Umamusume's days are numbered

Facing the audience and seeing their cheers, Platinum couldn't help but feel a little smug.

What? I'm pretty good at running, aren't I? It turns out that my previous setbacks weren't my fault, but the environment.

So she jogged along the track, smiling and waving to the stands, looking quite pleased with herself. The joy of winning the race made her feel so elated that it overshadowed her fear of the dark mass of people.

She did see the Spica team in the stands this time. The entire team, including Nishizaki Ryu, was there, and the Golden Ship stuck its tongue out at her.

Shifting my gaze to Spica's side, I saw Alice there, clapping her hands with that forced smile.

Upon seeing Alice, Platinum's heart sank, as if she were a mouse caught by a cat. She quickly shrank back and slunk off the field.

I slipped back to the lounge. This time, there was finally a lounge for each person, so I didn't have to worry about everyone crowding together and pushing each other while I changed clothes.

As soon as the door opened, Platinum couldn't help but cover her forehead. Alice was already sitting comfortably on the sofa, looking at her with amusement.

“Platinum,” Alice said softly.

"Yes!" Bai Jin immediately stood up straight as a reflex.

There's no other way; bowing to power is the prerequisite for the weak to accumulate strength to fight back.

When I'm able to do something in the future, I'll definitely do this and that to Alice... but it seems like I can't really do anything about it.

Platinum became depressed again.

"You've gotten cocky after winning Game 3. If your opponent had been any stronger, you wouldn't have won so easily."

"Your opening and mid-game runs were a complete mess. How did Nishizaki Ryu teach you to corner? You didn't listen at all. No matter how much you practice, you forget it all on the track," Alice commented, arms crossed.

"I was just nervous," Platinum explained, head down.

Alice stood up and strode over to Platinum, the crisp sound of her heels echoing in the lounge. Platinum's ears drooped softly, her head hanging low in dejection.

“But apart from that, you did far more than I imagined.” Alice smiled and gently patted Platinum’s shoulder. “Do you know how far you fell behind second place? A full ten horse lengths.”

Platinum's eyes lit up again.

"Your performance in the last three waves was perfect, absolutely perfect. So go proudly onto the winner's stage, you are the undisputed number one."

Episode 69 The Taste of Victory

"Congratulations!" The Emperor of the East Sea clapped his hands enthusiastically, his voice as sweet as honey. His eyes were practically drooping with laughter.

"Heh, that was a complete victory. A victory isn't enough; it has to be a beautiful, overwhelming one. Looks like we're the same kind of people." Even his praise was so subtle; this was McQueen's light laugh.

"Your senior ran really well, I can't be outdone." Yamato Akaki smiled and was inspired to think about the Spartan training plan.

"Hey, those are my lines!" The one arguing with Yamato Akaki was the noisy Vodka.

"Anyway, we won the game, so let's celebrate!" Special Zhou, drooling, was holding a carrot cake.

The poster on the wall is of Silent Suzuka.

Platinum, carrying a handbag, opened the door to the training room.

"...What's going on here?" Platinum wiped non-existent sweat from his brow and pointed at the group of people gathered together.

"Of course, it's a celebration party prepared for you." Ryuya Nishizaki appeared from behind and patted Platinum on the shoulder with a beaming smile. "This is all thanks to everyone's kindness, so please accept it with gratitude."

Platinum wailed inwardly.

No, no, no, that's not what I'm asking!

Ah, to be honest, I am indeed asking this question, but I'm not asking it because I don't understand the situation; rather, I'm asking it because I understand the situation!

Platinum... is the least adept at handling this kind of situation.

Platinum herself is quite averse to birthday parties and celebrations, especially those prepared for herself.

No, to say I'm resistant would be ungrateful, but... how should I put it... it's just...

It's so... so disorienting... so...

"Huh?" The East Sea Emperor had sharp eyes and was quite familiar with Bai Jin. He immediately noticed that Bai Jin's condition was different from usual.

Huh? Platinum isn't usually this coy.

Platinum always looks lazy and sleepy, with a slightly aloof demeanor. It's hard to know what she's thinking; she seems rather eccentric.

But unlike today, he didn't stand hesitantly at the door, neither going in nor backing out. Such behavior...

"Platinum, you wouldn't be..." The Emperor of the East Sea covered his mouth and chuckled as he slipped over to Platinum's side, nudging her with his shoulder.

"Are you shy?"

Um?Um?Um?

Isn't that right? The ever-lazy, cold, and aloof Platinum...

So you feel embarrassed about a celebration party?

"Don't get so close to me." Standing at the door, Bai Jin looked at the East Sea Emperor who was getting closer, not knowing where to put his hands, and could only say dryly.

Unfortunately, Bai Jin's actions only proved to the Emperor of the East Sea that he was all bark and no bite.

"Huh? Isn't that right?" The Emperor of the East Sea chuckled and persistently approached.

Now the Emperor of the East Sea has finally found Platinum's weakness.

The emperor knew that no one in the world could be so heartless.

"She actually blushed over something like this..."

"You bastard..." Platinum clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, but he couldn't refute her.

"I'm not...I'm not...I'm not shy!"

In times like these, you have to use your manly spirit to get through it!

No matter what you're trying to clarify, as long as you shout it out loud, you'll appear to be in the right!

By the way, this is something Platinum learned from the shonen manga he watched in his previous life.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be working.

Everyone around had an expression that suggested they were trying not to laugh.

Megumi McQueen smiled slightly and closed his eyes, leaving others their own space and not witnessing their embarrassment was the proper thing for a lady to do; Yamato Akaki smiled with satisfaction, touched his nose, and turned away consciously; Vodka also became embarrassed, touching his ears and covering his cheeks.

Only Zhou was genuinely caught off guard, staring blankly at the others, somewhat bewildered.

After all, the words spoken by a little girl with a face as red as a tomato in a huff should be taken in reverse.

That's really not straightforward.

And the Emperor of the East Sea...

The Emperor of the East Sea was probably seeing such platinum for the first time and was extremely excited.

I've never seen her like this before; she wasn't cold and aloof, but rather warm and shy.

This is a perfect contrast to her usual image.

It's just like a sweet and sour berry hidden under a blanket of snow...so cute.

It makes you want to take the opportunity to bully them.

So, with this indescribable emotion welling up in his heart, the Emperor of the East Sea leaned close to Platinum's ear, cupped his hands around his mouth, and whispered something.

I'm about to say it, I'm about to say it out loud, that one sentence!

"A nobody~ A nobody~ A nobody who's embarrassed because of a celebration banquet~"

...Thank you, but I'm not touched anymore. My fist is already hard.

Platinum clenched her fist slightly.

Emperor of the East Sea, when did you become like this? What changed you?

Of course, the punch never landed. Platinum scratched his cheek, his eyes darting away, his mouth opening and closing several times as if he wanted to say something but then swallowed it back.

Under everyone's gaze, Bai Jin's face was so bright red it looked like she was about to bleed. She lowered her head and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth in a voice barely audible.

"...Thank you, thank you..."

McQueen was the first to applaud, his expression one of satisfaction.

Do you understand, family members?

So-called tsundere characters, no matter how they behave, all have the same core essence.

The thick layer of solid ice encasing the exterior, and beneath that ice lies a soft heart.

So-called tsundere—

What we look forward to most is that precious moment of tenderness that finally emerges after a long period of pride.

It's unbelievable that in this day and age, we can still see such a classic example of arrogance.

"Alright, alright, stop standing by the door." Yamato Akaki pulled Platinum, who wished he could disappear into the ground after saying that, to the table. "Senior won such a beautiful victory, we must celebrate properly!"

Although she didn't say anything, Platinum sat down at the table without resistance.

People are all made of flesh and blood, and Bai Jin isn't heartless. She can tell at a glance who treats her well.

Platinum finds it really hard to put on a stern face when facing the people at Spica.

The only barrier is the eternal problem... the soul's dissolution...

Although I can live a normal life now as long as I take medication, there will come a day...

...One day, I will be able to cure my soul dissolution syndrome, and at that time...

"Speaking of which, where's the Golden Ship?" After circling around, Platinum realized that the most boisterous guy wasn't there.

Just then, Platinum felt a pair of hands climb up her legs. Platinum immediately felt a chill and quickly lifted the tablecloth.

The golden ship had one hand touching one of the platinum's thighs, its head nestled between the platinum's knees, and it was looking at the platinum with an innocent expression, blinking its eyes.

"Oops, you discovered me."

"I wanted to give you a surprise."

Episode 70 Invitation

Aili Digital sneaked up to the entrance of the student council.

She didn't come to the student council to steal anything... rather, it was the student council president, the famous Emperor Rudolf, who sent her there.

It's just that Aili Digital has gotten into a habit of walking like this, so that he can hide in the grass anytime, anywhere and witness the beautiful scene of me pushing...

Because of this, Aili Digital is always seen as a strange person.

"Um...is anyone home?" Alice Digital tentatively knocked on the student council door.

"Please come in," came Rudolf's calm voice from inside the door.

However, Alice Digital knew this was all a facade. Rudolf, in reality, was the Night Emperor who ruled the academy. On the surface, he was a dutiful student council president, but in reality, he treated all the students as his personal playthings. Every night, he would choose which student to favor by flipping a card…

Aili Digital, don't talk nonsense.

Don't believe me? Believe it or not, the moment you open the door today, you'll see Rudolph, symbolically flanking two ponies, straddling the student council chair, displaying his supreme authority—

Alice Digital cautiously pushed open the student council door. There was no one else inside, except for Rudolph Symbol and —

"Platinum, go to the left, try going to the left." The Emperor of the East Sea lay on the sofa, staring intently at Platinum's arms.

"No way... I can't jump up..." Platinum gritted her teeth, took off her two little leather shoes, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and held a Switch, turning it left and right as if it were a steering wheel.

Rudolf symbolically sat on the other side of the sofa, picked up his teacup and took a sip of black tea.

"Please take a seat."

Zhi, surrounded by women on both sides, just as she predicted.

Alice Digital sat timidly on the other side of the sofa, facing the Rudolf symbol.

"Don't be shy, please have some tea." Rudolf symbolically pushed a cup of black tea in front of Aili Digital.

"Uh... thank you, Chairman..." Alice Digital carefully took the teacup, looked it over from left to right, and finally took a small sip before putting it down.