Umamusume's days are numbered

Episode 231 The Unstoppable Lien Chan

"I'm sorry, President... I couldn't persuade the New Universe to give up participating in the Japanese Derby until the very end..." Platinum shrugged.

For a whole month, they tried every possible method, but they just couldn't get through to the new universe. She was as hard as a diamond, unmoved no matter how much the platinum monkey jumped around.

Most importantly, he was left with New Universe PTSD, and now he might even wake up from a dream about New Universe while sleeping.

Rudolf symbolically patted Platinum's head tolerantly: "There's nothing we can do about it. Since the new universe is unwilling to give up... it must have its reasons."

Rudolf Symbol also had several more detailed talks with the New Universe during this month, but unfortunately, each time ended in discord. No matter what Rudolf Symbol said, the New Universe neither spoke up nor refuted... nor did it agree.

Therefore, they had also prepared another plan. During this month, Rudolf Symbol and the trainers of Neo Universe also conducted several public relations activities. Although the Neo Universe fan base was still slightly dissatisfied, the controversy over participating in the Japanese Derby had been settled, and at least there wouldn't be any more fanatical fans hanging banners in front of Teresen Academy.

"I also understand the determination of the new universe to participate in the Japanese derby." Rudolf symbolized that he had sighed more in the past month than in the past year.

The Japanese Derby is considered the most prestigious of the classic Triple Crowns, and many female racehorses that don't participate in the Triple Crowns still choose to compete in it. Similarly, Shin Cosmos isn't the only horse that went straight from the NHK Mile Cup to the Japanese Derby.

The real problem is that the new universe wants to run the classic triple crown, but also has to squeeze in an NHK Mile Cup around the almost non-existent race intervals.

"Since she's unwilling to back down, she must have her own ideas and confidence. In that case, all we can do is to deploy more medical personnel at the venue, just in case."

Although Rudolf symbolized that he couldn't convince the new universe, he could sense her determination to run away, which is why she eventually acquiesced.

However, Rudolf also contacted the arena staff, and if the new universe showed any signs of discomfort before or during the match, she would be immediately stripped of her right to participate and her schedule would be suspended.

After the Japanese derby, ShinCyberse had no chance to continue their winning streak. Aside from the upcoming Yasuda and Takarazuka festivals, there were no major matches from June to September, as it was a break period. ShinCyberse could only obediently participate in their beach training camp, waiting for the Chrysanthemum Festival to begin.

Unexpectedly, with each new graduating class, the number of problem children has increased. Rudolph now feels he might not only have stomach problems, but also be losing his hair.

"Let's not talk about that anymore." Rudolph stood up and solemnly patted Platinum on the shoulder. "I sincerely wish you victory in today's match."

Platinum straightened her back immediately. She had already changed into that pure white final outfit, complete with a cape, which made her look incredibly imposing.

Just as Platinum was about to say something nice, a head next to him leaned in and asked, "President, what about me?"

The Emperor of the East Sea also donned her dazzling victory attire, making her quite conspicuous.

Rudolf smiled and echoed, "Your Majesty, so too. I also wish you victory and glory."

The Emperor of the East Sea curled his lip: "What? The president is biased."

"Your Majesty, you drew number twenty this time, which is on the far outer edge of the field," Rudolf symbolically instructed the Emperor of the East Sea. "This is both a disadvantage and, under certain conditions, it could also be your advantage. I believe you can do it."

After saying that, Rudolph symbolically knelt down and embraced Platinum and the East Sea Emperor: "If possible, I hope you two can both win. But there can only be one champion on the field."

"Another struggle is inevitable between you."

"So I won't tell you to go and win the crown. What I will tell you is to run as fast as you can."

"In a race, you need to surpass others. But surpassing yourself is just as important."

"Go!"

Rudolf symbolically gave the two a push from behind, propelling them toward the light at the end of the corridor.

The closer one gets to that ray of light, the louder the noise becomes.

The Emperor of the East Sea turned his head to look at Bai Jin standing beside him, pursed his lips, and then a smile bloomed on his face.

"platinum!"

"Hmm, what's wrong?" Platinum yawned lazily, as if he wasn't the one going to the competition.

“You won the last Satsuki Sho. After that, I was depressed for a long time.” The Emperor of the East Sea stroked the side wall of the corridor and slowly recounted, “Sometimes I felt guilty for my lack of ambition, sometimes I felt disillusioned by the shattering of my ideals, and sometimes I even hated you.”

"If it weren't for Platinum, maybe... no, I definitely could have won Satsuki Shou. I thought that back then."

Bai Jin's yawning motion stopped. She withdrew her arm and suddenly looked at the Emperor of the East Sea with an unprecedentedly serious expression: "So, what do you think?"

"I want to hear your answer. You suddenly appeared next to Rudolf's symbol and then stole the Satsuki Prize... Don't you think I'm in your way?"

"Why would you think that?" The Emperor of the East Sea looked at Bai Jin in surprise.

"I have never felt that you are superfluous. On the contrary, I am very happy to have you by my side."

The Emperor of the East Sea seemed to suddenly realize something, covering his mouth with a mischievous grin as he nudged Platinum's shoulder: "Hey—so you thought I should be the champion of the Satsuki Prize... Does that mean you've acknowledged my strength?"

Bai Jin crossed his arms, rolled his eyes like a dead fish, and didn't respond to the East Sea Emperor's words.

"Complaining about my surroundings was just a thought I had when I was feeling down. The frustration of feeling powerless can really change a person."

Even though Platinum didn't respond, the East Sea Emperor continued speaking to himself: "Right now, I'm incredibly grateful for your existence. Because you're here, Platinum, my goal is no longer some invisible and intangible undefeated triple crown—"

With that, the Emperor of the East Sea pointed his index finger at Bai Jin: "All I need to do is defeat you!"

"Platinum, you are my new goal."

"Watch out, today I'm going to steal your derby title."

"Does a fight really have to be part of the challenge?" Platinum shook his head impatiently, but a gentle smile flashed across his lips. "Alright, I agree."

Pulling up her cape, Platinum took the lead and walked onto the arena.

Episode 232 Future Child

At this moment, Tokyo Racecourse was packed with people. As the highly prestigious G1 prize, this race garnered even more attention than the Satsuki Prize. Countless reporters stood in the front row, and countless cameras broadcast live, capturing every single photo—because no one knew which photo or video clip would become a timeless classic remembered by millions years later.

Previous wins and losses mean nothing. Today, right here, the winner of this race will be the chosen strongest racehorse girl of this season.

"Waaah..." Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate sat in the stands, hands clasped together, silently praying, "God bless that Platinum won't falter again this time, and that nothing else goes wrong..."

The front row seats are reserved for the contestants' friends and family. Since I'm not a SPica member, I have to buy my own ticket to watch.

Fuji Koji, resting his chin on his hand, watched the carp leaping over the dragon gate, muttering to himself, "I think you're more anxious than the contestants themselves."

"Of course!" Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate suddenly opened his eyes and rubbed his palms. Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate usually didn't have sweaty hands, but today his palms were sweaty from his anxiety.

"This competition is so important! After winning the Satsuki Prize, Platinum's pressure will only increase. Who knows what problems Platinum will encounter this time? I pray that if my sister can never win a race again, Platinum will win first place today."

What a loving and respectful sisterly bond! Fuji Koji is truly delighted.

The commentator's voice began to echo throughout the arena, and the players gradually entered, signaling the start of the competition.

"Now entering is Leo Deban, who is fourth in popularity. In the Satsuki Prize competition, Leo Deban brought us an unexpected surprise and further proved her strength. A diligent and talented person who is well-rounded, every drop of sweat she sheds is nourishment for herself."

"Will she bring us an unexpected surprise today and replicate the miracle of the Satsuki Sho? Let's wait and see."

Dressed in a motorcycle-style outfit, Leo Deban gave a stiff smile and waved to the audience.

Who wrote this phrase? What does it mean to be a hardworking, diligent genius? What does it mean to be an unexpected surprise? What does it mean to replicate a miracle? Or do you think that you got second place because of luck, not ability?

Leo Deban was furious, but he held back.

Because what they said is true.

Fine, today is my chance to prove myself!

"The third most popular contestant in the new universe, the champion of the NHK Mile Cup! Although she always seems uninterested in anything and has a distant attitude, her passion for the competition is obvious to all!"

"However, under the pressure of her overly dense schedule of matches, is the New Universe able to unleash her full potential? It's somewhat worrying."

Shin Yuzhou raised both arms towards the audience with a blank expression. Shin Yuzhou's final outfit had wide sleeves that covered her entire arms, so when she waved them like this, her arms were completely hidden, and only the two flag-like sleeves could be seen fluttering back and forth. Combined with her expressionless poker face, it created a jarring contrast.

"It's coming, it's coming!" came an excited shout from beside Fuji Koji. Of course, this voice didn't come from the carp leaping over the dragon gate; she was busy exchanging her sister's career prospects for Platinum.

Fuji Koji frowned as he looked over. Sitting beside him were two children. They were both teenage girls, at the age when they were lively and never wanted to sit still.

A little one with jet-black hair that looked like ink had been splashed on it, and warm, bright yellow eyes filled with tears. Its two little hands were tightly gripping the sleeves of its friend beside it, looking around anxiously as if afraid of being kidnapped. A cashmere hat was perched crookedly on its head, with a plastic propeller as decoration on the very top of the hat.

The other one was the source of the shouting, also with black hair, but sparsely dotted with white spots, creating a black and white contrast. This one was not shy at all, its entire attention focused on the competition, its eyes never leaving the field.

Moreover, both children had a pair of horse ears on their heads. They were horse mothers.

Fujiko was taken aback. She hated dealing with children more than anything; why were the two kids out without any family members by their side?

Hearing Fuji Koji's gasp, Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate immediately understood what had happened. Without making a sound, she tugged at Fuji Koji's sleeve, signaling for the two to switch seats so she could deal with the two children herself.

Making Fuji Koji sit next to two little children for an entire afternoon would be worse than death for her.

Li Yuelongmen sat down next to the two children and gently asked, "Little friends, are you here to watch horse racing at such a young age?"

The foal with scattered white spots in its hair glanced warily at the carp leaping over the dragon gate, remaining silent. The other foal clung tightly to its paw, tears welling in its eyes as if they were about to spill.

"You really enjoy watching the older girls run, huh?" Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Let me guess, you want to become racehorse girls in the future?"

"Of course!" The little pony with white spots on its hair couldn't sit still when the topic of interest was mentioned. It proudly straightened its back. "I'm here today to see the racecourse. After all, it's the racecourse I'll be running on myself in the future!"

"Hmph, I've already won the school's Pony Cup, so I'm sure I'll become a great horse girl in the future."

What a boastful little girl! She's barely even considered becoming a horse racer, and she's already dreaming of stepping onto the Japanese derby stage. Having personally experienced all of this, she knows just how many hardships and obstacles lie ahead, but she simply smiled at the two children before her. Talking about these things with children is rather tactless.

Sigh, if it were Ibuki or Kagura, they would be discouraged. I'm much more virtuous than them.

"Right, Ayun?" The little girl tugged at her arm, making it impossible for the other child to grab her. "You'll be a racehorse girl with me, you promised!"

"I...I don't know." The child called Ayun ostrich-like grabbed his hat and pulled it down.

"You definitely will! We have to run together!"

"Oh, I see... You want to be a racehorse girl..." Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate pointed to herself, "I'm a student at Treson Academy. Which racehorse girl do you like best on the track? I might even know her and get her autograph!"

"But you have to promise me you won't make a lot of noise while watching the game, it will disturb other people."

"Really?" The little girl with white spots in her hair only heard the first half of the sentence, and her eyes immediately lit up as she grasped the hand of the girl who had leaped over the dragon gate. "Then, sister, do you know Platinum?"

"I like her the most! She's beautiful and runs fast. I want to run the classic triple crown like her someday and win first place!"

Ah Yun muttered to herself, "But I think Leodban is really handsome... Even though he didn't get first place, second place is still great..."

"Oh, I see." Li Yuelongmen nodded repeatedly as he looked at the two little girls. Hmm, I didn't expect them to be fans of Platinum! Good taste, no wonder they look so good to me.

The carp leaping over the dragon gate affectionately patted the little girl's head: "What are your names?"

"My name is Genesis, pretty cool, right?" The little girl with white spots in her hair pointed to herself and proudly pouted her nose. "I'm a Reed Horse just like Platinum, and I'm already starting to turn white. Hehe, the day I step onto the racetrack, I'll definitely be a white horse as beautiful as her!"

"A-Chuang...you can't tell strangers...your name..." On the other side, A-Yun desperately tried to pull Chuang Shiju back.

"By the way, her name is Airplane Cloud." Genesis pointed to the child next to him wearing a cashmere hat. "We made a promise that we'll run the Classic Triple Crown together someday, I'll get first place, and she'll get second!"

"No way..." Airplane Cloud looked at Genesis with teary eyes, not daring to refute, and could only pull down his hat harder, as if that would make strangers forget his face.

Episode 233 Derby Begins

"Now entering are the second most popular, the Emperor of the East Sea, and the most popular, Platinum!"

"Here it comes!" Genesis's eyes were immediately drawn to the racetrack. It gripped the back of the seat in front of it and stood up with great interest, trying to peer into the racetrack.

"Both sisters were nurtured by Emperor Rudolf, and their epic battle has certainly attracted a lot of attention."

"The East Sea Emperor's signature dance-like footsteps are impressive, and Platinum's ghostly final step is even more unforgettable. Although Platinum won the Satsuki Prize and is also in first place in this popularity vote, Platinum's advantage over the East Sea Emperor in terms of votes is not very large."

"Yes, this shows that a considerable portion of the audience supports Tokai Teio and believes she can win this year's Japanese derby."

"Donghai Diwang, number 20, is standing on the far outside of all the contestants, which is a challenge for her as well. Similarly, Baijin, number 14, has a weaker ability to break through in the middle of the race. Can the two of them overcome the obstacles in front of them? We shall wait and see."

The narrator and the live commentary chattered over the loudspeaker. The East Sea Emperor looked at Platinum with a mischievous grin: "Did you hear that? Your Majesty's popularity is anything but low. Feeling a bit pressured yet?"

"So cool!" Genesis shook the conch shell next to him so hard that its head left afterimages. "Hey, did you see that? Platinum is so beautiful! The way it focuses without even glancing at the audience is also commendable!"

"He's absolutely perfect, from ear to tail! How can someone be so amazing!"

"If I ever participate in a Japanese derby, I'll be just as cold and silent as she is."

Contrast Cloud's head was spinning: "Aaaaaah, A-Chuang... stop shaking me... I feel like throwing up..."

The carp leaping over the dragon gate was somewhat embarrassed on the side.

You praise Platinum, and I'm very happy to have achieved such great success.

But if you keep praising it as platinum, those who know the inside story might not know what expression to make.

The reason Platinum never looks into the audience is because he's afraid of becoming socially anxious.

After being embellished by reports and news, the image of Platinum in the media seems to have gradually diverged from the real image of Platinum.

"Okay, all the players have now entered the gate."