Narita Brian wasn't one for many words, so when she spoke at length like this, each syllable seemed to veil a complex swirl of emotions she couldn't quite name.
Dream Weaver was taken aback.
She truly hadn't realized she occupied such a deep place in Narita Brian's thoughts—that even in her dreams, Brian was reliving those three races they had shared.
She had assumed she was just a strong rival to Brian, a passing figure in her life. It never crossed her mind that she'd left such a profound mark.
Instinctively, Dream Weaver wanted to respond, but her fusion with this body wasn't complete.
The moment she tried to speak, her voice caught in her chest.
But Narita Brian didn't seem to expect a reply. Ever since that Autumn Tenno Sho, Dream Weaver had been like this—a doll seemingly stripped of its soul, withdrawn from communication.
Narita Brian felt she understood.
For Uma Musume like them, what it meant to lose the right to run… that was something that needed no explanation.
After a stretch of silence, Brian spoke again.
"But I… we… aren't giving up. No matter how long it takes, we want to help you stand on your own again."
"Zaizen Shuuji is working tirelessly on research, and that commentator friend of his is doing all he can to help. The head of the Mejiro family is pulling strings behind the scenes, too."
"Mejiro Ramonu and that Matikanetannhauser successor you chose are figuring out how to spread the Northern name throughout the racing world. Everything you worked for mattered—they've taken up the baton from you."
"And across the racing community, many are speaking out after your departure. Remember Rice Shower, our rival from the Spring Tenno Sho? She's putting in effort for you, too."
One by one, Narita Brian listed those she knew were lending Dream Weaver their support.
And in places unknown to Brian—whether it was Fujino Makken O's trio or Seiun Sky—they, too, had been changed by the sight of Dream Weaver running.
Each in their own quiet way, they were striving for her sake.
They might not all know Dream Weaver's true condition now, but they were still thinking of what little they could do to help.
Narita Brian knew she wasn't particularly eloquent; her words came out a bit halting and clumsy. Still, she wanted Dream Weaver to know that there were people in this world who cared deeply about her.
If nothing else, maybe that could offer a little warmth to someone disheartened by the inability to run—or so Brian hoped.
After saying all this, Narita Brian hesitated, seeming to weigh whether to speak her next thoughts. After a brief internal struggle, she decided to follow her heart.
"I'm not a clever person."
"Compared to the others… the only thing I'm good at is racing. So I don't really know what I can do for you."
"But I'll keep waiting for you. However long it takes, I'll be here, on the track, waiting."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"When the day comes that you truly stand again, we'll set foot on that course together, just like before."
Dream Weaver didn't feel she had done anything particularly remarkable.
She had even deliberately avoided unnecessary connections in this script world. Yet, she had still left an indelible mark.
After she left the racing world due to the Northern bloodline curse, people she didn't even realize she had touched were quietly working to support her.
They might not visit as often as Narita Brian did, but their desire to help was genuine.
Before this script world, Dream Weaver had felt overwhelmed by the bonds she'd formed and had chosen to run away.
Back then, reconciling with people who might still share ties with her felt like too much trouble.
After all, every time she left a script world, the farewell wasn't exactly a happy memory for those friends.
But now, hearing from Narita Brian that so many were striving for her sake—people she hardly felt she knew well—Dream Weaver felt deeply moved.
Maybe she didn't need any elaborate explanations. Their goodwill was real. Would people who cared for her ever deliberately make things difficult?
If even now, without her going out of her way, people were willing to strive for her, then those she'd already bonded with in the past would surely be even kinder.
Narita Brian's words were clumsy, but they somehow managed to dissolve a small, lingering knot of worry in Dream Weaver's heart.
Before, whenever she paused to think, she'd wonder: if everyone from past script worlds retained their memories, how would she explain herself?
That very source of anxiety began to melt away now, with everyone's support.
They were all kind people who wished her well—why would they ever deliberately make things hard for her?
'Maybe I was just worrying over nothing…'
Dream Weaver thought to herself.
'Once I've saved enough points to wake Mother, I'll try to connect with everyone properly.'
'It seems… I'm not afraid of their kindness anymore.'
Just as she felt herself relax, Dream Weaver noticed the heavy numbness that had filled her body begin to fade.
She knew it then—she could fully control her body again.
At that moment, Mejiro Ardan came in with a meal she had prepared. She'd prepped the ingredients earlier, so putting it together hadn't taken long.
The moment she stepped into the hall, she froze. The figure in the wheelchair—the one who seemed like she'd never move again—was turning around.
Dream Weaver, imitating how her grandmother used to maneuver the wheelchair, slowly turned to face them.
Narita Brian's eyes widened in shock. She never imagined she'd see Dream Weaver respond like this today.
Mejiro Ardan's reaction was even more dramatic. Overwhelmed, she lost her grip on the tray of food, sending it crashing to the floor.
The sound of shattering plates and bowls echoed sharply through the hall, but neither Narita Brian nor Mejiro Ardan paid it any mind. They just stared, stunned, at Dream Weaver.
Dream Weaver lifted her head and spoke to the two of them, still frozen in disbelief.
"I'm back."
--+--
T/N: fym trying not to make connections???
--+--
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.