I did it... I actually did it!! I won...
It was a close call with Hishi Ama closing in right at the end, but I managed to hold her off. But now... Fufufu, I can't wait to have Yawata-san praise me. ♪
"Fuji, didn't you get faster?" Amazon asked, walking up to me. "I couldn't catch you even with that last burst..."
"Ahaha! Well, I received some incredible power before the run," I replied with a grin. "There was no reason for me to lose this time."
"What's that supposed to mean...? Are you saying the match was decided from the start?"
"I wouldn't go that far. But let's just say I was about ninety percent convinced of my victory."
"Our odds were only ten percent, huh...? Sigh, well, I lost. You got me." Amazon shrugged, a wry smile on her face. "Anyway, the world is all yours from here on out. I'll take it easy until the Winning Live."
With that, Hishi Amazon turned and left. However, she and the others headed for the underground tunnel leading back to the dirt track. I, on the other hand, was to return via the turf.
The Victory Lap.
I waved to the crowd, responding to their cheers. If I had roses, it would have been perfect to throw them into the stands, but given the sheer number of people before me, that would have been quite the labor.
I made my way toward the entrance of the Winner's Circle.
And there he was.
"Oh? Yawata-san?" I blinked, surprised. "What are you doing in a place like this?"
"...I thought I should wait here, just in case," he said, looking slightly awkward. "It would be dangerous if you collapsed."
"Ahaha... I was fine, you know. Though, maybe I should have collapsed? Then I could have had you carry me in your arms~. Just kidding. ♪"
"That would be a problem," he replied deadpan. "I wouldn't be able to do what I want to do."
"Hm? You had plans?"
"...Something like that."
"And what might that be?"
Yawata-san took a breath, his expression shifting. "...Hey, Fuji. Will you listen to me for a moment?"
"Eh... S-Sure."
Here? We're still on the track... Couldn't this wait for the waiting room?
"Fuji... we only have a short time here, so I'm going to stick to the main point."
"O-Okay..."
"Fuji... ever since the Tenno Sho, a certain emotion has been growing inside me. But it was only recently that I finally understood what it was. Now that I know, I feel clear-headed. I've accepted it."
"..."
"That's why I waited here. I wanted to tell you today. Will you hear me out?"
"I... I'm listening."
What on earth is he going to tell me...? What is this emotion he finally understood?
Yawata-san looked me straight in the eyes.
"Fuji... I love you."
"...Eh?"
Eh...? Yawata-san... loves me?
"That smile you showed me after the Tenno Sho... I started thinking that I didn't want anyone else to see it. More than that, I wanted you to direct that smile only at me."
"..."
"I only really understood these feelings when a fellow trainer pointed them out to me. But remember that cake I gave you at Christmas? I hate to say it, but that was partly a test to confirm my own feelings. And when I saw your reaction... I was certain. I love you."
"..."
Tears began to spill from my eyes, trailing down my cheeks.
"H-Hey, are you oka—mph!!? /////"
"~~!!! /////"
I threw my arms around him, squeezing him with everything I had.
This is impossible... How am I supposed to suppress this feeling?
I knew we were in public. I knew a massive crowd was watching us. Not just the people in front of us, but people watching on TV and smartphones everywhere. But my body moved on its own, driven by an emotion so powerful that none of that mattered.
As a Horse Girl, my hearing is sharp and my sense of smell is keen, but right now... I couldn't hear a thing. I could only smell Yawata-san. That was how consumed I was by him.
"... /////" Yawata-san stood frozen for a moment.
"Nnnh... I love you too," I sobbed into his chest. "Since the Kikuka Sho a year ago... I've always loved you. I fell in love with your smile, too. But I couldn't tell you... and now, hearing you say it here... I can't hold it back..."
"Fuji..."
"I'm just so happy, I can't stand it... Ahaha, I'm so happy the tears won't stop."
"...I'm really happy, too. Knowing that you feel the same way about me."
"Yawata-san!"
I hugged him again, burying my face in his shoulder. This time, he wrapped his arms around me properly... The warmth I felt then was even stronger than it had been at the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.
"...Yawata-san, can you take me away?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "I can't let people see my face like this."
"...Yeah. I got you."
With that brief exchange, Yawata-san supported me and immediately escorted me back toward the waiting room.
I'm sure it's causing a huge commotion out there right now. I never thought I would end up doing something similar to what Air Groove did...
Later, during the interview, only about twenty percent of the questions were about the Arima Kinen victory. The rest were almost entirely about what happened at the Winner's Circle. Obviously, I couldn't announce that we were now a couple, so I bluffed my way through it, claiming I was just "overcome with emotion from finally conquering the Grand Prix."
"I have never been so exhausted by an interview..." I sighed, slumping in a chair. "But... I feel incredibly good. Probably because I know how you feel now."
"Yeah, me too," Yawata agreed. "Although... I'm a little terrified of Air Groove, C.B., and tomorrow's newspapers."
"Ahahaha... Let's do our best to get through it, okay?"
"Well, we'll manage somehow."
Author's Note:
And with this, the feelings are mutual!!!
-------------------------------
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