The spectators who came to watch the race because of Daiwa Scarlet, even though they didn't see that honor student take the lead and claim victory…
…Their hearts held not a trace of regret or disappointment. Instead, most were deeply shocked and thrilled!
"Platinum!! Platinum!!"
"As long as she doesn't get injured, she'll definitely become a G1 winner in the classics!"
"A racehorse girl this adorable must put on an amazing Winner's Stage performance, right?!"
As the chatter rose from the crowd…
--+--
On the track, the other racehorse girls crossed the finish line one after another.
Compared to the visible frustration and dejection of those who failed to debut successfully, Platinum—the first to cross the line—wore the calmest, most composed expression of them all.
In the assassin girl's mind, a pleasant thought drifted in.
'With this, my debut's a success.'
'Next up… I can properly prepare for the [Irregular Triple Crown].'
Platinum knew full well that the only noteworthy rival in this debut race had been Daiwa Scarlet.
But no matter how talented Scarlet was, right now, she was still extremely young—a racehorse girl who wouldn't challenge the Triple Crown until next year. She hadn't fully matured yet.
If Uma Musume competing in the classics could be called young, and those a year older in the older horse division were at their prime or peak… then a little rookie like Daiwa Scarlet, still hovering around her debut, wasn't far off from being in her infancy.
As for the Irregular Triple Crown? The opponents there might not be that much more talented than Scarlet, but their overall skill and strength would undoubtedly be on a whole other level. She'd have to take things much more seriously.
'When the time comes, I can try out some different running styles too.'
Having experienced the [Chaser] tactic, Platinum didn't believe she was limited to just one strategy.
In her eyes—
An assassin's virtue was simply ensuring the kill. There was no need to cling to a single method—whatever worked best was the right choice.
'Uma Musume only need to pour their hearts into the race and run with all their might. But for an assassin like me in the rear? There's a lot more to consider…'
As Platinum continued mulling over the race, a certain red-haired girl—Daiwa Scarlet—was walking toward her, steps slightly unsteady.
That famously diligent honor student was biting her lip, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Scarlet's drive to win was well-known even within Tracen Academy. How could she possibly accept defeat so easily?
Especially not by a crushing five-length gap! This wasn't some narrow, half-length loss!
"Congratulations… that was a beautiful win."
Despite everything, the honor student in Scarlet forced herself to maintain proper etiquette, offering polite words to the victor.
Facing Scarlet's words, Platinum gave a slight nod before responding.
"You did plenty well yourself. I had a great time."
It was genuine praise, straight from the heart.
But in front of her, Scarlet's fists clenched, her breathing heavy and drawn-out.
For someone as fiercely competitive as her, having an opponent enjoy the race was far worse than simply being beaten. This loss would be carved into her bones.
"Can I ask… are you aiming for the [Classic Triple Crown] or the [Fillies Triple Crown] next year?"
It was obvious—Scarlet was already planning her revenge for next year.
But when Platinum heard the question, her cool, delicate face twisted into something complicated.
Finally, the assassin girl answered frankly.
"No, not next year. I'm challenging this year's Triple Crown."
Daiwa Scarlet: ???
…How?
This year's Triple Crown races had already started—the Satsuki Sho had been utterly dominated by none other than Agnes Tachyon, of all people!
Jumping in now was practically suicide in terms of difficulty. And even if she won, she'd only be able to claim two crowns at most, right?
Why pass up a shot at next year's full Triple Crown for a high-risk, low-reward Two-Crown attempt this year?
The voluptuous redhead's pupils shrank in shock—her first instinct was that she'd misheard.
But for Platinum? Now that she'd cleared her debut mission and won her first race… wasn't it time to clock out?
Without another word, Platinum turned on her heel, ready to head back the way she came and make her exit.
Before she could press further about the Triple Crown, Scarlet suddenly called out with a reminder.
"Platinum, you're going the wrong way. The Winner's Stage isn't over there."
Instantly, Platinum froze mid-step.
The composed, unflappable Kuranta girl—who hadn't even batted an eye after winning—was now rooted to the spot, completely stunned.
???!!!
Platinum: ???
"Guh—"
"Wait, there's a Winner's Stage too?!"
Her refined, icy expression shattered in an instant, replaced by sheer disbelief.
Winner's Stage—?!
For most racehorse girls, standing on that stage as the star was the ultimate honor.
Only the victor had the right to take center stage, while the other high-ranking finishers would serve as backup dancers, putting on a dazzling musical and dance performance for the fans below.
Uma Musume had an idol-like nature to begin with, and post-race performances were part of the deal. As the winner, Platinum was obviously expected to share the stage with Daiwa Scarlet.
But to Platinum, this news hit like a thunderbolt—her reaction made it seem like she'd just heard something unthinkable.
For her, the real challenge wasn't the race… it was the post-race performance!
Special Week stepping onto the stage, the Winner's Stage live… the cringe, the stumble…
(T/N: Unaware of the accuracy)
In a flash, the memories resurfaced, and Platinum's petite body locked up completely.
She absolutely did not want to pull a "Special Week Special"—awkwardly flailing on stage before face-planting in front of everyone!!
The white-haired girl then recalled that in Arknights, her counterpart "Platinum" had once been an [Idol Knight]!
…Before taking a wrong turn and becoming the assassin known as Platinum in the Armorless Union.
But an Idol Knight… didn't that mean she'd have to be skilled in singing and dancing too?
'W-Wait, does that mean…?!'
It suddenly dawned on her—despite being an assassin from another world, the skills of this "Platinum" seemed perfectly suited to being a Uma Musume here!
A Kuranta girl built for speed, who also had experience as a song-and-dance idol? The transition was scarily seamless.
At this rate, her disguise as a racehorse girl wasn't just convincing—it was flawless.
So… this Winner's Stage. Should she do it? Could she do it?
After a moment of internal chaos, Platinum's panic gradually settled.
But whether or not to take the stage… that was the real dilemma.
Of course, an assassin wouldn't care about glory—her mind was only on [work], [clocking out], and… [money]!
With a soft but indifferent tone, Platinum was about to throw out some excuse to make her escape.
"You're going to gain a lot of fans after this."
"Just wait—I won't let you become a [Super Star] that easily!"
Scarlet's voice, still tinged with frustration, cut in before she could leave.
The more exceptional a racehorse girl was, the more attention—and fans—she'd inevitably draw. In many ways, they were no different from idols or celebrities.
And only the brightest star of a generation could earn the title of Super Star. Past holders of that distinction—legends like Oguri Cap and Tokai Teio—were all towering figures of their eras.
Even now, Scarlet didn't take Platinum's "this year's Triple Crown" claim seriously. In her mind, Platinum was still just a rival for next year's crown races.
"Hah? Super Star?"
The petite, fair-skinned Pegasus girl's post-work relaxation came to an abrupt halt. It was like a lightbulb had gone off—her fleeing footsteps stuttering to a stop.
For this greedy little horsegirl—who raced purely for prize money and to fund her medical pursuits—the words "star" or "super star" immediately translated to one thing:
Big money. Easy big money.
'Ah, right! Uma Musume are basically idols, aren't they?!'
'I remember—in the anime, Tokai Teio's room was plastered with posters of Symboli Rudolf. And the arcade machines were full of chibi merch of famous racehorse girls!'
'In other words, top-tier Uma Musume are no different from idols. They rake in prize money and make bank off fan merch. It's a literal gold mine!!'
And now… she had a shot at becoming one of those gold mines? A Super Star who could milk fans for all they were worth?
For a money-grubbing, black-hearted doctor disguised as a Pegasus girl… that was way too tempting.
The effort-to-reward ratio was insanely skewed—minimal work for massive returns. How could Platinum not be interested?
'If I ditch the Winner's Stage and disappoint the fans…'
'They won't just not become supporters—they might turn into anti-fans! And then no more money for me!'
After a brief internal struggle, the Pegasus girl gritted her teeth and finally came to a difficult decision.
--+--