Umamusume's days are numbered

Conversely, after Alice's use of sleeping pills was restricted, she was also helpless against Platinum's all-nighters. This led to Platinum sleeping longer and longer in class. Now, he would just collapse onto his desk after training in the morning and wait for the East Blue Emperor to drag him to lunch. If he had an elective class in the afternoon, he would sleep in class; otherwise, he would run around all afternoon and then spend the night, repeating the cycle endlessly.

So, as usual, Platinum pulled out his chair and immediately sprawled on the table, making intimate contact with the surface.

Goodnight, everyone.

Almost immediately, Platinum was about to drift off to sleep and play chess with the Duke of Zhou (a figure in Chinese mythology associated with dreams).

However, just as Platinum was sitting opposite the Duke of Zhou, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, a small, cool hand landed on Platinum's shoulder.

"...AWKE, cornflower."

···What?

Seemingly noticing that Platinum was resisting waking up, the shaking on her shoulder intensified.

"...AWKE, call again."

The owner of this hand seemed to be obsessed, shaking Bai Jin's shoulders with unwavering determination, refusing to give up until he achieved his goal. Bai Jin could only open his sleepy eyes and stare blankly at the newcomer.

Platinum had expected the Emperor of the East Sea or Alice to arrive, but instead, someone else stood before her.

Her figure was slender, almost frail. She floated around like a ghost, giving off a light and airy feeling, as if she could be blown away by a gust of wind at any moment.

Her golden, wheat-like hair hung down heavily to her waist. And right behind it was her equally golden ponytail, swaying downwards.

What's really strange is that the inside of her hair was all highlighted with a thin, icy blue, with gold and blue intertwined, and the two distinct colors were thus blended together on one person.

What's most striking are those eyes. They are a pair of deep, soulful blue eyes. Incredibly, the depth of those eyes is reminiscent of Earth, of our aquamarine home planet.

Wow...so high...that was Platinum's first thought.

To be honest, the newcomer is of average height, not particularly tall compared to his classmates. In fact, it's more accurate to say that Bai Jin is too short. Bai Jin is currently a young and adorable middle school student, still learning about linear functions. Even though he's entered puberty, he's still a long, long time from maturity.

Therefore, compared to Platinum, the newcomer appears to be of a much higher status.

"What's matter?"

Bai Jin looked at the newcomer with sleepy eyes; she didn't remember having such a person in her class.

"Homework." The horse girl with the azure blue eyes pointed to a stack of homework books she had already collected.

Platinum was instantly drenched in sweat. Homework... he'd never handed it in before!

First, I need to clarify something. On one hand, Platinum always falls asleep the moment her head hits the pillow, so I've never heard of any homework being assigned; on the other hand…

Why did I have to ask Platinum for my homework? She seemed so mean.

She just sleeps in class; I'd probably get yelled at if I woke her up...

I saw that she was very close to an upperclassman, who is supposedly the student council president's younger sister...

[She's a promising future star racehorse girl, why bother touching her?]

And so, the classmates developed the habit of avoiding Platinum whenever they saw her. This wasn't to isolate Platinum; the racehorse girls were pure spirits, and they were actually quite interested in her.

That's a star racehorse girl who beat the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year! Countless racehorse girls at their peak couldn't achieve that even in the Hong Kong Cup, but Platinum accomplished it!

Therefore, it should be said that the awe and reverence for Bai Jin created a vacuum around her. In other words, Bai Jin isolated the entire class. Even the teacher turned a blind eye to Bai Jin, this problem child.

They're international friends, I understand.

In short, this was the first time Platinum had been asked to do homework.

"Physics homework. The new universe is... Physics class representative."

New Universe, is her name New Universe? Why do I feel like I've seen her somewhere before...? Platinum pondered for a moment, but felt as if the memories in her mind were covered by a layer of frosted glass.

They're here! In an instant, all eyes in the class were on Platinum and New Universe.

"Finally, someone has come to challenge the princess's authority... Exciting, exciting!"

"What is the title of 'Princess'?"

"Think about it, isn't Rudolph the symbol of the president, the emperor of this academy? Then isn't the child she values ​​and cherishes the most the princess?"

"...There's another way to say it."

That said, why doesn't the Emperor of the East Sea have this title? No one seems to have asked that question. And it would be impolite to ask anyway.

Under everyone's gaze, Platinum slightly parted her lips and spoke blankly.

I'm coming!

"New Universe classmate... are you... a classmate of ours? I don't remember... seeing you in the classroom before?"

These words escaped from Bai Jin's small mouth. For a moment, the entire class fell silent.

Even the seemingly unmoved expression on New Universe's face rippled slightly.

"...Negative. The new universe is, as always, Cornflower's classmate."

Then, New Universe pointed to the seat next to Platinum.

"THRF... This is my seat."

"I have always been sitting next to the cornflower."

...Huh? No, huh?

"As expected of a princess... the new universe students are in crisis..."

"Ugh... to humiliate a classmate like this... What a terrifying and dangerous woman. I feel like I'm witnessing another Rudolf rising up..."

"Is this the bloodline of the family...? How terrifying."

Platinum rubbed her cheeks.

No, even if I'm a bit absent-minded, I certainly wouldn't be so clueless as to not recognize the person sitting next to me, right?

There must be something wrong somewhere; the table next to mine has always been—

Bai Jingang wanted to retort, but found that his tongue was tied in knots and he couldn't utter a word.

...the table next to mine...

Who is coming?

Episode 135 The Mandela Effect

"Thinking back carefully, I feel like things have been a bit chaotic lately."

In Alice's laboratory, Platinum sat in the chair in front of the lab table, her hands tightly clasped together in front of her, her expression serious.

"Your life is certainly chaotic, but just don't make it chaotic for me too." Alice touched her spiky hair and wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.

Platinum felt sleepy during the day, and so did Alice. Platinum, at least, followed the American schedule, while Alice followed the Jupiter schedule—sleeping whenever she felt like it. Not to mention, Alice was now responsible for Platinum's various training programs, so naturally, she slept whenever she had free time.

Having skipped class all morning, Alice was planning to take a nice nap in the lab before torturing Platinum in the afternoon. However, Platinum beat her to it and arrived at the lab early, disturbing her rest.

"No, I'm serious." Platinum shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"It's about that racehorse girl called New Universe."

"Tsk." Alice clicked her tongue in surprise upon hearing Platinum's words, revealing an expression that said, "Oh, this guy is at it again."

"What's with that expression?! I'm genuinely troubled!" Platinum slammed his hand on the table.

"Please speak." Alice took out a wooden comb and tidied her messy hair.

"I... had absolutely no recollection of her before." Bai Jin rubbed his forehead. "But... when I went to class today, I found her sitting at the desk next to me... and she even came to collect my homework..."

"So you didn't actually do your homework, did you?" Alice patted her combed hair.

"That's not the point. The point is, in my memory, my desk neighbor was never from New Universe." Platinum scratched his head. "But I can't remember who my desk neighbor was..."

Alice chuckled, took off her white coat, got up and went to the wardrobe to get her spring school uniform before sitting down again. Looking up, she saw Shirogane staring intently at her.

"I'm listening. I understand your situation. Just don't stay up late."

"That's not how it is, it's just..."

"Platinum, I'm asking you, when did Mandela die?"

Platinum paused, "Probably sometime in the 1980s or 90s... Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

"But in fact, Mandela died in 2013. Compared to the 1980s and 1990s that you mentioned, he lived for another thirty years."

Alice set out two teacups, picked up the teapot, and poured herself a steaming cup of black tea: "Let me ask you again, what is Mickey Mouse's classic outfit?"

"Black and white overalls, I guess..."

"Wrong. Actually, she only wore a pair of shorts. Her upper body was naked the whole time."

Alice shook her index finger: "That's the Mandela Effect. It happens when your memories become hazy and conflict with reality."

"Actually, it's just an illusion. You've been doing just fine, and the other person has been sitting next to you just fine."

"As far as I know, New Universe has always been your racehorse girl. And she is strong enough to be a formidable opponent for you to win the Classic Triple Crown."

"Come on, go back to class." Alice coaxed Platinum. "If Rudolf Symbol finds out you skipped class to come here, Rudolf Symbol will kill me."

"..." Platinum touched the bridge of her nose suspiciously. After Alice said that, she became less confident in herself.

"Shoko, we're coming in." There was a knock on the lab door, and then Yamato Akaki and Koi Leaping Dragon Gate walked in together. "Oh, Platinum is here too."

"You're done with get out of class?"

Yamato Akaki carried a bag full of various cookies and canned goods: "It was Manhattan Coffee senior who sent me over. She said your food supplies are almost gone, so I came to replenish them so you don't really starve to death."

"Oh, that's a huge help."

Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate ran all the way to Platinum's side and hugged her neck tightly: "It's been such a long, long, long time since we last met, I've missed you so much! Platinum, my darling, come here for a kiss and a hug."

Platinum rolled her eyes and shrank back, dodging the dragon-leaping restraint: "Let's talk this out, don't get physical."

"Also, when has it been a long time since we last met? Didn't we just see each other yesterday?"

Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate was not discouraged, but continued to stretch out its hands towards Platinum, eager to try: "I'm doing this so I can better understand your body... otherwise, how can I fulfill my duty as a logistics horse girl?"

Yes, Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate has become a logistics horse girl.

In reality, being a logistics support horse girl is no easy task. Although she no longer needs to train after leaping over the dragon gate, she still has much more to learn.

Understanding the complexities of racehorse girls' ailments, learning massage techniques, preparing various nutritional supplements... and even providing psychological counseling. Much of what Alice did was actually the responsibility of a support racehorse girl.

It is precisely for this reason that Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate and Alice have been getting closer and closer lately.

Although Koi Leaps Over the Dragon Gate is a newcomer to the logistics department and has not yet become anyone's logistics assistant, Fuji Koji still got very angry when he learned that she had suddenly switched to logistics.

"Just stay by her side! Give up being a racehorse girl, ignore everything else, and go be someone else's support horse girl!"

For some reason, Fuji Koji's words always sounded a bit sour.

Platinum rolled its eyes: "Do you know about the new universe?"

Yamato Akari: "I know, I'm in the same year as you, senpai. Aren't you classmates?"

Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate: "Her recent competition results have been quite good. Could it be that Platinum is feeling a bit threatened?"

Platinum stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Now that you mention it, did I really just fall asleep and get confused?

"Alright... if there's nothing else, go have lunch. Don't forget the afternoon training." After Platinum had asked both of them, Alice waved to Platinum like she was shooing away flies.

Seeing everyone around her say the same thing, Bai Jin could only wonder if she really should go to bed earlier sometimes. She stood up thoughtfully, walked out of the lab, and looked up out the window.

Spring is in full bloom, and lush greenery abounds. Although Tokyo winters are not cold to begin with, as soon as spring arrives, accompanied by fine, hair-like spring rain, a warm feeling immediately arises on the body.

"Forget it, if I can't figure it out, I won't think about it anymore." Platinum chose not to torment her somewhat overclocked brain and walked towards the cafeteria.

Click, click, click.

After Platinum left, footsteps echoed in the empty corridor.

The golden-haired New Universe descended the stairs, looking in the direction Platinum had left.

Episode 136 Platinum's Diary

Platinum was distracted all day, his mind constantly preoccupied with the new universe.