The entire day, Dream Weaver had been imagining what might happen tomorrow when she went to see her mother.
Even during class, though she rested her chin in her hand and looked forward, not a trace of her gaze actually reached the blackboard. Instead, she was staring at a screen visible only to herself.
--+--
[Hope Gem]
[Description: A gemstone shimmering with a rainbow of flowing light, possessing a mysterious power that can make the wishes in people's hearts come true.]
[Note: "The power of love can change the world"—Three Ordinary Uma Musume]
[Exchange Requirement: 100,000 SP + Triple Crown Proof]
--+--
The items available for exchange in the System Store were roughly divided into three categories: training items, medical items, and items like the Hope Gem—vaguely described yet carrying extremely high exchange requirements.
There wasn't much to say about the first two. Dream Weaver had already exchanged for some of those.
However, one thing to note was that the medical items in the System Store didn't offer outrageously exaggerated healing effects.
Things like instantly regrowing severed limbs or reviving from a single drop of blood—fantastical concepts from grand fantasies—were beyond the capabilities of the medical items.
Most of their effects were to suppress the pain from injuries or reduce the risk of getting hurt during training. At most, they could speed up recovery from illness or injury.
Similar to the training items, they were almost all auxiliary in nature. There were no items that would directly make the Uma Musume stronger upon use, or offer powerful effects like revival from a single drop of blood.
So, given that even current medical technology couldn't wake her mother, these auxiliary-type items were completely useless for Dream Weaver's mother.
To wake her mother, she had to search among those vaguely described items with strict exchange requirements.
And among this portion of items, the vast majority were ones that enhanced the Uma Musume themselves.
Just like the Proof of Spring and Autumn and the Proof of Triple Crown she received as mission rewards, they were powerful, but not what she truly needed.
Searching through the entire store, perhaps only this item called the Hope Gem could save her mother.
'Can make the wishes in people's hearts come true.' That description had given Dream Weaver hope.
It was the reason she had been working so hard all this time.
But such a description was just too vague. While Dream Weaver believed it truly could save her mother, she had no idea how it would be achieved.
So, the whole day, she had been lost in fantasies about tomorrow's scene in her mind.
What would her mother's reaction be? How should she answer if her mother asked questions?
These kinds of problems, once luxuriously happy to even consider, now filled Dream Weaver's thoughts.
Having experienced so many script worlds, Dream Weaver was gradually relearning the goodness of having friends.
But her mother was ultimately special to her.
As the first person who made Dream Weaver feel... inspiration, Dream Weaver felt both joy and panic about her mother waking up.
She was a little worried, worried that she wouldn't be able to convey the words she wanted to say to the mother who loved her.
Lost in such contemplation, she completely failed to notice the group of Uma Musume following behind her today.
With the puzzled gazes of the Uma Musume at her back, Dream Weaver just like that finished her school day.
As promised with Granny Misaki, she headed straight back to the apartment right after school.
And just as she reached the apartment entrance, she discovered that the empty space in front of the building was actually packed with people.
When they saw Dream Weaver return, their faces broke into smiles and they started calling out greetings.
Before Dream Weaver could even respond, a few enthusiastic neighbors stepped forward to help take her backpack, remarking how heavy kids' backpacks were these days as they gently nudged her into the crowd.
Only then did Dream Weaver finally see the large makeshift table surrounded by everyone—though calling it that was generous, it was really just several ordinary tables pushed together.
On it were arranged many ingredients, and in the center sat two induction cooktops, one large and one small, already bubbling with a clear broth.
Everyone led Dream Weaver to a seat at the table. Just like that, from the moment she returned until now, she hadn't even managed to say a word before a bowl and chopsticks were pressed into her hands.
"We never got to celebrate properly when little Dream won her debut race and the Niigata Junior Stakes! We have to make up for it now!"
A jovial uncle neighbor used the chopsticks placed by the smaller induction cooker to pick up a large piece of wagyu beef for Dream Weaver.
"Eat up, you're at an age where you're still growing, and you have to run in so many races. You need to replenish your nutrition properly."
The auntie who had just put down Dream Weaver's backpack chuckled beside her.
Looking at everything that had been so thoughtfully prepared before her, Dream Weaver felt her heart tremble slightly.
Most of the people living in this old apartment were grappling with serious illnesses, their savings drained by medical bills. They would absolutely never splurge on ingredients like wagyu under normal circumstances.
And they had even separated two induction cooktops and prepared dedicated chopsticks for Dream Weaver, probably deliberately keeping things apart out of concern that their illnesses might be contagious.
This unspoken kindness made Dream Weaver tighten her grip on the bowl and chopsticks in her hands.
As if sensing her hesitation, Granny Misaki, standing nearby, smiled and patted Dream Weaver's head.
"Everyone has seen how hard little Dream has been working. After striving for so long, it's only right to let yourself rest and indulge a little."
Everyone in the apartment looked at Dream Weaver with gentle eyes. They had all noticed her tense expression these past days.
She had finally managed to test into Central Tracen Academy, successfully debuted, and even won a G3-level race. Yet, Dream Weaver's expression showed no sign of relaxation, and her steps remained just as hurried as ever.
They didn't know the exact burden weighing on Dream Weaver's heart. But when they thought of her background, of her mother still lying unconscious in a hospital bed, no specific reason was needed.
"Everyone found hope again because they saw little Dream running so hard."
"Even if it's just for everyone's sake, don't push yourself so hard. How about resting a little?"
As she spoke, Granny Misaki patted Dream Weaver's head again.
The idea for this gathering was hers. It was because she saw the anxious expression on Dream Weaver's face when she came home last night that she realized this child needed a break.
But judging by her dazed, smiling demeanor when she left for school and returned today, her mood seemed much better.
That was good. If it could help this child relax even a little, everyone was willing to do anything.
"Hurry and eat. It won't taste as good once it cools down."
Hearing this, Dream Weaver nodded, carefully taking a bite of the meat from her chopsticks. She lifted her head, looking at the beaming faces around her.
From the bottom of her heart, she said, "It's delicious."
This child, who had previously only felt love from her mother, discovered that, without her even realizing, love had grown so abundant it was nearly wrapping her up completely.
"Thank you, everyone."
She said with a smile to the people who loved her.
Dream Weaver felt that perhaps she no longer needed to worry about being unable to express her love to her mother.
--+--
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.