Who is it?
The girl had three words running through her mind.
Seeing the other party beckoning her over, it seemed she was being summoned.
But the black-haired girl still had the same two words.
Who is that!
"My, it seems you don't quite know yourself yet, Black Crystal Flower. Besides you, there's no one else here."
Sirius Symboli reached out a hand towards her, a pleased curve gracing her lips.
Though, with her face just freshly wiped, strands of brown hair clung to her cheeks, glinting under the sun.
Is this girl alright?
Sunday Serenity couldn't help but wonder.
Still, she obediently walked over.
"For me to have committed such an undignified act in front of others, what a disgraceful blunder."
Sirius Symboli, like a gentleman, placed a hand over her chest and bowed to her.
"Oh my..."
Maruzensky touched her cheek, surprised that this quiet little park had someone else in it.
And judging by the black tail swaying unconsciously behind the other girl, she was an Uma Musume.
What is Sirius-chan calling her over for?
"Black Crystal Flower, do you know who I am?"
After the black-haired girl approached, Sirius Symboli asked.
She shook her head.
"Hmph, as I thought." The girl sneered, "It seems the news of my, Sirius Symboli's, return hasn't reached everyone's ears."
"Well, you only just returned today. No matter what, news couldn't travel that fast..."
It would take at least until the next day to hit the news sections for Uma Musume.
What's she so impatient about? Maruzensky watched the girl, whose mind was still addled from motion sickness.
"Sirius Symboli..."
Hearing the name, the black-haired girl's ears twitched, and her tail gave an involuntary sweep.
Sirius Symboli noted the detail.
"Oh? So you have heard that name?"
"You're the Uma Musume who went on an overseas campaign?" she asked.
"So you do know me, Black Crystal Flower." Like an actor in a play, Sirius Symboli raised her arm, "That's right. I am the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius Symboli."
She let out a haughty, unyielding laugh.
"I heard about you from Tokai Teio."
"Tokai Teio?"
"She's a new student at Tracen, enrolled after you went abroad. But if you heard it from Tokai Teio, that means you're a Tracen student too, right?"
Maruzensky looked at her.
"Correct." The girl answered without hesitation.
"I see. Well, no matter who you heard it from, after my next race, I will make sure the entire Uma Musume racing world knows that the brightest star who went overseas has now returned."
"Next race?"
"Seeing as you're a Tracen student, I'll let you in on a little secret. The race I'm entering next is the [Mainichi Okan] in a few weeks."
"I knew it!"
A man suddenly burst from the bushes nearby, clutching a large plastic sign under his arm and holding a camera.
"Speaking of recent major stakes races, it had to be the upcoming [Mainichi Okan]. I knew Sirius Symboli would aim for that one too."
"My, isn't this Reporter Fujii? What are you doing here?" Seeing the man with grass still stuck in his hair, Sirius Symboli frowned.
"You weren't... following us, were you...?" Maruzensky said with a smile, though her tone was laced with danger.
"No, no, no, absolutely not!" He shook his head vehemently, "This is just on my way back to the company! I just happened to run into you again! Look, isn't that sports car parked right over there? I saw the car Sirius Symboli got into and wondered if you might be in the park. I didn't actually expect to find you."
"Even so, eavesdropping is not good behavior, Reporter Fujii." Maruzensky warned.
"On that point... I have no defense."
However, since he hadn't done anything as extreme as actually stalking them, Maruzensky didn't press further.
"Speaking of entering the [Mainichi Okan], I suppose your ultimate goal must be the Autumn [Tenno Sho]."
After all, the [Mainichi Okan] was known as the precursor to the [Tenno Sho].
"This is just my speculation, but if Sirius Symboli's reason for returning is to meet that person, then it's highly likely that person will appear in the [Tenno Sho]."
"That person?" The black-haired girl voiced her question.
"The Nameless Phantom who appears on the racetrack! And you are...?"
"A Tracen student." The girl replied simply. "The reason Sirius Symboli returned... could it be to meet that Black Uma Musume?"
"That's what she herself says."
As if seeking confirmation, the girl looked at her.
"Indeed. It is precisely to meet her that I chose to return. So I will enter every race, until I encounter her on the track."
"Why?"
"Because this is a trial, Black Crystal Flower. Only by passing this trial can one reach greater heights."
Having said that, Sirius Symboli turned to the reporter and asked, "How do you know she will appear in the [Tenno Sho]?"
"Actually, I don't know for sure. I just thought, with Tamamo Cross, Maruzensky, Sirius Symboli—so many top-level Uma Musume entering—that Black Uma Musume probably wouldn't miss this race."
"So it was just your prediction."
"Right. I felt that someone who made her debut by challenging a monster of Narita Brian's caliber wouldn't pass up this race."
He rummaged in his bag. "I've compiled information on all the promising Uma Musume. Their past races are all listed here, which I use to predict future entries. Several of them are slated to run in the [Mainichi Okan]."
He pulled out a stack of neatly organized documents.
Sirius Symboli glanced at them, then snorted dismissively.
"Not needed."
No matter who it was, she would defeat them all with unwavering resolve.
"I'll take a look." The black-haired girl suddenly spoke up. Reporter Fujii handed the documents to her.
The listed entries for the race included: The Japanese Derby Winner Uma Musume, 'The Pioneer Who Stands Alone', Sirius Symboli.
The breaker of the Nakayama mile course record, 'The Stage's Young Lady', Dyna Actress.
The runner-up in the Spring [Emperor's Award], Running Free.
The winner of major stakes races, the front-running 'Track King', Fresh Voice.
The fierce and brave, seven races with five wins, Bold Northman.
And the rising new star, undefeated in local and central circuits, 'The Grey Monster', Oguri Cap.
Although it was a GII race, the field was no less impressive than a GI.
"Good stuff..."
"Right? It took me considerable effort to compile this." Reporter Fujii puffed up with pride.
"Can I get a copy?"
"Huh?"
This was his exclusive intel.
"Of course, I won't take it for nothing. I can also tell you some exclusive information of mine."
"Is it about the entrants?"
"Not exactly a formal entrant. But as a reporter, you'd definitely be interested."
"W-What is it?"
Reporter Fujii thought he glimpsed golden eyes hidden behind the sunglasses.
The girl rose on her tiptoes and whispered softly in his ear.
"The Black Phantom you're looking for... will appear at the [Mainichi Okan]."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.