Watching Shinzan's carefree figure receding into the distance, Dream Weaver and Northern Starlight had no inkling that this very person would transform into a ravenous glutton that night.
After bidding farewell to the playful old lady at the sweets shop, the two resumed their walk toward the subway station. Along the way, Northern Starlight was still lost in thought.
"That was Shinzan, you know. I've never actually met her before, but she was so famous back in our day."
"If it were me… I'd definitely become even stronger than her."
Perhaps a bit annoyed by Northern Starlight's endless chirping admiration for Shinzan, Dream Weaver offered a gentle but firm retort.
Northern Starlight didn't take offense. Instead, she looked at Dream Weaver and let out a few odd, hearty chuckles.
"Ho ho ho, so confident in yourself, are you? Truly my daughter—you've got a bit of your mother's style!"
Dream Weaver didn't really want to dwell on what exactly Northern Starlight's 'style' entailed, so she changed the subject.
"So, what exactly are all these souvenirs for?"
She lifted the two large bags of sweets that Northern Starlight had hung on her arm.
"Why, to give to everyone in that apartment you're always talking about, of course."
As she spoke, Northern Starlight also hoisted her own two hefty bags of sweets.
The visual impact of carrying so many sweets in public was simply too strong. Even knowing the two were Uma Musume, passersby couldn't help but shoot them astonished looks.
"Isn't this… a bit too much…"
Dream Weaver's mouth twitched. She was genuinely afraid everyone in the apartment would feel obliged to eat it all and make themselves sicker.
"More is better, bigger is stronger! Only this many sweets can properly convey my gratitude!"
Northern Starlight blinked at Dream Weaver, the two massive bags swaying in her hands. It seemed she really had recovered quite well.
"Dream, you didn't want to go to the Northern family or the Mejiro family, choosing to stay there instead. You must have your own reasons."
"You've grown up, so I don't want to interfere, but when my own daughter has received so much help, it's only natural for a mother to show her appreciation."
Dream Weaver was taken aback. Northern Grandmother and Mejiro Asama still hadn't given up on bringing her home, yet Northern Starlight had already accepted her choice ahead of them.
Thinking she might not have to shoulder the well-meaning intentions of two elders alone anymore, she unconsciously muttered,
"Thanks."
Northern Starlight simply smiled without a word.
But then, as if suddenly remembering something, her eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked at Dream Weaver.
"You know—"
"It's not just outside the school. Inside Tracen Academy, there are plenty of Uma Musume who want to help you too."
Before Dream Weaver could respond, she feigned a dramatic sigh.
"My, my, who would have thought my daughter was so popular at school? Your admirers range from classmates to seniors, from cool ice queens to tsunderes—you've gathered them all. There are even four with that 'big sister' vibe!"
"Truly remarkable. My Dream has become… this kind of person without her mother even knowing."
As she spoke, she even pretended to sniffle like a foolish mother who'd missed precious moments of her daughter's growth.
In the past, hearing such teasing would have made Dream Weaver flush crimson, fidgeting anxiously as she tried to explain.
But thanks to T.M. Opera O's demonstration and guidance, the Dream Weaver of today was no longer her former timid self.
Though still a bit shy, she puffed out her chest and declared loudly, "That's right! I am that well-liked! Everyone really likes me, and I really like everyone too!"
Hearing this proclamation, Northern Starlight could only open her mouth wide, letting out an astonished gasp.
"Wow—"
She stared at Dream Weaver in surprise for a long moment before finally shaking her head.
"Even I don't have that kind of style."
If she hadn't been holding bags of sweets, Northern Starlight might have applauded. Just outside the gym earlier, Dream Weaver had been so flustered, yet she'd grown to this point in such a short time.
This child… might just change Tracen.
She made a prediction similar to Shinzan's in her heart, though Northern Starlight's idea of 'change' seemed subtly different from what Shinzan had implied.
After calming herself a little, Northern Starlight couldn't help but recall everything from earlier—the catalyst that had guided Dream Weaver's growth.
"That girl… I believe she's called T.M. Opera O, right?"
She mused, recalling the name she'd heard from other Uma Musume.
"How's her progress? Has she already become the highest-ranked friend on Dream's internal popularity chart?"
Northern Starlight blinked at Dream Weaver, asking with curiosity.
Even the newly grown Dream Weaver couldn't withstand such a direct line of questioning. She turned her head away, replying with some irritation.
"That's none of your business!"
"As a mother, it's only natural to help my daughter strategize!"
"Who needs a tactician for making friends?!"
Northern Starlight narrowed her eyes, murmuring meaningfully to herself.
"Ho ho, friends, is it…"
"Dream, you really are still a child."
Looking at Northern Starlight, who seemed to have concluded something unshakable, Dream Weaver cried out angrily,
"What do you mean by that?!"
"Just in terms of height?"
Faced with Dream Weaver's pressing, Northern Starlight merely turned her face aside and offered an evasive reply.
"My height is perfectly average!"
Dream Weaver was about the same height as T.M. Opera O, just a little shorter than King Halo and Admire Vega. That pretty much hit the average height for Tracen.
"Alright, alright, don't be mad."
Northern Starlight chuckled as she pulled a small, individually wrapped snack from one of the sweet bags.
"Ah—"
"Trying to test me with sweets? What kind of Uma Musume would fail such a test?!"
Dream Weaver stared at Northern Starlight in shock. She wasn't a three-year-old; she wouldn't be lured by snacks.
"It's not a test, silly. It's a reward, a reward."
Northern Starlight set her bags on the ground and held the sweet up, poking it gently against Dream Weaver's lips.
"Just like after parent-teacher meetings before. It's Mama's reward for Dream' achievements. Winning your debut race and a central graded stakes must have been tough, right? Come on, ah—"
Annoyed by the poking, Dream Weaver took a fierce bite. Chewing, she glared at Northern Starlight with dead-fish eyes.
"See, you're still just like when you were little."
Northern Starlight poked Dream Weaver's puffed-out cheek and laughed.
Back then, after parent-teacher meetings, she'd also give Dream Weaver a little treat like this. Though money was tight, a small sweet was always within reach.
"Hmph."
Even back then, I was only humoring you! Dream Weaver thought, turning her face away as she chewed the sweet.
--+--
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.