I laid on the turf as I stared listlessly at the afternoon sky. I wasn't particularly tired or anything, and I should be running around the track for practice, but--
How should I say it…
I sighed.
These days, my life revolved around two major things: Training for the [Queen Elizabeth II Cup], and running with Oguri to prepare for her own upcoming [Kikuka Sho].
But occasionally, there would be a third.
After I realized just how dull my life actually was whenever racing wasn't involved, I vowed to myself that I'd find some hobby I could call my own. I still needed some anchor that'd remain even after my days as a professional racer was over.
So, whenever I found the time and motivation, I'd go and do anything. And I do mean anything. Knitting sweaters, going out to watch movies, painting, learning shogi; anything that I thought might grab my lizard brain and finally stick for once.
Alas, my search remained futile up to this point. My most recent venture had ended with utter failure. As it turned out, though I was a good chef, these hands of mine weren't suited for gardening in the slightest. The few potted plants I'd been caring for had just wilted for reasons I couldn't explain, and when that happened, my motivation had quickly dried up.
I sighed. The more this went on, the more I empathized with Gold Ship. I could see why she was such a chaotic character—even I was slowly going insane, and it was only the restraint built from my previous life that was keeping me from becoming an honorary member of the Gold Family.
…actually,
My expression became somewhat contemplative. I wonder what the Gold Family was doing right now? Gold Ship was still far too young at this point. The same could be said for Orfevre, Fenomeno, Nakayama Festa, and Dream Journey.
Which only left the homeless man herself—Stay Gold.
I smiled fondly. I wonder if I'd ever get the chance to meet her in this life? I had to admit that Stay Gold was one of my favorite characters. Her racing record might not seem all that impressive, but her sheer grit was undeniable. Not only that, but her G1 outfit was probably one of my favorites out of the entire cast. Something about the rugged travel gear was too eye-catching in a game filled with all sorts of cutesy characters.
…okay, maybe I should stop.
But it'd be nice, wouldn't it? Going around, exploring the world, experiencing all sorts of different cultures; that was something she'd never done in her previous life. And think of all the different activities she could do while she was travelling around! She'd definitely find some hobby that'd finally stick during it.
"Star?"
I blinked, and realized that Oguri had been standing over me for the past few minutes, staring curiously at me. I smiled wryly. "How long have you been standing there?" I asked, though I then patted the space next to me. She nodded slightly as she sat down, and soon she was laying on the turf as well, our shoulders just inches from touching.
"Are you tired?" Oguri asked simply.
I shook my head. "Nah, just…not feeling it right now." I shrugged. "I'll do my run later. It's a little bit too hot right now."
Oguri hummed. "It's summer."
"Not for long though." I raised a hand towards the sky. "By the time the [Kikuka Sho] comes around, it'll be Autumn."
"And soon it'll be winter." Oguri continued.
"After winter it'll be Spring." I finished, grinning as I idly spun a finger. "And by then we'll be Seniors."
"Seniors…"
"Time flies when we're having fun, doesn't it?" I said back, my grin still there.
Oguri nodded slowly, before she turned to me. "Does that mean you're having fun too, Star?"
I nodded. "I am." I said, and I was genuine this time. Despite not being able to find a hobby that stuck, being with Team Kitahara was more than enough to keep me from spiraling into my own head. And being here with Oguri, remembering the promise we'd shared by that riverside, was enough to keep my heart warm.
Oguri smiled. "That's good."
I smiled back. Then I blinked when I felt Oguri's fingers intertwine with mine, but I didn't say anything. This wasn't the first time Oguri suddenly held my hand, and it wouldn't be the last.
"By the way, how's your preparations for the [Kikuka Sho] going?" I smiled. "Have you looked for the person I've told you about?"
Oguri froze, her ears tensing. "I…uh…" She stuttered out, not knowing what to say.
I smiled wryly. "Of course you haven't." I sighed. "This is important, Oguri. Super Creek is going to be the hardest adversary you've faced. She's just as much of a monster as you."
Oguri nodded, doing her best to sear my warnings into her memory. "Super Creek…" She narrowed her eyes. "You said…her stamina is really good?"
I nodded. "The [Kikuka Sho] is 3000 meters—way longer than any race you've ever done." I frowned. "You usually start accelerating halfway through the race, but that means you'll be going full throttle for about 1500 meters." I turned to her. "Are you sure you can handle that much strain?"
Oguri tightened her grip on my hand, trying to reassure me. "I can." She said confidently. "I can, Star."
"Oguri." I called as I turned to her. Oguri turned to me as well. "I know this might sound like nagging, but I'm worried." I inched closer, and gently, I placed a hand on her cheek. "Going full power for so long is going to strain your legs. And I know your legs are strong, but even steel can snap."
Oguri subtly leaned into my touch. "I know." She whispered. "And I won't break. I won't." Her eyes burnt bright blue. "I want to keep running with you."
"And we will." I said.
And then I paused as a thought passed through my mind. A half-baked idea that'd taken shape when I was daydreaming about Stay Gold's career.
"Say, Oguri."
"Nn?"
I looked at her. "If I were to leave for another country some day, will you join me?" I asked. "This world is a vast place, and there are thousands of other tracks we can run across." I smiled, and unknown to me, my tail began wagging. "It sounds a little presumptuous, but I wanna keep seeing the world, y'know? Keep seeing new things, keep meeting new people."
Oguri watched me in awe. It was the first time she'd seen me this excited. But at the same time, her chest felt light when she realized that I'd been considering her in all of this. That her plans for travelling abroad would be meaningless if she didn't agree.
Her own tail began wagging as she smiled. "I will." Her eyes softened. "Let's keep running, Star."
I smiled back. "Yeah, let's."
…
"I…guess we should get up now." I eventually said, smiling wryly. "Musaka's going to scold us if he sees us like this." I said, though I made no effort to move from where I was.
"We should." Oguri nodded, though she too didn't move. Instead she inched just a little closer, until our shoulders were finally touching.
Her ears flicked as she gave me an innocent stare.
I stared back, my ears also flicking.
And then, I eventually sighed. "Fine, fine~" I grinned lazily as I patted her head. "We can stay here for a little longer. I doubt Musaka would mind too much." My grin became a little playful. "And if he does, we can just run."
Oguri smiled back. "Okay."