Dream Weaver wasn't actually interested in any selection trials.
Her ultimate goal was simply to win the Triple Crown; whether she went to Europe's Tracen Academy or not didn't matter at all.
But Shiragawa was so timid. Not only did she drag Dream Weaver along after school every day under the guise of tutoring—forcing her to review cultural subjects she hadn't touched in ages—she also stuck by her side constantly, nagging her not to slack off.
Not knowing what else to do, Dream Weaver passively went along with the selection process. 'I can just refuse later anyway,' she thought.
With that mindset, a week later, she found herself stepping onto the training grounds.
The grounds looked completely different from the previous week. Not only were they circled by people with press passes, but in the spots with the best views stood many Europeans dressed in black suits.
"All this fuss for this…?"
Dream Weaver's eye twitched slightly. In her memory, selection races within Tracen Academy didn't involve inviting reporters.
"Well, it is the annual selection race," Shiragawa explained, quietly counting the Uma Musume on the field beside her.
"Any Uma Musume who shows outstanding talent here is destined to become a star after being taken to Europe for training."
"Reporters want to be on the front lines to get to know the future stars of this generation early."
"In a way, the order of finish in this selection race pretty much determines the perceived strength hierarchy of this generation's Uma Musume."
"All decided by just one race?" Dream Weaver found it hard to believe.
In her view, the track held endless possibilities.
The outcome of a single selection race couldn't possibly decide anything.
But Shiragawa replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Of course! While all the promising Uma Musume will be selected, their potential still has to be ranked, doesn't it?"
"When we talk about the European racing scene, it's as one whole, but it's not like that when you actually go. Each country, each region, has its own Tracen Academy, and their training facilities and development programs vary in quality."
"If you fall behind even a little in the selection race, the level of the Tracen Academy you get sent to will be lower accordingly, and the resources available for your development will shrink too."
Here, Shiragawa paused and lowered her voice.
"Get a step ahead, and you stay ahead. With more and more advantages accumulating, the gap between everyone just gets wider and wider."
'Deciding who's most worthy of training through a contest like this… isn't this just like pitting venomous insects against each other?'
Dream Weaver frowned, thinking to herself. For some reason, she suddenly felt a discomfort in her chest.
Just as the atmosphere between them was turning heavy because of the topic, Shiragawa let out a small gasp, staring at the training field in disbelief.
"Huh?! How come there's one person missing?!"
She hurriedly scanned the faces of the Uma Musume present. Even though a grade usually had several classes, she somehow had managed to memorize everyone's appearance and name.
With that kind of memory, Shiragawa quickly identified the missing Uma Musume.
And it just so happened to be one from their own class.
Her brow furrowed immediately. She turned, about to suggest she and Dream Weaver go look for her, when a voice from the field suddenly called her name.
"My race order is up? Of all times?!"
Shiragawa bit her lower lip, a struggle flashing in her eyes. But before she could finish wrestling with herself, Dream Weaver patted her shoulder and spoke up.
"I should still have some time before my turn, right? Let me go look."
Hearing this, and with the calls from the field growing more urgent, Shiragawa could only shoot Dream Weaver a grateful look before dashing towards the track, shouting back, "It's Mr. C.B.! It's Mr. C.B.!"
Watching Shiragawa's retreating back, Dream Weaver was stunned. She hadn't expected the missing Uma Musume to be the very one she'd happened to see just a week ago.
With talent that seemed destined for selection, why would she miss the race without reason?
Holding this question in mind, Dream Weaver turned and left the training grounds. She didn't know where Mr. C.B. was, but she couldn't just stand around doing nothing.
She wandered around the campus aimlessly like a headless fly, but found no trace of Mr. C.B. Before she knew it, she had ended up at the school's main gate.
Staring at the gate, a frustrated Dream Weaver shook her head. She decided to start her search over from here. She'd promised Shiragawa, after all. She couldn't just slink back empty-handed.
Just as Dream Weaver turned to leave, a somewhat nonchalant voice sounded from above her head.
"Hm? You're in my class, aren't you? In such a rush to get somewhere?"
Dream Weaver jumped, her ears perking straight up. Instinctively, she looked up.
Bathed in the bright sunlight, an Uma Musume with chestnut-brown hair flowing lightly in the breeze lounged lazily against a tree branch.
She glanced down, her spirited azure blue eyes glinting with amusement as they met Dream Weaver's. With a slight blink of her long eyelashes, she flashed a smile as bright as the sun.
"Mr... C.B.?"
Dream Weaver was dumbfounded.
After searching all over, the very person she was looking for was right here. She stared, speechless for a moment.
Not that she could blame herself. After all, it wasn't every day you found someone at Tracen Academy lounging in a tree like Mr. C.B.
"Oh? From the look of you, it seems you were searching for me?" Mr. C.B. blinked, then simply leaped down from the tree. Brushing a few leaves from her hair, she grinned at Dream Weaver.
"Today's the selection race. Why did you miss it?"
Dream Weaver didn't peg Mr. C.B. as the forgetful type of Uma Musume. Confronted with this highly talented runner who skipped the selection, she decided to just voice the question on her mind.
"Is that all? How boring," Mr. C.B. let out a resigned sigh and turned, making as if to climb back into the tree.
"At least give me a reason."
But before she could escape, Dream Weaver grabbed her by the wrist, holding her back.
She had promised Shiragawa. If she couldn't bring Mr. C.B. back to the track, she at least needed to bring back a reason.
Pulled back, Mr. C.B. turned around. Seeing the determined look on Dream Weaver's face that said she wouldn't be let go without an answer, she shrugged.
"No special reason."
"It's just... doesn't it feel boring, running while carrying everyone's expectations on your back?"
--+--
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.