Umamusume's days are numbered

Think about how those lovable kids address others?

As Ibuki Maikaku's mind trembled, the figures of Maki and Yoneyu appeared before Ibuki Maikaku's eyes.

Those two children were always inseparable from their trainers, and every time I saw them, I could hear them calling out to them in sweet voices.

---elder brother.

—Big brother.

Ibuki Mai and Kagura felt like they had found the answer.

So she lowered her face shyly, and squeezed out a trembling voice from between her teeth.

"Please let Ibuki Maikaku call you that..."

"—Big Sister."

Episode 158 The lowly woman will surely be brought to justice!

"Big Sister," what a sweet title that is.

It doesn't necessarily refer to who is older or more senior. The use of "elder sister" here demonstrates respect from the one addressing the other. By automatically categorizing oneself as the younger sister who needs care, the speaker subtly advances, actually seeking the other's affection—a very clever way of being affectionate.

How does it feel now? Like a carp leaping over the dragon gate?

Ibuki Kagura glanced at the carp leaping over the dragon gate and took a deep breath. This is just the beginning.

Because a title doesn't mean anything; you can call yourself a Super Saiyan, for example. To address someone, you first need to say it yourself, and secondly, you need the other person's acknowledgment.

This is why the carp leaping over the dragon gate only showed surprise, but did not appear panicked.

She knew that no matter what tricks Ibuki Maikaku played, Shirogane would remain unmoved. She was someone who hadn't even gotten to know all her classmates after sitting in the same classroom for half a year; her social desires were practically zero. Faced with Ibuki Maikaku's offensive... she would only find it troublesome.

Sure enough, upon seeing Ibuki Mai Kagura, Shirokin frowned and began to ponder. Based on Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate's understanding of her, she definitely had an expression that said, "Who is this person? Do I even know her?"

Ibuki Mai Kagura is nothing more than jumping out to humiliate herself, merely acting as a clown to decorate her and Platinum's sweet Valentine's Day.

Back then, I shamelessly followed Platinum around. How long did it take for her to be tacitly accepted as a companion? And you think you can just catch up to me by calling me "big sister"?

Ibuki Kagura, of course, knew all this. But she had to step forward. The goal now wasn't to get the Platinum Chocolate, but to prevent the Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate from getting it!

Shirogane frowned, about to speak to Ibuki Kagura. Ibuki Kagura knew it would probably be a refusal. But her goal had already been achieved.

Platinum has temporarily put aside the matter of giving the carp leaping over the dragon gate chocolate. This is what Ibuki Mai and Kagura want.

And this is just the beginning—

"Big sister... I... I know..."

Before Platinum could speak, Ibuki Kagura tightly pursed her lips, her fingers gripping the hem of her skirt, perfectly capturing the beautiful image of a girl struggling with shyness.

"I know you don't even know who I am...you might not even know my name..."

"My name is Ibuki Maikaku... but that's not important."

Ah no, this is actually very important. That's why Ibuki Maki and Kagura risked being interrupted to briefly mention their own names in the middle.

Before, my classmates couldn't remember my name for a whole semester, and they couldn't remember my name even when we were running on the same track... Now you should remember it, right?

Ibuki Maki thought through gritted teeth.

"But for me... Platinum has become an indispensable part of my life."

"Perhaps you don't remember what you did or said, it was all unintentional... but I want to tell you..."

Ibuki Maikaku tightly wrapped her delicate, white fingers around her chest, bent over, and shouted.

"I'm very grateful that you came to see me before the match!"

"It was you who gave me the desire to win, and also the courage to face defeat!"

"So, to me, Platinum..."

Breathing heavily, seemingly struggling to breathe from her earlier shout, Ibuki Makura slightly raised her head. Her chestnut bangs were damp with sweat, clinging to her forehead, and her eyes, like pools of spring water, gazed tenderly at the person before her, eyes that seemed capable of melting one's very bones.

"Platinum...that's my older sister."

No… when? Who? What happened? Shirogane stared at Ibuki Mai and Kagura, completely bewildered. Was this some kind of story about a little fox she'd casually saved before, who had returned in human form to repay a debt of gratitude? The problem was, she had absolutely no memory of it…

Wait, wait... Ah, it seems I'm starting to remember, it seems like...

This...this isn't the one who kept chasing me at the Yayoi Prize...

Is that really true?! Seriously, you're repaying a debt of gratitude way too quickly! The Yayoi Prize just happened a day ago!

As Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate watched Bai Jin's expression shift from confusion to a sudden flash of inspiration, an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

Oh no, could it be that Ibuki Maki Kagura, that yellow-haired mosquito, really succeeded?

Platinum chocolate, that's just for me!

That blond monkey looks like it's preparing a big move... Could it be that it's about to confess its feelings?!

Of course, since directly confessing one's feelings is not feasible and it is impossible to get a response, ambiguous words are used instead, such as "You are the most important person to me" or "Would you like to stay with me forever?" and so on.

Platinum may seem harsh, but once you get to know her, you'll find she has a kind heart and a soft soul. She's unlikely to be able to explicitly refuse such requests.

And to encourage such Ibuki Mai Kagura... in such an atmosphere... Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate's gaze shifts to Platinum's handbag.

···chocolate!

The chocolate I just got is about to fly away!

Of course, given her relationship with Platinum, she'll definitely get chocolate in the end. Maybe, as compensation, Platinum will even invite her to make chocolate together after school...

But that won't do! The "Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate" doesn't need that kind of chocolate; it has to be the one Platinum currently has! What good is the chocolate that comes later?

And to interrupt... even a carp leaping over the dragon gate can't do that! Ibuki Maikaku has already put herself in such a weak position, if I were to speak ill of her, it would only damage my image in front of Platinum.

In an instant, Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate broke out in a cold sweat. He had only been in a few seconds without reacting... and Ibuki Mai and Kagura had actually carved a bloody path through him?

How could they possibly turn the tide of the battle when they were at such a disadvantage?

"Please...please accept my chocolate!" Ibuki Kagura took the chocolate from her bosom, bowed deeply to Platinum, not daring to look at Platinum, and simply held the chocolate out to Platinum.

Come on... come on... take my chocolate, and then... a mysterious smile appeared on Ibuki Kagura's face.

No...no! The carp leaping over the dragon gate had tears in its eyes.

Platinum sighed softly and accepted the chocolate from Ibuki Maikaku.

"Thank you, I really like your chocolate." Platinum patted Ibuki Kagura on the shoulder, making her stand up, and put the chocolate in her bag. "Well then, I can't not give you a return gift."

"Please accept my chocolate as well, Ibuki Kagura." With that, Platinum took out another chocolate from her bag and handed it to Ibuki Kagura.

Ibuki Mai and Kagura were overjoyed. Not only did Shirogane remember her name, but she also accepted her chocolate and reciprocated with chocolate in return…

Most importantly, she has tacitly accepted being addressed as "elder sister"!

When he clings to her side and calls her "sister" the next time, she won't have the heart to refuse him.

What a resounding victory! Fortune truly does come from taking risks!

Fearing that Platinum would refuse, Ibuki Kagura immediately accepted Platinum's chocolate, then buried it deep in her chest, revealing a genuine, blissful smile.

Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate could only watch helplessly as Platinum handed the chocolate to Ibuki Kagura, tears welling in her eyes. Seeing Ibuki Kagura's almost heaven-high smile, Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate felt wronged, jealous, and resentful. He could only tug at Platinum's skirt with a pitiful expression and stare at her with wide eyes.

I arrived first, so why should I give it to her first?

It's not too late to make it up to her this afternoon.

Just as Li Yuelongmen was thinking to himself with a mixture of resentment and regret, another chocolate was taken out of Baijin's hand and handed to him.

"And then, this is yours."

"...Huh?" Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate, incredulous, quickly took the chocolate. He blinked, looked at the one in his hand, then at the one in Ibuki Mai and Kagura's hands—they were exactly the same.

"Stop looking, I bought it at the supermarket this morning." Platinum shook her head, hands on her hips. "I bought all the chocolates in there, there'll definitely be enough for today. Why are you grabbing it?"

The carp leaping over the dragon gate blinked.

...It seems like this isn't so bad? I feel better now.

Episode 159 Wholesaler Chocolate Merchant

Leo Deban looked at the chocolate in his hand, then at Ibuki Mai and Kagura's upturned lips, and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

Same heart-shaped chocolates, same packaging, even the same greetings on them...

Seeing Platinum's eager back as she handed out chocolates, Leodeban carefully tossed the chocolates into his desk, making sure Ibuki and Kagura never saw them again.

Just moments ago, Ibuki Maki and Kagura were showing off, saying, "This is a unique chocolate from Platinum that I fought so hard to get." No sooner had she finished speaking than Platinum kicked open the classroom door, carrying a sack.

This kick plunged the classroom into silence. The students, whether they were sitting in their seats or standing and talking, all stopped and stared at Bai Jin, sweating profusely.

"Here I am, here I am, bringing chocolates!" Platinum called out expressionlessly as he dragged a sack into the classroom.

Bai Jin walked up to the classmate closest to the door, reached into the sack, pulled out a chocolate bar, and threw it over.

"Ah... oh... this..." The student who subconsciously took the chocolate looked around in a panic, not understanding why Platinum would give her chocolate.

Huh? What's going on? What should I say in this situation?

All eyes in the class were on her; in an instant, this inconspicuous little nobody became the focus of the entire class.

But she soon stopped thinking about those things. Bai Jin then continued walking forward, stood in front of another classmate, reached into the sack, pulled out a box of chocolates, and handed it to the person in front of her.

Here, chocolate.

"Oh, oh..." He quickly reached out and caught it.

Now it's my turn? What's going on?

Without pausing for a moment, Bai Jin, like someone working on an assembly line, rushed to the next student, handed her the chocolate, and then repeated the process.

Even Leodeban, who was sitting at a nearby desk watching the commotion, was forced to eat a piece of chocolate. As they passed by Ibuki Kagura, she blushed and opened her mouth as if to say something.

"Ah, Ibuki Maikaku." Shirokin rummaged in the sack and pulled out a piece of chocolate, handing it to her. "The one from before is from before, and the one now is the one now."

"Here'll have an extra piece."

Ibuki Mai and Kagura were trembling all over, pointing a shaky finger at Platinum: "You, you, you, you, you, you..."

How could you do that!

Doesn't this completely ruin the Valentine's Day atmosphere?

This is practically a wholesale chocolate business!

Or are you someone who treats confessing your feelings as casually as eating or drinking?

You heartless bastard!

Looking at the trembling Ibuki Kagura, Platinum tilted her head in confusion, completely unable to understand what Ibuki Kagura was thinking.

So, she handed the chocolate in her hand to Ibuki Kagura again: "Do you want some?"

"Waaah... I want it..." Like a bullied puppy, Ibuki Kagura pouted as she accepted the chocolate that Platinum handed her.

Waaah... My Valentine's Day dream of love... has completely lost all its romance...

Leo Deban, who had watched the whole thing from the sidelines, patted Ibuki Kagura on the shoulder and comforted her, saying, "Look, you have two chocolates, don't you?"

"That means they pay twice as much attention to you as they do to others."

"Hmm...now that you put it that way..." Ibuki Maki Kagura thought about it and felt that Leo Deban's words made sense.

Yes, Platinum still cares about himself. Otherwise, why would he have more chocolates than others?

Completely forgetting that she had gone through great lengths to obtain the first piece of chocolate, Ibuki Kagura put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and looked at the others around her with a smug expression.

Envious? You still don't get this treatment!

Seeing Ibuki Mai Kagura puff up like a pufferfish again, Leo Deban shook his head, both amused and exasperated.

The attention they give you might indeed be twice that of others... but have you ever seen Platinum pay attention to his peers or classmates?

Don't even mention doubling it; zero multiplied by zero is still zero...

Leo van Pern didn't say this aloud. Otherwise, Ibuki and Kagura would have started acting up again.