After finishing her endurance training, Dream Weaver stood panting on the spot. This training ground had been half-abandoned by the Mejiro family, so after clearing away some of the snow, she had repurposed it as her own training field.
Compared to the open space behind the Northern family's mansion, even in its neglected state, this was still a proper training ground. What's more, the entire track had been specially adjusted for the longest distance—the Tenno Sho (Spring)—making it almost identical to the actual racecourse.
For the sake of achieving back-to-back victories in the spring and autumn Tenno Sho, the Uma Musume of the Mejiro family had sweat and toiled here countless times.
But now, having already accomplished the staggering feat of three generations winning the Tenno Sho, their accumulated wealth and glory led them to abandon this old, familiar place. They chose instead to build a newer, larger, and more professional training ground within their estate.
If not for Dream Weaver's arrival, this training field might have slowly been reclaimed by weeds and time.
But at that moment, Dream Weaver didn't have the mind to reflect on the history of this place. Catching her breath slightly, she looked down at her own legs and murmured to herself:
"It's really different from before. I can almost feel myself improving with every run."
"Is this the gift brought by the Northern blood?"
As long as her body could withstand it, the Northern blood within her would continuously enhance her natural talent—until she stood on the same ground as the legendary predecessors of the Northern family.
Dream Weaver suddenly recalled something her grandmother once told her: the founder of the Northern bloodline in Japan was called Northern Dancer.
That predecessor never finished below the top three in her entire career, and even won the annual Uma Musume titles in both Canada and the United States.
If the Northern blood could elevate her talent to that level…
"I'll definitely become a world-class Uma Musume, with physical talent on par with Orfevre."
Dream Weaver gazed at her legs and whispered to herself.
So this was why her mother had delayed using the limiter back then. With talent like this—or even close to it—winning both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho would no longer be just a dream.
"To bet your life… for a moment of glory, is that it…?"
These past few days, she had learned much about her mother's past from Mejiro Ardan.
Unlike the gentle, sun-like mother in her memories, her mother in her youth seemed to have been a fiercely determined Uma Musume—one who would rather swallow blood and broken teeth than give up once she set her mind to something.
She had decided she must become an Uma Musume who could win both Tenno Sho titles, and was willing to pay any price to make it happen.
It made Dream Weaver feel that her younger mother was a lot like herself—or rather, that she herself now resembled her mother in her youth.
But unlike her own desperate struggles in the scripted world, her mother had known she had only one life—and still chose to walk the dangerous path.
"So Mother was really that strong, that brave…"
Dream Weaver murmured, thinking of the mother in her memories.
In hindsight, the signs were there all along. Without unimaginable strength and courage, how could she have dared to raise an infant she found on the street all by herself?
By now, Dream Weaver had already learned most of her mother's past from Mejiro Ardan. There wasn't really any pressing reason to stay with the Mejiro family any longer.
As for news about Mejiro Asama… since the family head wasn't talking, and her relationship with Mejiro Ramonu was so strained, it seemed unlikely she would learn anything soon.
"Which means… I can go back to the Northern family now."
Dream Weaver rested her chin in her hand and spoke softly to herself.
True, her mother's portrait had already been delivered, but that didn't mean she couldn't take it back with her. She might lose access to this training ground, and her progress might slow a bit—but with her ever-growing talent, it hardly mattered.
Besides, the main reason she had agreed to Mejiro Ardan's request in the first place was that the woman reminded her so much of her mother. Feeling deeply indebted to her mother, Dream Weaver hadn't been able to say no when faced with that resemblance.
But now, calm and no longer swayed by those feelings, it seemed she had no reason to stay.
Just as Dream Weaver was plotting how to sneak away with the portrait without Mejiro Ardan noticing, a sudden sound of clapping came from beside her.
Startled, she turned toward the sound—and saw Mejiro Ardan, wrapped in a blanket, standing outside the track and applauding with a gentle smile.
"How incredible, Northern Dreams. At this speed, winning the Tenno Sho (Spring) should be no problem at all, right?"
"It's… alright, I guess."
Dream Weaver turned away slightly as she replied. Even though she could now distinguish Mejiro Ardan from her mother, the intimate gestures she'd made while under that emotional spell still left her feeling awkward.
Faced with Mejiro Ardan's praise, she didn't quite know how to respond.
But Mejiro Ardan didn't seem to notice her discomfort. Smiling, she continued:
"No need to be shy. You're amazing, Dream Weaver. Winning a G1 like the Kikuka Sho at such a young age… Your big sister here has never won a single G1, you know? You've already far surpassed me."
Hearing that, Dream Weaver was taken aback. Back in the scripted world, she'd heard of Mejiro Ardan—but only as a rival standing in opposition to Oguri Cap and the others.
As their opponent… had Mejiro Ardan really never won a G1?
"Whether it was the Japanese Derby or the two autumn Tenno Sho races, I always fell just a little short."
"But in a race, what does 'a little short' even mean? There are only two outcomes: victory and defeat."
"I lost. That's all."
As if sensing her confusion, Mejiro Ardan explained with a light laugh—though her smile seemed tinged with loneliness.
"The Kikuka Sho and the Tenno Sho (Spring) were both races I could only dream of. You're already so much more remarkable than I was, Northern Dreams."
Seeing her look so downcast, Dream Weaver couldn't help but offer some comfort.
"That's just because every Uma Musume suits different distances…"
To her surprise, Mejiro Ardan sighed softly at that and murmured:
"Suitability, huh…"
"Maybe middle distance was simply my limit. My body couldn't handle the distances of the Kikuka Sho or the Tenno Sho (Spring). Not back then, and not now."
Her words left Dream Weaver speechless, unsure how to respond.
But Mejiro Ardan seemed to shake off her melancholy quickly, her gentle smile returning as she said to Dream Weaver:
"Do your best for the Tenno Sho (Spring), okay? Big sister will come cheer for you every day!"
Looking at her smile, Dream Weaver clenched her hands.
The thought of Mejiro Ardan coming to the training ground after she left, only to find no one there… made her heart feel strangely heavy.
She had received so much care from this woman, who had also shared her mother's past. To leave her alone like this… it felt underhanded.
"Then… I'll stay until the Tenno Sho (Spring)…"
Dream Weaver replied softly.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! 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.