The group filtered into the cafeteria. Since it wasn't peak mealtime, only a few scattered Uma Musume were present.
Dream Weaver led the way to the dessert section, casually announcing that the tab was on her before grabbing a cup of honey water and scouting out a place to sit.
Dream Weaver had checked her bank account in this world, and it was safe to say she was living up to the title of a world-class Uma Musume.
The accumulated prize money was enough to make her head spin; treating a few friends was a drop in the bucket.
Her mind was actually occupied with the training schedules for Liberty Island and Hishi Miracle.
With other Uma Musume already signing up for their debut races, she wasn't worried about Liberty Island, but Hishi Miracle still lacked that final edge.
Dream Weaver weighed her options: should she let Hishi Miracle get a taste of the real turf now, or wait until her training was flawless before entering a debut?
At her current pace, Hishi Miracle was still quite a way off from a successful debut.
However, if the virtual immersion device worked as well as Agnes Tachyon and Sugar Lights claimed, then Hishi Miracle's debut window might just shift. Because of that, Dream Weaver felt she needed to factor in this new variable and start drafting a revised training regimen.
"Since it's my first time as a trainer and I don't have the luxury of absolute certainty, I'll just have to give it my absolute all," Dream Weaver murmured to herself, taking a sip of her honey water.
Just then, a voice called out her name from beside her.
"Could it be... Dream Weaver-senpai?!"
Over the past few days, Dream Weaver had come to realize just how famous she was at Central Tracen Academy. She was slowly getting used to being approached like this.
She looked up and offered a polite smile to the Uma Musume standing there. The girl had long, ink-black hair with a single, white crescent-moon streak in her bangs.
For some reason, she looked familiar.
Catching a glimpse of Liberty Island out of the corner of her eye—who was currently deep in a discussion about sweets with Hishi Miracle—a memory clicked.
Dream Weaver looked at the girl in front of her and asked hesitantly:
"Are you... Equinox?"
Dream Weaver remembered the "five wins and zero losses" theory Liberty Island had mentioned when they first met.
Putting aside the five "losses" used to round out the numbers, she clearly recalled something Liberty Island said about those five victories.
"Senpai is a world-class Uma Musume, and the rival I want to surpass most on the turf is also hailed as a future world-class talent—that makes four wins!"
Later, Dream Weaver had curiously asked Liberty Island who this person was.
Liberty Island had recounted a story from her days training at Northern Farm.
Having shown exceptional talent since she was young, Liberty Island naturally drew a lot of attention. But in a training class of over a dozen Uma Musume, she wasn't the brightest star.
Despite having the potential to sweep the Triple Tiara, she could never seem to pull ahead of one particular girl.
That girl was the very same Equinox standing before her now.
Seeing her idol recognize her, a look of pure joy spread across Equinox's face.
"Aren't you training at this hour? You should be preparing for the Kikuka-sho soon, right? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; you have to cherish it."
Dream Weaver recalled that Equinox was a year older than Liberty Island.
If she debuted last year, she should have finished the Satsuki-sho and the Tokyo Yushun by now, leaving her to prep for the upcoming Kikuka-sho.
Since Liberty Island viewed her as a future world-class star, Dream Weaver assumed she had already claimed two of the three gems and was on the verge of becoming another Triple Crown winner.
But at those words, Equinox's expression dimmed.
Dream Weaver frowned, wondering if she'd stuck her foot in her mouth.
Perhaps Equinox had been injured and missed the Crown? She quickly gestured for the girl to sit down, intending to offer some comfort.
But before Dream Weaver could speak, Equinox beat her to it.
"There's no need for me to run in the Kikuka-sho anymore..."
She paused for a moment before continuing softly.
"Back at Northern Farm, there wasn't an Uma Musume who didn't know your name. Just like everyone else, I grew up watching your elegance on the track."
"Because people expected great things from me, I wanted to become a Triple Crown winner just like you, senpai. It's just..."
Equinox bit her lip in frustration, her words forced through clenched teeth.
"Second in the Satsuki-sho, second in the Derby... I've already lost my chance to be a Triple Crown winner like you."
"Everyone says I'll be the second world-class talent after you, but after failing twice in the Classics, what right do I have to carry those expectations?!"
Dream Weaver realized she had significantly underestimated her own influence.
She hadn't expected that even Equinox—the powerhouse Liberty Island was desperate to beat—would harbor such deep admiration for her.
Seeing Equinox spiraling, Dream Weaver spoke up quickly.
"Don't think like that. The Triple Crown is a once-in-a-lifetime shot, but missing it doesn't mean you can't become a legendary Uma Musume."
She patted her own chest, using herself as the cautionary tale.
"No Uma Musume wins forever. Look at me—I'm hopelessly stuck in the 'Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe' curse, losing over and over again in Paris."
Perhaps the jokes about Dream Weaver and the Arc were so widespread in this world that Equinox couldn't help but crack a small smile at the mention of it.
Seeing her mood lift, Dream Weaver struck while the iron was hot.
"No matter what race you enter next, I'll be cheering for you. By the way, do you want some dessert? It always helps put you in a better mood."
She raised her honey water as a toast and then, feeling the example needed a visual aid, pointed toward Hishi Miracle, who was currently sweeping through the dessert bar like a whirlwind.
Equinox followed her gaze and was momentarily stunned by the sheer momentum of Hishi Miracle—she looked less like a girl eating cake and more like a gluttonous god of destruction.
Then she spotted Liberty Island standing next to Hishi Miracle. Liberty Island seemed to notice her gaze, immediately dropped what she was doing, and began stomping over with an aggressive air.
"I think I'll pass for now. Just knowing you're rooting for me is enough to make me happy, senpai."
She winked at Dream Weaver before Liberty Island could reach them.
"I'm running in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Dubai Sheema Classic next. You better be watching, senpai!"
With that, she made a cheeky face at the approaching Liberty Island and made a run for it.
Before Dream Weaver could even get a word out, Liberty Island was standing right in front of her.
She planted her hands on her hips and fixed Dream Weaver with a silent, wounded, and deeply resentful glare.
--+--
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.