Only One Year Left—I’ll Become a Legendary Uma Musume! [8]

The moment she finally returned to her room after a long, exhausting day, Twilight Song didn’t even make it to the bed. Instead, she just slumped down against the door, sliding helplessly to the floor.

Well, at least I survived today somehow.

How to put it…wasn’t the amount of information she’d received a bit overwhelming?

No, not just a bit. It was too overwhelming!

Who else could transmigrate and immediately learn they’d only live for one year—with a system that couldn’t even change this harsh reality?

Twilight Song glanced at her system panel.

[Remaining Lifespan: 362 days, 13 hours, 21 seconds]

Tsk.

System, allocate my points.

The additional time she’d burned using her [Skill] during the race had generated new skill points. At least that was something she could bitterly smile about.

[Speed increased].

[Current Speed: 319 points.]

Hah. To think that she was practically superhuman, even just as a newly debuted Uma Musume.

Twilight Song chuckled softly to herself, gazing up blankly at the empty ceiling.

So…should I reflect on something deeply now…? Yeah, right. Who has that kind of luxury?

All she wanted right now was to collapse into her bed and rest. Though, naturally, a quick bath first would be essential—especially since her new, annoyingly long hair would take some getting used to.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the gentle patter of small footsteps outside her door.

They sounded light—was McQueen already heading back to her room? Twilight had assumed the filly would linger downstairs longer, finishing off dessert…

KNOCK-KNOCK—

“Ruka-neesan, I’m here to see you!”

Eh? She wasn’t heading to her room, but had come specifically looking for Twilight?

But what could she want?

Twilight Song hesitated, standing up and instinctively smoothing out her somewhat wrinkled clothes, then stood uncertainly at the door, debating whether to open it.

After a brief internal struggle, she finally discarded her hesitation.

It was just a child, after all. There was no real need to worry.

She’d just avoid deeper conversation later. But outright refusing to open the door would feel too cruel, wouldn’t it?

There was a clear reason Twilight Song had refused all communication with Ardan and Ramonu earlier. Those two were resilient enough—they wouldn’t be deeply hurt by someone distant like her staying silent.

She only had to endure like this for a single year.

But Mejiro McQueen was completely different.

If a child approached her earnestly, ignoring her completely would be too coldhearted and cruel.

The damage to a young filly’s feelings would be immeasurable!

Of course, there was a simpler explanation—a more direct one. Or rather, a less self-deceptive one.

Twilight Song’s heart had softened. Maybe she was just scared—or perhaps, deep down, she genuinely needed someone to talk to.

Only yesterday she’d still been chatting with her coworkers about how to slack off at work…

Twilight Song slowly opened the door, finding herself looking down into Mejiro McQueen’s upturned face as the filly stood holding a plate.

Under the warm glow of the hallway’s lights, the little Uma Musume’s cheeks took on a gentle amber tone. Even the cream cake she held seemed tinted by the soft, sunset-colored light.

“Um… Ramonu-neesan said if I wanted to eat cake, I had to share it with Ruka-neesan, so…”

Mejiro McQueen hesitated awkwardly. Of course, she couldn’t possibly blurt out something as blunt as “I’ll do anything for cake!” But a child’s limited experience made it difficult for her to find the right words.

After all, the older girl in front of her didn’t seem to like socializing very much.

Yet, deep down, there was an even more important truth:

She really wanted that cream cake.

Having promised Ramonu that she’d share this dessert with Twilight Song, McQueen’s pride as a member of the Mejiro family wouldn’t allow her to secretly devour it alone.

The young filly’s internal struggle was openly displayed on her face, her small features scrunched up with a very familiar troubled expression.

She looked exactly like someone being scolded by their supervisor and then returning gloomily to their desk.

Twilight Song fought the urge desperately—but ultimately, she let out a quiet chuckle.

Oh well. There was still a whole year left before that inevitable moment. Future me, watching my life flash before my eyes, please don’t cringe when you see this scene.

Allow the current me just a small moment to escape from reality.

Twilight stepped aside, opening the way into her previously blocked-off room.

“Well, come in first.”

“Oh! Y-yes! Thank you, Ruka-neesan!”

Mejiro McQueen was clearly startled, but she quickly hid her surprise and obediently followed Twilight Song into the room.

Now that she thought about it, Ruka-neesan’s voice was unexpectedly gentle.

It wasn’t as cool and authoritative as Ramonu-neesan’s voice, and yet it carried a slightly rougher, deeper tone compared to Ardan-neesan’s.

If McQueen had to describe it…

Ardan-neesan sounds like a gentle mother, Ramonu-neesan is like a strict father, but Ruka-neesan… She really sounds like a kind big sister.

Little McQueen herself wasn’t sure why her mind was filled with these silly thoughts. But when the cake was evenly sliced, and Twilight placed a piece before her, Mejiro McQueen quickly set aside all those earlier silly musings.

Nothing was more important than cake!

The little filly ate joyfully, and her obvious delight visibly improved Twilight Song’s mood as well.

Uma Musume were like the spirits and blessings of this world. Merely watching them run filled people with emotion—though even that didn’t fully capture their charm. Witnessing such a pure, innocent life showing genuine happiness right in front of you made it nearly impossible not to adore them, or to feel joy yourself.

Twilight Song quietly reflected, taking a small bite of the cake.

Mmm, this cake is wonderful—sweet but not cloying, just right in every sense.

“Would you like something to drink? Seems like there’s only black tea in the cabinet, is that okay?”

Since she was technically the older one here, Twilight Song stood and reached for the teapot.

“Yes please, thank you very much, Ruka-neesan!”

No further response was needed. Twilight Song quietly placed the teacup down before sitting opposite McQueen again.

“So, did Ramonu-neesan tell you anything else?”

Obviously, McQueen herself probably hadn’t planned anything special, but Twilight seriously doubted Ramonu had sent her over merely to share cake.

But whatever Ramonu had intended, Twilight Song could simply decline.

“Um… yes, Ramonu-neesan said starting tomorrow, I should join Ruka-neesan for morning training.”

Tsk. I knew that persistent lunatic was still after me.

Twilight Song started considering her refusal, but McQueen continued speaking, with slight hesitation.

“And Ramonu-neesan also said… if Ruka-neesan refuses…”

“She’ll come personally.”

“Come personally to do… what exactly?”

“Huh? To do morning training with you, of course.”

Eh? Are you serious?!

—

This is a fan translation of 只能活一年了才更要成为传奇赛马娘! by 大渚教 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!