The classroom had already been buzzing during break, but the news of a special admission student joining their class had taken the chaos to a whole new level. Whispers and fragments of conversation swirled through the air, every face alight with curiosity. The topic on everyone's lips was the same—the mysterious new transfer.
"So there really is a special admission student?"
"Do you think she'll be stronger than Fujimasa March?"
"Hard to say. I'd put my money on Fujimasa. We've all seen her race. This new girl… nobody's even heard of her."
"But have you heard of any Uma Musume making waves lately? How'd she even get a special admission spot?"
A few were curious about her background, but most were more interested in something else entirely.
"You think she's gonna be some country bumpkin?"
"Not sure, but she's probably like Oguri Cap or Fujimasa March—one of those types who only cares about training."
"Ugh, that's so boring. I've got zero interest in talking to someone like that."
Comments like these could be heard in every corner of the room.
Near the back, Norn Ace and her two friends were also deep in discussion about the new student.
"Hey, Norn, what's up with you? You've been acting weird ever since you heard about the transfer. You look kinda off."
The one speaking had a fierce, almost intimidating look—sharp upturned eyes that made her seem irritable and aggressive. Her messy long hair and casually unzipped jacket gave off a delinquent vibe, and the way she had her feet propped up on the desk, along with her rough voice and blunt way of talking, would make most people want to steer clear.
And honestly, that reputation wasn't entirely unearned. Norn Ace and her crew used to be the class bullies. Not exactly extortion or fighting, but they weren't shy about mocking others or making them run errands. They weren't what you'd call model students.
About a year ago, though, something changed, and they'd toned down the unpleasant behavior. Some old habits were hard to shake, but these days, people saw them in a different light—more like, "They're trying to improve," or "They look like troublemakers but they're actually pretty decent."
"Well… how do I put it? I actually met the special admission student. This morning."
"Oh, that's what you told the teacher when you were late. So that was true? I thought you were just making up an excuse."
"Tch. I don't lie anymore. If I said I helped her out, I helped her out."
Norn Ace clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"So? What's she like?"
This came from the shortest of the trio, the one who used to be full of shady ideas. She wore a messy bob cut with a headband to keep her hair in place, and a pair of large round glasses that hid her scheming eyes. Combined with her sly grin, she gave off serious troublemaker energy.
Norn Ace thought carefully about the impression Nearl had left on her.
"We only talked for a bit. It's not like I got to know her or anything. But if I had to say… she seemed really patient. I wasn't exactly polite, but she stayed courteous the whole time. And she seemed well-mannered, too."
"Haah? So she's a goody-two-shoes? How boring."
Rudy Lemono, the fierce-looking one, sounded completely uninterested.
"I can't stand those prim and proper types. So fussy, and some of them cry over nothing. All they talk about is gossip and snacks. Just thinking about it annoys me."
"But she didn't come across as delicate at all. Nothing like the goody-two-shoes you're imagining. Honestly, I thought she was kinda cool."
The moment she said it, both Rudy Lemono and Mini the Lady stared at Norn Ace like she'd just grown a second head.
"What? Why are you looking at me like I've got a crush on her or something?!"
Norn Ace slammed her hands on the desk, making her friends jump.
"Can you blame us? This is the first time you've ever called another Uma Musume 'cool.' It's weird. You usually can't even be bothered to remember their faces."
"Whatever. I'm done talking. You'll know what I mean once you see her for yourselves."
Norn Ace plopped back into her seat with an exasperated sigh, pulling out her phone and ignoring them. Mini the Lady and Rudy Lemono exchanged confused looks.
--+--
The bell rang, and all the Uma Musume returned to their seats, waiting for the teacher—and the mysterious special admission student—to arrive.
Whoosh.
The sound of the sliding door opening drew every eye toward the entrance. But it was only the teacher who stepped in.
He adjusted his glasses—a man with a nearly bald scalp except for the long hair at the back of his head—and addressed the class.
"Everyone, let's give a warm welcome to the special admission student who will be joining our class."
With that, Nearl stepped calmly into the room, poised and self-assured.
She stood straight at the front, her gaze sweeping across the classroom. It paused for just a second when she spotted a familiar face, and she offered a slight smile in that direction before turning her attention back to the class and introducing herself.
"Hello everyone, I'm Margaret Nearl. For a long time to come, I will be your classmate. I look forward to learning and growing together with all of you."
Her warm smile, her confident yet gentle tone, her striking features, and that brilliant, radiant coat—without a doubt, Nearl instantly became the center of attention.
"Wow, her coat is so beautiful! Is she the same breed as that famous model Gold City? But Nearl's coat seems even more dazzling."
"Her style is amazing! So cool!"
"I wonder how strong she is. She's a special admission student, after all—she's gotta be stronger than us, right? And with looks like that… ugh, there's no competing."
The classroom instantly turned into a noisy marketplace, every Uma Musume voicing their thoughts about Nearl. Norn Ace and her friends were no exception.
"Well, I'll be… She's definitely not the goody-two-shoes I imagined. Margaret Nearl, huh? She looks really serious. I don't think we'd get along."
Rudy Lemono shrunk back like she'd just spotted a natural predator. She'd already decided she wanted nothing to do with this new transfer.
Mini the Lady, on the other hand, was already itching to tease this Nearl girl. She giggled quietly to herself, imagining how fun it would be to see that stern face flustered. She pulled out a notebook and started sketching out a plan.
Norn Ace noticed Mini the Lady's mischievous plotting and immediately decided to put a stop to it.
--+--
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.