For the questions on an exam paper, you seek answers in books.
For the problems on the racetrack, you find solutions through training.
But the question of what running truly means to her—that was something Dream Weaver couldn't seem to find a clear, definitive answer to, anywhere.
Two days had passed since the Satsuki Sho, yet the thought would still cross her mind from time to time.
She wasn't overly troubled by it, nor had she fallen into the depths of despair and lost her drive like in some anime.
Regardless of whether an answer existed, she would still press forward, run, and seize one championship after another.
Still, she found herself unconsciously replaying that conversation with Tokai Teio in her mind, imagining what Teio's response might have been if she'd given this or that answer.
What about using money as the answer? That was the first solution she thought of.
After all, it's never too little for anyone, right?
The things you love, a better environment, traveling the world—whatever your preferences, money can satisfy most of them.
If she'd had money from the start, she wouldn't have had to struggle so desperately to scrape together medical fees.
But this answer didn't convince even herself. She was a person with very low material desires.
Living in a rundown apartment didn't bother her; even eating at the school cafeteria felt like a blessing.
If it were just for money, the prize money from the Hopeful Stakes and the Satsuki Sho would be enough to live on. She could already stop running.
What about fame, then?At least having thousands of people shout her name had given her a thrill, right? How about that as an answer? Say she runs to gain more glory.
Yet, having been through so many scripted worlds, Dream Weaver found herself, more than relishing the cheers for her name, instinctively focusing on what she could give to others.
Saving places, changing the world—being expected of so much had unconsciously made her want to shoulder that responsibility.
It was different from back then with Orfevre.
Although Orfevre was the 'King of the Arc' everyone had pinned their hopes on, beyond running for those expectations, she also harbored her own desire to run, the urge to compete fiercely with her rivals.
But Dream Weaver lacked that. If she'd possessed that so-called 'longing for running' from the beginning, she wouldn't have only remembered she was an Uma Musume when she was at her wit's end.
"Hey, Dream Weaver! You won't get any smarter if you keep daydreaming like that every day!"
"If you want to boost your grades, just come to your class rep! The New Year's promise still stands!"
Before she knew it, another whole class period had slipped by in a daze. The instant the bell rang, Sakura Bakushin O eagerly dashed over, puffing out her chest and declaring proudly to Dream Weaver.
"Bring up New Year's one more time, and I'll instantly transform into my dark form and annihilate you. See if I don't."
Seeing that Sakura Bakushin O, with her short memory, dared to bring up old grievances even after three months, Dream Weaver couldn't help but threaten her.
"Ahaha! Did I just say something? Wow, looks like even the class rep can be forgetful sometimes!"
"It suddenly hit me that I haven't finished today's 'Bakushin' training yet, so I gotta run!"
Sakura Bakushin O scratched her head, glancing around nervously.
No matter how fast her 'Bakushin' was, she could never escape Dream Weaver's clutches.
She had no desire to be hunted by her again, so she made an excuse to flee, terrified Dream Weaver would get angry enough to transform the very next second.
But just as she pretended to bolt, Dream Weaver suddenly grabbed her wrist, apprehending her on the spot.
Thinking she'd already made the girl angry and was about to be obliterated by Dark Dream Weaver right there in the classroom, Sakura Bakushin O shook her head frantically and blurted out a famous quote she'd heard from Dream Weaver.
"No can do, Dream Weaver! There's a code of conduct between Uma Musume! No touching allowed!"
Maybe it was because her voice was too loud, but the entire class turned to stare. Realizing it was just those two, however, they turned back with knowing expressions, as if it all made sense now.
"Idiot, 'Uma Musume' isn't the point here. There's no 'code' against touching."
"Huh, is that so? But if we're picking an idiot between you and me, Dream Weaver, I think it'd be—"
Before she could finish, Dream Weaver cut her off.
"That's not important. Anyway, I want to ask you something."
"Wh-What is it?"
Seeing the unusually serious look in Dream Weaver's eyes, Sakura Bakushin O swallowed hard, bracing herself for some dark secret of Tracen Academy.
"You, Bakushin O..."
"M-Me?"
"Why do you run?"
Sakura Bakushin O's eyes widened, staring incredulously at Dream Weaver as if asking, 'All that build-up for this?'
After a moment of intense internal verification, she finally seemed convinced and broke into a relieved smile. Her earlier anxiety vanished, replaced by her usual confidence.
She thumped her chest with a resounding bang and declared loudly, as if swearing an oath.
"Hmph hmph hmph! I, Sakura Bakushin O—"
"Am going to become the world's greatest long-distance Uma Musume!"
Dream Weaver propped her cheek on her hand, staring expressionlessly at Sakura Bakushin O.
Having been classmates for two semesters, she had a fair idea of what Bakushin O was like on the track.
Her wanting to be the world's best long-distance runner was like Rice Shower declaring she'd be the best sprinter. Not impossible, just... a tad unrealistic.
"So, Miss Long-Distance Runner, what's the farthest distance you've run at full speed so far?"
"Sixteen hundred meters!"
Sakura Bakushin O lifted her head proudly. Going from twelve hundred meters to sixteen hundred meters was indeed a significant improvement for her.
"That's just a mile race, you know."
Dream Weaver popped her bubble without mercy, but instead of being embarrassed, Sakura Bakushin O grew even more smug.
"Practicing for just over half a year got me four hundred meters further! That's at least eight hundred meters a year! By this summer, I'll be able to run two thousand meters! By next summer, who says I can't set my sights on the Tenno Sho (Autumn)!"
"You think it's just addition and subtraction? Why not say three twelve-hundred-meter sprints add up to a thirty-six-hundred-meter long-distance race?"
"Huh, that kinda makes sense... Hey Dream Weaver, could it be... you're not actually an idiot?"
No. The real idiot here is me, for even having this conversation.
Dream Weaver ignored her, turning her cheek to rest on her hand and quietly gazing out the window.
No matter how absurd Sakura Bakushin O's goal was, that burning passion of hers was genuine. That alone put her way ahead.
If only she, back then, could have told Tokai Teio something like, 'I'm going to be the strongest long-distance Uma Musume,' she wouldn't still be rehashing the conversation now.
Finding no solution from Sakura Bakushin O, images of various Uma Musume flashed through her mind. Maybe she could ask them why they stepped onto the track.
But she had always appeared before them as a savior, someone they pinned their hopes on. She felt reluctant to bring this up with them.
Just as she was wrestling with the dilemma, a perfect candidate suddenly popped into her head. The only downside was that going to see her would take a bit of time.
--+--
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.