She had faced the world's most terrifying Uma Musume, the Emperor Secretariat, and became her lifelong rival.
Dominating the racetrack with lightning speed, her frenzied strides burned like a raging inferno, striking fear into all who witnessed them.
This was Sham, an Uma Musume whose life was as untamed as her name suggested.
Even under the immense pressure of confronting Secretariat, she carved out her own path—a true rebel.
Now, this rebel had become the oppressor. Across the sofa, three girls were packed together like sardines, jostling and shoving, all nervously watching Sham's expression.
Platinum nudged Agnes Digital beside her.
'Lady Agnes Digital, aren't you the dual-wielding genius Uma Musume? The one who vowed to keep up with every other Uma Musume? Hurry up and do something!'
Agnes Digital shrank back, burying her face deeper into her book. Even though it was her oshi asking, even though she had pledged to support every Uma Musume under the sun...
She knew the Uma Musume sitting across from them was a respected veteran who deserved proper reverence...
But as the saying goes, some Uma Musume are meant to be admired from afar, not approached. If only she could vanish, turning into a tiny ladybug and flying away.
Platinum then pushed Urban Sea.
'Sis Urban Sea, you look so mature—you must be the unflappable strategist type, the kind who wouldn't blink even if Mount Tai collapsed before you. Plus, you're a champion who fought your way through the Arc de Triomphe, one of the world's top races. You must have a way to get us out of this predicament, right?'
Urban Sea rolled her eyes. 'Sorry, can't do it. If it were Sea the Stars asking me, of course I'd move heaven and earth without hesitation…'
But as for Platinum? Well, she wasn't Golden Sixty—she had no particular interest in white-haired kids.
'Sorry, little Platinum, but the adult world is cruel. Sometimes you don't need to be the fastest—you just need to be faster than your teammates. That's the Urban Sea way of survival!'
Platinum was so mad her nose twisted in frustration.
'Are you two expecting me to be the one to break the deadlock?'
Watching the three of them squeezed together across from her, Sham—sporting a row of ear piercings—slowly let out a breath.
"Hey, you all."
She's speaking, she's speaking! Platinum's eyes widened, and she frantically shot glances at the other two.
It's obvious, isn't it? She's totally about to pull out a gun and start shooting! She's going to riddle everyone who showed her disrespect with bullets!
She'll use her finely honed American iaijutsu to line everyone up, chop their heads off, and pile them together!
Clearly, you two weren't respectful enough! Show some respect for the boss who drove non-stop for two days and two nights to transport a truckload of firearms to San Francisco for a local gang war!
Agnes Digital let out a frightened "eep" and nearly buried her eyes in her book.
Based on her own experience living in America... Sham had to have fought her way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood—otherwise, she wouldn't carry such a strong scent of blood about her. A conservative estimate... ten, no, a hundred lives on her hands!
For someone like her, killing must be as natural as eating or drinking. She's probably struggling to hold back right now!
Urban Sea's expression remained calm, but the hand holding her teacup trembled slightly.
'Don't scare us like that. Hong Kong is a society governed by law—and America is too, right? Not just anyone can shoot on sight. And since when did you two even decide on her backstory?'
'Why would she transport firearms to San Francisco by truck? And if she made one cement pillar for every life she's taken, she'd have filled the entire Mississippi River by now!'
'We should look at everyone with a realistic, peaceful perspective. Maybe Sham just has a fierce expression and is actually a kind person…'
Urban Sea secretly glanced at Sham's face, then closed her eyes again.
That expression... only someone who had paved the entire Mississippi River with cement could make a face like that.
Forget driving non-stop for two days to deliver guns—if you told her Sham had bombed the Pentagon, Urban Sea would believe it.
'Surely she'll at least give us a chance to explain, right?'
'In that case, why not offer up a scapegoat and pin all the blame on her? Sorry, but that scapegoat can't be me—my little sister is waiting for me to come home—'
The three of them blinked rapidly at each other, exchanging silent signals. Sham watched them coldly for a long moment before finally speaking. "Aren't you guys hungry?"
"I don't want hair-infused milk tea!" Platinum shook her head in terror.
Back when Platinum used to watch Hong Kong films, she'd seen scenes where torturers would chop strands of hair into tiny pieces, mix them into milk tea, and force people to drink it. Since hair isn't digestible, it would get tangled in the intestines, causing unbearable pain.
No doubt, Sham's real meaning in asking was that she had a craving for children—or maybe she was preparing to satisfy her... psychological needs.
Urban Sea facepalmed. 'Oh no, she cracked first.'
In the wild, once you show fear in front of a predator, it will swarm and tear you to pieces. Unfortunately, it seemed Platinum would be the sacrificial offering this time.
Just then, Agnes Digital shakily raised her hand, her expression fearful but resolute.
'The student council president entrusted me... to take care of this child…'
Under such circumstances, how could she back down?
In the name of Agnes Digital, the number one fan of Uma Musumes, she must protect every adorable filly in the world!
Sniffle... Oh, Three Goddesses, you must approve of my actions, right? Will I make it to heaven after this?
And so, Agnes Digital spoke.
"Heh... heh... I am... a little... hungry..."
Agnes Digital!
Platinum stared at her in disbelief, never imagining she would stand up at a time like this.
Agnes Digital!
Urban Sea slowly shook her head, partly amused by Agnes Digital's dedication, but also feeling ashamed in front of her. Sniffle, how despicable I am... Sea the Stars, I'm not worthy of being your sister.
The swindler's gaze, sharp as a blade, shifted to Agnes Digital. Her shark-like teeth seemed to part slowly, exhaling an icy, piercing aura.
"Any dietary restrictions?"
"Uh... none?" Agnes Digital was stunned.
"What about you two?"
"Um... I don't eat spicy food," Urban Sea replied, bewildered.
"...I can't handle greasy food," Platinum added, equally confused.
"Got it."
Sham slowly rose, her shadow falling over the three faces.
Her fierce eyes scanned each of them one by one, as if looking at their funeral portraits.
Then, she tied on an apron and stalked into the kitchen, step by step, a cold sneer on her face. Soon, the clattering of pots and pans echoed from within.
Not long after, four bowls of plain noodle soup were placed before them.
Sham, still wearing the apron, returned to the sofa and sat down, legs spread, one arm resting on her knee. With each breath, the phoenix tattoo coiled around her waist seemed to come alive. All she needed now was a cigarette dangling from her lips to complete the picture.
A cruel smile hung on Sham's lips as she spoke, slowly and deliberately.
"You're all East Asian. I've lived in the States for a long time, so I'm not sure if this is how it's done here."
"If there's anything you're not satisfied with, just let me know."
The three of them stared at the plain noodle soup in front of them, then at the smirking Sham, feeling a sense of bewildering disillusionment.
--+--
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.