Another perfectly ordinary day for the students at Central Tracen Academy.
The students were scattered across the campus, enjoying a leisurely lunch break.
"Ardan."
The brown-haired Uma Musume called out to the blue-haired Uma Musume beside her with a neutral expression. "Did you get the time off for this Thursday?"
"I took care of it last week."
Mejiro Ardan, who was basking in the sunlight, replied. "I already notified both the school and my family… Admire Vega, were you planning to ride with my family again this year?"
"Mhm."
The brown-haired Uma Musume with a single ponytail nodded. "...Sorry to trouble your family again this year."
"It's no trouble at all. After all, we were both trained by the same Trainer."
Mejiro Ardan smiled, signaling for Admire Vega not to overthink it. "Besides, if I didn't have you to chat with on the journey, I'd be terribly bored."
"So… same time, same place as usual?"
"Mhm."
Admire Vega nodded.
"Is there anything you want to bring for the Trainer? I can help you prepare it."
"No need."
The brown-haired Uma Musume shook her head. "I'll prepare it myself."
"I see…"
Mejiro Ardan nodded and didn't press further.
They were both graduated Uma Musume, yet they had chosen to remain at Central Tracen Academy.
They had spent three wonderful years here with their Trainer, ending each day of training filled with anticipation for the next.
It wasn't just because of the training, but also because of the Trainer herself.
Back when their Trainer was still here, they had vied openly and in secret, each hoping to win the Trainer's heart, to become the one and only lover standing by her side, fingers intertwined.
But after their Trainer passed away suddenly from working through the night, the rivalry centered around her vanished into thin air.
None of the Uma Musume had ever imagined their Trainer would leave them in such an unacceptable way.
Those who chose to stay at the academy lived like regular students, attending classes and roaming the campus, chewing over their memories with the Trainer as a form of solace.
It was the same on the campus open day.
She sat in the very spot their Trainer once occupied, gazing towards the stage just as she had that day.
She still remembered her own bold, flushed, almost drunken-sounding words after the Winner's Stage that day.
'Trainer, could you please not look away from me?'
…What had the Trainer's response been again?
The memory was too distant. Mejiro Ardan rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
"Hey, have you heard?"
"Is it about Spica Trainer Okino and Rigil Trainer Toujou Hana? I heard about it from a classmate ages ago!"
"Do you think it's true?"
"It must be, right? Otherwise, why would so many people be talking about it."
"So… it's really happening?"
"Mhm. Now it's just a matter of time before they officially announce their relationship."
Okino and Toujou Hana? What about them?
Mejiro Ardan was curious.
As the Trainer's only two close friends, the blue-haired Uma Musume had interacted with them often and knew they were both good people.
…Though it would be even better if Trainer Okino could break that habit of patting Uma Musumes' thighs.
"Admire Vega, do you know anything about this?"
Hearing the discussion between the two other Uma Musume fading into the distance, Mejiro Ardan asked the brown-haired Uma Musume sitting beside her.
"No."
Admire Vega shook her head. "But we can just go ask the people involved directly."
--+--
"BWAHAHAHA—!"
As soon as Admire Vega and Mejiro Ardan neared the Spica team room, a wave of raucous laughter assaulted their ears.
That's Gold Ship.
Instantly recognizing the owner of that laugh, the two exchanged a glance, quickened their pace, and opened the door to the Spica team room.
As the door swung open, the scene inside unfolded before them.
Gold Ship was howling with laughter, kneeling on the floor and repeatedly pounding the floorboards with her fist, occasionally collapsing into a rolling heap.
The rest of the Spica members huddled together, barely containing their amusement, whispering and gossiping about who-knows-what, leaving Okino alone sitting on a chair, clutching his phone tightly, frozen like a statue.
"What happened?"
"Ah… Mejiro Ardan and Admire Vega…"
Okino on the chair finally stirred.
He lifted his head to look at the two Uma Musume at the door, the corners of his mouth stiffly quirking upward into a strained smile. "You're here? Have a seat, please."
"…" x2
Seeing the seemingly burnt-out Okino address them like this, an inexplicable sense of trepidation made both Mejiro Ardan and Admire Vega halt their steps simultaneously. They exchanged another look.
"What's wrong with him?"
Mejiro Ardan asked the huddled group of Uma Musume.
"Probably a man's troubles, I'd guess."
Before the huddle could respond, Gold Ship, finally reining in her wild laughter from her spot on the floor, took the initiative to answer.
A man's troubles?
Hearing Gold Ship's explanation, Mejiro Ardan and Admire Vega grew even more confused.
"Earlier, someone saw the Trainer and Trainer Toujou returning together looking exhausted," Special Week finally spoke up.
…Huh?
The blue-haired and brown-haired Uma Musume exchanged a glance.
Had the ship their own Trainer had rooted for finally set sail?
"While I don't know what you're thinking, it's not what you imagine."
Seeing their gazes land back on him, Okino sighed in defeat. "…I really just went out for a drink with Hana, that's all."
Just a drink, and you both came back looking exhausted?
Admire Vega completely disbelieved Okino's explanation.
Oh… because the topic is too embarrassing, so he's trying to brush it off with another excuse, right?
Mejiro Ardan felt she understood.
"…Forget it, think whatever you want."
Realizing his explanations were only making things worse, Okino gave up struggling. He then pulled out his phone. "Actually, you two came at the perfect time. There's something I want to show you."
"Is it something related to you and Trainer Toujou?"
"It's about your Trainer, Nakatsuru Aya."
The sentence that followed from Okino's lips utterly ended the debate.
"Elaborate. Now."
Admire Vega swiftly moved to Okino's side, her expression severe.
"Trainer Okino… what exactly are you referring to?"
The blue-haired Uma Musume walked to his side with a gentle smile, yet it made Okino feel an intense pressure.
…Is this what Nakatsuru Aya had to deal with all the time?
Surrounded by Admire Vega and Mejiro Ardan, the thought flashed vaguely through Okino's mind.
Nakatsuru Aya, you were truly formidable!
--+--
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.