Umamusume's days are numbered

This is precisely why Platinum acted so recklessly today—because she only had this one chance.

Tokai Nature and Mejiro Takamori would consider that if they were rejected today, they wouldn't even be able to be friends tomorrow, but Platinum has no tomorrow at all.

Acceptance is acceptance, and rejection is rejection. What's the big deal?

Is this a form of self-pity?

"President..." Platinum covered his head, pressing two fingers to his temples to force himself to calm down, making a final struggle.

Even after hearing Rudolf's statement, which could almost be considered a rejection, Platinum still hasn't given up.

Or rather, it's a do-or-die situation; Platinum has no chance of turning back.

Platinum suggests that Rudolph symbolizes a desire to reconcile with himself, at least to maintain the superficial, present relationship.

But now Platinum has figured it out: she must insist on getting an explanation from Rudolf Symbol.

To accept or not to accept.

There is no option to leave it to the future.

"President... is there really no possibility?"

"I'm different from Mejiro Takamori and Tokai Natural. I'm very well-behaved... I don't think about those complicated things."

"I promise I won't pressure you like they did, and I won't make a mess like Valentine's Day..."

"And, besides, I'm pretty strong too, right? At the current rate, a triple crown is possible, and maybe even the Arc de Triomphe. That's a plus, isn't it?"

"If you find that troublesome, our relationship can remain a secret between just the two of us. I promise it won't change your daily life in the slightest..."

"My bank card and ID are also in your hands. I have no way to refute what you say, nor can I escape your control. No one else can do that, right?"

"And, and, and..."

Platinum's eyes trembled as she racked her brains, the words escaping her lips faster and faster. Her fingernails seemed to dig into her cheeks. She didn't notice that Rudolf's expression had turned cold.

"I'm easy to fool. Just send me a few messages a day and I'll be satisfied. I won't be a burden to you. Oh, and by the way, if Rudolph symbolizes that you meet someone you truly like, you don't need to worry about me. I won't run in front of you and get in your way. And you and Donghae's daily interactions don't need to change. I won't care about any of that. Oh, and also, I'm still very strong. I can keep up with as many games as I want. If I can win a dozen or so Game 1s a year, then I'll be worthy of you, right? And also, I'm willing to learn whatever you like. Don't let my laziness fool you; I can actually be very diligent. I'll try my best to become worthy of you, and also, and also..."

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

A slap landed on Platinum's face, and Rudolf, symbolically grabbing Platinum by the collar, lifted her up, his eyes blazing with fury.

This was the first time Platinum had ever seen Rudolf Symbol angry. It was as if all the dark clouds in the sky had gathered on Rudolf Symbol's face, which was ashen. Rudolf Symbol easily lifted Platinum up with one hand.

"How could you say such self-degrading things! Is this the kind of relationship you want, one that you beg for so humbly?"

Rudolph symbolizes a roar, and Platinum can even clearly see every single tooth in Rudolph's mouth and hear the sound of those teeth colliding.

Rudolph was already gritting his teeth. Faced with Platinum's words, she could no longer suppress her temper.

What she hates most is someone like Platinum, who humbly begs for something.

If you want something, you have to fight for it yourself. What's the point of crying and begging for charity like this?

When a person truly needs to lower themselves to beg others to achieve something, then their pride and self-esteem are mostly worthless.

Having received an elite education, Rudolf was instilled from a young age with the idea that whatever goal one wants to achieve, one should never try to exchange self-respect for it. Because self-respect cannot be bought or sold; it is not something to be exchanged, but a fixed asset. Your self-respect... is not given by others, but earned by yourself.

Time can indeed change many things, but a person's essence is hard to change. Rudolf symbolizes that even though he has become much gentler now, he still has a violent and arrogant side in his bones.

As Platinum was his own racehorse girl, a racehorse girl he favored, and a racehorse girl who had just won the Satsuki Prize—Rudolph Symbol did not allow her to show such a pathetic expression.

"I don't remember you being this kind of person. Where is your dignity? Can you really be this humble just to get a romantic relationship?"

"Isn't there anything else important to you? Would you die without regrets if I accepted your confession?"

Rudolf Symbol stared at Platinum with that intimidating gaze. Platinum looked at Rudolf Symbol blankly, as if she hadn't quite figured out what was going on. The slap Rudolf Symbol had just delivered had left Platinum almost stunned.

Rudolf, the Symbol, showed no mercy whatsoever—in other areas, she was willing to make concessions, tolerating Platinum's mistakes time and again until she corrected them. But this time, the problem involved the most fundamental error.

Only this means that if any signs of trouble arise, Rudolf will use any means necessary to correct them. If Platinum continues to beg for mercy at this moment, Rudolf will not hesitate to correct her.

Episode 201 I Don't Like You

If you belittle yourself at your very core, then you're rotten to the core. Forget about continuing to be a racehorse girl; you've even corrupted the very foundation of being a human being.

"Your body and your soul do not belong to you alone!"

Rudolph, panting heavily, pointed to Platinum's chest with another finger: "They still belong to your family, your friends, and every spectator who was moved by your running style!"

"If the carp leaping over the dragon gate saw you like this, what would she think?"

"What would the Emperor of the East Sea think if she saw you like this?"

"What would your parents think if they saw you like this?"

Oh no, it's all over.

Feeling the burning pain on her cheeks, Platinum suddenly calmed down, as if she was no longer the one being symbolically lifted into the air by Rudolf.

It's like being completely stripped away from a third-person perspective.

The numbing sensation traveled from my jaw all the way to my brain, like an electric shock.

I messed everything up again.

Even if one were given a second life, it would still be the same.

Trying to force a certain outcome on your own will only lead to this result. Shouldn't you have known this long ago?

As expected, I am still...

“I… I don’t know…”

Rudolf's symbolic roar abruptly ceased.

Platinum covered his eyes with his hands, his cheeks twitching.

"I don't know what my parents will think..."

"I miss them so much... but I'll never see them again..."

"I, I just, I..."

Seeing Platinum's appearance, Rudolf suddenly felt all his anger dissipate.

...It seems I've stepped into this child's sensitive area.

Upon reflection, how could someone raised in a normal environment develop such a twisted personality? Platinum must have a very, very difficult past to tell.

Now, a corner of this past has been lifted for Rudolf Symbol, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. The few words spoken by Platinum have given Rudolf Symbol a suffocating sense of heaviness.

The problem lies in my approach. Platinum isn't an ordinary child; forcing methods meant for normal people onto her won't work.

Rudolph reluctantly loosened his grip, placing the platinum back on the ground.

Why did I get angry? When dealing with these children, what I need most is patience and tolerance.

Don't treat others according to your own standards, Rudolf symbol. Haven't you told yourself this more than once?

Today, I truly made the worst choices in every single one of them.

"Platinum, I'm sorry, I..." Rudolf symbolically knelt on the ground, wanting to reach out and pat Platinum's shoulder to comfort her.

I just can't bring myself to say it wasn't intentional.

Ultimately, from the moment you truly become angry, things are no longer under your control.

"Rudolph the symbol! You big idiot! You'll live a lonely life forever!"

Platinum took a step back, wiping her cheeks repeatedly, as if wiping away her tears the moment they fell would make them unnoticeable.

"You deserve to be single! You'll be annoyed by Mejiro Mineki and Tokai for the rest of your life!"

This···

Now Rudolf was truly in a dilemma.

As a result, even with Rudolf's symbolic efforts to stop it, the situation continued to develop toward a breakdown in the relationship.

“Platinum, listen to me—” Since Platinum stepped back, Rudolf symbolically stepped forward.

"There's nothing to say. Go talk to your pet turtle! Just spend your life with your turtle!"

Platinum stepped back again.

"I don't keep turtles."

"You're not allowed to argue!"

See? They've completely lost the ability to listen to anything I say.

Platinum ducked at Rudolf's outstretched hand, dodging it and running towards the door.

"Platinum, wait for me!"

Platinum stood at the doorway, hands clasped to his chest, shouting at Rudolf's symbol with the loudest voice he could muster.

"Fine, you don't like me! But I don't like you either!"

"Remember this, I don't like you!"

It's not that you don't like me, it's that I don't like you!

"Rudolph, you are truly the most hated person in the world!"

"The most annoying one!"

After saying that, Platinum turned and ran away. By the time Rudolf gave chase, he had already disappeared without a trace.

Rudolph symbolically took out his phone to call the racetrack staff to retrieve surrounding surveillance footage, but then stopped himself from raising the phone.

I've had a complete and utter argument with Platinum now. Even if I catch up with him, nothing will change.

Platinum wouldn't listen to what I was saying, and I had acted too aggressively and inhumanely.

However, we can't ignore Platinum... There are reporters and spectators outside the arena right now. If Platinum were to appear in public like this, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Rudolf was surprisingly bewildered.

What should I do in this situation?

Platinum ran as fast as he could through the streets under the dim sky.

After running out of the block, Platinum collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. Having just finished a G1 Grand Prix, even Platinum couldn't continue running.

"No, I can't... I can't run anymore..."

Now no one will be chasing me, right?

Platinum glanced back as he panted; no one was chasing after him.

Given Rudolf's symbolic speed, he wouldn't be able to widen the gap if he tried to catch up.

So, does Rudolf symbolize his choice not to chase after them?

Did she also feel that their relationship had reached a freezing point, and that chasing after him would only increase the awkwardness... or was it that she herself was no longer important to her?

...As a result, this time he reaped what he sowed. Words spoken in a provocative manner always have the best effect.

What should I do next?

"Uh... Platinum?"

Platinum saw a figure stop beside him.

She raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears.

Against the backdrop of her crimson hair, the dark highlights didn't seem so striking. Her two ponytails, tied in a fluffy style, hung down on either side of her face, making it appear somewhat round. And a pair of grey eyes looked at her with hesitation and worry.

Excellent qualities.

"Waaaaah—Teacher Necha, save me!" Bai Jin grabbed onto You Yuzhi's leg and wiped her tears on the bandages on You Yuzhi's leg.

"Call people by their names properly! Who is Necha? And why are you calling them 'teacher'?" The excellent student was both amused and exasperated.

Episode 202 Help me, Ms. Necha!

Although she said she didn't care, she still secretly slipped away to watch the entire Satsuki Sho competition.