"Do you truly understand your own desires?"
Tamamo Cross spoke with a hint of confusion, though deep down, she felt a flicker of realization.
"That's right. Whether it's wanting to seize victory, gather honors, earn higher prizes, prove yourself, or pursue greater speed—all of that is valid."
Nearl adjusted Oguri Cap's position beside her, gently guiding her to lie lower with her head resting against the sofa cushion for comfort.
"For Uma Musume, the most common aspirations are victory and glory, I suppose.
There's no hierarchy among these goals. As long as it's what you value most—what you'd give everything to achieve—then you already have the prerequisite to awaken your Domain."
Watching the young girl explain these secret truths so earnestly, Tamamo wore a puzzled expression.
"I've got a question, ya know."
"Please go ahead, Senior Tamamo. I'll do my best to answer."
Seeing the look of pure curiosity on Tamamo's face, Nearl was more than willing to respond.
"By all logic, an ordinary Uma Musume shouldn't know this many hidden details, right? Weren't you a local racer from Kasamatsu? How do you know all this?"
That was the part Tamamo couldn't wrap her head around.
She was practically the top Uma Musume in Japan now, and even she only had a vague understanding of Domains—let alone being able to explain them in such detail.
"…I suppose it's because I have a very reliable older sister."
Nearl paused for a moment at the question, then replied with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"An older sister? But—"
"That's enough, Senior Tamamo. Please allow me to keep some secrets."
Seeing that Tamamo was about to press further, Nearl quickly cut her off.
If this went on, it would get awkward. There was no way she could reveal that the Three Goddesses were her sisters, after all.
"Ah—oh, right. My apologies, that was rude of me. Please forgive me."
Tamamo blinked, then quickly stood up and bowed in apology. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she'd forgotten this was someone else's private matter.
"It's alright. Thank you for understanding, senior."
Truth be told, Nearl was relieved she didn't have to elaborate.
"So… does this mean I've already mastered my Domain?"
As she spoke, Tamamo focused her mind, and suddenly, white lightning crackled around her.
"Yes. Senior Tamamo can already freely wield your Domain. This power is only visible to other Uma Musume who have also awakened their Domains. Others can only sense that something is unusual."
"But, senior, it's best not to overuse your Domain. The mental strain is enormous. Your body isn't particularly robust, so please don't become over-reliant on this power."
Watching Tamamo, who now seemed possessed by a thunder god, Nearl looked concerned.
She focused her gaze on Tamamo, her fingers subtly shifting, and a golden light enveloped Tamamo like a cloak of radiance.
"So warm… Is this the effect of your Domain?"
The sensation was like rain after a long drought—soothing and nourishing. Tamamo's expression softened noticeably.
"It only serves to calm the spirit. Please retract your Domain now, senior. That feeling of exhilaration is just an illusion. Once you withdraw it, you'll feel the exhaustion."
Tamamo nodded in understanding and decisively deactivated her Domain.
Sure enough, the moment her Domain faded, she slumped over the table.
"So tired! How am I this exhausted?!"
Her head felt like a tangled mess of paste as she groaned miserably. It wasn't until that warm flow of energy soothed her dizziness again that she could sit up properly.
"Aah~~ I'm alive again. Is using a Domain really this painful?"
Tamamo patted her chest, still shaken by the experience.
"It's just that Senior Tamamo's body is too frail."
Nearl shook her head. Tamamo, fully aware of her own physical condition, could only offer an awkward smile.
"By the way, why are Oguri Cap and this Fujimasa March still with their eyes closed?"
Tamamo was growing a bit impatient; it felt like so much time had passed.
After all, within Nearl's Domain, only the four of them were responsive. Everyone else appeared as shimmering golden figures—their faces unclear, their voices silent.
"They might be trapped within my Domain. Unlike you, senior, who broke through forcefully with your own Domain, it will probably be difficult for them."
Nearl also looked worried as she observed Oguri Cap and March, both of whom seemed uneasy.
"Oguri has the potential to awaken a Domain. It's just that she hasn't fully found herself yet. But as for March…"
Nearl shook her head.
"She lacks that innate talent."
"…The word 'talent' really is a cold one, isn't it?"
Tamamo seemed to recall her own past, her mood turning somber.
"Mmm…"
Just then, Oguri Cap, who had been quiet until now, let out a soft sound. Her blue eyes fluttered several times before slowly opening, her gaze dazed and confused.
"How are you feeling, Oguri? Any thoughts?"
Seeing that Oguri was awake, Nearl leaned closer to her.
"Margaret… Margaret!"
Then, without warning, an emotional Oguri Cap pulled her into a tight hug.
"Mmm, that place was awful… I couldn't find anything to eat no matter how hungry I got…"
She clung to Nearl tightly, as if she'd been truly frightened—like a child who'd once gotten lost and was still scared.
"Alright, alright. It was my oversight. I underestimated the situation."
Nearl gently stroked her head, comforting her. Across from them, Tamamo muttered under her breath.
'These two are only two years apart, but it feels like a parent and a little kid.'
It took a while before Oguri finally released Nearl. Once she did, Nearl asked her what she had gained from the experience.
"Oguri, do you feel anything different now?"
"Mmm, kind of… but it's hard to describe…"
Scratching her head, Oguri looked confused.
"That's alright. It seems the seed has already been planted. Now, all that's left is for you to let it take root and grow."
Nearl felt pleased. Oguri wasn't far behind Tamamo now—she had already pushed open the door to her Domain.
"Oh, right, Margaret."
Oguri suddenly remembered something.
"There was a white-haired girl in that world. I was so hungry but couldn't find any food, and she was the one who brought me something to eat."
"…"
Nearl's expression froze for an instant.
"…Is that so? Did she tell you her name?"
After a moment of silence, Nearl asked a question.
Her demeanor felt slightly different now—a little more urgent.
But Oguri, ever the innocent, didn't notice a thing. She spilled everything without hesitation, like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube.
"I remember her saying her name was Centaurea, but she wouldn't tell me her family name."
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T/N: HI3 x HSR Fanfic Up!
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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.