"It seems I've really been an unfit guardian—I didn't even have a clue my own child had made a new friend." Komori Party let out a sigh after listening to Nearl's account of how she and Oguri Cap had met.
It was only then that she suddenly realized how absent she had been throughout Nearl's growth.
Nearl's maturity had unconsciously led her to overlook the girl's age. Now, as she studied Nearl's still-youthful face, the impressions that surfaced in her mind were only gentleness, strength, calm, and maturity.
Had Nearl ever cried? Had she ever acted spoiled around me? Had she ever been noisy or willful?
Komori Party realized she had never seen Nearl do any of those things—it was as if she had grown into who she was now in the blink of an eye.
This realization saddened her. She felt that she had robbed Nearl of her childhood, that her own immaturity had caused Nearl to shoulder heavy burdens far too early.
Her ears drooped downward as Komori Party sank into self-reproach.
"It's alright."
Just then, a hand reached over and took hold of hers. Nearl's voice, gentle yet firm, reached her ears.
"Please don't worry, Matron Komori. I've never felt that anything was missing."
Noticing Komori's ears perk up slightly, Nearl gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and continued, "My past has made me who I am today, and you have always been my role model. Compared to all the good you've done, I still have a long way to go."
"Life at the orphanage instilled strong values in me—ones that will last a lifetime. And these past years haven't been harsh at all. I've had you, my friends, and my juniors. I'm grateful for the past I've had."
Her soothing words flowed like a gentle river, slowly washing over Komori's heart. There was a strength and warmth in Nearl's voice that eased the matron's guilt.
Taking a deep breath, Komori's expression brightened again. She placed a hand on Nearl's head and ruffled her hair affectionately.
"I must've been overthinking things, letting my own child comfort me like this."
Nearl didn't mind the hand mussing her hair and simply smiled.
"Not at all. No one can go through life completely alone—everyone needs help sometimes."
"Really now, why do you have to be so mature? You're making me lose all my dignity as your elder, and right in front of Oguri Cap too!"
Oguri Cap, who was busy with her fourth serving of fried rice, looked up with a question mark practically floating above her head.
"Anyway, let's not dwell on that. Nearl, are you planning to become an Uma Musume?"
Komori Party composed herself and asked Nearl seriously, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"I used to be an Uma Musume too, you know! Though I wasn't very talented—I never even made it to the central tracks before I retired. So I know a thing or two about this profession."
Her expression grew more serious than ever as she offered Nearl her earnest advice.
"From the moment we're born, we Uma Musume love to run. Without exception. So racing on the track is every Uma Musume's dream. Given the chance, I think every one of us would choose to become a racer."
"But competitions are cruel—there's only one winner. Everyone else is a loser. Do you understand, Nearl? That's the unavoidable harsh reality of the track."
"Because I've been there myself—because I've lived through it—I can say with certainty that the track brings glory and joy to very few. For most, it brings only pain and disappointment."
"I'm telling you this not to discourage you from becoming an Uma Musume. You've always been resilient, Nearl, and I'm sure you can handle bitter outcomes. I also know that once you set your mind to something, you'll see it through."
"I just want you to understand that if you don't win, you shouldn't blame yourself. Your worth isn't defined by racing alone. As your guardian, all I hope is that you can complete your career peacefully and without injury. Don't burn yourself out just for victory."
Komori placed both hands on Nearl's shoulders and looked intently into her light brown eyes.
"This is the only thing I ask of you, Nearl."
Facing the matron's concerned and worried expression, Nearl responded gently. She knew Komori was speaking the truth about the track—that shattered dreams had hurt far more than one Uma Musume, and that even winners could carry heavy guilt.
"But Matron, they still run."
Gazing into Komori's still-youthful face, Nearl spoke from the heart.
"They run for their dreams. Along that difficult path, they gradually gain so much more. Dreams truly shine like stars, inspiring endless pursuit. But we mustn't overlook the ordinary, everyday moments in the shadows beyond that light."
"So please don't worry about me. What I will gain will far outweigh any setbacks or disappointments."
Looking at Nearl like this, feeling the radiance within her, Matron Komori sighed softly and released her shoulders, instead pulling her into a tight embrace.
"My child, I feel ashamed comparing myself to you. What you seek on the track must be far more than just glory and victory. My dissuasion was too small-minded—how could I ever ask an Uma Musume not to run with all her heart?"
"Then let me offer you my blessings. May the Three Goddesses watch over your future, and may you achieve your goals."
With that, Komori released Nearl. A gentle smile returned to her face, though her moist eyes hinted at the emotions stirring within. She turned to Oguri Cap, who was now on her twenty-second donut, and made an earnest request.
"Oguri Cap, I'm entrusting our Nearl to you. The trainer who raised you must be exceptional. I was only an ordinary Uma Musume, and my trainer has grown old—I doubt there are better options available. Please, take good care of Nearl, both you and your trainer."
Hearing this, Oguri Cap quickly finished chewing her donut and responded with equal seriousness.
"Don't worry. Kitahara is a good person. I'll keep an eye out."
Reassured, Komori Party let out a relieved sigh. She then asked Nearl to show Oguri Cap around while she handled the paperwork for Nearl's enrollment.
"Little Nearl, why don't you take Oguri Cap out for a walk? I need to find and organize your documents for your admission to Kasamatsu Tracen in a few days."
"Matron Komori, didn't we agree you wouldn't call me 'Little Nearl'?"
Nearl complained half-heartedly as she stood up and led Oguri Cap out of the meeting room. Even after the door closed, their voices could still be faintly heard.
"Margaret, I'm hungry."
"Sigh... let's go to the kitchen. I'll make something for you."
Komori Party stood by the window, watching the brilliant morning sun, and breathed out a sigh that was both wistful and proud. Her little Nearl was finally about to step onto her own life's track.
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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.