"It looks like she's never even run a race before."
"How utterly pathetic... People who judge others by 'talent' are the worst."
"She's not even from Tracen Academy, is she? Honestly, she's only this arrogant because she's never seen a real genius."
"Exactly. Look at Tokai Teio—she's always so polite and kind to everyone, and she's the heir to the Emperor, you know."
"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say 'heir'... but you're right about Teio. Who could possibly surpass someone like her, no matter how talented they are?"
Before Fuji Kyoji could react, Leap of Faith had already pulled her away.
"Don't touch me, Faith! Today, I'm definitely going to—" Fuji Kyoji angrily pried open Leap of Faith's fingers.
"What are you going to do?" Leap of Faith released her completely.
"Well, I..." Fuji Kyoji swallowed her words when she saw the look on Leap of Faith's face.
They had always been partners, but this was the first time she had ever seen Faith... with an expression like that.
"Arguing right now is pointless. Platinum is the winner, the champion. So what she says goes—it's as simple as that." Leap of Faith swept her gaze coolly across the room, and the murmuring among the Uma Musume instantly died down.
"If you want to talk about others, fine—Tokai Teio, Seiun Sky, Special Week, Taiki Shuttle, El Condor Pasa... they've earned that right. But for those of us who haven't even won our debut races? Let's just save it."
"Honestly, we just sound like sore losers whining."
With that, Leap of Faith turned and walked to the restroom door, knocking gently.
"Platinum. I understand what you're saying. Maybe you truly believe it, or maybe you have your own reasons."
"But I don't care about any of that. This is the only restroom we have, and all our change of clothes are inside. Not to mention, you, Fuji Kyoji, and I still have the Winner's Stage to prepare for."
"So please, open the door. Of course, if you don't want to share the space, I get it. You can change first, and then we'll come in after."
"Regardless, we're running out of time. The Winner's Stage is about to start. Delaying any further would be disrespectful to the audience."
Platinum opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Is she serious? Even after hearing such harsh words...
If it were just about the audience, the Winner's Stage, or the other Uma Musume outside, she could understand... But even after what I said, she's still giving me space to think?
This wasn't what she had expected.
Platinum had thought that this would be enough to make them leave her alone, to make them disperse in disgust.
But whether they still cared or not, hearing such reasonable words from someone like her only made the guilt inside her grow heavier.
Still... there was no turning back! She had to drive them away, for their own protection. If this didn't work, she would have to push even harder.
Her stomach tightened, and her heart felt like a lump of lead, each beat a struggle.
She was hurting, tormented by her own words, yet she had to keep going—Platinum felt as if she were caught in a whirlpool, slowly drowning in the rising tide.
"Did you not hear me? I said—I don't need you for the Winner's Stage either."
"Who wants a bunch of gloomy losers as backup dancers? The Winner's Stage should belong to the victor alone!"
Of course, that wasn't true. Platinum didn't even know what the Winner's Stage really meant. But she truly loved running, loved racing alongside everyone else.
She knew her attitude toward racing seemed flippant. Platinum was clever and sensitive—that's how she knew exactly how to provoke Fuji Kyoji.
But that didn't mean she didn't love racing.
On the contrary... having once lost the use of her legs, she cherished every moment she could stand, walk, and run. Every second on the track was something she wanted to sear into her memory.
But it was over. She had no right to race here.
As a carrier, a patient suffering from Soul Dissolution Syndrome, maybe the best thing she could do was to just disappear, to avoid causing trouble for everyone?
So it didn't matter what she said now. They'd never see each other again anyway. Once she drove them away, she'd slip out like a coward and simply fade away.
It was for everyone's good, and for her own, too.
The agony of feeling her mind slowly detach from her body—she didn't want to experience it again, and she didn't want anyone else to, either.
Hearing Platinum's words, Leap of Faith could only stand by the door with a complicated expression.
"...Alright. If that's what you want, then so be it."
She turned and shrugged at the other Uma Musume gathered outside the restroom.
"You all heard her. That's what our champion demands."
"In that case... let's step away for a while and give Platinum some time to prepare for the Winner's Stage."
One of the Uma Musume timidly raised her hand. "But... should we really do as she says?"
"What else can we do?" Leap of Faith shook her head. "Should we break the door down?"
"But our clothes are all in there..."
"Yes, our clothes are in there." Leap of Faith nodded, then raised her voice, speaking slowly and deliberately toward the restroom.
"So, Champion, please don't take too long preparing for the Winner's Stage... After all, Uma Musume are quite fragile, you know."
No response came from inside. Platinum fell silent.
"Everyone, let's go. We'll find another room to rest for a bit." Leap of Faith nudged Fuji Kyoji forward. "We're all sweaty after the race—we shouldn't catch a chill in the wind."
"...If you say so..."
One by one, they slowly dispersed, until the area outside the restroom was finally empty.
Leap of Faith walked back to the door, pressed her body against it, and whispered softly.
"Little Princess, you've gotten what you wanted."
"But whatever you're trying to do, please don't use such hurtful methods next time."
"Even among Uma Musume... there are those who can truly come to hate you, you know?"
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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.