Umamusume's days are numbered

She was stubbornly fixated on the grass, which almost disrupted her own pace.

...Although it's a pity, I still secured the victory.

I was so looking forward to our duel, Platinum. From the moment I saw you, I knew you would be a formidable opponent, the only obstacle on my path to an undefeated three-time champion.

There's nothing we can do about it; things in life rarely go as planned.

I look forward to the next time, when I can compete against you at your peak.

The Emperor of the East Sea did not stop walking while he was pondering. At the speed of the racehorse girl, the approximately four hundred meters of straight track would only take a moment.

Behind the Emperor of the East Sea, the footsteps were changing frequently, indicating that someone was beginning to exert their strength. The pursuing group also had a powerful opponent.

"It's Leodban, Leodban is accelerating!"

It should be about time by now...

Leobandan was surrounded by the sound of horses' hooves. It was just like the ancient melody "Ambush from All Sides" that he had heard before. From front to back, from left to right, and even from bottom to top, everywhere seemed like sharp knife points, everywhere seemed like a net from heaven to earth.

But Leo Deban was very happy. She enjoyed the atmosphere.

Leo Deban was not a well-behaved child from a young age, but a rebellious teenager.

Rebellion means being adept at resistance. This little bit of pressure is nothing...

Maruzen-senpai, watch closely.

Although I am still some distance from the peak, isn't it what I should be doing to charge towards the peak?

Right now, right here—

Ibuki Mai and Kagura didn't consider me a rival either.

The emperor of the East Sea did not consider me an opponent.

Neither New Universe nor Platinum considered me a rival.

Starting today, I will make sure you all remember my name!

"Ughhhhhh!" came an unconscious cry as Leo Deban transformed into a sharp spear on the slippery ground.

They then tore the perimeter netting to shreds.

"Leo Deban began to accelerate, Leo Deban left the competitors behind, Leo Deban overtook White Winged Cedar, and Leo Deban headed straight for the new universe!"

"At the same time, the players have entered the third corner, and the race has entered the final stage."

"The new universe is also accelerating, and the competition has entered its most intense phase!"

White-winged Cedar silently watched Leoband surpass it, and the gap continued to widen, sighing, "It's no use..."

That kind of momentum was beyond my ability to keep up with.

"I can't go on—" she cried out, tears welling in her eyes, as she ran ahead of me. Being so far ahead had drained her energy in vain. Being behind me meant she was tired, and being tired meant slower speed. And at this crucial moment—

As speed decreases, you'll be left behind.

Almost instantly, she broke away from the leading group after me and fell heavily into the chaotic melee at the back. Her speed wasn't enough to maintain her position in the group, and she was left behind in an instant. In such intense competition, being left behind means falling behind completely.

She followed me, panting, wiping the sweat from her face and blinking. Rainwater had gotten into her eyes.

"Are you kidding me...?" she said, trembling as she covered her face, almost losing the courage to keep running.

In just over ten seconds... it had already lost speed and became the last one after me.

No one cared about those who fell behind, not only the spectators in the stands, the live broadcast and commentary, but also the athletes on the track.

As the game entered its final stages, the players bared their fangs at the player in front. Their vision was fixed on that one person, like a group of sharks that had smelled blood.

They wanted to tear that pure white figure apart, to rip her clothes to shreds, and expose her weakness to the public eye. They wanted her to be swarmed around like after me, drained of her blood, swallowed whole, and turned into nourishment for everyone.

Episode 183 The Emperor's Dance

Hard work.

Delay.

And...exhaustion.

This is what Platinum is thinking right now.

I've never felt this uncomfortable before. When running with Rudolf, I felt a sense of powerlessness at being unable to catch up; when running with Golden Gun Sixty, I felt a fear as if I were being torn apart.

But those feelings of exhaustion came after giving it your all; they were heartfelt admissions of defeat.

Only this time... only this time.

Platinum felt his patience being worn down little by little, and the irritability and dissatisfaction in his heart were growing like fruit flies attracted to rotten fruit.

It's so annoying—I can't even use my full strength! How am I supposed to run on a track like this? What can you possibly compare?

Why does it seem like only I'm affected? How did the others catch up?

The footsteps behind her grew closer and closer. Whether it was her imagination or not, Platinum smelled fresh blood, as if behind her weren't a group of racehorses, but a pack of...hungry wolves.

Don't follow me, don't do this...

I, I...

Platinum was breathing more heavily than ever before, rainwater mixed with his open lips being inhaled into his trachea, causing a slight cough.

Don't come any closer, I... I don't want to lose!

The shadow behind him completely enveloped Platinum, and fear took hold of his heart.

At this moment, after the blow of the falling iron, after the unfamiliarity with the track, after the hesitation of not being able to accelerate... Platinum completely lost the desire to win.

However, the others will not back down because of Platinum's retreat; on the contrary, the hungry wolves are already eager for a feast.

If you don't want to get down, we'll pull you down from that position.

The new universe's azure pupils swept across the front, its expression remaining unchanged.

Moreover, from the very beginning of the competition until now, the expression on New Universe's face has never changed, as if what is running is not a racehorse girl, but a puppet, and even its breathing is very faint.

Only her footsteps powerfully proclaimed her presence. Every step was perfectly placed, every strategy effective in its most crucial moment—somewhat like the Merry-Bourbon, yet not as coldly impersonal. If one had to deduce, the new universe was closer to… ah, right.

The new universe is closer to the "prophet".

"Leo Deban is trying to transcend the new universe, but the new universe, as if possessing foresight, has seized control of the inner path. Leo Deban has been intercepted by the new universe!"

"If Leoband wants to break out now, he must break through the defenses of the new universe and the East Sea Emperor."

The blockade was so tight... like an impenetrable wall... Leo Deban frowned; at this moment, she was completely blocked.

And the Emperor of the East Sea—

"It's now!"

The eyes of the Emperor of the East Sea gleamed.

There were only Ibuki Maikaku and Shirokin in front of them, and the track ahead was clear.

So···

thanks for treatment.

This victory is mine.

The power emanating from his waist swirled into his supple ankles. In the light drizzle, amidst the decaying grass, the Emperor of the East Sea began to dance.

"The Emperor of the East Sea will begin to surpass us from the outside!"

Guh... Ibuki Maki Kagura strained her face as she saw the figure of the Emperor of the East Sea standing side by side with her.

She couldn't let her surpass her... The lack of oxygen from the intense exercise slowed down Ibuki Kagura's thinking. She stretched out her fingers and clenched her fist as if she wanted to grab the Emperor of the East Sea.

The Emperor of the East Sea leaped and dodged the Ibuki Kagura, her flared skirt fluttering like a flying flower.

She was so light, like a fluttering leaf. And she was so swift, like a swooping eagle.

Someone once said that the most skilled horse girls could dance on a person's palm, but Ibuki Mai and Kagura didn't believe it.

Now she believes it.

———The Emperor's Dance Steps!

"As if strolling in a garden, the Emperor of the East Sea easily surpassed Ibuki Kagura! Leodeban and the New Universe launched a surprise attack during the opening, they were fast, but the Emperor of the East Sea was even faster!"

"Emperor of the East Sea, will you be able to fulfill your long-cherished wish, Emperor of the East Sea!"

The exciting live broadcast began, and cheers erupted from the audience.

The Empress of the East Sea is a natural-born racehorse girl. When she begins her lively dance steps, everyone present cheers for her and is captivated by her.

Platinum didn't hear the commentator's voice, but she heard the cheers of the audience.

At that moment, a tremendous panic completely enveloped her.

don't want···

Platinum's lips were pale, and his face was bloodless.

Platinum for the first time in the competition—

I saw other players ahead of me.

"The Emperor of the East Sea! The Emperor of the East Sea has surpassed Platinum! The Emperor of the East Sea is too fast, she has the victory completely in her grasp, and victory is already in her hands!"

Can Platinum pull off a comeback? Can she unleash her signature final kick?

"This is the last chance!"

On the stands, Alice let out a long sigh.

It's over. Knowing Platinum as she does, she was terrified.

If she can remain calm, there might still be a chance for things to turn around. However, Platinum's mental fortitude is very poor; even after numerous practice sessions, she is far from reaching the level of others. Platinum is likely to suffer her first crushing defeat.

...That's just how it is. Compared to other players, Platinum did start far too late. Some weaknesses will always remain, no matter how much they're compensated for.

However, after this incident, the invincible shell of Platinum was torn away...

Through the hazy glass, Rudolf's symbolic expression remained unchanged. Whether Platinum or the Emperor of the East Sea were before her, she remained calm.

Rudolf had long anticipated that the two would engage in a duel. And it wouldn't be just a duel. In the years to come, their figures would occupy prominent positions in each other's exploits.

The winners gain glory from success, while the losers are reborn from the ashes of failure.

Winning or losing doesn't matter.

But, platinum...

There are different ways to lose.

Losing in such a terrified way will make you a laughingstock.

Give it your all, one last sprint!

On the field, the new universe avoided Ibuki Maikaku and moved into third place. However, she remained unmoved, simply watching the two people ahead of her compete.

Platinum, realize it soon.

Crossing the Gate is much simpler than you might imagine.

I am merely an observer. I cannot change anything. Everything is up to you to decide.

Will it plunge into the mud, or soar straight to the sky?

Episode 184 Restart

Sometimes, you might genuinely feel: "Ugh, this is so troublesome."

Each person faces a variety of difficulties, one after another, and as you peel back one layer, another appears. It's as if a thick, heavy cocoon is trapping them.

I wanted to struggle, but human strength is ultimately limited, right? What you can't do, you just can't do.

At a time like this, shouldn't it be okay to readily admit defeat?

This Satsuki Sho is still too difficult for me; it's practically cheating.