"Mom… I'm really fine."
The young white-haired Uma Musume pinned to the couch by her mother sighed helplessly. "Besides, didn't the doctor tell you yesterday? As long as I don't do any intense exercise, I'll be perfectly fine."
"You still have the nerve to say that?"
Mrs. Kawasaki shot a glare at her younger daughter on the sofa. "When you called me yesterday morning, you said you were having lunch out with Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond. But you were actually sneaking off to run with them, weren't you?"
"Mom… I really had a reason."
Bless the Moment's tone was pleading.
"What possible reason could there be?"
Her mother, however, wasn't interested in hearing any explanations. "You, child, the moment I take my eyes off you, you go and pull a stunt like this."
"…"
Bless the Moment suddenly became very interested in the TV program playing, averting her gaze. She placed her hands on her bare thighs.
…As spring arrived, the temperatures had begun to climb accordingly.
While the wind against her skin still held a chill, it was far more pleasant compared to the harsh cold of winter.
Plus, with the heating on inside, even wearing just a short-sleeved shirt on her upper half, Bless the Moment didn't feel the slightest bit cold.
"Ah… this drama is really good, isn't it!"
"Don't change the subject!"
Mrs. Kawasaki glared at her again. "You're like this even when Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond are with you… I don't even dare think what you'll get up to after you graduate middle school and enter Central Tracen Academy!"
"…"
Bless the Moment wisely chose not to respond.
She knew that anything she said now would only invite more scolding from her mother.
Rather than speaking up and drawing even more fire, it was better to lie low and wait for her mother to finish.
"…Please don't make your mother worry so much, alright?"
After lecturing for a bit longer, Mrs. Kawasaki suddenly stopped. She stared intently at her daughter's face for a few seconds, then let out a long, deep sigh.
As a mother of two, all she wanted was for them to grow up healthy and safe, free from illness and disaster, to do the things they loved and live the lives they wanted.
Beyond that, she asked for nothing else.
Ding-dong!
A crisp chime suddenly rang out, cutting through the silence like lightning.
"That must be Kitasan Black. I'll get it."
The father, who had been sitting to the side wanting to chime in, quickly stood up and headed for the door.
"Bless, we're here!"
After a brief exchange at the door, Mr. Kawasaki led two Uma Musume inside.
Kitasan Black spotted the white-haired Uma Musume on the sofa immediately and waved at her with a smile. "How are you feeling? Still unwell?"
"Much better."
Bless replied, standing up as she did. She then looked towards her mother sitting not far away. "Mom, I'm going to take Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond up to my room now."
"Go on, go on."
Mrs. Kawasaki waved her hand, watching as her younger daughter led her two friends up to the second floor.
"Sigh…"
After the three Uma Musume disappeared from her view, she leaned back, letting the sofa bear her full weight.
"Don't look so worried."
Mr. Kawasaki walked behind her and began massaging her temples. "Back then, the doctor said Bless was too frail and might not make it. But we still raised her to be this big and healthy, didn't we?"
"At most, after she goes to Central Tracen Academy, we can visit her often to stop her from doing anything she shouldn't."
"Unless you plan to be a live-in chaperone, how can you watch her all day long?"
Mrs. Kawasaki looked up at her husband's face. "…When it's time for her to go to Central Tracen, we'll just have to talk to her more, make sure some of it sticks."
"Alright, alright, we'll do as you say."
Mr. Kawasaki nodded.
"Bless… You know something, don't you? Are you going to tell me about it?"
The moment the white-haired Uma Musume closed her bedroom door, Satono Diamond spoke up, her voice soft and trailing.
…Why did things turn out like this?
It was supposed to be a wonderful day out shopping with Kitasan Black and Bless, a perfect trio. How did it end up becoming 'me egging Bless on to run with me'?
I didn't even do anything!
Satono Diamond thought with a lingering resentment, having been lectured by both the doctor and her parents after returning home.
"…"
Bless the Moment, under Satono Diamond's intense gaze, thought for a moment. Then, she briefly explained what had happened to her in that alley to both Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond.
Of course, she didn't mention the clock Neo Universe had given her.
"An infinitely extending alley?"
Satono Diamond was puzzled. "So, Bless, you were standing still because you'd already been pulled into it by then?"
"Yes."
The white-haired Uma Musume nodded.
"So, you ran because you were in danger?"
After hearing Bless the Moment's story, the tea-haired Uma Musume's resentful feelings had completely vanished.
"Mhm… After all, the first thing that ghostly young lady said was 'Give me back my life'.'"
The white-haired Uma Musume nodded.
"I see… In that case, there really was no other way."
Satono Diamond murmured. "So, Bless, how long do you plan to stay home this time?"
"I don't know."
Bless the Moment shook her head. "It depends on when Mom decides I'm fine."
"Once she thinks I'm okay, I can go back to school."
"So that means we won't be able to see you at school all week?"
Kitasan Black sounded a little disappointed.
"It's fine. Maybe you won't see me next week either?"
Bless the Moment sat down on the bed, her hands supporting her weight, her legs dangling and swinging back and forth.
"Wait, Bless… Is that really all you're wearing at home?"
Looking at the white-haired Uma Musume on the bed, Kitasan Black averted her gaze, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Huh? Yeah."
Bless the Moment looked down at her clothes, not seeing anything wrong with them.
"Bless… Aren't you going to wear any pants?"
"Pants…? Ah—"
The white-haired Uma Musume understood. "Kita-chan, are you embarrassed?"
"It's that you're wearing too little!"
Kitasan Black retorted, her face red.
The shirt she wore was stretched tight across her chest, and the pure white scenery below was vaguely visible.
J-just… Even if it is at home, when guests are over, you should at least dress properly!
"Ah, it's fine, it's fine."
Bless the Moment waved a hand dismissively. "We're friends who've grown up together since we were little. What haven't we seen of each other?"
"Oh, right, what about today's homework?"
"Ah? Oh, oh."
Reminded by the white-haired Uma Musume, Kitasan Black finally remembered the purpose of her visit. She opened her schoolbag, pulled out a few workbooks, and handed them to Bless the Moment.
"Thanks."
Bless the Moment took them and placed them on the bed.
"Do you want to stay for dinner?"
The white-haired Uma Musume asked.
"No, thank you."
Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond shook their heads. "Our parents are waiting for us to come home."
--+--
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.