"Dad, what are you trying to say?"
Watching her father pacing circles around her since she woke up, Bless the Moment felt utterly exasperated.
"Well... I'm just worried about you, that's all."
The middle-aged man hesitated, words caught in his throat as he glanced around avoiding her gaze.
"Look, your health has never been the strongest, and it's quite chilly outside today. Shouldn't you put on a few more layers?"
"Dad..."
Seeing him still beating around the bush, Bless the Moment urged him on: "I'm heading out soon. If you don't say it now, it'll really be too late."
It's just asking for an autograph, isn't it? Why all this hesitation?
"Ahem... sweetie, you already know what I'm going to say, don't you?"
The middle-aged man's face flushed slightly. "Could you get me Maruzensky's autograph?"
"Why not just say it directly? Why all the hesitation?"
"Ah, it's a bit embarrassing, you see."
The old father thought for a moment, then pulled a few banknotes from his wallet.
"What's this for?"
Frowning at her father's action, Bless the Moment asked, "Are you trying to pay me to run your errands?"
"You silly child."
He tapped his youngest daughter's head lightly, not daring to use much force, the middle-aged man sighed in resignation. "Just have fun out there."
"Dad, I've got some money of my own. I don't need this."
Sticking her tongue out playfully after being tapped, Bless the Moment didn't accept the bills, including the highest denomination one.
She never squandered the money her parents gave her, saving it all carefully.
It wasn't much, but how much could a simple outing really cost?
Just some snacks, drinks, maybe catching a movie—nothing too expensive.
"Maruzensky's waiting for me, I've got to go!"
Taking a step back to avoid her father's attempt to force the money into her hand, the white-haired Uma Musume, already wearing her shoes, pressed the door handle and left home.
BAM—!
The moment she stepped outside, Bless the Moment heard a loud crash.
It sounded really close... a car accident?
Bless the Moment only glanced briefly before hurriedly walking away into the distance.
She was almost late for her meeting with Maruzensky. She had to pick up the pace.
--+--
"Hey! Over here!"
Just as she reached the meeting spot, Bless the Moment heard a familiar voice call out not far away.
She followed the sound and found a woman in a red winter coat and sunglasses standing by a post, waving at her.
"Sorry I'm late."
Hurrying over to Maruzensky, Bless the Moment asked, "...I didn't keep you waiting too long, did I, Senpai?"
"Not at all, I just got here myself not long ago."
Maruzensky looked over the little white-haired Uma Musume before her.
Thick clothes swaddled her completely, even her hands tucked snugly into gloves, not an inch exposed to the air.
"Wearing so much already and it's not even that cold yet?"
Looking at Bless the Moment's white winter coat, Maruzensky teased, "It's only going to get colder from here. Won't you bundle yourself up like a big snowman then?"
"I thought I was warm enough already..."
The white-haired Uma Musume looked down at the coat enveloping her. "But Mom thought I wasn't wearing enough, so she made me put on another layer."
"Typical, totally typical."
Maruzensky replied with a grin. "Isn't there a saying exactly for that? 'Your mother thinks you're cold.'"
"I suppose you're right."
The white-haired Uma Musume nodded, then pulled a notepad and pen from her pocket. "Maruzensky-senpai, my father is a big fan. Could you give him your autograph?"
"Of course."
Maruzensky took them and signed her name with a flourish before handing them back.
"Senpai, where are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there."
Maruzensky, watching Bless the Moment safely stow the items away, pointed behind her. "Get in the car first."
Get in?
Bless the Moment looked past her, spotting a red sports car parked by the roadside.
Wait... is that Tā-chan?
The moment the red sports car came into view, Bless the Moment recognized it instantly, her face paling slightly.
Why did she have to bring Tā-chan?!
"What's wrong? Not getting in?"
Maruzensky, who had been observing her, asked.
"Is where we're going very far?"
The white-haired Uma Musume forced calm into her voice.
"Mm, a bit."
Maruzensky nodded. "If we walked, it'd take about an hour and a half."
An hour and a half?
Bless the Moment's face fell.
Walking for an hour and a half was obviously not appealing.
But getting in Maruzensky's car wasn't a great alternative either...
"What's wrong? You don't trust your big sister's driving skills, do you?"
The brown-haired Uma Musume took in the expression on Bless the Moment's face, her smile widening.
"No..."
She saw the little white-haired Uma Musume in front of her frown, as if puzzled. "...For some reason, I just have a feeling it's better not to get in that car."
'Better not to get in that car'...
Maruzensky felt a sting.
So... so what if I drive just a little bit fast? Is that really a reason to be so against riding with me?
But... 'for some reason'?
Maruzensky pondered the words, looking at the white-haired Uma Musume still wrestling with the decision.
Is she subconsciously resisting Tā-chan, or is she saying this for my benefit on purpose?
Maruzensky stared thoughtfully at the girl before her.
"If you really don't want to take the car, we could go somewhere closer."
Seeing Bless the Moment still hesitating, Maruzensky spoke up. "What do you think?"
"Okay."
Bless the Moment agreed without a moment's hesitation. "Let's do what you suggest, Senpai."
"Alright, let's go then."
Maruzensky nodded, smiling.
Propose a plan the other person likely won't accept, then offer a compromise while they're hesitating—works like a charm.
This trick really is effective, never fails.
Leading Bless the Moment away, Maruzensky felt quite pleased with herself.
Back when my trainer was still here, this was exactly how I got her to agree to all my requests.
"Senpai?"
Noticing the brown-haired Uma Musume's lingering gaze, Bless the Moment instinctively touched her cheek, finding nothing there before asking in confusion, "Why are you staring at me?"
"Ah..."
Maruzensky snapped out of it. "Sorry, I was remembering something from the past, lost in thought for a moment."
"Maruzensky-senpai... you weren't thinking about the times you went out with someone else, were you?"
Meeting Maruzensky's gaze, Bless the Moment asked, "You're not mistaking me for Miss someone like Nakatsuru Aya, are you?"
--+--
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.