"So who was it that invited Nearl out?"
As they chatted, Auntie Oguri suddenly remembered this matter.
"I believe it was Mejiro Ardan. Nearl gets along quite well with her – she even went to watch Nearl's race last time."
"Hmm... to be that close."
Oguri Cap's mother fell into thought.
Meanwhile, the subject of their discussion, Nearl, had already arrived at the Mejiro estate as invited.
"Miss Nearl, you've come. Miss Ardan has been waiting for some time."
Waiting for Nearl at the entrance was the same elderly stewardess she'd met before.
She smiled warmly at Nearl, as if greeting a member of the family.
"Stewardess, it's good to see you. What exactly did Ardan call me here for? She didn't tell me yesterday."
Nearl asked as she followed the stewardess inside.
"Oh? The young lady didn't inform you?" The stewardess was surprised, though her professional demeanor didn't let it show.
"Actually, this invitation was the Madam's idea. Today, the Mejiro family is welcoming a new Uma Musume from a branch household, and the Madam suddenly thought to invite you as well."
"To be honest, I'm not sure what purpose my being here serves."
Nearl thought it over but found herself completely in the dark.
"Perhaps it's simply because the Madam is quite fond of you. There may not need to be any particular reason at all."
The stewardess replied with a gentle smile.
"Nearl! You're here!"
Just then, a familiar voice called from a distance. Nearl didn't even need to look to know who it belonged to.
"Ardan."
Watching Ardan quicken her pace toward them, a faint smile instinctively appeared on Nearl's face.
She bid farewell to the stewardess and actively went to meet her.
Seeing Nearl approach, Ardan subconsciously wanted to throw herself into a hug, but reason and the restraint ingrained from her upbringing held her back at the last moment.
'Calm down, Ardan. You'll startle Nearl. You don't want her to be afraid of you, do you?'
Ardan admonished herself, but the smile on her face was simply impossible to suppress.
"I hope this invitation isn't causing you any trouble."
"If I thought it was trouble, I would have refused on the spot. Since I agreed, you can consider it no trouble at all."
Just as Ardan expected, Nearl's reply was as blunt and straightforward as ever, leaving her feeling a little helpless.
"Alright then, come with me, Nearl. The star of today's event is very eager to meet you."
"The stewardess mentioned a new Uma Musume joining today. Is she the one you're referring to?"
"Oh my, the stewardess went and said it? I was hoping to keep it a surprise a little longer."
Ardan voiced her chagrin, but her face still radiated happiness.
"But since you know now, that's fine too. The new little sister is unexpectedly a very serious and well-mannered child."
As she spoke, Ardan guided Nearl's gaze toward the garden table and chairs, where a young, lavender-maned Uma Musume was seated.
Though her figure was petite, clearly not yet fully matured, her etiquette was in no way inferior to the other young ladies of Mejiro present.
From her upright posture to her elegant way of holding her tea, it was obvious she had received meticulous training.
"McQueen! Look over here~~"
While still some distance away, Ardan cupped her hands lightly around her mouth and called out with a slightly raised voice.
'So her name is McQueen?'
Nearl nodded to herself.
Hearing the call, the young Uma Musume in the distance unhurriedly set her teacup down on the table and turned toward them with perfect composure.
Halfway through turning, she began to complain.
"Ardan, from this far away, there's no need to— Nearl!!!"
The rest of her words were unnecessary; that one high-pitched exclamation said everything.
--+--
"Wahh... please don't look at me..."
McQueen, now being comforted in Nearl's embrace, seemed to wish she could become an ostrich musume, burying her face in Nearl's chest and refusing to lift it.
"My dignity... it's completely ruined..."
Seeing the little Uma Musume sobbing pitifully in Nearl's arms, the other young ladies present were at a complete loss.
(A/N: McQueen's current age is roughly analogous to that of Bright-chan in the anime's second season.)
Seeing the expressions on the young ladies' faces, Nearl knew they wouldn't be of much help. She caught Ardan's eye and signaled to her.
'Leave her to me. You all should leave for a while.'
Ardan clearly understood what Nearl meant. She stood up and ushered everyone else away.
"There now, little one. It's just the two of us. Shall we have a proper talk?"
With one arm holding Mejiro McQueen securely around the waist and her other hand gently stroking the little one's head, Nearl did her best to soothe the child's wounded pride.
"..."
The sobbing gradually subsided.
Little McQueen lifted her head and cautiously scanned their surroundings. Confirming that it really was just her and Nearl, she finally seemed willing to engage in a proper conversation.
"I apologize. I was being immature. Please don't let my shameful behavior reflect poorly on the entire Mejiro family. The immaturity was mine alone."
Making an effort to wriggle out of Nearl's embrace, little McQueen offered her apology.
"..."
Nearl watched Mejiro McQueen silently, observing this existence she had always held in affection, and for a moment felt a little dazed.
'I'm one of them now, no different. I truly live here.'
She shook her head slightly and focused earnestly on the deeply distressed little Uma Musume before her, analyzing her state of mind.
'Judging from her apology just now, it seems this child separates herself from the Mejiro family. Does she not see herself as a true member?'
'No.' Nearl shook her head again, a motion that made little McQueen flinch, thinking her apology hadn't been accepted.
'It's that McQueen wants too much to be a part of the Mejiro family, isn't it? Is it because of the distinction between the main and branch families?'
As she pondered, Nearl reached out, hoisted little McQueen onto her shoulder, and began carrying her toward the garden.
'Because she feels she isn't a genuine Mejiro, she pushes herself to act the part of the perfect young lady, striving to display the best manners.'
'Looking at it now, her demeanor does seem a bit unnatural, especially compared to Ardan's.'
'Did raising her voice when she saw me make her feel she'd disgraced the Mejiro name? Is she so upset because she's afraid of being cast out?'
Having reached this conclusion, Nearl formed an idea.
"Mejiro McQueen."
She tilted her head, calling out to little McQueen, who was unconsciously clinging to her head.
"Are you very knowledgeable about the Mejiro family?"
As soon as the question left her lips, Nearl could feel McQueen visibly perk up.
"Of course! I know all about the Mejiro family's glorious history!"
--+--
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.