A boisterous wind rustled through the trees and flowers lining the narrow path, its whooshing whisper the only sound in this quiet space.
Super Creek remained silent, and so did Nearl. Only Ardan watched them with a worried expression.
Of course, her concern was only for Creek.
Without realizing it, her own feelings had placed such a heavy burden on the one she loved, subtly pressuring her to choose between her dreams and their relationship.
That affection had long since turned into a coarse rope around the neck, restraining her partner's steps forward.
"I never… meant it that way."
Super Creek hung her head low, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
Nearl, with her sharp hearing, caught every word. Ardan could only guess from the movement of Creek's lips.
"I was just a little scared. I just wanted to spend more time with her."
But who could such feeble words convince? Probably no one except maybe Spe-chan—because they couldn't even convince Creek herself.
She had ignored the agreement she made with Fumino to take turns cooking each day, deliberately overlooking Fumino's routine, wishing she could handle all the household chores herself, hoping to keep the other in her sight at all times.
That was already an excessive invasion of her private space.
A relationship doesn't mean owning everything. Emotions accumulate gradually, and naturally, they can also fade gradually. Overbearing actions only hasten that process.
To be honest, Nearl thought Trainer Nase was already an exceptional partner, one in a million.
Not just because she was willing to set aside her career and achieved dreams for her beloved, but more importantly, because she could sensitively understand the shifts in her partner's heart, even before the other person noticed them herself.
And because of that, she carried a double burden.
"Creek-senpai, even if the method wasn't exactly ethical,"—referring to the eavesdropping—"you should now fully understand what Trainer Nase is thinking. What you do next is up to you; no outsider should interfere."
Nearl collected her thoughts and rose from the bench.
She was ready to leave now—she had already involved herself too much in this matter. Any further would be crossing the line.
This was between Nase Fumino and Super Creek. From now on, whether it brought bitterness or sweetness, Nearl wouldn't intervene again.
Their feelings would find their own path, even if the final outcome was uncertain.
Still, even as Nearl said this and meant it, that lingering care in her heart made her offer one last piece of advice.
"But Trainer Nase is about to make a decision. She's prepared herself. If you want to do something, Senpai, you'd better hurry."
Super Creek glanced at Nearl in surprise. Her chaotic thoughts suddenly seemed to find a focus, making her snap to realization.
Right—now wasn't the time for self-pity. She needed to hurry and talk to Fumino, to explain how she truly felt.
Like a fishing boat spotting a lighthouse's beam amid stormy waves, Creek's tangled thoughts now had a direction—far better than the bewildered state she was in before.
"Thank you."
All she had time to say was that before the senior hurried off. Her usual maternal, nurturing aura was nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by the impulsiveness and sensitivity fitting of her age.
Nearl and Ardan watched that swiftly departing figure, each offering their own silent blessing in their hearts.
--+--
"A lot happened unexpectedly, didn't it? It's almost lunchtime now."
Strolling along the path, Ardan admired the fresh scenery around them. Beside her, Nearl kept her head slightly lowered, still lost in the scene from earlier.
That is, until Ardan initiated the conversation.
"Ah, and here I thought we were just taking a short break, but now my heart feels even heavier."
"If it feels heavy, why not set it aside for now?"
Waving her right index finger gently, Ardan showed a bright smile, hoping to lift Nearl's spirits and ease her worried expression.
"It's already quite late—lunchtime. You must be hungry."
"A little, yes."
Nearl could see Ardan's attempt to liven up the atmosphere, and she gladly picked up the implication, tacitly choosing not to bring up the earlier awkward entanglement between Nase Fumino and Super Creek again.
"Then let's hurry. Everyone's probably already started eating, and with Oguri Cap there, we might not even have plain rice left if we're a few steps too slow."
"In that case, we'll have to make do with the black tea you brew, Ardan. If we're lucky enough to have some rice left, maybe we could have ochazuke?"
"Hahaha, who ever heard of making ochazuke with black tea? Wouldn't that be bitter? Don't treat me like some clueless young lady—I do know what ochazuke is, you know."
For some reason, that remark struck Ardan as hilarious. She laughed so hard her shoulders shook, her arms wrapping around her ample chest in a way that only accentuated its generous curves.
But Nearl's gaze wasn't drawn there at all. Instead, her eyes were fixed on the golden gleam atop Ardan's head.
It was a simple yet dazzling yellow gemstone, one that would emit a faint but pure light even on the darkest, starless night.
This was the gem Nearl had given Ardan before. It now rested quietly on the earring adorning Ardan's right ear, shimmering with a constant glow.
Yet compared to when Nearl had first given it to her, the light within the gem had dimmed slightly. This indicated one thing: Ardan's body was frequently sustaining physical injuries, both large and small.
Of course, a terminal illness like cancer, once it reached the stage of physical deterioration, could also drain the gem's power.
But Nearl doubted that the Mejiro family's doctors were merely for show. Uma Musume led completely healthy lifestyles—it was hard for them to even fall ill.
That left only one answer.
After a moment of thought, Nearl steered the conversation herself.
"Speaking of which, Ardan, have you been training hard lately? Since you're here, your goal must be to return to peak form as soon as possible and compete again, right?"
"That's right. My target is the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen. Most of the girls here have their eyes on that race too."
At this, Ardan's expression grew more serious. She got along well with everyone, but the racetrack was another matter entirely.
Even if her opponents were her own sisters from the Mejiro family, she wouldn't hold back in the slightest.
"Are you aiming for the Takarazuka Kinen too, Nearl? But even against you, I'll give it my all."
"Pfft."
Nearl let out a soft, amused chuckle. A sense of wry humor welled up inside her.
Here she was, having just secured an Undefeated Double Crown—a bona fide rookie—yet Ardan's words made it sound like she was some seasoned veteran.
But Ardan didn't take it as mockery, or perhaps she simply didn't mind. If one wanted to split hairs, Nearl certainly had the credentials, but this was likely just an ordinary smile.
"Let's set the race aside for now. Ardan, is your body holding up alright? Have you been pushing yourself too hard recently?"
"Not at all. I've been following the training schedule the doctors laid out for me strictly."
Ardan's gaze shifted away almost instinctively, her fingers brushing against the gem on her earring. There was no deeper meaning to the gesture—it was merely a habit she'd picked up lately.
--+--
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.