How did it end up like this... First, I found an Uma Musume I adore, then I gained a dear friend to share this joy with.
Two happy things coming together—those two joys should have brought me even greater happiness.
So why... why has this time that should have been dreamlike bliss... turned into something like this?
Dream Weaver recalled the complicated expression on Shiragawa's face just minutes ago in the cafeteria, when she overheard Shinzan wanting to "borrow" her.
Against her will, those words echoed in her mind.
Just moments ago, she had wanted to introduce her idol to her closest friend—only to discover in the next instant that said idol wanted to take that very friend away.
To withstand such an impact must have been truly difficult.
Dream Weaver silently mourned for Shiragawa in her heart for two full seconds, deciding that if possible later, she'd bring back an autograph from Shinzan for her collection.
If... things went smoothly, that is.
Back once more on the rooftop where they had last spoken, this time Shinzan remembered to properly lock the door. No doubt being interrupted by Symboli Rudolf last time had left her quite displeased.
Dream Weaver didn't stop her. A mere metal door was no different from paper in the face of an Uma Musume's strength.
"Last time, you introduced yourself as Niiyama, didn't you?"
Only after Shinzan finished locking the door did Dream Weaver speak.
"That was my name before I left for Europe."
"The old-timers over there thought it was too rustic, not glamorous enough, so they changed it to what it is now. Since the pronunciation stayed the same, I didn't refuse."
"And that name, Niiyama... perhaps it was my only memory of home during all those years in Europe."
Shinzan turned to face Dream Weaver, tucking the deep brown hair stirred by the breeze behind her ear, and explained with a soft smile.
Dream Weaver looked into those amber eyes that seemed to hold countless emotions and asked quietly,
"If that's the case, why did you still go?"
"Abandoning your homeland, abandoning your name, heading to a foreign country..."
Dream Weaver had heard from Shiragawa many times—Shinzan had been taken to Europe very young. She might have spent even less time in Japan than she had in Europe.
In that moment, Dream Weaver suddenly wanted to understand: why had this Uma Musume, who later achieved three consecutive Triple Crown titles, made that decision back then? What kind of resolve did a child carry with her to Europe?
"Resentment, perhaps... and also some longing. After all, to someone like me, born in the countryside, going to Europe seemed the inevitable path for the strong."
"I wanted to become a powerful Uma Musume, to become someone special. Only then... might I be able to change something."
Shinzan let out a light laugh toward Dream Weaver. Her voice was always so gentle when speaking to her.
"I see..."
Dream Weaver didn't quite know how to respond to that answer.
Symboli Rudolf chose to rebel because, coming from a prestigious family, she had long despised the established order.
Mr. C.B. was because after joining the training camp, she refused to let others' expectations change who she was.
But Shinzan? In her era, at her age, she couldn't possibly have understood so much. She simply moved forward driven by a pure longing to become strong.
For a young Shinzan, accepting Europe's invitation was the best choice.
Shinzan stepped past Dream Weaver, walking to the railing at the rooftop's edge and gazing out at the boundless, clear sky.
"And I truly did become that special Uma Musume—the first local to achieve the Triple Crown. I even left those European prodigies in the dust. Back then, I truly believed I could do something."
"So I tried... just lightly brushed against Europe's sensitive spot."
As she said this, the smile on Shinzan's face suddenly tinged with loneliness. She murmured softly, as if to herself,
"But no... even as a Triple Crown winner, I still wasn't that special... still didn't have the power to change anything."
"I was among the first local Triple Crown candidates selected by the European Racing Association after they recognized the crisis in the original system. There were others like me in my generation and the few that followed."
"Some were older than me, earning their Triple Crowns earlier. Even though I was among the first, by the time I actually achieved it, the title was no longer unique."
"The Triple Crown system regained its stability. A mere regional Triple Crown couldn't change much at all."
While listening, Dream Weaver walked over to stand beside Shinzan, gripping the railing and letting the wind tangle her hair.
"So you chose to compete in a second Triple Crown series?"
"Because that might make me a little more special, you see."
"If I had enough strength, even those old men at the European Racing Association would have to listen to me, right?"
Dream Weaver lifted her head, sharing the same view of the sky, and continued softly,
"But they would never have allowed it, would they?"
The European Racing Association had only one requirement for Triple Crown candidates like Shinzan: to win the Triple Crown in their respective regions. Branded with both local and European imprints, they would become the perfect adhesive.
But to push further posed too great a threat.
"Yes. Actually, the first attempt went fine. Not many came to block me at first—only a few Uma Musume eager for a strong challenge. It was still a fair race."
"But as I kept winning and my reputation grew, they finally sensed something was off. During my second Kikuka Sho, they sent several Triple Crown-level Uma Musume to intercept me."
"But I still won."
Nowadays, many regional Triple Crown candidates face increased restrictions after achieving the title. Unlike European Triple Crown winners, they're merely seen as stable mascots.
But this shift... truly began after Shinzan.
It was her existence that made the European Racing Association recognize the threat posed by this "adhesive."
"Just like me?"
"Just like you."
Shinzan smiled at Dream Weaver.
"But I was much smarter than you. At least I knew to accumulate more strength before trying to touch that sensitive spot."
Dream Weaver offered no rebuttal to that remark.
Unlike before, now that she knew Shinzan had experienced this too, Dream Weaver's view of her had shifted somewhat.
"But a second Triple Crown still wasn't enough, was it? That's why you chose to go for a third."
Shinzan nodded, gazing at the vast, clear blue sky as she murmured,
"Yes. It's never enough."
"The uniqueness of two Triple Crowns, the power of two Triple Crowns—it could change too little. So little that I had to chase a third, to try defending the title once more."
Dream Weaver continued where she left off,
"And for the third time, Europe would undoubtedly deploy their strongest forces to stop you."
--+--
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.