Opera O didn't know what her dreams meant; they were all fragmented memories, and Opera O had never experienced anything from these dreams... except for that one person.
Yes, in her dreams, Opera O had seen Wada's face—only older than the man she saw now, seemingly past his youth and approaching middle age.
In those fragmented memories, Opera O glimpsed some moments of that person who looked very much like Wada, paying close attention to a four-legged creature that seemed somewhat familiar. The bits and pieces of memory fragments... were almost all scenes of the two of them together.
However, these memories quickly faded from Opera O's mind, and the only memory Opera O remembered clearly and relatively completely was when she was floating in mid-air, as if flying, and saw the person who looked like Wada, riding a Racehorse that was clearly not the four-legged creature Opera O often saw, competing with another group of similar people.
Is this... a Race? Opera O glanced at her surroundings, gaining a general understanding of the current scene. At this moment, she also noticed that the distance between Wada and that person was only a tiny bit... And at this moment, Opera O made a move—she slowly floated closer to Wada's back, extended her hand, and gave him a push.
Although it was just a gentle nudge, Opera O could hear the sound at that time, the cheers echoing in her ears. She could also hear the commentator's excited shouts from the commentary booth:
"The winner is Mikki Rocket! Unbelievable! A huge upset! The winner of this Takarazuka Kinen! Is Mikki Rocket, ridden by Wada Ryuji!"
"Wada Ryuji has won his eighth GI championship after many years! Let's applaud him and Mikki Rocket, whom he rode!"
At that moment, Opera O, floating in mid-air, looked somewhat dazed. However, in the next second, she noticed Wada, who was riding the four-legged creature named Mikki Rocket, turning around with tears in his eyes, looking at her with a seemingly incredulous gaze...—This was the clearest and most coherent dream Opera O had had so far.
"Speaking of which, it's truly incredible. I'm even starting to wonder if I was like that strange four-legged creature in my previous life. Was I an animal in my past life?"
Opera O also inexplicably found herself amusing, and quickly dismissed this thought, turning to look at Wada beside her.
"...Hey, what's wrong? Why aren't you looking at me?"
"...Nothing."
However, Wada, who had turned his head away, subtly concealed his emotions. What Opera O had just said made Wada a little unable to control his emotions. Yet, at this very moment, he couldn't let his emotions collapse here—especially when Opera O was completely clueless.
But, it was truly wonderful... His long-held great misconception was now answered.
So, in the end, it was you who pushed me, Opera O.
However, no matter how Wada tried to conceal it, Opera O was not a fool. Although she hadn't reached Wada's level of seemingly being able to read her mind, Opera O could sense Wada's emotional instability at this moment... Why did he seem to be crying? And, it didn't seem to be crying from sadness? Was it joy?
Did she do something that made Wada very happy?
"Ah, five minutes seems to be up, I have to go back." Wada seemed to have noticed Tojo Hana, who had already used buying water as an excuse and was now walking back. Having been here many times, Wada naturally knew what she meant; she was telling him not to linger.
Wada immediately stood up, casually wiped away the traces on his face, and then smiled as he said to Opera O: "Opera O, I'm afraid I won't be able to see you for a while. Doto's training is underway. We can only meet at the Mainichi Hai."
"—Wait, Wada!"
However, unexpectedly, Opera O's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she immediately stood up to stop Wada. Facing the person who had met her not only in reality but also in her dreams, she couldn't help but slowly ask:
"You... I don't want to discourage you, but you really might lose."
Opera O swallowed, and couldn't help but ask with some trepidation: "What if Doto loses? Are you... really just going to keep training Doto?"
Are you really going to give up on having me join your team? Opera O swallowed this sentence back and didn't say it. She didn't know why she wanted to ask this question, but she knew she was a little afraid of getting a positive answer.
She couldn't go easy; she would never compromise, no matter what. Even if her opponent was anyone, even Symboli Rudolf, she would definitely go all out to fight and win—this was her mission as an Uma Musume, and her bottom line as the "Overlord."
But... if she really won, would that be the result she truly wanted?
For a moment, Opera O's heart was filled with mixed emotions, and she even forgot her usual facade. She had no answer in her heart, so she wanted to know if Wada knew the answer to this question.
She felt that Wada would definitely make a choice that would satisfy her, an answer she could accept.
"...I've thought about that idea from the very beginning, Opera O."
However, upon hearing this, Wada also sighed silently after a moment of silence, a somewhat unconfident smile appearing on his face. In fact, he was even more worried about this outcome than Opera O.
"If Doto and I really lose... then, Opera O, it means you have a Trainer who far surpasses me, someone who can bring out your full potential even better than I can."
"I... you might find it hard to believe, but based on my understanding of you, I specifically wrote a future training plan template."
Saying this, Wada looked directly into Opera O's somewhat dazed and surprised eyes, seemingly a little embarrassed. After all, Opera O hadn't even joined the team yet, and he was already writing such a future planning template... It was as if he was certain of Opera O.
But in reality, whether he won or lost, this template would be of great use to Wada.
"I originally intended that if I lost, I would share this template with Miss Tojo Hana, and strongly request her to train you according to this template—but on second thought, I'm still a bit unwilling."
"I want to give this template to you myself, Opera O. I want to use my own abilities to cultivate you into an Uma Musume who surpasses the Emperor."
"...Why?"
However, Opera O seemed to be stunned by Wada's words, and asked with slightly dazed eyes: "You're so good to me... You've planned so many things for me. Why are you so persistent about me?"
Although Opera O was very narcissistic, she knew that she was currently just an Uma Musume who had only recently debuted. Although she always called herself the "Overlord," her achievements were far from living up to that title.
Even her Debut Race was full of twists and turns, and she had originally thought her potential might only go so far.
Initially, when Wada wanted her to join his team, she had thought it was just because something about her had stimulated him, making him feel she was unique. But now, Opera O could no longer comfort herself with such excuses.
He had done so much for her, even though she hadn't even joined his team, he had already made plans for her. Why would he do all this?
And in response to Opera O's question, Wada's face merely showed a sad smile, filled with countless worries and emotions, yet he spoke in a very ordinary tone:
"Everything I do is for you, Opera O."
..."—Opera O? Opera O? Wake up."
"Ah." Tojo Hana's call came to Opera O's ears again, bringing her out of her daze. She saw Tojo Hana looking at her with a strange expression, asking rather oddly:
"What's wrong, Opera O? What did that Wada guy do to you? Your face has been very red since just now. Do you have a fever?"
"—No! Nothing happened! Ha, hahahahaha!"
Opera O, uncharacteristically flustered, waved her hands, then laughed loudly to cover her embarrassment, and quickly turned away, saying: "To make me, the Overlord, lose my composure, Wada Ryuji, hmm, I'll remember that name! Next time at the Mainichi Hai, I'll definitely get my revenge for this humiliation!"
However, under the moonlight, Tojo Hana could see that Opera O, bathed in the moonlight, had ears hidden by her orange hair that were now tinged with a beautiful, lingering blush...