(A little announcement.
Turns out the range of chapters between Patreon and this Webnovel are getting smaller. Because of this, I am going to readjust the chapters released here this week; rather than 14, it might goes down to 11.)
Chapter 11. Possessed Ayabe
Sunday, after dropping off Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober at the Meydan Racecourse isolation facility the night before, Shuta An had a good night's sleep.
In the morning, Admire Vega woke up earlier than the young man today. After Shuta An finished breakfast, she suggested going to Meydan Racecourse to wait.
"The first race, the Godolphin Mile, starts at 4:05 PM. If we go so early, we'll just be waiting in the Box."
Shuta An responded,
"Although it's still March, it's 32 degrees outside right now. I think it's better to stay at the hotel until the afternoon, and then take a private car to Meydan Racecourse at 2 PM. That way, we'll only have to wait two hours once we get there."
"Then we'll act according to Trainer's wishes." Vega's voice was very light. "I'll stroll around the hotel."
"Is your body okay?"
Shuta An stopped her as she was about to leave the restaurant.
"That night, I saw you weren't in good condition. If your body hasn't recovered well, then rest in your room."
"I'm fine." Admire Vega replied in a low voice. "No, I've always been fine."
"Alright."
Shuta An's tone carried a hint of helplessness. Admire Vega was still being stubborn; even Tokai Teio had noticed how pale she looked at the time.
"It's okay." He murmured to himself. "I'll keep trying, and I'll definitely be able to get Admire Vega to open up."
—
After Admire Vega left the restaurant, her Trainer's recent suggestion echoed in her mind.
"Was my face so bad that even Trainer noticed?"
She rubbed her cheeks, her expression flustered.
"No, I was fine then." Admire Vega shook her head vigorously. "I should feel guilty! Everything now shouldn't belong to me—I should bear this guilt."
She stomped her foot and decided to go to the very top observation deck of the Burj Khalifa. After arriving in Dubai and knowing that the observation deck was also open at night, Vega came every day.
Unfortunately, the bustling traffic in Dubai made it difficult for her to see the stars in the sky. Admire Vega's favorite stargazing activity could only be carried out with difficulty.
Despite this drawback, the observation deck was indeed Admire Vega's favorite place to relax.
The staff at the observation deck also recognized Admire Vega—Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober were the most dazzling stars of this year's Dubai World Cup Race Day, and Admire Vega, who followed these two Uma Musumes, was also recognized by many people.
But the observation deck staff recognized her because Admire Vega visited every night, and unlike other guests who would admire Dubai's night view, she would find a corner to sit and stare blankly through the transparent dome at the light-polluted night sky where nothing but the moon could be seen.
"Good morning, Miss Admire Vega!" The reception staff greeted her. "I didn't expect you to be here so early today. What would you like to drink?"
The UAE prohibits alcohol—but Admire Vega was not old enough to drink anyway, so it didn't matter.
"Still a Jellab."
Admire Vega gave her choice—this was a local specialty drink made from grape molasses and rose water. Admire Vega loved its taste, so she would order one every time she came here.
Because today was Dubai World Cup Race Day, the related parties staying at the hotel mostly chose to rest in their rooms or go to Meydan Racecourse early, so Admire Vega was the only one visiting the observation deck at this time.
Sitting in her familiar spot, Admire Vega looked up at the clear blue sky, silent, her mind full of herself at the party a few nights ago.
"I live burdened by sin."
The sweetness of the Jellab could not erase the bitterness in Admire Vega's heart.
She couldn't tell anyone the source of this bitterness. If it was just learning from her mother that she once had a younger sister, that would be one thing. If it was just knowing that she was the one who accidentally survived between her and her sister, that would also be one thing. Admire Vega didn't mind striving for more and more honors to dedicate to her sister.
"Here it comes again."
After the first sip of Jellab, Admire Vega sighed silently.
"Sister~"
Her arm stiffened, as if her body was not under her own control.
(Is this true? She is possessed? I don't have her, so I don't really read her background.)
—
In the afternoon, Shuta An called Admire Vega out of her room, and the two went to the restaurant together for lunch.
"If Ayabe didn't rest this morning, there's a bed in the Box, she can go to sleep,"
The young man said, guessing that Admire Vega probably hadn't stayed in her room to rest for long this morning, so he specifically mentioned it. Otherwise, it would probably be difficult for her to stay up from morning until past nine in the evening.
"Mhm mhm! I know!" Admire Vega nodded repeatedly, her tone light.
"Eh?" Shuta An was startled. He stood still and looked Admire Vega up and down. "What's wrong with Ayabe? She seems different than usual."
"Do I?"
Admire Vega tilted her head, showing a clear expression.
"Maybe it's because I'm in a good mood, thinking about seeing the heroic figures of my two older sisters tonight."
"Sister—that's not a term Ayabe would use either."
Shuta An, who had turned and was walking ahead, narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself.
"What's going on with Ayabe?"
Thinking of this question, Shuta An simply opened the attribute viewer, preparing to check.
When he clicked into Admire Vega's interface, a tag in the status bar answered the young man's question—
"Possession [???] (Countdown 07:14:51)"
Upon seeing this tag, Shuta An's hair stood on end—anyone would have this reaction upon seeing someone they knew possessed by an unknown entity.
"Who are you?"
The young man resisted the urge to turn around and demand an answer, continuing to walk ahead as if he knew nothing.
—
After arriving at the restaurant, Shuta An ordered his own meal, then gestured for "Admire Vega" to order what she wanted.
To Shuta An's surprise, the "Admire Vega" in front of him ordered almost exactly what she usually liked.
"That's strange," the young man muttered to himself. "It's as if she completely understands her preferences, as if it's really her."
Although the attribute viewer stated that Admire Vega would not suffer any problems after the possession countdown ended, Shuta An's curiosity made him want to know the specific identity of this unknown entity.
So, while eating lunch, he quietly observed "Admire Vega," hoping to find clues from any subtle signs.
But unfortunately, until they set off for Meydan Racecourse, aside from a different tone and reactions, he couldn't discern anything else about "Admire Vega."
After "Admire Vega" arrived at the Meydan Racecourse staff Box, Shuta An habitually gave her instructions again.
"Thank you, Big Brother!"
"Admire Vega's" reaction made him freeze again—that tone reminded the young man of Curren Chan.
"Does Curren Chan have this trick up her sleeve?"
Shuta An almost pulled out his phone, ready to ask the Instagram influencer on Line.
However, the young man quickly dismissed this illusion. Because "Admire Vega" really went obediently to the bed in the Box, preparing to lie down with her clothes on.
"It's different from Curren Chan,"
Shuta An shook his head, confirming this point.
Although Curren Chan would also call him "Brother," she essentially only used "younger sister" as an attribute. Compared to a "younger sister" in the traditional sense, Curren Chan was more independent and self-reliant. She never actively sought help in her career and always solved problems on her own.
"Admire Vega's" recent behavior was like a true younger sister. She genuinely trusted Shuta An's advice and dutifully followed it.
If the young man truly had a "younger sister," the well-behaved version would probably be like this.
"So who exactly are you—"
Shuta An stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, took a sip of sparkling water, and became even more puzzled.
A possibility flashed through his mind, but the young man immediately dismissed it.
"Ayabe's younger sister—how could that be? Is it more likely she's imagining what her younger sister should be like?"
—
At 4:05 PM, the first race, the Godolphin Mile, officially started. Shuta An sat on the sofa, took a sip of freshly brewed black tea, and watched the Uma Musumes chasing each other on the dirt track of Meydan Racecourse.
"It looks like today's track is dry and fast, just like in previous years," the young man murmured to himself.
"In that case, both Teio and Dober must have a clean break from the gate, no delays."
The next few races, whether on turf or dirt, all confirmed Shuta An's earlier statement.
"Now I'll have to deepen my stereotype of the Meydan Racecourse track."
The young man got up, tore a piece of paper from the notebook in his pocket, glanced at Admire Vega, who was still deep in slumber, and gently wrote a line of text, then placed it by the bedside.
At 6:50 PM, the Uma Musumes participating in the Dubai Turf walked out from the underground passage, preparing for the parade.
Today's sunset in Dubai was at 6:30 PM, so the streetlights along the Meydan Racecourse track were already lit.
And the lights on the parade stage were even more flamboyant.
Mejiro Dober squinted as she surveyed the stage, feeling that she would look like a model up there—incidentally, considering today's temperature, Mejiro Dober chose a summer-style winning uniform that was rather conservative but still quite cool to wear.
The other participating Uma Musume were either wearing their initial winning uniforms or, like Mejiro Dober, wearing something cooler.
But there were few Uma Musumes who had other styles of winning uniforms, and in this Dubai Turf, only Tenjin Chiri and Teio Valley could enjoy the coolness like Mejiro Dober.
Shuta, who already knew Mejiro Dober would be wearing a summer winning uniform tonight, stood behind the railing. This position was not far from the parade area, allowing him to clearly see the Uma Musume on the stage. When the race started later, he could walk for half a minute to move to the finish line, which was a good position only available to those with connections.
"I'll have Ayabe wait for me behind the railing opposite the finish line after she wakes up; the possession state will be over by then."
Shuta An waited for Mejiro Dober, who was seventh to appear, while muttering to himself about his earlier arrangements.
Mejiro Dober stepped steadily onto the stage, smiling faintly, she squinted and curtsied, then waved to the stands.
"Undoubtedly the top favorite for this Dubai Turf, Mejiro Dober, who achieved victories around the world last year, can she once again claim a G1 victory star at Meydan Racecourse today?"
The live commentator posed a question.
Shuta An looked at Mejiro Dober standing on the stage, listening to the exclamations of his colleagues around him, and his smile grew even brighter.
"If it were the old Dober, she probably wouldn't have wanted to change her winning uniform, preferring to endure the heat with a thick winning uniform even if it meant getting heat rash," he thought.
After the parade ended, Shuta An turned around, preparing to go to his viewing spot to await the start of the race.
Arriving at the designated spot, Admire Vega was standing there with her head bowed.
"Ayabe, did you rest well?"
The young man walked over, greeted her, and asked with a smile.
"Mhm," Admire Vega's voice was very soft. "Thank you, Trainer."
Shuta An didn't tease her about her behavior during the time she was possessed. At the moment, the young man wasn't sure if she remembered what happened during the possession.
If Admire Vega didn't bring it up herself, Shuta An planned to ignore it for now—especially after the attribute viewer showed Admire Vega's favorability had uncharacteristically reached 30 points.
"Possession can even increase favorability?"
Shuta An was quite surprised, though he didn't say anything aloud.
"Dober-senpai looks to be in great condition,"
Admire Vega suddenly spoke.
"Yes, she does. Mejiro Dober was very confident on the parade stage just now. I've been giving her targeted training during this time, and it's definitely had an effect. As the top favorite, it wouldn't be unexpected for Mejiro Dober to secure victory in this race,"
Shuta An replied.
"I—I didn't do anything too strange during the day today, did I?"
Admire Vega asked again, fidgeting—this sentence completely gave her away.
"No~"
Shuta An reached out and pinched Admire Vega's cheek.
"Ayabe is very well-behaved and rested properly. I'm happy."
After receiving her Trainer's response, Admire Vega visibly relaxed.
On the track, Mejiro Dober had already stepped into the starting gate.
Feeling the sea breeze, she struck her starting pose.
"From the moment the gate opens, I'm going to rush to the front of the pack!"
Mejiro Dober secretly vowed.