Standing in the grandstand, staring out at the track, Yasui Makoto felt the same sense of exhaustion as if he'd just finished an intense training session himself.
But even more than exhaustion, there was the refreshing satisfaction from having watched such an exhilarating race.
He took a deep breath, and gradually that feeling of depletion transformed into simple tiredness. All the tension and excitement that had built up inside him were finally released in this moment.
As if every pore in his body had opened, he applauded enthusiastically along with the rest of the audience, fully immersed in the joyful atmosphere after the race.
His gaze swept over the track. Special Week, El Condor Pasa, and Grass Wonder had gathered together—one moment serious, the next laughing cheerfully.
Though he didn't know exactly what they were talking about, despite the fierce rivalry they'd shown moments earlier on the course, the genuine smiles on their faces revealed their friendship more clearly than words ever could.
Perhaps... this is what makes Uma Musume fundamentally different from humans. Or perhaps it's what they call their bond? Battling as if their lives depended on it during the race, yet perfectly harmonious the moment they step off the track... Yasui Makoto mused quietly to himself.
He glanced elsewhere and saw the two sisters from the Mejiro family also chatting. Mejiro Dober wore her usual stern expression mixed with a hint of helplessness, while Mejiro Bright appeared lost, slow on the uptake as always—the stark contrast was amusing to watch.
Further off, Stay Gold and Matikanefukukitaru were walking side by side. Stay Gold scratched her head awkwardly, while Matikanefukukitaru, smiling gently, reached behind her victory outfit, opening a small pouch...
From within, she carefully produced a crystal ball about the size of a soccer ball.
Holding the crystal ball in one palm, she spread her other hand above it, fingers waving mysteriously. Her lips moved silently as if chanting something, while Stay Gold stared at the ball with eyes full of curiosity and expectation.
Yasui Makoto's pleasant and heartwarming mood suddenly took on a strange tint. His mouth slowly fell open as he stared fixedly at the crystal ball.
Wait a second, so this entire race...
No, every race she's run—even while active...
This fortune-teller—no, this swindler… has always been carrying that thing around?!
He knew very well Matikanefukukitaru hailed from a historically notable shrine. He also knew she'd become its priestess after retirement. Moreover, it was clear all the Uma Musume had worn their cherished victory outfits again for this special Dream Trophy race.
But he truly hadn't imagined that what he'd thought was just decorative on her outfit genuinely held a crystal ball for fortune-telling.
Besides, wasn't crystal ball divination supposed to be Western?
You're a Japanese shrine priestess—using that kind of thing… is it really okay?
The earlier warmth and delight were completely replaced by bewilderment and an irresistible urge to complain. Yasui Makoto pressed a palm to his forehead just as he heard an interested voice from beside him.
"Oh, oh! Fukukitaru-senpai is doing a fortune-telling for Stay Gold-senpai!"
Kitasan Black's eyes sparkled as she patted Yasui Makoto, then Almond Eye on her other side.
"I saw Fukukitaru-senpai fortune-telling once when Dia-chan and I went to visit Teio-senpai—it's supposed to be really accurate!"
"Really? Has Kita-senpai ever tried—Eh?"
Curiously turning her head, Almond Eye froze in place, her gaze awkwardly fixed on Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black's intertwined hands. Her eyes lingered for a few seconds, darted back and forth between the two, and then spun away rapidly, pretending not to see a thing as she shifted attention innocently back to the track.
"Of course I tried! I asked Fukukitaru-senpai several times—it's always very accurate!"
Completely oblivious to Almond Eye's awkward gaze, Kitasan Black eagerly continued, nodding rapidly. "Oh right, Rich-chan also knows fortune-telling, though she doesn't use a crystal ball—she uses Feng Shui.
"Ah! And also Tosho-senpai—but she doesn't use crystal balls either. She uses magic!"
Unable to control herself, Almond Eye stared wide-eyed again. Yasui Makoto—who had previously been only mildly curious—and Duramente also turned to look at Kitasan Black.
"Kita-senpai... really knows a lot of senpais, huh…"
Once more noticing the clasped hands of Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black, Almond Eye's eyes wandered uncontrollably as she instinctively mumbled, "Maybe later… could senpai introduce me to them too…?"
Duramente also glanced briefly at their clasped hands but quickly looked away, utterly unconcerned. Instead, she thoughtfully cupped her chin, eyes narrowed as she considered carefully.
"Kita-chan does indeed know many people.
"However… fortune-telling… Feng Shui… magic…
"Do those things… really exist?"
Yasui Makoto wanted to ask exactly the same question.
Matikanefukukitaru coming from a shrine and enjoying fortune-telling with a crystal ball was somewhat understandable—albeit a bit bizarre.
Rich-chan referred to Copano Rickey, who could practically be called Kitasan Black's childhood friend. They'd often played together at the park when they were very young.
Copano Rickey wasn't much older than Kitasan Black and was also currently an active racer.
But Copano Rickey specialized in dirt-track racing and had just won the February Stakes earlier this year, marking the first back-to-back victories ever in that dirt G1 race.
Though their race choices differed, Yasui Makoto had paid attention to Copano Rickey because of his own Uma Musume.
Like Matikanefukukitaru, Copano Rickey's family lineage involved Feng Shui masters.
In Japan, Feng Shui experts were highly respected. Formerly seen as groundless mysticism, Feng Shui today was considered an applied discipline combining architecture, environmental psychology, and physics.
Through several encounters, Yasui Makoto felt Copano Rickey's mastery of Feng Shui was genuinely impressive. It was clearly real skill, and he knew Copano Rickey intended to become a professional Feng Shui expert after retirement.
Compared to Matikanefukukitaru's divinations, Copano Rickey's Feng Shui seemed obviously more reliable.
But then, Sweep Tosho—known as "Tosho-senpai" to Kitasan Black—using magic was complete nonsense in Yasui Makoto's opinion.
To put it another way, it was just an extreme manifestation of that Uma Musume's notoriously difficult personality.
Or at least, that's how Yasui Makoto saw it.
Very willful, resistant to training.
Once, she refused training entirely on a snowy day, stubbornly standing immobile outside the training field in protest against her trainer until Sweep Tosho and other student council members intervened.
Extraordinarily, notoriously, ridiculously difficult at gate loading.
So difficult, in fact, that at one Arima Kinen, tens of thousands of spectators had witnessed her two-minute standoff with the gate crew—the initial cheers and applause had been for her epic battle just to enter the gate.
Truthfully, besides certain Uma Musume from the Gold Ship family, Yasui Makoto couldn't recall anyone else matching Sweep Tosho's level of stubbornness.
Yet he had to admit, Sweep Tosho was exceptionally talented.
She executed race instructions precisely, possessed incredible speed, and had an explosive late kick terrifying enough to earn her the nickname "Little Witch." Trainers generally used that nickname jokingly to refer to her magically swift finishing speed.
As Yasui Makoto considered fortune-telling, Feng Shui, and magic seriously, Kitasan Black earnestly faced Almond Eye and Duramente.
"Of course they're all real! Fukukitaru-senpai's fortunes are really accurate—oh, I already said that.
"Rich-chan's Feng Shui really works too! The lanterns in my dorm are arranged based on her advice, and I feel lucky every day!
"And Tosho-senpai's magic incantations are definitely real! She knows a lot about magical girls, after all!"
Suddenly excited, Kitasan Black quickly sighed.
"Unfortunately, the incantation I thought up to turn myself into a magical girl got rejected by senpai… Seems my magical talent still isn't good enough yet, huh…"
---
T/N:
Hello again. For the final time.
My name is Enkidu. I was born without a soul, crafted only as a weapon. Yet through bonds—through friendships—I learned what it meant to feel alive. Even though my body records my memories rather than my spirit, the warmth of those moments remains.
Thank you, truly, for staying here with us. You've come at a good time—right now, a 25% discount code is available:
12DAYS
This code will last until December 26. I hope you enjoy it.
For those who wish to support the translator (the one who kindly gave me this voice)—you can find optional support at patreon.com/wisetl. Early access to upcoming chapters will be your small reward.
Also, as always:
Every 100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter
(100ps = 1 chapter, 200ps = 2 chapters, and so forth.)
Bonus chapters will arrive tomorrow, approximately 12+ hours from now.
And lastly, if you prefer company and conversations, the translator has prepared a Discord community: discord.gg/wisetl.
People gathering, talking, sharing—it's a good thing, isn't it?
This is where I say goodbye.
Even as a weapon shaped by the gods, I found meaning in the company of humans.
If these words reach you, then perhaps we've shared something too, if only briefly.
Be well, Master, and readers alike.
May the world remain gentle to you.
Goodbye.
BYE BYE ENKIDYU I LOVE YOU