Platinum puffed out her chest with such force, it seemed she was about to poke her nose right up to the sky.
"How about that? Pretty impressive, huh?"
Agnes Tachyon rolled up a newspaper and whacked Platinum right on the forehead. "Winning one race and you've already forgotten how to look people in the eye."
"Golden Sixty went easy on you, you know that, right? You've still got a long way to go before you can keep up with top-tier Uma Musume."
Even as she said this, from an angle Platinum couldn't see, the corners of Agnes Tachyon's mouth kept twitching upward, no matter how hard she tried to press them down.
"Go get changed. Time to head back."
"Head back?" The rolled-up newspaper was still stuck to Platinum's forehead. She blinked at Agnes Tachyon.
"You planning to camp out at the racecourse? The race is over. You already messed up the schedule to come to Hong Kong in the first place. Of course, we need to think about getting back now."
Platinum's face immediately fell. After all, she'd come to Hong Kong hoping to really unwind.
Not only did she not get to relax, but she'd also gone all out and run a serious race—more exhausting than even Agnes Tachyon's training.
So, this whole trip was basically for nothing?
Just as Platinum was about to say something, a knock came at the door. Agnes Digital's head popped in.
"Golden Sixty says she's playing host—treating all the runners and their guests to a victory party! I'm off to tell the others."
After delivering the message, Agnes Digital started to pull her head back, but halfway, as if remembering something, she stuck it in again and gave Platinum a thumbs-up.
"Great run! I and the fans are super satisfied!"
Watching Agnes Digital disappear, Platinum didn't smile, but Agnes Tachyon did.
"That roommate of mine is truly one-in-a-million experimental material. Her reactions always manage to exceed my expectations."
--+--
Changed and out the racecourse gate, Platinum was immediately met by Leap of Faith, hobbling on crutches, lunging toward her.
"Waaah... Platinum, you did good! So good!"
"Teaching Golden Sixty a lesson... seeing her lose feels even better than winning myself..."
Leap of Faith buried her face in Platinum's chest, tears and snot smearing all over Platinum's freshly changed clothes.
"Uh..."
Platinum really wanted to step back and push her away, but Leap of Faith was holding on tight, and she was a patient who'd just been carted off in an ambulance.
So, Platinum could only wave her hands awkwardly in the air.
"Brat, I'm still right behind you," Golden Sixty said with a furrowed brow, sighing. Her head still buried in Platinum's chest, Leap of Faith managed to free a hand to flip Golden Sixty the bird behind her.
Seems the dynamic between these two sisters wasn't going to change anytime soon.
"So, how's your injury?" Platinum could only ask lamely.
"Just a simple fracture. Nothing major. A bit of rest and I'll be fine," Leap of Faith released Platinum, hobbled back a couple of steps on her crutches, and wiggled her plaster-casted left leg.
"Really wish I could've seen your Winner's Stage... but at least I made it for the after-party."
"Glad you're okay," Urban Sea gently patted Leap of Faith's shoulder, offering no further comfort. Injuries and fractures were commonplace for Uma Musume; very few retired completely unscathed. It was something they all had to get used to—part of the life.
Take... that one over there, for instance, still picking up injuries even after retirement. Urban Sea glanced toward Sham.
Sham stood a few meters away, neither interrupting their conversation nor leaving the group, just keeping her distance. She rose onto her toes, occasionally twisting her ankle.
Urban Sea knew—that was definitely a sign Sham was hurt.
"Faith, since you're injured, maybe don't go to Japan just yet. Stay in Hong Kong until you're better. It's not like you've debuted yet anyway..." Golden Sixty hooked an arm around Jade Lion, who happened to be passing by, as she spoke to Leap of Faith.
Halfway through, Golden Sixty's voice grew softer and softer. Finally, at the end, she reluctantly pursed her lips, forcing out a few words: "...Okay?"
It wasn't an order anymore, but a suggestion.
Leap of Faith, who had been frowning, didn't know what expression to make upon hearing this.
She turned her head away from Golden Sixty, remained silent for a long moment, and then gave a slight nod: "...Mhm."
Seems the way these sisters interacted wasn't entirely set in stone—even if just a little.
Only Jade Lion, stiff as a board, was caught between laughter and tears.
You two sisters working things out—what's it got to do with me!
Let me go already!
The young fillies from the Shaanxi provincial team whispered among themselves, watching Jade Lion.
"Jade-chan really has it, her popularity with the ladies is something else."
"Wins over a British Uma Musume easy in the Mongolia Derby, then snags a Hong Kong Uma Musume in a special race. Us Shaanxi fillies are just built different."
"What if we take a pic and send it to Joy? Feels like something wild would go down."
Watching Jade Lion squirm awkwardly in Golden Sixty's embrace, Platinum bowed to her in her heart, thinking, 'Thanks for drawing the heat,' and tried to duck away and sneak out of Golden Sixty's sight.
But Golden Sixty's other hand shot out and pulled her in. Now Platinum was caught in Golden Sixty's arms too.
"Running off? The victory party's about to start."
Hiding behind the crowd, a young filly with emerald-green hair peeked at Golden Sixty, then at Platinum and Jade Lion, let out a quiet "Eep!" and ducked back down.
Ever Flourishing had originally wanted to apologize to Jade Lion for that elbow in the race, but never found the chance. Now, she was surrounded by Platinum and Golden Sixty.
Golden Sixty was terrifying. Even at the very back of the pack by the end of the race, Ever Flourishing could still feel the air vibrating from her presence.
Platinum was even scarier! Just remembering it made Ever Flourishing tremble all over. That look in her eyes, her stride on the track—it was like she wanted to eat someone alive.
Ever Flourishing did not want to be eaten. She still wanted to go back to Ireland.
Maybe I'll just slip away quietly...
The little emerald-green filly turned, planning to sneak off without a word, only to find the curvaceous Fresh Memory standing right in front of her.
Fresh Memory was nothing like her name suggested—not fresh in the slightest, but she certainly left a lasting impression.
She looked more European than someone like Ever Flourishing, who seemed forever stuck in a growth spurt—already developed and mature at a young age.
"Hey—everyone!" Fresh Memory called out. "Found Ever Flourishing! That's everyone accounted for!"
--+--
T/N: Honkai: Star Rail fanfic up!
--+--
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.