"Given your achievements, Ms. Nearl, there's no doubt you'll win this year's URA Best Uma Musume award. When that time comes, I'll be able to design a new race outfit for you again. Just thinking about it now gets me all excited… ahem, cough-cough!!"
"Mr. Kazumi, you really should go rest now. The way you look right now seems… quite dangerous."
Thinking about that not-so-distant future, Kazumi smiled from the bottom of his heart, but his currently terrible complexion made that smile look rather… strange.
To put it simply—it was ugly.
"Ah, I should be going now. Please do your best in your upcoming races, Ms. Nearl. I'll be cheering you on from the TV."
He declined Nearl's offer to accompany him, insisting on walking home alone. Though his words were firm, his legs were wobblier than he'd expected.
"Ah… damn, seems I overestimated myself after all. Need to rest… just a little rest."
Finding a random park, Kazumi slumped onto a stone bench. Everything before his eyes had begun to warp slightly.
"Ah, sure enough, going two days and nights without sleep pushed me past my limit… really can't keep doing this…"
Just as he closed his eyes to rest, even planning to doze off right there, a timid voice came from behind him.
"Um… could you help me get my soccer ball?"
"Huh?"
Already drifting into sleep, Kazumi was jolted awake by the voice. A wave of irritable fragility surged through him.
'No, this is my fault. That child did nothing wrong. Can't take it out on others.'
Suppressing the negativity, he forced a strained smile.
"Here, this is your ball, right?"
"…"
The little brown-haired Uma Musume froze. The man before her looked as pale as a corpse, and his hoarse, barely-contained irritable voice cast a huge shadow over her young heart.
"Wah… waaaah—!"
Snatching the ball, the little filly burst into tears and ran off.
"There's a scary adult here!! I'm scared!!!"
"Ah, well…"
His right hand outstretched, Kazumi wanted to say something, but nothing came out.
For some reason, at that moment, he felt as if his future had plunged into total darkness.
--+--
"Everyone, could we pause training for a moment?"
On the afternoon track, Kitahara Jo clapped his hands, temporarily halting Nearl's session. Oguri Cap, who'd been doing upper-body training nearby, also trotted over at the call.
"Trainer, what is it?"
Nearl picked up a damp towel and wiped the sweat from her brow as she asked.
Kitahara knew her capabilities well, so he usually didn't interfere with her training. But if he called a stop, it meant something worth her serious consideration had come up.
"Nearl, the Satsuki Sho is the day after tomorrow, right? Given your fame, some reporters want to do a feature interview—documenting your daily life, pre-race condition, relationships, that sort of thing."
"An interview?"
"Yes, but don't worry, this is a proper official one. No privacy invasion or paparazzi tactics. I've also checked with the Emperor, and she supports it."
"President Rudolf supports it too?"
Originally disinterested in interviews, Nearl paused. She trusted Symboli Rudolf—both her competence and her principles. If she agreed, then the interview likely meant no harm.
"Alright, I accept."
"Really? Then I'll let them know. Stick to your usual schedule today; they'll come film tomorrow. If anything makes you uncomfortable, just refuse outright. They won't dare push."
"Naturally."
With the trainer's advance notice, it was no surprise when Nearl encountered the three reporters in the dining hall the next morning.
"Thank you for cooperating with us. We hope this interview will be a pleasant experience for both sides."
A young woman initiated the conversation with Nearl, her attitude warm and friendly.
"We're aiming for a relatively authentic documentary style, so Ms. Nearl, you don't need to engage with us or pay us too much mind. Just follow your usual routine."
"Is that so? That's a big help. I'm actually not very good at handling interviews."
"No problem. We chose this approach with that in mind. Shall we begin, if you're ready?"
"Please do."
With that, the woman waved to the two behind her, who eagerly began adjusting their equipment. The interview had begun.
True to their word, they were quiet and asked no questions. If not for the conspicuous gear, other students might not have noticed anything unusual.
But just because Nearl could tolerate it didn't mean others could—like a certain dark-coated Uma Musume.
"Hmph."
SS held a teacup, her expression displeased as she eyed the reporters from a distance.
"Annoying folks. Ms. Nearl, why did you agree to this? Isn't it just like being a monkey on display?"
"First, no need to call me 'Ms.' Just 'Nearl' is fine. Second, while I don't care for interviews, I acknowledge their positive aspects. So, I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you to bear with it."
Nearl, busy with her tasks, didn't turn around, only sparing a moment to reply.
"It's not a problem for me. Manhattan Cafe only asked me out here to avoid being observed anyway. It's just… a bit irritating."
'Because I can't openly get closer to Ms. Nearl now…'
Their conversation naturally went unheard by the reporters, but the crew had already stumbled upon something interesting.
"Unexpected. So the rumors about the 'super server in the dining hall' were true? And it's actually Ms. Nearl?"
"Look at how skilled and efficient she is—this isn't just for show. And that aroma… I'm getting hungry myself."
"Hold on, we're working. What would it look like to go ask for food now?!"
Gurgle…
"You say that so righteously, but your stomach's betraying you too."
While the three men bickered, the woman with them had vanished. They soon noticed.
"Huh? Where'd Nagiko go?"
"No idea, she slipped away a while ago."
"Hey, look over by Ms. Nearl—that silhouette, doesn't it look like Nagiko?"
Following the pointed finger, they saw the familiar figure patiently waiting in line at the counter. Her intention was crystal clear.
This stirred an odd rage in the three hungry men.
"Traitor! While we're starving for the sake of work, she goes and samples Ms. Nearl's cooking right under our noses!"
"Well, well, so you're a Nearl fan too? Never knew, brother!"
The commotion drew a look from SS that plainly said, 'Are they idiots?'
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! 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.