Did I mistake Bless the Moment for my trainer?
The brown-maned Uma Musume's head was filled with a statement the white-maned Uma Musume had made just moments before.
…Did I, in that instant, really substitute Bless the Moment in place of my trainer?
Maruzensky frowned.
"Maruzensky-senpai, where are you taking me?"
The little white-maned Uma Musume trailing closely behind Maruzensky glanced around their surroundings and couldn't help but speak up.
"My, getting impatient already?"
Maruzensky, her train of thought interrupted, chuckled teasingly, "We're almost there. Just a little longer."
"Okay~."
The white-maned Uma Musume a step behind leisurely took in the sights.
The sunlight today was just right, perfect weather for an outing.
Aside from her innermost layer of clothing sticking uncomfortably to her skin with sweat, everything else was fine.
Who would've thought… I could really stroll around this leisurely with my former charge like this.
Bless the Moment felt a wave of emotion.
On the school open day, she had just been trying her luck, hoping to see her former charges again, but only managed to run into that little airhead, Ardan.
Although she later got lucky, coincidentally meeting Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky who had come to her school to observe training, neither Ardan nor Maruzensky had recognized her.
In her past life, they'd said things like 'no matter what you look like, we'll definitely recognize you,' but when she was reborn and stood before them again, they hadn't reacted at all.
Sigh… and here she'd been so looking forward to it.
But then again, who could have predicted it? Even she herself hadn't imagined she'd be reborn as a Uma Musume and return to this world.
What a twist of fate…
"We're here."
Maruzensky, walking ahead, suddenly stopped.
Bless the Moment braked in time, avoiding a collision with the brown-maned girl's back.
"This is our destination for today~"
Maruzensky stepped aside, allowing the building across the street to come into the white-maned girl's view.
"The shopping district?"
"I want to make up for what happened last time," Maruzensky said, her smile fading into a serious expression as she looked at the younger white-maned girl.
"Last time? Do you mean the day you and President Rudolf came to our school to observe training?"
Seeing Maruzensky nod, Bless the Moment laughed lightly, "It's really fine, I don't mind."
"Ah… just consider it giving me a chance, alright?"
Maruzensky clasped her hands together, "If you don't accept my apology, I might not be able to sleep tonight, you know?"
What are you, a child?
Bless the Moment was caught between amusement and exasperation upon hearing this.
"I understand," Bless the Moment feigned resignation and nodded, "Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, Maruzensky-senpai."
"Great!"
Maruzensky beamed, "All your expenses today are on me."
"Eh? That's really not necessary."
The white-maned girl tried to refuse, but seeing the brown-maned girl's expression shift again into a pitiful look, she could only sigh and concede, "Alright, alright, whatever you say."
"Good, let's go."
Seeing Bless the Moment agree, Maruzensky took her hand and led her across the street towards the now-green pedestrian light.
The two merged into the crowd, walked a distance inward, and finally stopped in front of a certain cinema.
"Here we are, this is the place."
"A cinema?"
The white-maned girl peeked inside, "What movie did you want to see, Senior? It's not a horror movie, is it?"
"Of course not, isn't your health not the best?" Maruzensky shook her head, "I booked tickets for a romance film."
"We have about ten minutes before it starts… Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
The brown-maned girl, leading Bless the Moment inside, pointed towards the snack counter, "They have popcorn, chips, cola, all that stuff."
"Just some butter-flavored popcorn is fine."
"Just that? Nothing to drink?"
"Then, a non-iced orange juice as well."
The white-maned girl said offhandedly.
--+--
Nine minutes later, Bless the Moment, holding a large tub of popcorn, entered the screening room and took a seat nearer the front. She tossed a handful of popcorn into her mouth.
Delicious.
Savoring the burst of butter flavor in her mouth, Bless the Moment squinted contentedly.
The popcorn from this cinema was rich in butter flavor, yet the portion was perfectly balanced, not enough to make one feel sick of it.
So good.
Bless the Moment thought.
"It looks really tasty… Can I have some?"
Seeing the satisfied expression on Bless the Moment's face, Maruzensky leaned over, opening her mouth to hint that she wanted some too.
"Sure."
Bless the Moment nodded and moved the popcorn tub closer to the brown-maned girl.
Just as Maruzensky thought she was meant to take some herself, the white-maned girl instead pinched a piece of popcorn and brought it towards Maruzensky's mouth, "Say 'ah'~"
"Ah… ah?"
The brown-maned girl was stunned, subconsciously opening her mouth as she watched Bless the Moment place the popcorn inside.
"How is it?"
Bless the Moment asked, withdrawing her finger.
"Ah… Mhm."
Caught off guard by Bless the Moment's unexpected action, Maruzensky stammered slightly, "It's… it's very good."
"Right?"
The white-maned girl smiled, retracting her arm and turning her gaze back to the screen.
Gasp… Could I have been mistaken?
Maruzensky glanced sidelong at Bless the Moment's profile, her conviction in her own theory wavering.
If it were the trainer… given her personality, she would absolutely never do something like that.
But if it's not her, then why does the trainer's name appear after Bless the Moment's name?
What connection is there between the two of them?
Wait… It's also possible Bless the Moment anticipated my thoughts and is deliberately acting this way.
If this goes on, who knows how long it'll take to get an answer.
In that case… maybe it's better to just lay the cards on the table and ask directly what's going on.
After a moment's contemplation, Maruzensky made up her mind to simply ask for clarification.
"Bless… Can I ask you something?"
"What did you want to ask, Senior Maruzensky?"
The little white-maned girl turned her head back towards Maruzensky.
Meeting Bless the Moment's gaze, Maruzensky felt her heartbeat quicken involuntarily, "Are you… Ouch!"
She'd only gotten the first few words out when Maruzensky felt something like a nut hit the back of her head, making her cry out in pain.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Seeing the brown-maned girl beside her clutching the back of her head, Bless the Moment asked while looking behind them, but found nothing.
"It's nothing, nothing, just got hit by something." Maruzensky didn't seem too concerned, "Are you… OW!"
Before she could finish her sentence, the brown-maned girl felt her head get struck by something again.
--+--
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.