"Spe-chan, would you like to hear Mama talk about the old days? It wasn't exactly exciting, but it was a joyful time."
Putting aside the farm work for a moment, the golden-haired woman scooped up the Uma Musume called "Spe-chan," settled into a haystack, and held her close.
"Yes! Mama hardly ever tells stories about the past!"
The little one's tail wagged restlessly as she nuzzled her head under her mother's chin, clinging sweetly.
"Then listen well."
With one hand, her mother gently pinned down those fluffy ears to keep them from tickling her nose.
Gazing up at the vast, clear blue sky, the blonde woman's eyes grew distant with memory.
"When Mama was little, she had two good friends—both Racing Uma Musume, and quite strong ones from the local circuit!"
"Racing Uma Musume! Racing Uma Musume!"
Hearing this, the little filly threw her hands up in excitement, her expectations for the story instantly soaring.
After all, becoming a Racing Uma Musume was her biggest dream.
"That's right. One specialized in short distances, the other in long distances—both were Mama's closest friends."
"Back then, I was learning all about farm work and growing food for Uma Musume, while they were rivals who'd met on the track."
"But honestly, even though they were rivals, your birth mother always came out on top."
"Huh? How come? I thought they were rivals?"
The little Uma Musume tilted her head in confusion.
"If one of them kept losing, could you really call it a rivalry?"
"It was because of the restrictions in local races back then. There were hardly any long-distance events—not even many mid-distance ones."
Here, the golden-haired woman chuckled softly.
She remembered how Komori Party used to rant furiously about the local racing organizers.
"That gave your mother a huge advantage—she was a sprint specialist."
"Mama, what was that rival auntie's name?"
Curiosity sparked in the young Uma Musume's eyes as she grew interested in her birth mother's dear friend.
"Her name was Komori Party. She's been retired for a long time now, but she's a truly remarkable person."
"?"
"Now, Komori runs an orphanage. She's given so many children a home and a future—just for that, I think she's stronger than I ever was."
"You're the best, Mama. To me, you are."
The little one comfortingly patted her adoptive mother's head, a gesture that warmed her heart.
"After your birth mother had you, she fell seriously ill. Before she passed, she entrusted you to me. Komori was really upset about that."
"She said, 'Why only you? I could've helped take care of her too! Are you looking down on me?'"
"It's kind of funny, really. She wasn't even twenty back then, but she was already prepared to be your guardian."
"Then why…"
The Uma Musume named Spe-chan hesitated, unsure if she should ask what came next.
But her adoptive mother had raised her all these years—one look at her face told her exactly what she was thinking.
"Why did your mother end up entrusting you to me?"
"Mm-hmm…"
Spe-chan nodded softly.
"Because your mother knew her personality all too well. She couldn't bear to burden her with you."
As she spoke, the blonde woman sighed deeply, moved by the integrity and mutual care between her two friends.
"Komori is a serious person, and she cherished your mother's friendship deeply. Because of that, she would've given you one hundred percent of her attention."
"She would've announced her retirement as an Uma Musume, announced that she had a child, and poured all her energy into raising you—putting your well-being above her own."
"But that's exhausting. Truly exhausting."
"She was still so young herself—she'd devoted her whole life to running. Asking her to suddenly take on a mother's role would've demanded so much from her."
"And she's such a steadfast, loyal person—that responsibility would've weighed on her for life."
"Thinking of that, your mother chose her other good friend—me."
Here, the blonde woman pointed a thumb at herself, looking rather proud.
"But Mama, you were young too, right?"
Her ears twitching, Spe-chan pulled a carrot from her pocket and began munching away, her words coming out muffled.
"True, I was about the same age as them back then. But there was one crucial difference."
She plucked the carrot from Spe-chan's mouth and held it up high, laughing as her daughter squirmed and reached for it.
"I had a whole farm! And I specialized in growing food for Uma Musume. Raising you was a lot more manageable for me."
After teasing her enough, she handed the carrot back. But then her mood shifted, growing somber.
"Still, neither I nor your mother expected Komori to take it so hard."
"After she learned your mother had entrusted you to me, she resolutely decided to retire."
"By the time I heard from her again, I found out she'd already been a key part of an orphanage for a long time. After retiring, she threw herself into it completely."
"In the end, your mother's decision ended up making things harder for her. I wonder if she ever saw that coming…"
"Mama…"
Spe-chan hugged her mother comfortingly and pulled another carrot from her pocket, offering it to her.
"Keep that for yourself. And where are you even getting all these carrots from?!"
She squeezed Spe-chan's head firmly, her expression turning stern.
"You've had way too much sugar today."
"Ow, ow…"
Spe-chan whimpered under the scolding, struggling playfully until she was finally let go.
"But today, for the first time, Komori sent me a letter. It seems she's finally found some peace with everything."
Patting the letter in her pocket, the adoptive mother's thoughts drifted back to those bygone days.
Memories of smiling faces from the past surfaced in her mind, strengthening her resolve.
"Spe-chan, would you like to meet her? Your mother's old friend—Auntie Komori."
The little Uma Musume looked puzzled, her eyes wide and round.
"I heard one of the children she adopted has become a Racing Uma Musume and is already achieving great results. Since you want to be an Uma Musume too, wouldn't you like to meet this older sister?"
That was all it took to ignite a fire in Spe-chan's heart.
She quickly finished off her carrot, her face lighting up with longing.
"I want to go! Mama, take me with you!"
"I knew you'd be excited!"
Her adoptive mother stood up briskly, brushed the stray straw from her clothes, and declared with spirited determination, "Alright then, let's set off! Time to go see my old friend."
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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.