A cold sweat dripped from Dancing Brave's forehead.
Not only had she practically tried to whisk away someone else's daughter right in front of the mother, but now the little white lie she'd told earlier to seem closer had been exposed.
Was there anything more awkward in this world?
Forget being close sisters—Dancing Brave didn't even know Northern Starlight's name yet.
She glanced at Northern Starlight, then at Dream Weaver beside her.
According to the story she'd given Dream Weaver earlier, she really should have recognized Northern Starlight the moment the other mare asserted herself.
Asking one follow-up question was already pushing it. If she didn't take Northern Starlight's outstretched hand now, it would be blatantly obvious she had lied to Dream Weaver.
She didn't want her image damaged in Dream Weaver's eyes.
So, even though she still had no idea how to handle this, Dancing Brave stiffened her resolve and took Northern Starlight's hand.
"It's fine, it's been so many years after all. I didn't recognize you at first glance either."
Hearing this, Northern Starlight narrowed her eyes slightly. She had heard of Dancing Brave—a world-class Uma Musume.
But why would an Uma Musume of such global renown be connected to Dream Weaver? And even go so far as to claim they were 'like mother and daughter'?
Unlike her approach toward the younger fillies, Northern Starlight's guard went up immediately with Dancing Brave.
"I suppose it was you who looked after Dream while I was ill and unconscious?"
"How thoughtful of you, my dear 'sister'."
Dispensing with further pleasantries, Northern Starlight launched her probe.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Dancing Brave kept her expression neutral, but internally she was out of moves. Her mind, still blank from the explosive revelations, couldn't muster a defense.
Faced with the probe, all Dancing Brave could do was offer a bitter smile.
"I would have liked to care for her, but she absolutely refused any help."
"So I didn't really do much. At most, I just provided a safety net."
Northern Starlight patted Dream Weaver's head upon hearing this, putting on a show of sighing at her stubbornness.
"This girl takes after me, stubborn as a mule. Since you're my dear 'sister,' practically like a mother to her, what would it matter to accept a little help?"
Then, ignoring Dream Weaver's dissatisfied look, she turned back to Dancing Brave.
"Don't you agree, my dear 'sister'?"
The pressing question left Dancing Brave with nothing but a wry smile. She couldn't figure out how to explain everything without ruining her image in Dream Weaver's eyes.
"The child hasn't done anything wrong. It's just that we haven't seen each other in so many years. I had thought about getting together, but didn't want to bother you so soon after your illness."
"I didn't expect your recovery to be so swift…"
Here, Dancing Brave finally couldn't help but sigh.
"After the parent-teacher meeting, why don't we find a café and catch up on everything that's happened."
Seeing Dancing Brave basically wave the white flag, Northern Starlight couldn't suppress a smug expression.
Dream Weaver looked at Northern Starlight's triumphant face, then at Dancing Brave's troubled one. The atmosphere felt strange, but she couldn't quite pinpoint why.
She recalled Shinzan's cryptic way of speaking earlier.
Was this how older-generation Uma Musume talked? Did they just enjoy being riddlers?
But before Dream Weaver could decipher what had just transpired between Northern Starlight and Dancing Brave, the conversation between King Halo and Mejiro Ardan nearby pulled her attention away.
Mejiro Ardan stood with her arms crossed, her smile as gentle as ever.
"So Halo-chan is like a sister to Dream? You didn't mention that last time we met."
Her words were soft as a spring breeze, yet they drew fresh beads of sweat from King Halo's brow.
Claiming to be a sister in front of the actual, legitimate sister felt rather shameless—almost as laughable as Dancing Brave calling herself a mother in front of the real mom.
But King Halo wasn't Dancing Brave.
The girl's fearless—or perhaps naïve—courage meant she didn't retreat like the older mare had.
She straightened her back as best she could. Some words had to be said, even through gritted teeth.
"Compared to someone who only confirmed her sister status a week ago, I was indeed the first Uma Musume here."
"If there's anything you don't understand… just ask me, like last time!"
King Halo refused to admit defeat. She wouldn't surrender to this Mejiro Ardan, who had only come to her for advice as a fan little over a week ago.
She's just relying on her family advantage. I… I was here first!
King Halo knew she was being a bit unreasonable, so after speaking, she nervously closed her eyes.
But the response that came wasn't from the legitimate sister. It was a voice all too familiar.
"Compared to her, I believe I better fit the role of sister."
"You can ask me about anything."
Admire Vega, her expression unreadable, gave a firm nod to Mejiro Ardan, her gaze steady.
What does this have to do with you?!
King Halo and Mejiro Ardan were almost thrown off-balance by Admire Vega's statement. One was Dream Weaver's sister in another world, the other was literally her sister in this one.
Since when was Admire Vega in the running? King Halo was pretty sure she hadn't formed that kind of bond with Dream Weaver in the other world either!
Not just those two, even Dream Weaver herself was at a loss for words.
Unlike the riddle-loving adults, the fillies' words were as transparent as their emotions. Dream Weaver understood they were vying for the position of her sister.
And it put her in a difficult spot, because both King Halo and Mejiro Ardan had been her sisters before.
But—but she didn't recall establishing that kind of relationship with Admire Vega!
"My, my, I can't pretend I didn't hear that."
Perhaps the commotion the group was making at the gymnasium entrance had grown too loud, because Mejiro Ramonu—who should have been inside helping maintain order—emerged.
She walked to Mejiro Ardan's side and addressed King Halo and Admire Vega.
"After all… Dream is an Uma Musume of our Mejiro family."
Her meaning was clear: Uma Musume who didn't bear the Mejiro name had no right to claim the title of 'sister.'
But Admire Vega clearly had no intention of backing down.
Facing the suffocating, mountain-like pressure from Mejiro Ramonu, she stepped forward without flinching.
Empowered by her partner's support, King Halo also steadied herself, gritting her teeth and standing firm beside Admire Vega.
Mejiro Ardan hadn't expected the situation to escalate like this.
She'd genuinely just been curious about King Halo's claimed closeness to Dream Weaver. She never imagined it would trigger such a chain reaction.
"Sister…"
She gently tugged on Mejiro Ramonu's sleeve, trying to calm her.
In response to Mejiro Ardan's plea, Mejiro Ramonu didn't yield as she often had in the past, instead lowering her voice.
"Ardan, do you want to watch victory slip through your fingers yet again, like countless times before?"
Mejiro Ardan pressed her lips together upon hearing this. She lowered her head, thoughts churning, before finally stepping forward to stand with Mejiro Ramonu.
"I'm sorry, Halo-chan, but this time, I won't back down!"
The standoff was two against two: the Mejiro sisters versus King Halo and Admire Vega. The air grew heavy under the tension, thick enough to feel like a world-shaking clash could erupt any second.
And Dream Weaver… was utterly done with it all.
--+--
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.