"Hello, Miss Super."
Nearl gave a slight nod, politely regarding the Uma Musume who had approached her on her own.
"Please, just call me Creek. 'Miss Super' sounds way too strange."
Hearing that incredibly awkward form of address, Super Creek quickly corrected her.
It was the first time she'd ever been called that. Usually people used her full name or just her given name, but this was the first time she'd felt that using just the first half of her name could feel so weird.
"Heh, well then, Miss Creek, was there something you needed from me?"
Noticing Creek was already blushing a bit over the name issue, Nearl smoothly switched to the new address.
"Not really anything specific, just curious, is all."
Her lower leg lifted back unconsciously, the tip of her boot tapping the ground lightly. The round-toed, hard leather shoes made a crisp sound.
"It's just... my trainer mentions you often. So often that even though I'd never seen you in person, I still recognized you just from your back view earlier."
She said this with a smile, but Nearl could faintly detect a hint of resentment lurking beneath.
"Your trainer must be quite an impressive person. It's an honor to have caught the attention of such a trainer."
Sensing a slight dip in Super Creek's mood, Nearl's mind worked quickly.
'She gets downcast hearing her trainer talk about me… seems like the type of Uma Musume who's really dependent on her trainer. She gives off such a gentle, maternal vibe, but inside she's actually the type who likes to lean on others and act spoiled?'
She took a moment to appraise Super Creek's figure—even among Uma Musume, it was exceptionally "Super"—and Nearl felt a twinge of amazement.
"W-what, no way! Sure, my trainer is pretty amazing, but she's not quite as incredible as you're making her out to be…"
Sure enough, the moment the topic shifted to her trainer, Super Creek perked up visibly.
But that state didn't last long. Reason soon reclaimed the high ground in Super Creek's mind, making her realize she was being rude.
"Ahem, my apologies. I've been rambling on about my trainer to you, and I haven't even told you her name yet."
Bowing her head in embarrassment, Super Creek truly felt what it meant to want the ground to swallow you whole.
"My trainer's name is Fumino Nase. She's usually pretty cold, loves wearing serious ladies' suits, has short hair… and she's about the same age as me."
"Ah! That one!"
Hearing this, Nearl remembered something. During her previous Spring Cup, several trainers had come to watch her race. One of them fit Super Creek's description perfectly.
"You remember her?"
"Indeed. That trainer left quite an impression on me. She seemed very capable."
Nearl had a rather good impression of that trainer.
"See? I told you she's amazing."
Since standing around chatting was drawing too much attention, Nearl and Super Creek decided to walk together through the streets.
As they strolled, Nearl asked out of curiosity, "I understand you approached me out of curiosity, Miss Creek, but you must have had your own errands to run today, right?"
"Ah, yes, I did come out to buy a few things."
Here, Super Creek let out a worried sigh. She cupped her cheek with one hand while the other arm wrapped beneath her chest, making her already impressive bust even more pronounced.
"Lately, my trainer hasn't been doing too well. She's been using foundation to cover it up, but those dark circles of hers aren't fading completely."
"And thinking she could fool me with just foundation is so naive. She never wears any makeup normally, but these past few days she suddenly starts, and it's not even a full routine, just foundation alone. Anyone could tell something's wrong like that."
Super Creek vented furiously. As she listened, Nearl pieced together some key information.
"So, you're saying Trainer Nase has been resting poorly lately, distracted and barely managing to hold herself together?"
"Exactly! She's dozed off right in front of me several times now. For someone as strict with herself as she is, that's just not normal!"
Super Creek's complaints were filled with deep worry and a clear desire to do something to help. This simple, earnest concern made Nearl want to lend a hand almost instinctively.
"Regarding this matter, let me help as well."
Pausing for a moment, Nearl spoke to Super Creek. "I know a bit about nutrition and basic medicine. Using food combinations to nourish the body and mind is one of my stronger areas."
Hearing this, Super Creek's eyes went wide as she looked at Nearl with surprise and delight.
"Miss Nearl, you even know about that?!"
"Just a little. I've always wanted to be able to do something for certain people, to become their support. That's why I studied these things."
The image of a certain proud, lively little figure flashed before her eyes. Every time Nearl thought of that one's path being cut off three times, her heart ached.
"Sometimes, no matter how many championships you win, it doesn't necessarily help others. So I keep learning useful knowledge."
Here, Nearl suddenly offered an apologetic smile and glanced sheepishly at Super Creek.
"I think I've said too much. Please don't take it to heart. Everyone has their own path to walk; my choices aren't necessarily the right ones."
But her words had deeply moved Super Creek, who was now looking at Nearl with something akin to a student gazing at her teacher.
"Not at all! I think what you said makes perfect sense! I've always wanted to do something for my trainer too, but I never knew where to start. Even winning races didn't feel like enough."
"But your words have inspired me. I can take care of my trainer in other ways too. I just need to spend a little time learning how to care for someone else."
Growing more excited as she spoke, Super Creek began to fantasize about the future. "Making three meals a day for her, helping her pick out clothes, taking care of her daily needs…"
"Ahh~ what a wonderful future."
Feeling her cheeks flush, Creek used the back of her hand to cool them down, but the excitement on her face didn't diminish in the slightest.
'This one… is something else.'
Hearing the description of such meticulous care, Nearl's expression turned rather subtle.
'Wow, Miss Creek's brand of concern feels… kinda heavy. Did I just unleash something here?'
"Miss Nearl!"
Super Creek suddenly grabbed both of Nearl's hands, her face full of anticipation. "Let's hurry and buy all the ingredients you need! I hope you'll allow me to assist you. That way, I can learn a bit about dietary knowledge too."
"Mm, sure. Let's go then."
Nearl agreed without hesitation. In her view, this was a good thing.
--+--
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.