The sounds and stares didn't linger on Platinum for long. The stars of this race weren't Jade Lion beside her, nor Platinum, nor any of the other rookies.
As Agnes Tachyon would put it, they were all just challengers who'd traveled a long way just to get their tails kicked.
The real main event was still to come.
"Now entering the track is Urban Sea, former winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Meeting her rivals here seems to have fired up her competitive spirit."
With light, graceful steps, Urban Sea made her way onto the racetrack.
Contrary to Platinum's expectations, Urban Sea's racing silks weren't minimalist and elegant like her usual attire, nor were they predominantly monochrome.
She'd parted her bangs to either side with a diamond-studded hairband, the exposed forehead making her look noticeably more mature.
She wore a colorful long-sleeved top—truly colorful. Reds, blacks, blues, whites—stripes in varying hues segmented her body, also breaking up the long robe that was primarily yellow and purple.
The entire outfit made her look like she'd stepped out of some painter's canvas, full of instability and dynamism, like glazed pottery that might shatter at a touch.
Yet Urban Sea's expression was so gentle, the dissonance creating an inescapable allure.
This was a set of silks that only someone like Urban Sea could pull off.
"Good afternoon," Urban Sea waved subtly at Platinum, giving her a quiet greeting. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just think of it as having some fun."
Platinum awkwardly turned her head away, thinking, 'Don't tell me she saw my embarrassing moment earlier.'
Given this person's mischievous nature, it was entirely possible.
"Next to enter is another familiar face from Japan, the Hong Kong Cup-winning genius, Agnes Digital."
Stepping onto the track with nervous, shuffling steps, pressing her lips together with a faint, almost imperceptible smirk as she waved to the crowd, Agnes Digital also entered the racetrack.
Well, now Platinum wasn't the only Uma Musume acting strangely. Hmm, the midriff-baring top was also a choice.
Compared to Urban Sea's, Agnes Digital's silks were even more flamboyant.
The bow on her head wasn't just swapped for a glaring bright yellow, it was also noticeably larger, as if someone had tried to dump every bright color onto her at once—that was the style of Agnes Digital's racing silks.
But silks are tailored to fit each Uma Musume perfectly, made specifically for them, so it truly suited Agnes Digital just fine.
"Thank you, everyone~ Thank you~ Ah, this is the moment I came for, this is why I'm here—to run with all of you!"
"Hailed as Secretariat's greatest rival, captivating hearts with her deadly pace. Will Sham stage a miraculous comeback for us today?"
Her feet planted firmly in the turf, the spurs on her heels jangling menacingly, she cut a very imposing figure.
Removing the wide-brimmed, high-crowned cowboy hat from her head, Sham swept a cold gaze slowly across everyone on the track, her grinning mouth revealing shark-like teeth engraved with [VICTORY].
The sides of her cowboy boots were carved with flame patterns, and these flames seemed to climb up Sham's body itself.
The leather chaps that should have reached her ankles were torn, stopping high on her thighs, with a fiery red phoenix perched on her right leg, stretching all the way up to her waist.
Coupled with the red silk scarf tied around her neck, Sham looked like a human torch blazing fiercely.
"Seems like something's missing... Oh, a revolver," Platinum muttered under her breath.
She thought nobody would hear her mumbling from this far away—it was her way of distracting herself. To her surprise, Sham's eyes actually swiveled towards her, and then she let out a puff of air.
"Had one. Rules here are stricter. Can't carry it."
Wait... she actually had one?! Platinum's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Someone actually brought a weapon onto the racetrack!
Did the Uma Musume who raced against Sham in America have to face death threats? Racing against Sham, the moment you got ahead of her, she'd just draw the pistol from her waist.
One, two, three, four...
By the time the race finished, the bullets would be spent, and the entire track would be bathed in crimson.
"And finally, the Hong Kong Uma Musume King, Golden Sixty, who achieved a sixteen-race winning streak! After her period of rest, will she recreate the legend?"
Before Golden Sixty's figure was even visible, Jade Lion standing next to Platinum brushed her bangs aside.
Unnoticed by anyone, the wind had picked up.
Her cloak flapped noisily behind her. Golden Sixty tossed aside the cloak's fastenings, and it soared into the air like a great owl. She still wore that plain, unadorned long robe, without any other embellishments, contouring her figure perfectly.
Golden Sixty raised one arm high, the wide sleeve falling back to her shoulder, revealing her entire pale arm. She slowly curled her fingers, leaving only her index finger pointing skyward.
"I'm back," she said softly.
The crowd couldn't hear her words, but they could see her gesture clearly. And so, a roaring cheer erupted, shaking the entire venue.
The whole Sha Tin Racecourse was enveloped by the sound of human voices because of that one motion from Golden Sixty.
This was Golden Sixty.This was... an era.
And now, that entire era calmly lowered her finger and walked over to Platinum with light, brisk steps.
Platinum immediately frowned, a feeling of 'Wow, you're everywhere, aren't you?' washing over her.
But then Golden Sixty took a turn, wrapping her right arm around Platinum and her left around the utterly bewildered Jade Lion standing nearby.
"Lovely little sister, what's your name? What an adorable child," Golden Sixty murmured with tender affection, her words whispered right into Jade Lion's ear.
"...What? Huh? What?" Jade Lion seemed to short-circuit completely, standing stiffly in place like a straight wooden post.
So you're just like this with anyone who's fair-skinned!
"And now, all participants have arrived on the track. The race will begin shortly—"
"No, one is still missing." Golden Sixty released the two, looking towards the tunnel entrance.
One was still missing. Golden Sixty was sure one more competitor would come.
Sure enough, from the dark mouth of the tunnel emerged an Uma Musume clad entirely in black. As if deliberately opposing Golden Sixty, the newcomer wore a long robe adorned with red patterns, with long boots peeking from beneath the hem of her skirt.
Following the cascade of black hair upwards to its end, a traditional Chinese scholar's hat sat atop her head, giving her a distinct scholarly air.
Golden Sixty stood before the newcomer with a playful smile, reaching out to pat her shoulder. "I knew you'd come—"
But her hand was swatted away. The tall, slender figure lifted her head, now meeting the eyes of the one she had always looked up to from a lower position, now at the same height.
Leap of Faith maintained a brilliantly bright smile as she raised her middle finger at Golden Sixty.
"I'm only here today to tell you one thing. And that is..."
"Fuck you. Fuck you very, very, very—much."
--+--
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.