It was a scene straight out of a dream—how could Agnes Digital possibly miss it, fail to record this precious moment?
The answer was: she absolutely couldn't!
Wherever Uma Musume gathered, there you would find Agnes Digital!
Agnes Digital's camera lens focused on Platinum crouching in the grass, Leap of Faith sprawled in the tree, and the Fuji Kyoji hiding behind a park bench, capturing this utterly shocking tableau.
To Agnes Digital, the scene unfolding before her was a supreme delicacy. Sure, the pure, friendly, mutually supportive storyline between two Uma Musume was precious too... but after a steady diet of wholesome fare, sometimes you craved something that churned your stomach.
Just as the saying goes, 'sleep brings a pillow when you're dozing off.'
Right now, an endless well of inspiration was erupting in Agnes Digital's mind.
If she could fully capture this, it would be nothing less than the genesis of a new universe!
Anyway, time waits for no one. As the sun gradually rose, the Uma Musume one by one shook off their dreams and began a brand new day.
As the largest dormitory at Tracen Academy, the Ritto Dorm's entrance soon saw small clusters of Uma Musume, backpacks slung over their shoulders, heading off together towards the school building.
Even by now, the person Platinum was waiting for... still hadn't appeared.
Platinum crouched in the bushes, holding up a small branch. She shifted her numb legs slightly, terrified of being discovered.
Just then, an Uma Musume walked past the shrubbery, backpack on. Platinum immediately held her breath and stilled her mind.
'My extraordinary assassin skills finally have a purpose!'
Platinum was utterly confident she had a natural talent for becoming an Assassin Master.
Assassin's Creed, activate!
See? So many Uma Musume had passed by now, and not a single one had questioned her presence. It was as if she were just another clump of bushes.
While it was worrying that her actual target still hadn't shown up, at least it was a good start so far.
'I am the phantom of Tracen Academy, hehehe!'
Platinum held her breath and lowered her head. But... why had the Uma Musume right in front of her stopped moving? Had she been discovered?
'Impossible. My camouflage is flawless...' Platinum pondered, pinching her chin.
Look, all the other passing Uma Musume hadn't even glanced back.
Nice Nature, standing by the bushes, bit her lip slightly, unsure if she should say something to alert Platinum.
'She doesn't actually think she's well hidden, does she? She can't seriously... believe nobody can see her?'
Nice Nature felt cold sweat trickling down her forehead.
Everyone was just... used to it by now.
After all, when it came to Uma Musume... anything was possible.
Well, of course, she, Nice Nature, was the exception. That was her self-awareness.
All that supernatural stuff, ghosts and whatnot... better if it had nothing to do with her. She was just an ordinary student, hoping for ordinary races and ordinary results.
It couldn't be helped. That was just who she was.
So, after a moment of hesitation, Nice Nature decided—
Forget it. She'd just pretend she saw nothing.
And so, Nice Nature gave a soft cough, a signal declaring she hadn't seen a thing, and made to step forward towards the school building.
"Sigh, where is Neo Universe? I've been waiting here for her so long, all for the Yayoi Sho..."
Right at that moment, Nice Nature overheard Platinum's muttering. Her footsteps halted once more.
Now Nice Nature couldn't just stand aside... because she was also planning to enter this year's Yayoi Sho.
Ultimately, for an Uma Musume, if there was a chance, wouldn't anyone want to try for the Classic Triple Crown?
Nice Nature was no exception. Even if she lacked confidence in herself, embracing the spirit of 'it's the taking part that counts,' she had still tentatively added it to her schedule.
Of course, she couldn't compare to star Uma Musume like Platinum or Neo Universe...
So she could only start by entering the preliminary races, using them as a stepping stone to try and qualify for the Satsuki Sho.
She'd gone through several selections, even changing her mind once, before finally deciding on the Yayoi Sho to try and secure a qualification... but if competitors like Platinum and Neo Universe were also aiming for the Yayoi Sho, she might have to consider changing her planned race again.
Hiss. It wasn't that she lacked ambition.
If she actually managed to qualify for the Satsuki Sho, she'd have to face them eventually anyway.
For a preliminary race, though, avoiding a direct confrontation was probably the wiser choice, right?
Turning this over in her mind, Nice Nature walked right past Platinum's position. At the end of the path, she glanced back guiltily, then quietly hopped over a fence, intending to sneak behind Platinum and eavesdrop on the situation.
This was the first time she'd ever done something so absurd... Nice Nature felt her face burning.
What possessed her to do something like this...?
If she really decided on the Yayoi Sho, her trainer would surely help her gather the necessary intel...
Muttering these thoughts internally, Nice Nature quietly circled behind Platinum. Holding onto the large tree behind her, she scanned the area for a suitable hiding spot.
The moment her hand touched the tree trunk, however, it rustled. Puzzled, Nice Nature looked up and immediately locked eyes with Leap of Faith, whose long black hair cascaded down as she lay prone on the branch.
...A female ghost? Nice Nature truly hadn't expected someone else to be hiding up there.
Leap of Faith placed a finger vertically against her lips and shook her head at Nice Nature. Sweating profusely, Nice Nature forced a smile, clasped her hands together, and bowed slightly towards Leap of Faith, hoping she would pass on peacefully to the afterlife.
Then she slowly backed away.
There was no need to fight a deceased person for this spot... Nice Nature bowed her head and carefully retreated from the bushes, arriving next to a park bench.
This spot wasn't bad either; she could just about hear what Platinum was saying...
Just as she was about to sit down on the bench, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
Turning around, Nice Nature found the short-statured Taiki Shuttle looking up at her with a distinctly displeased expression.
"Ah, Taiki Shuttle."
"Thanks, but I'm Fuji Kyoji," Fuji Kyoji said, standing on her toes to tap Nice Nature's shoulder again. "This spot's taken too."
...Defeated, Nice Nature covered her face and retreated.
She must have been bewitched earlier, to have done something so... so... so fanciful. And to have witnessed such a surreal scene.
It must have been a dream. Yes. She'd just pretend she saw nothing and leave.
...Amen.
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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 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.