October: Gifu Gold Cup.
November: Kasamatsu Kinen.
December: Shiwasu Kinen.
Time slipped quietly by, race after race, and before she knew it, Dream Weaver had already spent New Year's Day at this little Kasamatsu Tracen.
Fate really is a funny thing. On her very first day here, she'd been thinking about transferring out. Who would've guessed she'd end up staying this long and meeting so many people?
Dream Weaver gazed at the torii gate before her. Lit up by the night lights, its glossy surface reflected a bright crimson glow, festive and welcoming for the New Year.
"What're you thinking about now?"
A familiar voice sounded beside her, and Dream Weaver felt a poke at her waist. She turned to see none other than Nanno Sumire.
Sumire tilted her head slightly, her brown hair catching glints of gold as it swayed. Her deep red sleeves seemed to grow even more vibrant under the lantern light, and Dream Weaver could almost picture them fluttering like dancing flames.
That classic beauty made Dream Weaver pause for a moment. She remembered when they first met—Sumire had been dressed like a gyaru. Guess time really does change everything.
"What're you staring at? Earlier, when everyone said they'd dig up old family kimono for you, you turned them down."
Maybe Dream Weaver had been staring too long; Sumire pouted, her cheeks flushing under the lantern glow.
"Those things are way too much hassle! Not as practical as a combat suit."
Just then, Gold Ship's voice chimed in from behind them. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, bundled in a slightly oversized puffer jacket. After months of wild fun, she'd fully settled in—a far cry from the prim and proper young lady you might mistake her for at the Kasamatsu racetrack.
Noticing their glances, she grinned, struck a V-sign with her hands on her hips.
"We're not Super Saiyans, what do we need combat suits for?"
Seeing how red Gold Ship's face was from the cold, Dream Weaver unwrapped her own scarf and bundled her up.
Chizuru Haibara wandered over at the sound of their voices, slinging an arm over Dream Weaver's shoulder.
"Y'know, there's something I've been wondering for a while…"
"Why do you always bleep out one character when you're making references?"
Dream Weaver and Gold Ship exchanged a look, then turned to Chizuru with puzzled expressions.
"It's an homage to the legendary comedy manga, Gintama, of course."
"C'mon, sis, weren't you holed up in your room watching anime all this time? How do you not know this?"
Feeling her status as a seasoned anime fan was under attack, Chizuru snorted.
"Hmph! I was already binging Ashita no Joe and crying when Joe burned out before you two were even born!"
"Old folks don't get to shape the times."
"How basic."
The not-so-subtle hints about her age made Chizuru's forehead twitch with irritation. She rapped both of them on the head.
"Who're you calling old?! I'm only twenty-seven! And Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam didn't air that much later than Ashita no Joe, you know!"
Sumire couldn't really follow the old-school anime talk, but she loved the lively atmosphere, so she just stood by, smiling.
While they were chatting, Satou Ken arrived, car keys in hand, with the rest of the Kasamatsu Tracen crew trailing behind him.
"The roads were a nightmare. Should've just taken the train with you guys."
"And Mr. Satou's driving's all shaky now. Not as smooth as when he was handling that three-wheeler."
Hearing the students' complaints, Satou Ken could only scratch the back of his head and laugh awkwardly.
Dream Weaver had won prize money from those local graded races, but not really knowing what to do with it, she'd handed it all over to Koutarou Haibara to get something nice for Kasamatsu Tracen.
And so, Satou's weathered three-wheeler was retired, replaced by a used seven-seater van. Something about the angular logo looked familiar to Dream Weaver.
"Those who betray their partners won't find any blessings!"
That was Gold Ship's take on Satou's upgrade—she being Kasamatsu's infamous three-wheeler pilot.
Maybe her words held some truth, because Satou's driving skills took a nosedive with the new vehicle. If he'd once been known as the Drift King of Kasamatsu Mountain on that three-wheeler, now he was just… some guy driving a van.
"Alright, alright, now that everyone's here, let's head up for the New Year's prayers."
Thankfully, Koutarou Haibara stepped in to smooth things over. He herded everyone toward the shrine, and the Kasamatsu Tracen group made their way in, a small but lively procession.
Ring the bell, pray, toss in some coins, bow—simple steps, but the long lines made it take forever.
When they were finally done, Dream Weaver glanced back at the seemingly endless queue and let out a soft sigh.
This was her first time doing a New Year's shrine visit, and she hadn't expected such crowds in the middle of the night. If she'd known it'd be this much trouble, she might've skipped it.
Then again, she looked at her friends around her and shook her head unconsciously.
But if it meant being with them, she'd have come anyway.
After this year's local races, she'd be heading to the central circuit. The exact schedule wasn't set yet, but the Japanese Derby was definitely on the list.
And now, with less than half a year until the Derby, her stats were pretty much maxed out. All that was left to refine were her running style and race strategies.
She thought back to Stage Mission One's requirement: defeat Orfevre head-on.
They hadn't met yet, but she'd heard the name everywhere—in the system's intro before the scripted mission, on the dorm TV after meals, in Gold Ship's occasional mentions. It all painted a picture of an overwhelmingly powerful Uma Musume.
A prodigy who'd shown rare talent from a young age, trained for years by Japan's top team, someone even rival elites had to acknowledge as the future of Japanese racing.
Facing an opponent like that, even with her domain and multiple skills, victory was far from certain.
Lost in thought, Dream Weaver suddenly heard Artisan Bell calling from behind.
"Weaver, over here!"
--+--
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.