"Phew, that was hellish. Just how many fans were there? Don't any of them have jobs?"
Hands planted irritantly on her hips, Tamamo Cross was still shaken.
The feeling of being squeezed and jostled in that crowd moments ago had been terrifying, leaving her with the illusion she'd been struggling against a raging tide.
"Good thing the security officers showed up fast, otherwise you'd probably be signing autographs until your hand cramped up today, Nearl. But I guess that just goes to show you've reached a height even I can't touch now."
"You flatter me, Senpai."
"Still with the 'senpai,' you're as polite as ever. I wish the kids back home would call me 'big sis' that properly. Must be a rebellious phase or something—they've even been kind of avoiding me lately."
Crossing her arms behind her head, Tamamo relaxed as she chatted with Nearl about everyday troubles, and Nearl played the part of the quiet listener perfectly.
Despite the long time apart, there was no awkwardness between them.
"Ah, I've been doing all the talking! Come on, Nearl, you say something too. Spill, spill!"
After chatting all the way here, Tamamo's throat felt parched. Dissatisfied, she gave Nearl a light pat on the waist.
"But for me… I haven't really experienced anything worth making a big story about. If I had to say, there's only the Satsuki Shō…"
"Yap yap yap! Let's skip the Satsuki Shō. I've seen that race replay everywhere—the footage and the commentary are practically burned into my brain by now. Can't you talk about something else? Like, did you make any new friends at Tracen or something?"
"Well… yes, I have. Though I get along with many classmates, there aren't many I'd truly call friends."
"Hah, that's normal, I guess. But there must be a few, right?"
"There are, yes…"
Tamamo, ears twitching with interest, nudged Nearl's arm.
"If you'd like to hear about it…"
Blah blah blah, murmur murmur.
"Huh, you've been through a lot too, huh? Manhattan Cafe and Agnes Tachyon? They're seriously strong Uma Musume—even I've heard rumors about them back home."
"From your perspective, what do you think of those two?"
Arms crossed, Tamamo nodded sagely, her serious doll-like face making it impossible to guess what she was really thinking.
"They are both exceptionally outstanding Uma Musume, of course. Cafe is still active, so I won't comment further, but Tachyon, though retired, has left behind achievements that are truly indelible."
"Ah, you mean their race records… That's not really the assessment I was hoping to hear."
Frustrated, she ruffled her own long hair, but a smile quickly returned to Tamamo's face.
"Ah, whatever. In a way, that answer does reveal your thoughts and your current situation. I guess I got what I wanted, more or less."
"?"
"Don't look so puzzled. You definitely won't get it right now. We'll talk about it later."
In much better spirits, Tamamo sped up, walking ahead and leaving a confused Nearl to ponder alone.
"Let's go! Take me to see Oguri Cap. It's been so long, I'm actually kinda missing her dopey expression. I wonder if she's missed me at all? I've even saved some hometown treats for her in this giant luggage."
After a while, the two arrived at the cafeteria.
"Seems not. She's completely forgotten about me…"
Watching Oguri Cap devour her meal like a storm, having sat across from her for several miserable minutes only to realize she still hadn't been noticed, Tamamo propped her cheek up in silent despair.
"Oguri has always been like this. As long as there's food in front of her, nothing else gets her attention."
Carrying two drinks over, Nearl tried to soothe the fuming senior, but the moment she spoke, Oguri Cap's ears, buried in her meal, sprang to life as if possessed, swiveling before finally focusing on Nearl across the table.
"Margaret, you came to eat too?"
Without hesitation, she lifted her head from the mountain of meat and carrots. Though her face remained placid, her sparkling eyes said it all.
"Argh! Why?! I've been sitting right in front of you forever! I greeted you, I talked to you, and you acted deaf and mute! Nearl just shows up and you look right at her! Is that any way to treat someone?!"
Gnashing her teeth in anger, Tamamo felt like her head was about to explode. Compared to this blockhead, her rebellious little brother back home seemed downright docile.
"Oh, Tama, you're here too? When did you get back?"
"You! That surprised look on your face now just makes me even madder!"
Faced with that innocent, somewhat clueless expression, it was as if all her anger suddenly burned out, leaving only a profound sense of exasperation deep in Tamamo's heart.
"Ugh, I suddenly feel like such an idiot. What was I so looking forward to coming back to Tracen for anyway…"
"?"
Watching her eternal rival slump lifelessly into the chair, some vague spirit seemingly escaping her mouth, Oguri Cap simply couldn't understand.
"Tama-chan, are you hungry? I can share a little of my meat pie with you, but not the carrots."
"So I rank lower than carrots now?! You're impossible!"
Bicker bicker, squabble squabble.
Listening to the two of them argue, Nearl silently picked up the coffee she'd brought.
'Ah, I want to go back to running now.'
--+--
"So, Tama-chan, you're not leaving again after coming back this time?"
"Don't call me Tama-chan!"
Not at all fond of the nickname that sounded like it was for a puppy, Tamamo pushed away Oguri Cap who had leaned in.
"Hmm, even though I've retired from the Twinkle Series, I still really love being an Uma Musume. Besides, Tracen doesn't just teach racing knowledge; there's regular academics too. I still want to get that proper educational diploma, you know."
"Huh? What academics?"
Stuffing a pork floss bun into her mouth, Oguri Cap looked utterly confused.
"It's something you'll never understand in your lifetime!"
Tamamo snapped back, annoyed.
"You space out in class every single day. Academics have absolutely nothing to do with you anymore."
"Hmm, I don't really get it. But Tama-chan, does that mean you won't run anymore?"
"It's not that I won't run at all. But it's true, there aren't many chances to run full-out anymore."
Stirring the coffee in her cup, then taking a sip, Tamamo's mood perfectly matched the bitter taste.
This scene gave Nearl pause. Watching Tamamo's discomfort, she fell silent.
'Is there really no way for retired Uma Musume to race freely and happily anymore? What can I do for them…'
--+--
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.