After hesitating for a moment, the Uma Musume finally decided not to disturb Oguri Cap.
"Never mind. Looks like she's hanging out with friends. Not sure when she got so close to those two, but now's not a good time to interrupt."
She rolled up the newspaper she'd just bought that day, her earlier excitement about sharing big news with Oguri Cap fading away.
"Was gonna tell her another monster's shown up back in her hometown," she murmured.
The brown-haired Uma Musume unfolded the paper again, her expression turning serious as she stared at the front-page headline.
"The Unstoppable Charger, huh… Heh!"
A fierce, excited grin spread across her face, and she scuffed her feet against the ground.
"Kinda wanna race her… See if my speed can take down this 'Great Escape'."
But then she paused abruptly, a flicker of discomfort crossing her features.
"Tch, still not fully healed?"
A sharp, throbbing pain shot through her foot, darkening her mood instantly. Her grip tightened unconsciously, crumpling the newspaper.
"Dammit… Better go see the doctor."
Shoving her hands into her pockets, she turned and headed toward the infirmary. Her retreating figure looked lonely and stubborn, like a lone wolf.
Of course, Oguri Cap knew nothing about what had just happened. She was too busy pestering Nearl about the trainer's exam.
"Margaret, you're going to be a trainer? That's amazing!"
Oguri Cap hopped around Nearl like an overexcited kid.
"Even if I pass, I won't become a trainer right away. I still have races to run," Nearl said, gently holding Oguri Cap still to calm her down. "Maybe someday? But for now, I'm still an Uma Musume."
"Oh, right!" Nearl suddenly remembered. "Oguri, I won my debut race."
Hearing that, Oguri Cap's playful demeanor shifted into something more sincere.
"I never doubted you would, Margaret. Congratulations on stepping onto the track."
"Thank you, Oguri. The moment I won that debut race, I took the first step toward my dream."
"Yeah."
Oguri Cap nodded solemnly. "To celebrate, let me treat you to dinner. There's a great barbecue place."
"But you just ate," Fujimasa March cut in, pointing at the empty lunchbox beside Oguri Cap.
"Mmm…"
Oguri Cap clutched her stomach, deep in thought.
"How about we go tonight? There's still some time before dinner," Nearl suggested.
"Tonight, then! I'll bring Tamamo along too," Oguri Cap agreed eagerly, nodding like crazy.
"Then it's settled." Nearl stood up and reached for her luggage. "See you tonight, Oguri. March and I should get going now."
"Huh? Why?"
Oguri Cap reached out, trying to stop them, not quite understanding why they had to leave so soon.
"Dummy Oguri Cap, we need to find a hotel. We're not students at Central Tracen like you—we don't have dorms here," Fujimasa said, poking Oguri Cap's forehead in mild annoyance.
Finally understanding, Oguri Cap let out a quiet "Oh," and didn't try to keep them any longer.
"Come find me tonight, Margaret, March."
"We will. See you tonight." Nearl waved goodbye and walked toward the school gate, leaving Oguri Cap watching her with longing eyes.
"Nearl, have any hotels in mind?" Fujimasa March asked as she followed behind.
"Not really. I thought we'd ask around first," Nearl replied. "Let's start at the main gate. I'm sure Ms. Hayakawa will be happy to help."
Fujimasa March nodded in agreement.
But before they could take more than a few steps, a voice called out from nearby—followed immediately by a hug.
"Then skip the hotel! How about staying at your senpai's place?"
Nearl turned slightly in the embrace and found herself looking up at a small white hat, with two ears wagging cheerfully behind it.
Her identity was obvious.
"Mr. C.B., you're awake?" Nearl didn't resist the hug and greeted her warmly.
"Yep! Had a great dream! Haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. I'm in top form again!" Mr. C.B. giggled, her energy genuine and vibrant—a stark contrast to the forced cheerfulness she'd shown before.
"That's wonderful. But Ms. C.B., we've only met twice. Staying at your place would be… highly unusual," Nearl said politely.
Mr. C.B. waved off her concerns without a second thought.
"I don't mind! I like you, so I'm inviting you. Besides, with the Central Trainer Exam coming up, hotel prices around here have skyrocketed. You'd be overpaying."
"Even so, staying at your home is…"
"Consider it my good luck charm. Running into you today helped me sleep well—I feel so much better now. Humor my superstition, won't you?"
Mr. C.B. looked at Nearl and Fujimasa with sincere enthusiasm.
Faced with such a warm invitation, Nearl and Fujimasa exchanged a glance. It was hard to say no—especially since their host was a famous Uma Musume with a trustworthy reputation. In the end, they accepted.
"Then we'll trouble you for your hospitality, Senior C.B."
"Thank you for having us."
They both expressed their gratitude, but Mr. C.B. simply grabbed their wrists cheerfully and pulled them toward the school gate.
"No need to be so polite! C'mon, let's go!"
Nearl and Fujimasa could only follow with resigned smiles. At the gate, Ms. Hayakawa watched them with a slightly troubled expression.
Truly, the most free-spirited Uma Musume.
Meanwhile, Oguri Cap had found her trainer.
"Uncle Ginjirou, what's next for training?"
She walked into the training room and found Ginjirou Musaka intently studying a newspaper, his expression stern. He didn't even notice her come in.
"Uncle Ginjirou, what are you reading?"
Curious, Oguri Cap moved closer and looked at the paper with him. A bold, oversized headline dominated the front page, accompanied by a photo.
[Kasamatsu's New Star! The Successor to a Hero!]
The headline alone might not have been remarkable, but it was the photo that made Oguri Cap gasp.
"Margaret…"
Yes, this was one of the many papers reporting on the result of Nearl's debut race.
--+--
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.