After my victory, I got bullied by Flashy Step, who was ecstatic. I can't get why she is so anxious about filming my victory concert, but I can't help but think she has some kind of use for it. Aoi was very happy and she couldn't help to be proud, she even puffed her chest and nodded approvingly, it seemed as if the prestigious family Kyurin was making history again as trainers.
After the concert, I was surrounded by people, which made me a little uncomfortable; I wasn't used to this kind of attention, nor did I seek it. Please, all the people should follow Flashy, who was an innate star. Of course, among the multitude, there was little Mambo; her eyes sparkled, she was so shining it hurt.
'Stop!' I thought, 'Now I feel filthy for using this lame system that barely helps me!'
And as I thought it wouldn't be worse, I felt the arms of Goldshi grabbing me by my waist and raising me into the air.
"Amazing job, little sis!" She proclaimed.
"Whoooooooooo!!" The reporters went crazy.
"Eh!? Goldshi!?" I exclaimed, panicking, when I looked at her; she winked and laughed. This was a nice game for her.
"Did THE Gold Ship call her sis!?" Said a guy frenetically tacking notes.
"Amazing!" Makitanetannhauser looked amazed, a very popular uma seemed to have a close bond with the girl she had begun to admire.
And then a photo immortalized the scene, a cheering mambo, a laughing Goldshi, and a panicked Meek in the air. Which, of course, became the portrait of the newspaper the next day.
The celebration for my victory in the Tokyo Rising Star Stakes was a blur of cheers, carrot skewers, and warm hugs from my trainer and Flashy after she calmed down; for some reason, Mabo-chan and Gold Ship were present too, even if they weren't part of the team. At a certain point, Gold Ship began playing a trivia game on her phone as she lost interest. Poor Mambo became assaulted by questions from Aoi, who took an interest in her, and Flashy smiled like a goblin shark while texting on her smartphone, too, and I was relegated to a corner, but that was okay. I felt a little tired after all the effort and just wanted to go to sleep. After thanking everyone present, I said my goodbyes and went back to my room, and fell into a deep slumber.
...
...
...
That night, sleep claimed me quickly, my body aching but satisfied. But in the depths of slumber, a memory surfaced... but it was strange, it was not mine, but hers, the original Happy Meek's. It unfolded like a warm dream, pulling me into a time long past.
(Running memory sequence 324)
"Mom! Mom look! Hehe~" I heard my voice, but it had a high pitch.
Everything was frenetic, as if I was spinning, which I probably was doing, chasing after a beautiful, colored butterfly. Then I surged forward, not as fast as right now, but it felt as if I had unlimited energy. I was small, a child with tiny cream-colored ears and a fluffy tail, running through tall grass on a sun-drenched farmhouse field, wearing a cute dress. The air smelled of earth and wildflowers, the sun kissing my skin as I giggled.
'What is this?' Me. My rational self thought with curiosity, I was conscious in this scenery, it felt like watching a movie in first person, but I couldn't control myself or talk as I wanted, I had so many questions.
Ahead, a beautiful Uma waited, her arms open wide, her chestnut hair flowing like a river of sunlight, her purple eyes sparkling with love. She was radiant, a beacon of tenderness, the world around her blooming in vibrant colors. It might be the most beautiful scene I had seen in my entire life, and it felt so real.
"Come here, my little Meek!" She said in a tender voice only a mother could use.
'Mom?' My body knew it, Happy Meek knew this beautiful uma.
Then I noticed she had dropped a cane to the ground to spread her arms welcomingly, my small version didn't notice or give this any importance tho. I ran faster, my small legs pumping, my heart full of joy, reaching for her embrace…
How was this even possible? My heart, right now, even sleeping, was overwhelmed by joy. She was tender, warm, and in her arms I felt like in the most secure place in the entire world, both she and I laughed in a silly way.
I could see not far, under a tree, a man holding a book while resting, he looked very calm and smiled at the scene, it was a peaceful countryside scenery.
Is this some kind of reward for winning my second race by the system? I wanted to feel a little disappointed; they must love me, but they are stingy for not sending me any money. I want to complain! A poor young girl like me has needs; they should know. Are we poor or something? Maybe in that case, if I win a lot, I can help them instead? Was that why Happy Meek wanted to race in the first place?
'Then why...' I couldn't move at all, but a strange sense overcame me, 'Why do I feel so strange?'
A strange sensation I'm not familiar with hit me. It made my blood run cold, sending shivers across my body, like a sensation of dread or impending doom.
(Sequence 324 ended.)
I woke up in the middle of the night, I was drenched in sweat and sat on my bed. My heart was pounding in my chest worse than in the race. I sat down feeling really uncomfortable, but now I had a little insight.
"Hehehe..." I couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, it's okay, okay, I won't complain about money, is that right system?"
(...)
"Got it, I must win big money and then share it with my parents in this world, don't I?"
(...)
In my old life, my parents worked really hard to pay for all the things I wanted; it didn't matter how irrational I was, they always supported me. I had been a terrible daughter. Now I had the chance to make it right and be a good daughter in this new life.
'I wonder if I will become as pretty as her in some years?' I wondered, remembering the beautiful lady who smiled at me, I felt my face burning from the shameful thoughts, and brought my hands to my cheeks as I smiled.
"Eh?"
It was such a surprising thing, I hadn't noticed before.
"Why?" I couldn't help but laugh. "Why am I crying?"
I got up and washed my face, then I changed the clothing on my bed to go back to sleep. My body felt a little stiff and sore, but it was a good pain, a test of the effort I put into the last race. I had a feeling that tomorrow would be a nice day.