Ireland
The air was growing crisp, but the warm ocean breeze still swept across the land, leaving the climate moist and gentle.
A girl with chestnut-long hair stood on the grassy field, gazing up at the boundless sky. Layer upon layer of scale-like clouds piled up like building blocks overhead.
Her face was mostly expressionless, almost bored. Only her eyes sparkled like diamonds, dazzling and brilliant.
Anyone who had ever interacted with her could feel an aura of distance, as if she were a thousand miles away.
Whether it was rivals, other Uma Musume from the same stable, or even her own support staff—none had ever managed to elicit even the slightest shift in her expression.
She was like a porcelain doll that didn't know how to smile.
[She's strong, no doubt about that… but you just don't feel the courage to strike up a conversation with her.]
[She's like a block of ice, kinda scary, right? And she wears that same expression even when she runs.]
[I really like her, though! Don't you think her icy, keep-away-from-everyone style is cool? Besides, she's got the skill to back it up.]
Sea the Stars. A rising star in the making.
Even before Urban Sea's stunning victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Sea the Stars's older sisters had already made quite a name for themselves on the track—especially Galileo, who stood out as one of the top-tier Uma Musume.
So, long before her debut, Sea the Stars had already drawn plenty of attention. Everyone was eager to see if she could take the baton from her sisters and forge a new legacy.
And Sea the Stars's track record did not disappoint.
On the course, she always wore that cool, unshakable expression, calmly leaving every rival behind—that was Sea the Stars's effortless grace. So far, no one had even pushed her to use her full strength.
That aloof demeanor seemed to have become her trademark. But was that really all there was to her?
"Star, what are you looking at?"
Before she knew it, another figure had approached from behind. Urban Sea stepped onto the familiar grass, watching her younger sister—who seemed to grow taller every day—and gently reached out to pat her head.
Sea the Stars didn't turn around. Only her ears twitched slightly.
After a moment, Sea the Stars slowly raised her arm, pointing toward the clouds in the sky. "I'm looking at the clouds."
"That patch of clouds has drifted much farther west than it was an hour ago. The wind's blowing in from the east."
Urban Sea kept her hand resting gently on Sea the Stars's head, though her smile had stiffened a little.
Good grief… just to figure out the wind direction—you've been standing here for hours watching clouds?
But Urban Sea couldn't really blame the others at the stable.
Sea the Stars always looked so cold and detached, often furrowing her brow, and paired with those dazzling eyes, it really did seem like she was pondering the ultimate meaning of life.
[That's what it is! Like those ascetic practices of Indian monks—so this is Sea the Stars for you!]
No one dared to disturb her.
If Urban Sea hadn't watched her grow up, she might have been fooled by her sister's demeanor too.
But the truth was, Sea the Stars wasn't cold because she was unfeeling—she was just a little… spacey.
Keeping the same expression all the time was reportedly because changing expressions felt like too much effort, so she just stuck with one that worked for everyone, in every situation.
Sure enough, as soon as she returned to the stable this time, there was her little sister, seriously doing something silly again.
That was exactly why Urban Sea kept Sea the Stars close. Not because of her incredible potential, but because, out of all her younger siblings, she was the most absent-minded.
What would you do without your big sister?
"Sis, did you have fun in Hong Kong?" Sea the Stars still hadn't taken her eyes off the sky, her voice soft and faint.
"Of course! I got to catch up with quite a few old friends—Golden Sixty and Sham are still the same as ever… and I also saw the talent of the new generation."
Pulling her thoughts back, Urban Sea took Sea the Stars's hand and sat down together on the grass. Even if Sea the Stars didn't say it, Urban Sea could tell—she'd been standing on the grass for hours, and her feet must have been sore.
"There might even be an Uma Musume among them who could rival you, Star," Urban Sea added, recalling the fierce competition in the final stretch of the race.
"Mhm." Sea the Stars's reply was still soft. She didn't seem the least bit interested in this supposed rival her sister mentioned.
Watching her like this, Urban Sea's face stiffened again.
No matter how many times she tried, she just couldn't spark Sea the Stars's interest.
When it came to running, she only did it because Urban Sea asked; same with training. Even making friends required Urban Sea dragging her over just so others could recognize her face.
Looking at her sister like this, Urban Sea couldn't help but sigh. What was going to become of this girl?
An older sister couldn't follow her younger sister around forever—sooner or later, she'd have to entrust her precious sibling to someone else.
But with Sea the Stars the way she was, Urban Sea couldn't feel at ease leaving her with anyone!
No—she still had to find a way to find someone for Star…
Just then, a thought flashed through Urban Sea's mind.
She glanced at Sea the Stars, who was still staring vacantly at the sky, then pulled out her phone and looked at it. She looked at Sea the Stars, then back at her phone; looked at Sea the Stars, then back at her phone.
The more she looked, the more perfect it seemed! Wasn't this the one?
A smile spread across Urban Sea's face as she leaned closer to Sea the Stars.
"Star, don't you want to see who I'm talking about?" She pressed the phone into Sea the Stars's hand.
Sea the Stars didn't make a sound, but her eyes shifted to her sister. After getting a nod of approval, she looked down at the phone.
On the screen was a photo of two people hugging. The one holding the phone, with a soft, rippling smile and flowing sapphire-blue hair, was Urban Sea.
And in her arms, shrinking back a little awkwardly, flashing two peace signs with her fingers and wearing a strained, almost pained smile—as if someone had held her at gunpoint for the picture—was another girl.
"This girl's name is Platinum. She's not much older than you. She debuted in Japan, but she's already top-class in skill."
"She's even beaten me and Golden Sixty."
Hearing that, a faint ripple of emotion finally stirred in Sea the Stars's eyes. Her expression didn't change, but her gaze flickered for just a moment.
"Then she's… really impressive…"
Urban Sea's eyes lit up immediately. A reaction—any reaction was a good sign! A reaction meant there was hope!
She quickly seized the moment and wrote down Platinum's contact info for Sea the Stars. "Make sure you add her when we get back, Star. Be warm and chat with her a little."
"I'm sure the two of you can become great friends."
Distance didn't matter—it was all trivial. If two souls could resonate, if they could find love—that was what truly mattered.
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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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.