Umamusume's days are numbered

Episode 54: Is coffee half-sweet or full-sweet?

"...What did you say? Why are you giving the trainer drugs?" Platinum looked completely bewildered.

"...If you don't give it to the trainers, are you going to feed it to yourself?" Alice looked bewildered.

The two looked at each other, each feeling as if they had misunderstood something.

"What do you usually sell to the students?!" Platinum stood up, her face flushed, and pointed at Alice.

The film set has been completely transformed!

Rudolf, what are you doing? You've been the chairman for so long, and Alice has been doing this kind of shady business right under your nose for so long, and you didn't even know?

"Tsk..." Alice turned her head away, "I shouldn't have gone out today..."

“Let me make this clear first, I didn’t sell it to them. The students begged me to give it to them. I’m also having a lot of trouble.” Alice pointed at Platinum. “Like you, some people are blocking the dorm entrance, some are blocking the lab, some are blocking the library… I need a normal life too.”

Suppressing the urge to complain, Platinum silently reminded herself: Don't forget why you came here today!

"...Anyway, none of this concerns me." Platinum pressed down on the table. "Do you have any medicine? I mean the kind you take for yourself."

"I can pretend I didn't hear what you said before."

Alice smoothed her bangs and glanced at Platinum.

"This does not."

"How could there not be? I've heard so much about you—"

"I won't let my students become drug addicts," Alice interrupted Platinum coldly. "Or do you see me as someone without principles?"

"I research drugs so that people with disabilities can start on the same footing as others, not so that some people can take shortcuts."

"Sports competition is a sacred matter, Miss Platinum, please leave. I can pretend I didn't hear what you said before."

The waiter brought over steaming hot black tea and snacks, and Alice handed a cup of black tea to Platinum.

“I’m not responsible for psychological counseling, nor am I your parent. I won’t listen to your tearful pleas and reasons. In short, no means no.”

Platinum realized that things had reached another stalemate. He had to personally persuade Elisako to stand on his side.

However, the reasons he wanted to persuade Alice were still too weak—unless he told her the truth about the soul dissolution phenomenon.

How could such a secret be told to anyone else?

Wait, why can't we tell it to Airi Soko?

Rather, even if he convinces Elisako now, if he wants Elisako to treat him later, he will have to tell Elisako about his symptoms in detail.

From the very beginning, there was no choice. I have to be honest with Alice no matter what.

So, what serious consequences would there be if I told Alice about the soul dissolution phenomenon?

The reason I hadn't told Rudolph the truth before was because if I had, she definitely wouldn't have agreed to let me continue running.

Given Rudolf's current personality, he would definitely be kept under close surveillance. Platinum and Rudolf will have a very, very intense argument... and the final victor will undoubtedly be Rudolf.

Platinum certainly knew that Rudolph's intentions were good. But she also had her own reasons for having to keep running.

So, what if we reveal all of this to Alice?

Of course there's no such risk. Alice herself just said—[I'm not responsible for psychological counseling, nor am I your parent.]

Alice was indifferent to everyone else, or rather, there were very few people she truly cared about. She always seemed to take things as they came.

Having thought of this, Platinum no longer hesitated.

"I think there must be some misunderstanding between us." Platinum placed the suppressant pills in his arms on the table and pushed them toward Alice.

"What, are you trying to say you're a walking pharmacy now?" Alice took the bottle. "Such a large dose, and it's an American-made drug for those who abuse it..."

As she spoke, Alice's voice trailed off.

"...I've never seen this kind of medicine before." She turned the bottle over, examining it from all angles, her expression growing increasingly serious. "This isn't a health supplement, nor is it a training aid. It doesn't contain hormones or stimulants. What...is it for?"

"I'm sick, very sick. Only you can save me." Platinum pursed her lips.

Alice covered her forehead and tapped her teaspoon: "...This is going to be difficult."

"I really regret it. I wish I hadn't come today," she sighed.

Alice picked up a pastry, hesitated, and then put it down. She stood up, took a few steps, and then sat down again.

“Listen, Platinum. I’m not a miracle doctor. In your case, you should talk to the president of Treson Academy and have Rudolf find you a good doctor—”

“I want to keep running.” Platinum looked into Alice’s eyes. “You’ve experienced that feeling before, haven’t you?”

"The track is there, and the finish line you've always dreamed of is there. No matter what, there's always a reason not to back down."

“Alice,” Platinum said softly, “you were a racehorse who retired after only four races. I think you can understand that feeling.”

"The fruits of victory are right before your eyes, within easy reach. Just one more step forward, one more step... But the chains behind you are tightly bound, preventing you from taking that step until you die."

"Haven't you ever woke up in the middle of the night in a fright and looked at your own legs?"

"Back then, did you ever think... what if, what if your legs were stronger, could you have gone further and gained more glory, instead of being called the Phantom Horse by people like you are now?"

"Hehe, hahahaha..." Alice chuckled, "You've said these things to me by different people before."

Alice stirred her teacup with a teaspoon: "That's just how it is. There are some things that can't be changed no matter what."

"I don't want to hear anything more from you. You'd better go see a doctor as soon as possible. This is my advice to you."

After saying this, Alice dusted off her clothes, stood up, turned around and walked towards the door without touching the pastries or black tea.

"Elisako!" Platinum stood up and called out loudly, but Elisako only waved to her and did not turn around.

"Arisuko! Don't you want to witness—witness just how perfect the most perfect body can be?!"

Platinum patted his chest, his voice hoarse: "My legs—the most perfect legs you've always been searching for!"

"You're just one step away from achieving your dream!"

Alice stopped and turned around, her scarlet eyes staring at Platinum's face, brazenly observing her body, finally settling on her legs.

"Idiot's dream."

Alice scoffed, "You've only just entered Treson Academy, so naturally you don't know just how many—"

"How many geniuses do you have?" Platinum gritted his teeth, pointing to himself. "Then why don't you try it yourself?"

Episode 55 In a Daze

"Shoko, Soko!"

She felt a nudge on her shoulder. She turned around and saw it was her trainer.

"What's wrong? Are you nervous about the upcoming competition?" It was her trainer's concerned voice. Airi Suzuko heard the slight tremor in the voice; she was clearly nervous. This wasn't surprising; her trainer, fresh out of school, had encountered such a freak as herself, and it was truly remarkable that she had supported her all the way to this point.

The Satsuki Sho—this is extremely important for both of them. It is the first of the classic Triple Crowns, followed by the Japanese Derby and the Kikuka Sho. The horse girl who successfully wins these three crowns will enjoy unparalleled admiration and honor.

It's understandable to be nervous.

but---

"Who do you think I am?" Alice laughed heartily, dusting off her brand-new final outfit. The pristine white coat clung so tightly to her body that she could barely feel the fabric.

With that, Alice strode towards the track.

"…Guinea Pig, don't forget to prepare your return ticket. Otherwise, we won't be able to complete today's experiment."

"Areyako? Reisakuko!"

Feeling herself being shaken, Alice shook her head and looked at Platinum, who was touching her shoulder: "What's wrong?"

"Are you even listening to me?" Platinum looked at Alice with suspicion and pointed to the track in front of her. "Let's run a 2000-meter race."

"Since you have doubts about my talent, then come and experience it for yourself."

Alice looked around—this was an indoor training ground outside the school. Of course, not all racehorse girls could enjoy the training ground inside the school, so training grounds outside the school were created.

However, the difference compared to the academy is enormous: not to mention the grass field is the kind used for football fields, the area it occupies is significantly smaller. To complete a 2000-meter race here, you need to navigate eight turns.

It's quite unprofessional, but it's cheap.

"If it's just a test of my talent, this kind of track should be enough."

Slowly walking to the front of the track, Airi Soko looked somewhat dazed: "Are you sure you want to race with me? Although I retired a long time ago, I am still a horse girl who won a G1 race."

"Compared to you, you're still very inexperienced."

"Our goal isn't to see who wins, is it?" Platinum warmed up on the court, taking the matter seriously, "but to earn your recognition and acceptance of my future."

"Whatever you want." Alice rolled her eyes and stood on tiptoe.

"—Arisako."

Standing on the Satsuki Sho racetrack, she was suddenly struck up a conversation by the racehorse girl next to her.

Ah, it's that child. Eliseko recognized her; the racehorse girl named Blazing Horse was as cheerful and quick-witted as her name suggested, and she was also quite strong.

Of course, this is not from the perspective of the opponent, but from the perspective of the researcher.

If we consider things from the opponent's perspective... the result will inevitably offend others to some extent.

"Eliseko." The girl, as fiery as a flame, called her name again.

"Please speak your mind, I'm listening." Alice looked casually at her opponents standing on the field.

Well... there are many promising young talents who are worth watching. But they are still far behind us.

This is not arrogance, but a reasonable deduction.

The Yayoi Prize, which only had eight people fight because they wanted to avoid battle, is the best proof of this.

"...I know you've never considered us your rivals." Flaming Steed clenched her fists, but she also knew it was true. "Perhaps only Manhattan Coffee can hold your attention for a moment."

"Are you trying to say I'm too arrogant?" At this moment, Alice didn't want to cause any more trouble, so she slowly turned her head. "In that case, I apologize."

Unfortunately, even this apology was filled with arrogance, as if it were a handout.

"That expression... it's really disgusting yet there's nothing you can do about it." Flaming Steed clenched his fist tightly, then let it fall back down, smiling at Alice with a sense of relief. "Oh well, that's just your personality."

"But remember my words. On the track today, I'll make sure you give me a different look."

As the announcement signaling entry to the gate sounded, Fiery Steed strode towards it. After a few steps, she turned back, pointed a finger at Alice, and said, "On the final straight line, I'll overtake you."

"I will definitely make you...accept me!"

Hearing Blazing Steed's words, Alice just found it amusing. What did she need her approval for? She wasn't even family or a friend of hers.

No one can compare to my talent anymore; my legs are the most perfect legs in the world.

So, Alice also stepped through the gate.

"—The race has begun! The racehorses burst out of the gates!"

Alice moved her legs. Although the texture of the artificial turf was completely different from that of real grass, it still evoked many memories for Alice.

Ah... there have been times like this before...

On the Satsuki Sho stage... I was once so confident, so arrogant, firmly believing that I was number one.

How long has it been since I felt this way?

What an impressive running style!

Platinum felt immense pressure in an instant. Her strength lay in seizing the initiative early in the game and leading the entire team—but Alice was even faster than her! She was still in a daze when her body naturally sprinted forward!

Even though the competition had only just begun, Platinum had already fallen behind Elise.

Moreover, the situation is even less optimistic for Platinum! She will face greater pressure on the curves, and it is foreseeable that the gap between her and Alice will widen further.

Even in such a difficult moment, Platinum still marveled at Alice's beauty.

That wasn't admiration for her appearance, but admiration for her running style. That's the kind of gait a racehorse should have—that's the feeling you get when you watch Eriko's gait.

Rudolf was right. Every prized horse should not be underestimated.

Alice ignored Platinum behind her; she had never believed Platinum could beat her from the start. She was fully enjoying the feeling of her muscles relaxing.

That's it, that's it, that's the perfect running style, the style no one can surpass...