Platinum wasn't about to do something so pointless and thankless.
And then, right at that moment, the system's clunky achievement interface, which looked like some college student's final project, suddenly popped up. It even automatically opened an additional window.
[Performing Version Update]
In just a few seconds, the progress bar at the bottom filled up completely. A data pack roughly 1GB in size had been downloaded, just like that, without any clear explanation.
...Seriously? It even gets version updates? This piece-of-junk system actually gets maintenance?
[Version Update Complete]
[Notice: This update adds achievements related to the "Hong Kong Special Race." Unlocks related race series in the Hong Kong region.]
What did it even update?
Before Platinum could process it, she saw the notice window close automatically. Then, on the achievement screen, the Yayoi Shō listing shifted down a spot, and a new one slotted itself in the middle.
[Complete the Hong Kong Special Race (0/1)] (Winning grants 3-star rating) (150 + 150 Carrots Reward)
...What in the world?
Platinum stared, turning the display over in her mind.
This is what you updated? For this, you actually downloaded a whole gigabyte? What kind of system is this? You're seriously useless.
But... Platinum thought, all while continuing to cling to Symboli Rudolf's leg.
It seemed this system was utterly unreliable. Could it be that what she could see now was just the main storyline achievements, and it could keep stuffing more in the gaps?
No, wait... If that was the case, then you could never have too many carrots...
After all, those inhibitor medications were sold for a steep price in the shop. Pretty much everything else in that whole, dazzlingly arrayed store was something Platinum had never bought, long since bled dry just affording the inhibitors.
And right now, the only way to get carrots was by completing achievements... So getting an extra 150 carrots meant she could hold on for a while longer, right? Wasn't that a good thing?
Just standing on the racetrack and leisurely walking the whole thing would net her 150 carrots... Wasn't that a great deal?
At worst, she'd just forgo that three-star reward.
Thinking of it that way, wouldn't it basically be like a free trip to Hong Kong, with bonus carrots on top?
Could such a good thing really be true?
Platinum's eyes lit up in an instant.
"I'll go, I'll go, I'll go! Does the school cover travel expenses?"
And so, Symboli Rudolf watched as Platinum's expression shifted multiple times within seconds, finally settling into a look of sheer longing as she clung to Rudolf's leg.
Originally, Rudolf had just meant to scare Platinum a little, with a somewhat teasing intent. But seeing Platinum so eager to participate in this special race, she was taken aback and began to consider it seriously.
Would it be suitable to send Platinum?
Extremely suitable!
Forget whether Platinum had any real race record to speak of.
This special race wasn't about competing for first place anyway. If it were, wouldn't it be better to just have Taiki Shuttle drop in directly?
Although Platinum had only run two races so far, her sole graded stakes win being a G3 just the other day... what was Platinum's status now?
According to the identity papers Rudolf had arranged for her, Platinum was a distant relative of the Symboli family!
With that blood relation established, didn't Platinum qualify to represent her?
Moreover, a chance to run alongside a world-class champion was incredibly rare. Judging by the intent behind the invitation from Golden Sixty, the invitees were either already retired Uma Musume, or promising newcomers closely connected to the invitees.
Relatively speaking, the competitive intensity would be much lower.
It was perfectly suited for Platinum to go and learn, to broaden her horizons. If she didn't seize this opportunity, the next time she might share a track with Golden Sixty could be during an expedition to Hong Kong, where the competitive atmosphere would be entirely different.
In fact, given Golden Sixty's current state, it was uncertain whether they'd ever meet on the racetrack again. If that were the case, then this opportunity became all the more precious.
Having thought it through, Symboli Rudolf reached her decision.
"If you truly wish to go, then I shall entrust this invitation to you." Rudolf pried open Platinum's hands, which were still tightly wrapped around her leg, and placed the invitation into Platinum's grasp. "I will also write a letter of introduction for you later. When the time comes, give them both to Golden Sixty."
"After she reads the letter and the invitation, she will understand my intentions."
"Aww, President, you're playing favorites!" Tokai Teio's cheeks puffed out instantly. "If Platinum gets to go, I want to go too!"
"You have your debut race to prepare for soon, don't you? Platinum, on the other hand, just finished a race. Her schedule is clear for the time being."
Besides, neither Tokai Teio nor Platinum fully grasped what they might face in Hong Kong... Symboli Rudolf thought to herself.
The naturally buoyant Tokai Teio probably thought a trip to Hong Kong just meant a fun, relaxing trip with a casual run on the side.
Over there, they would be facing the Uma Musume who had dominated the previous era.
Put another way... if you rolled back time a bit, the most intensely competitive races in the entire world happened among them.
Whether it was too early for Platinum was still debatable, but Rudolf was certain that exposure to that level was still too soon for Tokai Teio.
"President, you're the best—!" Platinum reached out to take the invitation, but Rudolf held it up high, keeping it out of reach by pressing a hand against Platinum's head.
"I haven't finished yet."
Rudolf crouched down, bringing herself eye-level with Platinum, gazing directly into her eyes.
"Platinum, you must remember. On that racetrack in Hong Kong, you will be facing former top-tier, world-class Uma Musume."
"Losing to them is no disgrace. What's important is what you can learn from them."
"Don't be reckless. Protect yourself. Don't push yourself too hard. Even if you can't finish the race, it's not something to be ashamed of. Do you understand?"
Having said that, Rudolf stood up again and looked towards Agnes Digital, who had been silently watching from the side for some reason, looking utterly delighted.
"Ah, wait, what, what... T-t-t-together with me?"
"My apologies... This is my request," Rudolf said sincerely. "But I truly can't feel at ease letting this one go alone."
"Could I trouble you to look after Platinum while you're in Hong Kong? Of course, if you have any difficulties or requests of your own, please don't hesitate to tell me."
"L-l-l-look after her?"
Agnes Digital clasped her hands over her mouth, looking as if she'd been struck by a wave of happiness and was about to faint.
"Of course! Of course! Thank you so much, President! You are the most perfect president in the entire world!"
"...?" Symboli Rudolf couldn't help but let out an awkward laugh. She never expected Agnes Digital to react like this.
She'd thought only Platinum would say things like that.
--+--
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.