Marunouchi.
This was a street near the subway station.
Looking around, the trees lining both sides of the street had turned a withered yellow, yet there was no sense of desolation in the view.
It was as if the leaves were meant to be this color, rather pleasing to the eye in its own way.
Barbatos gazed at the surroundings. "Lucky us, wandering into such a scenic street just by chance."
"Mhm, pretty lucky," Seiun Sky nodded in agreement.
It wasn't really luck—she'd actually stumbled upon this place online beforehand "by chance."
Since it was close to the subway station, she'd naturally guided them here, without mentioning that this was the spot she'd planned to bring Barbatos if they won.
A little tease couldn't hurt.
Something about seeing Barbatos flustered was just… fun.
"Tokyo really is something. Even a place like this is so crowded—nothing like Kochi." Back in Kochi, you could run on tracks meant for Uma Musume without any trouble.
Here, if you weren't careful, you might plow right into someone.
"Oh? Is Kochi not very populated?"
"Pretty much. Lots of people head for the big cities, so not many stay in Kochi."
Barbatos didn't know much about Kochi's specifics—her past self as an Uma Musume hadn't paid attention to such things.
She just applied what she knew from China's common trends. Probably similar everywhere, right?
"Speaking of which, after you retire, do you plan to go home or stay at Tracen?"
She remembered the photo on Seiun Sky's phone lock screen—apparently taken with her grandfather after they'd caught a big fish. Barbatos had a hunch that after retirement, Seiun Sky would choose to return home and go fishing.
"Well, who knows?"
"Feels like there's still a long way to go. Maybe I'll become a legendary Uma Musume by then."
Seiun Sky said it casually. If she became a legendary Uma Musume and felt like it, she could stay at Tracen Academy, training and preparing for the annual Dream Cup.
"You definitely could. You're the one who beat Super Creek in long distance, after all."
"And you're the one I, Barbatos—a legend from my debut—recognize as a true Uma Musume!"
"Oh?"
Seiun Sky clasped her hands behind her back. "If Creek-senpai hadn't veered off, I wouldn't have won today. But that second reason? Not bad."
"Ehehe~"
Barbatos chuckled, then suddenly wondered: if she really ended up with Seiun Sky…
Would she still pursue that Summoner's Cup? That wasn't a glory you could just claim by showing up. It was a war that could drag on for two, maybe three years without end.
Especially with Japan's esports scene—if she really wanted to win Worlds, she'd probably have to go to China as an import.
In that case, even if she became a legendary Uma Musume, whether she could return for the Dream Cup was another story entirely.
"Look over there—it's Barbatos!!!"
Just then, someone shouted from nearby.
Barbatos saw several young men rushing over to them. "It's really her!"
"Hello, Miss Barbatos! Could we get your autograph?"
"We're your fans—we just watched your race!"
Their enthusiasm took Barbatos by surprise. She remembered the fans she and Seiun Sky met after her debut race—they'd been much more reserved, nothing this over-the-top.
But she didn't refuse.
Being asked for an autograph in public was a first for her.
"Sure, where should I sign?"
"Right here on our shirts! We'll treasure it!"
Taking the pen, she signed their clothes, then took photos with them using their phones at their request.
"Miss Barbatos, you have to win the next G2! Show everyone you're the real prodigy of our time!"
"Yeah, I won't lose."
She was surprised people still remembered the "prodigy of our time" buzz from the trending topics a month ago. She thought such chatter would've faded by now.
As the young men left, she turned to continue her stroll with Seiun Sky, only to notice a crowd had gathered around them.
"Barbatos! We're your fans too—can we get autographs?"
"Uh…"
"Sure."
There seemed to be more fans here than she'd expected.
Around Tracen Academy, supporters usually just waved or said hello—but here, everyone wanted signatures and photos.
It was starting to cut into her time alone with Seiun Sky.
The wildest part? In the crowd asking for autographs, she spotted a newlywed couple—still in their wedding attire—who'd been taking photos across the street earlier.
Was she really that famous in Japan already?
About half an hour later, after signing until she nearly forgot how to write her own name, she finally finished for every last fan.
She let out a long sigh. Signing autographs was seriously no joke.
Turning to Seiun Sky, who'd been waiting patiently, she said apologetically, "Sorry, I didn't expect so many fans. I should've just turned down the autographs and photos from the start."
But after signing for the first person, it felt unfair not to do the same for the rest.
"Having this many fans isn't strange."
"Your race just ended at Tokyo Racecourse today—it's normal for some spectators to show up around here."
Seiun Sky's eyes held a hint of amusement. "Your hand's shaking from all that signing."
She'd forgotten about that when planning to bring Barbatos here.
"Don't remind me. I almost forgot how to write my own name."
Barbatos shook her hand. "I hope we don't run into any more fans asking for autographs."
"Then follow me."
With that, Seiun Sky reached out and took Barbatos's still-trembling right hand, leading her in a certain direction.
She didn't look at the faint blush spreading across Barbatos's cheeks, telling herself that holding hands was "perfectly normal" between Uma Musume.
Gripped by Seiun Sky's smaller hand, Barbatos's mind went blank as she was led into a shop.
Thankfully, their experience holding hands during the culture festival had left them both better prepared. This time, they both pretended this was completely ordinary.
The shop they entered sold clothing.
Before a clerk could approach, Seiun Sky tugged Barbatos toward the hat section, picking out a cap and setting it on Barbatos's head.
With her ears tucked away, she still looked like an Uma Musume from her tail, but she wouldn't be recognized as Barbatos immediately.
"That should do it."
To Barbatos, Seiun Sky in this moment seemed like she was picking out an accessory for her partner.
A faint, ticklish feeling stirred in her chest. "Wait, not quite done yet."
She pressed down on the cap with her left hand, then reached for an identical one from the rack and placed it on Seiun Sky's head.
"If people recognize you, they'll figure out I'm the one next to you, right?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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.