"You're far too rigid about formalities, child. When Ardan invites you over, there's no need to report it to me."
In the study, Ardan and Nearl sat close together on the sofa. Across from them, the head of the Mejiro family sat with elegant poise.
Nearl had already explained her reason for visiting, though the reason had left the woman opposite her feeling somewhat exasperated.
"If this were merely a social visit, then I truly wouldn't need to pay my respects. However, my younger sister has been staying here, causing you trouble for quite some time. For that, I must express my gratitude for your indulgence."
The elderly lady opposite her was very amiable, but Nearl didn't change her formal demeanor because of it.
"Never mind, being serious isn't a bad thing. But to think you're Centaurea's older sister? I truly can't see any resemblance at all."
The family head looked Nearl up and down, trying to superimpose her image onto the Centaurea she knew.
But no matter how she thought about it, the two seemed completely mismatched.
Forget their hair color—among Uma Musume, sisters having wildly different hair colors was countless.
Their temperaments, the politeness in their bearing, and their vastly different personalities weren't particularly noteworthy either. After all, even their upbringing environments were completely different, leaving no point of reference.
But how come even their facial structures didn't seem the slightest bit similar?
"That is a question only the Three Goddesses can answer, I'm afraid. I do not know," Nearl shook her head.
Right now, she dearly wished she could ask Sister Byerley why her current appearance matched a character from her past life memories—and why both of her current selves matched. It shouldn't be just a coincidence.
But lately, she simply couldn't get in touch with the Goddess Byerley . The signals she sent out were like stones dropped into the sea, creating not a single ripple.
Nearl had no better ideas; she could only wait for the day Byerley chose to contact her.
"You don't know? Well, that's understandable, given you sisters have practically never met. To think such scum parents exist in this world... it seems the punishment of the law isn't severe enough."
The elderly lady clearly held a deep-seated hatred for these non-existent parents, her tone tinged with pity for Nearl.
"You must be eager to see Centaurea now. Don't waste any more time on an old woman like me. Go on."
The Mejiro family head waved her hand, giving a sense of dismissal, but it wasn't because she disliked Nearl.
Precisely because she cared, she didn't want Nearl spending more time here engaging in meaningless chatter with her.
Wouldn't it be better to use this time to be with the younger sister she'd never met?
After all, this younger sister had been searching for Nearl back then—she must be curious about this older sister.
"In that case, Grandmother, Nearl and I will take our leave."
Ardan, who was at her side, understood her grandmother's temperament. She promptly took Nearl's arm and bid farewell.
"Go on, go on. Ardan, you help smooth things over. They haven't seen each other for years; the atmosphere might be quite stiff at first. You've been looking after Centaurea, haven't you? I'll leave this task to you."
"Grandmother, if we're talking about closeness, Bright is actually much closer to Centaurea-chan."
"Of course I can see that. Those two are practically joined at the hip. But you know Bright's nature; counting on her isn't very reliable."
Ardan thought carefully about her younger sister's slow, spacey nature and couldn't help an awkward smile.
"Haha, you're right, Grandmother. I'll think of something then."
Seeing Ardan accept the task, the Mejiro family head nodded in satisfaction.
--+--
"Centaurea-chan~~ What's wrong? You seem really restless today?"
Mejiro Bright watched as Platinum hopped up onto a tree branch in two quick moves, then sat there motionless, her tone full of confusion.
"I don't know. I can't really explain it."
After staying on the branch for just a moment, Platinum flipped down uncomfortably.
"It just feels like my perspective on everything has changed."
She began pacing back and forth subconsciously, unable to stop for a moment—a far cry from her usual 'can't move, won't move' self.
"My body too... I clearly wanted to take a nap, but I just couldn't fall asleep. There's this sense of urgency forbidding me to sleep."
"Anyway, it's just so weird!"
Watching Platinum's agitated state, Mejiro Bright felt a pang of concern.
"Then, how about like usual, come rest in my arms?"
She opened her arms, signaling her welcome. If Platinum was willing, she could freely immerse herself in that softness and fragrance as always.
In the past, Platinum would unceremoniously curl up there. But today, she showed... hesitation?
"No... not today. For some reason, it feels a bit embarrassing."
For the first time ever, she had a slight blush on her face.
"What's going on, Centaurea? Are you sick?"
Mejiro Bright was very worried. She urgently grabbed Platinum's hand, completely shedding her usual sluggish demeanor.
"Come with me to see a doctor!"
But although she started walking, Platinum remained rooted to the spot as if her feet had grown anchors. The opposing force even made Mejiro Bright stumble.
"Centaurea-chan! You…!"
The frantic Mejiro Bright turned back, intending to scold Platinum for refusing to see a doctor, but found the situation different from what she imagined.
There was no resistance on Platinum's face at all; instead, it was filled with relief?
"Centaurea?"
"So that's it. It's that one."
As if all her earlier restlessness had been an illusion, Platinum's demeanor returned to its usual self.
'No wonder I felt so off all day. It was the arrival of ["me"] that caused this excessive emotional spillover, wasn't it? It seems I'm still very immature!'
She sighed silently in her heart.
The three goddesses had mentioned this possibility to her briefly.
Because she and Nearl shared one soul, theoretically everything was interconnected—emotions and experiences included.
The fatigue and pain Nearl felt, Platinum would experience identically, and vice versa.
Moreover, during their first coexistence, because the boundaries weren't well grasped, it was easy to mistake the other's habits and thoughts for one's own.
That's what happened to Platinum. She had mistaken Nearl's thoughts and habits for her own.
That's why she felt uncomfortable just slacking off, and felt too embarrassed to just burrow into another girl's embrace.
'The difference in our resolve, is it? The other me is more steadfast in her path than I imagined, so I'm being influenced by her.'
Watching Ardan and the golden figure beside her approaching in the distance, Platinum felt a headache coming on.
'I can't keep just muddling along like this. Without an anchor, the distinction between ["me"] and ["myself"] will blur.'
Following behind the happily advancing Mejiro Bright, Platinum, for the first time, had the thought that she should find something to do.
'But things strong enough to become anchors... how many of those are there, really...'
--+--
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.