Things weren't as complicated as Dream Weaver had imagined.
Back in her junior high days, Shinzan had at most only heard the name Northern Starlight, and her strongest impression of the woman was probably that she had mysteriously dropped out and disappeared midway through school.
Shinzan's reason for deliberately praising Northern Starlight now was simple—because she was Dream Weaver's mother, nothing more.
When it came down to it, Shinzan had come to Tracen Academy today as the distinguished alumna representative to give a speech specifically for Dream Weaver's sake.
What she hadn't expected was that after searching the entire gymnasium, she hadn't caught a single glimpse of Dream Weaver.
Even after the event, when she went to ask Symboli Rudolf, no one could give her a clear answer why.
As a long-graduated Uma Musume, abruptly returning to school to approach a junior she didn't know at all was a strange thing to do.
At least, Shinzan couldn't think of any excuse to strike up a conversation with Dream Weaver.
Returning to campus as the distinguished alumna speaker was one of the few proper methods Shinzan could come up with, but unexpectedly, due to some coincidence she wasn't aware of, she had missed her chance.
Just as Shinzan was feeling somewhat down and decided to head to the sweets shop she often visited during her student days for some comfort desserts, she suddenly ran into Dream Weaver right there.
Well, what more was there to say?
Shinzan immediately delivered the prepared words she had rehearsed, quickly building a rapport with Northern Starlight.
After laying all the groundwork, she finally turned her gaze to Dream Weaver and said,
"This must be your daughter, senpai?"
She put on an act, looking Dream Weaver over and nodding occasionally.
"Just one look and I can tell she shares your exceptional bearing and extraordinary talent. She's sure to become a great Uma Musume!"
Northern Starlight was actually happier about Shinzan acknowledging Dream Weaver than she would have been about praise for herself.
Though she played it down, saying, 'Oh, this girl isn't that amazing,' inwardly she was grinning from ear to ear.
"What's your name?"
Shinzan bent down slightly, speaking gently to Dream Weaver.
Dream Weaver simply watched her performance quietly.
At this point, it was impossible not to suspect that Shinzan retained memories from the previous world.
Earlier, when she and Chizuru Haibara had gone over everything, they had exchanged information through messages.
Even Satou Ken had memories—how could Shinzan, the strongest adversary in that world, not have retained hers?
And with examples like T.M. Opera O and Orfevre right before her eyes, Dream Weaver found it even harder to believe Shinzan had no memories.
"This child is called Dream Weaver, meaning the Uma that weaves dreams."
Like any parent, Northern Starlight couldn't help but introduce her when Dream Weaver remained silent.
"Weaving dreams, huh…"
Shinzan murmured softly. Only now did she understand the true meaning behind Dream Weaver's name. Remembering the story from that other world, a look of nostalgia surfaced on her face.
"What a fitting name for her."
She gazed into Dream Weaver's eyes, as if hoping to see within those dark pupils the story from another world—the tale of weaving dreams for the world.
"Dream Weaver."
"You have remarkable talent. Perhaps one day, you might become an Uma Musume who changes the world."
"Would you… like to be my trainee?"
As she spoke, Shinzan extended her hand toward Dream Weaver.
She firmly believed that with her by Dream Weaver's side, the girl would surely achieve even greater things than in that other world, bringing happiness to the people of this world.
That dream of saving the world wasn't over yet. Shinzan would personally weave a new chapter for it.
Dream Weaver looked at the hand extended before her and asked Shinzan, "Aren't you a Triple Crown Uma Musume? How did you become a trainer?"
Shinzan smiled, pulling out a Central Trainer license from her pocket with her other hand to show Dream Weaver.
"After winning the Triple Crown, I competed in many races, but lately I've started thinking that rather than running on the track myself, nurturing the next generation of Uma Musume might be a good choice too."
"So I took some time earlier to get my Central Trainer license, thinking maybe I could return to Tracen someday and help cultivate outstanding Uma Musume here."
After confirming that the dream wasn't just a dream, Shinzan's first thought had been to obtain a Central Trainer license.
And for a Triple Crown-level Uma Musume who understood the racetrack intimately, knew tactics inside out, and could instantly discern the strengths and weaknesses of other Uma Musume—obtaining a Central Trainer license was an exceedingly simple matter.
Faced with Shinzan's invitation, Northern Starlight, who had been delighted until now, didn't interject. She simply watched the two quietly.
Though she recognized Shinzan's excellence and believed Shinzan would make an outstanding trainer, Northern Starlight had no intention of answering for her daughter.
This was Dream Weaver's life. The right to choose belonged to her alone.
'Truly fitting of Shinzan,' Dream Weaver thought, shaking her head as she remembered Satou Ken, who still had no trainee of his own and could only work as an assistant trainer.
She looked up at Shinzan, who still held her hand out in invitation, and said seriously,
"I'm sorry, I've already chosen a trainer."
"Is that so…"
Shinzan didn't press further. She knew that once an Uma Musume like Dream Weaver made up her mind, no one could change it.
No matter how impressive her own achievements were or how much power she wielded, none of it would make Dream Weaver hesitate even slightly.
She shook her head, smiling wryly as she murmured to herself,
"I was still a step too late…"
If she told Chizuru Haibara that she had beaten Triple Crown Uma Musume Shinzan, the look on her face would surely be priceless, followed by exclamations of how impossible that was—yet that was exactly what had happened.
Sometimes missing out isn't a mistake; it's simply that the moment has passed.
But she was Shinzan after all. Even knowing she had missed her chance, she wasn't willing to give up just yet. Immediately, she pulled a business card from her pocket and handed it to Dream Weaver, saying,
"Dream Weaver, you will become the finest Uma Musume. So, if you encounter any problems before then, you can always contact me."
"Whether in daily life or on the track, I will give my all for you."
For a promising junior, these words were somewhat excessive.
If Dancing Brave had said something like this to Dream Weaver in front of Northern Starlight, she would have been watching her with vigilant eyes while pulling Dream Weaver away from the scene.
But from the moment Shinzan appeared, she had made an excellent impression on Northern Starlight.
Unlike that suspected criminal-in-the-making, Northern Starlight maintained considerable trust in Shinzan.
After handing the business card to Dream Weaver, Shinzan picked out a pile of snacks she had loved during her student days from the sweets shop, then departed with a carefree air under the stern, Demon Lord-like gaze of the grandmother running the shop—a look familiar to all gluttonous Uma Musume.
Though unwilling to let go completely, defeat was still defeat.
Shinzan felt somewhat frustrated in her heart, and so she had decided:
Tonight, she would drown her sorrows in sweets.
--+--
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.