"I believe in you, Tamamo-senpai."
Nearl turned back with a smile, giving Tamamo Cross a thumbs-up.
"Do your best."
"Mmm…"
Tamamo pressed her lips together, her face slightly flushed as she waved goodbye to Nearl. Only after Nearl was out of sight did she finally relax.
"She's gone."
A faint sense of loneliness tugged at her heart, but she forcefully shook it off.
"Let's get started, Tamamo Cross! Can't let such good condition go to waste!"
She patted her cheeks, psyching herself up. Rubbing her hands together, she was eager to begin.
"First, I should apologize to Komiya."
--+--
Having finished the treatment session, Nearl walked along the road with a light heart.
In her view, Tamamo Cross's physical issues were nothing to worry about for now.
At least, not until the day of the Arima Kinen.
"But this isn't a long-term solution. If she doesn't change her lifestyle, her decline is inevitable. It's not like I can take care of Tamamo-senpai forever."
Nearl chuckled to herself at the thought.
"Not that I'd mind looking after her, but with her pride, she'd never accept that kind of life."
So the idea was fleeting, quickly forgotten.
"So, what should I do next?"
She looked up at the sky, now pitch black.
"Is this the downside of big cities? Back at the orphanage, the night sky was always filled with stars."
Nearl sighed with a tinge of disappointment. Just a little, but she truly missed those childhood memories.
"Heh…"
A faint, elusive laugh drifted by, audible only to Nearl.
The next moment, something astonishing happened.
"The sky… is parting?"
Amid the gasps of passersby, the hazy, gray sky split apart, revealing an utterly pristine and crystalline river of stars behind it.
Like dazzling pearls on a mirror, the vastness and grandeur of the universe laid itself bare before everyone in that moment.
The awe-inspiring scene was etched deeply into every onlooker's heart, and soon the streets were filled with the rapid click-clack of camera shutters.
"Sisters of the Three Goddesses… you're really making headlines now."
While deeply moved, Nearl also wore a wry smile.
How could she not sense it?
The fluctuation of power was so obvious. And really, only this patch of gray clouds clearing away? Too conspicuous.
The boundary between the starry sky and the clouds was too sharp, like two different worlds.
"But… thank you for your concern. I love it."
Teasing aside, she genuinely appreciated this gesture.
To go through such lengths just to cheer her up a little—the sentiment was real.
Amid the cheering, exhilarated crowd, only Nearl stood calmly, a soft smile on her face as she quietly savored the magnificence and her own private peace.
"Nearl?"
A familiar voice called from behind, pulling Nearl from her starlit reverie.
She knew that voice all too well.
"Ardan, what a coincidence."
Turning gracefully, Nearl revealed a softer side she rarely showed others.
Her usual firmness and steadiness had faded, replaced by a youthful liveliness and grace more fitting for her age.
Ardan's steps faltered; she blinked with some difficulty.
Seeing Nearl under the starlight, looking almost otherworldly, she suddenly felt hesitant to approach.
An inexplicable fluster stirred within her. Nearl was right there, clear as day, yet for the first time, Ardan felt she couldn't quite reach her.
"Like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl…"
Ardan murmured, dazed.
"What Cowherd and Weaver Girl? It's not Tanabata today."
Nearl stepped closer, looking at her with amusement.
Usually so clear-headed and gentle, Ardan now seemed a bit dazed and clumsy.
"It's nothing, just a thought that came to me seeing this starry sky."
Snapping back to reality, Ardan regained her usual composure, brushing it off with vague words.
"Seems you really like the stars, Ardan. You look completely captivated today."
Ardan kept her smile, but inwardly she sighed.
'That's not it at all. The meaning of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl is…'
She glanced up at Nearl.
'…an insurmountable divide, like heaven and earth.'
Walking away from the bustling crowd, Nearl and Ardan strolled side by side. It was then that Nearl noticed the numerous bags Ardan was carrying.
"Let me help you with those. They look pretty bulky."
Nearl offered, but Ardan refused with a blush.
"No need. It's just some canvases, paper, brushes, and paints. They look big but aren't heavy."
"Art supplies? I remember you said you enjoy appreciating paintings and painting yourself."
"That's right. I came out because I needed to replace some tools at home."
"My steward offered to handle it, but I feel more at ease choosing the tools for my own work by hand."
She shook the large bag slightly, a hint of pride in her expression, while inwardly sighing in relief.
'Good thing Nearl didn't insist on carrying them. An Uma Musume helping an Uma Musume with bags… that just wouldn't do.'
Just as Ardan was lost in her thoughts, Nearl's voice brought her back.
"Ardan, do you remember our first meeting?" Nearl looked at her with a sparkling smile.
This version of Nearl—a rare, starry-night edition—radiated a charm entirely different from her usual self.
"Yes, it's etched clearly in my heart."
Ardan nodded. How could she forget? That was when she was under the most pressure.
If she hadn't met Nearl that night, if she hadn't confided in her, it would have taken much longer to find her way out—if she ever did.
"Do you remember the promise we made back then?" Nearl hinted meaningfully.
"The promise? You mean…!?"
Ardan was puzzled for a moment, then seemed to recall something, her expression shifting to delight and surprise.
"Don't you think tonight's stars are the perfect backdrop for a painting? Would you be interested in letting me paint a portrait of you, my friend?"
Nearl gestured toward the brilliant stars with her left hand while extending her right to Ardan in invitation.
Under the starry sky, everything felt surreal, deeply moving Ardan.
"...I'd be delighted. I'm sure it will be a beautiful painting."
Feeling the thrill in her heart, Ardan agreed without hesitation.
"Then let's find a good spot. Any recommendations, Ardan?"
"Of course. Please, follow me."
Side by side, the two walked in harmony under the stars.
--+--
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.