Umamusume's days are numbered

The track was completely unfamiliar, and then there was the fall before the race. I had finally mustered the determination to win! Because of that fall, I don't even know where it all went.

Also, aren't there too many racers on the track? Eighteen female racehorses running on such a narrow track just doesn't make sense, does it? I've never run on such a terrible track before.

And another thing... Donghai Emperor is also very strong. She was originally a strong contender for the undefeated three-time champion. There was no one in her cohort who could compare to her, right? Losing to her isn't shameful, is it?

With so many reasons already... can I comfortably convince myself that I can lose?

...I know, I know, this match is a matter of life and death; I've truly staked my life on it. But if I can't win, I can't win. Am I supposed to expect everyone to give me first place?

It's funny to think about, so let's just leave it at that.

Let it be.

that's all···

Glistening tears slid down Platinum's cheeks, forming streams. Completely beyond her control, Platinum's eyes were already red and swollen.

"You're still in the race, you're still on the track, what are you crying for?" Platinum scolded himself inwardly.

Your pathetic state has been captured on camera and will be seen by countless people.

If you lose, you lose. Save some face for yourself. After the match, shake hands with the Emperor of the East Sea, say a few words of mutual respect, and then quietly leave the stage.

—I know! But I just can't control myself!

Who wants to cry? But I'm really scared!

I've already tried my best and haven't slacked off. I practice with all my might every day... Besides, judging from past performances, I should have won easily...

Why can't I win? Why did the Emperor of the East Sea get ahead of me? Why am I so unlucky? Why am I suffering from this damn disease?

Clutching her chest tightly, Platinum's vision was blurred, and stepping on the soft soil felt like stepping on a trampoline, swaying back and forth.

Platinum's pace began to slow. Through her blurred vision, Platinum saw the figure of the East Sea Emperor receding into the distance.

That's enough, I've had enough, that's it.

I don't want to run anymore.

"Platinum player, Platinum player has slowed down."

"Ibuki Maikaku's momentum continues unabated, surpassing Platinum and now ranking second."

Platinum saw another figure pass by her.

Once there's a first, there's a second. Platinum sensed it; the hungry wolves were drooling over him.

After me, the first one will be Platinum... the second one.

Soon, everyone... one by one, one by one. Each one would run ahead of Platinum, leaving her far behind.

I might as well just drop out of the race. I've forced myself to keep going until now, and I've completely lost interest. Running in the rain is just too uncomfortable.

However, the fiery red figure that had surpassed him didn't think that way.

Ibuki Mai Kagura—on the inside of the final bend, using the curve of the bend, glanced at Platinum behind her.

Those were eyes filled with anger.

After donning this fiery red battle attire, Ibuki Maikaku resembled a blazing phoenix. Even as a light drizzle dampened her feathers, the red coat burned like a raging fire even in the rain.

Ibuki Mai Kagura's eyes were like raging fire. Upon seeing those eyes, Platinum shuddered as if struck by lightning.

She understood the meaning behind Ibuki Mai Kagura's expression. It was one of disappointment and dissatisfaction with herself.

—What are you doing? The game isn't over yet, but you've already given up on yourself?

—This has nothing to do with whether or not you can participate in the race. Someone like you, no matter how talented or physically gifted you are... you're the one who doesn't deserve to be a racehorse girl.

Ibuki Maikaku is a person who admires strength. She is very practical and realistic. She likes strong people, and she likes people who can beat her.

A true friend is someone you can confide in and have a close relationship with, someone you can be equally good at.

Those who can far surpass oneself are the idols one should follow.

So she likes platinum, she really likes platinum.

However, the so-called "winning" does not mean simply coming in first place in a race.

Ibuki Mai Kagura has her own set of aesthetics that admire strength.

A platinum player like this, someone who cries just because someone overtakes them before the competition is even over...

Even if you come in first place, it doesn't count as a "win" or a "strong" achievement.

Platinum suddenly remembered.

Whether at the Yayoi Sho or the Satsuki Sho, Ibuki Mai Kagura always chased after herself.

At the Yayoi Sho, I didn't even notice her. To put it bluntly, at that time, I just treated her like she was invisible.

Moreover, they were now more than ten horse lengths behind them. It was a crushing defeat without any suspense.

The Yayoi Sho was Ibuki Kagura's first defeat, and a crushing one at that.

At the end of the Yayoi Prize, Ibuki Mai and Kagura ran so fast that they were drooling, almost completely losing their composure, as they tried their best to get closer to the platinum trophy.

Even though she was already a shoo-in for second place. Even though she had secured a spot in the preliminary rounds, even though she couldn't win the championship no matter what, she kept chasing until the very end.

Back then, at the end of the competition, what was Ibuki Mai Kagura saying to herself again...?

Platinum was slightly taken aback. It's dangerous to let your mind wander during a match, especially in a major stadium. At that moment, behind Platinum, Neo Cosmos and Leodban were gradually approaching.

Still not working... New Universe looked at Platinum's figure and gently shook his head.

However, there is still a chance. Countless, countless, countless more chances for the new universe.

Although this is the only chance for this Platinum player.

The new universe can continue to drift, continue to wait, so...

"Ah." The new universe noticed.

Platinum's pace is changing. Although it's slow, and still clumsy, Platinum's pace is changing again.

The distance between the two people was maintained.

Ah, I remember now. Although my mind was a complete mess at the time, I remembered Ibuki Mai and Kagura's words clearly.

"I lost this time! But I haven't lost yet! I still have the strength to catch up with you. I've been watching your every move closely without letting my guard down. If the race had been longer, I would definitely have caught up with you!"

"...Although that's the case, you really did win. Congratulations."

"Just you wait and see. Although I watched you chase after me to the finish line today... I will definitely turn the tide in the next race."

"I will keep chasing this game until the end of the competition, until I retire, unless I am completely convinced of its superiority."

"Because this is the attitude that Uma Musume should have."

...All I said was some defiant shouting; no wonder I'd never thought of that before.

Platinum raised her hand and wiped the corner of her eye.

Ibuki Maikaku, you're such a troublesome and annoying person.

He even took the opportunity to turn around and glare at me as he passed me. Was he really that unwilling to accept it?

But what you said before was correct.

The competition isn't over yet; it's too early to give up!

The stakes I've placed on the game are different from yours. Compared to you... I can't give up!

Even if it's an embarrassing run, even if it's shameful, even if it's under the watchful eyes of everyone, you must do everything in your power to find a way—

Survive to the bitter end, and then you'll win!

This time, I'll keep up with you.

The grass was soft, so footsteps were clearly visible. The grass was a mess after the chaotic battle at the rear, but there were only two people in front of Platinum, so she could still make out their footsteps.

Ibuki Mai Kagura's stride was different from her own. Brief, rapid... light and shallow. This was her running style after adapting to Shigebaba.

Although my blockhead can't figure out how to run on muddy grass... if I can't figure it out, I'll just learn how other people run.

Even stupid people have their own methods.

Right now, right here...

Platinum closed her eyes, feeling the sensation of her feet on the ground.

No, that's not right... You're using too much force.

I need to take smaller steps. I understand now. To avoid slipping, I can't apply force to the grass from the side, and to prevent my feet from sinking, I can't stomp on the ground with all my might like before.

It should be as light as a feather, as fast as a gust of wind.

I understand. This time, I'll definitely succeed. Although there's no chance to start over after failing.

Platinum opened its pure black eyes, its two dark pupils slowly devouring everything like two constantly spinning black holes.

In Platinum's view, the world once again turns into a black and white color scheme.

That feeling of being in control is back. This time, there's no slipping or falling metal to stop Platinum.

She felt the surge of electricity, she felt the wind rustling through her hair.

The raindrops fell from the sky, shattering and scattering as they hit my heavy cloak.

The grass was very damp. The boots were waterproof, but after running wildly on the soft grass, the socks were already soaked through, clinging to the body like another layer of skin.

These things that were previously numb or imperceptible can now be seen.

Black and white blended into one color, and platinum sped forward, leaving the gray shadows far behind.

(3,000 words)

Episode 185 Duel

Ibuki Mai Kagura felt a wave of heat coming from behind her.

It's different from the warmth brought by a stove; it's the temperature brought by the rising steam, which spreads outwards from a heat source, enveloping everything around it.

What incredible heat that must have been! If it were the heat emanating from a living being, its entire body would surely be ablaze with intense heat.

No way.

No. Definitely.

Facing the deadly threat behind her, Ibuki Maki and Kagura instead curled the corners of their lips into a smile. This was it; this was the kind of match she wanted.

Ultimately, what's so valuable about a crown obtained by relying on others when they're not at their best? Only by challenging and defeating opponents at their peak can you prove your strength.

so···

Just when he had surpassed the figure he had always dreamed of surpassing, the gap was quickly closed again.

Ibuki Mai Kagura continued riding through the rain, laughing as she went.

"That's right!"

"Only a silhouette like that is worthy of my pursuit!"

The pure white figure, mixed with dark brown mud, turned into a gray figure. The gray light, carrying rising heat, condensed into a stream of light.

"It's Platinum! Platinum is launching another assault on the championship!"

"Unbelievable! How could they rekindle their fighting spirit under such unfavorable circumstances and conditions? What incredible resilience!"

"Platinum caught up! She changed her running style and caught up with the Emperor of the East Sea!"

"The leading group, spearheaded by Donghai Emperor, surged out of the final corner, with a flat straight ahead. The race has entered its final stage."

"—Was it the Emperor of the East Sea who managed to retain his throne?"

"—Or is Platinum catching up?"

"Or perhaps Leodban and a new universe?"

The East Sea Emperor's ears twitched. The horse girls at the racetrack could only vaguely hear the commentary and the live feed; even if they heard it, their brains didn't have time to understand the words.

But she could feel the heat coming from behind her.

There's no mistake, it's definitely that guy.