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Chapter 65 - Don't Look! - 65

For Dream Weaver, this period of training at Kasamatsu Tracen was something she could never have imagined in her past. She used to train alone, relying purely on instinct and intuition to chase victory in her races.

This approach showed on the track: Dream Weaver had almost no experience fighting other Uma Musume head-on for position.

In the past, she would either bolt straight to the front in a runaway lead or lie at the very back of the pack and mow everyone down with a powerful late charge. She hardly ever interacted with other runners.

Even when she faced off against T.M. Opera O, they had already shaken off the rest of the field before starting their duel.

But Dream Weaver's ability wouldn't always overwhelm her opponents. As she moved up in class, the day would come when she faced fields packed with top-tier Uma Musume.

When that time came, her runaway or come-from-behind tactics would become far more difficult. The chance of bursting clear from the pack would drop dramatically. If only for the sake of her future, she had to train for the battles over positioning.

At the same time, the Uma Musume of Kasamatsu were growing stronger themselves through these competitive sessions with Dream Weaver.

Their tactical thinking and physical abilities were improving visibly. Skills that had been left to rust were being sharpened again through training, day after day.

Now, when they returned to the dorm after training, they weren't just killing time anymore. Instead, they seriously reflected on what they had learned that day.

Hope was the greatest motivator. Inspired by Dream Weaver's example, stirred by competitiveness and frustration, these Uma Musume were gradually becoming new versions of themselves.

The buildings of Kasamatsu Tracen still bore the marks of time on the outside, but inside, their hearts had been polished bright and new.

One month later, on the crisp autumn breeze of the training field, Chizuru Haibara didn't dismiss everyone after another day of training. Instead, holding her training log, she announced:

"The time has finally come. We're ready to enter a race."

"Sumire Nanno, Artisan Bell, Makusa Nishimoto, Kobayashi Kaze."

The named Uma Musume stepped forward, their eyes blazing with intensity. Their spirit was completely different from a month ago.

They had transformed from lost girls drifting through a worn-down academy into true Uma Musume ready to set foot on the racetrack.

"Your debut race dates have been set."

Chizuru Haibara's gaze swept across each of their faces. Known for her stern expression throughout the month, she couldn't help but let a smile show at this moment.

"Be prepared, keep your nerves steady. Just performing at your usual level is enough to make your local debut!"

Hearing her words, the four Uma Musume's eyes also shone with anticipation. After a month of hard training, it was finally time to reap the rewards.

After encouraging them, Chizuru turned her gaze to Dream Weaver.

"You already know which race it is, don't you?"

"September 29th. The Junior Crown Cup."

"That's right—"

Chizuru's expression suddenly turned sharp. She looked Dream Weaver straight in the eye and asked sternly:

"This is the race where Oguri Cap once shone brilliantly. Many see it as the starting point of her miraculous generation."

"Didn't you say you would charge into the central circuit and drag all those elite young ladies down from their pedestals?!"

"This is your starting point! Do you have the confidence?!"

Hearing Chizuru's fiery words, Dream Weaver met her gaze with an equally sharp look.

'Does that even need to be asked?'

After a moment of staring each other down, they both suddenly laughed.

Over the past month of working together, they had grown familiar with each other's personalities and quirks. Chizuru knew that even without this provocation, Dream Weaver would absolutely step onto the track with unwavering determination to win.

'Was I the timid one all along?'

Chizuru thought to herself, but she didn't let her inner feelings show. Clearing her throat at the prepared Dream Weaver, she began detailing the information on the opponents in this Junior Crown Cup.

This was her necessary duty. Even if Dream Weaver was strong enough to crush the local circuit, she still had to do what a proper trainer should.

While explaining from her training log, Chizuru paused when she reached one particular entry, then continued.

"Weren't you all always curious about why Oguri Roman isn't at school?"

"I can tell you now."

Hearing this, it wasn't just Dream Weaver—all the other Uma Musume pricked up their ears in unison.

"Oguri Roman has been scouted by a central trainer. Although she hasn't officially transferred to Central Tracen yet, she's already begun more specialized training."

Here, Chizuru glanced sideways at Dream Weaver, adding with a hint of mischief:

"Who knows, she might even be stronger than you now."

'Then we'll just have to settle it on the track.'

Facing Chizuru's attempt at provocation again, Dream Weaver fired back without hesitation.

"She was the strongest one here at Kasamatsu Tracen, you know?"

"But I'm the one who will make Kasamatsu's name ring out in the central circuit!"

It had to be said, over this past month, Chizuru had truly figured out Dream Weaver's personality. She knew Dream Weaver was easily stirred by emotion, hence these repeated attempts to fire her up.

Even though Dream Weaver saw right through her, she still found her spirits rising with each exchange, her responses growing more and more resolute.

From her very first day at Kasamatsu Tracen, Dream Weaver had heard the name Oguri Roman from Artisan Bell. As time went on, she gradually came to understand what that name meant.

As the one who carried everyone's hopes, a single defeat from Oguri Roman had been enough to shatter everyone's morale back then.

In a way, before Dream Weaver's debut race boosted everyone's spirits, it was Oguri Roman who had been the source of their hope.

But unlike Dream Weaver, Oguri Roman focused more on pursuing her own goals. She didn't ignite the competitive fire in everyone else like Dream Weaver did, making them sweep away their past lethargy and strive together.

Having heard the name Oguri Roman so often, Dream Weaver had long grown curious about the girl herself. During training, she had even asked Chizuru why she wasn't at Kasamatsu.

Now, learning that Oguri Roman would be among her opponents in the Junior Crown Cup, and spurred on by Chizuru's repeated provocations, Dream Weaver began to feel a real interest in this graded race she had initially seen as a straightforward victory.

As an Uma Musume, she craved victory, but she also longed for rivals who could run by her side. It was only in those limit-pushing clashes that an Uma Musume could truly surpass her former self.

In that moment, Dream Weaver suddenly remembered what T.M. Opera O had said to her.

A faint smile touched her lips. She reached into her pocket, mentally called up her 'system', and took out the item symbolizing T.M. Opera O.

After clipping the tiny crown accessory into her hair as a barrette, Dream Weaver was ready to step onto the track for the Junior Crown Cup.

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T/N: YOUR HONOR THEY'RE MARRIED

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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!

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