"...we're home." Oguri softly said, a strange look in her eyes.
"We sure are." I said, eyeing the indistinct building we stood before.
It'd been a while since we stepped off the shinkansen. We'd actually gone to Kasamatsu Tracen first, but since it was still in the height of summer, hardly anyone was there for us to meet. Though the principal was at least there, and once he noticed our return, he quickly promised that he'd call everyone back by at most tomorrow.
After that, everyone went their own ways. Kitahara went off to find his fellow Kasamatsu trainers, Musaka went off to meet some old friend he wasn't keen on sharing about, and Belno went back to her home to show off her new G1 outfit to her parents.
Which left only Oguri and I, and since there was little else to do, we began to slow trek back towards Oguri's home.
And it's strange.
We'd only been gone for half a year—practically inconsequential compared to how much time we'd spent growing up here. And yet as we walked past familiar sights, we couldn't help but feel like outsiders. There was a layer disconnect; a sort-of desensitization that we gained after our chaotic time in Central. Even the little slope by the river Oguri and I usually met had become somewhat foreign.
Of course, it was us that'd changed. Compared to who I was a year back, we were practically two different people.
And now here we were, standing just in front of Oguri's house. It hadn't changed much since we last saw it, though I couldn't be too sure—it wasn't as if I'd ever really visited Oguri's house before.
I felt…calm. After all, there wasn't any hidden danger I needed to look out for. It was cheating, but I already knew what Oguri's mother was like from the manga. Kind and gentle—she raised Oguri Cap with all her heart. She promised Oguri that she would eventually run, even though Oguri was born with legs too weak to even stand.
I glanced at Oguri, and she looked at me. A wordless promise was shared, and with a nod, I reached over and rang the doorbell.
A few seconds ticked by before the door slowly opened.
"Excuse me, who is it?" A gentle voice said as the door fully opened to reveal a mature umamusume, her mane the exact same shade of grey as Oguri Cap and her eyes just as blue. She seemed confused at first when she saw me, but when she saw Oguri standing next to me, she nearly dropped the TV remote she'd been holding. "O-Oguri…?"
Oguri Cap blinked, before she smiled. "I'm home, mama."
Tears gathered in the mother's eyes, and without saying another word, she went forward and swept Oguri into a deep hug. I silently made some distance for the two, letting the mother and daughter enjoy some alone time.
I smiled softly. White Narubi was her name, and though she might not race upon the track, she was definitely an uma worthy of respect.
Because more than Oguri could've realized, she had sacrificed a lot to allow Oguri to grow into who she was now. Not only did she spend most of her time messaging Oguri's legs to aid their healing, she also spent a considerable amount of money to keep Oguri fed—so much so that she was unable to purchase even a dated TV until Oguri began bringing income by winning her races.
It was a miracle, really. Many would've given up on Oguri had they been in Narubi's place.
Eventually, the two separated, and Narubi turned to me with a kind smile. "You're Blossom Star, aren't you?" I nodded, and her eyes softened. "It's good to finally meet you, Blossom-san."
I waved my hand. "Just call me Star, White-san." I then smiled. "And it's good to finally meet you too."
Narubi eventually invited us into the home, and I couldn't help but stare for a moment. The place was certainly a lot more quaint compared to even our dorm rooms, but it had a homely feel that couldn't easily be replicated. Little trinkets scattered across the table and dresser, a propped image of Oguri when she was younger; even from a glance I could tell that this place was loved.
We then sat down on the tatami mat, and Narubi smiled as she brought over a few cups of warm tea. "It's good to finally meet you, Star-chan." She said, smiling as she also sat down. "Oguri's told me many things about you."
I grinned. "Good things, I hope."
"Very good things." Narubi agreed, a gentle smile on her lips.
"That so?" I said with a chuckle, feeling somewhat embarrassed. I didn't know what exactly Oguri told her mom about me, but I had a rough guess. "Yaa, how embarrassing~"
Oguri tilted her head. "Embarrasing? How?"
I shook my head as I patted her head. "Don't worry about it."
"Nn."
White Narubi smiled as she watched Oguri and I interact. She knew full well how off-putting her child could be at times. How her charms were often hidden behind the veil of the Beast she'd been named as. So it warmed her heart to see that another could make Oguri loosen up.
But more than anything, she was grateful for one thing.
"She makes me want to run." That was what Oguri had told her before when she tried to best describe me. Perhaps to others that wouldn't be anything special, but to Oguri, running itself was an act of caring—an expression of deep want.
Her child was absolutely blessed to have found someone like that.
After I pulled back my hand, I turned back to Oguri's mother. "Ah, also, apologies for the sudden visit, White-san." I smiled wryly. "This trip was a little last-minute, so we wanted to surprise everyone."
"It's fine, Star-chan." Narubi said, before she frowned slightly. "But is it okay for you to be here? Don't you have to return to Central?"
"It's still summer camp." Oguri chimed in. "We have time."
"Aah, is that so?" Narubi smiled. "That's good, then. You shouldn't waste your time, especially since this is the most important part of your lives."
I smirked. "It's never a waste of time to visit you, ma'am."
Narubi giggled. "How kind." She paused for a moment before turning to her daughter. "Oguri-chan, why don't you bring us more tea? I think Star-chan's just finished hers." She said, and to show that fact, I gave her emptied cup a shake.
"Nn, I will." Oguri said just as she stood up and left for the kitchen.
Once Oguri was out of earshot, my smile dimmed slightly. "So, what do you want to talk about, White-san?"
Narubi gently shook her head. "Don't worry, Star-chan. It's nothing serious. I just…" She looked down for a moment, before she gently bowed to me. "I want to thank you, Star-chan."
I blinked. I…wasn't expecting that. "Thank me for what?" I eventually asked.
She smiled. "I know my child isn't the easiest to get along with, and I'm so incredibly happy to know that she has someone she can rely on." She looked at me with hope and gratitude, as if I was the sun itself. "It's because of you that Oguri wants to run. I owe you a great debt for it."
I shook my head. "Nah, there's no need." I smiled fondly. "The debt's already been paid a long time ago."
Because it was my honor to have befriended Oguri Cap. Oguri might want to run because of me, and the same could be said about the reverse. I wouldn't be here had we not met on that lazy afternoon by the riverbanks.
Narubi giggled. "If you say so, Star-chan."
…
"If I may ask, what do you think of Oguri-chan?" Narubi suddenly asked, her smile a little more devious than normal. "Do you like her? Isn't she cute?"
I nodded seriously. "Seriously cute. Absolutely cute." I agreed wholeheartedly. The gap moe between Oguri's bestial strength and her adorable actions could bring even tyrants to their knees. "Everytime I wake up to find her sleeping with me, I find myself grateful to be alive."
Narubi's ears twitched. "Oh? You and Oguri-chan sleep together?"
I hummed, not noticing the strange shine she had. "Sometimes." I said, smiling slightly. "Oguri and I like training deep into the night at times, and since we don't want to interrupt Belno, I end up bringing her over to my dorm." I shrugged. "I don't really mind; it's not like I have a roommate to bunk with in the first place."
"Is that so~?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Did I say something wrong?"
Narubi giggled. She could see that my confusion was very much real. I genuinely believed there was nothing wrong about what I was saying, and she realized that Oguri and I really were made for one another.
"It's nothing, Star-chan." She said, before she smiled. "I'm just glad you and Oguri-chan are such close friends."
I smiled, thinking nothing of it. "And I'm glad too."
Before long, Oguri finally returned, carrying a full teapot, and a basket filled with rice crackers. I chuckled wryly as I saw her plop the basket down, but I soon helped myself to some snacks as we continued talking into the afternoon.