"As she spoke, Leap of Faith put on a teary-eyed expression, looking utterly pitiful and delicate.
"How boring!" Fuji Kyoji turned on her heel and headed for the door. "I'm going back."
"There's nothing to say to someone who can't even remember other people's names."
"Hey now, don't be like that..." Leap of Faith quickly grabbed Fuji Kyoji's sleeve, frantically winking at Platinum.
Platinum understood her meaning. This was an opportunity specially created for her by Symboli Rudolf and Leap of Faith.
A chance to make up with Fuji Kyoji.
Her words at the Hanshin Racecourse back then didn't seem to have hurt Leap of Faith, but they had undoubtedly angered Fuji Kyoji. Honestly, Platinum's initial thought was simple: if they might never see each other again anyway, what did it matter if they disliked her?
It's not like I live in this world just to make you people comfortable.
Trying to find her own limits, and hopefully a cure for her illness—that was the meaning of Platinum's life now.
Of course, Platinum knew her behavior had been awful. Lashing out at others for no reason—even if her original intention was good, her actions were undeniably wrong.
But for Platinum, laying her feelings bare and enduring others' patronizing sympathy felt worse than death itself.
She'd seen enough of those looks in her previous life to last an eternity.
And as for later, causing that huge ruckus in the bar? That was pure petulance and misdirected anger, taking advantage of her Uma Musume physique to raise hell. It was downright wicked.
Though, to be fair, those two guys were jerks too.
This is how most people handle things, right? You can't possibly expect everyone in the world to like you.
But since this choice was now placed right in front of her...
Nobody likes being hated, even by a single stranger, do they?
At this point, if she still didn't take the offered chance, Platinum would have to have zero emotional intelligence.
Not that she wanted to become friends or anything, but avoiding making enemies would be the best outcome.
So, Platinum politely bowed deeply to Leap of Faith and Fuji Kyoji.
"Leap of Faith, Fuji Kyoji, I am truly sorry."
"Back at Hanshin Racecourse, I said many hurtful things that wounded you both. It was all due to my own terrible personality."
"I'm sorry, I really am."
"Saying too much might sound insincere, but my words back then weren't truly what I felt. I have great respect for my rivals, and I'm genuinely happy to be running on the same track as you."
That was the truth. Platinum was truly grateful that Hayakawa Tazuna had given her this chance, and that Leap of Faith had given her that final push from behind.
Even if it was just one sentence, that single phrase had completely changed Platinum's perspective, and in turn, changed her life.
You could say that Hayakawa Tazuna, Leap of Faith, and Symboli Rudolf—these three people had set her life on this course.
If not for them, Platinum would probably be lying in some bridge underpass right now, quietly waiting for death.
Towards these three, Platinum was filled with gratitude and respect.
"If you still feel upset, you can even slap me a few times. I hope we can clear up this misunderstanding—well, I suppose it can't really be called a misunderstanding. Anyway, I want to make peace with both of you."
Fuji Kyoji hadn't expected Platinum's apology to be so straightforward. She had thought with Platinum's personality, even if a bomb blew her up, only her mouth would remain, stubbornly intact.
Her body would be cold, but that mouth would still be going.
Truly, clinging to the mountain without relenting, regardless of the winds from east or west.
So she had braced herself, ready to retort the moment Platinum started with any sarcastic remarks.
Of course, Uma Musume are pure spirits, quite different from an old slicker like Platinum who'd spent years wallowing in the muck of a past life. Fuji Kyoji was just prepared to yell things like "You jerk!"
But instead, Platinum obediently lowered her head. Now Fuji Kyoji was at a loss, freezing on the spot. Leap of Faith, noticing Fuji Kyoji had stopped trying to leave, quietly released her sleeve and gave Platinum a thumbs up.
Well done! You've figured out Fuji Kyoji's weakness already.
"Uh, well..." Fuji Kyoji's lips moved hesitantly, and she stammered, "Don't say that... I had my share of problems too..."
"And slapping someone... that's way too harsh... let's, let's just forget it..."
"I... I'll forgive you for now, but if you act like this again in the future, I'll really..."
"Ah, right, you did have problems, escalating things and making me apologize personally," Platinum unexpectedly cut in, running with Fuji Kyoji's words. "So we're even now. Nobody owes anybody anything."
Fuji Kyoji was dumbfounded again: "What? I, you, huh—?"
Why do you always have to break the script!
"You...! Your personality is still the absolute worst!"
"Don't get worked up. We agreed we're even, okay?" Platinum plugged her ears with her fingers.
"Who agreed with you?!" Fuji Kyoji shrieked in frustration.
Fuji Kyoji stepped closer to Platinum, chattering noisily about this and that, but she'd stopped mentioning going back to the dorm. Platinum splayed her hands open, rolling her eyes dramatically at her. Leap of Faith stood to the side, smiling as she watched them argue.
Symboli Rudolf watched the trio from a distance, then turned away satisfied and headed towards the inner kitchen. There was still plenty to do today. The butler café would be opening soon, and the butlers needed to be fully prepared for the guests.
Air Groove followed behind Symboli Rudolf, also heading for the inner kitchen. She leaned in and whispered beside her, "You specifically invited those two here, didn't you?"
"You're such a worrywart. You're spoiling them too much nowadays. Shouldn't they learn to resolve their own misunderstandings and mistakes themselves?"
In Air Groove's opinion, an Uma Musume who couldn't handle all her personal problems independently—aside from training—couldn't be considered a top-tier Uma Musume.
Compared to Platinum, she found Tokai Teio much more impressive.
Symboli Rudolf smoothed her bangs and continued walking towards the inner kitchen. "Platinum is different from Teio. Teio is the type who gets along with everyone and is liked by everyone. She doesn't need others to worry about her."
"Platinum is more sensitive and withdrawn, but she just needs a little push from behind. See? She's handling it just fine now, isn't she?"
Listening to the squabbling coming from the front hall, the corners of Symboli Rudolf's mouth curled upwards.
"I didn't really do much. The apology was that child's own initiative, and making up was her choice too."
"If all she needed was a little push, why shouldn't I be the one to give it?"
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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.