With a pop, Golden Sixty's grip on Platinum's ankle was finally torn away by Leap of Faith, sending her sprawling onto the tiled floor.
"Golden Sixty! That's enough—what do you think you're doing to my friend?"
Leap of Faith glared at Golden Sixty, furious. Golden Sixty brushed the bangs from her forehead and leaned back against a pillar, sitting down.
"Heh… You've got some nerve, Leap of Faith. First words to your big sister after so long, and this is it?"
Facing Leap of Faith, Golden Sixty's expression and attitude were entirely different. She studied Leap of Faith with a scrutinizing gaze and let out a soft chuckle.
"Three debut races, and you lost every one. Was life in Japan really that wonderful?"
"It seems you haven't transformed yourself like you claimed you would."
Watching Golden Sixty's demeanor, Leap of Faith slowly shivered, as if recalling something.
She gradually calmed down, even lowering her head timidly.
"I have nothing to say to you. My life in Japan is fine—no need for your unnecessary comments." Leap of Faith muttered under her breath, "Stay away from my friend."
"Your friend?" Golden Sixty looked at Leap of Faith with amusement. "Do you really think she's your friend? Or, to put it another way, does she even acknowledge you as one?"
"Leap of Faith, you've always been so easy to read, transparent right down to your core. I can imagine exactly how you two interact without even trying."
Noticing the crowd gathering around them, along with Agnes Digital and the others, Golden Sixty dusted herself off and rose gracefully to her feet.
"In front of Uncle Francis and outsiders, I'll keep this brief."
She patted Leap of Faith on the shoulder and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "But I hope you know your limits—understand what you're doing and what you should be doing."
"Leap of Faith, an action that requires full confidence in yourself. If you don't take that leap, you're just a coward, satisfied being a frog in a well."
With that, Golden Sixty brushed past Leap of Faith, slipped her round-frame sunglasses back onto her brow, and strode toward the others with a hearty laugh, as if nothing had happened.
"Uncle Francis, you've met everyone. Digital, long time no see—how've you been lately?"
Watching Golden Sixty chat cheerfully with Agnes Digital and the others, Platinum frowned deeply.
This… wasn't at all what she had expected.
Acting on impulse, completely unconcerned with how she appeared… She really was a tough one to deal with.
After a moment's thought, Platinum glanced at Leap of Faith, still standing rooted in place, clenching her fists in frustration. She sighed and walked over to stand beside her.
"You okay? She was pretty harsh back there."
What could she do? She just couldn't stand seeing a girl on the verge of tears.
Leap of Faith sniffled, startled to see Platinum at her side, and quickly wiped her eyes. "Yeah… It's nothing."
"She's always been an unpleasant person."
Leap of Faith and Golden Sixty had never gotten along.
And Golden Sixty had always been this willful, acting as if the world revolved around her—like a child… But the scary thing was, she really did have the ability to make it seem that way.
"I… Sorry, I'm saying too much."
These two sisters really had nothing but criticism for each other. It was hard to imagine what they'd been through together.
Faced with a situation like this, Platinum found herself at a loss for words. All she could manage was a dry, awkward consolation: "Don't take it to heart."
Meanwhile, Golden Sixty seemed to have already forgotten the whole incident, tossing it aside without a second thought.
"Uncle Francis, we have enough cars, right? There are more guests than expected for this airport pickup."
"Don't worry, three cars are waiting in the parking lot—enough to take all the racers to the track."
Agnes Tachyon thought for a moment, then asked, "Don't tell me… there are others?"
"What a coincidence, right?" Golden Sixty grinned. "I didn't expect it to work out so perfectly. Timing-wise, she should be arriving right about now."
"An old friend, back from a long journey in Europe—"
As she spoke, Golden Sixty turned with a smile. "Isn't that right, Urban Sea?"
As if on cue, the crisp click of high heels echoed in everyone's ears.
"My, my. I've only just returned to Hong Kong, and I already see you're as spirited as ever, Golden Sixty. That's a relief."
First came the pure black high heels, click-clacking sharply, followed by a pair of slender legs. They hardly looked like the legs of an Uma Musume—they were far too thin, without a trace of muscle.
Perhaps to offset this sickly frailness, she wore a bright, bold orange trench coat, with a crimson silk scarf draped around her neck. Her lips and eyes sparkled brilliantly.
Her sapphire-blue hair was tucked neatly under a beret, lending her an air of delicate elegance and purity, with a touch of playful charm.
Standing before them, pulling her luggage, the trench-coated beauty smiled serenely.
"It's been so long since I've been back, but everything looks just the same as always."
"Are you talking about Hong Kong, or me?" Golden Sixty spread her arms wide and stepped forward for a hug.
"A bit of both," the beauty replied reservedly, returning the hug only briefly before pulling away.
Urban Sea—another retired Uma Musume.
Her racing career had ended early, and her overall record was modest, paling in comparison to stars like Golden Sixty.
But she possessed one glory that no one could overlook: she was a champion of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe!
In the world's most prestigious race, amid fierce battles between monsters and geniuses, she had emerged victorious, lifting the trophy!
It was an honor that neither Golden Sixty nor even Symboli Rudolf had achieved. That alone secured Urban Sea's place in history.
And beyond that, after retirement, her brilliance had only begun to shine. Now, her sister, Sea the Stars, was sweeping through Europe's major prizes with unstoppable momentum.
Anyone with eyes could see: the era of Urban Sea and Sea the Stars had arrived.
"Why is everyone wearing sunglasses?" Urban Sea glanced at Uncle Francis's head, then at Golden Sixty, and couldn't help but smile.
"I didn't expect you to come. Isn't your sister still preparing for her races?" Golden Sixty flashed a peace sign and slung an arm around Uncle Francis's shoulders. "Don't you think this is going to start a trend?"
"Someday, everyone will be wearing round-frame sunglasses."
"What could I do? It was your request," Urban Sea shook her head helplessly. "Which other old-timers are here?"
"Swindle's been here for days—I think she's practically rusting from waiting. Besides you and Agnes Digital, the others either couldn't get away or sent their juniors instead."
Golden Sixty pointed toward Platinum, who was standing further off with Leap of Faith. "See? That's the kid Symboli Rudolf sent over."
With one glance, Urban Sea knew exactly what Golden Sixty was thinking and felt compelled to advise, "That's Symboli Rudolf's junior you're talking about. You're not planning to make a move, are you?"
Urban Sea knew Golden Sixty all too well. This woman was willful and unchecked, and Platinum… was clearly just Golden Sixty's type.
Symboli Rudolf, it seems you've delivered your junior right into the tiger's den.
--+--
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.