Umamusume's days are numbered

"The new universe surpasses Platinum! It's the new universe, it's the new universe!"

"Is the Platinum Club's undefeated myth about to be broken? After the setbacks of the Satsuki Prize and the Japanese Derby, will the new universe complete its revenge at the Takarazuka Memorial?"

Come, cornflower, my dearest cornflower.

Ah, I understand.

Platinum could catch a glimpse of New Universe's flowing hair. Unlike her icy demeanor, her hair had a warm scent, like wheat dried in the sun.

This is just one of countless Takarazuka memorials for you. But for me, it is our last dance together.

Therefore, I accept your invitation. I will give you the farewell ceremony that will satisfy you the most.

With only a few dozen meters left in the final sprint, Platinum slowly closed her eyes. A long-dormant feeling of exhilaration returned to her body. She felt like a ray of light, like lightning in the sky, like the most brilliant star among countless others.

Black and white enveloped the entire world in that instant. A surging wave of energy swept around Platinum, and the last bit of strength in his body was squeezed out and poured into his legs, which trembled like an engine.

I will win in the most beautiful way possible.

"No—it's platinum!"

"In the final stage, Platinum unleashed her signature final kick! It was astonishing; her speed was practically faster than sound, faster than light!"

"New Universe, New Universe is completely outdated, Platinum—cross the finish line!"

The feeling of my feet stepping on the damp earth.

Cheers from the audience and commentators.

The flashing lights of the camera lens.

Everything seemed to slow down.

The new universe watched with rapt attention as Platinum crossed the finish line.

Ah, that's it.

Throughout endless time, in countless worlds, this is what I've always wanted to see...

Do you know what a cornflower is?

The smile you showed the moment you won the championship was the most breathtaking.

That smile can deeply captivate everyone.

—So, we must keep going.

Don't let that smile disappear from your face. As long as that smile remains, I believe there's nothing you can't do.

I will always remember the promise between the new universe and the cornflower.

The new universe will never refuse the cornflower's request.

And cornflowers will never disappoint the new universe.

Episode 263 August, Ten Years Later

Standing on the stage covered by a thick curtain, Platinum pressed his microphone.

We are now in the final stages of preparation for the winner's stage, and the audience outside the arena is already packed. As soon as the curtain is drawn, the microphones will be connected to the sound system, and Platinum's voice will resonate throughout the entire racetrack stage.

Shin-Universe stood beside Platinum, her legs still wrapped in bandages. Shin-Universe had participated in four G1-level high-stakes races in three months, something even Platinum might not have been able to handle—despite Platinum having only run one less race than Shin-Universe, she had had ample rest between the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby. Shin-Universe, however, had used the time meant for recovery to prepare for her next race.

With the continuous accumulation of fatigue, even standing next to the new universe, Platinum seemed to be swaying precariously.

"Would you like to rest for a while?"

New Universe shook its head.

"I don't need to rest anymore."

"Thank you, cornflower. I'm leaving now."

"I know..." Platinum put her hands behind her head, looked up, and tried to see the sky. Unfortunately, before the curtain was drawn, all she could see was the dome.

"Hey, new universe... how about we stay a little longer?"

After a moment of silence, Platinum suddenly spoke up.

"For you, going to the next world isn't really a rush, is it? Then why not linger here a little longer?"

From the moment Platinum first glimpsed the new universe until the Takarazuka Memorial event ended and she was about to move on to the next world, she only stayed for a total of six months.

Now, Platinum remembers everything. The New Universe even traveled to Hong Kong with them and returned to Teresa College with them. She had spoken with the New Universe back then and realized that she was the second anchor she had been searching for.

Then, on the second day back at the academy, everything was hidden away when I woke up.

That was the work of the new universe. She was capable of all sorts of incomprehensible things. Platinum now understood why.

The new universe didn't want Platinum to have any further impressions of her. Shared memories would make the moment of separation all the more painful. If Platinum hadn't found the new universe with her compiled dictionary, she was prepared to quietly disappear.

For the new universe, witnessing and protecting Platinum's growth is all that's needed in this universe; its mission is complete.

"Even if you can't participate in the competition afterward, you can still go with us for the summer training camp."

"And then there's the chrysanthemum viewing. Haven't you always wanted to see me recover and be reborn? I assure you, that day isn't far off. Just spend a few more months with me, and you and I can witness that moment together."

"You actually have so much to say to me, right? Me too, I have so much to say to you."

"It may sound selfish of me to say this... but could you stay a little longer for my sake?"

A leap between cosmic horizons, from one leaf to another.

The new universe only has the ability to jump around, but not the ability to locate itself. Otherwise, it wouldn't still be searching for its way home.

This means that the probability of a new universe leaving a world and being able to return to that world is infinitely close to zero.

For the new universe, she will soon be reunited with Platinum from the next world. But for Platinum, this is a final farewell.

Platinum believed she neither had the ability nor should she try to stop the New Universe's actions. However, she couldn't bear to see the New Universe continue to suffer in this endless torment.

Even if it's just for a moment, Platinum wants the new universe to have a brief respite.

The eyes of the new universe shimmered, and she, like Platinum, tilted her head back. Although the two of them couldn't see the night sky tonight, the stars would surely be brighter than ever before.

"The new universe never refuses the cornflower's request."

"But the new universe can't do that."

"Does Cornflower think the new universe is suffering? The new universe doesn't think so."

"Being able to meet cornflowers in every different world... New Universe feels incredibly happy. Just thinking that no matter which world New Universe goes to, he can meet cornflowers again makes his chest feel warm."

"New Universe also wants to stay with Cornflower, wants to stay with you forever. Wants to live with you, wants to graduate from Treson Academy with you, wants to grow old together with you."

"But there are so many cornflowers waiting for the new universe. Just thinking about this makes the new universe feel impatient."

New Universe took Platinum's hand. Not only that, she also slid her fingers together, intertwining them with Platinum's.

“There are countless worlds, and countless cornflowers. So many cornflowers are waiting for me to keep them company, so I can’t stay here.”

"I see." Platinum smiled with relief and helplessness. "Then I wish you a happy life with me in the other worlds."

With that, Platinum handed a notebook to the new universe: "At least, take this."

That was a new cosmic dictionary that Platinum had spent a long time compiling, staying up all night for half a month.

"It's true what they say, 'One generation plants the trees, another enjoys the shade'..." Platinum grumbled unhappily. "From now on, whenever you arrive in a new world, give this dictionary to me in that world."

"Although I can't understand what you're saying, I still have the brainpower to translate it word by word from the dictionary."

“Traveling alone is too boring… If you feel the need, just talk to me.” Platinum pointed to her head. “I can talk to either of you.”

"Although I may appear reluctant, and perhaps even a little aggressive, please believe me, I will be a very good listener."

New Universe, holding the dictionary handed to him by Platinum in one arm, responded softly.

That kind of thing... the fact that Cornflower is an incurable good girl, the new universe knew from the beginning.

"Well then... let's begin."

It is both a stage for the victors to commemorate the Takarazuka Revue.

It is also a farewell to the new universe.

My dear friend, I wish you a safe journey ahead, free from wind and rain, and that all your wishes come true.

The next song is sung just for you.

The curtain was drawn back in front of the two women, and blinding lights instantly illuminated them. The intro to the song began at that moment. They were the center of the stage, and all the audience members had come for them.

Looking up at the night sky, the new universe was filled with countless stars; it truly was the best night.

Platinum gripped the hand that New Universe was holding tightly.

"The end of summer, the dream of the future"

"大きなHope to forget れない"

"August 10 years later"

"また出会えるのを信じて——"

I've been searching for you for so long, from Hong Kong until now... but I've finally found you, New Universe.

Episode 264 The Secret Base for Two

Regardless, I will always believe that our meeting will be the most beautiful memory.

"When you go out, you meet each other at the same moment."

"声をかけてくれたね「一丝に帰ろう""

Platinum didn't look at the audience below the stage. This time, the winner's stage wasn't for the audience, nor for Platinum himself, but for his friend who was about to embark on a long voyage.

So she didn't let go of New Universe's fingers, but instead took those hands and led her slowly to the center of the stage. She didn't know what she looked like in New Universe's eyes at that moment, but she knew that New Universe's face today would be forever imprinted in her mind.

"Servant of the camera"

"It's good to be good, and it's good to play"

Faced with Operation Platinum, New Universe merely followed suit.

Her pupils shimmered, as if she were seeing the new universe and the cornflower when they first met.

あぁ—花火が夜空きれいに咲いてちょっとセツナク——

Every moment between the two of them transforms into countless memories, like a grain of sand. These endless memories are a nebula more dazzling than the Milky Way.

This nebula can only be seen by the new universe itself. It is a unique gift from the cornflower to the new universe.

あぁ——风が时とともに流れる——

The stardust glitters, each grain a precious memory, each a treasure the new universe will never discard.

In such a vast world, the new universe could not take anything with her. She could only travel alone to one new universe after another, like a newborn baby experiencing rebirth each time.

————Happiness and joy

——In the middle of the secret base of the two

But every memory, every recollection, can be taken away. For the new universe, this is far more precious than anything else in the world.

——-kun and summer's end, dreams of the future, great hope, and forgetfulness

The cornflowers slept peacefully into the embrace of the new universe. The two sat in a small boat, surrounded by boundless sea, with no shore in sight.

As darkness fell, the water's surface remained shimmering, as if fireflies were rising from it. The calm, still water offered a sense of reassurance.

The gentle breeze from the Pacific Ocean, blowing between the two continents, caressed the two unexpected guests, but had no intention of disturbing their whispered conversation.

"So the new universe can teleport me anywhere in the world instantly too..."

"Because there is a view that I want the cornflowers to see."

——In August 10 years later, I went out to the meeting and received a letter from you

"I want cornflowers to see this no matter what."

"Because the new universe can do no more for cornflowers. The new universe wants to give cornflowers everything it can see."