Umamusume's days are numbered

Never mind those things for now, the most important thing right now is... what to do next?

Was he just laughing it off, saying that what he just said was just a joke?

Or should we just go for it and go straight for the ball?

How should I choose?

Normally, a Platinum would definitely back down in this situation and would slink away with its tail between its legs.

However, her execution ability is sometimes outstanding, especially when she is emotionally agitated.

The inexplicable jealousy in my heart has not only not subsided, but I have also become aware of a completely new relationship.

Then... let's just go straight for the attack.

Words spoken are like water spilled; there's no way to take them back. Besides, even if he managed to get away with it, his future interactions with Rudolf would undoubtedly be fraught with awkwardness.

The most crucial point is that Rudolph hasn't sent himself a celebratory text message yet, and Platinum is really unwilling to accept it!

Platinum's mind is currently blank, filled with an unknown power.

We might lose if we push hard, but we will definitely lose if we don't push hard!

"Yes, I like you, President."

With that thought, Platinum's gaze suddenly hardened.

Even though Tokai and Mejiro had gone to great lengths for Valentine's Day, they still didn't dare to be direct with Rudolf. They knew they still had rivals, and their chances of success weren't 100%.

If a confession fails, you can't even be friends anymore; it's like dropping out of the race early.

Platinum, on the other hand, doesn't have these concerns.

Because she didn't even think about it.

This guy—didn't even consider the serious consequences of a failed confession!

From confirming their feelings to confessing their love, it took less than a second in total. Their efficiency in such a strange place was outrageous!

At that moment, Platinum heard a soft chuckle.

Rudolf smiled, his lips pursed.

...What kind of reaction is this? Platinum was dumbfounded.

Rudolph symbolically pressed the hand that Platinum had just slapped away back onto Platinum's head and rubbed it vigorously: "Hmm, I like you too."

"Are you calm now? Let's go, you can choose any shop you like today."

As he said this, Rudolf turned and walked towards the door in front of Platinum, looking very relaxed. It didn't seem like Platinum had just said "I like you," but rather like he was saying "I'll stay overnight at an internet cafe."

No, did it succeed or fail? I never expected this reaction!

Rudolph symbolized no rush, but Platinum was in a hurry.

Logically, Rudolf's symbols have all responded... so shouldn't it be considered a successful confession? But Rudolf's symbols haven't shown any other indication, just like usual, deceiving me...

Undeterred, Platinum decided to confirm again, so she quickly ran to Rudolf Symbol's side and said, "Rudolf Symbol, I said I like you."

"I heard you, I like you too."

That tone is way too flat!

This isn't the tone of someone being confessed to; this tone is practically...

It's just like a little sister pestering her much older brother, saying, "When I grow up, I want to marry you," and the brother lovingly replies, "Okay, okay!"

They don't even consider themselves a little cookie!

Rudolf symbolizes... surely he wasn't completely unaware that "I like you" was actually a confession?

She doesn't think this is like what the child Emperor of the East Sea said to his idol, does she?

Platinum quickly grabbed Rudolf's symbolic sleeve: "I'm not talking about that kind of liking, I'm talking about a different kind of liking."

Damn it… Platinum said, feeling like she was about to cry. How come she had so many comedic moments?

"My feelings for you..." Platinum felt like her tongue was about to tie itself in knots, her face flushed so red that her cheeks felt like she had a fever, and she was already rambling incoherently, "It's that kind of... that kind of... lover's... feelings."

Now, can you finally understand what Rudolf symbolizes?

Rudolph symbolically stopped and turned to look at Platinum.

Platinum, with his neck stiff, lowered his head uncontrollably the moment he saw Rudolph turn around, like a criminal awaiting trial.

"Platinum, tell me, how old are you now?"

"I...I don't know." Why ask that at a time like this?

"Your ID says you're fourteen, which should be pretty close to the truth, right?" Rudolf said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"She's only just entered puberty; she still has a long way to go before she blossoms into a beautiful young woman."

“Rudolph symbol…” A bad feeling welled up in Platinum’s heart.

“So, Platinum,” Rudolf said gently, “you think I’ve misunderstood you, but actually you’ve misunderstood yourself.”

"I believe you like me, but not the kind of liking a lover has for their sister."

"It's just that your limited romantic experience has confused you with all of this."

Episode 199 Making the Next Promise

Faced with Rudolf's symbolic language, Platinum suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.

"What...what do you mean by that?" Platinum asked, her voice trembling.

"You mean I was just joking?"

Then, anger began to rise.

"Are you saying that I can't figure out what I'm thinking?"

Rudolf symbolized it, she actually said to herself.

This is far more humiliating than being rejected after confessing your feelings.

This means that Rudolph symbolizes that he never considered himself a potential life partner.

A complete and utter elimination. The weight that comes from the perspective of the elders.

"Platinum, you know what I'm talking about." Rudolph shook her head helplessly. She was about to appease Platinum, but then this happened.

"Many things are too early for you. You have a long, long life ahead of you, and a lot of time to think about them."

At this point, a direct refusal would break the little one's heart. Actually, playing dumb and glossing over the matter would be the best option. However, Rudolf had just sworn before the Emperor of the East Sea that he would never treat them with such an unpredictable attitude again.

Therefore, Rudolf symbolized the decision to have a very serious discussion.

"Let's make a deal." Rudolf symbolically faced Platinum, extending the little finger of his right hand.

"As I just said, I think you still can't distinguish between love and friendship."

"But you don't think so."

"Therefore, I neither accept nor reject your confession. One day, either you or I will give this love an answer, but that time is not now."

"If three years from now, five years from now, ten years from now, when you think back to this scene today, you can think to yourself: Rudolf will be my only companion in this life, and even today, my thoughts have not changed."

"And when that time comes, I will seriously consider today's confession and give you a reply."

"How about this?"

Rudolf symbolically extended his hand towards the platinum.

He saved the girl's face by not directly refusing her, which made the relationship very strained.

I don't want our relationship to deteriorate to the point where it's beyond repair.

Since I can't give a reply today, I'll just extend the deadline for this reply indefinitely.

This is certainly cunning, but it is indeed the best option right now.

Just as Rudolf said, time is a ruthless and great thing, capable of changing everything imperceptibly. In just a few years, Rudolf has transformed from a hot-tempered guy into the steady and responsible student council president he is today... Of course, in those few years, Tokai Nature and Mejiro Mine have also become the mess they are now.

A few years is enough time for Platinum to mature. In these few years, Platinum will achieve her proudest results and retire, with countless wonderful things in her life waiting for her.

She can continue to participate in the Dream Cup competition if she wants, or if she really achieves the triple crown, she can take over the position of student council president, or even travel around the world. It's all up to her.

On the canvas of life, she can paint as she pleases. After retiring, she has ample time, money, and energy to do whatever she wants.

At that time, Platinum's talents will be revealed, and her horizons will broaden. She will meet many more friends, have many more encounters, and have a wonderful future full of countless possibilities.

In this process, Platinum will gradually become more mature and stable, gradually say goodbye to her past self, and grow into a generous and cheerful adult, unlike the awkward and timid person she is now.

Only then would it be possible for the two of them to discuss this issue from the same perspective.

Instead of being like this now, blushing and stammering as I try to say "I like you" to myself, I can't even get through it.

Of course, Rudolph always keeps his word and never forgets his promises. But Platinum might not. Perhaps a few years from now, this little incident will become a source of amusement between the two of them, something to be told as a funny story during a casual after-dinner conversation, making them both laugh.

—Do you remember? Back then, you said you liked me.

—Haha, I was young and naive back then.

That's the kind of conversation we had.

By then, Platinum will have found her own partner, and maybe I'll find one too...?

But what if Platinum truly remembers this promise and still cherishes this love...?

Well then, let's have her join the teams of Tokai Nature and Mejiro Mine.

Rudolf thought this with a guilty conscience.

After all, this requires mutual affection. Rudolf, as a symbol, has yet to meet someone he can entrust his life to. He's also unsure if he will ever meet such a person.

My lover is from this college.jpg

So women are really a nuisance. When will Megumi no Mine and Tokai realize this? Then they can go have fun on their own and leave me alone.

But that's all in the future. Who knows what I'll be like a few years from now? Maybe I'll actually be willing to accept Platinum then.

This is the most perfect answer that Rudolf's symbolism can provide.

Bai Jin isn't an unreasonable child; as long as you explain the reasons to her, she'll definitely understand.

"Are you kidding me?"

He shouted hoarsely, as if using all his strength, and slowly squatted down.

Making yourself wait? That's even crueler than rejecting yourself outright.

Rudolf's symbolic words have fully considered Platinum's perspective; he is not condescending, but rather stands on an equal footing and has made an agreement with himself.

Platinum herself felt that this was the right thing to do—if these words hadn't been spoken to Platinum directly.

Because I simply can't afford to wait.

Let alone three years, I might not even finish my racing career.

The first stage of soul dissolution syndrome can maintain a normal life with active treatment, but only for three years, and that is under the condition of actively cooperating with treatment.

The subsequent second and third stages take place at a point where normal life becomes impossible. If a full-blown attack occurs, one must completely sever all ties and leave.

The so-called active treatment does not mean just taking medication on time. Without the relevant treatment, according to Platinum's own estimate, he would not be able to survive for three years.

Episode 200: I'll be the one to correct you.

The so-called active treatment does not mean just taking medication on time. Without the relevant treatment, according to Platinum's own estimate, he would not be able to survive for three years.

At most, it will last three years. If a cure cannot be found during this period, the rest of the days will be nothing more than a living corpse, merely a state of agonizing existence.

Now, half a year has passed. Death's footsteps are drawing ever closer, and sometimes when Platinum closes his eyes, he can almost hear Death standing behind him, sharpening his scythe.

I'm so scared, so very scared. But I can't tell anyone else.

Even with Alice, there were some things she couldn't tell anyone and had to keep to herself.

This is also why Platinum initially chose to keep a diary. Without an outlet, she really didn't know if she could have managed.