"Jo, how've you been lately?"
The short old man grinned, cheerfully addressing Kitahara.
"Haha, can't complain. And you, Uncle Roppei—"
Kitahara Jo scratched his head nervously, his demeanor unusually timid.
"How many times do I have to tell you? It's not 'Roppei—it's Musaka!"
Musaka Ginjirou swung his cane, whacking Kitahara in the shin with clear annoyance.
"You're a grown man—still shrinking like that in front of others? Where's your backbone? Show some spirit!"
After a stern, almost disappointed scolding, Trainer Musaka finally reined in his temper.
"Ah, forget it. Let me introduce the folks behind me—they're all trainers from the Central Association. You ought to chat them up."
Grabbing Kitahara by the shoulder, Musaka pulled him toward the group of five or six and started the introductions one by one.
"This is Fumino Nase, a rising star among Central's trainers—widely recognized, too. She's miles ahead of you in knowledge and skill."
Even as Musaka spoke of her like that, Nase remained unruffled. She studied Kitahara carefully before giving a slight nod.
"Pleasure to meet you, Trainer Kitahara. No need to be so reserved. My father and Musaka are old friends. I hope we can become friends as well—learn and improve together from now on."
Fumino Nase extended her hand for a handshake, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"Of course, of course!"
Flustered, Kitahara grabbed her offered hand with both of his and shook it vigorously.
"Kid, look over here…"
Musaka proceeded to introduce trainer after trainer to Kitahara, making sure they were at least acquainted.
But it was clear that some people's attention lay elsewhere entirely.
"Trainer Kitahara, is that Uma Musume over there Margaret Nearl?"
Once Musaka's introductions were over, Fumino Nase took a step forward, her gaze fixed intently on Nearl, who stood to the side.
"I wonder if I might have a word with her?"
"Ah, go right ahead."
Faced with Nase's sharp, assertive presence, Kitahara was clearly out of his depth. Pressured by her aura, he quickly agreed.
"Thank you."
With a nod to Kitahara, Trainer Nase strode directly toward Nearl, leaving behind the sound of Musaka's cane thwacking Kitahara in frustration.
"Hello, my name is Fumino Nase. May I call you Nearl?"
"As you wish."
Nearl straightened up, facing the trainer. She could feel the other's eyes scanning her from head to toe.
"Well-proportioned build, agile posture, impeccable stance, and nicely toned legs—you really are an Uma Musume built for speed."
After a thorough inspection, Fumino Nase let out an admiring sigh. Even by her exacting standards, she could find no flaw—proof of just how exceptional Nearl was.
"Now I believe that article," Trainer Nase said with a blink. "With a body like this, no achievement of yours would surprise me."
"Even you can't find any faults, huh?"
The old man in the martial arts attire also circled closer.
"Hmm… a majestic aura—truly rare to see."
He, too, observed the air about Nearl and nodded in approval.
Surrounded, Nearl simply smiled without speaking. To an outsider, the scene might have looked like bullying, but among Uma Musume and trainers, this was just routine.
No trainer could resist a prodigiously gifted Uma Musume.
"Hey there, Nearl!"
Just then, another trainer squeezed into the circle. "I'm Tamamo Cross's trainer—call me Komiyama!"
"Senior Tamamo? So you're Senior Tamamo's trainer?"
Nearl's demeanor shifted noticeably—unlike with the previous two, she engaged Komiyama with clear enthusiasm.
"How is Senior Tamamo doing? How are her preparations for the Japan Cup going?"
"Ahaha, no worries there. Our Tama-chan might not be in the same peak condition as during the Autumn Tenno Sho, but she's still well above average—more than ready to shine at the Japan Cup."
Trainer Komiyama smoothed her braid, a calm smile on her face.
"Before I came, Tama-chan asked me to pass on a message."
"Let me guess—she wants me to do my best in the races, right?"
Nearl ventured a small guess.
"Not quite."
Waggling a finger, Komiyama's face broke into a full grin.
"'I hope to see you running in the Central circuit someday.'"
"That's what Tama-chan said."
Nearl listened quietly to these words. She understood exactly what her senior Tamamo was hoping for.
But…
"In that case, could you also pass a message to Senior Tamamo for me?"
"What is it?"
"Know your limits."
"?"
Trainer Komiyama was utterly baffled, but she agreed to deliver the message exactly as given.
Thump!
Just then, a dull thud sounded behind Nearl, followed by a pained groan.
"Aaaargh!!"
Nearl spun around, alert, and saw Everlamp puffing her cheeks, glaring at a trainer who was now sprawled on the ground—clearly, he'd been kicked.
"What happened, Everlamp-chan?"
Pulling Everlamp into a comforting hug, Nearl glanced at the man now being helped up by others.
"Nearl-nee, he tried to sneakily touch my leg! I kicked him before he could."
Nuzzling her head into Nearl's chest, Everlamp spoke with clear disgust.
"…"
Nearl's icy glare sent a jolt through the still-dazed Trainer Okino, sobering him up instantly.
"Is this man also a trainer?"
Nearl stared at Okino, her earlier warmth gone. "This behavior constitutes sexual harassment. It's not something you should be doing."
"Wait, it's a misunderstanding! I just wanted to assess this gray girl's potential!"
Okino threw his hands up in surrender. "Please, let me explain!"
The other trainers gathered around as well, and together with Nearl, they listened to Okino's explanation.
"Is this common among trainers?"
After hearing him out, Nearl directed her question to the other trainers.
"Of course not," Trainer Nase replied. "While feeling the legs can be a quick way to gauge talent, male trainers generally avoid it to prevent misunderstandings."
"Then it seems your moral compass is lacking. I hope such rudeness doesn't happen again—otherwise, you may find yourself experiencing prison firsthand."
Out of respect for the other trainers present, Nearl decided to give this Trainer Okino one more chance—but that didn't mean she'd offer him a friendly face.
"So scary… She's still a young Uma Musume, but her presence is already this intimidating."
Once Nearl turned away, Okino wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"I swear, I felt an aura from her just like the Emperor's."
--+--
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.