"I'm going to look at the comics first, sweetie. Call me if you need anything."
The middle-aged man, stepping into the bookstore a pace ahead, tossed these words over his shoulder to his young daughter before promptly vanishing into the comics section.
Phew… I'm freezing!
Pretending to be interested in the comics on the shelves, he instead huddled close to the air conditioner, soaking in the warmth. He pulled off his gloves and rubbed his hands together.
Didn't the forecast say it was supposed to be above zero today? Why is it still so bitterly cold?
He'd been hunched over, shoulders tensed against the chill, but as the warm air hit his face, he finally relaxed, straightening up with a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness the distance between the bookstore and home wasn't too long… I hope Bless the Moment didn't notice anything off.
He casually picked up a comic and glanced back, watching as his little daughter headed for the second floor. A wave of relief washed over him.
—She probably didn't notice a thing.
…Dad, really. So stubborn, making things harder for himself.
Bless the Moment, having reached the second floor, paused to scan her surroundings.
She then flagged down a nearby staff member and asked for the location of the 'trainer' related books before heading in the direction they pointed.
He had ten thousand ways to avoid going out today, yet he chose to tough it out with his stubborn pride, landing himself in this sorry state.
Remembering how her father had shrunk into himself against the cold outdoors, Bless the Moment sighed.
Let's just get the book and go home.
She lifted her head, her eyes tracing the categories until she found herself entering the 'Trainer' section.
Hmm… let's see.
She raised a hand, her fingers lightly brushing against the spines of the books one by one.
Hiss… Nothing here really seems worth reading.
The white-haired Uma Musume felt a pang of disappointment.
Ah well… Time to go.
Her arm dropped back to her side as she turned to leave.
Thump!
She had barely taken a half-step past the end of the aisle when she felt a sudden impact against her shoulder.
Caught completely off guard, Bless the Moment stumbled sideways. Luckily, the dark-clad figure who'd bumped into her reacted swiftly, grabbing her wrist and steadying her before she lost her balance completely.
"Thank you," the white-haired Uma Musume let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and looked up to thank the brown-haired Uma Musume who still held her wrist.
"It's fine," the brown-haired Uma Musume, her face partially hidden by a hat and sunglasses, shook her head. "...Could you tell me your name?"
"My name?"
The white-haired Uma Musume blinked, studying the girl standing before her.
Asking for my name right off the bat?
Even behind the sunglasses, Bless the Moment could feel an intense gaze fixed on her, and she muttered inwardly.
Well, it's just a name, I suppose…
"Bless the Moment," she replied.
"So you are Bless the Moment?"
"Huh?"
Hearing those words, Bless the Moment immediately took a step back.
Yikes… This feels wrong!
Her eyes darted around, quickly assessing the situation. The second floor of this bookstore, with its labyrinthine shelves, turned the once simple layout into a confusing maze.
If you lost the main path, you could end up circling around endlessly.
If I could use the layout to my advantage… Tch!
Realizing she was effectively cornered in a dead end by this brown-haired Uma Musume, Bless the Moment clicked her tongue in frustration.
Of all places, a dead end.
In that case, the only option is—
"Wait, hold on a second!"
Seeing the white-haired Uma Musume take a deep breath, the brown-haired girl, realizing the misunderstanding, quickly raised a hand to stop her. "It's me!"
Under Bless the Moment's watchful eye, the brown-haired Uma Musume swiftly removed her hat and sunglasses, revealing her face.
Brown hair, violet eyes.
In that instant, recognition dawned on Bless the Moment's face.
So it's Admire Vega…
"Trainer, do you still remember me?"
"Of course, you're… Wait a minute, what did you call me?" Bless the Moment, who had started answering on instinct, suddenly snapped to full alertness.
"Trainer," Admire Vega repeated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You've got the wrong person, haven't you?" Bless the Moment pointed to her own face. "Do I really look that much like that trainer?"
"Trainer," Admire Vega spoke again, but this time her voice carried a distinct note of hurt. "Are you trying to abandon me again?"
"..."
The white-haired Uma Musume stood her ground, locking eyes with Admire Vega for several long seconds before finally letting out a resigned sigh.
"...How did you recognize me?" Bless the Moment asked.
"My sister told me," Admire Vega answered truthfully. Then she opened her arms, took a few steps forward, and enveloped the comparatively petite Bless the Moment in a tight embrace.
Trainer, I've finally found you.
Feeling the warmth emanating from the girl in her arms, Admire Vega's inner voice was a soft whisper, and she held on just a little tighter.
The trainer's gotten shorter.
Feeling the warm puff of the trainer's breath against her, Admire Vega noted.
She's thinner now.
Though, compared to before… her chest has become more substantial.
A single arm can easily encircle her waist now.
Trainer… Trainer, trainer, trainer, trainer—
I've missed you so much.
Every single day after you left, I've thought of you.
"Um… Vega?" Bless the Moment, held firmly in Admire Vega's embrace, felt the arm around her waist gradually tightening to the point of discomfort. She raised a hand and gently pushed against the other girl's body. "You're holding on a bit too tight…"
"Sorry," Admire Vega immediately loosened her grip. "Are you okay, Trainer?"
"I'm fine," Bless the Moment took a few steps back, releasing a long, slow breath.
…The trainer's so weak now.
Admire Vega's gaze drifted downward, settling on Bless the Moment's wrists.
Her arms are so slender too.
"Vega… have you told any of the other Uma Musume about this?" Bless the Moment asked, unaware of the thoughts running through Admire Vega's mind.
"No," Admire Vega, snapping back to attention, shook her head. "I'm the only one who knows."
"Just you, huh…" Bless the Moment breathed another sigh of relief.
Phew… Thank goodness.
If someone like that silly Ardan found out, she'd have no idea how to explain to her mom, dad, and sister that she was, in fact, Aya.
"Vega, please don't tell the others that I'm the trainer just yet," Bless the Moment said, the relief evident in her voice.
"Why not?" Admire Vega asked.
Even if the trainer hadn't mentioned it, she had no intention of telling anyone else.
But still… it couldn't hurt to play along and ask.
"Well…" Bless the Moment began with a slight smile. "Didn't you all used to say things like 'We'd recognize our trainer no matter what form she took'? I want to see how long it takes for them to actually figure it out."
…If my sister hadn't told me, I wouldn't have recognized you even if you were standing right in front of me.
That was the thought that crossed Admire Vega's mind upon hearing Bless the Moment's words.
"Vega? Is that okay?" Bless the Moment pressed.
"Alright, Trainer," Admire Vega nodded. But in the very next moment, as the white-haired Uma Musume was visibly relaxing, she added, "But in exchange, could you tell me where you're living now?"
"Huh? But…"
"Trainer." Seeing the hesitation flash across the white-haired Uma Musume's face, Admire Vega pressed further, her voice dropping slightly. "...You don't want the other Uma Musume to find out you're Aya, right?"
--+--
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.