"Retiring?"
Nearl's expression grew even more serious. She looked Everlamp up and down carefully, but no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't see any injuries.
"Why? Your condition doesn't seem to be a problem."
Perhaps made uncomfortable by Nearl's heavy gaze, Everlamp shifted uneasily.
"I'm really not injured or sick. I just don't want to race anymore."
Her two small hands rubbed and twisted together behind her back, as if she found the words difficult to say.
"After I raced against you, Nearl-nee, I realized something. I don't actually care about winning or fame. I just... I just love running, that's all."
"I thought becoming a Racing Uma Musume would make running even more fun, and it would be even better if I could make some friends along the way. But... it didn't really work out that way."
The petite dapple-gray Uma Musume tried to act like she didn't care at all, but her expression still betrayed the dejection she felt inside.
"So I figured it out. I was never that attached to the identity of being an Uma Musume. No matter what I do, I can still enjoy the fun of running, so why do I have to be on the racetrack?"
"Racing means you have to think about so many things. Your running style, your position... it's exhausting."
"So, I don't want to be an Uma Musume anymore."
Looking at the girl feigning calmness in front of her, Nearl felt a mix of heartache and helplessness. She stepped forward and gently embraced her, a simple gesture of comfort.
"If that's what you truly think, I won't stop you. You can stay here, as a support staff Uma Musume."
"Maybe you'll change your mind in the future. Maybe you'll grow to love being a support staff. None of that is a problem."
"Life is long. You can choose the path you want."
After saying this, Nearl released the quiet Everlamp from her arms and smiled again.
"But since you've chosen to join our team as a support staff Uma Musume, you must be resolved to take care of all my competition preparations, right?"
"O-of course!"
The little senior in front of her straightened her back as much as she could, trying to look determined.
Of course, no matter how much she straightened up, she was still only so tall.
"Then let's start with mending clothes, my support staff Uma Musume."
Patting Everlamp on the back, Nearl handed her the tracksuit from nearby.
"Understood!"
Everlamp accepted the tracksuit with a solemn expression.
Behind them, Kitahara Jo watched the scene, chuckling to himself.
--+--
Central, Mejiro Residence.
Though she was awake, Centaurea, who had been lazing in bed, boredly tapped on her phone.
This continued even as the sun streamed through the beautifully patterned window, baking the bedding.
Of course, no matter how much she wanted to stay buried in this bed, so soft she could sink right into it, it wasn't to be.
Because a certain Uma Musume, kind-hearted but not indulgent, was on her way.
"Centaurea, please get up. It's very late now."
Accompanied by a knock on the door, the gentle voice of Mejiro Ardan sounded from the hallway, heralding the end of Centaurea's blissful lounging.
"Mmm..."
Scooting deeper under the covers, completely ignoring the knocking, Centaurea continued to stare at her phone, her face an impassive mask.
"I'm coming in."
The knocking stopped, but this didn't mean Ardan had given up on rousing Centaurea. She had merely abandoned the futile method of words.
Centaurea burrowed even deeper, wrapping herself into a tight ball and clutching the duvet.
Click.
The ornately decorated door was pushed open. Ardan walked in, her face set in a cold expression.
Behind her, several heads popped into view one after another, all peering around the doorframe to watch the scene unfold.
They found it hard to imagine that their always-gentle Ardan-nee could make such a face.
Walking to the bedside, Ardan looked at the large white lump. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and without hesitation, she grabbed a corner of the duvet and yanked it hard.
Centaurea's feeble resistance was no match for Ardan's strength. The entire duvet was flung back in an instant.
But Ardan found only rumpled sheets on the bed, none of the silver-haired figure she expected.
"That's strange, where did she go?"
Ardan looked at the bed in confusion, feeling a bit lost.
Just then, the voices of her younger sisters came from behind.
"She's stuck to the duvet! So cool!"
"How did she do that?"
"Her white hair is so pretty."
The duvet?
Puzzled, Ardan lifted the duvet she was holding, revealing a few strands of white hair.
"..."
In silence, Ardan threw the duvet back onto the bed and flipped it over.
Sure enough, the little lazybones who refused to get up was inside it.
"Sigh, Centaurea, why are you so slothful? This won't do."
Ardan helplessly grabbed the little Uma Musume and began dressing her in her outer clothes and fixing her appearance, treating her just like one of her own younger sisters.
Throughout the entire process, Centaurea maintained that sleepy expression, remaining motionless and letting Ardan maneuver her as she pleased.
'No matter how many times I see it, I have to admit this child is so beautiful. Sitting so still like this, she looks like an exquisitely crafted life-sized doll, with a subtle air of nobility. Could she be from a good family?'
After carefully getting Centaurea ready, even Ardan had to admit that if she just sat quietly like this, anyone would be captivated by her serene, ethereal aura.
But alas, she could talk, and she could move.
"Ahhh~~ I'm so sleepy."
Sure enough, after just a moment of quiet, this undisguised yawn completely shattered the atmosphere.
In an instant, that divine, beautiful aura vanished from her.
Ardan and the other Uma Musumes nearby all showed expressions of disappointment.
Noticing this, a meaningful smile played on Centaurea's lips.
"Don't get captivated by me. It's not good for you."
"Hmph!"
An Uma Musume with a dark brown mane and an earring on her left ear turned her head away from Centaurea. The other young ladies nearby offered awkward smiles.
"Ah, really now."
Ardan sighed behind her. She stepped forward and patted Centaurea on the head.
"Come with me. Grandmother wishes to see you."
"Your grandmother, Ardan? Can I just call her Granny?"
Platinum—Centaurea—followed behind Ardan quite naturally, asking casually.
"That's fine, calling her Granny is okay. Just remember to be polite, Centaurea. Grandmother places great importance on manners."
"No problem, no problem. I'll handle it properly."
Platinum waved her hand dismissively.
But Ardan still couldn't set her mind at ease. She lamented inwardly.
'Why is it that Miss Centaurea and Miss Nearl are sisters, yet their personalities and how they conduct themselves are so completely different!'
--+--
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.