"If you're afraid of heights, just hold my hand."
"No need! I'll adjust in no time!"
Barbatos firmly refused. Holding hands was out of the question. Sure, she was a little scared of heights, but didn't that just match X's Ultraman traits? It was just a matter of getting used to it.
She focused on the steel framework supporting the Ferris wheel.
If the whole structure malfunctioned, or if their cabin started falling, she could just use 'Onslaught of Shadows' to kick the door open and leap with Seiun Sky onto the steel beams. Even if they missed mid-air, 'Kassadin's' ultimate could let her blink short distances through the void.
She could navigate the steel framework and reach the ground safely! In a life-or-death situation, who'd worry about skills that might get her taken for research?
Seeing Barbatos refuse, Seiun Sky withdrew her hand and gazed at the view outside.
Under the moonlight, the sea below shimmered, calm and serene. The distant cross-sea bridge was bustling with traffic, and as the Ferris wheel rose higher, the neon lights on both shores lit up. Buildings and skyscrapers glowed brilliantly, like glittering glass structures, dazzling and magnificent.
Seiun Sky couldn't help but step forward, moving closer to the edge to get a better look.
Suddenly, she felt someone grab her hand. Her ears twitched slightly, and her emerald eyes wavered, amused by the sudden gesture.
She didn't feel anything else!
"I give up! I can't get used to this so quickly!"
Barbatos's legs felt weak.
She'd thought having an escape plan would cure her fear of heights, but even with a solid strategy, the phobia persisted—especially when she realized they were nearing the top!
In a panic, she grabbed Seiun Sky's hand.
No wonder X was scared of heights despite being able to fly. No wonder some cultivators in stories installed railings on their flying swords. These were hard-earned lessons from fellow acrophobes, something she couldn't overcome overnight.
Only the warmth from Seiun Sky's hand eased her trembling legs slightly.
"If you're afraid of heights, why suggest riding the Ferris wheel?"
Seiun Sky smirked, her faint blush hidden in the dim light.
"Well, we're already here. I wanted to try it, so someday I can bring my partner here too."
"Oh? Your partner? Then she'd see you scared of heights."
Ahem.
Barbatos wanted to retort, but since she was still holding Seiun Sky's hand, she held back. "I just didn't expect it to be a 360° panoramic view. I'd be fine in other ones!"
She'd ridden Ferris wheels in her past life, but nothing this intense—the panoramic view made it worse.
"As long as I take her to a different Ferris wheel, it'll be fine."
"Hey, Barbatos..."
"Why the sudden formality?"
Seiun Sky tilted her head. "You're holding my hand while talking about your future partner. Isn't that a bit much?"
"? "
Her heart skipped a beat. The sensation of their hands touching suddenly felt vivid, and a faint blush spread across her fair cheeks.
When she'd grabbed Seiun Sky's hand earlier, she hadn't thought much of it—she was too busy being scared, and after becoming an Uma Musume, she'd even shared a bed with Urara.
But now, even though she knew Seiun Sky was just teasing, a strange feeling stirred inside, like ink spreading in clear water.
What did it feel like to hold Seiun Sky's hand?
She hadn't paid attention before, but now she noticed it was soft, warm, like smooth jade. Her body stiffened as if electrified.
This won't do!
Seiun Sky would definitely laugh at her!
After a long pause, Barbatos spoke up. "Actually... about the Winter Dream Cup, I do have some thoughts."
She clumsily changed the subject, too flustered to notice that Seiun Sky had also frozen after her own teasing remark.
A classic case of mutual embarrassment—equal damage dealt and received.
"Aiming for first place?"
"If possible, sure. What Uma Musume doesn't want to win?"
"But the truth is, there's still a big gap between me and them. I was thinking... could I beat just one of them?" Barbatos raised her free hand, clenching it lightly. "Just one?"
In the Winter Dream Cup, she'd face "the unbeatable Uma Musume." None of them would let her stack [Ghost] or [Highlander]. How could a legendary Uma Musume, one at the pinnacle of Japan's racing scene, ever lose to her?
The simplest way would be to buy champions with slow abilities and target the nearest legend. Anyone who's played League knows how annoying those slows can be—especially that wither!
But she didn't want to try that.
She already had a system, a cheat.
Did she really need to resort to dirty tricks to win?
What would that prove?
Beating a legend who wasn't at her best wouldn't earn her any cheers or acclaim.
With months left until the Dream Cup, she could spend more time grinding League, compete in as many races as possible to earn gold, and maybe—just maybe—have a shot at not being last.
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea. She'd been thinking about it since learning she'd join the Winter Dream Cup, but she was afraid of being laughed at for being naive.
Since laying low was no longer an option with 330,000 fans supporting her, the least she could do was live up to her Chinese fans' expectations.
Aiming for second-to-last shouldn't be setting the bar too high, right?
"Huh?" Seiun Sky was taken aback, seeing her so serious for the first time.
"Alright then, second-to-last in the Dream Cup it is."
--+--
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.