaction, Platinum averted her gaze, her face instantly turning red.