Umamusume's days are numbered

Of course, Bai Jin knew she was in a precarious situation—but that's just who she is.

Even though I say I don't care, it's never a bad thing to lend a hand if I can...

A stack of diaries appeared in Platinum's hands. Platinum turned on the desk lamp again and began flipping through the pages. This time, she didn't read them page by page, but instead went straight to the records before and after the Takarazuka Memorial.

Sure enough, although all these diaries were written by Platinum, they came from different parallel worlds, and the events recorded were not entirely the same. The more Platinum read, the more his brows furrowed, and by the end, he was completely pale.

My premonition was correct. In all these new universes, regardless of whether their relationship with Platinum is close or distant, if they lose the Takarazuka Memorial, the new universe will disappear; but if the new universe wins the Takarazuka Memorial, it will continue to exist.

Platinum also gained some insight, understanding why this new universe had to be constantly at war—

While the Takarazuka Memorial is now open for applications, there are still requirements regarding the prize money. For example, Platinum, having won the Satsuki Prize and the Japanese Derby, is more than qualified to participate in the Takarazuka Memorial.

The new universe had mediocre results in the two matches of the classic triple crown, so it had to insert a G1 Grand Prize match in the middle - the NHK Mile Cup - to make its bounty reach the level that could participate in the Takarazuka Memorial.

This also confirms the authenticity of this event. The new universe... knows that if they lose the Takarazuka Memorial, they will be "disappeared."

Platinum felt as if she were being gripped tightly by a large hand, and a suffocating sensation filled her nostrils.

So, you're saying you're the one who pushed the New Universe to this point of continuous battles? To participate in the Takarazuka Memorial, the New Universe has to keep competing to increase its bounty. And now, Platinum... also wants to win the Takarazuka Memorial championship.

If Tokai Teio fails to win the Takarazuka Memorial title, it will be more than half a year before she can return to the field. This is equivalent to skipping her prime year, almost wasting half of her career, and she will never again be the most dazzling presence on the field. While a comeback is possible, she will miss important events like the Chrysanthemum Sho, the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen, missing crucial opportunities during her most important developmental stage.

If she were to win the Takarazuka Memorial Championship, the Neo Universe would completely disappear, leaving not a trace of its existence. Whether this is true remains to be seen, but given the Neo Universe's current schedule, the fact that she will participate in the Takarazuka Memorial Championship no matter what proves this point.

Platinum now requires you to choose between two options.

To win the championship, or not to win it. The Emperor of the East Sea, or the New Universe.

Platinum never imagined that a trolley problem would arise in his path at this moment. He desperately wanted to help both sides, but this was destined to be a zero-sum game. Choosing one side meant abandoning the other.

Episode 250 The Trolley Problem

Alice and Blazing Horse sat on the training field, looking at each other in their phones.

[File Transfer Assistant]: I'm going to find my true self. Don't come looking for me, I didn't bring my phone, let me have some peace and quiet.

Lush green grass, blue sky and white clouds. What perfect weather, ideal for running training. Especially with the Takarazuka Memorial event drawing near, the participants are making their final preparations, and the training ground is bustling with activity.

Only Alice and Flame Horse were relaxed.

Eriyoko felt her cheeks twitching. Previously, Platinum was a lazybones who needed Eriyoko to play the suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) to wake him for morning training. But around the time of the Satsuki Sho event, he gradually became more diligent, starting to run on the mountain road on his own initiative and even adding extra training sessions. This greatly pleased Eriyoko, who thought Platinum had finally shed his ignorant gorilla state and begun to evolve like a human.

As a result, after Alice had only been slacking off for a few days, Platinum gave them another big task—she simply stood them up and went out to play.

"Hehe... It was indeed my mistake to give myself enough to lower animals... It was also an unforgettable experience..." Alice was so angry that she almost crushed the phone in her hand.

That bastard Platinum didn't even bring her phone, now even Alice can't find her.

When Platinum comes back... we must put a GPS tracker on her and never let it leave her!

Even without standing next to Eliseko, one could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from her; even the training racehorses avoided her. Only Blaze was completely oblivious. She wore her signature pink sash on her forehead, and her thick eyebrows were furrowed together.

"If Platinum skips class today... will my lunch still be reimbursed?"

At the far end of the training field, New Universe's fingers touched the railing, her gaze sweeping across the field and landing on the two people before retreating.

The new universe slowly closed its eyes.

Every time I opened and closed my eyes, it became difficult, as if a nightmare was constantly trying to pull the new universe into my dreams.

His legs trembled even when he was walking normally. This body had reached its limit—no, it should be said that it had broken through its limit.

This isn't a good thing, but the final [Gate] is just around the corner.

New Universe heard footsteps behind her. She saw her trainer.

She was a young trainer who had just traveled all the way from Italy. New Universe was not the only racehorse girl under her command, but she was the first.

Seeing the tips of his trainer's hair, that signature color, always brought back memories for New Universe. His trainer and he were so alike, it was an allotropic resemblance, and their passionate hearts were exactly the same.

If it were my past self, I would never have done so many things to hurt her...

"New Universe. I'm here to apologize." The trainer pursed his lips tightly, and beads of sweat began to appear on his face as soon as he uttered a sentence, showing how nervous he was.

"I'm sorry, I've always been so misunderstanding of you and so neglectful of your feelings."

"—So today, I'm not here to interrogate you, and I won't ask you to cancel the Takarazuka memorial trip. Since it's your life's pursuit, there's nothing else I can do but support you."

"I only want to accomplish one thing—a new universe. Come chat with me."

Even under such tension, the trainers from the new universe continued to speak haltingly, one sentence at a time.

The pressure from this self-destructive schedule in the new universe won't be directed at the new universe itself, but will instead accumulate entirely on the trainers. The pressure the trainers are under during this period is unimaginable.

"I can do it, I will definitely understand, I've always wanted to know... New Universe, what are you thinking?"

Almost pleadingly, the trainer called out to the new universe.

...As expected, you really, really want to.

But ultimately, they are different. The new universe looked sadly at its trainer.

?

Platinum wasn't just saying that. She didn't go out to play because she thought training was too tiring; she went out to relax.

Moreover, even if I went to the training ground now, I wouldn't have the mind to train at all.

Platinum sat wearily on a roadside bench, wearing a windbreaker that had lasted almost as long as he did.

Bai Jingang has been in this world for less than a year, and this garment has been with him since the very first day it arrived, so it's no wonder they share the same lifespan.

Compared to a year ago, when this windbreaker looked almost like a long robe on Platinum, with the hem reaching his knees, it now fits him rather snugly, the hem barely covering half of his thighs. A year has passed, and Platinum has grown taller thanks to the cafeteria's nutritious diet.

"Sigh..." Platinum sighed again. She sat on the bench and kept sighing from time to time; anyone who didn't know better would think she had lost the horse racing bet.

Bai Jin's feelings were pretty much the same. Last night, she tossed and turned all night, unable to fall asleep at all. As soon as Bai Jin closed her eyes, the image of the Emperor of the East Sea and the image of the New Universe kept switching back and forth in her mind.

Help whom?

Platinum is the person standing in front of the valve at this very moment. The train is about to pass by, with the Emperor of the East Sea tied to one side of the tracks and the New Universe tied to the other.

Only one can be saved.

He participated in the Takarazuka Memorial and won the championship.

Should we save the Eastern Sea Emperor? Half the responsibility for the Eastern Sea Emperor's severe injuries lies with me; she's still in the hospital and unable to return to school. Besides, the Eastern Sea Emperor has taken good care of me, and it's too difficult to remain indifferent; there should be a time to repay her. Furthermore, there's no way to change the competition, and with the off-season approaching, to help the Eastern Sea Emperor recover before the Chrysanthemum Festival, we must win the Takarazuka Memorial.

It's not too late to give up attending the Takarazuka memorial.

Save Shin-Uchiha? Shin-Uchiha and I are just classmates, but she seems to have always had a high level of affection for me. And even if we weren't classmates, to face someone's disappearance without doing anything... that's too cold-blooded. Not to mention, in a parallel world, they had a time when they were very close. If I want Shin-Uchiha to not be forgotten by everyone, I must help her win against Takarazuka.

A life has been lost in this new universe! What are you waiting for? Do you want to watch the new universe disappear?

But ultimately, the disappearance of the new universe might not necessarily mean it can't be changed in other ways, right? Vanishing into thin air... isn't that too surreal? Does such a thing really exist?

Furthermore, after buying the diary, one also needs the carrot commemorating the victory in Takarazuka.

Platinum felt his mind was a jumbled mess, with all sorts of thoughts clashing.

"Sigh..." Platinum leaned back in his chair. Shouldn't Teacher Necha usually show up to guide me at times like this? Why hasn't he come yet?

Professor Necha still hadn't arrived, so Platinum remained preoccupied with these problems, her face clouded with worry.

Episode 251 Like a Shadow

"Where am I now..." Platinum sighed, dusted himself off, and tried to take out his phone to locate himself.

When Platinum said she wanted to clear her head, she really meant it. She just wanted to keep walking, aimlessly strolling along the streets for a whole morning and half an afternoon. With the stamina of a racehorse girl, Platinum was now afraid she'd leave Tokyo altogether.

He reached into his pocket... and found nothing. Platinum was stunned.

Oh, I remember now, I left my phone in my dorm room.

I touched my wallet and thankfully I still had some cash with me, otherwise I would have had to walk back myself.

They had to walk a bit further down the street before finally finding a bus stop. Platinum stood on tiptoe, pondering the bus stop sign for a while before realizing where she was.

Oh, so we've arrived in Shibuya. We haven't gone very far yet... my ass!

How many districts have I crossed? Did I walk from the east side of the city to the west side? If I kept walking east, I'd be in the suburbs!

In ancient times, he would have been praised as a thoroughbred horse.

So... where to go next? Just go back to school? I've gotten out to clear my head and my mood has definitely improved a lot, but the fundamental problem hasn't been solved yet; the trolley problem is still looming in front of me.

...Let's go back. If all else fails, let Soko give me some advice. Although Platinum felt that Alice probably didn't have any good ideas either.

Just then, Platinum felt someone tugging at the corner of her clothes.

Almost instinctively, Bai Jin's knees buckled: "Suzuko, let me explain...it's not what you think..."

Bai Jin looked down and saw a pair of clear, large eyes. Two children were standing in front of the station.

The child further away from Bai Jin wore a cashmere hat with a propeller decoration on top. He looked timid and clung tightly to the arm of the child in front of him. The child standing in front of Bai Jin had very clear eyes and short, jet-black hair dotted with white spots.

Platinum's bent knees immediately came to a stop. It wasn't Alice, so it's alright now.

"Sister, you're Platinum! This is the first time I've ever seen a living Platinum!" The lively child with white spots in her hair pointed at Platinum and exclaimed joyfully.

Bai Jin sensed something ominous was coming from the child in front of him. What did he mean? Was he going to die?

If you can't outrun the chrysanthemum appreciation event, you're really doomed, and that's not wrong.

"I'm Genesis! She's Airplane!" Genesis excitedly circled Platinum, like a happy little puppy. "We're your fans, your biggest fans!"

"I didn't..." Airplane Cloud whispered in protest behind Genesis, but was immediately drowned out by Genesis's voice.

My fans? Platinum's gaze softened immediately as she looked at the two children. This was the first time she'd ever met fans; it seemed winning the match had some effect after all!

Oh dear, oh dear, I never thought I'd get recognized by fans when I went out on the street! What am I going to do...?

Platinum has the personality of a pufferfish; it swells up immediately at the slightest provocation, and even its immediate troubles are temporarily forgotten.

"Could you sign this for me?" Genesis looked around but couldn't find a piece of paper on her, only a marker. She handed the marker to Platinum, then tugged at her shirt collar. "Just sign here, thank you!"

"Hehe, no problem." Platinum looked at Genesis with a kind smile, then started writing with a marker. Genesis could easily have Platinum carry him on his shoulders and run two laps around the street right now.

When Genesis saw Platinum bend down to sign his chest, and could see every strand of her hair when he looked up, he almost fainted from happiness. The news said she was unapproachable, refusing even interviews; those reporters were all bad guys. Wasn't she incredibly warm and friendly in person?

Platinum stood up and patted Genesis on the head. Just as he was about to take another look at his calligraphy, his nimble ears twitched and he heard the whispers around him.

"Is that her...? It really is! I heard she's going to participate in the Takarazuka Memorial soon, what's she doing here?"

"Can I take a picture? I think so, it's me."

"Let's not do it. I heard she has a bad temper and can hit people."

"I'm so lucky today, do you think I should go up and ask for a photo?"

Platinum understood; it was Genesis's shout that had drawn everyone's attention.

She had no idea of ​​her own popularity, but she knew that people around here seemed to know her.

She could handle one Genesis Platinum, but she couldn't handle an entire street of them.

So Platinum patted Genesis on the head, whispered "See you next time," put on his hat, and made a quick getaway.

Taking a car? Why would I take a car? To sit with a car full of people I know? That would be too much of a hassle.

That's the good thing about racehorses; if you want to run, no one can catch you. Platinum slipped across the street, disappeared into a shopping mall, and the sounds behind her vanished.

Taking a car back now is definitely out of the question, but if she were to wander around the commercial building, she might get recognized... Platinum followed the map from top to bottom and then stopped looking.

There's a movie theater on the top floor. Let's go see a movie. By the time we come out, it will be evening, so we can take a bus back to school.

Platinum was planning to wait for the elevator to come down and go straight to the rooftop to watch a movie. But while waiting for the elevator, she kept feeling like there was a gaze watching her from behind.

Has someone caught up with us...? It shouldn't be that bad, right? Platinum turned to look behind her, but there was no one there.

Was it just my imagination? Or something else?

Platinum turned her head to look at the elevator in front of her, but she had been listening intently to the sounds behind her.

There was no sound at all, no footsteps, no voices, but the feeling of being constantly on edge never disappeared.

Is it just my imagination? No, my senses are never wrong; someone is definitely watching me.

Platinum bit her lip, unsure of what was happening. Someone was watching her, but she couldn't hear a sound or see anyone.