"Here, the racer data you asked for. Seriously, why do I have to handle such a hassle?"
Platinum rather reluctantly handed the notes over to Nearl, muttering under her breath all the while.
"You say that, but you did a pretty good job in the end, didn't you?"
Nearl carefully flipped through the pages and noticed each entry was incredibly detailed, with many of Platinum's own insights added—all quite accurate.
"Just scribbled some stuff down. Can't guarantee it's all correct, though."
"Even so, this information is a big help. Thank you."
Trainer Musaka Ginjirou took the notes from Nearl and thanked her sincerely.
"No need for that. Just make sure Oguri Cap gets a good result, alright? I'm outta here."
With that, Platinum waved her hand and tried to make a quick escape, but Nearl caught her by the tail.
"Hold on a moment."
"Eek! Let go of my tail!"
Platinum, now fluffed up and jumping in place, spun around quickly and rescued her tail from Nearl's grasp, smoothing down the fur tenderly.
"What's the big idea? If you've got something to say, just say it."
"Oguri Cap's mother is coming today. Could you please go pick her up?"
"Huh?"
Platinum gave Nearl a puzzled once-over, feeling a bit confused.
"It's not that I mind, but wouldn't it be better for you to go?"
Hearing this, Nearl sighed slightly in resignation.
"I really wanted to go, but Ardan suddenly said she needed me for something—right before Mrs. Oguri was due to arrive. I can't break a promise once it's made, so I have to rely on you for this."
"That's all, right? You don't need me to do anything else?"
Platinum asked warily, an attitude that made Nearl feel both helpless and amused.
"That's all. You'd better get going."
"Fine, I'm off."
Watching Platinum bounce away, Nearl and the watching Trainer Musaka exchanged a knowing smile.
"Well then, Nearl, I should be going too."
Trainer Musaka shook the notebook in his hand, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"This intel is very useful. I'll use it to plan our tactics next. I might not be able to keep an eye on Oguri Cap for a while, so I'll leave her in your care."
"Understood. But honestly, she might not need my attention much after this. I believe her mother will help Oguri remember some of the things she's forgotten."
Nearl watched as Oguri Cap repeatedly crouched and sprang up, feeling confident in her.
"The only thing standing between Oguri and mastering her 'Domain' now is facing her own heart."
"Is that so? If she can learn to use her Domain before the Japan Cup, I believe she'll be able to take on any opponent."
Trainer Musaka's faith in Oguri Cap was no less than Nearl's.
--+--
"Oguri Cap's mom, huh? I know a bit about her personality and appearance, but that's all from what I've seen in Nearl. Wonder how she'll act toward me?"
Having already reached the station and waiting for Oguri Cap's mother to arrive, Platinum let her thoughts wander.
She had a pretty good impression of Oguri Cap and hoped her mother would be friendly too.
"Ah, there she is."
Platinum's eyes quickly found the gray figure emerging from the crowded train car.
Long, straight gray hair, dusty gray ears, even the coat she wore was gray.
"Come on, just how much do you love the color gray?"
Platinum muttered under her breath, then pushed her way through the crowd in that direction.
At that moment, Oguri's mother was actually quite troubled.
With her Uma Musume physique, forcing her way out of the crowd wouldn't be hard, but the aftermath wouldn't be pretty—she might end up hurting someone.
But just as she was fretting, a cool yet pleasant female voice sounded beside her.
"You're Oguri Cap's mother, right? Follow me."
Along with that lovely voice, a cool, slender hand reached out and took hold of hers.
Before Oguri's mother could react, she was pulled backward by a firm yet gentle force.
Strangely, even with so many people crowded together, the two of them moved without any obstruction.
The girl seemed to always find gaps in the crowd, slipping through as smoothly as a skilled chef carving up an ox.
Within minutes, they were free of the crowd.
Only then did she have a chance to see what the person who'd pulled her out looked like.
It was no surprise—the little cutie before her was indeed a Uma Musume. After all, where would a normal girl get that kind of strength?
"Now, dear, can you tell me who you are? I heard you mention Oguri Cap earlier—are you my daughter's junior or perhaps a friend?"
Oguri's mother smiled warmly as she looked at the young Uma Musume, pulling a carrot from her bag and offering it to her.
"I wouldn't call us friends. We've only met once."
Platinum took the carrot casually, her expression neutral.
"Nearl had a prior commitment today, so she passed the task of picking you up to me."
Not wanting to just stand around, Platinum started toward the exit once the crowd had thinned, and Oguri's mother hurried to keep up.
"Oh, Nearl! You must be close with her, then."
"Why would you think that?"
Platinum glanced back, not quite understanding.
"I've watched Nearl grow up. I know how stubborn she can be—she'd never trouble anyone unless she trusted them deeply."
The older woman studied Platinum carefully, pondering her relationship with Nearl.
'This is a bit tricky. I already like this young girl—she's still so young, and there's something lively and quick-witted about her. Should I just ask directly?'
Thinking that, Oguri's mother spoke up.
"So, are you Nearl's friend?"
"I'm her sister."
Platinum took out the carrot, curiously took a bite, then another.
"What? Her sister? Did Nearl find her birth parents?"
Clearly, Oguri's mother knew about Nearl's background, so now her mind was filled with thoughts of Nearl.
"How is she handling it? Is she feeling overwhelmed? Or is she refusing to meet them?"
She pressed urgently.
"How should I know? I sought her out on my own, so don't ask me about family matters."
Platinum explained impatiently, though inwardly she was starting to panic.
'Stop asking. I fell right out of the sky—I can't keep making up this family background.'
"I see… You've had it rough too, haven't you…"
At that, the way Oguri's mother looked at Platinum softened, filled with tenderness and pity.
She even quietly reached out to gently pat Platinum's head, hoping to offer some comfort.
--+--
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.