Taking the tea offered by Tamamo Cross, Oguri Cap took a small sip before addressing Dream Weaver with a serious expression.
"Tracen Academy sent me to invite you to join."
"I refuse."
Faced with Dream Weaver's immediate rejection, Oguri Cap didn't seem the least bit surprised. She nodded in understanding.
"With your skill level, there really is no need for you to come to Tracen Academy. Staying in Kasamatsu with your friends is a good thing."
Seeing that Oguri Cap didn't press further, Dream Weaver asked curiously, "So that's the end of the official business?"
"The adults' official business is done. Now I'm here to talk to you about Uma Musume business."
"You have to be careful with the Zone."
Typical Oguri Cap—no beating around the bush, no sugarcoating. She went straight to the point with a statement that made Dream Weaver's eyes widen in shock.
Dream Weaver was silent for a moment before responding, "Because the strain is too great, right?"
Oguri Cap nodded. She had watched Dream Weaver's races on TV, and since they both possessed the Zone, there was no need for subtlety—straight talk was best.
"Exactly. An Uma Musume's career has its limits. Once you cross a certain threshold, injuries or other issues can force you to retire almost immediately."
"Tamamo here was actually a pretty delicate Uma Musume—you can tell just by looking at her height. To win both the Spring and Autumn Tennō Shō, she used the Zone too many times, which is why she retired right after the Arima Kinen."
As she spoke, Oguri Cap gestured with her thumb toward Tamamo Cross beside her.
Hearing this, Tamamo Cross couldn't help but fume, a vein visibly pulsing on her forehead. She waved a spatula in protest. "What do you mean, 'you can tell by looking at her height'? Are you making a dig at me, you jerk?"
But Oguri Cap ignored her and continued earnestly, "It was the same for me. In the later part of my career, my body kept failing me, and I lost again and again. There was even a time when I started to believe I wasn't cut out for racing."
"Back then, the newspapers were all saying that this Cinderella from Kasamatsu had lost her magic and turned back into the plain, ordinary Oguri Cap."
As she spoke, Oguri Cap unconsciously broke into a warm smile.
"But I still had Kasamatsu. I had so many friends supporting me. That's how I managed to end on a high note and win the final Arima Kinen."
Hearing a living legend from those stories explaining the Zone through her own experiences made Dream Weaver's thoughts drift.
If Little Roman were here right now, he'd probably be so excited he wouldn't know what to do.
"That's the real business I wanted to discuss. Call it some hard-earned wisdom from those who've been through it."
"She might seem spacey and unreliable, but I can vouch that everything she said about the Zone is true," Tamamo Cross chimed in after Oguri Cap finished.
Dream Weaver was the first local Uma Musume since the Miracle Generation to achieve such results at the central level. In a way, she was their junior.
As her seniors on the track, they naturally didn't want to see the hardships they'd endured repeated for her.
That's why they were offering this heartfelt advice, hoping she would use the Zone sparingly and extend her career as long as possible.
After a moment of silence, Dream Weaver responded—not directly, but by bringing up another topic.
"Speaking of which, which race stands out most in your memories?"
Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross didn't overthink it. They stroked their chins and pondered.
"The Spring Tennō Shō or the Autumn one? Maybe the Takarazuka? That Japan Cup was a tough loss too… and the final Arima against Oguri."
"For me, those two Arima Kinens are unforgettable, but other races were important too."
They agonized over it for a while but eventually had to admit defeat.
"I really can't pick just one."
"Same here."
"Whether you can choose or not, that burning desire to win was always real."
Watching them struggle so much over her simple question, Dream Weaver smiled.
"It's the same for me. The toll of activating the Zone is heavy, but there are some races you just can't win without it, right?"
"Like Tamamo Cross-senpai's dual Tennō Shō victories, or Oguri Cap-senpai's two Arima wins. Those were races you had to win, no matter what."
Dream Weaver placed a hand over her heart and said softly, "For me, the upcoming Japan Derby is that kind of race. No matter the cost, I have to win it."
"So—"
By now, Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross could sense Dream Weaver's resolve. As fellow Uma Musume who had raced on the same stage, they understood all too well the feeling of facing a race you absolutely could not lose.
Tamamo Cross waved a hand at her. "Alright, no need to say more. We both get what you're trying to say."
"We're not telling you to never use the Zone. Just try to hold back a little. After all, it's been a long time since another local Uma Musume like you made it to the central circuit."
"Same here."
Hearing Oguri Cap echo yet again, Tamamo Cross lightly rapped her on the head. "Stop just agreeing like that! You started this serious talk, so why am I the one doing all the explaining? What's that about?"
"It means you're good with words."
Facing Oguri Cap's deadpan expression, Tamamo Cross could only sigh in resignation and wave a hand at Dream Weaver. "See? This is how she is—always spacing out."
"Hard to believe someone like her and me ended up being called something as grand as the Miracle Generation."
Then, Tamamo Cross extended a fist toward Dream Weaver with a smile. "So, you—who's even more mature than we were back then—will definitely achieve even more than we did!"
"One day, your name will surpass the Miracle Generation. Starting now, in this era, go create your own legend."
Dream Weaver had come here earlier still nursing a grudge, thinking about making Tamamo Cross atone. She never expected to end up feeling inspired by her instead.
Feeling a little flustered, Dream Weaver reached out and bumped her fist against Tamamo Cross's. "I will!"
Just then, another fist poked gently at her side.
She turned to see Oguri Cap looking at her with sparkling eyes, her own fist raised. She seemed to think this fist-bumping thing looked cool and wanted to try it too.
Naturally, Dream Weaver didn't object. She bumped fists with Oguri Cap as well.
"Back in our day, we regrettably missed our one shot at the Triple Crown classics. So, I don't want you to have regrets there either."
"We'll be there to watch the Japan Derby in person."
Dream Weaver smiled back at them. "Then watch closely—because I'm going to win!"
--+--
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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If you guys wanna check it out.