Just as Symboli Rudolf and Mr. C.B. were engaged in their little comedy of errors, news of Nearl's race results began trickling in elsewhere.
Especially among the trainers who had previously visited Nearl—it seemed every one of them had gotten a copy.
"Hmm, a new record… Nearl's really something else."
Oguri Cap held the newspaper with great interest, nodding along as she read, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she absorbed every word.
"What do I do? Feels like I can't possibly catch up to her now."
The moment that thought crossed her mind, her ears seemed to droop a little.
"Oguri Cap! Don't touch the fresh newspaper with those greasy hands of yours—right after eating a burger without washing up! Other people still need to read it, you know!"
Musaka Ginjirou's veins bulged on his forehead as he snatched the newly bought paper right out of her grasp, glaring in frustration at the large, oily smudges now staining it.
"Do you even realize this kind of paper turns transparent where grease touches it? Now nobody else can read it properly!"
"?"
Oguri Cap, munching on a chicken leg she'd produced from who-knows-where, stared blankly at her fuming trainer, completely uncomprehending.
Seeing her like that, Musaka felt a surge of anger stuck in his throat—unable to spit it out, unable to swallow it down.
"Forget it. If I keep this up, I'll only shorten my own lifespan. No point arguing with you."
"I should've just bought two copies from the start. Then I wouldn't be so mad at myself over you ruining this one."
After a few deep, deliberate breaths, Trainer Musaka managed to suppress his rage.
"Yeah, you really should've bought two copies, Trainer. That wasn't very thoughtful of you."
To his disbelief, Oguri Cap completely missed the sarcasm in his tone and instead bluntly pointed out what she saw as his oversight.
"I—!!"
Musaka Ginjirou's vision went black for a second, and the world seemed to spin around him.
"Trainer!"
Oguri Cap's voice rang in his ears, but instead of snapping him back to clarity, it only made him wish he could sink into the darkness altogether.
Maybe then he'd get a little peace, far away from this troublesome girl.
Well, let's leave the poor old man to his misery. Meanwhile, another Uma Musume was also taking note of Nearl's news.
--+--
"…"
Tamamo Cross looked over the report with a calm expression, only a slight flicker in her eyes when she saw Nearl's results.
Her trainer couldn't help but find her reaction a bit curious.
"Tama-chan, you don't seem surprised at all? I was totally shocked when I first saw the news."
"I know Nearl well. That girl was bound to lead our generation sooner or later—no doubt about it. I'd bet my life on it."
"That high of a praise?"
"Of course. It's no use tryin' to explain it to ya, Komiya."
Folding the newspaper neatly and setting it aside, Tamamo Cross put the news out of her mind.
"Alright, knowin' how Nearl's doin' lately is enough. The rest ain't for an old-timer like me to meddle in—that's more Oguri's style."
Standing up and stretching her limbs, a faint trace of pain and restlessness flashed across Tamamo's face.
"Komiya, I'm off to train. I'll leave the arrangements for the Arima Kinen and my retirement in your hands."
"…"
At the mention of that, Trainer Komiyama's sadness became palpable. She gazed sorrowfully at Tamamo Cross, her lips trembling slightly.
"I'm sorry, Tama-chan… It's my lack of skill that's left your body in this state…"
"Aah~ here we go again."
Tamamo sighed softly and ran a hand through her long gray hair in resignation.
She knew her trainer well—her strengths were too many to count.
Whether it was her care and affection for the Uma Musume under her wing, the structure and effectiveness of their training regimens, or the meticulous attention to their daily lives—she was truly first-rate.
But she had one flaw: she was far too quick to shoulder blame.
The wear and tear on Tamamo's body had nothing to do with Komiyama—it was all her own pushing too hard. Yet her trainer still firmly believed it was her own inadequacy.
In situations like this, there was only one thing Tamamo Cross could do.
"Komiya, I'm trustin' you with my retirement ceremony. Make it a good one for me, alright?"
She looked warmly at the trainer who had stood by her throughout her entire career on the track. All she could offer in return was her complete trust.
"Yes! Leave it to me! I'll organize a retirement ceremony truly worthy of the 'White Lightning!'"
"Haha, no need to go that far."
Seeing Komiyama's tear-filled yet determined eyes fixed on her, Tamamo smiled, her heart at ease.
"Well then, I'll be off."
With a wave, she turned and left.
--+--
"Mom, look—isn't this name in the newspaper the same as the daughter of Matron Komori you told me about before?"
While waiting for their train at the station, Special Week found her attention drawn to a magazine rack tucked in one corner.
Such racks were usually there for waiting passengers to kill time.
Though hardly used much these days with the spread of smartphones, it was still regularly stocked with fresh newspapers and magazines.
And today, as luck would have it, the latest issues had just been put out.
"Oh, you're right! She looks so much like the photo Komori sent us too—especially that shining golden hair. I've never seen another like it in my life."
Curious, the blonde woman picked up the newspaper from the rack, comparing the colored photo printed on it before confirming her daughter's guess.
"But she's changed quite a bit from the photo. Her figure and the impression she gives feel different from that somewhat mature image in the picture—there's a unique charm to her now."
"Mom! Let me see! Don't hold it so high!"
Seeing how engrossed her foster mother was, Spe-chan's curiosity exploded.
She hopped up and down, desperate to get a look for herself.
"Alright, alright, let's just sit down and read it together, shall we?"
A bit exasperated, her mother gently pulled her over to the waiting area, and they settled onto a plastic bench.
Spe-chan naturally snuggled into her mom's lap, their heads pressed close together in a picture of harmony.
Soon, they were completely absorbed in the article.
"A new all-Japan dirt track record?! That's amazing!"
"Incredible!"
Mother and daughter gasped in unison, their expressions almost perfectly mirrored.
"Mom, is this incredible senior really the daughter of that Aunt Komori you mentioned?"
"Huh? Well, I was sure before, but seeing such dazzling results… now I'm starting to doubt my own eyes."
Spe-chan's eyes sparkled as she devoured the detailed account of Nearl's performance, her tail wagging excitedly.
"Mom! Let's hurry! I wanna meet this senior as soon as possible!"
--+--
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.