"Teacher, you wanted to see me?"
A white-haired Uma Musume peeked her head through the doorway, looking toward a young male teacher.
"Mm."
The young teacher, who had been preparing lessons, shifted his gaze from the computer screen to Bless the Moment at the door. He smiled and waved her in. "Come on in."
"Okay~"
The white-haired Uma Musume outside acknowledged cheerfully, then slipped through the door, closing it behind her.
"Teacher, what did you need?" Bless the Moment asked proactively, taking a seat on a stool the teacher had specifically brought over for her.
"I heard you plan to apply to Central Tracen Academy?" The young teacher nodded and then inquired.
"Mm." Bless the Moment nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"It's so you can attend school with Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black, right?"
"That's right... but teacher, is something wrong?"
"Have you really thought this through?" The man chose his words carefully, not wanting to hurt the white-haired Uma Musume before him. "Even just getting in as a support staff Uma Musume, the competition at Central Tracen is fierce."
"Your health isn't the best. If you push yourself too hard..."
...Ugh, this is why I say everyone worries too much! A wry, helpless smile surfaced on Bless the Moment's face upon hearing the teacher's words.
Am I some fragile vase that'll break at the slightest touch? Why is everyone so overly cautious?
"Teacher... thank you for your concern." The white-haired Uma Musume patted her chest.
"But I feel my health is much better now than before. If I'm just supporting Kita-chan and Dia, it shouldn't be a problem."
"You really think it's fine?"
"Mm," Bless the Moment replied. "Mom and Dad have agreed too."
"I see... It seems I was meddling unnecessarily." The young teacher nodded.
If even her parents think it's fine... then she should be okay.
"Besides, teacher, have you forgotten I'm an Uma Musume?" A smile spread across Bless the Moment's face as she pointed at herself.
"...You said it yourself in class, 'You can't compare the physical capabilities of humans and Uma Musume.'"
"You rascal." The young teacher sighed in mock exasperation. "Alright, that's all. You can head back to class now."
"Oh, and even if you've already mastered everything, at least pretend to be paying attention during lessons. Show the teacher some respect."
"You're graduating next year. Just play along, alright?"
"Mmhm, mmhm, got it." Bless the Moment nodded repeatedly. "...Well then, Uncle Mimori, I'll be going?"
"Call me big brother!" The young teacher, addressed as 'Uncle Mimori,' feigned annoyance and reached out, lightly tapping her forehead with his knuckle. "Do I really look that old?"
"Hehehe~" Bless the Moment closed one eye, stuck out her tongue playfully after the gentle taps on her forehead.
"Alright, go on, get out of here." The young teacher waved her off, watching the white-haired Uma Musume leave and quietly close his office door behind her, feeling a profound sense of helplessness.
...Ah, what a shame.
Turning back to his computer screen, the young teacher's gaze fell on the textbook lying open beside his hand, and his mind began to wander uncontrollably.
If this girl had been born with a healthy body, she'd surely be even more lively and carefree than she is now, wouldn't she?
He recalled the image of the white-haired Uma Musume sitting alone in the stands, and couldn't help but sigh.
To be born into this world as an Uma Musume, a being that loves to run, yet be unable to run because of her health... It's just too cruel for that child.
The young teacher shook his head regretfully.
--+--
"Humans are just too weak."
Back in the classroom, Bless the Moment propped her chin in her hand, gazing out the window, and suddenly blurted out this statement.
"?"
Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond, who had been chatting beside her, stopped their conversation and looked at the white-haired Uma Musume sitting at her desk.
What's going on all of a sudden?
"Even an Uma Musume like me, with my less-than-stellar health, is no match for a human." They saw their childhood friend puff up with pride, striking a mock muscle-flexing pose. "An Uma Musume only needs one hand to pin down a human's hands so they can't break free."
"Humans are truly so weak."
"...What did the teacher say to you when he called you to the office?" Satono Diamond asked after a brief silence.
"Nothing much, he just talked to me about which school I plan to attend after junior high."
"Which school?" Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black looked puzzled. "Haven't you already decided long ago?"
"Uncle's just worried my health won't be able to handle it," Bless the Moment couldn't help but complain. "...Do you all think I'm some fragile vase that'll shatter at the slightest touch? I'm not that delicate."
"Who told you to cough up blood when we first met?" Satono Diamond retorted. "Have you forgotten how you gave me and Kita-chan quite a scare back then?"
"That was all when we were little kids..." the white-haired Uma Musume muttered. "And my health is much better now, isn't it? You're all worrying way too much!"
"Can't be helped. The scene of you coughing up blood right in front of us when we first met was just too memorable," Satono Diamond said.
"Fine then... So what were you two talking about just now?" Bless the Moment, not wanting to dwell on the topic, steered the conversation elsewhere.
"This?" Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black exchanged a glance before she spoke. "Bless, do you remember how others refer to us?"
"How they refer to you..." Bless the Moment thought for a moment. "...Kita-chan and Dia? Why?"
"Bless, don't you think calling us 'Dia and Kita-chan' would work just fine too?" Satono Diamond asked with a smile.
"?"
A question mark seemed to pop up over Bless the Moment's head. She then turned to look at Kitasan Black standing beside Satono Diamond.
"It's not a problem, but I think 'Kita-chan and Dia' rolls off the tongue better..." Seeing Bless the Moment's gaze land on her, Kitasan Black, thinking she was being asked for her opinion, replied cheerfully.
...Oh, you clueless child. She's hinting so obviously, and you still haven't caught on? Bless the Moment internally facepalmed at Kitasan Black's words.
She's practically telling you outright she wants to get closer, and you, you blockhead, still haven't picked up on it?
Ah well, it's none of my business anyway. I'll just sit back, munch on my popcorn, and enjoy the show.
Watching the two continue their discussion, Bless the Moment rested her chin in her hands and quietly settled into the role of an amused spectator.
With a block of wood like Black around... there's plenty of entertainment to look forward to~
A smirk unconsciously tugged at Bless the Moment's lips as she thought gleefully.
...I wonder what expression she'll make someday in the future, when Diamond finally pins her down?
Can't wait to see it.
--+--
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.