Umamusume's days are numbered

"Its acceleration ability, which can rival that of emperors, and its dominance in the early stages of the race, as demonstrated in its debut battle... are extremely formidable!"

"Especially the fact that she can still accelerate in the middle and later stages of the track proves that Platinum's endurance and physical strength are also first-class. Her limit is definitely not just two thousand meters, and she may be able to adapt to three thousand meters as well. In this way, Platinum becomes an all-round talent who can choose to accelerate in the early stage to dominate the track, or accelerate in the later stage to overtake one after another, and she can adapt to both short and long tracks."

"We haven't tested Platinum's adaptability to mud yet. If she can handle mud with ease, then Platinum will be the perfect all-around racehorse girl!"

Nishizaki Ryu took a lollipop out of his pocket, tore open the wrapper, and popped it into his mouth.

"Although I would love to say that—but unfortunately, that's not the case."

"To put it more bluntly, if Platinum doesn't improve as soon as possible, she will be at a disadvantage no matter how she runs, on what track, or in what race."

"I had a vague premonition when I watched the video of the Dao Battle, and when I saw the footprints you left when you competed with the Emperor of the East Sea, I became even more certain of my thoughts."

Facing Platinum, Nishizaki Ryu extended his palm.

"Come to me. I'll teach you how to run a race."

Episode 36 Disadvantages

No matter how they run, they're at a disadvantage... Platinum almost scoffed, thinking that Nishizaki Ryu was exaggerating.

After her debut battle and the race against the East Sea Emperor, Platinum had a better understanding of her own abilities. Her skills were absolutely top-notch, and given enough time, she would soon catch up with the first tier.

This is also why Platinum is determined to win the Yayoi Prize.

She was about to speak when the words caught in her throat.

Because she saw that Rudolf Symbol had a serious expression on his face and was not smiling.

Although Platinum always felt that Rudolf's symbol was a bit less reliable than she had imagined, she still trusted it completely. Since Rudolf's symbol held this view, Platinum chose to respect its decision.

Having spent so long in the hospital, Bai Jin's life motto is: strictly follow doctor's orders.

"It's unlikely I'd trust you so readily," Platinum pondered. "...Could you tell me why you think that?"

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Nishizaki Ryu reached out and grabbed Special Zhou, who was chewing on a carrot, and said, “Special Zhou, come here for a second.”

Zhou swallowed the carrot quickly, his throat bobbing. "What's wrong, trainer?"

"I'm asking you, when did you start running?"

"Running?" Zhou tilted his head. "Trainer, that's a strange question. Of course, I've been running since I can remember."

"So when did you start consciously training yourself to become a racehorse girl and begin targeted running training?"

“I wasn’t really aware of it myself…” Zhou thought for a moment, “but my mother probably had this idea a long time ago and started giving me all sorts of special training very early on… probably when I was just starting elementary school.”

“McQueen, let me ask you again.” Nishizaki Ryu turned to the other side, “When did you start consciously training how to run?”

"Uh...me?" Megumi McQueen was also puzzled, but still thought for a moment before answering, "Probably around four years old. Anyway, I've been training since I can remember."

Having received the answer, Nishizaki Ryu turned to look at Platinum: "Platinum, have you realized something?"

Bai Jin wasn't stupid; she naturally understood what Nishizaki Ryu meant: "You mean... I haven't undergone systematic racing training? But isn't that why I came to Treson Academy?"

“You understand, but not entirely.” Nishizaki Ryu shook his head, pointing at Megumi McQueen. “McQueen, she has been consciously training her footwork since she was four years old. It’s been about ten years now.”

Nishizaki Ryu then pointed to Special Week: "Special Week is a transfer student like you. She has never seen any other horse girls since she was a child. Even she received relevant training when she was around six or seven years old."

"And at Treson Academy, this is just the basics for the horse girls."

"I understand, Platinum, you're a genius—"

Nishizaki Ryu's tone changed.

"But what kind of genius can learn in three years what others have learned for more than ten years and which has become a conditioned reflex in their bodies?"

"The three years here refers to your active age, which is the time you can stand on the racetrack and run. Horse racing is a very physically demanding job for young people, and being able to run for three years is already a long time."

"Platinum, did you understand?"

“You have almost zero experience in stride control. Your stride is also terrible. You don’t try to control the whole race when you run. Even if you study these things for three years, you may still not be able to catch up with others.”

"This means that you may have to face this problem throughout your entire career."

Platinum was completely stunned because she couldn't understand what Nishizaki Ryu was saying at all.

Let alone a race, White King Kong has only been able to walk for less than two days.

Seeing Bai Jin's puzzled expression, Xi Qilong sighed, thinking to himself that this little ancestor probably never thought of developing in this direction from a young age, what a waste of such a good talent.

Huh? Where are your family members? Come out and face your death!

This is not Platinum's fault. It is a difference in the education they received from childhood.

“Let me explain what I just said.” Nishizaki Ryu took a few steps toward the training ground and pointed to the track. “At the first bend just now, you and the East Sea Emperor were in a fierce battle and you couldn’t help but run off the track.”

"But the East Sea Emperor did not; she could even continue to accelerate while cornering. This was partly due to her dexterity in the ankles and partly due to her strong control over her steps."

"That's the difference between you two. If you were to take a corner, you wouldn't be able to control the inside of the track, and you'd even have to slow down to get through smoothly, right? That's why you've fallen behind the others."

"That's why I say you're at a disadvantage no matter what you run."

"Moreover, it seems that you don't even understand things like cutting in line, breaking through encirclements in the echelon, or intercepting opponents. This means that no matter which echelon you are in, whether you are leading or following, as long as you are surrounded by the team, you are doomed."

As Nishizaki Ryu explained, Platinum's brows furrowed. She still couldn't understand what Nishizaki Ryu was saying, but Rudolf Symbol didn't refute her, which meant that Nishizaki Ryu wasn't exaggerating.

Moreover, the fact that so much could be deduced from just two races, one based on video footage and the other on footprints, demonstrates that Nishizaki Ryu is indeed a top-tier trainer.

This guy wasn't just someone who made people follow their feelings after all.

"Well—since you've said so much, it's not just to dampen my enthusiasm, is it?" Platinum gritted her teeth and stepped out from behind Rudolf's symbol. "Since you've told me all this, it means you have a solution, you have a way to make me win, right?"

"Although I still have to mention that I signed with Rudolf Symbol, since the chairman has said so, I'm willing to go with you if you can help me."

“I’m very careful with my words, and I never make promises I can’t keep.” Nishizaki Ryu chewed on a lollipop. “So I won’t guarantee that I can make you catch up with others right away, but I do have ways to make up for it.”

"—At least, I can make such a promise."

"There are still about six months until the first of the classic triple crowns, the Satsuki Sho.

"You also want to participate in the Triple Crown Classic and win the Triple Crown Girl title, right?"

Nishizaki Ryu extended his fist towards Platinum. Because of the height difference between the two, Nishizaki Ryu deliberately lowered his fist a little.

"I promise that on the Satsuki Sho stage, you will be able to compete fairly with other racehorses."

"...Since you've put it that way." Looking at Nishizaki Ryu like this, Platinum took a deep breath and helplessly raised his fist.

Just as the two fists were about to collide—

An open palm appeared beside it.

"Oh! Cloth-wrapped stone, it's a victory for Lord Golden Ship!"

Episode 37 Platinum's Diary

Sunny day of a certain month

By the time you see this diary, I should already be dead... and the curse will have spread to you. You will die from the poison in three days. To survive, forward this to thirty group chats...

Ugh, what am I even writing? I don't have any roommates, so who's going to be watching?

In short, today was my first day of school in Tressen, and it was much easier than I expected. Rudolf's prediction was definitely an exaggeration; the school only has one compulsory class in the morning, and the material for middle school students is far too simple. If I can't even learn this much, I might as well start over.

...It seems like you know nothing except math. You can't even understand the textbook. Sigh, you really need to get into Japanese.

Pay attention in class and strive to be a good student!

I had no classes this afternoon, so I sneaked out to play.

Cloudy on a certain day of a certain month

Oh, I forgot about yesterday afternoon's training camp. Come to think of it, this is still a sports school.

Ryu Nishizaki waited for me all afternoon, and even went downstairs to the dormitory to shout, but no one answered.

Because I was watching a movie at that time.

Wow, there are so many animated films here...

I overslept this morning and skipped breakfast. I attended all my classes on an empty stomach.

I'll keep a case of instant noodles in my dorm room from now on.

At noon, I faced Nishizaki Ryu's wrath and was also discovered that I hadn't eaten breakfast. This time, he directly assigned the East Sea Emperor to follow me closely, insisting that I be taken to the cafeteria for lunch and then back to the training ground.

I don't know why, but when the Emperor of the East Sea was watching me eat, he would look at me with a strange expression.

How to describe it... it's that kind of face, a little indulgent, a little reproachful, and a little kind. It's also kind of scary.

I hope I'm just overthinking it.

On a certain day of a certain month, it was cloudy.

Today is a day off, but we're not resting.

Sigh, racehorse girls have no human rights.

As usual, I went to the training ground for intensive training. I woke up late again this week, and judging from my complexion, I must have stayed up all night yesterday.

How did I know? Of course, it's because I also stayed up late.

When Nishizaki Ryu saw the two of us, his face turned green, as if he had eaten expired food.

...I feel really bad for him.

Anyway, I ran a few laps around the training field with everyone from Spica. The East Sea Emperor deliberately kept running alongside me, always staring straight at me. It was scary.

I also saw members of the Canopus team at the training ground. Ms. Necha was cuter than I expected, and Twin Turbo was noisy, constantly shouting that he wanted to duel.

Honestly, it's really incongruous to put me among a bunch of kids. I spent so many years in Zaun in my past life and both my parents are still alive, but all the skills I've honed in this life are now useless. These ponies all look like they came straight out of My Little Pony. Even the delinquent girls at most yell, "You're such a big idiot!" or "You're such a pervert!"

It made me unconsciously hold my breath and concentrate when I spoke.

Hey, on a other hand, wouldn't people develop some weird fetishes after being scolded like that?

I can't figure it out, so I'm going to sleep.

On a certain day of a certain month of a certain year

I was woken up this morning by the Emperor of the East Sea knocking on the door. I rubbed my eyes and opened the door to find her standing there, which startled me.

But thanks to her, I wasn't late today.

He slept soundly at his desk all morning and stayed up all night again yesterday. Sure enough, when he saw Nishizaki Ryu at noon, he was furious.

Sigh, it's not that I don't want to go to bed early. It's just that the night goes by too fast; the sun rises before I even open my eyes.

Yamato Akaki also stayed up all night, haha.

It had rained for two days straight, and the training field was soaking wet. Once your feet got stuck, you couldn't pull them out, making it very difficult to run.

But Megumi McQueen, running behind me, must have been in even more pain. The mud I pulled from my feet splashed all over her, and I could hear her clicking her tongue with every step she took.

The chairman came to the training ground today, and he brought Ms. Tsuna Suguru with him. So this school actually has a chairman? I thought Rudolf symbolized absolute power.

The chairperson is petite and short, but speaks with great energy and is quite adorable. I felt that having her personally film the recruitment ads would attract more people. I told her this idea, and she said that she has been personally involved in the recruitment ads since the year before last.

I looked at Tsuna, who was looking at me with a mysterious smile.

...Ms. Tsuna, you did a great job! You did a great job!

After training, everyone looked like they'd rolled around in mud. Everyone else suggested going straight to the public bathhouse to shower, but I sneaked away.

This is really bad; it's morally wrong.

However, it's also a problem... If things continue like this, I'll become infamous.

Honestly, since I already have a single room, is it really that hard to have a private bathroom?

Finally, I got some hot water and wiped myself down in my dorm room.

On a certain day of a certain month, the weather turned from sunny to partly cloudy.

I forgot to take my medicine when I went out today, which scared me a bit. But nothing happened all day, and I didn't cough up blood or anything.

Am I making a fuss over nothing? Besides, it's not even certain whether it's a sign of soul dissolution.

I'll go to the hospital for a check-up another day.