Relatives had always been a tricky bunch.
While she'd never experienced it personally, Dream Weaver had come across plenty of stories online about people squirming under the barrage of questions from aunties and uncles, feeling like they were sitting on pins and needles.
Something that had nothing to do with her had now, today, become her reality.
Sandwiched between the two older women, Dream Weaver gained a profound, firsthand understanding of that fear of being dominated by aunties during the New Year visit—even though it wasn't the New Year, and she didn't actually have any relatives.
Listening to the fragrant, incessant chatter that had started the moment she returned to the room, Dream Weaver felt her head grow fuzzy.
In her dazed state, she even hallucinated the scene into a line from a novel she'd read long ago.
"How old is the young lady now? Has she read any books, taken any medicine?"
Something like that, anyway. By this point, Dream Weaver could barely make out what they were actually saying.
She cast a pleading look toward her mother on the hospital bed, searching for a sliver of rescue.
But Northern Starlight had only just escaped those claws herself; why would she willingly step back into that den of demons?
She simply gazed serenely at her daughter, then silently and firmly gave a thumbs-up, as if to say,
'You can do it.'
'Do what?! Those are your mother and your aunt! Shouldn't you be dealing with this, you runaway!'
Seeming to catch the message in Dream Weaver's eyes, Northern Starlight shook her head with a look of utter disappointment.
"Is it possible," she mused, "that they are also your grandmother and your aunt?"
"Being doted on by your elders is a good thing. Don't you understand filial piety, Dream?"
A vein twitched at Dream Weaver's temple as she stared at her mother in disbelief.
"Seriously… Someone who ran away from home for over a decade is going to lecture me on filial piety…"
"As they say, a student need not be inferior to their teacher. The pupil often surpasses the master. Dream, become a better person than your mother!"
Northern Starlight resolutely raised both thumbs, winking at Dream Weaver.
When you got down to it, a woman who ran away in her teens, dared to raise an infant she found on the road all by herself, and never even considered going home for help—she was hardly the traditional, obedient daughter.
Though she was the mother, her usual interactions with Dream Weaver lacked the typical generational gap. Or rather, there was practically no gap at all.
It was precisely because of this dynamic that Dream Weaver found it so embarrassing to have cried like that in front of her.
Seeing no cover fire coming from her mother, Dream Weaver lowered her eyes, straining to hear what the two women flanking her were saying.
Lots of people have handled pushy relatives. I can do this too!
But before Dream Weaver could sort her thoughts, a voice came from behind her.
It was Mejiro Ramonu, who had been observing her intently all this while, finally speaking up.
"Dream Weaver. A new student enrolled this year at the central Tracen Academy. Defeated the much-heralded genius Tokai Teio in her debut race, and not long ago won the G3-level Niigata Junior Stakes."
"A much-anticipated Uma Musume."
Dream Weaver looked up, surprised. Why does she know so much about me?
Could it be that she, like Ardan, inherited memories from the previous script world?
She found herself looking up at Mejiro Ramonu's chin, unable to see her expression clearly from this angle.
Sensing Dream Weaver's gaze, Mejiro Ramonu looked down at her and said, "Symboli Rudolf mentioned you. Quite frequently these past two days, in fact. As a student council member, of course I'd know about you."
"Only… I didn't expect there to be this kind of connection as well."
Her reasoning was solid.
Yet, Dream Weaver detected something odd in her words.
What did she mean, Rudolf had been mentioning her a lot lately? So she really did—
But now wasn't the time to slowly piece things together. Before Dream Weaver could formulate a response, Mejiro Asama and the Northern grandmother on either side of her started talking simultaneously.
"So our Dream is such an amazing Uma Musume? She even defeated that prodigy Tokai Teio?"
"Good girl, good girl. With talent like that, your grandmother absolutely cannot just leave you be!"
The Northern grandmother patted Dream Weaver's head as she spoke, her eyes sparkling with vigor.
"Our Northern family is a prestigious family that has nurtured countless excellent Uma Musume! We will definitely find you the finest trainer, pair you with a customized training plan and state-of-the-art equipment. We'll make sure you shine brightly on the track!"
In this real world—or rather, this broader, hopeful version of reality—the Northern family seemed nothing like the fading entity from the previous script world.
According to the Northern grandmother, the Northern family was even the institution that produced the most outstanding Uma Musume outside of Central Tracen Academy.
Whether it was nurturing young fillies or guiding those seeking to reach greater heights, the Northern family was the best.
Their influence even extended into Tracen itself; it was said that among its management were Uma Musume from the Northern family.
Before Dream Weaver could get a word in, the Northern grandmother had already charted her future racing schedule: one year of training, two years of active racing, with the goal being consecutive victories in the Spring and Autumn Tenno Sho classics.
But at that moment, Mejiro Asama let out a cold chuckle.
"Calling it a training center, but the clan itself hasn't produced a single powerhouse Uma Musume who can hold her own. While many excellent Musume have come from there, few bear the Northern surname."
Having delivered that jab at her grandmother, Mejiro Asama ignored the other woman's gnashing teeth and turned a gentle gaze toward Dream Weaver.
"However, Dream, our Mejiro family is different. Our clan has many powerful G1-level Uma Musume."
"Whether it's sprinting, middle distance, or long distance—whatever direction you wish to explore, Dream, there are Musume in the clan who can guide you."
"The big sister behind you is the formidable Mejiro Ramonu, who achieved the Triple Tiara and is an important member of the student council."
"If you have any questions at Tracen in the future, just go to her."
Here, Mejiro Asama glanced at Mejiro Ramonu, who gave a firm nod to Dream Weaver.
"So, compared to this old fossil who's turned into a training center, the Mejiro family—where you can receive one-on-one guidance from champions—is clearly more suitable for you, Dream."
"Hmph! Don't listen to this old hag's nonsense. Being an excellent racer doesn't mean you can teach others. Compared to these mares who only know how to run, a professional training team is obviously better for Dream!"
The two women finished speaking and locked eyes, seeing blazing rivalry reflected in each other's gaze.
--+--
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.