No longer plagued by doubt, Dream Weaver threw herself into training with even more desperate intensity. Though she had no idea whether these marginal gains would make any difference, she had made up her mind: no matter the cost, she would defeat T.M. Opera O, win the Satsuki Sho, and complete her main mission in one fell swoop!
But to those unaware of Dream Weaver's access to healing items, her behavior seemed downright alarming.
Narita Top Road was among those who noticed. She had considered herself plenty diligent in her own preparation for the Satsuki Sho, but after training for over half a month, it dawned on her with a chill that no matter what time she went to the track, Dream Weaver was always there.
This went beyond hard training—it was sheer self-destruction. Sooner or later, she'd be too injured to even step onto the track!
As a rival and competitor, having Dream Weaver withdraw from the Satsuki Sho due to injury would naturally be good news.
But as a friend, Narita Top Road couldn't allow that to happen.
Yet she also couldn't approach Dream Weaver herself. What position would she be speaking from? As a competitor in the same Triple Crown races, telling Dream Weaver to stop training?
With Dream Weaver's personality, she'd never listen.
So, knowing her well, Narita Top Road went to find King Halo, hoping that this older sister—who had lived with Dream Weaver for over a decade—could convince her to rest.
On the main road in front of Tracen Academy's gates, Narita Top Road seized her chance, pulling King Halo away from her entourage of followers—or rather, friends.
"You want me to talk to Little Dream? Why?"
King Halo, dragged to a secluded corner by Narita Top Road, avoided her gaze as if trying to escape something.
"Haven't you noticed her condition lately?"
King Halo's evasiveness made Narita Top Road hesitate. She would have thought that between sisters, this shouldn't need spelling out.
"Little Dream's condition is for her trainer to manage. I'm just her sister…"
King Halo crossed her arms, unconsciously adopting a defensive posture.
She was running away again. Ever since Dream Weaver won the Yayoi Sho and officially became a contender for the Triple Crown, King Halo hadn't been able to bring herself to look directly at her younger sister.
Now, even hearing Dream Weaver's name made it impossible for King Halo to maintain her usual façade of confidence.
Fortunately, Narita Top Road didn't know her well enough to notice anything off.
"Dream-chan doesn't have a trainer? How could you not know that?"
Narita Top Road's brows furrowed. This was going very differently from what she'd expected.
"What do you mean? Does she think she can win the Triple Crown without a trainer?!"
To her surprise, King Halo seemed even more shocked. She backed against the wall, pursed her lips, and dropped her gaze to the ground as if wrestling with something deeply painful.
Seeing her like this, Narita Top Road couldn't bring herself to press further. Instead, she relayed what she'd heard from Trainer Oki.
"I… see…"
After a brief silence, King Halo leaned against the wall as if all the strength had left her.
"Maybe Mother doesn't think much of Tracen's trainers and wants to train Little Dream herself or hire someone more capable."
As a world-class Uma Musume, Dancing Brave certainly had the means to do so.
In King Halo's eyes, unlike herself—whose talent her mother always looked down on—Dream Weaver, who lived up to their mother's expectations, would naturally receive that kind of support.
"So that's how it is?"
Narita Top Road could only nod hesitantly at King Halo's certainty. After all, this was Dream Weaver's family, someone who'd lived with her for over a decade.
As a friend who'd only known Dream Weaver for a few months, no matter how close they were, Narita Top Road had no right to interfere in family matters.
If her own sister said so, she couldn't exactly argue.
"It has to be! Why would Mother ever hold Little Dream back? The only one she'd ever hinder is—"
"No… never mind…"
King Halo's voice grew increasingly agitated, but she cut herself off abruptly, as if choking on the words. In the end, she didn't explain what she'd meant, only offering a weak smile and saying:
"I'll go talk to her."
After a pause, she added:
"You must be a really good friend to Little Dream."
With that, King Halo walked off alone toward the track.
Watching her retreating figure, Narita Top Road frowned uneasily. Even without knowing King Halo well, she could tell something was off from their conversation. But no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure out what she was missing.
This gap in understanding wasn't Narita Top Road's fault—after all, no one could see the whole picture from a god's-eye view.
To her, King Halo was a caring older sister, and that hadn't changed despite her odd behavior. If she saw Dream Weaver's current state, surely she could persuade her to rest… right?
Still feeling unsettled, Narita Top Road decided to seek help from her trainer. As an adult who knew both sisters and their mother, he might have some answers.
Meanwhile, weighed down by mixed emotions, King Halo eventually reached the track despite dragging her feet.
From a distance, she could already see that red ribbon fluttering above the turf. She remembered—she was the one who'd given that ribbon to Dream Weaver.
Who knows what King Halo felt when she saw that ribbon flying across the finish line at a speed she could never match.
As she drew closer to the track, she saw Dream Weaver come to a stop, almost as if she'd noticed her. There was no more room to run.
Pursing her lips, King Halo lowered her head and quickened her pace toward Dream Weaver.
No matter what, she was still Dream Weaver's sister. She had to live up to that responsibility.
If even a friend like Narita Top Road had noticed something wrong with Dream Weaver, then as a sister, King Halo could set aside her own fragile pride and ego.
According to Narita Top Road, Dream Weaver hadn't rested in ages. Training like this would break her body sooner or later.
So, as her sister, as family, King Halo felt she had to step up.
"Halo? Is something wrong?"
Lost in thought, King Halo hadn't realized she'd already walked right up to Dream Weaver.
She looked up, about to speak, but the words died in her throat the moment she saw Dream Weaver's face.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, 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.