That same hollow sensation she felt while listening to Hishi Miracle washed over her once more.
Agnes Tachyon seemed to say something afterward, but to Liberty Island, it was nothing more than a blurred smear of noise.
A heavy buzzing vibrated from deep within her chest, drowning out her senses.
She had experienced this once before—the exact same feeling she had when she first lost to Equinox back at Northern Farm.
That was the first time she had seen the absolute chasm in strength between herself and Equinox, and the first time she realized she might never be able to surpass her to become an Uma Musume who could stand closer to Dream Weaver.
Liberty Island had thought she would never have to hear that sound again.
But it seemed her predictions for the future had been far too optimistic.
Her hand trembled as she pulled back the white curtain. As expected, the Uma Musume lying in the hospital bed was indeed Dream Weaver.
Her complexion was rosy, and her breathing was steady; there were hardly any visible signs of injury. She looked as though she were simply sleeping.
But the reactions of Agnes Tachyon and Sugar Lights couldn't be faked.
Something had happened here—something even they found impossible to accept.
Liberty Island walked toward the bed, her movements slow and heavy.
As an Uma Musume, she had never felt her own footsteps carry such weight. Gone was her usual lightness; every step felt like she was dragging heavy iron and stone.
Staring at the Dream Weaver on the bed, Liberty Island's mind went blank. She couldn't understand it.
Dream Weaver had just won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; how could everything turn out like this the moment she looked away?
"Mas...ter..."
When she thought about it, "Master" was a heavy title. More than just a teacher, the role felt closer to that of a father.
Without even realizing it, the version of Dream Weaver in Liberty Island's heart had shifted from the Uma Musume she idolized as a child into a father figure.
During training, she was as strict as a father, never easing up even when Liberty Island looked like she couldn't take another step—a regular demon trainer.
Yet, once training ended, she was as gentle as a father.
No, that gentleness was perhaps less like a father and more like a mother.
Even though Hishi Miracle used to slack off constantly, Dream Weaver would still smile and pat her head once she finished her laps, bringing out some low-calorie fruit to praise her.
Liberty Island loved that tenderness.
In those moments, Dream Weaver wasn't the untouchable Uma Musume on the television screen whom no one could catch; she was family, standing right there, offering boundless care.
Perhaps it was this bond—not blood, but something deeper—that had allowed Liberty Island to slowly heal.
After that one breakdown in the cafeteria at the very beginning, she had never shown such intense emotion again.
There was no need for further crying; Dream Weaver had thawed Liberty Island's heart as softly and warmly as a spring breeze, changing everything before she even knew it.
But now, the person who had supported Liberty Island with a mother's tenderness was lying broken before her eyes.
How could she possibly accept this?
She collapsed to her knees by the bed, her body shaking as she took the woman's still-warm hands in hers.
Tears, unnoticed, began to trace paths down her cheeks.
Agnes Tachyon could brew custom formulas for Dream Weaver, and Sugar Lights could use consciousness transfer technology to help her, but Liberty Island could do none of that.
She was an Uma Musume; the only thing she knew how to do was race.
The very thing she took pride in felt hollow and useless in this moment. For the first time, Liberty Island truly understood what it meant to be utterly powerless.
And so, all she could do was weep. She buried her head in the sheets and sobbed, nuzzling against Dream Weaver like a child seeking comfort, whispering under her breath.
"Ma... Mama."
"So, it turns out Little Liberty was looking for her mother all along."
A voice, more familiar than any other, drifted in from above, shattering the buzzing in Liberty Island's head and piercing straight to her heart.
She snapped her head up, her face a messy, pathetic wreck of tears and snot.
"I don't really have experience with this, but for your sake, Liberty, I can certainly give it a try."
Dream Weaver spoke as she reached out to brush away the lingering tears from the corner of Liberty Island's eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"There, there. Mama's right here."
Seeing Dream Weaver smiling like a mother, wiping her tears while saying such things, the sheer impact of the scene fried Liberty Island's ability to think.
She could only hang her mouth open, staring blankly at the sight.
But they weren't alone; there were two other mischievous souls in the room.
"My my, I didn't realize Liberty was quite this cute. To think she actually sees Dream Weaver as her mother."
"It is actually quite logical. Research papers indicate that individuals lacking self-confidence often crave more affection; perhaps that is why she projected a maternal role onto Dream Weaver."
The back-and-forth between Agnes Tachyon and Sugar Lights sent a flush blooming across Liberty Island's face. But these two despicable adults weren't satisfied yet and spoke up once more.
"Since you're so desperate for a mother, I, Tachyon, wouldn't mind taking on the role myself."
"Come on, let me hear you say 'Mama'."
Agnes Tachyon smirked, poking Liberty Island's stunned, speechless face.
"If there is a need for it, I can also add an AI response function to the Mechanical Uma Musume," Sugar Lights added, rubbing her chin thoughtfully as she looked for Liberty Island's input. "You could act as spoiled as you like with her."
Liberty Island lowered her head, her bangs shadowing her eyes so no one could read her expression.
She seemed paralyzed by the shock of the situation—until the distinct click of a camera shutter echoed from someone's phone. Finally, she looked up.
"I see."
Though the corners of her eyes were still red, Liberty Island's tone was unexpectedly flat.
She looked at the two scheming, despicable adults and said softly, "As long as I deal with the two of you, nothing that happened in this infirmary will ever get out, right?"
"Heh... why was I so slow to react? Something so obvious and I only just realized it."
"Agnes Tachyon... Sugar Lights... you two..."
"GET OVER HERE AND DIE!"
With a wild cry, Liberty Island lunged at them. Agnes Tachyon was a researcher, and Sugar Lights was even worse off; with their meager stamina, there was no way they could outrun an Uma Musume in her prime.
Seeing things turn sour, Agnes Tachyon looked desperately at Dream Weaver and shrieked, "Dream! Save me!"
"At a time like this? You've got to be joking."
Watching the two of them, who had teased Liberty Island into a dark frenzy, Dream Weaver simply shrugged helplessly.
"The consequences are part of the prank. You'll just have to take your medicine."
"Easy for you to say! You were part of the prank too! Why do you get to stay out of it? It's not fair! I'm filing an appeal!"
Watching the indignant Agnes Tachyon, Dream Weaver just stuck her tongue out and didn't bother replying.
She's only being this arrogant because she knows she's the favorite, Tachyon thought bitterly.
--+--
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.