"Please, if you would."
After a moment's hesitation, Ardan gave a slight nod and agreed to Nearl's request.
She bent her arm, exposing the scraped area more fully.
Nearl held a damp napkin in her right hand, gently and carefully dabbing at the wound.
"Don't worry, I'll be very gentle. It won't hurt," Nearl reassured her while focusing on the injury, but Ardan just looked puzzled.
"But this little scratch doesn't really hurt at all?"
"...It seems you're quite tough, Ardan. I thought you might be in tears from the pain."
After meticulously cleaning the wound, Nearl tossed the soiled napkin into a trash bin and began brushing the dust off Ardan's clothes.
Once finished, she handed the remaining bottle of water to Ardan, who accepted it with a smile.
Cradling the water bottle, Ardan's gaze grew distant and soft.
"Nearl, would you like to hear my story?"
Her voice was faint and ethereal, like morning mist.
"I'd be honored to listen."
With that assurance, Ardan glanced at Nearl's face, then lifted her head to gaze at the now brightening sky. The star she'd been so fixated on, the "Triple Goddess Star," still shone brightly in the north—the brightest star in the predawn hours.
A brilliant, fleeting star, the last to vanish before the sun rises.
'So beautiful and dreamlike. Even if it only shines for a short while, this star will surely be remembered in someone's heart forever...'
Watching the few remaining stars, Ardan began recounting her past in a calm, measured tone.
"I've always been rather sickly, you see. Because of my family's circumstances, I've had access to excellent medical care, so I've managed to stay relatively healthy up until now."
"But it's only relatively healthy. If I wanted to set foot on the racetrack, it still wouldn't be enough."
"My parents were against me becoming an Uma Musume too. They were afraid I'd push myself too hard and end up losing my life on the track."
"They'd already lost my older sister. Now they're afraid of losing me too."
A visible sadness and fragility shone in Ardan's eyes now. The look she gave Nearl was profoundly heartrending.
Nearl's expression softened, her own eyes downcast as she felt that transmitted sorrow.
"But what Uma Musume doesn't dream of racing?"
"I've always wanted to run on the track, even if my family didn't support it. They believe my body—specifically, my legs—aren't capable of galloping down the course."
"They're too fragile."
Her hands tightened slightly around the water bottle. The strong front Ardan had maintained until now showed a faint crack.
"My dreams, my hopes... they're so hard to realize because of this body."
Gazing at the distant, fading stars, her eyes seemed to glisten with moisture.
Nearl, watching her quietly, remained still and calm, her own eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
There, a sliver of light had begun to emerge.
Taking in that glow, Nearl spoke in her usual steady tone.
"But you won't give up. I can sense your resilience."
The words made Ardan's ears twitch. She turned to Nearl with a slightly surprised expression, only to find her sitting upright, her gaze still fixed on the far distance.
Ardan continued to look at Nearl, an unconscious, serene smile gracing her features.
"Mmm, you're absolutely right. This Ardan has never once considered giving up."
She looked up. The sky was now bright, the stars all but vanished, with only a stubborn few still holding on.
But so what?
"Even if my legs are too fragile for a normal training regimen, even if one day I might collapse on the track from illness, even if my family doesn't support me..."
"I still want to become an Uma Musume!"
Clenching her hands, Ardan declared her resolve.
"Just like the 'Triple Goddess Star' hanging in the sky right now—it only shines for that half-hour before sunrise, existing for just a fleeting moment."
"But it's still my favorite."
"Even if my brilliance only lasts an instant! Even if my existence and achievements are forgotten by those who come after! Even if my efforts lead to my own suffering!"
"At this moment, in these few years, I still want to run! I will leave the mark of my life on this passionate, yet chilling track."
"I will never back down, even if I have to bet my life on blooming for that brief moment."
Her stance was resolute, her will unbreakable. Beneath her gentle words lay a noble and radiant soul, shining like the stars above.
The morning sun had now risen over the horizon, and no trace of the stars remained in the sky. But had they truly vanished?
How could they be gone? There was still a star standing right here.
"I understand your resolve now. No amount of words could fully express what I'm feeling."
Nearl rose from the bench and turned to look into those glistening yet determined purple eyes, feeling nothing but deep respect.
"Please, keep running. Allow me to be your fan and witness your journey. When you reach your finish line, I will undoubtedly be there to offer my blessings."
"It's a promise then."
Ardan extended her right hand. Tilting her head up to look at Nearl, now bathed in the morning sun, her face broke into a joyful yet formidable smile.
"Whatever finish line awaits me, I hope I can share that moment with you."
"Without a doubt."
Their hands clasped just as the sun fully emerged and the last stars faded from view. With Nearl silhouetted against the sun and Ardan illuminated by its light, a promise was sealed between them.
--+--
Watching Nearl's retreating figure, Ardan dialed her stewardess's number.
"Young lady! Where have you been!"
"Hehe, sorry, Granny. I'm at ***. Could you send someone to pick me up?"
"Yes, I'll listen to your scolding when I get back."
"Hm? You think I seem in unusually good spirits?"
Clutching her Uma Musume phone, Ardan chuckled softly, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
"Maybe. It's because I made a very special friend."
"You want to know her name and address? I didn't get the full details."
"After all, I have a feeling..."
Leaning back against the bench, Ardan closed her eyes, phone in hand.
Her face was lit by the sunlight, displaying a serene, almost transcendent beauty, like that of a fine piece of art.
"I'm certain I'll see her again someday. Absolutely certain."
Hanging up, she waited for her stewardess to arrive, enjoying the view of the winter morning.
"Something wonderful happened today..."
A voice full of laughter seemed to hang in the air.
"Miss Nearl, I couldn't bring myself to say it earlier. But I think I've become your fan too. Please, you must show me your own 'Radiance' and resolve."
"Otherwise, it just wouldn't be fair, would 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.