"I always knew Uma Musume could be incredibly intense and serious when it came to emotions, but this is the first time I'm facing it so directly. It's really hard to put into words."
Nearl shook her head.
She had heard a little about this kind of "tidbit" from Symboli Rudolf before, but she hadn't paid it any mind at all.
Even now, seeing Nase Fumino's inner turmoil only served to confirm the concept.
'Everyone I know all have different personalities, and my relationships with them vary too, but they're all surprisingly normal. I've never encountered a situation like Trainer Nase's.'
Recalling her time spent with those senior and junior Uma Musume, Nearl felt grateful to find that the distance between them had been well-maintained, without any of that heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
'I was lucky, meeting people with normal dispositions. It seems that as long as they aren't facing someone they're truly fond of, an Uma Musume's attitude remains pretty typical.'
But that was just Nearl's own perspective.
Was it truly that she had been fortunate enough not to encounter such intensity, or was it that everyone held themselves back, afraid of being disliked?
That remained an unknown for now.
And Trainer Nase's outpouring wasn't finished yet.
Nearl didn't have time to dwell on it deeply right now. She needed to listen with her whole heart—getting distracted would be terribly rude.
However, this one-sided conversation was nearing its end. The look on Nase Fumino's face was no longer as heavy as it had been at the start.
"Creek is afraid that the time we spend together will decrease after she retires. Deep down, she's even worried that I'll come into contact with more Uma Musume in the future. This kind of anxiety is probably like a fire lit on a dry prairie—once it starts, it can't be stopped."
"So, Trainer Nase, you're planning to resign, hoping that will give Creek-senpai more sense of security."
Nearl stated her guess, but used a tone of certainty. Nase Fumino nodded.
"It's just a consideration for now. I haven't made up my mind yet. When Creek finds out I resigned, she'll definitely blame herself. There's no hiding that from her; she's very perceptive."
"Senior would think it was her fault, that her dependence caused you to give up a career you love."
"Exactly. That's my dilemma. Sometimes I think: if only Creek were a bit more willful, a bit more carefree, then I could bring myself to resign outright."
"Or if she were mentally stronger, then I wouldn't need to consider leaving Tracen Academy. Making a decision right now is truly difficult..."
Fumino closed her eyes. This was everything she had wanted to get off her chest.
Perhaps this problem seemed foolish to others, but for her, it was a genuinely tough choice.
The career she had yearned for and worked toward since childhood, and the Uma Musume she now wanted to spend the rest of her life with—both were irreplaceable treasures to her.
Letting go of either would hurt so much it was hard to breathe.
"But I feel much better now, thanks to you, Nearl."
"Please, don't say that. I didn't do anything."
Faced with Fumino's bow of thanks, Nearl shifted toward the edge of her chair, indicating she didn't deserve such gratitude. Though it might sound a bit exaggerated, that was indeed the sentiment.
"No, perhaps you feel you didn't do anything, Nearl, but that's not how I see it."
Trainer Nase lightly placed her right hand over her chest, where she could feel her own steady heartbeat.
"I feel a relief I haven't felt in a long time. Before, there was always this suffocating tightness in my chest. It's much better now. It really does help to talk things out."
"If it weren't for you, Nearl, I'd have a hard time finding a suitable listener. So please don't say you did nothing. Just by being there, you helped me a great deal."
Glancing at her watch to check the time, Nase Fumino stood up from the bench. It was time to bid Nearl farewell.
"Thank you for troubling yourself, acting as a makeshift therapist here. If this were a proper clinic, I'd probably have to pay a fee. Looks like I came out ahead."
Nearl stood up as well.
"Are you leaving? I'm sorry I couldn't be more help with the matter itself. As the saying goes, 'even an honest official finds it hard to settle family quarrels'—this seems to be one of those cases."
"So, just listening to my troubles was already a huge help. Any more, and I'd be in your debt."
The young trainer gave an embarrassed smile, then turned and walked away with a noticeably lighter step, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Only one clear sentence remained.
"Thank you. And please, don't tell anyone about today's conversation."
"Of course."
Nearl nodded, watching Nase Fumino walk away until she was sure the trainer wouldn't look back and could no longer perceive any movement here. Only then did she sit back down.
"Don't tell anyone, huh... I won't say a word. But that's all I won't do."
Nearl crossed her right leg over her left, resting her clasped hands on her knee.
Her eyes drifted slightly closed. Her posture seemed utterly relaxed, yet that stern, upright aura of hers grew even more pronounced.
"This is also a kind of loophole exploitation. If not for your sake, my nature wouldn't allow me to do something that essentially betrays Trainer Nase."
"..."
The bushes behind Nearl rustled softly, a picture of peace and quiet.
"Sigh."
Nearl let out a sigh. Without even turning her head, she reached her right hand back, grabbed a clump of shrubbery, and yanked it forward with force.
"I sometimes really wonder, what kind of magic is this? How can simply holding two bunches of branches make someone completely undetectable? It's completely unscientific, not even magical. You can only describe it as mystical."
"Eek!"
A certain familiar young lady stumbled forward, her previously mystical stealth technique naturally falling apart.
Once she regained her balance, she was met with Nearl's steady gaze. The situation was acutely awkward for a moment.
"Nearl, um, the black tea is ready. I came to call you."
Mejiro Ardan said with a fidgety expression, her pretty face flushed. She didn't dare meet Nearl's eyes directly as she usually would, her heart a mix of shyness and complaint.
'I knew I shouldn't have gone along with Creek on this... Ugh, my image.'
On the other side, unwilling to let Ardan bear the awkwardness alone, or perhaps realizing her own disguise couldn't possibly hold, Super Creek also put down her two clumps of branches and stepped out from the bushes.
"Actually, I insisted on following Ardan. Nearl-san, eavesdropping this time was my fault. I'm very sorry."
"Creek-senpai, the one you should apologize to isn't me. You understand that, don't you? After all, that conversation is no longer a secret to you."
"..."
Silence. A sorrowful expression appeared on Super Creek's face. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come.
"Creek..."
Ardan looked on with concern at the acquaintance beside her. This real-life situation made her feel a pang of empathy.
If she and Nearl were together in the future, would they face a conflict like this too?
--+--
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.