Chapter 252: Did You Leave Your Brain on the Track?
On the racetrack, after crossing the finish line, the runners were all gasping for breath, their chests heaving violently.
They struggled to lift their heads and focus their eyes on the results board.
After seeing the rankings displayed above, completely different expressions appeared on their faces.
Some were filled with excitement and intoxicated joy; others with unwillingness and regret; still others with remorse.
After staring at the board for a while, without any warning, Sounds of Earth suddenly burst into loud laughter.
With a flick of her hand, she seemingly produced a violin and bow out of thin air. Skillfully pressing the button on the side of the instrument, she elegantly set the violin against her neck. While immersing herself in "playing," she exclaimed in delight:
"Ah, wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
"This symphony called the Arima Kinen is practically… exactly the same as in my dreams!"
"It's too wonderful!"
Her cheerful shouts mixed with the melodious violin echoed across the racetrack, as if playing a special finale for this intense race.
Hearing the music, the other runners gradually came back to their senses.
Staring at the results board, Lovely Day suddenly let out a soft laugh. There was a hint of relief in that laugh, and the strong regret, frustration, and disappointment in her eyes instantly faded away.
She turned around and walked, with slightly tired steps, toward Gold Ship not far away.
"So you're really going to retire? That's… really not something I would expect you to do."
Her tone carried both emotion and confusion.
Just like her earlier, Gold Ship was also staring at the results board.
Hearing Lovely Day's words, Gold Ship first froze for a moment, then slowly turned her head.
Looking at Lovely Day, a bright smile suddenly bloomed across her face. She raised both hands and made two playful V-signs.
"If you could guess it that easily, then I wouldn't be Gold Ship-sama!"
"Besides, you've been watching me the whole time, haven't you? I noticed it long ago."
"So? Regret picking the wrong person to focus on?"
Her voice carried her usual playful nonchalance, yet her eyes held a hint of cunning.
Lovely Day froze, as if Gold Ship had hit the mark. She subconsciously glanced to the side.
Over there, Kitasan Black stood in place. Sweat streamed down her forehead and face, soaking her black short hair so that strands clung to her cheeks.
She was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly, staring blankly at the results board, her eyes filled with disbelief at her own victory.
"…Yeah, I really didn't expect that junior… to be this strong."
Lovely Day said with emotion, slowly nodding. Her gaze returned to Gold Ship.
"Just like… you back then."
Her voice softened, filled with memories of the past.
For a moment, recollection, pride, and a trace of sentiment flashed through Gold Ship's eyes.
"Well, you can't say it like that. That girl is only just getting started. And if she becomes arrogant because of this, then she's still far from reaching my level."
She pointed her thumb at herself while speaking with a grin. Gradually, fighting spirit began to shine in her eyes as she looked toward the stands.
"Besides, it's not like I'm leaving for good, I'm just not racing here anymore."
Slightly startled, Lovely Day instinctively followed Gold Ship's gaze.
At a glance, she saw a very young trainer standing there. Beside him, Orfevre and Gentildonna seemed to be saying something with worried expressions.
Next to them were the student council vice president Deep Impact and the president Tokai Teio, who were also looking at the young trainer with concern.
Understanding instantly, Lovely Day nodded again and looked back at Gold Ship. This time there was a smile in her eyes—and the same fighting spirit.
"I see… That makes sense. I also have some things I'd like to continue discussing with them on the Dream Trophy stage."
"Of course… after I leave this place."
Her gaze withdrew from the stands. Gold Ship flashed a sharp, carefree smile, the expression full of unruly freedom. She waved a hand at Lovely Day.
"I'll cheer for you in your next race."
"But…"
With a grin, she turned and strode toward Kitasan Black.
"Be careful. Don't lose to this girl again."
Hearing that, Lovely Day narrowed her eyes slightly. She looked at Kitasan Black for a moment, then slowly turned to the very top line of the results board, curling her lips into a faint smile.
"Kitasan Black… huh. Indeed, quite a formidable… opponent."
. . .
Kitasan Black was still trapped in a feeling of bewilderment and unreality.
At this moment, it felt as if her mind were wrapped in a thick fog. Her memories were a blur, and she had no recollection whatsoever of how exactly she had run the race just now.
The only thing she could remember was the desperate, all-or-nothing sprint before the finish line—throwing everything she had into it.
And then…
She crossed the line.
And then…
She won…?
Staring at the results board, her awareness drifted. Her gaze wandered aimlessly, the noisy cheers around her seeming completely unrelated to her. She was immersed in a strange, dreamlike daze.
Suddenly, she felt an arm familiarly wrap around her shoulders. A hand pressed down on the top of her head and began rubbing it back and forth.
In the next moment, a teasing voice slipped into her ears.
"Why do you look so dumb? Don't tell me you sprinted too fast just now and dropped your brain somewhere on the track?"
She froze for a moment. Then, recognizing the familiar voice, she instinctively turned her head and smiled even before speaking.
"Gold Ship-senpai…"
Then she saw it.
Gold Ship, who had an arm around her and was rubbing her head, had tilted her head toward the track. With a completely serious expression, she was scanning the ground carefully—as if she were truly searching for a "lost brain."
"Hmm, how strange. Why can't I find it?"
She smacked her lips in exaggerated puzzlement. Turning her head back, she met Kitasan Black's slightly dazed eyes, the corners of her mouth curling upward.
"But it's fine. Even if your brain ran away, the fact that you already won the race… you should at least be able to realize that, right?"
Her tone was light, as if sharing a funny little secret.
After hearing the string of teasing remarks, Kitasan Black's face turned slightly red.
Gold Ship's appearance was like a beam of light, instantly dispersing the fog in her mind. Gradually, she began to realize what had actually happened.
"Senpai…"
She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
"This race… I… you…"
Her voice quickly trembled, as too many complicated emotions surged through her heart.
Gratitude. Excitement. Shock.
And the reluctance to part with Gold Ship, who was about to retire.
"Alright, alright."
Gold Ship interrupted her. She stepped in front of Kitasan Black, placed both hands on her shoulders, and put away her playful smile. Looking straight into her eyes, she spoke seriously.
"You did great. Really."
"This isn't my first Arima Kinen, but honestly, it's the most exhilarating one I've ever run."
"This race… Kita-chan, you won. And you won beautifully!"
After the praise, her admiring and satisfied gaze carried a trace of earnest advice.
"But remember, this is only your beginning, not the end."
"You've still got a long road ahead of you, and many more championships waiting for you to win."
"For now though… oh, right."
As if suddenly remembering something, she glanced toward the stands with a smile.
"It's about time you went to share the good news with your trainer—huh?"
Her eyes shifted slightly, and her smile suddenly froze.
Still wearing the surprised joy brought by her senpai's praise, Kitasan Black instinctively turned her head when Gold Ship did.
And when they looked toward the stands, exactly the same way—
The smile on her face froze too.
"Tra– Trainer?!"
<+>
Note:
In the original timeline (Non-Makoto World), the winner of the race would be Gold Actor, with Kitasan ranked third, and Gold Ship eight.
https://www.jbis.jp/race/result/20151227/106/10/
Here's the list:
1st: Gold Actor
2nd: Sound of Earth
3rd: Kitasan Black
4th: Marialite
5th: Lovely Day
6th: Tosen Reve
7th: Admire Deus
8th: Gold Ship
9th: One and Only
10th: Rouge Buck
11th: Albert
12th: Last Impact
13th: Hit The Target
14th: Derby Fiz
15th: Ocean Blue
16th: Lia Fail
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 314: Kita, You're Truly Amazing[1]
Link: https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/umamusume-it-all-161293563?collection=1617249[2]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/umamusume-it-all-161293563?collection=1617249
[2] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/umamusume-it-all-161293563?collection=1617249