"I won't meddle with the training plan itself. Mr. Musaka is already a top-tier trainer, so I doubt he needs my advice. But there is another way I can help Oguri Cap."
Hearing this, Trainer Musaka fell into thoughtful silence.
He looked Nearl over carefully, then turned to gaze at Oguri Cap, who was slumped back in her chair staring blankly at the ceiling. A knowing smile spread across his face.
"I see. So you're here to be a training partner for Oguri Cap?"
"You saw right through me, as expected. You guessed my intention immediately."
Nearl smiled. "Exactly. Oguri Cap is still some distance away from awakening her 'Domain.' I'm hoping to help her make progress in these last few days."
"Domain? You've already reached the level of a Domain?!"
This time, Trainer Musaka was genuinely shocked.
Though most of his expression was hidden behind his large sunglasses, the fluctuation in his tone betrayed the turmoil in his heart.
"How old are you? To have touched a Domain at your age…"
Musaka Ginjirou was no longer looking at Nearl as a junior, but rather with the bewildered stare one might give an alien.
'The conditions for a Domain's emergence are incredibly demanding. In any single era, the number of Uma Musume who can possess one rarely exceeds a handful. And without exception, they all awaken through intense, high-level competition. Has Nearl's sheer genius allowed her to bypass these requirements entirely?'
"It's not just me. The one here with me has also mastered her Domain. She can also act as Oguri's training partner."
As she spoke, Nearl reached out and lightly patted the listless Centaurea beside her, successfully making the other girl bristle.
"Get off! Why drag me into your business? I don't wanna exhaust myself having to constantly hold back for someone else's sake. Besides, that wouldn't be effective training anyway. If I run, I'll just crush her spirit."
"You won't. Oguri isn't the type to be discouraged so easily. Give it your all."
"I said I'm not doing it!"
The two of them bickered back and forth, but Trainer Musaka felt like his entire worldview was the thing being pulled apart.
What had he just heard?
Another one with a Domain?
His expression contorted as he stared at the two Musume before him. Musaka Ginjirou was, for a moment, utterly speechless.
He looked up at the sky, feeling a bit dizzy, as if the world was spinning around him.
"Ah, the sun is so bright... Could I be getting sunstroke? I must be having hallucinations."
"Mr. Musaka, it's almost winter. Sunstroke isn't really possible now."
Nearl kindly reminded him, but her words only made Musaka Ginjirou feel worse.
"Then how else am I supposed to face this absurd reality?! Two Uma Musume who haven't even finished their Maturation growth period... both possessing a Domain?!"
Faced with that, Nearl could only fall silent. She found it somewhat difficult to fully comprehend Trainer Musaka's current state of mind.
But he was a veteran, after all, and had seen his share of the world. After wrestling with it for a little while, he managed to move on. Having regained his composure, Musaka Ginjirou now focused on the girl leaning against Nearl.
"Hello, miss. I don't believe I caught your name."
"Centaurea. Or you can just call me Platinum."
She cast a casual glance at the older man before her, her tone as languid as ever. But Trainer Musaka had encountered his fair share of Musume with similar personalities.
'Just the usual quirks of a genius, right? A bit of arrogance? I've seen worse.'
"Centaurea, is it? If I may ask, you seem quite close to Nearl. Are you her friend?"
It was a reasonable assumption. From what he knew of Nearl, she was undoubtedly a first-class Uma Musume. Anyone who could banter with her like that likely wasn't far behind.
People have their circles.
Given Nearl's character, those close to her were either similarly excellent in character and integrity, or their skill level was worthy of her notice. Mediocre Uma Musume were a rare sight around here.
So, judging by Platinum's current attitude—her temper not being the best—it stood to reason her running ability must be exceptionally high.
"Nah. This one's basically my older sister."
Platinum's face was full of disdain, but she admitted it readily enough.
"…"
Trainer Musaka fell silent again. A strange idea suddenly occurred to him, but he needed a bit more confirmation.
"In that case, Miss Centaurea, would you be interested in helping with Oguri Cap's training? We can start a simple two-person simulation run as soon as she's finished resting."
He made the suggestion, harboring his own little ulterior motive.
"Not like I have a choice, right? With her here, there's no way I'm getting out of it." Platinum shot a resigned look at the smiling Nearl.
"Fine, I'll do it. Just call me when you're about to start. I'll give it my proper effort."
"That's a great help, thank you. I'll go prepare a few things. You two can go and chat with Oguri Cap in the meantime."
Bidding farewell to the two, Trainer Musaka hurried off in the direction of his office.
"What's there to even talk about…"
"Enough, let's go."
Nearl tugged Centaurea along towards the rest area.
Oguri Cap was still sitting there, mouth slightly agape, lost in her own world. Her expression was so vacant it almost felt like it was lowering the IQ of anyone who looked at her.
"Oguri? That's not very ladylike. You shouldn't let your facial muscles relax that much, even when you're resting."
Just as Oguri Cap's spirit was wandering among the clouds, dreaming of carrots no doubt, a voice etched deep into her mind pulled her consciousness back to earth.
"Margaret!"
It was like a reflex. Her previously droopy ears twitched and shot upright the instant she heard the voice, then swiveled towards the direction Nearl was approaching from.
"Oguri, how have you been lately?"
Nearl caught the charging dapple-grey 'monster' and skillfully began patting her head.
Oguri Cap's tail wagged happily, occasionally thwapping against Platinum's stomach, making the latter step back with an utterly unamused expression.
"Mmm."
Oguri Cap wasn't really listening to the question, completely immersed in her own world and enjoying Nearl's attention.
"Are you a child? Stop clinging like that."
Finally, Platinum had had enough of the nauseatingly sweet scene. She patted Oguri Cap on the back, pulling her out of Nearl's gentle embrace.
"Who are you? I haven't seen you before."
Oguri Cap tilted her head, looking at the impatient Platinum, her face a picture of confusion.
"I'm this one's little sister. Your training partner for later. You'd better be nice to me, or I might just go through the motions without putting in any real effort."
Platinum chuckled, issuing the threat completely unbothered by Nearl's stern gaze.
"Nearl's little sister?"
But clearly, Oguri Cap's attention had been captured by a different part of that statement. She stared intently at Platinum's face for a long moment, then nodded as if confirming something.
"Little Sister."
"Who are you calling 'Little Sister'?!"
--+--
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.