"You're going through your maturation now, Spe-chan. I'd say you've got about a year left—just one more year until you reach your peak condition. That's when you can register for the Twinkle Series."
"Looking forward to it."
Special Week nodded, offering a simple reply that left Platinum feeling both slightly annoyed and a little puzzled.
"When did you become so cold, huh? Spit out the adorably silly Spe-chan from before right now!"
Centaurea grumbled, pinching Spe-chan's cheeks and trying to stretch them into a pancake.
But no matter how much she teased, Special Week remained completely unresponsive, as if saying, 'I've given up, do whatever you want.'
"Hmph, not cute anymore."
Finally losing interest, Platinum decided to go fill her stomach instead. She didn't notice the look of relief that crossed Special Week's face once her attention was elsewhere.
'Why have I become like this? And you, master, have absolutely no idea, do you!'
Special Week grumbled inwardly.
She remembered all those times she'd been utterly crushed while running alongside Platinum, the times her spirit trembled under the pressure of her master's Domain, and the times she'd been tied up and forced to watch Platinum eat her carrots as punishment for failing to complete training...
'So brutal.'
Special Week couldn't help but sigh, mourning the miserable life that still awaited her for at least another year.
--+--
A few days after the Kasamatsu Kinen, in the principal's office at Kasamatsu Academy, Nearl was handling the final paperwork.
"Nearl, from the first time you came to take the entrance tests at our Kasamatsu Tracen, I knew that one day you would soar into the skies like a bird taking flight, or dive into the vast seas like a fish returning to the waters—destined for greater heights. I just never imagined the heights you'd reach would be so far beyond my sight that this old man can't even see them anymore."
The elderly principal chuckled cheerfully as he stamped Nearl's documents one by one, then helped her seal them with the official insignia.
"It is I who should thank you for your care over this past year and more. My time at the academy has helped me in countless ways."
Accepting the documents solemnly, Nearl expressed her gratitude to the principal before her.
"Hahaha, I know my own academy well enough. At best, it can provide a basic platform for Uma Musume. If you want to achieve greater progress, that can only come from your own hard work."
"If anything helped you the most, I'd bet it was the cafeteria. Hahaha…"
Rising slowly to his feet, the old principal looked directly at Nearl.
"A few years back, Oguri Cap also embarked on her journey from here. And now, there's you. It's truly an honor for me."
Extending his right hand, the old man gestured toward the door.
"Well then, I won't keep you any longer. Go on, now."
"Goodbye, Principal."
Nearl bowed her head slightly, showing her respect for the elder, then turned and left under his warm, smiling gaze.
"Ah, to think at my age, I've been fortunate enough to cross paths with an Uma Musume at the very pinnacle of legend. How lucky I am."
The principal sighed emotionally, looking down as he flipped open an issue of Track Side magazine. On the cover of his treasured first edition was an image of Nearl.
--+--
"Nearl-nee, have you finished all your goodbyes?"
Everlamp, who'd grown bored waiting at the school gate, was amusing herself by hopping across patterned floor tiles—making sure not to step on the same color twice.
After she'd been at it for a while, Nearl finally arrived.
"Yes. My classmates, teachers, everyone in the cafeteria, and the principal—I've properly said farewell to them all."
"Then, shall we go? If we take the train now, we'll reach the Central district in the afternoon. You can handle your registration, and I'll go look for a hotel."
"Thank you for your help."
Nearl smiled and ruffled Everlamp's hair. The familiar texture brought a knowing smile to her lips, and the little support staff member closed her eyes contentedly.
"Hehe, let's go! Onward to the future!"
Raising her arm enthusiastically, Everlamp led the way, skipping toward the station, while Nearl followed briskly, pulling her luggage.
"Yes, onward to new encounters."
All that remained behind was the gentle echo of Nearl's voice.
And so, Nearl's local career came to a complete end. But at the Central district, there would surely be more friends to meet, and new races awaiting her.
This journey was far from over.
--+--
"Kitahara, what're you up to?"
In the Central office, a man who looked rather frivolous—a cigarette dangling from his lips—leaned over to chat with Kitahara Jo, who was seated at his desk.
"We're off the clock now, right? Let's go grab a drink."
He patted Kitahara on the shoulder and jerked his thumb toward the general direction of the bars outside.
"Drinking again? Have you even paid back the tab you owe Toujou yet? Don't tell me you're planning to fleece me this time?"
It was clear that Kitahara and this trainer knew each other well—well enough to joke around freely.
"What do you know? That wasn't a loan! That was just my part-time wages—she just paid me back in drinks!"
"Oh, really? How come I didn't know you were working part-time for Toujou?"
"Heh, like you'd know. It's confidential! I help Hana organize her training logs and intel every day!"
He even thumped his chest proudly as he spoke, making Kitahara shoot him a dead-fish stare.
"Isn't it just because you can't find a single Uma Musume willing to be your charge, so Toujou gave you something to do?"
"Hahaha! Don't sweat the details!"
Sweating nervously, Trainer Okino slapped Kitahara hard on the back, trying hard to change the subject.
"So, how about it? The bar's running a buy-one-get-one-free deal today. You can have a drink and get one for me while you're at it."
"I knew you were planning to mooch off me!"
"Aw, come on! Think of it as helping a buddy out. I'm seriously broke right now!"
Okino clung to him stubbornly, and Kitahara—never one to hold a tough line—finally relented.
"Fine, my treat. But stop tugging my clothes, Okino. This is one of the few decent outfits I own."
"Good! Knew I could count on you, bro!"
The moment he heard there'd be alcohol, Okino instantly perked up, looking as delighted as if he'd just gotten married.
"But you've got to tell me—why are you so short on cash lately? Even with just the base salary you get for not having a charge, a Central trainer's monthly pay is more than enough to live on. You could almost afford to eat out every day."
Even though he'd agreed, Kitahara was still concerned about Okino's situation. Mostly, he was worried his friend might have picked up some bad habits.
After all, no matter what, Okino was the first person who'd reached out to help him fit in when he, a country bumpkin, first arrived at Central.
"Well… alright, but you can't spread this around, okay? Lately… I've met an Uma Musume who's willing to be my charge."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.