After a short ride, Nearl arrived at Oguri Cap's home. Of course, although it was called a home, it wasn't a house they had built themselves—it was rented.
In Japan, there's a common type of housing, somewhat like the two-story prefab buildings you'd see at construction sites back home, but made with sturdier materials. These places are usually rented out cheap. Though they come with downsides—thin walls, cramped spaces—they're still the top choice for those struggling to get by.
The apartment where Oguri Cap's mother lived was exactly that kind—small, out-of-the-way, the whole building aged and covered in cracks, the staircase to the second floor rusted all over. If there was one good thing about it, it was the open space nearby.
Because the area was so remote, there were wide empty lots around the apartment. When Oguri Cap was little and knee problems kept her from running, she could only take slow walks there. Later, after her mother's massage therapy softened her knees, that empty lot became her very first track.
Nearl was already familiar with this place. After becoming friends with Oguri Cap, she came here often. Life wasn't easy for Oguri Cap's mother, and Nearl frequently stopped by to help.
Truth was, both mother and daughter were frugal by nature and lived very simply. Oguri's mom was plenty capable—her income was actually decent—but most of that money went toward Oguri Cap's food. There wasn't much left over.
So forget new clothes or new shoes—even the tatami mats on the floor had several holes worn through them.
Then one day, Oguri Cap came home and suddenly stopped eating. Or rather, she only ate a normal portion. Her mother was seriously worried.
This isn't right. Why isn't Oguri Cap eating? Is something wrong with her health?
According to what Oguri Cap said later, her mother was so anxious she nearly dragged her straight to the hospital.
After she finally calmed down, Oguri's mom sat her down for a long, detailed talk. She pressed especially hard about how Oguri Cap had met Nearl, not letting up until Oguri had nothing left to say.
Honestly, her mother was full of doubts. How did this friend of Oguri Cap's manage to keep her fed? Worried for her daughter, she decided to see this Margaret Nearl for herself.
"Oguri Cap, could you invite your friend over? I'd like to meet her too, and thank her for looking after my girl."
Oguri Cap blankly agreed.
And so, Nearl visited Oguri Cap's home for the first time and met her mother.
"Welcome to our home. Are you surprised? It's pretty shabby, isn't it?"
Oguri's mother greeted Nearl warmly, though a little self-consciously. Nearl shook her head and replied earnestly:
"Not at all. I never judge by appearances. When it comes to people, the heart matters more than material things. Oguri Cap's sincerity is far more valuable than a privileged background."
Oguri's mom had only been making a light-hearted joke to break the ice, but Nearl's serious response left her speechless. Flustered, she laughed awkwardly and invited Nearl to sit, then went to pour her a glass of water.
"Thank you."
Nearl stood up to accept the cup, then quietly drank the plain water. Meanwhile, Oguri Cap was happily eating the homemade sweets Nearl had brought as a gift. Seizing the moment, Oguri's mother studied Nearl closely.
'She's such a fine young lady. Sitting so properly—is she nervous? Doesn't seem like it. She looks perfectly calm and gentle. Ah, even her drinking posture is elegant. Could she be from some wealthy family? That golden coat is so beautiful—it almost seems to glow.'
The more she looked, the more Oguri's mother liked what she saw. That earnest expression paired with gentle eyes was truly endearing. But it also made her wonder:
'How did my Oguri Cap become friends with someone like this? That refined demeanor and my dust-covered girl—they seem like complete opposites.'
Nearl set down the water glass after a few sips and noticed Oguri's mother staring at her with a puzzled expression. She straightened her posture even further, which made the older woman smile.
"Little Nearl—may I call you that?"
"Of course. Feel free to address me as you like, Mrs. Oguri."
Hearing such a formal address made Oguri's mother blush slightly.
"Haha… oh, you. No need to be so formal—it's making me shy. Just call me Auntie."
Nearl relaxed a little at that.
"Understood, Auntie Oguri."
In just those few lines, Oguri's mother had already picked up on a bit of Nearl's personality, and it made her like the girl even more.
"She's quite a serious one, isn't she? Usually, serious people are very responsible. I wonder if little Nearl got roped in by Oguri first, and then couldn't bring herself to abandon her out of a sense of duty."
After all, she was Oguri Cap's mother—she knew her daughter well. In that short time, she'd already guessed how the two had first met.
Twirling her own water glass thoughtfully, she hesitated before speaking.
"Little Nearl, may I ask you a personal question?"
Nearl set her glass down and met the older woman's gaze.
"Please, go ahead."
"Are you from a wealthy family, little Nearl?"
"?"
"It's just—you seem very well-mannered, very proper. Quite different from my careless Oguri Cap."
"You overthink it, Auntie Oguri. It's simply my nature to be strict with myself. As for my background… I was actually raised in an orphanage."
"Ah, so life has been hard for you too?"
Hearing that, both Oguri Cap and her mother turned to look at Nearl. Like mother, like daughter—their surprised expressions were identical.
But a moment later, a hand pinched Oguri Cap's ear.
"I might not know, but how could you not know either, daughter? Isn't little Nearl your friend? Didn't you pay any attention?"
Oguri's mother looked genuinely weary.
Nearl quickly stepped in.
"It's alright, Auntie Oguri. The one who became friends with Oguri Cap was just Margaret Nearl. Backgrounds and status don't matter. Between friends, sharing the same values and supporting each other is enough. The rest is unimportant."
"Sigh, little Nearl… you're so mature. You'll probably always be the one taking care of Oguri Cap, won't you? I know my daughter—she's nothing but trouble. Expecting her to look after someone else is just a dream."
"Taking care of a friend is only natural. Oguri isn't unreasonable—it's just providing meals. There's no need for thanks."
Nearl spoke with firm sincerity.
Looking at the young girl before her, Oguri's mother felt nothing but happiness for her daughter.
'My girl is so lucky to have met such a true friend. It seems I won't have to worry about Oguri Cap's future anymore. With little Nearl by her side supporting her, she can overcome any hardship.'
Just as she was thinking that, Oguri's mother noticed the earring on Nearl's head.
'The placement of that earring…'
Her smile suddenly grew even warmer.
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.