If you asked other Uma Musume at Tracen to vote on who was the most beautiful, it would undoubtedly spark a bloody battle.
But if you swapped the judge to T.M. Opera O, there'd be no drama at all—her answer could only be: number one, T.M. Opera O.
Oh, and just for the record? Second place would probably be T.M. Opera O in the mirror.
As one of the most confident horse girls in Tracen, Opera's reputation was already legendary throughout the academy. So much so that if she randomly struck up a conversation with some unfamiliar Uma Musume on the street, no one would even bat an eye.
People would just think, Ah, that's just Opera being Opera.
And then they'd go on their way to the classroom building or the cafeteria—basically, whatever they were originally doing.
For Dream Weaver, this situation was no different. Unlike the clearly abnormal "bread collision trio," right now she just felt like she'd accidentally stumbled right into Opera's line of fire.
"Do we really have to hug? I was kinda hoping to get some food…"
Opera didn't care about other people's stares—in fact, sometimes she seemed to thrive on them. But for Dream Weaver, that was a bit too much to handle.
Even though the other horse girls were used to Opera's sudden performances, they'd still wonder who the unlucky victim was this time. Under the gaze of the passing Uma Musume, Dream Weaver felt like steam was about to puff out of her face.
"Is breakfast really more important than me?"
A classic deadly question. Even though they'd just met, Opera said it without the slightest hesitation.
Does this person just not understand the concept of personal space? A cold sweat formed on Dream Weaver's forehead.
Thinking back, during their first meeting in the scripted world, Opera had charged at her just like this—invading her personal space like they were already close, handing over a challenge from a distance that should've been reserved for strangers.
"If I'm late, Tamamo Cross might finish all the food."
As the saying goes, a straight ball beats a tsundere.
Narita Top Road and her two friends, weighed down by guilt and regret toward Dream Weaver, had all chosen roundabout ways to approach her. That gave Dream Weaver room to think, to make a cool and composed exit.
But Opera was different. Her overwhelming self-confidence left no room for the concept of "roundabout." The common sense that guided Top Road and the others simply didn't exist for Opera. If she liked someone, she'd just approach them directly—why take a detour?
It was precisely this kind of direct, full-pressure approach that short-circuited Dream Weaver's thoughts, to the point that she'd even used Tamamo Cross as an excuse.
"Tamamo Cross? I don't remember her eating that much…"
In response to Dream Weaver's words, Opera just tilted her head and muttered in confusion—she hadn't even lowered her arms.
"Anyway, I'm going to eat!"
Too flustered to process Opera's mumbling, Dream Weaver turned to leave.
But the moment Opera saw her trying to escape, she immediately chased after her, wrapping her arms around Dream Weaver's shoulders with unstoppable force.
"To think someone could resist the charm of the Conqueror? What an interesting woman!"
"I've decided! From now on, you're my best friend!"
Opera leaned close against Dream Weaver, patting her shoulder and laughing heartily.
"Can you really decide something like friendship that easily?!"
"Why not? For a king, this is only natural!"
Before Dream Weaver could even argue, Opera grabbed her hand and started striding forward boldly.
"Weren't you going to eat? Then keep up with the Conqueror's pace!"
That day, a surprising scene unfolded at Tracen: the legendary Conqueror of the Century's End was seen pulling another Uma Musume through one campus corner after another.
Sure, Opera had a habit of randomly talking to people, but her enthusiasm had never lasted this long.
As she herself would say, the sun's radiance must shine equally upon all who admire the king.
But today, the other horse girls had seen her sticking to that black-haired, dark-eyed Uma Musume all day long. Aside from class hours, Opera was always right by her side the moment she was free.
For Dream Weaver, today was the most exhausting day since she'd started attending Tracen.
Because of Opera's presence, nearly every Uma Musume on the road turned their gaze toward her. On the track, it was different—people looked at her because they were moved by her brilliance.
But now, Dream Weaver felt like their stares were more like she was some rare animal. It gave her the strange illusion that she wasn't at Tracen, but in a zoo.
Still, Opera had genuinely accomplished everything she'd set out to do from the start.
Humans or rather, Uma Musume are creatures of remarkable adaptability. After being glued to Opera for a full day, Dream Weaver didn't feel awkward around her anymore.
All that stuff about "only I remember these precious memories" or "we'll just become strangers in the future"…
Did Opera even have a concept of "strangers"?
Dream Weaver was starting to wonder if the people she'd met in the scripted world might actually have developed real feelings for her.
But then she remembered how Narita Top Road and the others had acted, and she shook her head. Probably not.
So it must be that Opera was just an Uma Musume with no common sense!
Feeling the warm pressure still pressed against her side—after being hugged by Opera almost the entire day—Dream Weaver couldn't help but think to herself.
"It's so hot… Can't you let me go already?"
She'd already repeated this line countless times, her voice weak and drained.
"No! If I let you go, you'll run away the very next second!"
Opera replied cheerfully, not loosening her grip in the slightest.
"But I have to go home…"
Standing at Tracen's front gate, Dream Weaver pointed helplessly ahead.
"Then I'll just go with you!"
Opera tilted her head, as if puzzled why that was even a question.
"Don't you live in the dorms? I really don't want to see the dorm manager storm into my house to drag you back…"
"What does that matter! The Conqueror is an exception!"
Just as the two were caught in their back-and-forth, three figures approached from behind. A loud, deliberate cough drew the attention of both Dream Weaver and Opera.
"You there, harassing that Uma Musume!"
"In the name of top-class Uma Musume!"
"We will judge you."
Watching the trio strike their odd poses, each with a completely different tone, Dream Weaver's mind went blank.
"Oh ho? You dare approach the Conqueror?"
Seeing Narita Top Road and the other two, Opera broke into an intrigued smile.
Right there at the entrance of Tracen Academy, under the watchful eyes of all the Uma Musume, the battle for Dream Weaver was about to begin—
Or was it?
--+--
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.