"Alright, Dreams, stop picking on her."
Mejiro Ardan patted Dream Weaver's head before turning to Matikanetannhauser, who was still counting on her fingers, with a gentle smile.
"Don't make it sound so exaggerated. If Narita Brian were ten times stronger than during the Arima Kinen, we'd have to call her a 'Super Uma Musume'—none of the other Uma Musume would even stand a chance."
"I think her strength lies more in experience and mastering her domain. As for physical ability, at their level, it's nearly impossible to improve that much in just a few months."
"Unless, of course, she's an Uma Musume with world-class talent."
As she spoke, Mejiro Ardan glanced sideways at Dream Weaver. In her eyes, Dream Weaver was exactly that kind of Uma Musume.
But Matikanetannhauser only grew more disheartened hearing this. She lowered her counting fingers, her face falling.
"That kind of realistic strength feels even more impossible to overcome."
"Ara... well, my apologies?"
Mejiro Ardan hadn't expected her words to hit harder than Dream Weaver's earlier teasing, and she felt a little sorry.
Before she could figure out how to comfort her, though, Matikanetannhauser had already bounced back, her usual cheerful grin back in place.
"It's fine, really! I'm used to this kind of thing by now. Even if it's always 'just a little short,' I'll never give up!"
"Whether it's Narita Brian or you! Bring it on—I'll give it my all to win the Autumn Tenno Sho!"
Dream Weaver, who was being pointed at, blinked in surprise. She'd assumed Matikanetannhauser didn't know she was also entering the Autumn Tenno Sho. Turns out, the other girl had known all along.
Maybe she wasn't as airheaded as she seemed. Behind that silly face might lie a sharp, clear mind.
Dream Weaver also felt a twinge of envy at the other's resilience. Despite knowing how many strong opponents awaited in the Autumn Tenno Sho, Matikanetannhauser could still keep her usual spirit, unbowed by the pressure. Her mental fortitude was far stronger than Dream Weaver had imagined.
Unlike herself, destined to be caught in the whirlpool between the Northern and Mejiro families, Matikanetannhauser might have a brighter future ahead.
After a moment's thought, Dream Weaver quietly made up her mind.
She looked straight into Matikanetannhauser's eyes and said seriously, "There's something I need to discuss with you in private. Come with me."
Taking Matikanetannhauser's hand, she led the bewildered girl away under Mejiro Ardan's watchful gaze.
Dream Weaver navigated Tracen Academy with ease, finding a secluded corner before finally letting go. Matikanetannhauser, finally catching her breath, looked at Dream Weaver nervously.
"You're not going to turn me into a sunfish, are you?"
Dream Weaver tilted her head in confusion, wondering what in the world she was talking about.
But she didn't dwell on it. She knew she often said strange things herself—maybe it was the Northern family's curse.
Of course, Dream Weaver seemed to forget she had no Northern blood in the real world.
"I brought you here to talk business."
Seeing the seriousness in Dream Weaver's eyes, Matikanetannhauser, though still confused, nodded.
"We share the same bloodline."
"What?! Are you my long-lost sister from another mother and father?!"
Looking at Matikanetannhauser's gaping mouth, Dream Weaver's lip twitched. Now she understood why the other girl saw her as some drama protagonist—she'd clearly been reading too many wild stories.
"That's not what I meant. I mean you also carry the Northern family's blood. You're a Northern family Uma Musume too!"
Dream Weaver's words struck Matikanetannhauser dumb. It took her a long moment to form a coherent response.
"Eh... Does that mean I'll be taken back as the long-lost Uma Musume? No way! I'd definitely get bullied! I want to stay with my mom and dad!"
Hearing Matikanetannhauser's wail, Dream Weaver suddenly wondered if her decision had been too hasty. Should she really entrust the Northern family to this girl who'd clearly consumed too much weird fiction?
But in the end, Dream Weaver sighed.
What choice did she have?
The only Northern family Uma Musume she knew, besides herself, were Matikanetannhauser and Northern Taste. She couldn't just go track down the missing Northern Taste now.
If she didn't resolve to use the limiter, facing peak-form Narita Brian in the Autumn Tenno Sho would mean betting everything to win. No matter the outcome, she wouldn't be able to set foot on the track in the Northern family's name again.
She could make the Northern family's glory shine once more in the racing world, but she couldn't ensure it would last. Dream Weaver refused to let the efforts of generations of Northern Uma Musume crumble by her hand.
Her grandmother saw her as the Northern family's last hope, so the last thing Dream Weaver wanted was for the family to collapse after she left this scripted world.
Thus, she had to choose an heir for the Northern family before the Autumn Tenno Sho.
Mejiro Ardan also had Northern blood, but the Mejiro family would never let her go.
So Dream Weaver's only options were Matikanetannhauser and Northern Taste. Though she'd come here for Mejiro Ardan, part of her had hoped to encounter one of them here too.
Luck was on her side—she didn't have to wait until the Autumn Tenno Sho to talk to Matikanetannhauser. That gave her more time to prepare.
And from their earlier exchange, Dream Weaver felt that while Matikanetannhauser might be a bit silly and spacey, she had a good head on her shoulders. She maintained her composure well and had strong mental resilience.
Plus, she wouldn't be caught in the feud between the Mejiro and Northern families. All she needed to do was hold onto the Northern family's remaining assets and keep the name alive.
Her grandmother and predecessors had ended the Northern family's curse. Dream Weaver's task was to sever the cycle of hatred with the Mejiro family. After her, the Northern family would truly be free of all shackles.
Matikanetannhauser wouldn't be troubled by the bloodline curse, and Dream Weaver would cut ties with the Mejiro feud for her. She'd inherit a Northern family truly unburdened and unchained.
To achieve that, Dream Weaver still had to settle things with the Mejiro family—not just by winning the Autumn Tenno Sho, but by confronting Mejiro Asama herself to sever the past.
Looking at the still-stunned Matikanetannhauser, Dream Weaver solidified her resolve.
Even though she still deeply disliked Mejiro Asama, for the future of the Northern family, she had to face her one more time.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! 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.