Nearl let Teio tug at her cloak, holding the girl steady and even tucking the edge of the shawl into Teio's hand herself.
"Why don't we all head inside and chat for a bit? There's still some time before the Winner's Stage."
"No, I'd rather not."
Upon seeing Nearl, Agnes Tachyon had calmed down inexplicably.
Some little thought in her mind made her reluctant to show Nearl the frenzy she had just displayed.
"Now that I think about it, Assistant, you'll still be coming to my lab every day from now on—there's no need to rush like this."
"Besides, this glimpse of the future is far too shocking and thrilling. I really ought to cool my head a bit. I can afford to be passionate personally, but my research must remain calm."
Swishing her tail with deliberate poise, Tachyon lifted her chin, cheeks faintly flushed as she avoided looking at Nearl's smiling face.
"Still, the inspiration you've given me today is immense. I'll remember this favor, Assistant. You can look forward to my return gift."
With that, Tachyon hurried off, leaving behind a few bewildered faces and Nearl, who shook her head with a soft chuckle.
"Ahem. While Agnes Tachyon's words might sound a bit… eccentric, she does have a point. Nearl, your performance in that race was just too… brilliant."
"Apologies, I'm at a loss for words. But I know you must be exhausted now—hardly the best time for a long talk."
Symboli Rudolf gazed at Nearl with respect and understanding, stepping forward to peel Tokai Teio off her.
Though Teio squirmed in protest, the Emperor decided she'd just have to overlook this little act of heartbreak.
"Then we'll meet again tomorrow. I'll be looking forward to your performance tonight."
"Prez! Let me go! I wanna hang out with Nearl!"
"Not a chance. Nearl is tired. Teio, you'll be entering Tracen Academy next year—it's about time you stopped acting like a child all the time."
"Ughhhhh! Prez, you're the worst!"
"Erk!"
Symboli Rudolf's steps hitched awkwardly for a second before she strode on, a hint of irritation in her pace.
"I'll be reporting every detail of your capricious behavior today to Natural."
"Prez! You're snitching on me!"
"It's for the sake of your healthy development."
Left alone behind them, Nearl watched as Tokai Teio and Symboli Rudolf bickered their way off. A weary sigh escaped her, the kind one might let out watching a pair of foolish father and son.
--+--
The day after the Japanese Derby, Nearl woke an hour later than usual—a rare occurrence. The technique she'd employed the day before had taken its toll, leaving her thoroughly drained.
The deeper she delved into her [Domain], the more she had to unleash the power sealed within her body.
To avoid injuring herself, she had to simultaneously release and suppress it—a fatigue far exceeding the strain of using her [Domain] alone.
But that was only one source of her weariness. The other required an explanation from her two older sisters.
"I should've insisted on saying no last night. Staying up gaming until dawn is just too much."
Waking in the brand-new bed, Nearl stretched with distinct discomfort.
"Compared to the dorm beds, this is far too soft. In the long run, it's bad for the back—especially for an Uma Musume who relies on her core for power. It'll have to be replaced."
She rose, dressed, and tidied the bed.
Sunlight streamed through the large window, filling the room with a warm, amber glow. The wooden floor seemed to soak up the sun's heat; even barefoot, Nearl felt no chill beneath her feet.
After a quick freshening up, Nearl stepped into the living room. As expected, it was a disaster zone—chip bags and soda cans littered the floor, drawing a deep sigh from her.
Approaching the sofa, a note left there caught her eye.
"Dear little Nearl-chan, we have to head back now. Big Sis has been holding down the fort alone for too long. If we don't go help soon, we'll never hear the end of it—and that's a scary thought. Do us a favor and clean up the mess here? Consider it your sisters' housewarming gift to you!"
The contents made Nearl shake her head in resignation.
"They've really left me with a huge headache. It's not like I needed a house at all…"
Her words trailed off as Tokai Teio's adorable, beaming face flashed through her mind, followed by thoughts of Special Week and Centaurea, who were sure to come to the central circuit later. Hesitation settled in.
"No… perhaps I do need it after all. My sisters love their jokes, but they'd never steer me wrong."
Thinking of the small playground in the backyard and the entertainment room spanning dozens of square meters inside, Nearl could already picture the joy on Teio's face.
"If it can make Teio happy, then this house has its purpose. But…"
Recalling the villa built against the mountainside, Nearl pressed a hand to her forehead.
"I'll definitely need to hire professional cleaners for this. There's no way I can manage it all alone."
Just then, the intercom system in the living room chimed—a melodic ring followed by the tentative voice of a visitor.
"Um, excuse me… is this the Nearl residence?"
Even without moving closer, Nearl recognized the speaker instantly.
"Trainer? Well, of course. My sisters would've told him I didn't return to the dorm last night."
But as she glanced around the chaotic living room, an expression of utter dismay crossed her face.
"Sigh… what unfortunate timing. If only he'd come a bit later, the living room might've been presentable."
Outside, Kitahara Jo and his team stood staring in disbelief at the property.
Well, it was really just Kitahara who was stunned. Oguri Cap paid it no mind, while Tamamo Cross kept her features tightly composed, fighting not to let her awe show.
"How much would this cost? Millions? Tens of millions?"
Kitahara trembled as he pulled out his wallet for a look, then slipped it back with a bitter grimace.
Not that he was poor—among central trainers currently, few could match his financial standing (in terms of current salary). With stars like Oguri Cap and Nearl under his care, who could really compare?
Still, even a year or two of his salary was nowhere near enough to afford a home in this area.
Maybe by retirement, his life's savings could buy one—but that'd mean a lifetime paying off a mortgage. Kitahara figured he'd rather invest in commercial property instead.
"Everyone, welcome. Sorry to keep you waiting."
The front gate swung open, revealing Nearl with an apologetic smile.
"Margaret, a gift for you. Congratulations on winning the Japanese Derby."
The moment she saw Nearl, Oguri Cap thrust a present into her hands without preamble.
"After your Derby win, Kitahara cried half the night, saying stuff like 'we've achieved our goal' or something."
"Wh-where did you get that idea?! Oguri, don't just make things up!"
Kitahara retorted loudly, his face red—which only made it seem more like a confession. Both Nearl and Tamamo Cross couldn't help but laugh.
"Honestly, you're a grown man now. Acting all shy like a middle schooler, really!"
Tamamo slapped Kitahara's shoulder heartily, her grin wide enough to show her little fangs.
"But Nearl, you really gave us a scare. Before I saw your face, I'm not exaggerating—I almost felt too embarrassed to even stand at this gate."
"Well then, Tamamo, would you like to come in? You're my friend. There'll always be a room here reserved for you."
Pushing open the tall wooden gate behind her, Nearl invited them in.
"Though I'm afraid the living room isn't quite fit for guests right now. I'll have to ask everyone to settle in the backyard instead."
--+--
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.