Umamusume's days are numbered

The crisp sound of two overlapping footsteps approached. Meguro Takamine and Tokai, naturally forgetting their argument, immediately and instinctively fell to the ground to either side.

It was Platinum and Rudolph. Rudolph was still wearing that gorgeous, somewhat flashy, pure white suit, his back straight and his face unblinking. But unlike when they went in, Platinum sweetly took Rudolph's arm, her arms tightly wrapped around him, her entire body almost pressed against him, and she followed him closely beside him.

It doesn't look like an argument; the problem seems to be resolved. But the effect... isn't it a little too good?

Donghai muttered to himself, feeling a bit uneasy, as if he had a sour lemon in his mouth.

Megaku Mitsuru widened his phoenix eyes. Rudolph symbol... I told you to dress up as Prince Charming, not to actually be Prince Charming!

Aren't you being a little too dedicated and too immersed in the role? Did you see the look in Platinum's eyes next to you? What a look that was! She was completely captivated!

“President…” Platinum breathed softly into Rudolf’s symbolic ear, “Wasn’t there supposed to be a ball? Shall we dance?”

"Yes, that's right."

Rudolf stands opposite Platinum. Rudolf bows to Platinum, saying, "Then—beautiful lady, may I invite you to dance tonight?"

ah? ah? ah?

Countless question marks appeared above the heads of Donghai Ziran and Mejiro Takamori.

What's going on? How did they end up dancing together?

What's going on between you two?

I wanted you two to be close, but I didn't expect you to be this close!

Perhaps it was because the tea was too astringent, but Meguro Mine felt a bit nauseous. Tokai, too, began to feel that while the dessert was sweet, it was far too cloying, and the contents of his stomach wanted to rush down his esophagus.

Platinum did not immediately accept Rudolf's invitation. She looked at Rudolf with the demureness and shyness of a true princess, then abruptly looked away the moment her eyes met his, as if considering or perhaps feeling embarrassed.

But this wasn't the end. Both the East Sea and the Mejiro Peak sensed it.

It wasn't my imagination; Platinum's gaze... definitely swept over me just now.

She had already discovered our whereabouts!

Of course. Platinum did spot those two people. In fact, it was so obvious... With Platinum's eagle-like sharp eyes, if he still couldn't see them, he wouldn't just be stupid, he'd be truly dumb.

Seeing the disheveled figures of Tokai and Megumi Takamine huddled together, Shirokin's lips curled up slightly, and she stuck out her tongue at them.

Who told you two not to make a move sooner?

It's too late to regret now.

Donghai's eyes were practically popping out of their sockets; he wished he could bark and rush over to give Baijin a bite right now.

Good grief, I sincerely taught you my best tricks, and you turned around and stabbed me in the back?

Is there anyone like you? What happened to our firm united front?

Megumi Takamori's heart was bleeding. She never imagined that Rudolf Symbol seemed to genuinely like the Tokai Nature type.

The East China Sea is a bit past its prime, and Rudolf symbolizes a love of freshness.

Episode 220: Eventually, the Curtain Falls

Meguro Mineki truly felt hopeless now.

If Rudolf really likes this kind of thing, then no matter how hard I try, it's useless. I can lose or gain weight, but I can't turn back time.

Damn it... isn't there any way to turn myself into an elementary school student? I bet elementary school students are more beloved by Rudolf than middle school students! (Outrageous statement)

With a heart ashen, Mubai Gaofeng grabbed Donghai Ziran to prevent her from actually rushing up and biting someone, and hugged Donghai Ziran like a moving pillow. The two of them hugged each other and cried bitterly.

At this moment, Alice, who was able to find a way to turn Mejiro Mine into a child, also peeked her head out from the fence above the private room.

Donghai Nature and Mejiro Takamine didn't hear Rudolf Symbol and Platinum's conversation, but she did. Although Alice didn't understand the fancy coded language about companionship and waiting, she understood the general direction of the conversation.

Couples who break up amicably might spend one last time together as a memento. I feel that's the case for these two right now.

However, whether this is true or not remains in doubt. Did Rudolph symbolically respond to Platinum's confession? Platinum herself knows, and probably only Platinum herself knows.

Did Rudolph symbolize acceptance or rejection? Only Platinum itself probably knows.

Are you dating? If so.

Did you refuse? If you refused.

Now it truly is a secret known only to these two people.

Alice hated this kind of chaotic uncertainty. She had already started to hate Schrödinger and his damn cat when she was in kindergarten.

What Alice wants is to change the probability of this event from a set of zeros to ones to a single probability of one.

So Alice pointed to Platinum's waist and silently mouthed the words to her. She knew Platinum could see and understand.

[Symbolic drugging of Rudolph!]

The Ultimate Method of Master Alice!

The ultimate culmination of human wisdom and industrial development!

As long as Platinum manages to get Rudolph Symbol to drink the small vial of potion she gave her before, forget about waiting or companionship, Rudolph Symbol will marry you without a problem.

What can't wait or can't be accompanied, just drink it and everything will be alright!

Who says forced love can't be sweet? I'll just dip it in sugar and enjoy it!

Alice and Platinum met eyes; she knew Platinum understood what she meant. But Platinum simply shook his head slightly.

Then, the focus shifted to the symbol of Rudolf.

That's all I want, really.

So Platinum pinched the two corners of her dress and bowed her head to Rudolf.

"---My pleasure."

The melodious sound of a violin, seemingly coming from nowhere, rang out. Rudolf and Platinum awkwardly clasped hands and began to dance slowly to the rhythm of the music.

Rudolf symbolizes that he learned etiquette dance from a young age, and he has some knowledge and experience in both male and female steps, and can dance either one.

But Platinum has never learned any of this. There might be muscle memory in this body, but Platinum's mind is definitely blank. Besides, the restaurant's space is rather cramped when it comes to dancing.

Therefore, even though Rudolf Symbol was trying his best to control their dance steps, they still stumbled and couldn't keep up with the rhythm. Platinum kept stepping on Rudolf Symbol's shoes in her panic, and even on her own instep. Sometimes she would also bump into the decorations around her.

The two dancers were so clumsy and awkward that their movements were completely unwatchable. Yet, no one in the audience laughed.

Platinum stared intently at Rudolf's symbol, as if trying to imprint her image deeply into her mind.

Megumi no Mineki and Tokai naturally wept bitterly, hiding in a dark corner and writhing in the shadows.

Alice watched in silence as Platinum and Rudolf symbolically danced, and suddenly felt it was all rather pointless. The scenario she most wanted to see hadn't materialized... but she respected Platinum's decision.

But she really wanted to know the answer! Did Rudolph symbolize agreement or disagreement?

Platinum's dance steps gradually unfolded, whether it was due to Rudolf's symbolic guidance or the awakening of Platinum's muscle memory, it was hard to tell. She stroked Rudolf's symbolic arm, her shoulders and chest, so close that she could almost hear Rudolf's symbolic heartbeat, so intense that she felt she could melt on the spot.

But Platinum was so light and graceful; her skirt swayed like a butterfly dancing in Rudolf's symbolic palm.

There was no boisterous ball, no magnificent hall. Only the solitary sound of a violin provided accompaniment, and the only space in a themed restaurant was enough for the two to dance. But they danced with such abandon, as if they were Romeo and Juliet, as if one were truly a dazzling prince and the other a princess in glass slippers.

Finally, Rudolf symbolically embraced Platinum's slender waist, and Platinum leaned back, trustingly falling into Rudolf's arms. At the same time, the violin music stopped, leaving only a lingering, memorable melody in the air.

The power must have been switched off; the entire restaurant was suddenly plunged into darkness. Being underground at night, it was pitch black without any lights.

Rudolph is not a prince, and Platinum is not Cinderella. But the finery, the dancing, and the pumpkin carriage truly exist only under the midnight lights.

Now, they have all turned into bubbles and gently dissipated.

In the silent darkness, Platinum gently stroked Rudolf Symbol's hair and finally said something to Rudolf Symbol.

"Thank you for being willing to goof around with me, President."

?

Alice stood wearily at the street corner, a lollipop just like the one Ryu Nishizaki had, and the eavesdropping earpiece around her neck.

Familiar footsteps came from behind. Platinum, who had changed back into her everyday clothes, stood next to Alice with a travel bag on her back. The travel bag should contain her dress that she had somehow gotten her hands on.

Platinum didn't ask Alice why she was in the restaurant; she simply took out a small bottle from her pocket and waved it in front of Alice: "I didn't need this, here you go."

Alice pouted, put the small bottle back into her pocket, glanced at Platinum, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Tell me, did Rudolf agree to your proposal or not?"

As Platinum listened to Alice's question, a smile appeared on his lips, the same one he wore when facing Mejiro Mine and Tokai Nature: "Guess?"

"Please don't make me guess, otherwise I won't be able to sleep tonight."

"Heh heh... guess?"

Episode 221 Platinum's Diary

Sunny day of a certain month

It's been so long since I wrote in my diary that I almost forgot which notebook I was using when I started writing.

There are two notebooks in total, one is one I wrote myself, and the other is one I redeemed from a store. If Alice finds out about this, things will probably get really serious.

In short, the conflict symbolized by Rudolf has come to a temporary end. I was very happy to see Elisako's anxious and tormented state for the first time.

...I was just a little hungry. I was so busy dancing that I didn't even wait for my food before running out. I searched my dorm room thoroughly but found nothing; it was as clean as my bank card.

I'm so hungry, so hungry, so very hungry.

Drink a lot of water, then go to sleep! As long as you fall asleep before the water flows down your stomach, you won't feel hungry.

Maybe I really am a genius.

Sunny day of a certain month

How did these two dresses get damp?!

One outfit was changed into on the winner's stage at the Satsuki Sho, and the other was changed into before the symbolic dance with Rudolf. Both were the kind of outfits that looked very complicated. Although I couldn't understand them, they were definitely very expensive.

I admit it was a bit of a waste to just stuff them in the closet, but why is this fabric so absorbent? Today, when I touched the clothes, they felt damp.

Should I take it out to air dry, or wash it directly? By the way, can I put this kind of clothing directly into the washing machine?

When in doubt, I call Ms. Necha. She recommends several dry cleaners, while subtly suggesting that the garment Satsuki Sho wore doesn't look like the kind that can be washed directly. She recommends I ask a tailor directly.

How am I supposed to find out who the tailor is for this garment? This crappy system doesn't even have customer service. Oh well, I'll just hang it up to dry.

Cloudy on a certain day of a certain month

Leo Deban invited me to play cards, and I gladly accepted. Ibuki Mai Kagura and Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate followed, making a perfect table for mahjong, and we were eager to try our luck.

Finally, they told me we were going to play UNO together.

I've always sensed that Koi Leap Over the Dragon Gate and Ibuki Mai Kagura don't get along, but I can't understand it. There shouldn't be any real conflict between them. This conflict has even spilled over to the card table, with the two engaging in fierce verbal sparring and backstabbing, practically fighting tooth and nail to the point of exhaustion.

It's not like we're playing strip mahjong, why are you so excited?

Leoband always loses at cards, while Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate always wins, and Ibuki Kagura is always unwilling to admit defeat. But Leoband doesn't seem to care much about these things; she always watches Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate and Ibuki Kagura bicker with great interest, always feeling that their real intentions are not what they seem.

Light rain on a certain day of a certain month

It rained today, but the campus is paved with tiles except for the training field, so it doesn't have much of an impact on daily life.

After running the Satsuki Sho event, I finally understood what this kind of weather meant. From now on, I'm a staunch hater of rainy days.

Today, the security department notified me that a large package had arrived, and I really can't imagine who mailed it to me.

The box was extremely heavy, about half a meter long and three-tenths of a meter wide, and you could tell it was solid inside. Even with Saima Girl's strength, it would be difficult to lift it without maintaining her balance. And this was even a transoceanic mail shipment.

...Transoceanic mail? It seems like that's true. When I was chatting with Haidu Zhixing, I heard she's not in Ireland anymore, but traveling all over Europe. Back then, I made a promise with her that she would mail me some local specialties.

Wow, I didn't expect them to be so efficient; they mailed it as soon as they said they would.

I'll go pick it up later and see what nice things Haidu Star sent me.

···

...No, huh?

I said I wanted some local specialties, and Haidu Star actually mailed me some "local specialties".

No wonder it was so heavy! The whole box was packed full of tightly packed soil!

They were even packed in individual bags, categorized and labeled.