Trainer's Niece?
Hearing Maruzensky utter those words felt like a firework exploding inside Bless the Moment's head, leaving her mind completely blank.
Wasn't I an orphan in my past life? Where did this niece come from?
Did she pop out of a rock?
"Just as I thought."
Maruzensky wore an expression of sudden understanding. "Exactly as I imagined."
No, no, no! How did you jump to that conclusion?
Feeling a wave of exasperation, Bless the Moment was about to speak when Maruzensky pulled her into a tight embrace. Her lips were sealed by something soft, and all that escaped was a series of muffled whimpers.
…The trainer once said that the orphanage was her home.
So, expanding that a little—'everyone at the orphanage is her family'—should be perfectly reasonable, right?
That's what Maruzensky told herself.
She'd been so obsessed with missing the trainer that she'd even forgotten the simple truth: 'the dead can't come back to life.' Thankfully, she'd calmed down lately and thought it through clearly.
The departed may be gone, but memories remain.
Gone is gone; the living must carry on.
Feeling the little white-haired Uma Musume struggling in her arms, Maruzensky took a deep breath and let the chilly breeze sweep away the sorrow rising in her heart.
Trainer, I'll take good care of your niece.
Maruzensky made this silent vow with firm resolve.
"Pwah—!"
Finally freeing herself from Maruzensky's embrace, Bless the Moment took several deep breaths, forcing the discomfort from her body.
Haa… I almost got smothered by her chest.
The white-haired Uma Musume sighed in relief, then looked up at the brown-haired Uma Musume standing before her—just in time to meet Maruzensky's gaze.
…Why are you looking at me with such a fond, almost motherly expression?
Bless the Moment opened her mouth to speak, but as words surged to her lips, she found herself at a loss.
"Don't worry."
Seeing the white-haired Uma Musume's reaction, Maruzensky's gaze softened even further, her mind probably weaving another elaborate misunderstanding. "I'll take good care of you, for the trainer's sake."
…Has Maruzensky been watching those old-fashioned TV dramas again?
Bless the Moment resisted the urge to ask.
Whatever, you believe what you want.
I give up!
"By the way, would you like to see our Venus team lounge?"
When Bless the Moment didn't respond, Maruzensky took it as agreement and posed the question.
"The Venus lounge?"
Bless the Moment was stunned.
Haven't I been dead for years? How is the Venus team lounge still around?
"Since no one took over Venus, the lounge was supposed to be decommissioned and labeled as 'vacant,' according to regulations."
Her question was answered almost immediately. "But thanks to the relentless efforts of our Venus team members, we managed to preserve it."
"I see…"
Bless the Moment nodded slowly.
She made it sound so simple, but it must have been really difficult, right?
Honestly… ah.
Her thoughts swirled, and for a moment, she couldn't find the right words.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Just as she gathered her thoughts and was about to speak, Maruzensky suddenly leaned in, pulled out her phone, and snapped a selfie of the two.
"Maruzensky…?"
Her train of thought interrupted, Bless the Moment watched, bewildered, as the other rapidly tapped on her touchscreen.
"I'm sending your picture to the others."
With that, Maruzensky hit send. "The trainer's niece—I have to introduce you to everyone."
Watching as a flood of question marks instantly flooded her screen, the brown-haired Uma Musume smiled in satisfaction, put her phone away, and led the white-haired Uma Musume toward the Venus team lounge.
--+--
…Is that the trainer?
Admire Vega flipped over and sprang out of bed.
The trainer's been brought into Central Tracen Academy by Maruzensky?
No wonder I saw her heading out in her red sports car early this morning—she was going to find the trainer?
But what's this about the trainer's niece?
Admire Vega pondered for a long moment, then gave up.
…Maruzensky must have misunderstood something, as usual.
She quickly got ready, then pulled her door open.
"…Vega?"
Hearing the door, her father looked up.
Seeing his daughter hurrying toward him, he asked in surprise, "Are you going out?"
"Mm."
The black-haired Uma Musume nodded. "I won't be back for lunch, Dad. Make something for yourself."
"Alright."
He didn't ask what she was doing—just said "Alright" and left it at that.
His daughter was grown up now. As long as it wasn't anything illegal, what she did was no longer his business.
Besides… he should figure out what to eat for lunch.
There weren't any ingredients left at home.
--+--
…The trainer's been brought to Central Tracen by Maruzensky?
Mejiro Ardan's eyes sharpened as she read the message.
And Maruzensky thinks she's the trainer's niece?
Wasn't the trainer an orphan? Where did relatives come from?
"Ardan?"
Noticing the blue-haired Uma Musume had stopped, Sakura Chiyono turned back. "What's wrong?"
"Bless the Moment is here at Central Tracen."
Mejiro Ardan showed her the phone screen. "Maruzensky says she's the trainer's niece."
"Huh?"
The red-haired Uma Musume was stunned. "But wasn't Trainer Nakatsuru Aya from an orphanage? How does she have a niece?"
"No idea."
Mejiro Ardan shook her head, putting her phone away as she turned. "I'm going back to check."
"Wait!"
Sakura Chiyono O reacted quickly, grabbing the blue-haired Uma Musume's wrist. "I'm coming too."
Partly to stop Ardan from making a move on an underage Uma Musume, and partly to see Maruzensky.
An opportunity to see Maruzensky was right here—she had to consider whether this was her only chance this break.
"Chiyo…"
Mejiro Ardan sighed. "…I'm really not the kind of person you think I am."
"Mmhmm, I know."
Sakura Chiyono O nodded, though her dismissive tone made it clear she hadn't taken the words to heart.
Ah…
Mejiro Ardan felt utterly helpless.
Ever since that day, Sakura Chiyono O had become her little shadow.
Wherever she went, Chiyo followed.
Though she claimed it was 'to grow closer to Ardan,' it was obvious—Chiyo was sticking by her side to prevent her from approaching children.
But the problem is, I'm really not interested in kids…
--+--
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.