"Ahh, what a bother."
Feeling the gratitude and guilt welling up from deep within, Centaurea felt incredibly uneasy.
Accustomed to facing the world alone, she wasn't very good at responding to kindness.
'It's not like I dislike this world, okay? You didn't even need to beg for my help.'
Thinking this, Platinum prepared to push the wheelchair she was sitting in a bit further to the side. She was pretty much tired of the view in front of her.
'But even though I've been reborn into a new life, I still haven't managed to escape this wheelchair situation. Did I somehow write "sickly" into my character settings?'
However, when Platinum forcefully pushed the wheels of her chair, the wheelchair gave her no response whatsoever, as if it had been forcibly locked in place.
"Master, what are you doing? The doctor said you need to rest."
Turning her head, she saw the familiar figure standing behind her, dressed in work pants and a long-sleeved shirt, her hands gripping the wheelchair's back handles tightly.
"I just wanted to get some fresh air. Lying in bed all day, I feel like the world is losing its color."
"I sit by your bed every day keeping you company. Isn't that enough?"
Special Week stared stubbornly into Platinum's eyes, the look in them making Platinum instinctively shrink back a little.
"Fine, I get it. I'll go back, okay?"
This was who-knows-what-time Platinum had given in to Special Week these past few days.
Strangely enough, even though Special Week usually acted like a timid quail around her, ever since the day Platinum felt utterly weak, this girl had been growing bolder by the day.
Sometimes, Platinum would even wake up to find her sleeping on a futon right beside the bed.
"Sigh, Spe-chan, why haven't you let go yet?"
Suddenly, Platinum realized her wheelchair still wouldn't budge. Special Week showed no intention of loosening her grip.
"Stop messing around. Didn't you want me to go back? If you keep blocking me like this, I'll never get back, you know."
"The wheelchair isn't suitable for your condition. Didn't they say you injured your back? Using a wheelchair inevitably strains your lower back. It's not good for you."
"Then what do you suggest? At the very least, I still need the wheelchair to get back today, right?"
"...I'm all you need. I can carry you on my back. I'm serious."
Clearly, Platinum's argument hadn't swayed Special Week; instead, it had given her another idea.
"Don't be serious! Wait! I'm your master! Don't come any closer!"
If it were the old Platinum, this would have been the perfect moment to let Special Week experience a taste of her Domain Impact.
But now, all she could manage was a half-hearted, token resistance.
This was all because Platinum and Nearl were inscribing their own rules onto the world.
It wasn't an easy task, and it certainly couldn't be abandoned halfway. Whether out of personal desire or a greater sense of duty, it had to be completed.
But Nearl was currently tied up with various affairs, so the pressure had fallen entirely on Platinum's shoulders.
To confront it with full force, Platinum had to divert most of her mental energy, and the result was this.
Her body was perfectly fine, but she had no energy left to control it. So now, forget about activating her Domain, even going for a stroll required squeezing out every last drop of strength.
How could a Platinum in this state possibly resist Special Week's well-meaning advances? Those feeble, pushing hands were practically encouragement!
"Master, from now on, I'll take you wherever you want to go. Until you recover, I'll be your legs. Where would you like to go?"
"Don't touch my legs... Just take me back to my room..."
--+--
Here, the mental communication between Nearl and Platinum came to a temporary pause.
Unlike the irritated Platinum, Nearl felt relieved after hearing this exchange.
"That's good. It seems Special Week and the others have taken quite a liking to Rea and are looking out for her. It looks like she'll be fine on that end."
"As for me... I have plenty of problems of my own."
Casually picking up a nearby newspaper, there was no need to guess—the front-page headline was undoubtedly about the Radiant Knight.
The only question was whether it marvelled at her clear victory in the first leg of the Triple Crown or mocked her for making such a conspicuous move right from the start.
Well, this particular paper was criticizing Nearl's mysterious decision at the beginning of the race.
Reading this report, her earlier conversation with Symboli Rudolf resurfaced in her memory.
--+--
"President Rudolf, are you referring to the Uma Musume Qualification Review?"
In the student council room, Nearl stood before Rudolf. Between them, on the table, lay numerous newspapers and what looked like a very formal document.
"Correct, the Qualification Review. You should know the purpose of this inspection, right?"
"...Is it because of my start in this year's Satsuki Sho?"
At Symboli Rudolf's gesture, Nearl picked up the document in front of her and began to read.
"To the esteemed Margaret Nearl, This is the URA Uma Musume Qualification Review Department."
"Your victory in the Satsuki Sho was splendid, and we offer our congratulations. However, public skepticism is difficult to ignore."
"Reluctantly, we must request that you set aside a day to come to our department for a review. We apologize for the inconvenience and the use of your valuable time."
After clearly reading the entire contents of the document aloud, Nearl calmly placed it back on the table, appearing completely unfazed.
"Well? Judging by your expression, you don't seem too concerned about this review, which is practically a public execution for an Uma Musume?"
Rudolf stared sternly at Nearl, her expression one of clear disappointment.
And Nearl? She remained as composed as ever. In the end, it was Rudolf who broke first, letting out a relaxed smile that dissipated the pressure she had carefully built up moments before.
"Alright, I knew this document wouldn't frighten you. I just wanted to see your reaction."
"That's a rather nasty habit, President."
Ahem. "Anyway, for you, this is just a minor formality. You can tell from the wording of this notice, right? If they truly believed you needed a full review, they wouldn't be so polite."
"So this is due to public pressure?"
"Exactly. Nearl, you might not feel it deeply yourself, but in terms of popularity, even Oguri Cap is slightly behind you now."
"Pick ten random Uma Musume fans, and at least eight will have a favorable impression of you, with maybe one who's just naturally contrarian."
Spreading the reports out in front of her, Rudolf's hand brushed over them.
"So now, you have to be careful with every move you make. Like this Satsuki Sho—knowledgeable fans know it was just a tactic. But with so many voices, something that was originally insignificant has now forced a review."
"Well, but the folks in the Review Department have sharp eyes. They can tell at a glance whether it's a genuine tactic or actual disrespect for the opponents and the sport."
"You have nothing to worry about, Nearl. Just treat it as a visit. The people who work in the Review Department are quite interesting."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.