[Race completed. Skill has been automatically disabled.]
[Detected host victory in debut race. System officially bound.]
[Optional quest updated: Winner's Stage]
[Quest Reward: None]
Twilight Song's expression darkened immediately.
What did that mean? So, the system only became official after winning her debut race? If she'd spent her lifespan and still lost, she'd have ended up with no system and just a one-year countdown to death?
And what about this optional quest—[Winner's Stage]? You couldn't even toss in a piece of candy?
Even a cheap lollipop would've done!
Amid the thunderous cheers shaking the stands, Twilight Song merely lifted her gaze briefly to take in the sight, then turned away without hesitation, heading into the dark tunnel leading off the track.
[Oh? If I gave you a cheap lollipop now, would you climb up and dance on the Winner's Stage?]
Wouldn't that obviously make sense?
I wouldn't do it even if you gave me a whole box of Alpenliebe candies.
[Why not? There's nothing bad about the Winner's Stage.]
True, there wasn't anything bad about it. But for her, going up wasn't necessary—or rather, not stepping onto that stage was very necessary.
Do you think there are any Uma Musume who'd refuse the Winner's Stage?
[Well, obviously, there aren't.]
"Exactly. Then wouldn't a legendary Uma Musume who never stood on that stage seem particularly unforgettable and unique?"
Especially if she died spectacularly on the track at the very moment she reached legend status.
Twilight Song could've sworn she heard a sharp intake of breath.
[Huh? So, you're going to refuse the Winner's Stage just so people will remember you more distinctly?]
"Isn't that enough?"
Isn't that enough? Of course it was. If it meant the name "Twilight Song" would remain etched in Uma Musume history, then so be it.
A year was terribly short, but if her name and story could remain forever recorded…
Then, in the history of Uma Musume, wouldn't her "life" be incredibly long?
It would at least dispel some of the lingering gloom.
[You really are an irrationally rational lunatic. Fine, fine. By the way, don't you want to check your remaining time?]
Without hesitation, Twilight Song obediently opened her status panel—this mysterious voice never spoke without reason, and she knew that well.
[Twilight Song | Remaining Lifespan: 362 days, 15 hours, and exactly 21 seconds.]
What's going on…?
[Exactly 20 seconds.]
Normally, she should still have 365 days, right? Even if she'd activated her [Skill], it was just double consumption—no matter how she calculated it, that short race shouldn't have cost her that much time.
[Exactly 19 seconds.]
An overwhelming wave of exhaustion hit Twilight Song without warning. Her entire body suddenly felt formless, threatening to collapse.
Thankfully, she'd been leaning against the wall, which prevented her from crashing straight onto the floor.
[See, why were you in such a rush back there? You thought having a year meant you'd simply vanish after the last second? That's not how it works.]
[Exactly 15 seconds.]
[Your one-year countdown means you only have a year left before your terminal illness claims your life. That's how it is.]
But… even so, it shouldn't have drained this much lifespan, right?
Twilight Song lowered her eyes, teeth gritted as she forced herself to tear her gaze away from the panel, which seemed almost welded to her vision.
Exactly 12 seconds…
[Seriously, why are you suddenly being so stupid? Okay, let me put it more bluntly. You're basically a terminal patient. You should've been resting quietly to preserve your lifespan.]
In other words…
[Exactly. One year was your maximum theoretical lifespan, achievable only by diligently resting and following medical advice.]
Twilight Song closed her eyes in agony. Unable to support herself any longer, she slid awkwardly down the wall and collapsed onto the ground, trembling all over as she leaned forward.
An invisible hand gripped her heart tightly, accompanied by a sickening sweetness rising in her throat.
[See? Racing naturally consumes your already limited lifespan. It literally burns your life away, just like your Skill's name suggests.]
…
[No reply? Then I'll keep talking. Admit it, you're actually terrified of dying, right?]
[Even your desperate desire to keep racing is just your way of trying to escape that fear by convincing yourself you'll live forever through history.]
…?
She should've snapped back at this annoyingly provocative voice.
Yet, her body felt impossibly heavy, and words failed her. Rather, it wasn't just her body refusing to speak—it was her mind that could find no argument.
Who wouldn't fear death?
Who wouldn't fear death?!
[How about quietly enjoying your last moments in this world, like a peaceful plant? Perhaps you can find friendship here—this is the 2D paradise so many people dream of, after all.]
No need.
[Really? It must be hard being alone.]
That still doesn't matter.
Make friends, get attached, and then suddenly spit blood and die? Such cruelty would be unforgivable.
No. Quietly burning alone, becoming a legend remembered by everyone—wasn't that enough? After all, it wasn't as though she had a choice, right?
The cold reality was she'd die in about a year anyway.
Slowly, painfully, Twilight Song rose again, leaning heavily against the wall as she headed toward the exit.
[Are you really okay with this? You'll have nobody left. Nothing but empty cheers from faceless fans.]
"Don't I still have you?"
Not that it mattered either way, but at least this voice was qualified as someone to chat with.
[Oh, actually, I'm about to leave. My time here is up.]
…
…What?
[Hmm—think of me as a tutorial guide. You'll only see me once in your entire life.]
"Oh… then leave. You can go now."
Indecision only caused more trouble. If it was just silence, she'd bear it.
[How heartless… I'll look forward to the day you regret this. Oh well, until next lifetime, then?]
Next lifetime? Would she even have a next lifetime? Hah.
Still, at least say goodbye properly.
"Well then—farewell forever."
Echoing footsteps accompanied her slow movements forward. Twilight Song kept walking until she reached the last turn, standing frozen at the entrance to a dimly lit corridor.
"Still here?"
"You really left, huh…"
No response. It was real, after all. What kind of game tutorial would lie?
Now she truly had to start learning how to appreciate her brief life alone.
Remember, Twilight Song: For someone about to die, loneliness is the best companion.
Don't even dare hope for friendship.
Turning down the hallway, stepping onto the stairs, Twilight Song took a deep breath despite the lingering pain in her chest. She forced down the weakness and bitterness caused by her illness, standing tall once again.
Just go. At least return to your place first, then—
Start preparing for the next race.