Chapter 268: A Cute Nickname
"L–Living together?!"
With a startled cry, like a kitten whose tail had just been stepped on, Kitasan Black's ears and tail shot upright, her eyes widening into perfect circles.
In the next instant, she waved her hands in a fluster, then abruptly lowered her head, unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes as she stammered,
"N-No… you've misunderstood, we're just… just…"
Her face flushed bright red, like a ripe tomato, as if it might start dripping blood at any moment. She had no idea how to explain herself.
As her thoughts tangled into a mess, she couldn't help but sneak a glance at the Umamusume standing outside the door, her heart full of confusion.
She didn't recognize the other girl at all, yet for some reason felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Especially that gentle smile—it felt like she had seen it somewhere before.
But she didn't dwell on it. All her attention was caught on that one phrase: "living together."
Her thoughts drifted uncontrollably back over everything that had happened during this time.
Every morning, she would quietly get up before her Trainer woke, carefully preparing breakfast.
Seeing how satisfied he looked while eating filled her with happiness as well.
Although it was still the holiday and his injury hadn't fully healed, her Trainer had already resumed part of his work.
Aside from accompanying her and Almond Eye when they went out to have fun, he would spend his free time reviewing recent race information, association updates, as well as various training insights and research papers.
At times like these, she wouldn't disturb him. She would simply stay quietly by his side, trying her best to understand and memorize the information as she followed along.
Only when her Trainer took a break would she make a sound—like brewing a cup of hot tea or coffee, chatting with him, asking questions that came up while she observed earlier, or talking about interesting—or uninteresting—little things.
These days of staying by his side day and night to take care of him had originally felt to her like nothing more than concern and responsibility.
But now, after that Umamusume's remark, no matter how she thought about it, it really did feel like living together.
As that realization sank in, her whole body felt strangely light and tingly.
And just as she was experiencing this unfamiliar, heart-racing sensation, a flash of inspiration suddenly crossed her mind, and she vaguely recalled something.
If people live together… doesn't that only happen when they like each other…?
Who said that again… oh right, Dia-chan…
She had even said that if two people like each other, they must live together, otherwise it doesn't count as mutual feelings…
So then… between me and Trainer… what exactly are we…?
"L–Living together?!"
At that moment, Almond Eye repeated the words belatedly, instantly perking up.
She first looked at Kitasan Black in shock, then excitedly at the Umamusume outside the door, and finally at Makoto beside her.
As her gaze darted around, her eyes sparkled with curiosity, full of gossip-hungry excitement, like she had discovered a whole new world.
"Now that I think about it… it really does seem that way…"
She muttered softly, scratching her head. "Kita-senpai like this… really does feel like she's living together with Trainer—"
Suddenly, a hand pressed down on Almond Eye's head, cutting her off.
The one who acted was, of course, Makoto. With a somewhat helpless expression, he looked at the Umamusume outside and spoke with a hint of complaint,
"What 'living together'? Didn't I already tell you? Kita's just taking care of me, that's all… Mom."
Hearing Makoto's words, both Kitasan Black and Almond Eye froze for a moment. Then, their expressions stiffened.
The deep red flush on Kitasan Black's face instantly turned pale, then red again, her previous embarrassment and fluster replaced by overwhelming awkwardness.
She had never imagined that the one who guessed she was living together with her trainer… was actually her Trainer mother.
Her hands unconsciously loosened their grip on her clothes, falling helplessly to her sides before quickly moving behind her back. She lowered her head so much it was almost pressed to her chest, looking like she wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into.
As for Almond Eye, her eyes widened even further, her mouth slightly open, her face filled with a clear "so that's how it is" expression.
She looked at Kitasan Black, then at Makoto's mother, and then back at Makoto. The little flame of gossip in her heart was instantly doused, leaving behind only the awkward embers of embarrassment.
Good thing Trainer stopped me… otherwise if I'd said something ridiculous, it would've been a huge joke…
Feeling awkward, she also secretly felt relieved.
Outside the door, seeing the expressions of everyone inside, Makoto's mother suddenly let out a soft laugh.
She took off her knit cap and gently shook her head. A pair of long black ears popped up from the top of her head, and her jet-black hair, previously tucked inside the hat, fell naturally along her cheeks.
"Alright, alright, I was just joking. Of course I know Kita-chan is just taking care of you, you clumsy kid. Look how scared you all got."
She casually stepped into the room and walked up to Kitasan Black, who was standing there with her head lowered and her hands awkwardly at a loss. Reaching out, she gently patted her head.
"So, thank you for taking care of Ma-kun during this time. I'm really grateful, Kita-chan. I can call you that, right?"
Hearing this, Kitasan Black instinctively replied,
"Y-Yes… you can… a-and also… y-you're welcome… it's what I should do…"
But the moment she finished speaking, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
"Ma-kun"… who is that…?
Then she quickly realized—it was her trainer's nickname. She couldn't help but sneak a glance at him.
Seeing her Trainer looking at his mother with a helpless expression, she hurriedly lowered her head again.
Trainer's nickname… it sounds kind of cute…
After that random thought, she quickly remembered that her Trainer mother was still at the entrance. Flustered, she began rummaging through the shoe cabinet in the entryway.
"I-I… would it be okay for Auntie to wear my slippers? There are spare ones here, all new… they should fit…"
As she fumbled nervously and avoided eye contact like she had something to hide, she spoke in a stammer.
A meaningful glint flashed through Makoto's mother's eyes. She subtly curled her lips into a faint smile, though her tone remained casual.
"Anything is fine, thank you, Kita-chan."
As she said this, she casually glanced around the room.
When she saw the bed placed in the center of the living room, the sofa moved to the side, and the bright red lantern hanging from the ceiling, her smile deepened slightly, that same knowing look flashing through her eyes again.
At this moment, Almond Eye—who had been standing beside Makoto—finally recovered from the earlier awkwardness.
She blinked, looked at Makoto, scratched her head, and said softly,
"Trainer, your mom… looks so young. Is she 30… no, maybe 25?"
Hearing this, Makoto froze for a moment, then gave a helpless smile.
I'm already 19, there's no way my mom is only 25. What is this kid even thinking…
But before he could respond, his mother—after thanking Kitasan Black and taking the slippers she handed over with her head lowered—looked over with a smile.
"This child must be Almond Eye, right? You really know how to talk."
"Although I can't tell you my age… it's fine if you think I'm in my twenties."
"Let me introduce myself properly, my debut name was Mechalyn. You can call me Aunt Mechalyn."
"Of course, I'd be even happier if you call me Mechalyn-nee."
"Sometimes, I even have Ma-kun call me that."
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 314: Kita, You're Truly Amazing[1]
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