During these years of traveling between various race circuits, Symboli Rudolf hadn't cried.
She didn't shed tears even when she received the message from Mr. C.B.
It wasn't until Dream Weaver truly appeared before her that she realized she would cry after all.
What reason did she have to cry?
She wasn't like Mr. C.B., who had kept daily vigil by Dream Weaver's side, enduring the torment of watching a familiar figure become a hollow shell.
Nor was she like Shinzan, burdened by inescapable guilt and deception.
She had done everything she could, just as she had sworn all those years ago.
She had successfully led the rebellion against the Symboli family, used its influence as a lever to mobilize the entire network of elite families, formed the student council to connect the world against Europe, and navigated countless conflicting interests all while still a student.
Symboli Rudolf had never betrayed her original vow.
She wanted to create a brighter future for the Uma Musume of this world, and she was on that path.
Regarding Dream Weaver, Rudolf felt no shame in her heart.
Yet, for some reason, when those dim eyes once again shone with light, when that familiar person stood before her once more, tears uncontrollably traced their way down Symboli Rudolf's cheeks.
Her stubborn words were irrelevant—her body had responded before she could speak.
But even knowing her tears had betrayed her, Rudolf still turned her head slightly and whispered, "I don't regret it. Even knowing this outcome, I absolutely would not have waited any longer, just as Shinzan suggested back then."
She scrubbed roughly at her reddened eyes, sniffed back the clear liquid that had begun to well at the tip of her nose, fixed her gaze on Dream Weaver, and said with firm conviction.
"Katsuragi Ace, Gold City, Mejiro Ramonu—they are the geniuses who emerged at Tracen Academy over the last two years. If we had waited any longer, they might never have had the chance to shine here!"
"Not everyone is Shinzan. Every single year of an Uma Musume's career is immensely precious. If we were late, their lives could have been set on a path with no chance of change."
"Countless girls like them, dreaming of becoming Uma Musume, would have lost their one and only opportunity!"
"So... so! I have absolutely no regrets!"
She ground her teeth, her voice a hoarse cry, repeating the words as if to convince herself.
These were the words she had used to reject Shinzan back then, the core of their shared dilemma.
Symboli Rudolf would not allow herself an inch of retreat here.
She could not, and would not, accept any regret.
If she regretted it now, wouldn't that mean her past decision was wrong?
What, then, would Dream Weaver's sacrifice have been for?
Therefore, no matter how the tears flowed, she would never permit herself to regret.
As the student council president under the spotlight of all, if anyone saw Symboli Rudolf's expression now, her dignified image would surely crumble.
But it was fine. In this meeting room now were only comrades who had fought side by side. In the past, they had gathered here, and in front of them, Rudolf would hide nothing.
Besides, Shiragawa had already presented an even more unbecoming sight before her.
So determined earlier, claiming all her tears had been shed long ago, yet the moment she saw Dream, hadn't she too been weeping openly?
So Symboli Rudolf felt no shame, no fear. She would convey everything she wanted to say to Dream Weaver.
Whether Dream Weaver was disappointed in her or thought her ridiculous, Rudolf would accept it all.
Dream Weaver, who had recently begun to regain some connection with her body, blinked.
Watching the utterly tear-streaked Symboli Rudolf before her, she waited until the belated torrent of words seemed to finish before speaking.
"That's good, then."
"Huh?"
Rudolf was taken aback.
During the silence just now, she had braced herself for a whole litany of reproaches from Dream Weaver. This was nothing like she had imagined.
Dream Weaver looked at the somewhat dazed Symboli Rudolf, patted Shiragawa who was kneeling and clinging to her knee, and continued, "Symboli Rudolf should be that kind of resolute Uma Musume."
In Dream Weaver's original world, Symboli Rudolf was known as the 'Emperor.'
This title not only signified her strength but also hinted at her character—that emperor-like self-assurance and sheer stubbornness.
Such a temperament meant Rudolf's image wasn't flawless, but in Dream Weaver's eyes, this Symboli Rudolf was the real one.
Having spent a year with Rudolf in this scripted world, Dream Weaver understood that her self-assured stubbornness was also the source of her strength.
She would never compromise, no matter the difficulty.
She remained steadfast in her goals despite any doubt.
Though just a junior high student, she was arrogant enough to dare take on the entire European Uma Musume Racing world.
Compared to the Symboli Rudolf of the real world, who was gentle with all Uma Musume, Dream Weaver felt this version of her was the most authentic.
Her self-importance and arrogance weren't fake, but the pressure she bore for the sake of that pride was utterly real.
Dream Weaver thought, even if she hadn't been in this scripted world, Symboli Rudolf would have surely gathered everyone, and with her own pride, hacked away at injustice, even if it left her battered and scarred.
That was the Symboli Rudolf in Dream Weaver's eyes—a Uma Musume who would never give up, no matter how wounded.
Of course such a person would declare she had no regrets.
How could Dream Weaver possibly dislike her? This was the Symboli Rudolf she knew.
"Dream..."
Symboli Rudolf murmured.
Dream Weaver patted the top of Shiragawa's head, signaling her to get up. Then, moving her still somewhat delayed limbs step by step, she walked over to Symboli Rudolf.
She patted the other's shoulder and said with a smile, "You've done more than enough."
Hearing these words, Rudolf could no longer restrain the surge in her heart.
Tears flowing, she threw herself at Dream Weaver, pushing her right back onto the sofa.
A smothering warmth landed on her face. Before Dream Weaver could process what was happening, Shiragawa—whom she had just pushed away—silently returned to her original spot, laying her head on Dream Weaver's lap without a word.
The combined weight of the two almost completely pinned Dream Weaver down. Fortunately, there was another Uma Musume present.
Dream Weaver managed to wrench her cheek free from Rudolf's embrace and looked up toward Mr. C.B., who was standing behind the sofa.
She just opened her mouth, not yet having spoken—
—When she saw Mr. C.B. give a mischievous smile, cup Dream Weaver's face with both hands, and whisper in her ear, "What's a little hug? Everyone's missed you so much. Just stop struggling."
Dream Weaver turned her head slightly, only to catch the faint, clean scent of Mr. C.B.'s hair.
Feeling the immense, joint encirclement from three sides, pinned as a pillow and embraced by the Uma Musume, Dream Weaver could only sigh helplessly.
When she was with them before, she'd never noticed they were so fond of acting spoiled.
But fine, whatever. Just then—
Before she could finish the thought, a creak sounded from the direction of the meeting room door.
Dream Weaver's eye twitched. From the corner of her vision, she could already see Shinzan's utterly shocked face.
--+--
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.