Faced with this girl dressed in boyish style and their conversation, Sunday Serenity had a sudden vision of two elementary school boys sitting on a playground, each showing off their cool new jackets and proudly claiming things like, "So-and-so wore this!" or "So-and-so designed this, blah blah blah..."
What's going on? Doesn't Tracen Academy's minimum enrollment age start at middle school level?
"Not telling your name is so cool too!" Instead of getting angry at Sunday Serenity's refusal to give a name, the girl instead clenched her fists excitedly.
"Then, as a rookie Uma Musume who hasn't debuted yet, I'll just call you 'Senpai' for now!"
Somehow, just like that, the girl named Vodka had become her junior.
Well, hopefully she lives a long life...
Seemingly having found a like-minded companion, Vodka moved closer and said with slight excitement, "Senpai, actually, I'm studying how to become cooler. I've hit a bit of a wall lately. Should I focus on breaking through in my speech, or in my actions? Like what you just said, 'My name... is a secret, for now.' That was seriously cool!"
"You said you want to become 'cool'?"
"That's right, cool!"
At this, Sunday Serenity's gaze shifted. Her golden pupils became as sharp as blood-stained blades. She turned, her black cape swishing, and asked in a low voice:
"Oh? Interesting. Then let me ask you, in your eyes, what exactly is 'cool'?"
The sudden question caught Vodka off guard.
As the girl fell into deep thought, Sunday Serenity continued:
"Could it be that you think sticking a cigarette in your mouth, squatting on the lawn, feeling all mature and manly, is cool? Or maybe wearing a black trench coat, leaning against a wall, putting on airs—that's cool?"
"Eh? Well, I think..."
Vodka's mind was in a tangle. She'd only ever thought about how doing a certain thing or saying a certain phrase would be cool, but she hadn't considered there might be a deeper meaning.
"In my long life, I've learned one thing." Sunday Serenity clenched her fist. "What we call 'cool' isn't something external, put on display for others to clearly see, hear, or notice. She doesn't deliberately use actions to express herself, using some behavior or some phrase to highlight her personality."
"True 'coolness' is internal, held within the heart. It's a character she can't hide, her astonishing ability. Just by standing there, doing nothing, you can sense an aura radiating from her. Even if she doesn't utter a word, even if she leaves no name, just like a fleeting bloom, she will leave an indelible memory in people's hearts. That is what truly deserves to be called 'cool'!"
In a voice fit for a speech, Sunday Serenity declared this. The slightly exaggerated tone made Vodka's eyes grow wider and wider, shifting from surprise to confusion, and from confusion to admiration.
After she finished in one breath, Vodka couldn't help but clap her hands, sighing with genuine admiration, "Senpai, you're so right! Forgive my ignorance, I never imagined the simple word 'cool' could have such profound meaning!"
"Hmph, as long as you understand. Appearance and attire are always just the surface. Cultivating the body is not as important as cultivating the heart."
"I see!" Vodka nodded vigorously.
"Then may I ask, Senpai, what are you doing here? Please allow this junior to observe and learn."
"I'm..." Sunday Serenity's voice halted. In the common stereotype, sweet treats often equaled 'childish'. Since she'd spouted that whole speech on a whim, she naturally couldn't state her true intention.
Hardcore types ate spicy strips, but unfortunately there was no convenience store nearby. So she looked around and, spotting the large screen on the central street, said:
"I'm looking for future races."
"Races?"
"Oh?" Sunday Silence, who had been quietly observing the whole development, let out an intrigued sound.
Following Sunday Serenity's gaze, the screen was showing a news interview listing the Uma Musume events from recent months, including the hugely popular [Satsuki Sho] from a few days prior.
As a top-tier G1 race, the [Satsuki Sho] represented the stepping stone to the highest honors.
The renowned Symboli Rudolf, besides being called the 'Emperor' and dominating seven G1 races, also held another title—the Undefeated Triple Crown.
Victory in the 2000-meter [Satsuki Sho], the 2400-meter [Japanese Derby], and the 3000-meter [Kikuka Sho].
Each race is the highest grade, each presents immense difficulties, and all the participants are among the very best Uma Musume.
So any Uma Musume who can win these races possesses extraordinary ability.
The screen was now showing the Uma Musume who had achieved an overwhelming victory in the [Satsuki Sho].
Narita Brian, who had broken the [Satsuki Sho] race record, and even the 2000-meter course record at Nakayama Racecourse.
It was practically like having the word 'powerful' written on her face.
"Wow!" Vodka, seeing the race footage and the host's analysis on screen, felt her still-unsettled heart surge with excitement again.
"I went to see Narita Brian-senpai's race too! It was just so~~~ cool! That fierce acceleration was on a 'monster' level! When she overtook her opponents, the whole venue erupted!"
She said with immense excitement, as if she herself had won, not Narita Brian.
"For her next race, Brian-senpai has already decided to challenge the [Japanese Derby]! I can't wait! Could it be, Senpai, you've also decided to enter some major race?"
"Not yet," Sunday Serenity shook her head. But listening to Vodka's description, she became interested.
"[Japanese Derby], huh? Sounds impressive. Winning that would probably be very cool."
"Of course! The Derby is the most important race in any Uma Musume's life! It's a battle of honor that an Uma Musume can only participate in once! Is Senpai thinking of entering the Derby!?"
"Once in a lifetime, a lifetime in one race..."
"Doesn't that sound interesting," Sunday Silence suddenly spoke up. "A suitable grand stage for your debut."
That was true.
"If Senpai were to compete too, the scene would be absolutely spectacular!" Even though she'd never seen her race, Vodka felt incredibly anticipatory. In her mind, only a powerfully capable Uma Musume could offer such a profound interpretation of the word 'cool'.
So she very much hoped to see this senpai on the racetrack, facing off against the much-anticipated monster, Narita Brian.
"Then your debut race shall be the [Japanese Derby]," Sunday Silence decided for her.
"Sounds good," said Sunday Serenity, who knew nothing about the Uma Musume racing schedule.
"Oh—!"
Vodka was thrilled. But just as she was about to continue the discussion with her senpai, an untimely ringtone interrupted her.
Pulling out her phone and seeing the name on the screen, the girl couldn't help but click her tongue in annoyance.
"Sorry, Senpai, I need to take this."
So she turned away and put it on speakerphone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, dummy! How long has it been? What takes so long just buying something!" came a clear, impatient young woman's voice from the phone.
"Buying something... I'm doing it right now, what's the rush!"
"We agreed the one who lost the bet would make dinner for the other. A bet's a bet."
"I know, I know, seriously..."
Scratching her head, Vodka hung up.
"Why does the school cafeteria kitchen even let students use it freely? So troublesome..." she complained, then turned back to Sunday Serenity. "Sorry, Senpai, my roommate's calling me back. Oh, right, Senpai, you're not a student at Tracen, are you? How about we exchange contact info?"
"Contact info..."
Sunday Serenity, who didn't own a phone, naturally couldn't. But outright refusal might hurt the kid's feelings.
After a moment's thought, Sunday Serenity spoke.
"Exchanging contact info just like that would be far too mundane."
"Mundane?"
"Indeed. Because what guides two people to meet isn't a technological gadget like a phone, but that invisible red thread in the unseen workings of fate." She said, "It's destiny."
"T-truly... Senpai! I understand! Then my meeting with Senpai must also be the choice of destiny!"
She clenched her fists. "Then I will wait for the day destiny guides us to meet again! Goodbye, Senpai!"
With that, she waved to Sunday Serenity and prepared to leave.
Hmm, this kid shows great promise.
Watching Vodka leave with a warm gaze, Sunday Serenity called out:
"By the way, I heard just now that the school cafeteria kitchen is available for student use?"
"It is, yes. Why?"
"Nothing, just... do you know how to make desserts?"
Before leaving the street, Vodka turned her head for one last look at the mysterious 'Senpai'.
On the straight street, the black-haired girl who had been standing before the shop window just moments ago had vanished without a trace.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.