Symboli Rudolf let out a long, slow breath, an uncontrollable thrill bursting from her heart—she nearly lost her composure all over again.
Thankfully, she wasn't the same Rudolf from a few months ago.
These past months of intense training had honed her self-control, making her more and more inscrutable.
If Dream were here right now, she'd probably think Rudolf was growing more and more like the student council president from her memories.
Still, this was a hard-won victory—one destined to change the world. So Rudolf didn't force a stern expression, instead allowing a genuine smile to curl her lips.
"We finally did it… our dream."
Beside her, Mr. C.B. stared blankly at the racecourse, murmuring to herself.
"Our dream was never that simple, was it?"
Rudolf responded softly, "After the Triple Crown, we still have so much to do, don't we?"
"My preparations are complete. In a few days, riding the momentum of Dream's victory, I'll raise a rebellion within the Symboli family and drag those outdated old relics from their thrones."
"That way, the power of the Symboli family will be entirely in our hands."
"And after Dream defeats Shinzan outright—willing or not—her immense prestige will transfer to Dream. The people she commands in the Japan Racing Association will gather at our side."
As Rudolf outlined the future, her eyes shone brighter and brighter.
"Then, uniting the old families and the Association's strength, the entire Japanese racing world will become our backing. If we join forces with other regions eager to resist, we can form a power capable of standing against the European division!"
Seeing her get carried away, Mr. C.B. chuckled and poked her side.
"Before all that, let's start with changes at Tracen. Selection races and training camps—systems like those aren't suited for the new era, right?"
Rudolf, who'd gotten a bit overexcited, nodded in agreement. Before she could formulate a plan, Mr. C.B. continued.
"How about setting up a student council first? That way, we can serve as a link connecting the students and the racing world."
"A student council, huh…"
Rudolf pondered for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
"That's not a bad idea. We'd get to understand everyone's thoughts better too. Rather than those distant futures, let's start by founding a student council!"
"Should we start calling you Madam President in advance, then?"
Mr. C.B. said with a laugh, playfully miming a gesture of loyalty with her hands.
"In terms of contribution, though, Dream would be more suitable as president, wouldn't she?"
"Besides, she's a year older than me anyway."
Looking at Rudolf, who had recently undergone her own Maturation, Mr. C.B. quietly added in her mind, 'You really wouldn't know it just by looking.'
As the two of them chatted enthusiastically about the future, Shiragawa nearby simply listened with a gentle smile.
Her gaze turned wistfully toward the track, countless thoughts swirling in her heart, stirred up by Dream's victory.
Her whole life had changed because she met Dream. It was because of her that she found the courage to become a better person.
If she had never met Dream, perhaps she would have spent her whole life whispering in silence…
No, that's not right.
Shiragawa immediately rejected that thought, her eyes softening as she looked at the course.
That person would have moved forward just like this no matter what. And as long as she advanced, she would inevitably attract one Uma Musume after another to stand by her side.
Even if Shiragawa had never known Dream, she would have been drawn someday by the world Dream changed and would have made her own changes.
Dream was an Uma Musume destined to change the world. And she herself would always remain by her side, offering whatever small strength she could.
Ordinary Uma Musume like her, drawn to Dream, would be many—now and in the future. Shiragawa didn't think she was special. So…
Just being able to quietly watch the radiant Dream Weaver like this was enough.
Looking at her, even her own heart felt filled with hope.
On the track, Shinzan silently approached the figure wearing the red ribbon.
She hadn't felt this unburdened in a long time—a race where she could chase victory freely, without the weight of greater responsibilities. It had been ages since Shinzan experienced anything like it.
"Thank you."
Shinzan spoke to Dream Weaver with genuine emotion.
If before she had still regarded Dream Weaver with some detachment, after this Kikuka-shō, she truly began to see her as an Uma Musume standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
"This victory will change a great many things. Both Europe and the world will be transformed by your win."
"The new era… it will surely be one brimming with boundless hope."
"Just thinking about pushing open the door to this new age makes even my heart stir with excitement."
Here, Shinzan smiled a little self-consciously.
"Honestly… I even feel like returning to the track for good, just like today…"
As the pinnacle of Europe's training system, after losing to Dream Weaver, Shinzan no longer needed to suppress her desire to race.
No matter how many victories she achieved from now on, people would remember this match.
Dream Weaver had defeated the apex of Europe's training system. Its absolute authority was shattered, impossible to ever rebuild.
In this new era, Shinzan could finally return to the track in earnest, pursuing the pure love for racing that Dream Weaver had reawakened in her.
And, if she stayed on the track… perhaps she could continue to compete with Dream Weaver.
After all, the competitive spirit rooted in every Uma Musume's instincts, once awakened, wouldn't fade away so easily.
Shinzan quietly told herself. Though she lost the race, she felt a sense of freedom she had never known before.
Everyone was filled with hope because of Dream Weaver's victory.
Her allies, her rivals, even former enemies—all looked toward the future because of Dream Weaver's existence, eager to make their mark in the changing times.
It seemed like a perfect ending had truly arrived.
But at that moment, Dream Weaver, who had remained silent through Shinzan's words, suddenly spoke.
"Help me off the track. Don't let anything seem wrong."
"I absolutely… cannot fall now."
Shinzan's heart skipped a beat. In the instant her pupils contracted, the figure that had been facing away from her abruptly turned—Dream Weaver was collapsing straight toward her!
Instinctively, Shinzan reached out and caught her. Amid the roaring cheers, it looked like an embrace of appreciation and encouragement from a senior to a junior.
The wave of cheers was almost deafening, but the chilling cold of the body in her arms sent Shinzan into an ice-cold dread.
Why… why was she so cold?
A terrifying answer surfaced in her mind, but Shinzan refused to believe it.
Holding the unconscious Dream Weaver, the light in her eyes flickered and dimmed as if snuffed out.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 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.