The first time they met, the lively confidence Liberty Island radiated had been the real deal.
But now, standing before Equinox, the inferiority complex bleeding through her was just as real.
The girl who loved her floral hairpins, who dyed her tips a vibrant red, and who would introduce herself with a dazzling, proactive smile—that was her.
And this girl now, eyes downcast, nervously bunching her skirt in her fists, not daring to meet Dream Weaver's gaze—that was also her.
Both were Liberty Island.
The only difference was whether or not she had encountered the one Uma Musume capable of summoning the deepest insecurities from her soul.
They shared an admiration for Dream Weaver; they both hailed from Northern Farm.
Yet, having never tasted victory against Equinox, Liberty Island felt a crushing sense of suppression. She was frustrated, but no matter how much she gritted her teeth, she had never once finished ahead of her rival.
Even that "victory" of becoming Dream Weaver's trainee—the only time she had technically won—felt more like a stroke of luck than a feat of strength in her own eyes.
She was truly... terrified that Dream Weaver would abandon her, leaving her to lose to Equinox all over again.
"You said it yourself, didn't you? That I'm a world-class Uma Musume, and that the rival you want to surpass most is someone hailed as a future world-class talent."
Dream Weaver leaned halfway across the table, cupping Liberty Island's cheeks and forcing the girl to look her straight in the eye.
"Those were your words, right?"
Faced with the trainer's interrogation, Liberty Island had no room to flee. Every time she tried to avert her gaze, she was firmly steered back.
"Yes..."
Under Dream Weaver's burning stare, Liberty Island felt completely exposed. She could only offer a whispered confession.
"Don't you want to beat her? Even knowing she might become a world-class Uma Musume, you never gave up, did you?"
"Wasn't that the very reason you used to convince me to sign you?!"
Dream Weaver brushed aside the bangs covering Liberty Island's brow and pressed her own forehead against the girl's, her voice a low growl.
"Are you really going to shrink away just because you saw her at school? Just because you saw me say a few words to her?"
"If you're this intimidated now, how do you expect to stand against her on the track?!"
"To defeat someone, you must first believe you can. You have to want it more than anything! You have to be willing to give everything you have to win!"
Dream Weaver could feel Liberty Island's body trembling. Those amber eyes were brimming with tears, a dam on the verge of breaking. Her voice softened then, shifting into a low, coaxing tone.
"Do you have that will? Or was everything you told me that day a lie?"
"I... I would never... never lie to my trainer..."
Liberty Island bit her lower lip hard, trying to steady the tremor in her voice, but the tears already spilling down her face betrayed her.
"Then go out there and win."
"I will lead you to the Triple Tiara—a feat even Equinox failed to achieve."
Face a mess of tears and salt, Liberty Island didn't have the strength to find words. She could only nod her head with everything she had.
"With your current strength, winning your debut is a foregone conclusion. I'll register you tomorrow to prepare."
"After that, it's the Oka Sho next April. We have over half a year. I will mold you into the strongest Uma Musume in that race."
Dream Weaver used her sleeve to wipe the girl's nose and her palms to brush away the tears, revealing a nose and eyes rubbed red from crying.
"Dr. Sugar Lights' virtual immersion device is only going to get better. Besides racing against my past self, I'll request data on various powerful Uma Musume from the Chairwoman. We'll add them to the simulations so you gain a wealth of tactical experience."
"Then there's the ST-2 mechanical Uma Musume. It's still in the prototype phase, but it's more than enough to act as a pacer for you and Hishi Miracle in real training. Knowledge from the virtual world only becomes true power when tempered by reality."
Dream Weaver gave a small laugh and patted Liberty Island's head. Her hair was well-kept and smooth, feeling like fine silk beneath her palm.
"Agnes Tachyon has finished collecting your data, too. She'll be developing more personalized formulas soon. She might seem eccentric, but her scientific genius is just as absurd as the Doctor's."
"This is the best team. There isn't a better setup in all of Central Tracen Academy. Even Equinox doesn't have treatment like this."
"So... with everyone's help, you will definitely claim the Triple Crown that slipped through her fingers. You'll beat her fair and square on the turf!"
"Together with me, let's seize your second victory over her!"
Suddenly, Liberty Island gave a soft shake of her head. Under Dream Weaver's surprised look, she spoke up.
"And you, Trainer."
"There isn't a better trainer in Central Tracen than you!"
Dream Weaver blinked, caught off guard. No one had ever given her a performance review from the perspective of a trainer before.
She didn't hate it, though.
Smiling, she patted Liberty Island's head again and said softly, "Alright, alright. That's all for later. Today is for celebrating the completion of the immersion device. Go on, go reward yourself with some sweets."
"Because after today, I won't let you indulge quite so recklessly."
With red-rimmed eyes, Liberty Island gave a firm nod, a smile finally tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Dream Weaver chuckled and pulled back from across the table, settling into her seat.
Her gaze finally drifted from Liberty Island as she looked around for the others, only to realize the dessert area was deserted.
"Bravo."
"You've certainly got a knack for this."
A drawling voice drifted from her side. Dream Weaver looked up to find the trio led by Agnes Tachyon.
She wasn't sure when they had arrived, but she and Liberty Island had been so wrapped up in each other they hadn't noticed a thing.
As she spoke, Agnes Tachyon lazily shook her hand out from her sleeve and gave Dream Weaver a literal thumbs up.
Sitting in her wheelchair, Dr. Sugar Lights was also beaming, shouting "Excellent!" while clapping for the two of them.
Dream Weaver hadn't thought much of her speech while she was giving it, but the realization that she'd had an audience made her flush with embarrassment.
She let out a fake cough, desperate to change the subject and stop the teasing.
Naturally, her eyes landed on Hishi Miracle, who was standing to the side, frantically stuffing a crepe into her mouth.
Hishi Miracle tilted her head in confusion, wondering if it was her turn for a pep talk.
She looked at Dream Weaver with expectant eyes, hoping for some stirring words of encouragement like the ones Liberty Island got.
"If your waistline grows another inch, I'm throwing you in the swimming pool."
The words were cold and utterly ruthless. Hishi Miracle's face fell instantly into a mask of despair.
She switched to tiny, mournful bites of her crepe and wailed.
"That's so unfair!"
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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.