Through her interactions with Shiragawa, Dream Weaver was gradually realizing what kind of education the Uma Musume living in this world received.
In a world that almost equated the European racing circuit with honor, what Mr. C.B.'s choice represented back then was self-evident.
Symboli Rudolf had at least built her own team, but Mr. C.B. had been completely alone back then.
Stuck in a closed training camp, fed daily with the idea that only through struggle could one become stronger, surrounded by parents and trainers who all held high expectations for her—it was truly remarkable that she had still found the courage to rebel under such circumstances.
Thinking this, Dream Weaver suddenly felt she understood Mr. C.B. a little better.
She realized why, when they first met, the other girl had been idling away her time perched in a tree.
After escaping that environment, Mr. C.B. had never found a new goal.
The free track she had yearned for had long since vanished, and the so-called Triple Crown honors had become repulsive to her due to the incessant chatter of others.
In a world where almost everyone chose to align with the European racing circuit, she, rebelling all alone, appeared so—
"Lonely, isn't it."
Dream Weaver found herself murmuring the words almost unconsciously as she gazed into the other's clear blue eyes.
Mr. C.B. seemed taken aback for a moment, processing Dream Weaver's words. After a long pause, a somewhat relieved smile spread across her face.
"Well, it's only natural not to be understood. I refused to blindly follow the crowd. While everyone else was conforming, I chose to defy."
Dream Weaver suddenly remembered Shiragawa.
She knew details about so many classmates, yet she had seemed hesitant when introducing Mr. C.B., almost as if she didn't know how to describe her.
At the time, Dream Weaver thought Shiragawa was just as puzzled by Mr. C.B. as she was. But now it seemed more likely that Mr. C.B. had actively chosen to distance herself from everyone.
Even during their first meeting, Mr. C.B. hadn't tried to persuade Dream Weaver to give up despite her own disillusionment with the racing world.
Instead, she had respected Dream Weaver's choice.
It seemed she had known all along that her rebellion would lead to isolation, so she proactively made herself an outsider.
Under the gaze of a world that didn't understand, Mr. C.B., bearing the name 'rebel,' had shut the world out.
Thinking this, Dream Weaver quietly reached out and took Mr. C.B.'s hand, looking her squarely in the eyes as she said earnestly.
"But you have us now."
Whether it was herself, Symboli Rudolf, or Shiragawa—they were all comrades who had decided to rise in rebellion against the European racing circuit.
Mr. C.B.'s eyes widened, seemingly surprised by Dream Weaver's gesture. She stared at her for a long moment before suddenly breaking into a laugh.
"How strange. I was the one who wanted to tell you not to push yourself so hard. How did I suddenly become the one being comforted?"
The shadows of the past seemed to melt away, and the clear blue sky returned to her eyes.
Mr. C.B. gently placed her other hand on top of Dream Weaver's and gave a playful wink.
"I've known that for a long time. Bringing up the past was just my way of telling you not to turn into the very image of the European racing circuit. If we just fight desperately for glory, what difference is there between us and them?"
"You need to balance work and rest, you know? Balance!"
Dream Weaver truly hadn't expected this reaction. Having never met anyone as free-spirited as Mr. C.B., she was momentarily stunned into silence.
Mr. C.B. chuckled and poked Dream Weaver's cheek.
"The Triple Crown used to be nothing but an annoying noise to me, everyone's expectations weighing me down. Burdened by all that, I gradually started to hate the very idea of the racetrack."
"What's the point of competing in a world like that? Even if I won the Triple Crown, it would be just like my days in the training camp—using the failures of other Uma Musume as fuel for my own victory."
"But now, everything's different."
Mr. C.B. suddenly stood up, as if struck by a thought.
"You're the one who led me out of that boring world. Your words on the training grounds made me realize what I'm truly capable of."
She spread her arms wide as if embracing the sky, glowing in the sunlight.
"I want to compete for the Triple Crown."
Before meeting Dream Weaver, Mr. C.B. had been lost.
She wanted to pursue a free track but didn't know how to step onto it. The Triple Crown was what everyone expected of her, and she had grown to resent it.
What would be the point of participating?
What would winning the Triple Crown achieve?
Hadn't she run away from the training camp precisely to escape being shackled by the European racing circuit's plans?
Wouldn't running back to compete for the Triple Crown mean falling right into their trap?
Not knowing what else to do, Mr. C.B. had chosen to do nothing.
But Dream Weaver's activities on the training grounds gave Mr. C.B. a new target.
The European racing circuit, once an illusory, seemingly unreachable entity, had now become something tangible she could challenge.
To win the Triple Crown—a symbol of that challenge—under the watchful eyes of everyone, right under their noses, would be a powerful blow to their absolute authority.
The Triple Crown, which had once been a chain binding Mr. C.B., was now what she most wanted to shatter.
She wanted to show those arrogant folks that the world was never what they claimed it to be.
"If there are any Uma Musume out there as lost as I once was, then I want to show them on the racetrack what true freedom looks like."
Mr. C.B. winked at Dream Weaver.
"Rudolf expects me to run interference for you, to block the European Uma Musume chasing you. But wouldn't that be just like being expected to win the Triple Crown all over again? I'm not going to play along."
"So... even as your comrade, I won't just hand the Triple Crown over to you."
"After all, I'm just a misfit, a rebellious Uma Musume!"
Hearing this, a smile tugged at Dream Weaver's lips. She understood what Mr. C.B. meant.
She wanted Dream Weaver to feel less pressure, to remember that Dream Weaver wasn't the only Uma Musume here capable of winning the Triple Crown.
There was probably a hint of friendly rivalry in there too, but Dream Weaver didn't mind.
On the contrary, compared to the other Uma Musume in this world who were guided onto the track according to plan, this version of Mr. C.B.—unashamed of her competitive spirit—felt much more like the Uma Musume Dream Weaver remembered.
So she stood up as well, raising her fist towards Mr. C.B.
"I don't need anyone to hand me the Triple Crown. I'll seize it with my own hands!"
"Then let's see who can win the Triple Crown right under the noses of the European racing circuit!"
After their fists met, Mr. C.B. and Dream Weaver looked at each other and said in unison.
"See you at the Satsuki Sho!"
--+--
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.