"You're amazing!"
Just as Dream Weaver was studying the mission panel, an energetic voice suddenly rang out behind her.
Turning around, she saw it was none other than Star Man. Though drenched in sweat and panting heavily, the Uma Musume flashed Dream Weaver a bright, cheerful grin.
"My name is Star Man, the Uma Musume who will defeat the Shadow Monster!"
With that, she extended her hand in a friendly gesture.
Nearby, Merci Stage and Fujino Makken O, who had also just crossed the finish line, stood watching the pair with complicated expressions.
They never could have imagined that a terrifying Uma Musume like Dream Weaver would appear in this Kobe Shimbun Hai, and they certainly didn't expect Star Man to have the nerve to approach her after the race.
After exchanging a glance, Merci Stage and Fujino Makken O shook their heads in unison.
In their eyes, a powerful Uma Musume like Dream Weaver would never bother with someone like Star Man. It was just like with Narita Brian—such elites only saw those at their own level; everyone else was merely part of the backdrop.
Sure enough, Dream Weaver merely glanced down at Star Man's outstretched hand before turning away without a word and leaving.
She had long since decided not to get involved with others in this scripted world, and Star Man was no exception.
What Dream Weaver wanted now was to defeat Narita Brian, claim victory in the Kikuka-shō, achieve back-to-back wins in the Tennō-shō—undeniable triumphs, not so-called friendship.
Getting involved with others was not only meaningless to her now but could also slow her progress on the main quest and further complicate her already messy real-world relationships.
She had no reason, no need, to accept Star Man's overture.
Watching Dream Weaver leave without a word, Star Man lowered her hand, a bit dejected.
"Uma Musume like her are just like that. If you want her to take you seriously, you have to show strength that matches hers."
"Whether it's Narita Brian or Northern Dreams, it's all the same."
Just then, Fujino Makken O's voice came from behind Star Man. Surprised, she turned to see Merci Stage had also walked over.
"And if you want to get close to them, you have to put in even more effort."
"Weren't you talking big earlier? Don't tell me you can't handle such an obvious challenge."
Touched yet a bit confused by their awkwardly comforting words, Star Man blurted out without thinking:
"You two... are actually this close?"
That immediately sent both into a fit of coughing. Merci Stage's face flushed red as she loudly protested:
"Who's close with this jerk?! She just ran a bit better in the classics and now she's always looking down on everyone. Didn't she still lose to Narita Brian in the end?"
Hearing this, Fujino Makken O flared up:
"Still better than someone who got so scared she couldn't even perform at her usual level! I wonder who it was that hid in the dorm crying after the race and needed comforting!"
Actually, being the same age, in the same class, and even sharing a dorm room, how bad could their relationship really be? Though they'd traded harsh words before the race in their pursuit of victory, now that it was over, they naturally returned to their usual dynamic.
Merci Stage, her embarrassing past exposed, pinched Fujino Makken O's cheeks angrily:
"Oh yeah? Well I know an even more embarrassing Uma Musume who always brags about her Satsuki-shō and Japanese Derby results! But the moment someone asks how many lengths she lost by, she goes silent!"
"Turns out she lost by four lengths to Narita Brian in the Satsuki-shō, and by eight lengths in the Japanese Derby!"
"Almost got completely left in the dust, yet she goes around telling everyone she'll surpass Narita Brian. How shameless!"
Struck right in her insecurities, Fujino Makken O let out an indignant squawk and started pinching Merci Stage's cheeks in return.
Though she'd always presented herself as a proud, confident genius, the truth was she'd long fallen far behind Narita Brian. That's why audiences had placed such hopes on the suddenly emerging Dream Weaver.
After all, if even the third-place finisher was this far behind Narita Brian, people wouldn't have pinned their hopes on Fujino Makken O unless they had no other options.
While many spectators had come to today's Kobe Shimbun Hai to assess Fujino Makken O's form, they represented only a small fraction of the racing world.
Most spectators, having seen Narita Brian's overwhelming victories in the first two classics, had already decided in their hearts that she would become the next Triple Crown winner.
There was even less need to pay attention to precursor races like the Kobe Shimbun Hai before the Kikuka-shō, since most people considered Narita Brian's victory a foregone conclusion.
"Oh, so we're all the same after all!"
Though Star Man didn't fully understand what these two were bickering about, one thing was clear:
Both of them, despite facing huge disadvantages and lacking audience support, had still resolved to challenge Narita Brian, the strongest of their generation.
Their fierce pre-race trash talk simply came from their refusal to accept defeat.
Yes, even under Narita Brian's terrifying pressure, deep down they still hadn't chosen to surrender.
Fujino Makken O wanted to win this race to challenge Narita Brian again at the Arima Kinen, while Merci Stage wanted to regain her confidence by defeating her, so she could face Narita Brian at her peak.
It was the same now—though they'd been terrified of Dream Weaver during the race to the point of mental breakdown, after it ended they still came to comfort Star Man.
Because they knew Star Man was an Uma Musume just like them.
Though they'd failed again and again, if given another chance to take the stage, they wouldn't hesitate. Instead, they'd firm their resolve to seize the opportunity to challenge Narita Brian or Dream Weaver once more.
All three of them clearly separated the racetrack from life outside it. No matter how many defeats they suffered on the track, off it they would regain their confidence to fight again.
Thinking this, Star Man unconsciously glanced in the direction Dream Weaver had left.
She'd sensed it earlier—Dream Weaver, who had just defeated them, seemed to never truly leave the racetrack. While the three of them relaxed after the race ended, Dream Weaver seemed to remain in that constant state of combat readiness.
"But that must be exhausting."
Star Man murmured to herself as she watched Dream Weaver's retreating figure.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, 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.