After winning the Satsuki Sho, Dream Weaver wasn't in a hurry to return to Kasamatsu. The shocking news of a local Uma Musume defeating the pride of the elite, Orfevre, had spread like pollen, attracting a flood of attention.
What followed was an onslaught of interview requests and a dazzling array of commercial offers.
Partly to test whether this would boost her recognition in the main mission, and partly to help Kasamatsu Tracen's financial situation, Dream Weaver decided to stay in Tokyo a while longer.
During this time, she certainly wasn't staying at a hotel—Kasamatsu Tracen wasn't that well-off.
It was the central Tracen Academy that had invited Dream Weaver to stay in their dormitories for the time being.
Even with the distinction between central and local branches, Dream Weaver was still a Tracen-trained Uma Musume. The central branch was more than happy to see her break the elite monopoly of G1 victories.
But beyond that, Tracen Academy had another idea.
They hoped that during her stay, Dream Weaver would develop a favorable impression of the central branch, making it easier to recruit her in the future.
The higher-ups at Tracen Academy were brimming with confidence. After all, they had previously brought Oguri Cap from Kasamatsu to the central branch, along with many other talented Uma Musume from local circuits.
Hadn't Dream Weaver's friend, Oguri Roman, who also made it to the central circuit, been recruited in the same way?
Even though Oguri Roman hadn't joined Tracen Academy yet, everyone was certain both of them would eventually come here.
Would they really choose to stay in Kasamatsu? How could that be possible?!
Whether in teaching quality or training facilities, the central branch far surpassed Kasamatsu.
Not to mention the rumor that teachers in Kasamatsu had to cook for the students—they didn't even have a proper cafeteria. How could they possibly retain talented Uma Musume?
But just as the confident higher-ups at Tracen Academy smiled, watching Dream Weaver stroll around the campus, mentally weaving praises they expected to hear from her, and waiting for her to come knocking on their door—
Dream Weaver showed no intention of doing so.
Not even when touring Tracen Academy did she seem the least bit impressed. It was as if she was already used to it all.
How was this possible?!
They knew exactly what Kasamatsu Tracen was like—they didn't even have a grass track. Why was Dream Weaver so calm and unfazed after seeing what the central branch had to offer?!
As time passed, the smiles on the higher-ups' faces began to stiffen. Seeing that Dream Weaver was nearly done with all her interviews and commercial shoots, they finally lost their composure and decided to deploy their ultimate weapon: Oguri Cap.
"Huh?"
That was Oguri Cap's first reaction upon hearing the request, her mouth full of food in the cafeteria.
"Huh?"
That was Dream Weaver's first reaction upon seeing Oguri Cap waving at her with one hand while holding a giant bowl of food in the other.
Dream Weaver glanced around in confusion, making sure she was still in front of the dormitory and not the cafeteria.
Then she stared at the enormous bowl almost hiding Oguri Cap's face and the mountain of food piled high inside, utterly baffled.
"Never mind why you came to see me while eating—"
"How did you manage to carry all that food from the cafeteria without dropping a single bit?!"
Faced with Dream Weaver's astonishment, Oguri Cap puffed out her cheeks and gave her a thumbs-up.
Then, at an astonishing speed, she shoveled the mountain of food into her mouth. As Dream Weaver watched in stunned silence, Oguri Cap's stomach bloated at the same rate the food disappeared from her bowl.
In the face of such a spectacle, Dream Weaver was too shocked to even keep track of time.
Watching Oguri Cap eat with the force of a tidal wave, she felt like the whole thing had taken less than a minute.
"Cool, right?"
Oguri Cap patted her now-flat stomach and gave Dream Weaver another thumbs-up.
"Breathtaking."
Though Oguri Cap's expression hadn't changed, Dream Weaver could somehow sense a hint of pride.
Just then, a few Uma Musume passing by the dormitory whispered to each other after witnessing the scene.
"Wow, that's Senior Oguri Cap's special skill, isn't it?"
"As expected of something listed on Tracen's 'Must-See' list—truly extraordinary."
Dream Weaver's horse ears twitched slightly, and she couldn't help but grimace at their comments.
She vaguely remembered King Halo and her friends' self-introduction routine also being on that so-called "Tracen Must-See" list.
Couldn't Tracen Academy come up with something else worth seeing?!
Noticing Dream Weaver's odd expression, Oguri Cap seemed to think her performance hadn't been impressive enough. After a moment of thought, she said:
"Let me treat you to a meal."
Dream Weaver was startled once again. She stared nervously at Oguri Cap's now-distended belly and cautiously replied:
"I think you should rest for a bit and let that food settle first."
Oguri Cap tilted her head in confusion, as though she didn't understand why Dream Weaver would say that. She pointed at her own stomach and said:
"It's fine, I'm not full yet."
As soon as she spoke, under Dream Weaver's disbelieving gaze, her bloated stomach deflated at an incredible speed, returning to its original state in mere moments.
"Are you Kirby or something?!"
So shocked that she even forgot her usual habit of censoring her inner monologue, Dream Weaver stared wide-eyed at Oguri Cap.
"I'm Oguri Cap, you know."
Faced with Oguri Cap's utterly sincere expression, Dream Weaver could only sigh and cover her face, not knowing what else to say.
Seeing that Dream Weaver had fallen silent, Oguri Cap poked her and said:
"Let me treat you to takoyaki. My friend makes it—it's really good."
Truth be told, Dream Weaver had always been curious about Oguri Cap—a legend who'd also risen from Kasamatsu, the one who ushered in the era of miracles. She'd just been rendered speechless by that mind-boggling display.
Hearing that Oguri Cap seemed perfectly fine, Dream Weaver finally relaxed and lowered her hand from her face.
"Alright, I haven't had lunch yet anyway."
Hearing her agreement, Oguri Cap immediately brightened up, grabbed Dream Weaver's hand, and started pulling her toward the school gate.
Caught off guard by Oguri Cap's overwhelming initiative, Dream Weaver could only manage one question as she was dragged along:
"At least tell me where we're going! You can get takoyaki anywhere, right!"
Without turning her head, Oguri Cap replied:
"We're going to Tamamo Cross's place!"
Dream Weaver nodded vaguely at first, then suddenly realized the name sounded familiar.
Tamamo Cross? Tamamo Cross!
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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!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.