Dream Weaver had actually foreseen this scene.
She had already guessed that some Uma Musume had inherited memories from the scripted world—she just didn't know exactly how many.
But no matter the number, Dream Weaver felt that someday she would end up caught in the middle.
What she hadn't expected, though, was that in the real world, the ones pinning her between them wouldn't be any of the Uma Musume she had imagined, but rather two elderly ladies.
Mejiro Asama and the grandmother from the Northern family… Even in another world, those two still didn't get along, huh?
Sandwiched between them, Dream Weaver secretly sighed inwardly. Still, things weren't so bad now.
From what grandmother had said, not only had the Northern family not fallen into decline—they had actually become one of the most prominent elite families.
Though there were no powerful Uma Musume bearing the Northern name, they had nurtured many outstanding ones.
And judging by the energy with which she had burst into the hospital room earlier… Dream Weaver stole a glance at the older woman's legs.
Unlike in the scripted world, this time Northern grandmother wasn't in a wheelchair.
Perhaps the old curse on the Northern family had been erased by the Hope Gem, Dream Weaver thought to herself.
As for Mejiro Asama… Dream Weaver glanced sideways at the woman now bickering with her longtime rival. Since her mother hadn't met with disaster, perhaps she hadn't been burdened with that heavy guilt either.
Free from those shackles, her mother could surely find her own happiness now.
"Dream!"
"Dream!"
Two calls from either side snapped Dream Weaver out of her thoughts. Mejiro Asama and Northern grandmother were both staring intently at her.
"Which side do you choose?!"
'Can I choose the middle?' Dream Weaver replied helplessly in her heart.
She really didn't want to get tangled up in these two old ladies' feud.
But here, Dream Weaver was mistaken.
She assumed she was being fought over partly because of her mother, and partly due to their longstanding rivalry—that she herself wasn't the main point.
What she hadn't anticipated was that, although Mejiro Asama and Northern grandmother hadn't inherited any memories, they still felt a certain sense of déjà vu.
The moment they saw Dream Weaver, an involuntary fondness rose in their hearts, and they couldn't help but see her as their own granddaughter.
Dream Weaver's mother, Northern Starlight, was stubborn as a mule—she'd run away from home for over a decade without ever thinking of going back.
Neither Mejiro Asama nor Northern grandmother were sure they could make her change her mind today.
That's why they had set their sights on Dream Weaver, thinking that if they could bring their granddaughter home, then Northern Starlight would have no choice but to follow.
They also genuinely wanted to train Dream Weaver. According to the information provided by Mejiro Ramonu, Dream Weaver, who had defeated Tokai Teio, undoubtedly possessed tremendous potential. They absolutely couldn't just watch her grow wild and untrained on the outside.
Of course, she had to be brought home, given a training plan tailored just for her.
Besides, this child must have suffered plenty staying with Northern Starlight—even the medical bills were scraped together herself.
A girl who had to juggle school and caring for her mother… How could they not feel tenderly toward her?
Yet both women believed only they could properly care for Dream Weaver, and looked down on the other entirely.
Hence the question: who did Dream Weaver want to go with?
Seeing Dream Weaver nearly squeezed breathlessly between them, Northern Starlight—who had let her daughter draw the fire—finally figured out what to say.
She cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention, before speaking.
"How about this: I still have rooms in both the Mejiro and Northern households. I'll take Dream to the Northern house on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and to the Mejiro house on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. How does that sound?"
Mejiro Asama and Northern grandmother glanced at each other, then simultaneously turned to Northern Starlight, their eyes asking the obvious question.
What about Sunday?
"Sundays we'll alternate—one week at the Northern house, the next at the Mejiro house."
Hearing this answer, Mejiro Asama and Northern grandmother knew they couldn't push the child too hard, so they reluctantly nodded.
At the same time, though, they secretly resolved in their hearts: they must make Dream Weaver understand that the Northern house [or the Mejiro house] was the best, and that they were the ones who loved her most!
With that thought, the fire in their eyes didn't diminish one bit—in fact, it burned even fiercer.
But just when it seemed everything was settled, Dream Weaver suddenly spoke up.
"I…"
"don't want to go to the Northern house…"
Northern grandmother's expression dimmed, while Mejiro Asama broke into a victor's smile.
"...and I don't want to go to the Mejiro house either."
The smile that had just appeared on Mejiro Asama's face instantly fell. Both women looked at Dream Weaver with puzzlement. Even Northern Starlight turned a confused gaze toward her daughter.
Meeting their bewildered looks, Dream Weaver continued.
"I want to stay in the apartment near the hospital."
"Apartment?"
All three asked in unison.
"After Mother fell ill, I gave up the place we were renting before and moved into a cheaper room close to the hospital to save on expenses."
"I'm not ready to leave there yet."
Dream Weaver said softly. Whether it was the Northern house or the Mejiro house, they represented her mother's happiness, but they didn't have much to do with her.
Besides, Northern grandmother wasn't in a wheelchair, the family hadn't declined, and they had even transformed into a renowned house for training Uma Musume.
With no regrets left, she had even less reason to return.
But the people in the apartment were different.
In that environment, her presence on the track might be one of the few things that gave everyone hope. Dream Weaver didn't want to leave that behind so soon.
Especially after yesterday's dinner gathering, she had resolved to carry the hopes of everyone in the apartment, to keep their courage to live burning.
Dream Weaver remembered something a doctor once told her: if a patient's spirits are high, the chances of successful treatment improve.
Everyone in the apartment had given her such warm help—she had to do her utmost to repay that kindness.
"Then Mom will stay with you too—"
Northern Starlight started, but Dream Weaver cut her off before she could finish.
"No need. You've been away from home for so long—the grandmothers must really want to spend time with you again."
"I've grown up. Living on my own is fine."
Northern Starlight opened her mouth, unsure what to say.
She hadn't expected the child she raised to suddenly step away from her like this, nor had she realized how much Dream Weaver had matured, learning to live independently in places she hadn't seen.
Watching her child grow up quietly, beyond her sight, she couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy, as if something precious had slipped away.
--+--
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.