As mature adults, Chizuru Haibara and the others naturally wouldn't get involved in such childish competitions. Truth be told, just knowing that Dream Weaver existed and that they could see her on the track again was enough for them. As for whether to rebuild a connection with her in this world, they adopted an attitude of "it'd be nice if it happens, but it's okay if it doesn't."
Watching the Uma Musume stir into a frenzy, Chizuru Haibara looked on with a mix of amusement and exasperation. She had been about to remind them that if they didn't hurry, Dream Weaver might get invited away by someone else. But as her eyes swept over the group, a sudden sense of dissonance hit her.
She spoke up hesitantly, "Did we… forget someone?"
Hearing this, Oguri Roman, who had been desperately clinging to Nanno Sumire's waist, looked up with dawning realization. "I think I forgot to call Jo…"
A heavy silence fell over the group before Kobayashi Kaze remarked quietly, "Well, it's because he gets so little screen time. No wonder everyone forgot about him."
"Hey, it's not like you and I have that much presence either!"
"At least I made Little Dream's racing outfit! That's more than a certain watermelon monster can say!"
"You—!"
Before their squabble could escalate, Nanno Sumire—who had been under Oguri Roman's intense scrutiny—let out a sigh and patted the hands still wrapped around her waist. "Alright, since no one's going to back down, let's just stick to the original plan and all go find Little Dream together."
"But this time, we really do mean everyone."
"We're going to rescue Gold Ship from those Uma Musume, and… we should probably call Orfevre over too. And yes, let's remember to invite Jo this time."
After laying out the plan, she glanced around to make sure there were no objections, then nodded and started delegating tasks: Oguri Roman would call Jo to explain the situation, and then the Uma Musume would all head out together to save Gold Ship.
As for herself, she would stay behind with the teachers to keep an eye on Dream Weaver's whereabouts.
With that, she clapped her hands, signaling for everyone to disperse.
But for some reason, all the Uma Musume kept their eyes fixed on Nanno Sumire. Without a word, they lifted her up and dashed off in the direction where Gold Ship had been taken.
"Hey! I need to stay behind and oversee things!"
"Like we'd fall for that a second time, you sly fox!"
Watching the Uma Musume disappear into the distance, Koutarou Haibara stroked his round chin and sighed sentimentally. "Ah, youth."
Chizuru Haibara wasn't nearly as indulgent. She shook her head helplessly as the girls vanished from sight. "More like they've been running wild in the countryside for too long and still haven't learned to behave, even here at the center."
Satou Ken, who had been silent until now, finally chimed in. "After seeing how Gold Ship was captured just now, maybe the Uma Musume at Central are plenty wild too…"
The three fell into an awkward silence, deciding it was best to drop the subject.
Koutarou Haibara's gaze drifted through the crowd until it settled on Dream Weaver, who was searching frantically for Gold Ship like a headless chicken. A complex, unreadable emotion flickered in his eyes. He turned to Chizuru and spoke slowly.
"Chizuru…"
"Yeah?"
"Go talk to Little Dream. She doesn't have a trainer yet, right? This is your chance."
Chizuru's eyes widened in surprise. Earlier, caught up in the moment, she had indeed considered inviting Dream Weaver directly. But now that Nanno Sumire had laid out a plan—one she hadn't objected to as a teacher—how could she just make a move as soon as the Uma Musume were gone?
"That's just…"
She wanted to say "too underhanded," but Koutarou cut her off with a gentle smile.
"Sumire and the others are students at the center. Stay Gold often comes to the school to hang out with them too—they'll have plenty of chances to talk."
"But you're a trainer. Can you really stand by and watch Little Dream get chosen by someone else?"
At her father's words, Chizuru clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white without her even realizing it.
To her, Dream Weaver was special.
From the time she tried to discourage her at the Kasamatsu training grounds, to being inspired by Dream Weaver on the racetrack, to feeling cowardice in the face of Orfevre, only to be lifted up again by Dream Weaver's victory—Chizuru had climbed out of that abyss of despair entirely because Dream Weaver had reached out and pulled her up, like a hero.
So even in that other world, when Dream Weaver fell into a coma, Chizuru didn't slide back into depression. Instead, she rallied, using everything she'd learned at the center and from the Gold family to help revive the local racing scene.
Because that was the promise Dream Weaver had made with them.
The thought of this special, irreplaceable Dream Weaver becoming another trainer's charge made Chizuru's heart feel as though it were being shredded by a thousand blades.
After all they'd been through, after all the bonds they'd forged—was she really supposed to stand by and watch Dream Weaver walk into that same ending again, under someone else's guidance?
"Go. Weren't you her trainer back in Kasamatsu?"
"We all believe in you. You can create another miracle, here in the real world."
Beside them, Satou Ken gave Chizuru's shoulder an encouraging pat.
Seeing the hesitation in his daughter's eyes slowly harden into resolve, Koutarou grinned and quietly moved behind her. He took aim at Dream Weaver's position in the crowd and gave Chizuru a firm push forward.
"Go. Don't let the same regret happen twice."
Shoved into the bustling crowd, Chizuru stumbled, her foot catching unluckily in a gap between paving stones. She completely lost her balance.
As the ground rushed up to meet her, Chizuru squeezed her eyes shut in despair.
Was her first real meeting with Little Dream really going to be this embarrassing?!
But several seconds passed, and instead of the hard impact she expected, Chizuru felt no pain at all. Instead, she found herself supported by a warm, steadying force.
"Are you okay?"
A familiar voice drifted down from above. Usually quick with words, Chizuru suddenly found herself tongue-tied. After a moment's hesitation, she stammered, "I-I'm fine. Thank you."
She slowly looked up. Under the glow of the dazzling lights around them, the girl's face seemed cast in a soft, radiant halo.
Even those deep, ink-dark eyes were now bathed in the warm light, shimmering with a tenderness that made Chizuru's heart ache.
Gazing at Dream Weaver, Chizuru heard herself say, "Hello, my name is Chizuru Haibara."
The girl blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly in return. "Hello, I'm Dream Weaver."
--+--
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.