Umamusume's days are numbered

Hearing the waiter cough behind him, Donghai immediately shrank back.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" the waiter asked politely. However, the cup of black tea and milkshake placed in front of Donghai Ziran were not so polite.

Donghai, naturally, followed the short-legged boy as fast as he could after receiving the news from Baijin, rushing over here to try and grab a suitable spot.

Upon seeing the menu, Donghae's face immediately fell. The price for a private room was a bit steep, and the food was also quite expensive. Donghae wasn't exactly unable to afford it, but it didn't seem worthwhile to sit in the best spot just to watch the show.

Ah, I wish I could be a horse racer.

Sigh, if only I had money.

Having no other choice, Donghai could only sit in the public area, ordering two of the cheapest drinks as a token gesture, and remained there for an hour. At this moment, Donghai naturally felt extremely uncomfortable under the watchful eyes of the waiters.

"Then...then I'll order some more..." With trembling lips, Donghai naturally accepted the menu with tears welling up in his eyes.

"It seems everything is going according to plan. The Prince Charming act is very successful." Sitting on the innermost side, Megumi Takamine puffed out his full chest, crossed his legs, and swallowed a mouthful of tea.

"Isn't this tea a little too sweet?"

Megumi Mine set off earlier than both Alice and Tokai, and she wasn't short of money either.

Rudolf only booked one private room, while Megumi Takamine, wanting to enjoy the show properly, generously booked the entire Red Queen area, leaving her as the only guest in the entire inner space.

However, Meguro Mine's expression wasn't good either. Firstly, the shop's style clashed terribly with his own; he wondered what others would think if they knew he'd been there. Secondly…

Megumi Mineki drew back the crimson curtains, and through the glass, he could see the symbolic figures of Platinum and Rudolph. However, he could only see their figures; he couldn't hear what they were saying at all.

...What a blunder! I was so focused on telling them to find the best spot, but while the view was indeed good, the distance was just too far.

Megumi Takamine wanted the kind of good view she'd get when watching a play or a symphony orchestra, but people thought she wanted the kind of good view she'd get when looking at a city nightscape.

Don't you even consider what kind of night view you're going to see from the second basement level?

"Never mind." Meguro Mineko lowered the curtains, completely obscuring his figure. He needed to maintain composure and elegance at all times. It was just a small mistake.

Tonight is still a long, long night; let's see if our plans can come to fruition.

"Please get me a different pot of tea; this one is a bit too sweet," Meguro Takamine said politely to the waiter, but the waiter had no way to explain himself.

This is the fourth time that Mejiro Mine has had its tea changed.

Episode 216 The Pumpkin Carriage at Midnight

Seeing Rudolph's symbol in this state... Platinum felt goosebumps all over his body.

President, please be normal, I'm scared.

Although I felt something was off when I first heard the store name... I didn't expect that Rudolph's symbol inside would give Platinum a pleasant surprise.

Rudolph's symbolism suggests she's been reading too many shoujo manga. Why is she suddenly acting so crazy? I never knew she had this hidden side to her.

Originally, Platinum was prepared to kowtow and embrace Rudolf's symbolic leg as a form of repentance, but in this situation... I can't even bend my knees.

I just felt a chill.

"Rudolph symbolizes...you..."

The platinum-themed complaint that was about to be uttered was swallowed back down.

Because she remembered the teachings of the East Sea.

The student council president is helpless against junior students who like to act cute.

Try your best to make the president aware of your cute side.

If you blurt out your complaints, you'll completely ruin the atmosphere around you. At that point, forget about being cute; you'll just be bland and unappealing.

So I'll just accept the Platinum version.

Not only do they have to tolerate Rudolf's symbolism, but they also have to suppress their own embarrassment and force themselves to put on a cute act to conform to Rudolf's symbolism.

Tsk, I never expected Rudolf Symbol to have such a taste.

So here's the question. What should a cute girl usually do in this situation? I certainly don't think it should be my confession.

Having just agreed to order another dessert, Donghae naturally turned back to observe the two's movements, secretly cheering for Platinum.

I don't know what's gotten into the president, but this is the perfect time to show your charm, Platinum!

I believe you will make the right choice!

The correct answer... is already right in front of you.

Platinum's mind was racing. Rudolph had been holding her hand for a few seconds, and she didn't have much time left.

What should I do? Should I act cute and jump right into Rudolf's arms? Or should I just accept her invitation? If I pull my hand back, will she dislike me? Or should I just take the initiative and pull Rudolf inside?

Platinum's brain was practically steaming from the friction, his eyes were practically spinning like mosquito coils, but he still couldn't come up with anything. Time ticked by, and this seemingly enchanting scene was nothing short of a death knell for Platinum.

If only Alice could become my external brain!

Unbeknownst to Platinum, Alice was secretly enjoying the spectacle.

Having no other choice, Platinum simply closed her eyes and resigned herself to fate, nodding her head to Rudolf with her neck stiff.

Damn it. I didn't expect to be hit so hard right from the start.

Platinum's current mood is like that of a student who went into the exam room unprepared and couldn't even understand the first question; he's already somewhat resigned to his fate.

Numb, let it all end.

But to Platinum's surprise, he heard Rudolf's soft laughter.

She felt her arm being gently pulled. Rudolf, symbolically linked with Platinum's arm, accompanied her inside.

Genius! Donghai naturally had to give Platinum a thumbs up; a perfect answer!

Although I taught Platinum to take the initiative, to show her alluring side, and to learn to be charming, those things aren't things you can just use right away. They're ultimate techniques, special moves that require filling your rage meter before they can be effectively used.

Especially the gown that Platinum wore, which was completely opposite to her usual image.

She wasn't playing Cinderella, who longed to shine at the ball, nor was she portraying the innocent and pure Alice.

Although she too was going to attend the midnight ball, Platinum was a ghost wandering in the abandoned castle, an embodiment of the night. She didn't need anyone to prove herself.

However, the difference in height and age also suggests that she is a lonely ghost, constantly yearning for playmates and companionship. She also longs for sunshine and rain, for moonlit balls, for pumpkin carriages, and for her own prince.

She possesses her own aloofness and reserve, an aloofness that prevents her from falling into someone else's arms; yet she also has her own unique warmth and budding emotions, a warmth that makes it impossible for her to refuse someone's invitation.

Therefore, this is the most suitable response.

Her icy expression seemed to reject everything, yet her tightly closed eyes, trembling eyelashes, and pursed lips appeared to be pleading for a kiss; her turned face conveyed rejection. However, beneath this rejection, Bai Jin didn't withdraw her arm; she even nodded slightly, a response to the invitation.

With just one action, she created such a complex image for herself—that's the highest level of coquetry! This child... is simply a prodigy!

Donghai naturally withdrew his head with relief.

Your master has nothing more to teach you, so just do it.

With light footsteps, Platinum opened her eyes, trembling and shy.

The soft, faint music in the background couldn't mask the crisp sound of their footsteps. The dim, cold light from the ceiling chandelier resembled the gentle glow of moonlight. Walking along the corridor, flanked by latticework like a forest, for a moment, Bai Jin truly felt as if she were walking through a wooded area.

She had originally thought that only children would be interested in and come to these themed restaurants... but this kind of experience doesn't seem so bad?

Platinum stealthily glanced at Rudolf Symbol beside him. Rudolf Symbol stood tall and straight, his golden attire giving him a truly regal air.

Thinking about it, the student council president has always been adept at whatever she does. Even when she ran the café, she seemed like a completely different person when she put on her butler's uniform. Is this her unique way of being serious?

I initially thought Rudolf's symbolic arrangement of this place was just a prank on her, but now it seems he was serious.

Meguro Mineki lifted the curtain and looked outside.

Everything... is under control.

Rudolph's choice of this themed restaurant as the venue, indicating that she could attend the event in this evening while wearing this gown, shows that Platinum had been looking forward to it for a long time.

Isn't this the pure heart of a young girl?

Platinum's gown was a pleasant surprise, and Rudolph's performance so far has been quite excellent. If things continue this way, reconciliation will be a natural progression.

The Prince Charming plan was a huge success!

Meguro Mineki picked up his teacup, took a sip with a smug look, then frowned and swallowed the tea.

This tea is a bit too astringent.

Episode 217 Are you still going to eat?

Platinum really wants to speak, but she doesn't dare.

Rudolf's opening line is "Oh, beautiful girl, even the wind pauses for your beauty," which is exactly like a good opera now. Maybe she's having fun, but Platinum just can't seem to come up with many lines.

She couldn't just start by asking when the food would be served, could she? That would ruin the whole atmosphere.

Since the decision has been made to apologize to Rudolf Symbol, we should at least respect Rudolf Symbol's wishes and follow her lead.

Since she ruins the atmosphere the moment she opens her mouth, Platinum decides to remain silent and play the expert.

The two people sat in their seats, surrounded by dense forest-like fences on both sides, so neither Tokai Nature nor Mejiro Peak could see anything inside.

Donghai, naturally anxious, slapped his thigh and crouched down, quietly approaching the two people's location. After taking only a few steps, he turned back, grabbed the tea and snacks from the table, and ran off with them.

It's quite expensive, it would be a shame not to eat it.

Meguro Mineki frowned, deep in thought, somewhat regretting not installing a listening device earlier. However, he was ultimately a person with a sense of public responsibility, and installing listening devices or cameras was... a bit too much for him. Similarly, he suggested the vendor simply remove the surveillance footage...

What? You're saying this is spying too? Who said it's spying? I was just here to explore the area on behalf of Dober, and I had booked the whole place to enjoy life when this uninvited guest disturbed me!

Meguro Mineki has his own set of logic.

In the end, she gritted her teeth, bent down, and tiptoed out.

"Hmm... there's no sound. What are those two doing in there? Why aren't they saying a word? Are they asleep?" Alice adjusted the volume on her headphones.

Donghai was naturally strapped for cash, and Megumi Takamine had her own moral bottom line. But Airi Soko was both rich and had no moral bottom line. So she readily threw the bugging device in.

The most important thing is to have fun.

In this bizarre situation, Rudolf symbolically cleared his throat and spoke.

Rudolf symbolizes great confidence and trust in Mejiro Takamine, and he highly approves of Mejiro Takamine's portrayal of Platinum. Judging from the current situation, he has indeed made Platinum very happy, even his cheeks are flushed.

Coaxing my younger sister to learn is indeed a profound and practical science.

Rudolf Symbol herself didn't feel ashamed at all; on the contrary, she enjoyed the role immensely. Rudolf Symbol was the kind of person who wanted to do everything perfectly, so she even went out of her way to find good operas to learn from before setting off.

"Dwelling in this jungle, please wait patiently. When the clock strikes its twenty-second strike, the moon will bestow life equally upon all things. The dance will begin at that moment."

Platinum almost spat the water he had drunk back into the cup.

She did understand the symbolic meaning of Rudolf's words; as long as she understood it in the way good opera speaks and removed her narcissism, it would be fine... which meant she had to wait a little longer before she could touch the fork.

But are you really, really, really not done playing yet? Do you believe me if I took off my shoes right now and dug out a three-bedroom apartment from this floor?

"Uh, um..." Platinum made a slight sound to indicate that she had heard him, and when she looked up, she saw Rudolf's hopeful gaze.

...?

What are you expecting?

Is it possible that Rudolf is implying that you want me to reply, and that I should reply to you in this way?

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Platinum's face.

This is even more torturous than making me kowtow three times and kneel nine times...

God, why must I suffer this torment?

Oh, I did it myself. Never mind then.

Since Rudolf symbolizes this kind of thing... then I have no choice but to risk my life to accompany him.

Anyway, I've already risked my life to enjoy a great opera once before at the coffee shop, so let me risk my life to enjoy Rudolf Symbol again.

"Then let's cough—"

Platinum covered the corner of her mouth, lowered her head so that Rudolf wouldn't see her expression: "Sorry, I'll try again."

This is so twisted, a symbol of Rudolf. Or are you deliberately trying to see me in this awkward position?