Nearl, who'd been pulled into a half-embrace by Mr. C.B., didn't seem flustered at all. She smoothly extricated herself from the other's hold and replied with unshakable calm.
"I must decline."
Miss C.B. didn't seem particularly put out by the rejection, letting out only a soft, regretful sigh.
"What a shame. I really do like you, you know~"
But that flicker of disappointment vanished as quickly as it came. She continued clinging to Nearl, her pale hands constantly kneading and squeezing the other's arm with an almost creepy persistence.
"Your muscles are so firm, and the definition is beautiful. You can tell just from touch that you've trained seriously. You've got real potential," Mr. C.B. praised, then couldn't help but add, "Why not come give Central Tracen a try?"
Why did this scene feel so familiar? Nearl exchanged a strange look with Fujimasa.
"Oh? Judging by your expressions, has someone already invited you?" Seeing their faces, Mr. C.B. immediately understood, though Nearl had no intention of hiding it.
"Miss Hayakawa already extended an invitation earlier, but I declined for now."
"Is that so? If Hayakawa invited you, then you must have potential I haven't seen yet." Mr. C.B., now practically draped over Nearl like a human blanket, mumbled discontentedly. "I really wanted to race you. I felt it the moment I saw you—that thrilling tremor you get when you spot a strong rival."
"There will be a chance, Miss C.B. You won't have to wait long." Nearl didn't pull away, allowing Mr. C.B. to lean against her.
"I'm feeling a bit sleepy, strangely… Mind if I rest on you for a bit?"
Suddenly, Mr. C.B. felt a wave of warmth washing over her, a comfortable heat flowing through her body. The old injury that had been nagging her with a dull ache these past few days now felt soothed.
'So sleepy… but so comfortable…'
She instinctively nuzzled her face against Nearl's hair, her consciousness gradually sinking into a deep, tranquil darkness. Mr. C.B. was sure she was in for a wonderful dream.
"It's all right. May you have a warm, pleasant dream."
Nearl quietly dimmed the faint glow shimmering in her hair, adjusted her stance slightly, and leaned forward to better support Mr. C.B.'s weight, making sure she could rest comfortably.
The moment Mr. C.B. had made contact, Nearl's sharp intuition had picked up on the pain this body was enduring.
With a silent inward sigh, Nearl had quietly channeled a bit of her power.
This small act of aid could ease Mr. C.B.'s pain, letting her show her usual cheerful smile instead of the strained one she wore now.
"Nearl, is this really okay?" Fujimasa March, watching the two nestled together, couldn't keep a hint of envy from her voice. As for who she envied? That wasn't clear.
"Let her sleep a while, March. I doubt Miss Hayakawa will be much longer. It's fine." Since the person in question said so, Fujimasa didn't press further. She simply quieted down, leaning against the red wall behind them as they waited for the lady dressed in green to return.
A breeze swept past. Winter wasn't far off now, and though the wind wasn't biting, it had lost its pleasant coolness.
Nearl frowned slightly, sensing Mr. C.B. beginning to curl up against her back.
'Is the wind making her cold?'
She stirred the light within her, channeling a gentle warmth to the figure resting against her.
Once she felt Mr. C.B.'s body relax again, Nearl maintained that comforting heat.
"Mmm… hhh…"
Soft, even breaths reached her ears, brimming with ease and contentment. Nearl's eyes softened, a faint smile of care and warmth touching her expression.
About twenty minutes passed like this before sounds finally emerged from the campus once more.
"Mr. Ginjirou, please hurry!"
"No rush, no rush. There's no need to panic over something like this."
Two voices drew nearer from a distance—one familiar, belonging to Miss Hayakawa from earlier, and the other an unfamiliar, aged yet vigorous voice.
Shortly after, Miss Hayakawa emerged from the school grounds, followed by a somewhat short but robust, stern-looking old man.
The old man wore a pair of sunglasses that accentuated his already intimidating features. Dressed in a loud checkered shirt and beach sandals, he looked every bit the vacationer.
But Nearl knew who he was. Kitahara Jo had specifically briefed her before she came.
Kitahara had mentioned that Oguri Cap's current trainer at Central was his uncle, warning that his uncle had a fiery temper and it was best not to argue or talk back. Nearl had taken it all to heart.
Of course, both Miss Hayakawa and Trainer Ginjirou immediately spotted Nearl and Fujimasa March—as well as a certain highly flammable object currently half-draped over Nearl's back.
For a moment, the look in Miss Hayakawa's eyes seemed genuinely capable of spontaneously combusting Mr. C.B.
'I asked you to check the gate, and this is how you do it?'
Miss Hayakawa suppressed her emotions, struggling to maintain a smile, but her efforts shattered the very next second.
She watched in horror as the drowsy Mr. C.B., mouth slightly agape as if ready to nibble on something, was moments away from taking Nearl's earlobe into her mouth.
"Heh heh."
A dark aura seemed to emanate from Miss Hayakawa's face. She strode forward quickly, intending to pull Mr. C.B. down and give her a good awakening.
But Nearl shook her head gently, stopping her.
Nearl carefully supported Mr. C.B.'s arms from behind, slowly easing herself out of the other's grasp. Her movements were so gentle and cautious that Mr. C.B. remained sound asleep throughout.
"Miss Hayakawa, could you please take Miss C.B. somewhere to rest?" Carefully supporting the sleeping figure, Nearl transferred her over to Hayakawa.
"My apologies, Nearl. You've witnessed a rather undignified side of our academy. Please believe me, individuals like this are the exception, not the rule. I will bring her to apologize properly once she wakes up." Miss Hayakawa accepted the sleeping Mr. C.B., her face full of remorse.
"It was no trouble. Please take care on your way."
"Goodbye, Miss Hayakawa."
Nearl and Fujimasa March watched together as Miss Hayakawa carefully hoisted Mr. C.B. onto her back and slowly walked towards a building not far away.
Thump! Thump!
Once Hayakawa was out of sight, Trainer Ginjirou forcefully tapped the ground twice with the cane he always carried, producing a dull, solid sound.
"Alright, eyes over here."
After ensuring he had their full attention, Trainer Ginjirou offered what he probably thought was a gentle smile but came across as rather intimidating.
"Fujimasa, long time no see."
"Likewise, Mr. Ginjirou."
Fujimasa March responded with serious respect; it was clear she held the old man in high regard.
"And this one must be the new Uma Musume that kid under me was talking about?"
Trainer Ginjirou looked Nearl up and down appraisingly.
--+--
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.