The roar of the crowd echoed over the Tokyo Racecourse, a tidal wave of sound that felt like it could shake the very foundations of the stadium.
Dream Weaver stood before the surging mass of people, hearing her own name in their cheers for the very first time.
A rush of pure joy—the kind that comes when your hard work is finally seen and celebrated—flooded through her. In that moment, the victory's reward became something real, something tangible, carried on the voices of the crowd.
You are the winner of this race. You are the brightest star on this stage.
"If the racetrack is a battlefield," she murmured to herself, "then this must be what it feels like to march through the arch of triumph."
"Just a debut race, and it already feels this glorious… I can't even imagine what it was like for legendary Uma Musume like T.M. Opera O, Orfevre, Narita Brian, or Deep Impact when they won the Triple Crown…"
She lifted her gaze, taking in the endless sweep of spectators that seemed to fill half the sky.
"But since I've been given so much hope… I have to answer it, don't I?"
At that thought, the dazed look on her face—stunned as she was by the moment—softened into a slight smile. Dream Weaver raised her hands and waved back at the crowd who had placed their hopes in her.
"You're amazing! You look about my age, but you're so much stronger!"
A bright, lively voice chirped up beside her. Dream Weaver turned—it was Tokai Teio.
Teio's cheeks were still flushed from the race, glistening with what might have been sweat or rain, but her eyes were as bright and undimmed as the sun. It was as though her defeat had never even happened.
Before Dream Weaver could even respond, the petite Uma Musume began circling her, chattering away.
"I haven't seen you at Tracen before! Are you a new student this year? Hey, do you have a trainer yet? Want to join my team? We could train together!"
A torrent of questions poured out, each delivered with such relentless positivity and zero discouragement that Dream Weaver felt almost dizzy.
To Dream Weaver, Tokai Teio had first been like a distant white crescent moon on the track—untouchable. Later, she became a fierce rival, a powerful opponent.
She had always imagined that this girl—the one who'd given her so much pressure, her very first rival—would have a personality as cool and lofty as the moon she resembled on the track.
She never expected their first conversation would shatter that image completely.
'Good grief, she's still just a kid, isn't she.'
'Probably still at the age where she loves eating sweets.'
"Your eyes are being kinda rude, you know…"
As if she'd heard Dream Weaver's thoughts, Tokai Teio's gaze sharpened.
Dream Weaver coughed lightly and pretended not to hear, extending her hand instead.
"I'm Dream Weaver. I just started at Tracen this year. Nice to meet you."
"Oh! I'm Tokai Teio! The genius Uma Musume who's gonna achieve an Undefeated Triple Crown!"
Clearly, Teio hadn't noticed the subject change. She shook Dream Weaver's hand firmly, puffing out her chest with pride as she introduced herself.
'Yep, still a child.'
Dream Weaver couldn't help the thought, but seeing Teio's eyes begin to narrow again, she quickly made an excuse and dashed back toward the player's tunnel.
"Hmm… She doesn't really seem like the type to give such a formal self-introduction… Was I imagining things?"
Tokai Teio tilted her head in confusion as she watched Dream Weaver hurry away.
But her doubts didn't last long. Spectators in the stands were still cheering for her. Even though she hadn't won this time, Teio warmly waved back, her spirit undimmed.
Back in the locker room, Dream Weaver changed out of her racing gear, folded it neatly into her backpack, and muttered to herself.
"So perceptive… Is that how all kids are? Not that I dislike it, though."
Just then, her phone lit up inside her bag. She glanced at the notification and her face fell. Without even finishing packing, she shoved everything into her backpack and bolted out of the room.
As she sprinted toward the exit, she cursed under her breath.
'Dammit! I went back too many times. I was so focused on winning the race, I almost forgot—today's the day I have to pay the medical bill after the race.'
For once, she was deeply grateful to her past self for setting up all those reminders.
But just as she was nearing the exit, a tall figure leaning against the wall called out to her.
"Aren't you going to prepare for the Victory Ceremony?"
Like I have time for that! Without even enough breath to reply, Dream Weaver hugged her backpack, lowered her head, and rushed past her.
"Not even staying to collect your prize money? The medical fees are weighing on you, aren't they? This would help a lot."
The tall Uma Musume didn't move, but her words alone stopped Dream Weaver in her tracks.
"Who are you? How do you know about my situation?"
At that, the stranger approached. Smiling faintly, she pulled a thick envelope from the file she was holding and handed it to Dream Weaver.
"I'm Symboli Rudolf, Student Council President of Tracen Academy."
Frowning, Dream Weaver took the envelope. Its weight felt suspicious. She glanced up at Symboli Rudolf, who nodded gently. Dream Weaver tore it open.
Inside was stacks of cash—enough to cover her mother's hospital stay for a long while. She was silent for a moment before asking:
"I'm pretty sure the debut race prize money isn't this much."
Symboli Rudolf let out a soft laugh.
"This also includes financial aid from Tracen for Uma Musume in difficult circumstances. You just enrolled—you might not have heard about it yet."
"I don't remember applying for any aid."
Dream Weaver counted out the exact amount of her race winnings, pulled it out, and handed the rest back in the envelope.
"Still… thank you for collecting the prize money for me."
Rudolf raised an eyebrow, looking at the returned envelope with confusion.
"I can help you with the paperwork. This money is important for you right now, isn't it?"
But Dream Weaver shook her head and pushed the envelope forward again.
"I'll earn the medical fees myself by winning other races."
"There are plenty of Uma Musume who are struggling with no way out. The aid fund isn't unlimited, right? It should go to them."
After saying that, she bowed slightly to Symboli Rudolf in thanks, then clutched her years-old black backpack and ran toward the exit.
Symboli Rudolf watched her retreating figure and murmured to herself:
"Is it pride…"
"Or just… a simple refusal to be helped?"
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.