Umamusume's days are numbered

Page 144

A subtle sense of pride welled up in Fuji Koji's heart again.

So what if we go to Hawaii for summer training with Platinum? So what if we prepare swimsuits?

The swimsuit that Platinum was to wear was chosen by herself and Koi Leap the Dragon Gate together; in fact, she saw Koi Leap the Dragon Gate swimsuit before Platinum did.

I've won so much, okay.

"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to this trip..." Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate chuckled foolishly, clutching his swimsuit. "I wonder what romantic things will happen..."

In the blink of an eye, the four of them were standing under the scorching sun, almost melting.

No romance, just heatstroke looming.

(I'm visiting relatives for the New Year today, so I might not have time for an extra update. If I don't update tonight, there won't be an extra update today.)

Wow, I think I just said something obvious. (No update means no extra chapters.)

Episode 275 A Reliable Savior and an Old House

With that, the recollections come to an end.

The scorching sun dealt a blow to the three people who had arrived full of expectations, except for the astronomer.

"I'm stupid, really."

Platinum squatted on the ground, covering her face: "I only knew that astronomers were unreliable, but I never thought she would be this unreliable."

"Is it too late to go back to the airport now?"

"This is my most unforgettable trip to Hawaii..." Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate turned pale, smiled and closed his eyes, looking as if he had burned out completely.

"Anyway, anyway..." Even her excellent qualities couldn't keep her thinking clearly; her head was spinning.

The four-person team was on the verge of destruction just an hour after landing. The terrifying Pacific Ocean!

The astronomers, however, were in no hurry, sipping their chilled beer and gazing into the distance towards the roadside.

"Ah, here we come."

A rather imposing-looking high-chassis jeep pulled up in front of everyone, its black, monster engine roaring and emitting a pleasant smell of engine oil... and a high temperature.

Of course, the high temperature was no longer a cause for concern, as a cool breeze blew out of the open windows, which was a welcome relief for Platinum and her team.

"Hi, hello everyone—is that how you say it in Japanese?" A tomboyish girl with short black hair sat in the driver's seat, wearing only a tank top and shorts, and patted the car door.

"You're the conman's friends? Just call me Linda, I've come to pick you up. Oh dear—finding you was no easy feat!"

"...A fraudster?" Platinum tilted his head.

"...Linda?" Excellent quality tilted her head.

"...Come pick us up?" Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate tilted its head.

"You guys don't really think I didn't do anything, do you?" The astronomer laughed and waved his phone. "I already asked Sister Conman to help me order it."

"With the peak tourist season here, don't even think about renting a car. It's probably more convenient to borrow one from a friend, right?"

“The conman isn’t in Hawaii, so he asked me to come.” Linda patted the Jeep door again. “I filled up the tank with gas for this little cutie, so I’m late. It should last you a few days. Put your luggage in the trunk, get in, friends, I’ll take you to your place—it’s a big house, you can do whatever you want.”

"A con artist's friend is my friend... although I still can't imagine that someone like her could make other friends, hahaha!"

A conman, a god of turning the tide against all odds!

She might casually mention Sister Scammer's name, but she'll actually help you when you need something.

We were saved—no, we should say we were never in dire straits in the first place.

The problem was simply with the transmission of information.

I didn't book a hotel because I never planned to stay in one in the first place.

I couldn't rent a car because I didn't need one.

And the one who started all of this is...

Platinum, the carp leaping over the dragon gate, and the brains of those with excellent qualities all turned to the astronomers.

The astronomer, noticing the three people's bright gazes, smirked and shook his camera.

“The three of you are very photogenic. I have a feeling we’ll get a lot of great photos this time.”

This devil... could he have deliberately kept it from us just to see the pain on our faces?

Platinum trembled. She had thought that since the Speed Demon hadn't come along, she could finally enjoy a wonderful trip. But instead, the astronomer she encountered was an even more wicked fellow.

Alice, I miss you, sob sob.

“This is it.” Linda tossed the key to the astronomer and turned the handle.

"Great view, isn't it?"

Although the villa is a wooden structure and looks quite old, the lawn in the yard is clearly regularly mowed and carefully maintained. Looking out from the yard, you can see the boundless sea and the sprawling city clusters situated along the coast.

Although there is no swimming pool... it's still quite strange to dig a swimming pool in the yard when you can see the vast ocean just by looking up.

Hawaii is a volcanic archipelago with a very varied terrain. This house, located on the outskirts of the city, offers panoramic views of the entire landscape.

“I’ve parked the car here for you. One tank of gas should last you a week, right? This island isn’t that big anyway.” Linda pointed to the Jeep behind her with her thumb.

"The Hawaii youth training base you're going to next isn't on Oahu. If you want to go to other islands, you'll have to take a short-haul flight. Take advantage of this time to have some fun."

"Climb a dormant volcano, take a road trip around the island, go diving, or something like that."

"Oh, you can use this yard as you like. Barbecues and picnics are fine, and you don't have to worry about disturbing the neighbors."

As she said this, Linda casually pulled out a bicycle from behind the door and straddled it.

"When you leave, just park the car in the airport parking lot, leave the keys on the car seat, and give me a call and I'll come and get them."

"That's all for now. Have a great time in Hawaii!" Linda waved to the group, then pedaled downhill and disappeared from sight like a shooting star.

"What a decisive person..." Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate waves at the now empty street. "If she's friends with the con artist sister, then she must be Linda, right?"

Chief Linda was the Conman's arch-rival before he went to New York to compete. Their relationship was a love-hate one, but they parted ways after the Conman got his revenge in the San Anita Derby.

Chief Linda chose to participate in the California Derby, while the conman went to New York for the Wood Memorial Championship and embarked on a treble path of the Kentucky Derby, the Belgian Championship, and the Belmont Championship.

Incidentally, at the Wood Memorial Tournament, the con artist encountered her nemesis—the Secretariat.

Just hearing about their experiences, Li Yuelongmen could conjure up a three-million-word novel of emotional entanglements in his mind.

“It’s her.” The astronomer shrugged. “Hawaii is a vacation paradise, so it’s not surprising to see celebrities and famous people here, is it?”

Once we get to the youth training base, we'll see even more. We might even see some of the best racehorse girls in the entire United States.

She might even meet with the secretariat... although she hasn't appeared in the media for several years.

"Hey—" Just as the carp leaping over the dragon gate was still silently marveling, a figure appeared on the road riding a bicycle. It was Linda, who had just ridden down the road. She rode up to the astronomer, panting heavily.

"I forgot to tell you, you can use the room as you like, but there are a few things to note."

Linda held up her finger.

"Never, ever go into the basement or attic, and don't open the doors. If you hear any noises inside, just pretend you didn't hear them."

"You can use the food in the refrigerator and the tap water; those were prepared beforehand. But don't touch anything in the storage cabinet. Absolutely do not touch it."

“This is an old house that has never been renovated. It’s also very damp here, so it’s normal for the wood to be a bit moldy. If it’s leaking, just move to another room, or you can tell me. Don’t try to fix it yourself.”

"Also, if you hear the sound of marbles falling and rolling in the attic at night, that's a normal natural phenomenon. It doesn't mean there are actually children in the attic, haha, probably."

"Well, also, if someone knocks on the door in the middle of the night, don't open it. Just wait for the person outside to leave on their own. Make sure all the doors and windows are closed at night, and there won't be any problems. I'll let you know in advance if I'm coming."

"That's about it, all minor issues!" Linda laughed heartily and turned her bicycle around again. "This time I'm really leaving. I wish you all a wonderful first night in Hawaii, and sweet dreams!"

After saying this, Linda turned and left, leaving the four of them standing silently at the door of the old house.

Platinum turned her head away, trembling.

The sun gradually set on the horizon, and visibility began to dim. The gloomy old house, echoing the dense forest behind it, seemed to be opening its arms to them with ill intent. If you sniffed hard, you could still detect a faint musty smell.

"How about we stay at a hotel instead?"

Episode 276 Aged Beef with Champagne Knife

Now we have a story to begin.

The incident took place in an old house that looked like it hadn't been lived in for many years and smelled almost moldy. This old house also had a bunch of strange-sounding rules.

Its main characters are four travelers from a foreign land. They are impulsive and confused, full of youthful vitality, boundless energy, and the courage to do whatever they want.

It began when four passengers disembarked from the plane, had spent an afternoon in the city under the sun, and were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief as evening approached. The sun was about to set, and dark shadows enveloped the old house, which was far from the city, had no neighbors, and was close to the jungle.

So, if you were one of them at this moment, what would be the correct thing to do?

“Let’s go back to the hotel now, there’s still time,” Platinum said confidently.

Are you kidding me? I don't want to go to a horror movie set! I don't want that kind of thing!

Platinum couldn't help but believe in these superstitious things; she had once been a staunch atheist, until she saw two Manhattan Cafes flash past her eyes.

Looking up, I saw three goddesses; I couldn't help but believe it.

“That’s still a long way to go… Besides, since they’ve arranged accommodation for us, it would be too impolite for us to go back and stay in a hotel…” Excellent quality patted Platinum on the back, trying to persuade her.

Here comes the understanding and cost-effective teammate from the horror movie!

"It's just an old house, what's there to be afraid of... At most, there might be some rats or bugs." The astronomer yawned and walked inside.

Here comes a teammate who doesn't believe in danger and is oblivious to the dangers ahead!

"What a huge house! And such a huge kitchen! The refrigerator is crammed full!" Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate excitedly poked its head out of the door. "Guess what I found in the kitchen?"

There's also a food drama character who wandered onto the wrong set!

"Clang, clang!" A carp leaped out from behind the door carrying a huge plate. Luckily, she was a horse girl, so her arm strength was considerable. Most adult men probably wouldn't dare to carry that.

What was on the tray was a single, dark, unappetizing piece...

"...Giant beef cubes?"

"It's aged beef, with a wonderful nutty aroma, and the fermentation is perfect." The astronomer leaned in for a sniff. "Looks like we'll be in for a feast tonight!"

"Do you have a wine cabinet? Do you have a collection of fine wines?" The astronomer, his mouth watering, hummed a little tune as he shuffled into the room.

Seeing that two people had already entered the house, and looking at the eager eyes watching him, Bai Jin could only grit his teeth and follow them inside.

Now the last piece of the puzzle is complete—the only teammate who realized there was a problem, but whose hesitation cost him his last chance of survival.

*Snap!* The front gate slammed shut. The last rays of the setting sun, having swallowed their final, reluctant cry, vanished into the sky, leaving only long, long shadows cast by the trees, like arms encircling the old house. The streetlights could not shine their light inward, and the four lost travelers, like figures swallowed by a gluttonous beast, disappeared without a trace.

...This wasn't because they were murdered, but because they started preparing dinner non-stop.

"There are apples and coconuts in the fruit basket... why are they put together?"

"Found a bottle of olive oil. Oh, and here's a bunch of watercress."

"Salad dressing, has anyone seen where the salad dressing is?"

"Don't touch anything in the storage cabinet. By the way, that piece of beef wasn't taken out of the storage cabinet, was it?"

"No, it was just placed on the table."

"So that means you can enjoy it now, hehe, I won't be polite then."

"This is a grill... Ugh, what is that?!"

"It's charcoal! Your face has turned all black."

"And this is..."

"This is a flamethrower."

"Come on, let's move everything out. Don't waste such a beautiful night view!"