Ever since learning from Shinzan that joy can be built upon others' pain, Dream Weaver picked up another lesson today: everyone has their own weakness.
Just as Shinzan hates being called "that old geezer," she herself refuses to look like a fool in front of that idiot Sakura Bakushin O.
The clash over erased memories left the Uma Musume lingering in the hallway that day with a scene they would never forget.
Sakura Bakushin O was yelling "Bakushin!" while scrambling away, and right behind her, a blurry shadow trailed by a bloody gleam surged forward like a tidal wave—a chilling, palpable murderous intent that pierced through every onlooker.
While everyone was still trembling at the sight, not long after the two figures vanished, a piercing, wretched scream echoed from the end of the corridor.
From that day on, two new rumors began circulating on the Tracen Academy forum.
One was about a mysterious dark red glow—an asura-like legend haunting Tracen.
The other debated whether the Sakura Bakushin O who showed up the next day had been possessed by someone else.
None of this, of course, was known to Dream Weaver, who had just finished dealing with Sakura Bakushin O.
After making the latter swear never to speak of what happened today, Dream Weaver kindly released her grip on Sakura Bakushin O's head.
Walking toward the school gate, backpack in hand, Dream Weaver gazed at the setting sun and let out a long sigh.
This New Year's holiday had been a bit too thrilling; she needed some time to cool down.
But just as she caught sight of the school gate's outline, she immediately noticed a dozen or so Uma Musume standing there.
Some had arms crossed, others hands on hips; the evening sun carved their shadows into sharp silhouettes, their eyes keenly watching every student trying to leave.
Staring at this curious scene, Dream Weaver couldn't help but swallow hard.
Almost every Uma Musume standing at the gate was someone she knew—even the fortune-telling trio from earlier was among them.
If it were just one or two, Dream Weaver might have convinced herself it was a coincidence. But with so many gathered here, she had no room left for self-deception.
Feeling their gazes practically burning into her, Dream Weaver murmured softly, "So it's come to this after all."
Things had reached this point.
Though she wasn't sure how the news had spread, judging by their gate-blocking posture, the fact that she'd realized someone liked her had probably been exposed.
Now they'd come as a group—no doubt to demand an answer from her.
What a desperate standoff, yet what a familiar predicament.
Tempered by countless battles of rivalry, Dream Weaver merely smiled faintly in the face of such a tense situation. Then, resolutely, she strode forward!
Even though she still didn't know how to respond, one thing Dream Weaver was certain of: running away might be shameful, but it really did work.
Anyway, first rely on my proud speed to break through the encirclement!
As long as I can hide until after the New Year's break, everything will sort itself out!
She took a deep breath, muscles tightening, blood rushing from her heart throughout her body, all her strength focused into a single point.
At this moment, Dream Weaver was even more concentrated than during the Hopeful Stakes days!
Among the opponents were triple-crown level Uma Musume; to break through, she'd have only one chance!
A red gleam flashed in Dream Weaver's eyes—the instinct called "Intuition" roared in her mind, guiding her to find the perfect route.
"Right here!"
She spotted a brief gap in the crowd, but just as she was about to charge forward with full force, Symboli Rudolf's voice suddenly reached her ears.
"Oh, it's Dream! Here—the student council has a New Year's gift for all students. Take one before you head home."
"?"
Her sprinting steps faltered abruptly.
A bewildered Dream Weaver looked up, tilting her head silently as she watched Symboli Rudolf approach leisurely.
She glanced at the other Uma Musume around. Other students leaving school were now receiving gifts from Nanno Sumire and the others.
Seemingly noticing Dream Weaver's gaze, Symboli Rudolf said with a smile, "They're not part of the student council, but they volunteered to help out today."
"Volunteered" was a generous term—they'd actually caused so much commotion over Dream Weaver at Tracen over the past year that Symboli Rudolf had gathered enough leverage to rope them in as "volunteers."
As for refusing—with the "Dark Night Emperor of Tracen" personally extending the invitation, anyone stubborn enough to decline probably didn't want to stick around at Tracen Academy anymore.
Still, Symboli Rudolf hadn't relied solely on threats.
With considerable leadership skills, she knew the principle of "the carrot and the stick." For troublemakers like Orfevre, she dangled the bait of personally handing Dream Weaver her gift to lure them over.
As for Shinzan, who hadn't officially joined yet—Symboli Rudolf, having already coordinated with her, naturally didn't forget to include her either.
Symboli Rudolf had barely finished explaining when the group, noticing Dream Weaver's arrival, rushed over all at once like wolves catching the scent of meat, hastily passing their gifts to random passersby.
"Dream, Happy New Year!"
"Dream, remember to come home for the holidays—I'll have a red envelope ready for you!"
"Dream, I heard there's a shrine here in Tokyo too—want to visit together on New Year's Day?"
"Hey, my ri— I mean, Dream! I've got two tickets to The Phantom of the Opera—come with me!"
The chattering voices of the Uma Musume nearly overwhelmed Dream Weaver.
She put on a smile, responded to one, and immediately another popped up right in her face.
"You're quite popular, Dream."
Symboli Rudolf laughed heartily behind her, patting the slightly flustered Dream Weaver and casually placing a gift into her hands.
"Anyway, congratulations on finishing your first year at Tracen Academy. Happy New Year!"
Overwhelmed by the responses, Dream Weaver accepted the gift. Suddenly, the previously noisy Uma Musume fell silent, all eyes fixed on her.
Dream Weaver glanced at them, then at the gift box in her hands, and gave a small nod.
Opening the box, the first thing she saw was a letter paper with all their names written on it, each line bearing the same phrase in their own handwriting:
"Happy New Year!"
Beneath the paper lay a red ribbon, looking exactly like the one Dream Weaver was currently wearing.
"You all…"
Dream Weaver wanted to ask how they'd managed to find such a ribbon, but when she looked up and saw everyone's expectant eyes, she didn't speak further.
Instead, she simply picked up the red ribbon and, with the practiced ease of having done it a thousand times, tied it into her hair.
A gentle breeze brushed past, and the two red ribbons swayed softly in Dream Weaver's hair.
One ribbon was the physical embodiment of her mother's love; the other, woven from all the bonds she had formed over this past year.
"Thank you—I love it!"
Dream Weaver said with a smile to everyone.
--+--
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.