Horse Girl, Your Friend is Fighting Her Way Out of the Horse Racing Track

There will never be a chance to explain.

forever.

She did it all herself.

"Aaaaaaahh ...

A mournful cry echoed in the ward.

Ai Mushi buried her face deep in the blankets and cried out in anguish.

The meteor's brilliance is ultimately just a fleeting dream.

My love is the same.

……

A year and a half later.

Treson Academy, late autumn.

A lingering sense of desolation and chill permeated the air.

Narita stood quietly by the window at the end of the corridor, holding a stack of training plans that he had just finished correcting.

Her fingers unconsciously tightened, pinching the edge of the paper into fine wrinkles.

The golden-haired squad leader's gentle eyes were watching the lonely figure running on the playground with a complex expression.

He admires Orihime.

Even in this deserted late autumn evening, her pace remained perfect.

Over the past six months, she has been like a tireless machine, sweeping across the competition with her strong abilities and winning several highly rewarded tournaments.

Such a powerful appearance, yet without a trace of illness.

Only good operas can rival it, while Naritaji is inferior to both of them.

The media were all amazed and adored by Orihime's transformation, praising her with countless flowery words for finally breaking free from the shadows of the past and shining brightly in her own right.

Narita Road felt unfamiliar.

He once admired Orihime, but now he seemed to be burdened by heavy shackles, and his eyes always held an unyielding melancholy.

But at least back then, she seemed like a living, breathing person. She was breathless with exhaustion, in pain from confusion, and possessed a delicate concern for everyone.

And now, he admires Orihime...

To be honest, in Naritaji's eyes, Orihime was nothing more than an exquisite doll whose only instinct was to "run".

It's been a long time since I've experienced the joy and happiness of running on the track.

Since that funeral where no one cried, Orihime, who loved him, has not shed a single tear.

She never mentioned her unborn twin sister again, nor did she ever mention the name "Poetry and Wine" to anyone again.

Hmm... that's really a pity.

It was as if that spring tragedy, that river that swallowed the girl, was just an absurd dream.

Looking at the tireless figures on the playground, Narita sighed with a dim look in his eyes.

No one knew that in the midst of the tragedy, a piece of Naritaji's own heart was also torn out.

She took out her phone and quietly looked at the photos on the screen.

The black-haired girl wearing white cat ears had a stiff expression, as if she were taking a job interview photo.

Do you also enjoy poetry and wine?

This is the question she still wants to ask today.

Unfortunately, no one was able to answer.

Therefore, she kept all her thoughts deep in her heart and never revealed them to anyone.

The soft-hearted black-haired girl clearly cares about others, but she always expresses it in the most awkward way.

Narita had silently observed Poetry and Wine countless times, and she knew better than anyone the extent to which their psychology had become distorted.

If you express your true thoughts, the other person will not refuse you even if they lose control of their emotions.

Poetry and wine have reached an abnormally high level of tolerance for those who are ambiguous.

Therefore, Narita-ro chose to back down.

Narita believed that as long as poetry and wine could redeem him and Orihime, he would be happy even if he could only be a friend who silently offered his blessings forever.

But she never expected that what awaited her in the end would be a funeral in late spring.

……

Nighttime, the rooftop of the dormitory building.

The wind picked up, making people shiver. Naritaji, holding a thick wool blanket, gently pushed open the heavy iron door to the rooftop.

As expected, Orihime, who admires him, was standing alone in front of the rooftop railing, gazing up at the deep night sky.

She was wearing thin casual clothes and seemed not to feel the cold at all.

"I love weaving mulberry leaves; the night air is cool, so be careful not to catch a cold."

Narita suppressed the bitterness in his heart, put on his usual gentle and reliable demeanor, stepped forward, and gently draped the blanket over Orihime's thin shoulders.

"Thank you."

Ai Mu turned her head and said in a cold voice.

The girl's beautiful purple eyes were like a dried-up well, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

As Narita looked at her, an indescribable sadness welled up in his heart once again.

"Ai-Zi-Sang...are you looking at the stars?"

She asked softly, trying to break the suffocating silence.

"Ah."

Ai Mu turned her head back, her gaze falling calmly on the vast sea of ​​stars.

"The starry sky is beautiful right now."

Narita followed her gaze.

There were no clouds tonight; the night sky was as clear as a giant black crystal, and the stars shone brightly.

"Narita Road."

Gazing at the starry sky, Orihime spoke with a touch of melancholy.

"Do you think that if I don't explain those unspoken words, over time... she might slowly understand my feelings herself in the night sky?"

"..."

'But... I didn't even get to say a word.'

Narita fell silent, unsure how to answer the question about his love for Orihime.

……

A dozen minutes later, Narita made an excuse and left the rooftop in a slightly hurried manner.

The heavy dormitory door clicked shut behind her.

Narita felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She slowly slid down the cold dormitory door and finally collapsed onto the dark room floor.

My roommate, Forest Treasure Cave, hasn't returned yet, so Narita-ro is the only one in the dorm right now.

The gentleness and tranquility she had maintained on the rooftop completely crumbled.

A faint moonlight streamed in through the window. Naritaji's hands trembled as he pulled his phone from his pocket.

The screen lit up, the cold white light illuminating her face, which was streaked with tears.

A black half-heart hanging below the phone rattled.

The background of the photo is an amusement park.

Narita stared blankly at the lifeless face on the screen, his vision blurred again and again by tears.

She gently stroked the girl's cheek on the screen with her fingertips.

"You big idiot..."

Narita pressed his forehead against the cold phone screen and let out a sob that sounded like a complaint.

"Why would you risk your life..."

"But...but do you know, I also..."

I like you.

The belated confession was buried with late spring as a funerary offering.

-----------------Divider-----------------

P.S.: Support card story: None, too lazy to write it.

Okay, this volume is finished. Anything you'd like to say?

Perhaps we could check where Narita Road is.

Interlude: Chapter 377, Did You Know?

"Well……"

Consciousness felt as heavy as a thick wad of cotton soaked in water.

The icy river water vanished. And with it, the voice of the azure goddess in the ditch disappeared without a trace.

The first thing you see is a ceiling covered in intricate patterns, and a crystal chandelier casts a soft but obviously expensive glow. A security camera in the corner of the room is pointed directly at you.

Beneath me was an incredibly soft, luxurious bed, the constant temperature air conditioning provided a comfortable temperature, and the air smelled pleasant.

In a place that no instrument can detect.

This is... a high-end health resort symbolizing the family's ownership.

"Ha ha……"

Poetry and Wine gasped for breath, and she subconsciously raised her right hand, making a grasping motion in mid-air.

My palms felt empty.

She stiffly lowered her head, looking at her dry clothes and the unfamiliar surroundings.

After a brief period of malfunction, the brain began to recall what had happened.

Hmm... the Japanese derby.

In order to win the competition, Haji recklessly pushed his body to its limits.

Then, half-dead, it was packed up and sent somewhere unknown.

but……

If he had already "died" in that world, what kind of expression would Orihime, who was left behind, have?

'We shouldn't worry about her,'

She forcefully banished the brown-haired girl from her mind, feeling somewhat depressed.

'What right does she have to make me worry…'

Unfortunately, I still care a little bit deep down.

Poetry and Wine closed their eyes in frustration and covered their foreheads with the back of their hands.

Just then.

With a "click," the heavy soundproof door to the room was pushed open.

"Looks like you've finally woken up."

With the sound of footsteps, a tall figure walked in.