"Oh? Even I'm not really clear about it myself, and you've already figured it out? Don't go fooling me now—I've got a pretty good impression of you so far."
It was clear Tamamo Cross didn't quite believe what Nearl was saying.
But then again, she hadn't even figured out what that state was all about herself. For the other party to claim she understood right after meeting—who would buy that?
"I know empty words aren't very convincing."
Hearing the doubt in the other's voice, Nearl's expression remained natural, still perfectly calm.
"I'll prove it."
"Also, Oguri, stop eating. You need to pay attention too."
She reached out and patted Oguri Cap, who was happily munching on a steamed bun beside her, looking amused.
"Weren't you worried earlier about not being able to win? Now that Senior Tamamo and I are discussing this, how come you don't seem concerned at all?"
"But I'm hungry. Feels like filling my stomach is more important right now…"
Oguri Cap mumbled through a mouthful of food.
"Get serious, will ya!"
Tamamo Cross slammed the table hard, but Oguri Cap remained completely unfazed.
Meanwhile, Fujimasa March, sitting nearby, flinched slightly, prompting an apologetic smile from Tamamo.
Watching Oguri Cap like this, Nearl sighed helplessly.
But she didn't press further, because she knew Oguri Cap would soon forget all about eating.
"Senior Tamamo, and you too, Oguri and Fujimasa—focus your energy."
As she spoke, Nearl brought together her right index and middle fingers, slightly curved them, and then gently, slowly tapped them on the table.
Thump.
It was a sound so faint you might miss it if you weren't paying attention, but to the three gray-haired girls, it resonated like a great bell ringing in their ears.
For a moment, that echo was all that filled their minds.
It might have been two or three seconds, or it might have felt like an entire day—but when they came to, everything around them seemed to materialize like an illusion.
Gold. In the distant sky, a golden sun blazed, and the earth was bathed in its radiant glory.
Everything around them looked bizarre and surreal.
The walls of the cafeteria had vanished—or rather, as far as the eye could see, there were no buildings at all, only an endless flow of people.
"I… what is this…"
Tamamo Cross reached out in confusion, trying to touch a passing waiter.
But it was like touching a mirage—the figure scattered like mist, only to reform in the distance.
She pulled her hand back, staring blankly at this world.
Suddenly, Tamamo felt very alone.
The sun in the sky was so warm, yet she could feel a coldness deep within.
The bustling crowds around her had nothing to do with her; all she could do was watch.
A couple in the distance laughed and chatted, sharing desserts;
A mother nearby held her child's hand, smiling as she answered the little one's questions;
Further away, a group of Uma Musume raced across an open field, leaving trails of shimmering light in their wake.
Everything looked so perfect, everyone's smiles so genuine—but what about her?
Tamamo ran aimlessly through this world, even closing her eyes as she went.
It didn't matter—she couldn't bump into anything. The whole world had nothing to do with her.
"...I hate this."
She looked up directly at the blazing sun, her voice detached.
"I run on the track carrying my family's hopes. A world like this is too cruel for me."
Crackle!
White arcs of electricity flickered around her ears, mirroring Tamamo's mood.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning shot up from the ground into the sky under the clear sun, and the cloudless blue gradually began to gather dark shadows.
"Sorry about this."
She clenched her fists and brought them together forcefully in front of her chest.
In an instant, a bolt of lightning as thick as a barrel shot down from the clouds.
It struck directly at Tamamo, engulfing her figure—only her voice remained clear.
"I'm going back!"
Crack. Snap.
Splintering sounds echoed around her. The space seemed to tear open, revealing gashes that looked out into a star-studded cosmos.
Then the lightning vanished, and Tamamo was gone with it.
Only this world remained, slowly unfolding, the sun above still shining down on all things.
"Hah."
Letting out a breath, Tamamo opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Nearl across from her, chin resting on her hand, watching.
"Senior Tamamo, it seems you've emerged from the Domain. So, how did it feel?"
Seeing Tamamo awake, Nearl shifted from her relaxed posture, sitting up straight again, hands neatly folded on the table.
"To be honest, it was pretty frightening."
Tamamo leaned back, slumping into her seat.
"You did something, didn't you? Made me see that earlier scene?"
Her tone was lazy, though the question came out with unusual certainty.
"You're right, Senior," Nearl nodded. "What you just experienced was my Domain—the very thing you possess, but Oguri does not."
Tamamo grabbed her head with both hands, ruffling her hair wildly, looking utterly agitated.
"My common sense is shattered! How can something like this be so ridiculously overpowered?"
"Actually, not many Uma Musume have Domains strong enough to affect others. You can consider me an exception, Senior Tamamo."
Nearl patiently comforted the disheartened gray-haired girl.
"So that means I've actually awakened a domain too, right? Is awakening this thing just random?"
It took a while before Tamamo regained her composure enough to hold a conversation.
She glanced at Oguri Cap and Fujimasa March, who still had their eyes closed, and asked curiously.
"There is a random element to it, but there are prerequisites."
Nearl stood up, took a bottle of water from beside Oguri Cap, and began drinking slowly.
Only then did Tamamo notice—everything around them was shimmering with a golden light.
"Am I still inside your Domain?"
In her excitement, Tamamo shot to her feet.
"Senior, please calm down. You are still under the influence of my domain, yes, but it's just the residual effect. Look, everyone around us is still going about their business, aren't they?"
Following Nearl's explanation, Tamamo glanced at the other guests enjoying their meals and sat back down.
"This is insane. Is this why Komiyama was so eager when she caught wind of anything related to you?"
"Perhaps," Nearl didn't deny it, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then let me continue explaining the prerequisites for possessing a Domain."
She held up two fingers.
"First, the one who possesses a Domain must have sufficient innate talent—in other words, the Uma Musume must be capable of leading an era."
"Second, the Uma Musume must fully comprehend her true heart—understand the most genuine desire within herself."
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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.