Watching the sobbing Artisan Bell, Dream Weaver gazed with tender eyes, gently stroking her head. Even knowing her words couldn't reach the other, she still whispered softly.
"Haven't you grown into a dependable adult yourself now? No need to cling to me like in the old days."
While Artisan Bell was lost in her own words earlier, Dream Weaver had noticed the pass she wore for Central Tracen Academy, boldly stating—
Central Tracen Training Division, Intern Advisor for Logistics Support.
She must have rushed over right after finishing today's work, forgetting to remove the badge from her chest.
Even though she had poured her heart into getting into the logistics department at Central Tracen, achieved her dream of staying on as an intern instructor, even grew out her hair to project a gentle, reliable image in front of the students...
The moment she stood before Dream Weaver, she still instinctively hid behind her, seeking comfort, just like their very first meeting.
Though Dream Weaver chided her for being an adult who shouldn't act spoiled, she never stopped her gentle pats, continuing until Artisan Bell, exhausted from crying, fell asleep right by the hospital bed.
Tear tracks streaked her face, the corners of her eyes still red and puffy from crying, yet Artisan Bell seemed to have found some peace, as if lost in a pleasant dream.
She mumbled under her breath.
"The photo… turned out nice…"
Looking at the sleeping Artisan Bell, Dream Weaver smiled. It seemed the accumulated fatigue from work had made her doze off so easily.
Just as Dream Weaver was about to glance around, a phone vibrated abruptly from the bedside table.
Following the sound, she saw a message notification on Artisan Bell's phone.
She didn't pay attention to the content, but rather focused entirely on the wallpaper.
It was that photo taken by the little lake just before the Japan Derby, with everyone from Kasamatsu Tracen.
To Dream Weaver, it felt like it had only happened a few days ago, but after hearing Artisan Bell's words and learning about everyone's futures, she was suddenly struck by a sense of vast distance, staring blankly at the photo.
While Dream Weaver was lost in the image, the sound of the hospital room door opening suddenly echoed.
Startled, she instinctively turned to look and found a grey-maned Uma Musume with a ponytail.
Though her features had matured and she'd grown taller, Dream Weaver recognized her instantly.
Oguri Roman glanced at the sleeping Artisan Bell and let out a quiet sigh, tiptoeing closer.
"When I couldn't find you at Central Tracen, I knew you'd rushed over early."
"Spending too much time with that sleeping one has made you sly, Bell."
Oguri Roman murmured. Though her tone held a hint of complaint, she made no move to wake Artisan Bell.
After her quiet words, she turned her gaze to Dream Weaver lying in the hospital bed. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but hesitation held her back.
After staring at Dream Weaver for a long moment, she finally spoke softly.
"We promised we'd revitalize the local circuits together, didn't we?"
"Now I've not only won the Mile Championship, but I pushed through and broke the limits to take the Yasuda Kinen, too."
"People have started comparing my mile achievements to Oguri Cap's. That shows how far I've come, right?"
Oguri Roman spoke quietly, her bangs covering her eyes, making it impossible for Dream Weaver to read the emotions hidden within.
"I've shared my experience with the younger students at Kasamatsu Tracen, and I even invite Oguri Cap to come back and coach them with me sometimes."
"Haven't… haven't I kept our promise?"
Seeing Oguri Roman seeking reassurance, Dream Weaver couldn't help but nod.
She never imagined that Oguri Roman would not only win the Mile Championship but also break through her limits to claim the Yasuda Kinen. With those two G1 titles, she had truly become a force to be reckoned with in mile races.
This Uma Musume, who had been utterly crushed after losing to her in the Junior Crown Cup, who had always chased after Oguri Cap's shadow, had now carved out her own path to glory. The name Oguri Roman would be recorded in history, inspiring all who came after.
Without even realizing it, she had become the kind of Uma Musume she herself had once admired as a child.
Thanks to Oguri Roman's efforts, Principal Haibara and the others likely had more room to make changes. She had genuinely contributed remarkable strength to revitalizing the local circuits.
But just as Dream Weaver was feeling moved, Oguri Roman suddenly clenched her fists, her shoulders trembling as she pressed on in a low, strained voice.
"But what about you?!"
"Didn't we promise to revitalize the local circuits together? Didn't you promise to see my victories with your own eyes?!"
"So why… why are you just lying here?!"
"We…"
A tear fell onto the white tiles. Oguri Roman fought back her sorrow and whispered hoarsely.
"We made a promise, didn't we?"
"You… big liar."
Seeing Oguri Roman's raw emotion, Dream Weaver could imagine just how much effort she had poured into fulfilling their shared promise.
She wasn't wrong—it was Dream Weaver who had failed to keep her word.
Dream Weaver didn't try to evade it. Even knowing the other couldn't hear, she still replied. She instinctively reached out to hold Oguri Roman's hand, only to remember her current state, her hand passing right through.
"You've really worked so hard."
But Oguri Roman was stronger than Dream Weaver had imagined. Having trained on the track and awakened her own zone, her resolve was firmer than ever.
Though she couldn't hear Dream Weaver's words, she quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve and spoke with determination.
"I'll wait for you."
"All of us will wait for you."
"You've already shown us so many miracles on the track. So I believe in you—I believe you'll make another miracle happen."
"Don't even think about running away. I'll be watching you closely."
"Until the day we fulfill our promise."
With that, she patted the "sleeping" Artisan Bell and said, "Time to go. Or did you want to stick around until everyone shows up tomorrow?"
Artisan Bell, who had apparently been awake for who-knows-how-long, scratched her head sheepishly. "I just didn't want to make things awkward for you…"
But Oguri Roman replied expressionlessly, "Nothing to be awkward about. I heard everything when you were crying earlier."
Ignoring Artisan Bell's flushed, protest-ready face, she pulled her along and left the room just before the nurse came to hurry them out.
Watching the two leave, Dream Weaver smiled warmly.
Everyone had grown so much in her absence. Now, she eagerly looked forward to tomorrow. Based on how things went after the first script's conclusion, she might even have a surprise in store for everyone.
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.