Led by Ardan, Centaurea quite naturally found herself joining the sisters' tea party.
Here, seated around the lavish and exquisite table, were without exception a group of beautiful young girls, each with her own unique charm.
"Please, have a seat. You're a guest brought back by Ardan. By the way, I'm Mejiro Ryan."
As Platinum walked over, a boyish Uma Musume was the first to welcome her.
"Ah, I'm Centaurea. If that's too much trouble, you can just call me Platinum. I don't really mind."
Leaning her cheek on one hand, Platinum took a sip of the black tea from her cup and replied casually.
Her attitude wasn't exactly bad, but it certainly wasn't warm.
"Well then, Miss Platinum." A Uma Musume with a ponytail and a strand of white hair hanging over her forehead spoke next. "I'm Mejiro Palmer."
"Hello to you too. Want some cake?"
While responding to Palmer, Platinum speared a piece of strawberry cake with her fork and held it out to Palmer's lips.
"...Eh?! But…"
Flustered, as no one had ever treated her like this before, Palmer stared at the cake in front of her, unsure whether to eat it or not.
"Hmm?"
A smirk played on Platinum's lips as she narrowed her eyes slightly, wiggling the fork up and down like a teasing adult amusing a child.
"Fine, I'll do it!"
Seeing this, Palmer felt she could no longer refuse. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a determined bite forward.
"Chomp! Munch munch…"
"How is it?"
Platinum, who had quietly set down her fork, asked with a smile.
"It's made by our family's specially hired chef. The flavor is naturally beyond reproach."
Dober, savoring a fruit tart nearby, answered the question on Palmer's behalf.
"Then I can eat without worry."
As she said this, Platinum swiped Palmer's unused fork and helped herself to a slice.
"Centaurea-chan… have you always been like this?"
Ardan, watching Platinum leisurely eat her cake, wore a concerned expression.
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
Platinum swallowed her cake with a sip of tea and looked puzzled.
"I'm talking about your personality. It just feels like you lack passion, as if there's nothing you're particularly interested in, nor anything you particularly dislike."
"It's not really like that, actually."
Platinum rested her chin in her hands and let her gaze sweep around the room.
She noticed that all the Uma Musume's ears were perked in her direction, clearly very interested.
"I hate hospitals. I really hate them. And I hate boredom. No matter what, I don't want to repeat tedious things."
"Hates hospitals…"
Ardan and her sisters exchanged thoughtful glances.
"As for what I like… probably a leisurely, carefree life where I can do as I please. I guess I like exercise a little bit, but my enthusiasm only lasts for three minutes, so I don't like training."
"Wow, that's really…"
Mejiro Ryan was at a loss for words.
'She sounds like such a slacker.'
The Mejiro Uma Musume present all thought the same thing, though none voiced it.
"You like exercise? Then how about going for a run with me?"
Mejiro Palmer, who had finally managed to swallow her cake, suggested. She was eager to see what Centaurea looked like when she ran, feeling it would surely be a beautiful sight.
"Running, huh~ Sure, why not."
Platinum deliberately drew out her response, teasing Palmer until a look of disappointment appeared on her face before finally agreeing.
"Really? That's great!"
Mejiro Palmer joyfully flashed a 'V' sign, her face beaming with smiles.
"Platinum, come with me. I'll show you our family's track."
Palmer stood up from her chair and invited Platinum.
But her impulsive move was stopped by Mejiro Ardan.
"We need our trainer's approval to go to the track. If you drag Centaurea along like this, you'll just hit a wall. Better to let the trainer know first."
Stopped, Mejiro Palmer stuck out her tongue and scratched her head sheepishly.
"Young ladies, the Madam requests your presence at the training field for an assessment."
Just then, an elderly butler appeared. His arrival brought a notice for the young ladies.
"What is Grandmother thinking?"
Though everyone was puzzled, Grandmother's word was still to be obeyed. So they set down their half-finished tea snacks and headed together towards the back of the villa.
"Miss Centaurea, the Madam hopes you will come as well. Please consider this race as her personal request."
Just as Platinum thought she was off the hook and was about to quietly slip away, the butler stopped her, hoping she would accompany them.
"Ah, what a pain…"
Grumbling under her breath, Platinum nonetheless obediently followed after Ardan and the others.
--+--
"Grandmother." *N
The young ladies of the Mejiro household all stood properly, looking obediently at the woman before them.
"You're here? Good timing, very good."
It was just a simple, matter-of-fact praise, but the Uma Musumes before her were visibly pleased.
"I'll skip the unnecessary words. This time, I want you to hold a training race here."
"Ah, Ardan, your leg injury isn't fully healed yet. You'll be the referee for this training race."
"Yes, Grandmother."
Ardan didn't ask why this training race was being held. It was just another run, after all, commonplace for Uma Musume like them.
But when she looked up, she was surprised to see Centaurea also on the track, preparing to run.
"Wait, Centaurea-chan…"
Ardan's words were cut off by a gesture from the head of the Mejiro family.
"It's fine. I specifically invited Centaurea to race against them. No need for surprise."
"Is that so?"
Ardan withdrew her concern. Instead, she now began to feel anticipation—would her dear friend's younger sister have the talent needed to walk the path of an Uma Musume?
"Platinum, I don't know why Grandmother suddenly wants us to race, but this is a great chance. Let's both enjoy ourselves and run to our hearts' content."
Mejiro Palmer, standing nearby, smiled encouragingly at Platinum.
She didn't know how strong Platinum was, but since Platinum had said she hated training, she probably couldn't compare to them, Uma Musume who had trained hard since childhood.
Palmer just hoped Platinum wouldn't lose her love for running because of this.
'What a hassle. But it's an old lady's wish, and she's been kind to me too. Hard to refuse.'
That's what she thought to herself, but her words were different.
"I'll just take it easy, don't expect too much from me."
Platinum stretched lazily and responded nonchalantly.
"Are you ready? This training race is 3000 meters, turf track, weather clear."
Ardan, on the side, raised the flag. The preparatory call sounded.
The Uma Musume were ready.
--+--
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.