Just then, Mejiro Ardan suddenly recalled a phrase Admire Vega had mentioned earlier. Watching Narita Brian hesitating in the corner, she unconsciously murmured under her breath:
"The competition's getting fiercer, huh?"
In that other world, Dream Weaver had been quite the loner. Aside from Mejiro Ardan herself, she rarely spent time with anyone else.
That's why Mejiro Ardan had instinctively superimposed the story of Liz and the Blue Bird, casting herself as the cage restraining Dream Weaver.
But she never expected that in this reality—without her as that cage—Dream Weaver, now soaring free like the blue bird, would attract so much affection from others.
Of course, she wanted to see Dream Weaver be well-liked. Yet, an inexplicable panic still stirred in her heart.
"What if someone else takes her away…"
What if Dream Weaver smiled for some other Uma Musume somewhere out of sight?
What if she opened her heart to another when Mejiro Ardan wasn't around?
What if, in places unknown to her, Dream Weaver grew closer and closer to someone else?
Would she be left as a mere bystander, forced to watch them grow intimate before her eyes?
A sudden, stifling frustration pressed down on Mejiro Ardan's chest, leaving her short of breath. She pressed a hand over her heart, frowning as if puzzled by her own intense reaction.
"Whoa, heavy stuff. Good thing she's not fixated on me, or I'd be in trouble."
Gold Ship, propping her cheek in her hand, watched Mejiro Ardan with dead-fish eyes that seemed to see right through her.
"But hey, no need to feel so down. After all, none of us are really on the track yet."
She gave Mejiro Ardan a pat on the shoulder.
The other girl lifted her head, gazing back with confused eyes.
"Why would Dream brush off T.M. Opera O? And why turn down Orfevre's invitation so directly? The answer's pretty simple—"
Gold Ship raised a finger, tapping the air for emphasis, a hint of pride in her tone.
"It's because she's got unfinished business. Don't know what it is, but until it's done, I doubt she'll spare a thought for anything else."
"In other words, only after she's truly settled whatever's weighing on her heart will the real race among us Uma Musume begin."
"So relax—you've got a real shot!"
Gold Ship flashed a brilliantly carefree grin, her white teeth on full display.
Rather than reassured, Mejiro Ardan felt even more bewildered by her words.
She studied the nonchalant Gold Ship and asked, somewhat perplexed:
"How… do you know all this?"
Gold Ship tilted her head as if the question made no sense, giving Mejiro Ardan a look that said, Why are you asking such a silly thing? She sighed before answering:
"Don't you know? Golshi-chan is actually an alien—a Gold Star being!"
"Eh? Oh… Huh?"
Mejiro Ardan swore that was the most baffling sentence she'd ever heard in her life. For a moment, she was at a total loss for words, only managing vague sounds of confusion.
But Gold Ship paid no mind to her bewilderment and went on:
"Gold Star antennas can pick up on this stuff. Don't think too hard about alien matters, or else two mysterious guys in suits might pop up and flash you with a light."
"But since I'm an alien, I do have one question."
Gold Ship looked straight into Mejiro Ardan's dazed eyes and said seriously:
"Mejiro Ardan, do you really like Dream Weaver that much?"
Her words snapped Mejiro Ardan back to attention. Setting aside how Gold Ship even knew her name, she met the other's gaze and gave a firm, earnest nod.
"Then I'll give you some advice."
"If there's something you want to say to her, don't wait. Words kept hidden in your heart forever might as well not exist."
With that, Gold Ship helped Mejiro Ardan to her feet and gave her a gentle push toward the school gate.
"Go on."
"What about you?"
Mejiro Ardan glanced back at Gold Ship.
Whatever a "Gold Star being" was, Gold Ship's understanding of Dream Weaver felt real. Would someone like that have nothing she wanted to say?
"I just want to have some fun with her."
Gold Ship replied with an easygoing smile.
"Besides, don't you think this whole situation is pretty interesting? Go on."
She gave Mejiro Ardan another push. This time, Mejiro Ardan didn't hesitate. She sprinted off in the direction Gold Ship had pointed.
The restraints of her "glass foot" were gone. She believed she could catch up to Dream Weaver.
After watching Mejiro Ardan leave, Gold Ship turned around, stuck out her tongue at three intimidating-looking Uma Musume who'd come to demand answers, and promptly made a run for it.
Running unbound—this was something Mejiro Ardan had never dared to imagine before. Yet today, it had become a reality. Feeling the rush of wind, she strode swiftly across the campus, and soon spotted that familiar figure.
"Excuse me—!"
Mejiro Ardan called out loudly, unbothered by the attention she drew from the surrounding Uma Musume. In this moment, her eyes saw no one but Dream Weaver.
After everything that had happened today, after speaking with so many Uma Musume who adored Dream Weaver, she was no longer short on courage.
This time, she wanted to speak what was in her heart.
Hearing that familiar voice, Dream Weaver paused. She seemed hesitant, but eventually turned around. Her dark eyes held surprise, yet also a touch of understanding—as if she'd expected this all along.
"Is something the matter?"
Hearing that voice again, so close, memories from the other world flooded Mejiro Ardan like a tide. Gazing into Dream Weaver's dark eyes, she unconsciously clenched her fists.
"I…"
"I want…"
"I want to always watch you running on the track! So—so please, keep running forever, okay!"
Dream Weaver was taken aback. She hadn't expected Mejiro Ardan to rush over and say something like this in front of everyone.
But she quickly collected herself. Smiling brightly at the tight-lipped, determined Mejiro Ardan, she waved and responded in a clear, strong voice:
"I'll do it."
"I promise."
--+--
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.