"It's pretty pathetic, isn't it?"
Obey Your Master leaned back against the wall with an air of self-abandonment, her voice noticeably lower.
"Deliberately getting close to you, pretending to be someone completely different, all while secretly plotting against your friend."
"Don't you think someone like that is terrifying? A normal person's first reaction should be to stay far away, so why can you still act so calmly around me?"
Her voice rose with each word, as if she were hurling accusations—not at Nearl, but at herself.
Yet Nearl remained unshaken, gazing at her with the same gentle expression, as if she could see right through it all.
That look only made Obey Your Master despise herself even more.
"Doesn't that make me a complete joke?"
"How to judge a person?I believe the feelings you get when interacting with them are the most real. You deserve my kindness."
"Even though I came here with ulterior motives?" Obey Your Master retorted, disbelief coloring her tone.
"Hmph."
Nearl let out a soft laugh, her expression softening considerably.
"What's wrong with wanting victory? Besides, I don't dislike your methods. There are no friends on the racetrack; targeting an opponent's weakness is perfectly normal."
"You didn't resort to underhanded tricks. You won this race fairly, relying on your own strength. There's nothing for you to feel guilty about."
As she spoke, Nearl noticed the tension deep in Obey Your Master's eyes ease considerably.
Perhaps all she needed was a little validation.
"Congratulations on winning the Japan Cup, Miss Butler."
"...You're a real weirdo, you know that?"
Obey Your Master blinked rapidly, hiding the glistening in her eyes.
"It's Obey Your Master. My name isn't some nonsensical thing like 'Butler'."
"Alright, Obey Your Master."
Nearl readily acquiesced on the small matter.
"But you know, it's kind of funny. The persona you showed the audience was completely fake, except for your name. Yet during the time we spent together this morning, the only thing you hid was your name."
Nearl suddenly recalled this point, sounding rather amused.
That made Obey Your Master's tail shoot straight up in agitation.
"R-really?! I thought I did a decent job acting out my character when I met you!"
"The first day did feel a bit acted out, but from the second day onward, you weren't pretending at all."
Hearing this, Obey Your Master's mood sank. She thought her act was perfect, but to the other person, it seemed foolish. That was a real blow to her pride.
"But you don't need to keep up the act anymore, right? This victory declares your strength loud and clear. Even on a global scale, you'll be a force to be reckoned with."
Walking alongside Obey Your Master as they headed out, Nearl subtly nodded toward Ardan, who was holding Mejiro McQueen's hand in the distance.
Ardan instantly understood Nearl's meaning.
She nodded back and quietly led McQueen toward a different exit.
"It's not the same. I might still keep up this style in the future. But this race has given me confidence. When I return home, I'll ask my trainer about going on an overseas campaign."
Looking down at her own feet, Obey Your Master allowed herself a rare moment of relaxation.
"I've heard Europe has mostly turf courses. Maybe I'll give them a try."
"Europe, huh..."
Nearl fell into thought, recalling the knowledge she'd studied about various countries.
"About that, Obey Your Master, I'd like to offer some advice."
"What?"
Obey Your Master turned to look at Nearl, her eyes filled with confusion.
"European turf is quite different from Japan's. The ground is much softer, which requires greater strength from the runner. I'd recommend looking into it more before deciding."
"...Is that so? I'll remember that."
Obey Your Master nodded, committing the advice to heart.
"I'll leave you here."
Even the longest road must end. Obey Your Master's cottage was just ahead. At this crossroads, Nearl prepared to take her leave.
"...Nearl," Obey Your Master suddenly called from behind, "back then, you already knew something was off about me. Why did you still decide to coach me?"
"What reason would I need? No matter who comes asking, I'd answer them all the same. Even if they're a rival on the track."
"Then why didn't you say anything to Tamamo Cross? Judging by her reaction today, she clearly wasn't prepared for it."
"I had to keep your secret. If you had come to dig for weaknesses in Oguri or Tamamo Cross, I wouldn't have entertained you. But you came seeking to improve yourself. I had no reason to hide what I know."
"...Are you like this with everyone?"
Obey Your Master found it hard to believe.
Regardless of how you looked at it, mastery over one's field was a valuable skill. The fewer who knew, the better one could maintain their edge.
Even if someone was willing to share, it would usually only be with close allies. But from the sound of it, Nearl would teach anyone who asked, wholeheartedly.
"Are you some kind of friendly neutral NPC or something?"
She couldn't help but tease.
"We're all Uma Musume. While I might be closer to some than others, I'm still willing to offer any help I can to each of them."
Nearl spoke calmly, her words coming from the heart. She genuinely loved these spirited girls, and that's why she never slacked off.
"Wow, I suddenly feel this huge pressure. Knowing someone like you, I guess I have to strive to be outstanding too."
Obey Your Master suddenly clutched her head in an exaggerated manner, joking as she spoke.
"That's a great mindset, but remember to act within your means. If you run into trouble, you can always call on me."
"I will. After all, I've got a friend who's incredibly capable and selfless."
With those words, Obey Your Master put her hands behind her back and scampered off playfully.
Nearl watched her lively departure with a smile, shaking her head.
"Time for me to head back too. Oguri's probably still mad at me. Even though she didn't win, she surpassed her rival Tamamo Cross for the first time. That's worth celebrating too."
Thinking about what awaited her return, a wry smile also found its way onto Nearl's face.
"I hope Oguri gets over her anger quickly. Otherwise, her tantrums are such a headache."
Sure enough, Nearl's premonition was correct.
When she returned, she was met with Oguri Cap's puffed-up, sulking face.
"Oguri..."
Nearl looked apologetically at her childhood friend, facing her displeasure head-on.
"..."
Oguri Cap said nothing. With an angry huff, she launched herself headfirst like a rocket, slamming squarely into Nearl's chest.
Her face was still smeared with remnants of her recent feast—cream, carrot bits, and grease stains.
"Margaret... you didn't come find me..."
Oguri Cap mumbled grievances, drawing hearty laughs from everyone present.
"My fault, all my fault..."
Though Nearl mourned her ruined clothes, this was the price for leaving her friend behind without a word. She could only accept it with a resigned smile.
--+--
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.