After walking together for a while, Ardan was the first to excuse herself. She wanted to let everyone know about Nearl and Symboli Rudolf's arrival, and also planned to bring some drinks back for Nearl.
So, for the time being, Nearl and Nase sat down on a stone bench beside the path, getting to know each other through conversation while also waiting for Ardan.
Time flowed by like water.
When everyone had left earlier, dawn had just broken, but now it was nearly noon.
The sun shone gently upon the earth, filtering through the gaps in the leaves above Nearl and casting dappled light onto the pebble-strewn path.
Nase tilted her head back, gazing upward.
"It's really warm," she murmured, her tone drifting slightly. "In another month or two, this kind of comfort won't be around anymore."
"By then it'll be midsummer. Direct sunlight might feel scorching, and for health reasons, I wouldn't recommend staring directly at the sun."
"…That's a joke, right? I'm not that reckless."
Perhaps because Nearl's expression was too serious, Nase wasn't quite sure how to respond. By nature, she was rather reserved and rarely engaged in banter.
"Yes, it was a joke," Nearl replied without hesitation, her gaze shifting to the quiet Trainer sitting beside her.
"Because Trainer Nase seemed to be carrying some heaviness in her heart, I wanted to lighten the mood a little."
"…Was it that obvious?"
Nase let out a deep sigh. She knew she wasn't good at hiding her worries, but being read so easily by an Uma Musume she'd only just met still felt a bit much.
'But Nearl is called a knight, after all. That title reflects her trustworthy, upright character. Talking to her might actually be a good choice.'
That thought crossed Nase's mind.
Though, truth be told, she didn't have many other options for confiding in.
During these days of inner turmoil, Nase had realized her social circle was somewhat lacking.
As a trainer, she was too young, standing out awkwardly in a workplace mostly filled with middle-aged colleagues, with a significant gap in perspectives.
After all, she had only just reached adulthood, while the next youngest trainers—Okino and Toujou—were already in their late twenties.
That was enough for a generational divide.
For example, while her own attire was simple and neat, she actually had a surprising fondness for cute things in private, like rabbit-shaped pillows. Miss Toujou, on the other hand, adhered to practicality, even decorating her home with items that were cold yet elegant.
Well, if not colleagues, then friends?
Sorry, truly sorry. Though Nase was a genius, reaching her current level had inevitably required intense dedication.
To pursue her dream of becoming a trainer, she'd been called a bookworm more than a few times as a child—friends were even less of a given.
She did have a few friends she could chat with comfortably, but this particular matter was something Nase didn't want to discuss with them.
As for her own reckless father… better not even go there.
After much thought, she realized Nearl was actually her best option at the moment.
Though younger than herself, Nearl carried a mature, reliable air that Nase had only ever felt from her own mother.
Moreover, Nearl's reputation throughout Tracen Academy was stellar; she likely wasn't one to gossip carelessly.
"Haa…"
A soft sigh escaped her. Nase had already made up her mind. The emotions bottled up inside had grown too heavy to carry alone.
"Nearl, would you listen to some of my worries? There are things… I'm still struggling with right now."
"I will keep it to myself."
Without a moment's hesitation, Nearl agreed to Nase's request, even assuring her beforehand that nothing would be shared further. This immediately put Nase at ease.
"Thank you. I really am afraid of this getting out. I'm afraid… afraid of Creek hearing how I feel right now."
"Creek-senpai? I thought she wasn't…"
"Yes, Creek is my partner."
At Nearl's question, Nase's face flushed slightly, but she didn't shy away or change the subject, instead addressing this theoretically embarrassing topic head-on.
Uma Musume dating their trainers was common—so common it was almost standard.
Uma Musume having same-sex partners was also normal, as the Three Goddesses' blessing allowed them to bear children even among themselves.
Moreover, even between two Uma Musume, there existed subtle gender distinctions only they truly understood.
But combining the two was quite rare. A female trainer having an Uma Musume as a partner—there had been only about a dozen cases in the past century.
It was exceedingly uncommon, so being viewed differently by outsiders was understandable.
For Nase to admit it so openly took real courage, and Nearl's respect for her rose considerably.
"It seems the two of you share a deep bond."
"Mhm." At those words, a smile finally broke through Nase's usually calm expression.
"Even now, I'm grateful that the first Uma Musume I took on was her. Her strong yet attentive personality, her gentle and considerate manner—all of it has given me so much support."
"Some might think it was my training that made Creek as strong as she is now, but really, it's the other way around. It was Creek's patience and encouragement that made me who I am today."
"That's not entirely true, Trainer Nase. You and she supported each other to reach this point. Neither could have done it alone."
Nearl spoke with firm conviction. This wasn't just empty comfort—she recalled her first impression of Trainer Nase back during their regional days.
"When I first met you, Trainer Nase, the impression you left wasn't very favorable. Aloof, sharp, always watching with a scrutinizing gaze."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I really wasn't very mature back then."
Hearing this, Nase felt shame twist tightly around her heart, her toes curling instinctively inside her sandals.
"But you're completely different now. Though your expression might still seem aloof, your actions show care for others. You've improved a great deal."
"It must be Creek's influence. She's always treated me so gently that I started emulating her behavior sometimes."
"A mutual journey, then."
"Yes, a mutual journey. You put it perfectly, Nearl. It's just…"
Her voice grew softer. Nase's eyes closed gently, no longer holding back the anxiety within.
"I might resign as a trainer this year."
"?!"
The statement made Nearl stare at her in shock, momentarily stunned by the sheer weight of the revelation.
"I know, you must find it strange, right? When my career is going so well, my reputation strong—why resign now?"
"I just feel it's a bit of a shame. You're so capable, Trainer Nase. In the future, you could have nurtured countless renowned Uma Musume. They'd be losing a true talent-spotter."
"You overestimate me. But honestly, I haven't fully decided yet."
Her hands rested limply on her slender thighs as Nase sighed softly, bending forward with her upper body slumped, her whole posture lacking energy.
"What should I do…"
--+--
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.