"Hey, Nearl, haven't you gotten a lot taller?"
Walking side by side, Ardan glanced over and suddenly noticed it.
She still remembered clearly their first meeting about a month ago. Back then, Nearl was still visibly a child, unmistakably young.
But now, not to mention her more mature features, just her height had already caught up—from being shorter than Ardan before to now standing eye to eye.
"Could it be that you've already started your Maturation, Nearl?!"
Ardan clapped her hands excitedly.
For an Uma Musume, Maturation is extremely important—far more critical than adolescence for humans.
It's the period when an Uma Musume refines herself and fully embraces her destiny.
Both mind and body develop rapidly during this time, growing into the form best suited for running.
That's why the youth period for Uma Musume is particularly long, which is also why some veterans can still maintain their student status at Tracen Academy.
And most importantly, the moment Maturation concludes, the Uma Musume gains eligibility to participate in the Twinkle Series races.
Some major prestigious races also use this timeline as a benchmark.
For instance, the Classic Triple Crown, the goal for countless Uma Musume, has one particularly strict entry requirement: only those within 12 months after completing their Maturation can register.
Over the years, countless Uma Musume have been barred by this rule, but it's also one reason the Classic Triple Crown holds such lofty status today.
Of course, there's also a minor, less significant point.
By law, Uma Musume who have completed Maturation are considered adults, free to marry or be married without restrictions.
"Huh, I've grown taller?"
Nearl reached up and touched her own shoulders in confusion, then turned to look at the delighted Ardan beside her, finally noticing the difference.
"My field of view is higher—I really have grown quite a bit. Growth is such a subtle thing, isn't it? It arrives in the blink of an eye, without you even realizing it."
"That's wonderful! Once your Maturation is complete, you'll be able to fully unleash your potential, Nearl."
Ardan was happy for her, but Nearl was pondering a question of her own.
What destiny was she meant to bear?
Every Uma Musume is born with a fate connected to another world—a gift from the Goddess Byerley Turk. This destiny fully manifests after Maturation.
But she didn't have such a thing, did she? What kind of fate was she supposed to shoulder once her Maturation was complete? There were no reference answers yet.
--+--
After a long journey by train and several transfers, Nearl finally brought Ardan to her hometown where she had lived for fourteen years.
Everything in her hometown seemed utterly unchanged. The small river still flowed ceaselessly, and the town under the setting sun was as lively as ever.
Old roads and simple buildings—this place was shaped by time and sustained by life.
The returning bus passed by a high point, one of the few spots where you could glimpse the entire town. Scattered houses lined the riverbank in an irregular, yet pleasing, pattern.
"That's the town I grew up in. See? It's a pretty small place, isn't it?"
Gazing at the scenery outside the window, Nearl couldn't help but recall her first days in this world.
Herself, thrilled with a healthy body, crawling and tumbling on the ground in excitement; herself, a little older, working hard to help Aunt Komori support the orphanage; herself, studying day and night, never slacking; herself, shopping on the streets, chatting with shopkeepers; herself, enjoying life despite everything.
"I've come such a long way…"
Nearl murmured with a sigh, a relieved smile gracing her face.
"It really is a lovely view."
Ardan leaned closer to the window, admiring the town alongside Nearl.
Was the scenery truly that beautiful? Not really.
What stunning views could an ordinary town offer? Without comparing, any one of the Mejiro family villas was far more exquisite and beautiful than this.
But this place had a certain charm—a feeling of life, a tangible warmth.
They arrived at the stop. Nearl, holding Ardan's hand, led her off the bus, and there stood the familiar station ahead.
"Ardan, let's go. We'll cross the shopping street ahead, take a short path, and then we'll be at the orphanage where I lived."
Adjusting the luggage on her back, Nearl turned to Ardan, who for some reason seemed particularly prim and proper, and spoke.
"Understood, I'll follow closely."
Ardan smiled.
The path wasn't long, but it took Nearl and Ardan quite a while to traverse it. Why?
"Hey! Isn't that the girl from the Komori family?"
"It really is! Didn't she become a Racing Uma Musume?"
"Of course she did, and she's quite good! I saw her on TV! You're always playing chess, you never notice anything."
"Nearl, over here! Auntie has something for you!"
And so it went.
Ardan stood back, watching Nearl skillfully and gently greet these elderly and middle-aged folks, repeatedly declining their kindness. She couldn't help but marvel at how cared for Nearl was.
After more than ten minutes, Nearl managed to extricate herself and return. Ardan stepped forward.
"Nearl, you seem really popular with everyone?"
"Probably because I often helped Matron Komori with shopping when I was little," Nearl said modestly, holding a few gifts she simply couldn't refuse.
"As you know, the orphanage has quite a few people; we couldn't go buying groceries daily. So, I'd run to the shops and negotiate with the owners, asking them to deliver the ingredients to the orphanage. That's how I got to know everyone over time."
"Hearing that, it suddenly feels like your childhood wasn't easy, Nearl."
"Life is never easy. Smooth sailing is the exception, not the rule."
Chatting and talking, the two walked through streets and alleys until they arrived in front of Komori Orphanage.
The orphanage looked almost exactly the same as when Nearl had left. But then again, if it had changed in just a month, that would have been strange.
"Let's go, Ardan. I'll take you to meet Matron Komori first. She's the one who raised me."
"Mm, I'll be very polite."
Ardan suddenly felt a bit nervous.
"Don't worry about it, just relax. Matron Komori was a Racing Uma Musume herself, you know? She'll be happy to meet you."
With that, Nearl pulled open the main gate. Behind it lay the same grassy clearing as always.
Ardan carefully followed Nearl's steps, watching as she approached a wooden door where the paint had even peeled off, then took out a key and unlocked it.
"Come on in. This is my room."
--+--
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.