I was clearly just here for a parent-teacher conference, so how did things end up like this?
Dream Weaver stood frozen in place, completely at a loss.
She had long anticipated this kind of situation—having left too many bonds across multiple worlds, she always knew that one day her friends might clash because of her.
But she never imagined it would happen today, under these circumstances.
Perhaps the peace she'd found earlier with the Uma Musume in Kasamatsu had given her an illusion—a mistaken belief that even if she did nothing, time would slowly mend things and bring everyone back together.
That false sense of security left her utterly unprepared when this scene unfolded.
Just as she stood there bewildered, a warm voice suddenly whispered beside her ear.
"My rival, lost in doubt again, are you?"
"When in doubt, just run! For an Uma Musume, there's nothing that can't be solved by running!"
Before she could even react, a pair of hands grasped hers and pulled her through the crowded confrontation.
It happened so fast that Dream Weaver couldn't make out who it was—only catching a glimpse of short hair gleaming like the sun in her blurred, bouncing vision.
"T.M. Opera O…"
What could have been an earth-shattering showdown was forced to a halt because the "prize" had grown legs and run off on her own.
The four Uma Musume, each convinced they were her big sister, could only stare at each other blankly as the figure vanished over the horizon.
The world blurred before her eyes. Unlike when she was focused solely on the track ahead, this time Dream Weaver had no idea where T.M. Opera O was taking her.
She could only follow instinctively as they weaved through the Tracen Academy campus.
When they finally stopped, Dream Weaver could finally read the nameplate on the door in front of them: Tracen Drama Club Activity Room.
T.M. Opera O, who had sprinted all the way here dragging Dream Weaver along, seemed exhilarated.
She spread her arms wide, cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling as she declared, "Welcome to the Conqueror's palace!"
"Sounds like a mid-to-late game dungeon you'd have to clear in an RPG."
"Ah, but you're wrong, my rival! As the Conqueror, only the final boss of the game is worthy of my status!"
Chuckling with her signature laugh, T.M. Opera O led Dream Weaver by the hand into the drama club.
It wasn't until Dream Weaver stepped inside that she understood why Opera O had seemed so excited earlier.
On the polished wooden floor, dust motes swayed like fairies in the beams of light. Reflected in the mirrors, they looked just like a troupe of dancing sprites escaped from a fantasy world.
This was the drama club's dance studio. Even as a layperson, Dream Weaver could instantly recognize its professional caliber.
"Impressive, isn't it!"
T.M. Opera O hopped to the center of the studio, spun like a ballet dancer, and spread her arms wide toward Dream Weaver—as if presenting the entire room to her in an embrace.
"They say Tracen's drama club facilities rival those of the Takarazuka Revue!"
The Takarazuka Revue is a legendary name in Japan's opera world, so it was only fitting for an opera enthusiast like Opera O to mention it here.
"You say that as if you'd defect to Takarazuka if the facilities here weren't up to par."
"Impossible! Only on the racetrack can the Conqueror's majesty be fully displayed! But—even if the facilities were lacking, the Conqueror would eventually forge them into a palace worthy of herself! Wahahahaha!"
Sunlight poured over T.M. Opera O's shoulders like a spotlight, and in that moment, she truly seemed like a conqueror standing center stage.
Dream Weaver shrugged without arguing.
This was just who T.M. Opera O was—and it was precisely this confidence that made her truly herself.
"Will you not stand by my side, my rival?"
T.M. Opera O stood bathed in sunlight, extending a hand in invitation.
Dream Weaver glanced down at her own little leather shoes, dust-stained from the run, and asked,
"Won't I dirty the place? It's so clean here."
"Haven't I already dirtied it myself?"
T.M. Opera O laughed, tapping her own dusty shoe against the wooden floor. After all, she'd run all the way from the gym with Dream Weaver.
"You don't mind dirtying your own palace? Remember to help sweep up before we leave—let's not trouble whoever cleans here."
Seeing Opera O's attitude, Dream Weaver didn't refuse further. Her footsteps tapped crisply as she walked over.
"No problem!"
T.M. Opera O flashed another confident grin, patting her chest proudly.
"It's actually my turn to clean today!"
"Well, that's… dedication."
Dream Weaver let out a soft chuckle. She really hadn't expected that answer.
Stepping into the sunlight, both she and T.M. Opera O were wrapped in the same radiant beam.
Dream Weaver looked at their reflections in the mirror—the figures blurred by the light, so much so that she almost didn't recognize herself.
"Only by facing the mirror can you find your own flaws. The mirror is an indispensable part of the palace."
"But when you step onto the real stage, there won't be any mirror left for self-reflection."
T.M. Opera O stood beside Dream Weaver, explaining gently.
"Onstage, what you face is the audience's expectations."
"So… why were you there today?"
Dream Weaver nodded, acknowledging the explanation, then paused before continuing.
"It's parent-teacher conference day. Every student and parent on campus was supposed to be there—even the Conqueror shouldn't be an exception."
"That's not what I meant."
T.M. Opera O tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then brightened with realization. Planting her hands on her hips, she let out a hearty laugh.
"Because Orfevre was completely tied up today! I saw it with my own eyes—she was dragged into the gym by a petite Uma Musume with long black-and-white hair!"
"Ahahahahaha! She must've been so frustrated! Calling herself a Tyrant, yet subdued by such a small Uma Musume. Is this what they call 'the mouse taming the elephant'?"
Dream Weaver thought it over and realized she really hadn't seen Orfevre all day.
With so many Uma Musume gathered around her mother earlier, it was strange that Orfevre was missing. So she'd been pulled into the gym by a parent, after all.
Who would've thought that always-grumbling Uma Musume had such a side to her.
Then Dream Weaver remembered Gold Ship—she'd also been dragged into the bushes earlier by what seemed like a parental figure.
Could this be why the Gold family wasn't completely unhinged? Because there were still those who could rein in Orfevre and Gold Ship?
Feeling like she understood the Gold family a little better, Dream Weaver nodded, then shook her head.
"You know that's not what I meant either."
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T/N: T.M. Opera O MY GOAT IS BACK! My favorite one in this fic
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 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.