"Brian, have you made your final decision?"
Inside the student council room, Rudolf asked for confirmation once more.
"My intentions are clear, President Rudolf. There's no way I'm backing out of this race."
"I see..."
Watching Narita Brian's resolute expression, Symboli Rudolf narrowed her eyes, lost in thought for a moment.
From her position, she couldn't forcibly interfere with a student's desire to compete.
But Narita Brian's proposal had truly put her in a difficult spot.
Could it be that the next Triple Crown Uma Musume was about to be destroyed by her own hands?
Maruzensky's race hadn't dampened Narita Brian's resolve; instead, it had fiercely strengthened her determination to participate.
Who would have thought that race would have the exact opposite effect of what was intended...
Hiding a bitter laugh, Rudolf made one last attempt to persuade her.
"I understand, Brian. I hope you won't make a decision you'll come to regret."
"Naturally, President Rudolf," Narita Brian stated, her tone brooking no argument. "If I didn't compete in this race, I'd regret it for the rest of my life."
It could even become Narita Brian's greatest regret throughout her entire [Twinkle Series] career.
She didn't believe she'd get another chance like this to compete on the same stage, at the same time, against this particular group.
Seeing her final attempt at persuasion had failed, Symboli Rudolf nodded.
"If you're certain you won't regret your decision, then..."
Quietly slipping away the note from Trainer Toujou Hana that insisted she must refuse Narita Brian's proposal, Symboli Rudolf said, "Go and compete in the [Tenno Sho], Brian."
Hearing this, Narita Brian's eyes widened slightly.
"I thought you'd try to stop me more firmly."
"Is that what you wanted?"
Narita Brian shook her head.
"I thought not. For you, victory and glory aren't as important as a thrilling, all-out race."
"Hmph." A pleased snort escaped Narita Brian. "You know me well."
"After all this time we've spent together..."
After retrieving the necessary registration documents from the filing cabinet, Rudolf said, "I'll speak to the trainer. Until then, make your preparations."
Her purple eyes fixed firmly on her.
"Go and defeat your opponents fairly and squarely, Brian."
Heh.
A smile spread across the girl's face, her yellow eyes burning with fighting spirit.
I didn't need you to tell me that.
--+--
Conserving strength, storing power, and deception.
There are two ways to defeat an opponent.
The first is to overwhelm them with sheer, dominant power.
The second is to appear weak initially, lulling the opponent into a false sense of security, then launching a counterattack when they least expect it.
The former is direct and forceful, the latter subtle and cunning.
On the track, which is no different from a battlefield, there is no single guaranteed path to victory. At any moment, a lurking opponent can strike a fatal blow.
It's just as people often say—just when an Uma Musume seems unstoppable, a rival suddenly appears and ends her winning streak.
Such occurrences are all too common.
Even one as powerful as the 'Emperor,' who changed an era, has been defeated by a sudden, unforeseen rival.
Deception and explosive power are often the keys to victory.
Once, in her readings on strategy, the girl had come across the concept of 'mimicry.'
You disguise yourself as someone on the verge of defeat. When the enemy, letting their guard down, slowly approaches, you strike with lightning speed, cutting them down.
In the eyes of ordinary people, such a method might seem underhanded. But from a tactical standpoint, it's an exceedingly clever approach.
What the seniors on the track displayed was a form of deception very close to this 'mimicry.'
Heavy-looking footsteps, bodies drenched in sweat, appearing utterly exhausted and drained of stamina.
Then, just as all their rivals relax their vigilance, cease their relentless pursuit, and shift their focus elsewhere—they bare their fangs.
Feigning weakness is an indispensable part of race strategy too.
Leaning back in her chair, the girl replayed scenes from the training grounds in her mind.
Given Sunday Silence's personality, she probably wouldn't allow her to put on a show of weakness during an actual race.
Then again, if it was enough to pique her interest, she might not mind at all.
After all, for her, the process was far more interesting than the result.
'What you fear more than death is actually boredom—'
Yes. That's exactly right.
Watching Maruzensky and the others, she'd felt her own excitement building.
Whether it was defeating opponents through sheer power, or confusing them with a false facade—as long as it helped alleviate this gnawing boredom, either method was a valid choice.
"Somehow, I'm starting to feel impatient too..."
"Like a child?"
"Even if I'm not, anyone would be happy to receive a gift, right?"
"Oh?" Sunday Silence made an intrigued sound.
"So you've started to see races as 'gifts.' It seems your mindset has changed quite a bit."
"Has it?"
"It appears you don't realize it. You should look in a mirror sometime, take a good look at yourself."
"What's that supposed to mean..."
The person I see in the mirror is you.
"Heh, you're not wrong." Her voice took on a pleased tone.
Then, it's about time I tried out a new way of running too.
Just as the girl was gathering her things, preparing to leave.
"Cafe-chan~!"
Chan!?
Hearing the suffix, the girl froze for a second.
"Sorry, I thought using that might feel more affectionate."
Pulling out a chair, the Uma Musume with the soft voice sat down beside her. Adorning her dark brown hair was a hair accessory with leaf motifs, and her ocean-blue eyes sparkled with a captivating light.
"Green Grass-senpai?"
"That's right. I'm Cafe's senior, Green Grass."
She said with a beaming smile.
"Haah..."
Blinking, the girl asked, "Why are you here, Senpai?"
It was almost closing time for the library. It seemed a bit late to be coming to read.
"I came specifically looking for you, Cafe."
"Looking for me? Then... is there something you need, Senpai?" the girl asked.
She could always pass the message along to Cafe later.
"Did you watch my last race?" Green Grass suddenly brought up a topic that seemed unrelated.
"You mean the race among the seniors? Yes, I watched it. The strategy you all displayed was truly brilliant. Even now, thinking back, there's so much to learn from it."
"Learn, ehehe... See, someone with talent like you sees things differently. I can't hide anything from you."
Huh? What did she mean by that?
"Are you free tonight?" Green Grass asked.
In terms of time, Cafe had already claimed it. But Green Grass seemed like she had something important to say.
"Remember that training session we had before?"
The race where she had shown the girl her true capabilities that night.
"Actually, I lied."
"Lied...?"
"When 'Cafe' said she'd go all out... I was afraid of hurting you, so I held back."
The girl understood that the 'hurt' Green Grass meant was literal, physical injury.
But what was she getting at?
"It was a skill I originally honed to use against Maruzensky..."
She had waited so long for that moment.
But at the final moment, Green Grass had chosen to hold back.
Because she realized it was no longer the right stage for her to showcase it.
In the end, compared to a battlefield for victory, it felt more like a final curtain call for seniors like her.
"So this time, I want you to see it properly."
My own Zone.
--+--
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.