Following the typical tropes of a sentimental novel, Dream Weaver really should have felt some kind of profound stir in her soul after hearing those words from Symboli Rudolf—words that seemed to transcend both time and the boundaries of worlds.
But perhaps the weight of the message had been diluted by passing through Symboli Kris S's hands.
Or maybe the sheer shock of the fact that Symboli Rudolf had snuck into her room was so overwhelming that Dream Weaver simply let the sentiment slide right past her.
After chatting a bit longer by the river, Dream Weaver found herself marveling once again at just how earnest this Uma Musume was.
Despite wearing a face that rarely cracked a smile, Symboli Kris S spoke without the slightest shred of hesitation or reserve.
Dream Weaver honestly suspected that if they kept talking for just a few more minutes, she'd have Symboli Kris S's entire life story laid bare before her.
To save the overly honest girl from exposing any more of her past embarrassments, Dream Weaver hurried to cut the conversation short.
"Let's call it a night. You've had a long day competing in the Kikuka Sho; you should get back to the hotel and get some proper rest."
Dream Weaver glanced up at the night sky, pretending she'd only just realized how late it was.
"Understood. I shall take my leave then."
Symboli Kris S gave a stoic nod. Without even a formal goodbye, she turned on her heel and walked away without a hint of lingering attachment.
But just as Dream Weaver thought the night was finally over, Symboli Kris S, who had only made it a few paces, suddenly doubled back.
"I just remembered something."
"Wh... what is it?"
Dream Weaver's lip twitched. She was half-afraid the guileless girl was about to drop another bombshell of personal shame.
If this was just who she was, that was fine, but Dream Weaver worried that in a few years, the girl would suddenly realize how brutally honest she'd been and die of embarrassment.
Just thinking about it made Dream Weaver feel second-hand embarrassment on her behalf.
Thankfully, Symboli Kris S hadn't returned for a self-burn.
"I've decided to enter the Japan Cup."
"Because of Liberty Island, you'll definitely be there, won't you, Senior Dream?"
"Well, yes, I'll be there..."
"Good."
Symboli Kris S nodded. Though her expression remained a mask of indifference, Dream Weaver somehow sensed a faint trace of happiness radiating from her.
"Then I shall become the champion right before your eyes."
"That is all. Farewell."
This time she didn't forget her manners. She offered a slight bow and departed with a noticeably light, rhythmic spring in her step.
Dream Weaver watched her retreating back—which looked inexplicably cheerful—and found herself momentarily speechless.
Symboli Kris S was a genius, certainly, but this year's Japan Cup wasn't a trophy she could just pick up on a whim.
Aside from Equinox and Liberty Island, the roster for this year's race was teeming with powerhouses.
There was the King of Hanshin Racecourse, Titleholder.
Last year's Tokyo Yushun winner, Do Deuce.
The Double Tiara winner, Stars on Earth.
The defending Japan Cup champion, Vela Azul.
The world-class escape specialist, Panthalassa.
The winner of the Prix Royal-Oak, hailing all the way from France, Iresine.
With the addition of this year's Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island and the formidable Equinox, the Japan Cup would be a gathering of no fewer than eight G1-class Uma Musume.
When you considered that the entire field consisted of only eighteen runners, nearly half the gate was filled with G1 winners.
In such a cutthroat arena, the victory margin for a still-green Symboli Kris S was pitifully slim.
Dream Weaver didn't know whether to praise her for her "impeccable" timing in picking the most brutal G1 on the calendar or to pity her for her rotten luck.
She shook her head with a sigh of regret. Symboli Kris S was a magnificent athlete—one who might eventually earn a title like the "Jet-Black Monarch"—but she was stepping into this blood-soaked asura's playground far too early in her development.
If a "Zone" was a miracle unique to an Uma Musume, then in this year's Japan Cup, including Symboli Kris S herself, there were at least nine girls capable of invoking such a miracle.
Under these circumstances, even Dream Weaver wouldn't dare guarantee that the crown would definitely go to Equinox or Liberty Island.
After all, anything could happen on the turf. None of the other competitors were weaklings.
If their will was strong enough to summon a miracle, it wasn't entirely impossible for them to overtake the favorites and seize the championship.
Dream Weaver scratched her head in frustration. As soon as she thought about the lineup, all her previous ruminations were suppressed.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the cryptic message from Symboli Rudolf—all of it would have to wait until after the Japan Cup.
On her way back to the hotel, the race consumed her thoughts.
With only a little over a month to go, the question of how to boost Liberty Island's strength as much as possible in such a short window became her sole priority.
Yet, by the time she reached her hotel room door, she was no closer to an answer.
In that moment, she felt the profound helplessness of being a Trainer.
The track was ultimately the domain of the Uma Musume; she was no longer one of them, and she could no longer change the outcome with her own legs.
The only one who could change the course of the race now was Liberty Island herself.
Still, Dream Weaver refused to give up. The moment she entered her room, she went straight to work, pulling her tablet from her luggage.
She opened the race archives and, as had become her habit, began studying footage of Equinox.
Ten minutes later, after a cursory review of Equinox's last performance, Dream Weaver's brow furrowed deep. She rubbed her chin, muttering to herself.
"From start to finish, her expression is so relaxed. She doesn't look tired at all."
"Even on a G1 stage, is it still impossible to gauge where your limit actually is...?"
Dream Weaver sincerely hoped that Equinox's hidden strength wasn't too exaggerated—at least, not so exaggerated that she would leave every other runner in the Japan Cup in the dust.
"Am I just being paranoid...?"
She shook her head with a bitter smile. How could that be? Equinox hadn't spent lifetimes training in simulated "Script Worlds" like she had.
She'd only been racing for two or three years; how could she possibly possess the power to crush a field of veteran G1 winners?
Just as Dream Weaver told herself to stop overthinking and settle back into the footage, a white blur suddenly came flying at her face.
Whump.
A soft pillow slid down onto the bed. Dream Weaver looked up, her face a mask of confusion.
"Honestly, who comes back after being out for ages and doesn't even say hello before burying their face in a tablet?"
Seeing Agnes Tachyon and Sugar Lights standing there—the former still clutching a pillow—Dream Weaver blinked in surprise before answering with a weary sigh.
"I thought you two went out for drinks?"
"And leave a gloomy-faced girl like you behind while we live it up? We're not that heartless."
--+--
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.