"Is that so..."
Chizuru Haibara murmured under her breath.
The fact that an Uma Musume who'd just won a G3 stakes race still didn't have a trainer was such a rare occurrence that Chizuru had only needed to ask around a bit to confirm it.
Dream Weaver had already turned down so many trainers—why would she suddenly accept someone she'd just met?
Especially after that humiliating performance earlier.
A shadow of disappointment flickered in Chizuru's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by renewed determination.
No matter how many obstacles stood in her way, she wouldn't give up. As long as Dream Weaver remained without a trainer, she would keep trying.
She was going to prove it—prove that Chizuru Haibara was the one who understood Dream Weaver best, the one most suited to be her trainer!
After collecting herself, Chizuru smiled and changed the subject.
"I saw you running through the crowd earlier—were you looking for someone?"
Since she couldn't earn Dream Weaver's trust just yet, Chizuru decided to start by closing the distance between them. Maybe then she could find out why Dream Weaver had rejected so many trainers.
Seeing that Chizuru wasn't upset or disheartened, Dream Weaver felt a wave of relief. Though she'd refused firmly, she'd been worried she might have hurt Chizuru's feelings.
Glad to follow the change in topic, Dream Weaver quickly responded.
"Yes, I'm looking for a... friend, I guess. She got lost in the crowd. I was even thinking of asking the broadcast station for help."
Hearing this, a drop of cold sweat trickled down Chizuru's temple as she thought to herself, 'Is Gold Ship some kind of little kid? Are we really using the lost-child-in-a-mall approach to find her?'
Even before inheriting memories from another world, Chizuru had already been a trainer at the central racing association, so she was well acquainted with Gold Ship's... reputation after her growth spurt.
Though she'd seen Gold Ship as a child in that other world, she still instinctively pictured her as the present-day version.
Dream Weaver, on the other hand, had the opposite experience. The tall, white-haired Uma Musume was someone she'd only just met—in her memories, Gold Ship was still that playful little filly.
Knowing that Nanno Sumire and the others were already out looking for Gold Ship, Chizuru nodded and said to Dream Weaver, "I have some friends who work in security. Let me ask them for help."
After making a show of asking Dream Weaver for details about Gold Ship, Chizuru pulled out her phone and sent a text to Nanno Sumire and the others.
"Any updates?"
A few seconds later, a reply came through.
"...stage...coming..."
Frowning at the fragmented words mixed with garbled characters, Chizuru stared intently until a realization dawned on her.
Was Nanno Sumire trying to say they'd found Gold Ship at the outdoor stage and wanted her to bring Dream Weaver over?
Feeling pleased with her deduction, Chizuru put on her most confident, mature-adult smile and said to Dream Weaver, "My friends have found Gold Ship. They're at the outdoor stage right now."
"Come on, let's go together."
Without waiting for a response, Chizuru took Dream Weaver's hand and began leading her against the flow of the crowd.
The dense crowd had felt like a maze to Dream Weaver earlier, trapping her in that narrow path. But now, Chizuru moved like an arrow cutting through the obstacles, pulling Dream Weaver along until they broke free.
Dream Weaver, once again being dragged along in a daze, didn't resist. She was just surprised at how efficient Chizuru's friends were—they'd found Gold Ship in barely ten seconds.
'Is this the capability of Tracen Academy's security division? Truly impressive.'
Since it was a relatively small event, Chizuru and Dream Weaver quickly spotted the outline of the outdoor stage not far after escaping the crowd.
Around the stage, beams of light pierced the night sky like swords, and waves of gasps and cheers erupted from the audience—some impressive performance seemed to be underway.
Not overthinking it, and eager to show Dream Weaver how reliable and mature she was, Chizuru pulled her along straight into the audience area.
Before she could even catch her breath, Dream Weaver let out a stunned gasp beside her.
Hearing the reaction, Chizuru instinctively followed Dream Weaver's gaze toward the stage.
And then she let out the exact same astonished exclamation.
"What in the world...?"
There on the stage, standing at the center of a convergence of spotlights, was T.M. Opera O, wearing a dazzling crown. She spread her arms wide and declaimed to the audience in a ringing voice:
"Every Uma Musume holds, possesses, and embodies—this burning heart within! The flames ignited by gathering all our frustrations and competitive spirit upon this stage are enough to scorch the tallest spire!"
"At the summit of the Tower of Babel, symbolizing all victories, lies the treasure every Uma Musume desires most!"
"The path to the top of Babel grows narrower the higher you climb, and its brilliant glory naturally shines upon only one!"
With a wild, triumphant smile, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit, she continued:
"So, maidens who carry hearts certain of victory! Grip your weapons and blades! Go forth and seize that priceless treasure!"
As her passionate words faded, the unified beams of light suddenly split apart, illuminating other figures on the stage.
Nanno Sumire stood with pursed lips, her gaze flickering uncertainly around her.
Oguri Roman hung her head, staring at the beam of light in her hand as if lost in thought.
King Halo held her head high, seeming eager to demonstrate what a first-class Uma Musume looked like on stage.
Admire Vega stared expressionlessly at T.M. Opera O, her fists unconsciously clenching.
Narita Top Road stood awkwardly on the stage, as if unsure why she was even there.
And there, in one corner of the stage, stood Gold Ship—the very one Dream Weaver had been searching for. Bathed in the spotlight, she watched the others with keen interest.
Orfevre stood directly opposite T.M. Opera O, her glass-like eyes gleaming with a sun-like radiance under the lights.
Dream Weaver tilted her head in confusion as she looked at the group on stage. She knew there was supposed to be a performance at the outdoor stage today, but she never imagined these particular Uma Musume would all be gathered together.
Just as she was puzzling over it, T.M. Opera O on stage narrowed her eyes slightly. Her amethyst-and-gold gaze seemed to pierce through the darkness, noticing something—and the corner of her mouth curled upward.
"The Uma Musume who reaches the summit may touch the sky, and the stars above naturally become the treasure we seek! So come! This stage can lack anyone—except you!"
"Our StarLight! Our—"
"Shining Star!"
The moment she finished speaking, another spotlight flashed on, illuminating a stunned Dream Weaver in the audience, her face bathed in light.
--+--
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.