"If you're interested, I'll have Centaurea play with Spe-chan later."
Seeing how intently Special Week was watching Platinum, Komori Party was happy to indulge the child's curiosity.
"Really? Thank you!"
Hearing this, Special Week's tail wagged so vigorously it was practically a blur.
"No need for thanks. Let's head inside to talk."
Shaking her head, Komori led the way into the orphanage, glancing back to call out to the two following her.
"There's a lot I'd like to ask you about."
"I feel the same way."
The blonde woman chuckled softly, a trace of emotion in her voice. Watching the figure of her old friend ahead, memories of their shared laughter and joy surfaced, leaving her feeling a little unsettled.
"Have a seat."
It was the same familiar reception room, the same familiar sofa.
But there was no helping it; there really wasn't a better room available.
"Komori, you've changed quite a bit over the years."
Guiding her curiously glancing daughter to sit down, Spe-chan's foster mother gazed gently at her old friend.
"That's only natural, isn't it? People change. The thoughts sparked by the things we encounter, the sediment settled by time—all of it shapes us into someone we might not even recognize."
Komori lifted her eyes to look at her old friend.
"Besides, you're not the same either. The you from back then wasn't nearly this quiet."
"Heh, I'm not quiet now. I just wear a different face when I'm out and about."
"I can vouch for that! Mom's usually really noisy, and she even steals my carrots!"
Special Week, who had been fidgeting, suddenly raised a hand to accuse her foster mother of these 'atrocities.'
"If I didn't steal them, you'd have turned into a plump little filly long ago."
A single pinch on the cheek from her mother had Special Week begging for mercy, and the two began to playfully tussle, much to Komori Party's amusement.
"It seems you've poured your heart and soul into this child. How does it feel being a single mother with a child out of wedlock?"
"To be honest, it's not bad at all. Spe-chan is so adorable, I sometimes feel like having one of my own wouldn't be so bad. Besides, when it comes to mothering experience, Komori, you have more than I do, right?"
Spe-chan's mother wasn't one to be teased without fighting back, and she promptly countered.
However, the hint of awkwardness that flashed across Komori's face gave her pause.
"Komori, don't tell me you…"
"It's probably what you're thinking." Komori scratched her cheek, a blush tinting her face.
"I'm actually a bit lacking as the head of the household. Nearl handles most of the motherly duties."
"My, that child is just too outstanding."
"You've got a good eye. Nearl truly is one of a kind, a rare and wonderful child."
On this point, the two found themselves in complete agreement.
"But you've become so much gentler now. You talk with people normally, and your face shows so much more expression."
Spe-chan's foster mother suddenly remarked with a nostalgic tone.
"The you from before was icy cold, never one for conversation. And even when you had to talk, your words often ended up irritating people. You were a total ice queen."
"Ugh, such ancient history."
Having her memories pulled back to those days made Komori Party blush a little.
"The young me was indeed like that. Thinking about it now, it was so foolish. Back then, I believed in one principle: that those who truly understood you didn't need words. So I kept a cold face and never spoke properly."
"So that was the reason for your ice queen act back then."
Clearly, this was the first time Spe-chan's mother was hearing this.
"Pretty silly, right? It all stemmed from a manga I read back then called 'Uma Musume's Bizarre Adventure.' The protagonist said that. But now, I've actually come to a new understanding of that phrase, thanks to the children."
Her fingers brushed over the large group photo tucked under the edge of the table, a warm smile gracing Komori Party's face.
This, in turn, began to melt away the icy image of her that still lingered in Spe-chan's foster mother's memory.
"Those who understand you truly don't need words, but it's just that—they don't need words. Whether it's a meeting of the eyes or a hint in a gesture, they're all methods of communication. If you want someone to understand you, words are essential in the beginning."
"You're so much more likable now. If you'd been like this back then, maybe you could have made more friends."
"There's no need. I think having one or two close friends in a lifetime is enough."
Unwilling to elaborate further on this point, Komori shifted her gaze to Special Week, who was off in her own little world.
"Was the name Special Week her idea?"
"Yes, it was decided right after she was born."
"It's a wonderful name, very nice."
Offering the casual praise, Komori's attention settled elsewhere.
"But her face looks so much like her mother's, so why does this child seem so blissfully simple-minded? Her mother was such a cool beauty."
"That's something I've wondered about for a long time too. But Spe-chan is incredibly cute just like this, so it's fine for her to be a little silly."
Gently pinching her daughter's cheek with her own hand, the blonde woman looked utterly content.
"I'm not siilly~~"
Little Special Week continued to squirm in protest.
Seeing the atmosphere was just right, Special Week's foster mother felt it was time to ask a certain question.
"Komori, even now, do you still blame Special Week's mother for not entrusting her to you back then?"
She said this with a more serious expression. This was one of her main reasons for coming.
Given their long history, she didn't want to see her friend still trapped in that old cycle after all this time.
"…"
The smile remained on Komori's face.
She gazed silently at Special Week, who was also looking at her with wide eyes, as if seeing a shadow of the girl's mother from the past.
"They really are alike…" She sighed wistfully, but let it end there.
Years of life and the companionship of the children in the orphanage had made her heart strong and warm.
She was no longer the stubborn, lonely Uma Musume from the past.
"Hey."
"What is it?"
Komori Party called out abruptly, seemingly out of nowhere. After getting the other's response, she smiled with pride.
"Later, I'll take you to meet my children. They definitely won't lose to Spe-chan."
From what place in her heart did those words come from?
Komori herself was a little unsure, but she knew one thing with absolute clarity.
She had completely moved on from the past.
"Please, let me meet them too—these children you're so proud of." The blonde woman smiled.
In that smile was joy for her old friend, who was now truly living for the things she held dear, and the resonance shared between fellow foster mothers.
"I'm back."
Just then, Platinum returned to the orphanage, and Komori Party promptly pulled her over.
"Centaurea, let me introduce you to two guests."
--+--
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.