Though Dream Weaver longed to swiftly conclude this scripted world, she was now clad in the racing uniform representing the Northern family. If only for the sake of the stage tasks, she had to uphold the Northern family's honor.
So even if the cheers from the audience were faint, she would still execute a graceful bow, just like the elite mares from her memories.
"..."
"Have you all lost your minds?!"
In the stands, Fujino Makken O and Merci Stage witnessed this scene—one simply turned away, eyes filled with pity, while the other outright shouted at the spectators beside them.
Watching that dazzling crimson streak, sharp as a blade, claim victory on the track yet be denied even the most basic honor—even her red cape had fallen to the ground, stained with mud that should never have touched it—Merci Stage could bear it no longer.
"Did you all actually believe that garbage commentator's words?! How could an Uma Musume do something like that?!"
"What we strive for on the track isn't this kind of thing!"
Tears of fury welled in Merci Stage's eyes. These outsiders could never understand the courage it took for them to step onto the track, nor what victory truly meant to an Uma Musume.
In that moment, she thought of herself, of Fujino Makken O and Star Man beside her. How could these spectators, so detached from the arena, ever comprehend the immense effort they'd poured into pursuing an honorable victory?
And now, finally, an Uma Musume had stepped up and defeated Narita Brian. Her efforts had crystallized into this brilliant moment, yet the audience offered her not praise or cheers, but silence?!
Merci Stage couldn't accept it, wouldn't accept it. Her eyes, already red-rimmed, widened as she glared fiercely around her. Every person her gaze fell upon instinctively lowered their heads.
"She will prove it."
Fujino Makken O, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, her eyes fixed on Dream Weaver on the track.
"The strength of an Uma Musume is never an illusion. If she could win the Kikuka Sho and defeat Narita Brian now, then in the future..."
"Whether it's the Arima Kinen or any other race, as long as she keeps winning, those fools who can't understand the track will eventually realize the magnitude of their mistake today."
"Then, we'll see the ridiculous looks of regret on their faces."
Whether it was Fujino Makken O or Merci Stage, regardless of their personalities, they were both Uma Musume who had set foot on G1 tracks. Their words carried weight.
So when they spoke, the surrounding spectators could only bow their heads and pretend not to hear.
But Seiun Sky was different. She hadn't even stepped onto a G1 track, hadn't even undergone Maturation—her true potential awakening. Faced with the silence of the adults around her, even if she wanted to speak up, she'd be unanimously ignored.
Seeing this, she could only bite her lip, silently clenching her fists, her gaze never leaving the figure on the track.
In that moment, the young Seiun Sky made a resolution: she would follow that Uma Musume named Northern Dreams, become one of her few devoted supporters.
When she herself finally stepped onto the racetrack in the future, she would win the Kikuka Sho in the same way, using that future glory to wash away the shame Dream Weaver suffered today.
Just as the Uma Musume outside the track were lost in their thoughts, a figure with a similarly tied black ponytail quietly approached Dream Weaver from behind.
"They're merely foolish souls who can't even recognize true strength."
"You are strong. Exceptionally strong. You even awakened your zone before I did. So the glory of this Kikuka Sho is absolutely genuine."
Hearing the voice behind her, Dream Weaver instinctively turned her head and found Narita Brian attempting to comfort her in an awkward tone.
Clearly, she wasn't skilled at expressing herself—not only were her comforting words convoluted, but she also subconsciously averted her gaze from Dream Weaver's.
"But I won't admit defeat."
"When the Arima Kinen comes, let's compete again for victory."
As she spoke, Narita Brian forcibly turned her head to face Dream Weaver, looking at her earnestly.
In her eyes, Dream Weaver, who had defeated her, was different from all other Uma Musume. That glance right before the final stretch had convinced her that they were kindred spirits.
Narita Brian held no resentment about her Triple Crown hopes being shattered.
She simply felt her own training was still insufficient; she had been unprepared for this battle and thus became the prey.
She would quietly hone her claws and fangs before the Arima Kinen, aiming for a true showdown with Dream Weaver in their next race.
Dream Weaver initially had no intention of engaging, but Narita Brian stood like a wall between her and the exit tunnel, even extending a fist as if to say, 'No fist bump, no passage.'
Influenced by her experiences with T.M. Opera O and Orfevre, Dream Weaver subconsciously assumed that powerful Uma Musume like Narita Brian were bound to be troublesome. So she had no choice but to speak.
"The Arima Kinen? Do you think someone like me, who just won the Kikuka Sho, could possibly go to the Arima Kinen?"
The qualification method for the Arima Kinen was different from any other race. It didn't rely solely on winning certain races or accumulating victories—it depended on an Uma Musume's popularity.
Even an Uma Musume who had never won a graded race could still participate in the Arima Kinen if she was loved by the fans.
The reverse was also true: even a G1-winning Uma Musume couldn't enter if the fans didn't vote for her. Though generally, G1 winners had decent popularity and could usually get in if they wanted.
But Dream Weaver was different. She knew how many people's dreams of witnessing a Triple Crown she had shattered by winning this Kikuka Sho. She had heard the former commentator's words and had a clear understanding of her current popularity.
"So you should find another rival."
After saying this, Dream Weaver moved to bypass Narita Brian and leave.
But at that moment, Narita Brian suddenly grabbed her hand.
"If you don't qualify, then no one does."
"If you're not going, then there's no need for me to go either."
Looking at Narita Brian gripping her wrist, Dream Weaver felt a headache coming on. She was reminded of T.M. Opera O and Orfevre again.
Her main mission didn't actually require participating in the Arima Kinen, so it meant nothing to her. But judging by Narita Brian's stance, it seemed like she might cause a scene right there if Dream Weaver refused.
As the most popular Uma Musume of their generation, if Narita Brian suddenly announced she wasn't attending the Arima Kinen because of Dream Weaver, the scripted world would undoubtedly become very complicated.
To ensure the mission proceeded smoothly, Dream Weaver reluctantly muttered, "We'll see if I can get in."
To her surprise, Narita Brian's eyes lit up at this. In her quiet, literal mind, this counted as a promise. She immediately pressed urgently,
"It's a promise?"
Thinking she likely wouldn't qualify for the Arima Kinen anyway, Dream Weaver simply gave a dismissive nod.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 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.