"No."
"So blunt?!"
SS was genuinely taken aback.
Deep down, she'd known the answer likely wouldn't be positive, but this immediate, unhesitating rejection truly stung, even sparking a flicker of resentment within her.
"…"
Nearl said nothing more. She turned, her gaze fixed intently on SS's eyes (currently inhabiting Manhattan Cafe's body).
The look in her eyes was a complicated mess, like a hotpot where everything had been thrown in at once.
She wasn't a fool. SS's words had been so direct they were practically a self-detonation.
This kind of confession was a first for Nearl.
Flustered, alarmed, reflexively wanting to refuse—that was her current state. Nearl couldn't even think straight.
'I'm a girl now, and SS isn't even human, is she? The idea of becoming lovers is just too absurd.'
Regarding romance, Nearl had never given it a single thought since this life began. The most important reason, perhaps, was a touch of deep-seated insecurity.
Yes, insecurity.
From childhood until now, most of it had been worn away, but the deepest root remained buried in her heart.
It was hard to say whether her tendency to look after all the Uma Musume wasn't influenced by this very feeling.
Because, in her view, everything she had now felt precarious.
Her family's love wasn't fake, her own efforts weren't fake, her identity wasn't fake… but what had she done to deserve it?
In her previous life, she'd just been an ordinary, worthless person, her circumstances truly pitiful. But surely, there were countless people in the world worse off than her.
Why was she the only one granted this chance of rebirth?
It made Nearl uneasy.
Free lunches didn't exist; she knew that well.
A reincarnation with no cost, no contract, was like a business deal with no signed agreement—it left her with no solid ground to stand on.
So, she didn't believe she had the right to become anyone's lover.
As for sexual orientation, she didn't really have a fixed one.
Growing up in hospitals, her impressions of men and women had been fairly similar. In this life, she identified fully with her current form, so a male partner wouldn't be a problem either.
Or rather, following the logic of this life's body, a male lover would be the norm.
So theoretically, Nearl's acceptance of a male partner might even be slightly higher than for a female one.
It was just that Nearl often thought, 'Probably no guy would like a girl as resolute and tough as me in her mannerisms. They'd probably prefer a young lady like Ardan more.'
But a female partner was fine too.
As a deity, a being of complete self, one of the Absolutes—an existence where one person constitutes a world—the requirements for a companion might be numerous, but gender was certainly not one of them.
Getting back on track, the current Nearl was utterly unprepared for the idea of having a lover. Her future plans didn't even have any spare time allotted for a romantic partner.
The outcome was already clear. Nearl wasn't ready to be someone's lover.
"SS, I'm really sorry."
"Is that so? Well, it's fine, really. I guess I'm not that persistent after all."
SS shrugged, her face a picture of nonchalance, which made Nearl feel a twinge of guilt.
But in reality? SS truly didn't mind. It was better if Nearl refused. If she had agreed, that would have given SS a headache.
Of course, if Nearl was willing, she could have gone along with it. But searching her heart, SS felt her admiration for Nearl actually surpassed any romantic affection.
So, it was for the best.
After all, she had come to be the sacrificial pawn, the one to test the waters.
Simultaneously, she used her current state of sharing a body with Manhattan Cafe to secure a special place for Cafe in Nearl's heart.
'The object of a confession leaves a somewhat special impression, right? Don't blame me for being underhanded, you other girls.'
SS silently mused to herself. She was fully on Manhattan Cafe's side.
Any means, as long as they weren't excessive, she would use—because love is war.
"SS, I'm truly sorry. My mind is just a mess right now. I honestly never even considered that someone might confess to me."
Seeing SS fall silent, Nearl worried she had hurt her feelings and began racking her brains, trying to find something to talk about.
"It's not that I dislike you. It's just… when it comes to romance, I'm really not mentally prepared at all."
"Not prepared? How is that possible? Someone as outstanding as you, Nearl—surely you've received love letters or something before?"
SS found it hard to believe. In her eyes, whether it was that once-in-a-century dazzling golden tail or Nearl's handsome features, they were incredibly attractive.
Humans would struggle to look away from that golden hair, and for Uma Musume, it was even more so—they were more sensitive to such beauty.
Moreover, Nearl was no mere vase. She was knowledgeable, a jack-of-all-trades when it came to housework and minor repairs, and her running talent could only be described as outrageous.
On top of all these virtues, her personality was remarkably unarrogant.
On the contrary, she was helpful, gentle, approachable, and considerate. Where else could you find such a perfect lover?
In SS's imagination, Nearl's desk should have been stuffed with love letters every day.
"Probably because I had to help out at home when I was little, so I didn't go to school much. I didn't really get to know many people my own age. It wasn't until I joined Kasamatsu Tracen that I properly started experiencing school life."
Nearl stirred the campfire somewhat sheepishly.
"But there… while everyone respected me, they seemed to respect me a bit too much. And back then, I was single-mindedly focused on competing. I probably scared off quite a few people. So, there were no confessions or anything like that."
"That's true. Sometimes it's unavoidable. What about after joining Tracen?"
"At Central Tracen, it's probably because I didn't need to attend regular classes anymore. That meant fewer chances to run into other students. Training, part-time jobs, races… I was already very busy."
"…Nearl is amazing."
"Cafe?"
Nearl turned in surprise. The expression on the girl leaning beside her had undergone a dramatic change—gone was SS's firmness and maturity, replaced by a shy, introverted demeanor.
"Mhm. SS said she's going back for now, but she can still hear our conversation."
"I see. So, about her confessing to me earlier…"
Nearl couldn't finish. The shyness on Cafe's face now couldn't even be hidden by the campfire's glow.
Her gently murmuring eyes were more captivating than the sunset.
Alright, it seemed there was no need to ask. Cafe must have heard everything from start to finish.
The scene grew quiet again. The two of them sank into a strange atmosphere, each lost in thoughts of what had just happened. Their shadows, cast by the bonfire, intersected and finally merged into a single whole.
After a long while, it was Cafe who spoke first.
"So, what will you do from now on, Nearl?"
"Hmm?"
"SS might be the first, but she won't be the last. What will you do when others come to confess to you in the future?"
"I don't know, but…"
Nearl shook her head. SS's words still echoed in her ears, leaving her somewhat confused and adrift.
"I'll have to change, I suppose. I'll try to learn about romance, and try to incorporate handling confessions into my future plans. Whether it's acceptance or rejection, I'll give a clear response."
"That sounds good."
Cafe said softly, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
--+--
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.