But that's easy to say.
As it turned out, Trainer Musaka didn't end up asking more of Nearl and Platinum for the rest of the day, instead assigning Oguri Cap her usual routine.
The physical and mental exhaustion had just been too great.
Centaurea might still have had some gas left in the tank, but Oguri Cap was clearly in no state to run another race.
Seeing her there, practically wheezing out her own soul, forcing her to run again would've been downright criminal.
"Seems one domain training session per day is the limit. Can't push for more," Musaka murmured, watching Oguri Cap become winded after just one set of sit-ups. He scribbled revisions on his planning board.
"Can cut back on some of the daily running. The hill workouts can go too. A single lap running with Centaurea and Nearl gives more growth than those two combined."
"Should we reduce the upper body training load as well? Maybe leave more time for Oguri Cap to just sleep. Have to account for the mental strain of the domain too…"
He was deeply engrossed in mapping out the future when Nearl approached to take her leave.
"Mr. Musaka, it's getting rather late. Centaurea and I will be on our way now."
Hearing that, Musaka instinctively glanced at his wristwatch. The short hand was already pointing at 5.
"Past five already? True, training should wrap up in half an hour anyway, and there's not much more you could help with here for now."
Setting his planning aside for the moment, he turned his attention back to the two sisters.
Nearl was, as always, the picture of excellence and composure. As for Platinum, from what he'd seen today, her personality flaws weren't small, but her talent was more than enough to cover for her willfulness.
'The tide of the times…'
Musaka sighed inwardly.
'To think this old bone would live to see two Uma Musume like this, ones who could inscribe their own epics anew.'
"Anyway, thank you for your help. Oguri Cap's training starts at 1 PM tomorrow. You're both welcome to come by whenever suits you."
"I shall assist tomorrow. I will be here on time," Nearl stated with a nod before leading Platinum away.
Trainer Musaka watched the sisters depart, a sudden pang of sympathy for Oguri Cap mixed with relief.
"Oguri Cap's racing years just happened to completely miss overlapping with Nearl's, didn't they? What luck. Pity the Uma Musume who had to race in the same era as her, though."
Shaking his head, he turned his gaze back to Oguri Cap.
"Hey! Focus on your training! Where did you even get that carrot?!"
He grew visibly irritated watching Oguri Cap devouring food with frantic intensity.
--+--
"Hey, so, have you figured out where we're staying tonight?"
Trailing behind Nearl, Platinum voiced her confusion.
They had just left the Mejiro residence today. Even Platinum's thick skin wasn't enough to just waltz back in there, and she honestly had no clue where else Nearl might have in mind.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to make you sleep on the street."
Nearl's teasing earned her an utterly deadpan look from Platinum.
"Alright, alright. Truth is, I contacted a senior earlier. She agreed to let us stay with her for a few nights."
"Wait… this 'senior' of yours… it's not Mr. C.B., is it?"
At Nearl's words, the image of an Uma Musume, predominantly green, popped into Platinum's head.
"Guessed it already?" Nearl's expression said she'd expected as much.
"Of course. She's the only one among the seniors you know who lives alone. Symboli Rudolf and Hayakawa Tazuna both live in the school dorms."
"When we meet Senior C.B., remember to be polite. She's helped me a great deal," Nearl cautioned carefully.
Platinum brushed off the concern. "Relax. Honestly, I've got a feeling she and I will get along just fine."
"In what regard, exactly?"
"Hmm~~~ Let's just say… in the art of finding amusement."
--+--
"Hum hum... Hmm hmm~~~"
In a deeply hidden, secluded corner stood a shabby, clearly dilapidated little hut.
For the past few days, faint, rustling sounds had been emanating from within.
"Here… here… and here. Intel gathering is basically complete."
An Uma Musume with outrageously flamboyant attire and heavy, dramatic makeup was performing a solitary dance inside the hut.
"Can't find me, nobody can find me~~~"
Pivoting on the ball of one foot, she spun in circles.
"But I found you!"
Using the momentum of her spin, she flung a dart directly at the wall covered in photographs, striking two of them dead center.
"Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap, my opponents for this upcoming race. So you two are the main subjects of my analysis."
She sauntered over to the dart-pierced wall as she spoke.
Though her expressions and movements were exaggerated and flamboyant, deep within her eyes lay a pool of undisturbed stillness, like a hidden spring.
The Uma Musume's name was Obey Your Master, hailing from distant America, here to participate in the Japan Cup alongside Michelle My Baby.
But from the moment her plane had landed, no one had seen hide nor hair of her.
"Oguri Cap, rose from the local circuits to the Central league, famous for her unique sprinting form and devastating late-race speed, huh?"
"Always employs a come-from-behind strategy… suggests her in-the-moment judgment can't be underestimated. And then there's her trainer…"
Obey Your Master highlighted this point emphatically.
"Musaka Ginjirou. Currently ranked among Japan's top trainers, nicknamed 'Fairy Godfather'. Possesses ever-changing race strategies. A formidable enemy…"
Reviewing the biographical notes on Trainer Musaka pinned to the wall, Obey Your Master chewed her nail, her expression grim.
"With him in the picture, Oguri Cap's threat level needs to be raised to third, perhaps? After all, there's no telling what clever trick he might pull out for this race."
The seriously contemplating Obey Your Master shed her flashy, extroverted exterior, leaving only a cool, intelligent core.
"Wait, what's this?"
Suddenly, she seemed to have stumbled upon something peculiar.
"Says here Oguri Cap has a childhood friend from her hometown, Kasamatsu… Margaret Nearl?"
She fell into deep thought, staring at this piece of information.
"Should I investigate this angle as well? But it's just a friend. Probably won't have any impact on Oguri Cap."
Pacing back and forth for a moment, Obey Your Master finally reached a decision.
"No. I'll investigate it anyway. For the sake of victory, no potential oversight, however small, should be left unchecked."
Once her mind was made up, she acted without hesitation. She went to a basin of water nearby, wet a towel, and scrubbed her face vigorously.
After cleansing her face, she removed the decorative contact lenses from her eyes, let her hair down into long, straight locks, and carefully changed out of the bizarre costume.
"Good. Disguise complete."
With all that done, Obey Your Master cautiously slipped out of the room.
--+--
T/N: i love Obey Your Master's character design so much
--+--
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.