"Why'd you have to drag me out at this hour?" Platinum rubbed her eyes, yawning incessantly.
The thin mist on the horizon gradually dissipated under the sunlight, revealing yet another beautifully sunny day.
Agnes Digital stood beside Platinum, nodding repeatedly.
It wasn't that she agreed with Platinum's complaint; rather, Agnes Digital hadn't processed a single sound from the outside world, still suspended in that hazy state where dreams and reality intertwine.
"I gave you two whole days to adjust to the time and environment here. That's quite lenient, I'd say."
Agnes Tachyon, already changed into her tracksuit, stood in front of the two, calling out to them.
"And you too, Agnes Digital. I did warn you both beforehand to ensure you get adequate rest, didn't I? Or do you also need a little help with some melatonin?"
At those words, Agnes Digital immediately recalled the white pills she'd seen in Platinum's hand yesterday and snapped awake instantly.
"Reporting, ma'am! No need! Soldier Digital is ready for action!" Agnes Digital immediately stood at attention.
"And you, Platinum." Agnes Tachyon's gaze shifted to Platinum's still-dazed face. "I'll say it again, I'm not forcing you, but don't forget our agreement."
Hearing this, and remembering that her hope for a cure still rested in Agnes Tachyon's hands, Platinum jolted awake too!
"Reporting, ma'am! Soldier Platinum is ready to go through fire and water without flinching!" Platinum snapped to attention.
Watching Agnes Tachyon and Platinum, Agnes Digital's eyes darted around shrewdly.
Her mind wasn't currently occupied with that kind of speculation about these two.
Under normal circumstances, Agnes Digital's little head would already be bursting with endless inspiration, but right now she didn't have the leisure for that.
Just what is the relationship between these two?
She still remembered Agnes Tachyon's explosive statement yesterday clearly.
It practically sounded like a vow announcing that the flower was already taken.
By standard procedure, Manhattan Cafe could already be on the floor, dramatically pounding the ground and crying like the black-maned archetype she is.
But based on Agnes Digital's understanding of Agnes Tachyon, only about fifty percent of the words coming out of her mouth have been filtered through her brain—meaning there's a fifty percent chance of distortion.
Anything slipping past Tachyon's lips requires verification from multiple sources and cross-referencing.
Besides... judging by today's dynamic, it was blatantly obvious that Agnes Tachyon had tamed Platinum, not the other way around.
But then again, you could never be sure. What if Platinum was the type of tough character who put on a meek front?
All in all, it was the first time Agnes Digital felt her roommate seemed so unfamiliar.
"What are you thinking about?" Agnes Tachyon pressed a hand down on Agnes Digital's head. "You're the main act today, no slacking off."
"O... okay."
"And Platinum." Agnes Tachyon then pointed a finger at Platinum. "Same goes for you."
"You're always complaining that my explanations are too disorganized, too simplified, too hard to understand. This time, I've found you a good teacher to soothe your poor brain."
Platinum pouted. "I feel like you're calling me stupid."
Wasn't it you who was the unqualified teacher? Even if I bear one percent of the blame, don't you have ninety-nine percent of the problems?
"Not at all. I'm merely stating that you've chosen the life path that best plays to your strengths and avoids your weaknesses." Agnes Tachyon looked at Platinum with benevolent eyes.
Just go along with it. Just go along with it and get it over with.
"Agnes Digital is a quite famous dual-style Uma Musume. She's also previously participated in races in Hong Kong and is familiar with the turf courses and rules here. Training with Agnes Digital will speed up your adaptation process."
Agnes Digital raised her hands and clapped them in the air, raising her voice a couple notches: "There are only half a month left until the special race! You need to get yourselves conditioned within these two weeks!"
"Agnes Digital, you need to recapture the feeling you had during your active days. I know it might be asking a lot, but since you've decided to run, you should run beautifully."
"Platinum..." Agnes Tachyon looked deeply at Platinum, enunciating each word slowly.
"You need to take first place. With your ability, you can do it."
Platinum choked up, her eyes widening comically.
She recalled what Agnes Tachyon had said to her before they left.
["If you don't win first place, I'll kill you."]
Geez, is this guy for real?
I don't want that!
Platinum shakily raised her hand. "Um... are you sure?"
"Even in games, you need to grind levels before taking on the boss without mods. Expecting me to beat Golden Sixty now... isn't that a bit of a joke?"
It wasn't that Platinum lacked confidence. She had plenty of it, enough to sass both Flightline and Secretariat. If they weren't currently in Hong Kong, she'd probably sass Golden Sixty too too.
What was that saying? If you ask me, they're not as good as me. If you say otherwise, well, they still can't compare to Tokai Teio.
However, she had personally experienced the terror of these champion racehorses.
During that brief parallel run with Symboli Rudolf, Platinum had felt it—in those mere few meters...
She saw an insurmountable chasm.
Platinum didn't know if Symboli Rudolf had been going all out, but her relaxed demeanor certainly didn't seem feigned.
The pressure from those few minutes of running side-by-side was utterly real, feeling more exhausting than running an entire debut race.
There was still something missing between her and the likes of Symboli Rudolf. It probably wasn't anything physical, since Platinum was quite confident in her stamina. It was something else, something more... nebulous.
And Symboli Rudolf was a retired Uma Musume. The one she faced next would be the active Hong Kong champion—Golden Sixty!
Platinum hardly dared imagine how strong she must be.
What's the difference between this and challenging the final boss right out of the starter village? Treating it like a cutscene you just watch is one thing, but you don't actually go all in, right?
Even Symboli Rudolf's parting words to her were, ["Focus on protecting yourself. It's a bonus if you can learn something."]
While undoubtedly spoken out of concern, it also implied that Symboli Rudolf fully expected Platinum to be utterly crushed.
An opponent from a different dimension.
Hearing Platinum's words, Agnes Tachyon let out a derisive snort, her crimson eyes fixed intently on Platinum.
Then, she took a step, two steps, three steps towards Platinum, closing the distance until she stood right in front of her, looking down from her height.
"If you aim for first place, you might lose."
"But if you start with a casual, just-for-show attitude, you will definitely lose."
Agnes Tachyon extended her right index finger, slowly pressing it against Platinum's chest, gradually applying pressure.
"If you aren't standing on that track intending to take first place, then you are disrespecting not only yourself, but also your opponent, the spectators, and the race itself."
"I told you before, the aspects you need to polish aren't limited to just your body."
"Right now, this is the first lesson I'm teaching you."
"Maintaining a heart set on victory is the first step for you as an Uma Musume."
--+--
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.