Dream Weaver followed the sound downstream, but before she could spot Gold Ship, she noticed Oguri Roman standing hesitantly up ahead for some reason.
She seemed to have spotted Dream Weaver earlier and was already waving from a distance.
When Dream Weaver reached her side, Oguri Roman spoke up first.
"What's going on up ahead? I could hear Gold Ship's commotion from all the way back there."
Oguri Roman avoided her gaze, stammering slightly.
"I—I'm not sure."
"But Gold Ship's always like this, right? Like last year, when she was helping out at the Nishimoto pasture harvesting rice—she was running around all over the place, making a scene."
Dream Weaver eyed her suspiciously, sensing something was off, but replied anyway.
"Well, that's true, but I still feel like it's risky to just leave her be."
Whether for Gold Ship herself or for nature.
"Th-then, how about we go together? We can chat along the way."
"Besides, Artisan Bell and the others are over there too. Nothing bad will happen."
Seeing that she couldn't stop Dream Weaver, Oguri Roman quickly changed tactics. Walking alongside her, she seemed to be trying to distract Dream Weaver with conversation.
But she wasn't exactly the smooth-talking type. Having grown up watching Oguri Cap's races and hero shows on TV, Oguri Roman found herself at a loss for words.
Sensing her hesitation, Dream Weaver spoke up first.
"I remember you ran in the Oka Shō back in April, right?"
"Mhm. Back then, Oguri Cap missed the sign-up window for the Triple Crown races."
"So I thought, since you're aiming for the Triple Crown, I'd give the Classic Triple Tiara a try."
Oguri Roman scratched her head somewhat sheepishly.
"But I still couldn't beat that Uma Musume named Gentildonna. I'm just not as amazing as you—coming straight to the central circuit and defeating someone as strong as Orfevre."
Gentildonna, huh?
Dream Weaver mulled it over silently. She recalled hearing that name from other Uma Musume at Tracen Academy back in Tokyo.
Rumor had it she came from a prestigious lineage too. Unlike Orfevre, who was focused on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Gentildonna seemed to have set her sights on the Triple Tiara, so their paths had never crossed.
But from what others said, Dream Weaver gathered that Gentildonna was every bit as formidable as Orfevre—a force to be reckoned with.
She was known in racing circles for her unimaginable strength, with some even claiming she could crush a giant iron ball into a tiny lump. Before Dream Weaver arrived in the central circuit, many had been eager to see her face off against Orfevre.
Though Dream Weaver found the iron ball rumor a bit far-fetched, it still spoke volumes about Gentildonna's terrifying power.
It was no surprise Oguri Roman had lost to her in the Oka Shō.
Lately, Dream Weaver had been focused on the Satsuki Shō and the Japanese Derby, so if Oguri Roman hadn't brought it up, she wouldn't have asked.
She mentally calculated the timing—the Yushun Himba had already passed. Facing Gentildonna, Oguri Roman likely hadn't managed a win there either.
As if reading her thoughts, Oguri Roman let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"I didn't win the Japanese Oaks either. And for the upcoming Shūka Shō… I don't see much hope. Maybe aiming for G1 races was too arrogant of me."
Seeing her looking dejected, Dream Weaver recalled memories of Oguri Roman racing back in Kasamatsu.
After a moment's thought, she spoke slowly.
"When you decided to run in the Triple Tiara, did Kitahara say anything to you?"
Caught off guard by the question, Oguri Roman paused before answering.
"Kitahara seemed a bit against it at first, but when I told him I was doing it to catch up to Oguri Cap and you, he reluctantly agreed."
"Why…? Is something wrong?"
Seeing that Oguri Roman was starting to sense it too, Dream Weaver nodded.
"You've noticed it yourself, haven't you? Unlike the dirt tracks in Kasamatsu, central races are generally longer."
"Even the Kasamatsu Kikuka Sho, one of Kasamatsu's two major crowns, is only 2,600 meters—still 400 meters shorter than the central version."
Watching as understanding dawned on Oguri Roman's face, Dream Weaver hesitated briefly before continuing.
"I don't think the Triple Tiara suits you. Back in Kasamatsu, you were always better at shorter distances or mile races."
"It's this mismatch, plus facing such strong opponents, that's been holding you back in the central circuit."
Oguri Roman couldn't help but recall her performances in the two Triple Tiara races.
In the Oka Shō, she'd placed third and made it to the winners' podium—which was why she'd mustered the courage to run in the Japanese Oaks despite Gentildonna's overwhelming presence.
But the Oaks had been a harsh wake-up call. She'd suffered a crushing defeat, finishing twelfth.
She'd thought Gentildonna had completely broken her spirit, but now, hearing Dream Weaver's words, it all finally made sense.
Still, another question nagged at her.
"But if Kitahara already knew, why didn't he stop me from running the Triple Tiara?"
"Maybe because he's seen miracles happen with his own eyes. He believes in the power Uma Musume can unleash on the track."
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows and making Dream Weaver squint slightly.
She'd spoken with Oguri Cap a few times at Tracen Academy and heard her recount that legendary Arima Kinen race.
Having witnessed such a miraculous, storybook ending firsthand, Kitahara couldn't help but believe in the possibility of miracles on the track. That's why he respected Oguri Roman's desire to honor Oguri Cap by running the Triple Tiara.
It was also why he'd disagreed with Chizuru Haibara before. Even when Chizuru subtly hinted that Dream Weaver hadn't improved in a long time, Kitahara still held faith in the potential of Uma Musume themselves.
"Oguri Cap shone in both middle-distance and mile races."
Dream Weaver turned slightly, speaking softly to Oguri Roman beside her.
"How about giving the September G2 race, the Centaur Stakes, a try?"
"After winning that, you could aim for the G1 Mile Championship—isn't that another place where Oguri Cap once found glory?"
Seeing Oguri Roman still looking stunned, Dream Weaver smiled and added, "I'll run the middle-distance Triple Crown, carrying half of Oguri Cap's brilliance."
"You take on the mile-length Mile Championship, bearing the other half of her glory."
"Together, we'll be Kasamatsu's pride."
Watching as Dream Weaver extended a fist, Oguri Roman gently bumped it with her own and said,
"The September Centaur Stakes and the November Mile Championship, huh? Then you've got no excuse to be late—you have to be there when it happens."
"I want you to watch me win with your own eyes."
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T/N: Promises like these are 100% death flag material
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T/N: New Uma Musume fic up!
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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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.