Central Tracen, officially known as the 'Japan Uma Musume Training Center Academy,' is the most elite Uma Musume training institution in all of Japan—the dream destination for countless young horse girls.
Now, Fujimasa March and Nearl found themselves standing right at the entrance of this very academy.
"What should I say? The main gate of Central Tracen is surprisingly modest, huh," Fujimasa remarked as she eyed the red brick walls before her, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"There's no need to feel let down. Whether an academy is top-tier or not depends on the facilities for learning and training, not just decorative architecture."
Unlike Fujimasa March, Nearl didn't have much of an opinion about the view before her—or rather, she was more looking forward to seeing the training grounds and the library.
"March, let's go. If we want to visit Oguri Cap, it seems we need to check in first."
Nearl called out to Fujimasa, who was lost in thought, and pointed toward a lady in green standing near the academy's gate.
This woman's first impression was overwhelmingly… verdant.
An emerald-green round-brimmed hat, an emerald-green double-breasted coat, an emerald-green form-fitting miniskirt, and even emerald-green high heels.
This devilish fashion style left an intensely strong impression—it was the kind of outrageous color coordination that no ordinary person could ever pull off.
But this young lady was different. The head-to-toe green somehow suited her perfectly, and when paired with her own green eyes, it gave off a gentle and kindly vibe.
Of course, the yellow bow tie and necktie around her collar, along with the black pantyhose, were also part of her charm.
At this moment, the lady was looking at Nearl and Fujimasa March, a warm, welcoming smile gracing her lovely face, her eyes even crinkling slightly.
"Hello, you two. Welcome to Central Tracen. My name is Hayakawa Tazuna. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Seeing two young horse girls she'd never met before, Hayakawa Tazuna bent forward slightly and asked in a soft tone.
"Hello, Miss Tazuna. We're students from Kasamatsu Tracen. We came here today to visit a friend."
Seeing the other party greet them first, Nearl bowed slightly, returning the courtesy with poise no less refined than Tazuna's, before straightening up to reply.
"Kasamatsu? Don't tell me you're here to see Oguri Cap?"
The green-clad Miss Tazuna thought for a moment, then quickly put two and two together.
It made sense—from a regional branch, students of Kasamatsu Tracen, visiting a friend at Central Tracen.
Putting those factors together, it could really only be Oguri Cap.
But unfortunately, even so, Miss Tazuna couldn't just let them in. She still needed to verify their identities.
After all, the academy was home to numerous Uma Musume, many of them quite famous, and there had been incidents in the past where paparazzi had sneaked in.
"Well, I'm sorry, but based on that alone, I can't let you in," Miss Tazuna said with an apologetic smile, her face clearly showing she was in a tough spot.
"I see…"
Hearing this rejection, Fujimasa's ears drooped powerlessly.
Though her expression didn't change much, her subdued voice and clenched fists showed just how disappointed she was.
Seeing March like this, Nearl comfortingly patted her shoulder, then continued to ask Miss Tazuna:
"Then, Miss Tazuna, what steps do we need to take to get in?"
Hearing this, the green-hatted lady pressed her left index finger to her cheek, closed her eyes slightly, and pondered.
"Hmm… Actually, if Oguri Cap or someone related to her could escort you inside, that would work. But the problem is, I can't go and fetch them right now, since I still have to keep an eye on the gate for a while."
"Is that so? Then if someone could take over gate duty for you, would you be able to bring Oguri Cap or her trainer here?"
Nearl directly suggested this approach.
"That would indeed work, but it's still noon right now. Not many horse girls come to the main gate at this hour. Also, I wouldn't feel comfortable having just any student take over for me—it would need to be an upperclassman."
Miss Tazuna affirmed Nearl's suggestion but reminded her that it might take some time.
"That's alright. We can wait. Please allow us to stay here for a while."
"Well, that's fine with me."
With permission granted, Nearl led Fujimasa March—who had maintained a stern silence the whole time (actually, she was too shy to speak)—to stand off to the side, waiting for some reliable upperclassman to show up.
Miss Tazuna, standing nearby, considered advising them to come back another time, but after thinking it over, she ultimately didn't say it. For a while, the scene fell quiet.
'But this child… her presence is completely different from the average young filly,' Hayakawa Tazuna thought to herself, secretly observing Nearl with admiration.
'Poised and dignified, knows how to handle herself, calm and composed—she has a way of steadying those around her. Her future is beyond imagination.'
Thinking this, Tazuna couldn't help but speak up: "Um, Miss Nearl, was it?"
"Yes, is something the matter?"
"I was wondering… do you have any interest in enrolling at Central Tracen?"
Hayakawa Tazuna asked with a smile. She genuinely had high hopes for this horse girl. With her experience, few could catch her eye, but this one had potential.
"I do, but not right now," Nearl understood Tazuna's invitation but declined. "There are still things I need to do. I'll probably stay in the regional circuit for a while."
"I see. Having your own path is a wonderful thing too. Please don't worry about the difference between central and regional—just give your all and run on the course you've set for yourself."
Even though she was turned down, Miss Tazuna still kindly cheered Nearl on—a blessing straight from the heart.
"Thank you for understanding."
Nearl could sense the elder-like care from the other party. Though she wondered inwardly about the lady's age, the conversation left both feeling quite pleased.
Just as Nearl and Miss Tazuna were chatting naturally, and Fujimasa March nearby was having what felt like a prison sentence of a time, a cheerful set of footsteps could be heard approaching from within the campus, growing louder and closer.
"Tofu ty-rant, tofu ty-rant, mean-hearted tofu ty-rant…"
A clear, lovely voice was humming some inexplicable lyrics, leaving the three at the gate feeling a little weirded out.
"That voice… Could it be Miss C.B.? You two, please wait just a little longer. I'll go ask Miss. C.B. if she has time to cover for me."
With that, Miss Tazuna turned and jogged back toward the campus.
Nearl and Fujimasa March waited outside, unable to make out the conversation between Miss Tazuna and the newcomer.
But a short while later, the person who came out to meet Nearl and the others was no longer the lady in green.
Instead, it was a beautiful woman dressed simply in Central Tracen's uniform, with a small white top hat perched on her head.
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T/N: I know its Mr. C.B., but her nickname is just C.B. so if you add miss to that C.B. you get miss C.B.
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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.