The three arrived at the training track.
Perhaps due to similar personalities, Tokai Teio and Curren Chan got along shockingly well. Even though it was only a short walk, they talked nonstop! From racing to daily life, it was like one frog jumping onto a lily pad, and another following close behind—their brainwaves synchronized surprisingly well, clicking instantly on every single topic.
Sometimes Garden Gale couldn't help but wonder: If my system had been given to these two instead…
Then… exactly how strong of an Umamusume would have emerged?
Would they have shattered every record and become the strongest?
She genuinely thought this way.
Because, as it turned out, the system landing in her hands simply couldn't unleash its full potential.
Returning to the topic—Garden Gale wasn't sure if it was her imagination or if she was overthinking it, but even though Tokai Teio and Curren Chan were chatting super happily, she occasionally felt... like Tokai Teio's gaze kept drifting onto her, observing her.
Why's she looking at me? Because I'm perfectly cosplaying as a mute?
Such thoughts lingered.
...
The trio didn't arrive at Team LOCK's training grounds this time—but at the public track.
There were quite a few other Umamusume present.
Everyone occupied their own little space, training independently without bothering each other. Tokai Teio did exactly this. She walked straight ahead and immediately started warming up. Curren Chan watched her attentively, clearly trying to learn from her.
But Tokai Teio kept looking toward Garden Gale.
Looking at Garden Gale, who just stood motionless on the spot.
She raised an eyebrow.
Then, smiling, she asked, "Did you sleep well last night, GG-san?"
"Ah." Garden Gale shook her head frankly. "Not really… I trained until 3 AM yesterday and only slept a little."
"But you went back pretty early last night," Tokai Teio nodded thoughtfully.
Curren Chan was instantly shocked.
Trained until three in the morning!? Are you even human?
If you're human, Curren Chan will literally eat her hat.
How could anyone train until three AM!? Wasn't she tired? Curren Chan would feel completely drained after just half a day of focused training. And Tokai Teio was actually saying that Garden Gale went home "pretty early" last night—did that mean she usually trained even later? Did she train nonstop, night after night? So hardcore... No wonder President Rudolf praised her roommate.
A lightning bolt seemed to pierce her mind.
Curren Chan suddenly understood why Garden Gale passed out earlier today—lack of sleep! She'd been sleeping close to morning every day; of course she was exhausted. Was her body even okay? Seriously, was nobody going to advise her to rest? Were they all okay letting her keep training at that intensity?
This night training maniac!
Garden Gale, meanwhile, realized something important as well.
Since I've already started pretending, might as well do it thoroughly. Might as well push it to the limit. She wanted control of the situation, and this way, even if she didn't train, she'd still have an excuse. It wouldn't be suspicious anymore.
Following Tokai Teio's lead, she smoothly continued the act, calmly smiling, "Ah… Last night was indeed early. Well, guess I'll train more tonight."
"So, the rumor that GG-san always trains until 4 AM—wait, it wasn't a rumor, it was actually true…" Tokai Teio once again bowed internally to Garden Gale's dedication. She admitted she worked hard, but compared to Garden Gale, her own efforts still fell slightly short.
Gotta keep pushing myself!
Garden Gale just kept smiling faintly, saying nothing.
But in truth, the fingers hidden within her sleeves… had already begun trembling! This was the first time she'd so brazenly seized an opportunity to create an excuse. In reality, anyone who saw her actually run would instantly realize…
She had to avoid running at all costs.
She couldn't even train—just standing and watching quietly.
Or else the truth would be exposed, and she'd be doomed!
But just as this thought appeared, another Umamusume approached, directly calling out: "You're Garden Gale-san, right?"
Come on, why do all of you open conversations exactly the same way? Are you trained at the same damn place? It's getting stale! Stop asking, I'm not, no, just go away! Who even are you!? Why are you coming over hereeeee!?
She forced herself to slow her breathing, steady her heart, and maintain… a calm expression.
Please don't ask me to run… Wait, no, it shouldn't happen. It's not like everyone is Air Shakur.
"Yes," Garden Gale nodded immediately.
Facing her stood a blonde Umamusume.
"Let me introduce myself—I'm Narita Top Road. Your opponent six days from now—at your debut race." Narita Top Road patted her chest, friends standing behind her, fixing her gaze squarely upon Garden Gale.
Debut race.
Hearing that term again, the mood instantly darkened.
Right...
No matter how much I avoid it… the debut race six days from now is unavoidable. Moreover… this was the first time she truly felt the reality of her debut race. Previously, it had always felt vague, like a distant memory retrieved from her diary.
But now...
An Umamusume was standing before her.
Explicitly declaring that they'd be competing against each other in six days.
Reality struck hard.
Narita Top Road continued, ignoring everyone else: "I've heard your name. You're one of the two prodigies of our Junior Division, standing alongside Tokai Teio. Maybe incredibly strong—stronger than anyone here—and incredibly dedicated. More than once I've heard how you train past midnight. Aside from popularity at our debut, where I have the advantage, you surpass me in every other way."
"I know I probably can't outrun you…"
"But."
Garden Gale had an extremely ominous feeling.
"I wanna race you—right now."
In Narita Top Road's eyes burned a fierce defiance.
Tokai Teio and Curren Chan, along with Narita Top Road's friends, all turned their attention toward the two girls standing face-to-face at the track.
---
T/N: I LOVE NTR!
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl