Umamusume's days are numbered

Seeing the astronomer become rude and unruly again, Platinum was satisfied and got on the treadmill. She had finally returned to her usual self.

Platinum stood on the treadmill, took a deep breath, and then stole a glance at the astronomer. The astronomer was standing with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on him, looking deep in thought.

Sigh... This is truly hellish torture. I never thought that everything would remain the same even after I left Alice. Platinum thought sadly, and then started walking on the treadmill.

The astronomer remained motionless, staring intently at Bai Jin's steps, making Bai Jin feel a little uneasy. Fearing another reprimand from the astronomer, Bai Jin carefully controlled the pace of his steps.

I hope I don't cause any problems this time. At the very least, I need to show some improvement over yesterday, demonstrating that I'm still trying. Yesterday's chaotic scene was truly unbearable to watch.

Try to keep your speed at 60 kilometers per hour!

So what are the astronomers thinking? They must be considering training their platinum fundamentals.

The answer is completely wrong.

Platinum's slender waist is truly beautiful... much more beautiful than the one with the strange glow...

The astronomers' eyes weren't actually on Platinum's steps, but rather on her waist!

Although Platinum was wearing the classic sack-like tracksuit from Treson College, it felt rather stuffy in the cramped room. Especially since Platinum hadn't turned on the gym's air conditioning, and the sun was blazing outside.

In other places, Platinum might have had some reservations and would have just kept wearing the jacket. But since it was a private gym and no one else was watching, she could do as she pleased. So Platinum simply took off the jacket from her sack-like workout clothes, leaving only a tank top on her upper body, and started running on the treadmill.

This was quite a sight for the astronomers. Her slender waist, so delicate it could be encircled by a single hand, swayed with each step, without an ounce of excess fat or flab, and beads of sweat slowly trickled down her back.

She possesses both the grace and charm of a mature woman, and the allure and fragility unique to a youthful and beautiful girl. However, she isn't sickly thin; the lines of her waist clearly show signs of exercise, and her seemingly delicate waist can unleash tremendous power in an instant. This power is also perfectly balanced—not quite at the level of athleticism, but simply at a normal, healthy level.

The strange light's workout routine had been incredibly effective for a while; you could even vaguely see its abs, and they were even firm to the touch... This is why astronomers are so afraid of the strange light. It's already difficult for women to build muscle, but it's even harder for a racehorse girl, because the training and exercise she undergoes are several orders of magnitude higher than that of the average person. The astronomers' fear that the strange light could punch them through isn't an exaggeration, but a entirely real possibility.

Platinum is different; her waist looks so soft and smooth, like it could burst with moisture if you pinched it…

Therefore, those sportswear that look like flour sacks are completely worthless; this kind of close-fitting vest is the world's treasure.

Oh wait, I've gone off-topic. The astronomer quickly and subconsciously wiped his mouth. Galileo, Galileo, don't forget why you're here!

So, are astronomers finally going to fulfill their essential role as coaches?

“Platinum,” the astronomer called out.

"Here." Bai Jin felt a chill run down his spine the moment he heard the astronomer call him. They'd barely started running, and the astronomer was already finding fault?

Platinum turned his head and saw the astronomer leaning against the treadmill handrail, his upper body leaning forward, revealing a rather smug and charming smile: "Want to grab a drink after training?"

Are you alright?

The astronomer had completely forgotten his job!

Her mind is filled with nothing but lewd thoughts! All she can think about is how to quickly escalate things with Platinum!

The astronomer was at his wit's end. Usually, other girls would surround her, and the astronomer had to find ways to get rid of their entanglements. He never expected that one day the situation would be reversed.

And there's no time left for herself. Both Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate and Star of the Sea are eyeing her from the outside, and feelings only truly deepen when the two are alone together. Otherwise, would she really team up with Star of the Sea for a sisterly duo strategy?

Love and war are ruthless! Although the astronomer verbally agreed to Haidu City's promise, he would of course sneak away if he could, just like Haidu City would eventually stand on Haidu Star's side no matter what.

That astronomer, that despicable and shameless fellow, could even deceive his own dearest sister and younger sister! It's utterly appalling! This man is the very embodiment of shamelessness!

The astronomer was genuinely worried. She didn't care about the "carp leaping over the dragon gate" phenomenon; she was just a little girl, how could she possibly compete with a mature adult like herself? What she cared about was the Star of Haidu, whom she could summon at any time to fight for her.

The astronomer himself had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how skilled Hai Du was at the game. If Hai Du were to log into Hai Du Star's account and play for him, the astronomer would be in real danger.

?

"Ah Li...you don't seem to be in a good mood."

Excellent quality and Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate sat in the shade of the training field, watching the racehorses galloping on the track.

Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate has been reassigned to logistics and has no interest in going for a race on the track. Excellent Qualities, on the other hand, was quite eager to test the results of his rehabilitation and enthusiastically went for two laps on the track before coming off—otherwise, he would have been lapped by Haidu Star.

Although the two didn't start running together, the running momentum and speed of Haidu Star made it hard not to focus on her; she was simply on a different level from the others.

During the first half-lap, Youyuzhizi still saw that Haidu Star was a full track away from her. By the third half-lap, the distance between Youyuzhizi and Haidu Star had shrunk to half a lap. When Youyuzhizi had run two full laps... oh, she didn't finish; Youyuzhizi simply dropped out.

Otherwise, would we really want to be left in the dust and get penalized by Haidu Star? That would be too embarrassing!

It seems this track is still a bit difficult for me. I'll just have to wait for the Platinum run.

So the two of them could only wait there, bored, for Platinum to finish warming up and come to the training field. Of course, Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate wanted to be with Platinum all the time, and as a semi-dedicated support staff member, that was what Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate should do.

At least for now, Platinum's workout equipment, daily supplements, and post-training massages are all handled by Koi Leap Dragon Gate. This kind of dedicated logistics makes the other members of Spica incredibly envious—Spica can't afford to hire support staff, and even their workout clothes are usually washed by several racehorse girls taking turns. Even Meguro McQueen, to fit in, has to accept the rotating laundry duties.

Platinum doesn't belong to SPica because it's not actually part of SPica; it's just a symbolic representation of Rudolph by Nishizaki Ryu. If you really want to be specific, Platinum's team affiliation is actually with Rigil.

Platinum, known as the Japanese Little Lu Bu ( )

Incidentally, Platinum has never paid Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate a salary. Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate is essentially a paid job.

In short, Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate was qualified and obligated to share a room with Platinum. However, the astronomer, citing the cramped space in the gym, ruthlessly kicked Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate and Excellent Quality out. Excellent Quality, having not yet booked a gym room, could only sit with Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate on the training field, waiting for Platinum to finish warming up and begin adapting to the grass.

"Of course, I'm in a bad mood!" Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate trembled as it stretched out its two claws. "Just thinking about Platinum and those gloomy astronomers sharing a room makes my body tremble uncontrollably!"

"The astronomer is definitely asking Platinum out right now! I'm 100% sure of it. If the astronomer hadn't done this, I'd be willing to eat Gold Sixty's hair! That girl is definitely looking Platinum up and down with her lewd eyes, and then she can't wait to make a move on Platinum! No, I have to stop the astronomer's conspiracy."

What image do you have of astronomers...?

The carp leaping over the dragon gate was truly desperate. Although she felt the astronomer's way of flirting was rather primitive, possessing a kind of uncivilized beauty, what if Platinum was actually attracted to this greasy approach?

And then another one, Haidu Star, suddenly appeared, throwing down a royal flush right from the start.

Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate turned its gaze to the training field. Star of the Sea City had just completed its final sprint, the surging waves behind it blowing through her black hair, and the faint sound of the air exploding could even be heard.

It was precisely because she once aspired to become a racehorse girl that Koi Leap could see the immense potential hidden within Kaito Star. Such a terrifying running style, seen in training, was something Koi Leap had only ever witnessed with Golden Gun Sixty before going to Tokyo Treisen Academy.

Even after becoming a student at Treson Academy, I only occasionally saw them during the final preparations for highly competitive matches featuring exceptionally top-tier star students. Of course, after getting to know Platinum, I saw them more often.

Haidu Star raised its head, but instead of looking towards the stands, it turned its gaze towards the gym, staring at the huge glass windows dozens of meters high that reflected the bright sunlight, seemingly looking at something.

"Ah, isn't that Haidu Star? I'm going to go play with her!" Excellent Qualities and Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate heard a girl's voice behind them. Immediately afterward, they saw Cheng Quanbao dashing down three steps at a time, flashing past them.

Sprinting down stairs, leaping three steps at once, is dangerous enough on its own. For a racehorse girl, a fall like that is no joke. Aside from parkour enthusiasts, probably no one would attempt to descend stairs like that.

However, those with excellent skills clearly saw that although Cheng Quanbao did not look at his feet, every step he took was precisely placed in the correct position, without the slightest wobbling, and he was surprisingly steady.

The simple movement demonstrated that Cheng Quanbao could almost completely and stably control her stride. Simply put, she could control the length of her step exactly as she wished. Cheng Quanbao was a human rangefinder.

This was just an unconscious action of hers... After thinking about whether she could do it, the answer was undoubtedly no.

If Platinum were to participate in the Arc de Triomphe, would he face opponents like these? It seems I can somewhat understand why a genius like the Gold Master could lose...

In the blink of an eye, Cheng Quanbao was in front of Haidu Star. Haidu Star didn't look away, but Cheng Quanbao didn't care at all, waving his hand in front of Haidu Star's eyes: "Hello, hello? Are you listening—"

*Slap.* Haidu Star slapped Cheng Quanbao's finger away, his eyes still fixed intently on the direction of the gym, as if he had just swatted away a mosquito.

Cheng Quanbao stared at his palm in disbelief, as if he had no idea what was happening.

The moment Haidu Star slapped Cheng Quanbao's hand away, she didn't hesitate at all, which shows that she didn't want to see Cheng Quanbao appear in front of her at all.

"Oh no." Dai Tuli, who hadn't managed to stop Cheng Quanbao's antics, sighed and rubbed his forehead. He knew that, as usual, what followed was...

"Waaaah! Waaaaah! Deturi, did you see that?! She's bullying me!"

Cheng Quanbao's cries suddenly echoed through the sky.

(Two chapters combined)

One more chapter is needed.

Episode 320: What is the purpose of the peacock displaying its tail feathers?

[File Transfer Assistant]: Ali, are you there?

During the five-minute break announced by the astronomers, Platinum secretly stood in front of a transparent glass panel with his water bottle, his back to the astronomers, texting Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate on his phone.

Standing in this position, Platinum didn't know if anyone outside could see him, but he could see the vast training ground and the excellent qualities and carp leaping over the dragon gate sitting in the stands, now reduced to two tiny dots.

[Golden Koi Spinning]: What's wrong, Platinum? Do you need my help? I'll go up right now.

[File Transfer Assistant]: No, no, no, that's not true. I'll be downstairs after I warm up. Actually, I wanted to discuss something...

Platinum glanced furtively at the astronomer with a sly look in her eyes. Unexpectedly, the astronomer noticed her gaze and gave her a bright smile, startling her so much that she quickly turned her head back.

[File Transfer Assistant]: Actually, I feel that the astronomers are acting strangely today.

[File Transfer Assistant]: During training yesterday, the astronomer was very irritable. He kept breaking down and grabbing his hair to scold me. You could tell he was really anxious.

【Golden Koi Spinning】: I understand, I'll complain to the Equestrian Association right away and try to get her locked up.

That's not how it is... Now it's Platinum's turn to scratch his head. The two of them got along well before, so why is Platinum so hostile towards the astronomer now?

[File Transfer Assistant]: No, I don't have any objection to her training methods. I think it's quite normal for a coach to discipline a student.

If Platinum had met the astronomer for the first time, she would have assumed she was some kind of grumpy person. But after getting to know her for a while... well, she is indeed a grumpy person, but this grumpyness isn't reserved for others; it's all for herself. Astronomers may indeed be somewhat capricious in some ways, but they are generally quite reliable. At least in yesterday's situation, Platinum felt that if their roles were reversed, she would have resorted to personal attacks.

[File Transfer Assistant]: The astronomer was acting very strangely from the start this morning. He greeted me with a smile, kept asking about my well-being, comforting me, apologizing, and even saying he would ask me out tonight as an apology.

Platinum glanced back furtively at the astronomer. The astronomer, seeing Platinum's gaze fall upon him again, immediately flashed that bright smile once more… well, it just didn't suit her at all.

This time, the news of the carp leaping over the dragon gate arrived exceptionally late. About ten seconds later, the news finally came, and it was a bombshell announcement.

【Golden Koi Spinning Around】: I think she wants to seduce you.

"You want to soak me..." Bai Jingang immediately spat out all the water he had swallowed, choking her and causing her to cough repeatedly.

What kind of 20th-century term is this? There are still people using the verb "泡" (pào, to bubble) now... Did you learn this from Maruzensky? That was Platinum's first thought.

But then he thought about it again... Platinum felt that the saying "carp leaping over the dragon gate" might not be a joke after all.

Platinum recalled the astronomer's radiant smile that had been plastered on her face all day. While the astronomer was indeed quite beautiful... something about that smile just seemed off. Now, Platinum thought about it and seemed to understand where that strange feeling came from.

The astronomer's smile resembles the display of a male peacock's tail feathers towards a female peacock in a zoo. While a peacock's display is indeed beautiful, it's actually a courtship behavior of the male peacock...

I grass!

Bai Jin's eyes widened immediately. She silently repeated the message from "Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate" several times in her mind, then hurriedly turned back to look at the astronomer. She saw that the astronomer had somehow appeared not far from Bai Jin, and immediately smiled when he saw her turn around.

She smiled as soon as Bai Jin turned around.

He turned around and smiled.

Something's not right! Something's not right!

Platinum quickly wiped the sweat from her face with a towel, but beads of sweat soon appeared again. This time, it wasn't from exercise, but from being frightened.

No, no, no way! It's only been a short time. It's been less than a month since we met... How can such feelings develop in less than a month of contact?

Try to recall what astronomers have been doing lately...

While staying with Linda, the astronomer popped a glass of champagne and told ghost stories.

During a tour around the island, the astronomer somehow got into a fight with the carp leaping over the dragon gate, and even intervened to chase away a performance artist.

At the youth training base, the astronomer's attitude towards him suddenly improved, and he was all smiles.

...No, I can't tell at all. Apart from the fact that my behavior today was indeed a bit strange, these are all things that an astronomer could do on a whim.

Even his behavior today can be explained away by being drunk. It seems the saying about a carp leaping over the dragon gate is completely unreliable.

But then again, it's precisely because nothing astronomers do is surprising... that Platinum felt there was a real possibility.

What if this is the courtship method of an astronomer, like a male peacock displaying its tail feathers? Although it's abstract, it's not surprising if it applies to astronomers.

Wait, wait, wait... In other words, although the possibility is very small...

But actually, astronomers might be... no, they might be pursuing me?

The thought of this possibility left Bai Jin's mind blank. She didn't even see the many messages he sent after the carp leaped over the dragon gate, advising her not to get close to the astronomer, not to agree to any of the astronomer's requests, and that he would rush to save her.

This attempt to leap over the dragon gate backfired spectacularly.

Is it true...? A girl is pursuing me?

This is the first time in history!

Platinum was truly at a loss. She had never encountered a situation like this before and knew how to handle it.

Because, as you can see, Platinum's daily life is very simple and plain. Every day he gets whipped by Alice, drives Nishizaki Ryu crazy, trains with the SPIC members, and finally goes to visit the president. He doesn't even leave school, he can't see his fans, let alone experience anything that would make his heart flutter.

He did take the initiative to pursue others, but in the end, he became a complete clown.

So... this time it's my turn to be pursued?

Regardless of whether it's true or false, this message certainly satisfied Platinum's yearning for a better life, her vanity, and her longing for romantic comic book scenes.