She would have loved that, unfortunate that things couldn't have worked out that way.
" It was quite the journey I had... All the ups and downs made me the way I am.
I don't think I have regrets. "
ㅤ
‘‘ i guess you'll be happy to know that i watched your retirement race. ’’
winks , she ain't lying.
also she's happy knowing oguri stills the same.
‘‘ i actually was planning to be there, but sadly it was impossible at the end. ’’
ㅤ
ㅤ
‘‘ i can tell you haven't changed at all , do you ? ’’
would give her a faint smile; it's adorable to see Oguri's reactions to the presence of the new zealander.
‘‘ as you can see, i kept my word , we meet again. ’’
ㅤ
" Good to see you too..! " She replied with proper chipper in her tone, finally gazing back at her.
Her fingers locked together, fiddling with her thumbs while finding what else to say.
Words are somehow lost on her.
ㅤ
she was so into cheering for her country that the realization of being in front of Oguri just hitted her. . . it has been a while.
now folk is embarassed and looking away , she feels dumb.
‘‘ oguri , i'm sorry. i just got carried away and. . . heh , good to see you. ’’
ㅤ
— Oguri takes off with precision, fair strides, and a solid pace, but choosing to keep behind her opponent by a half-length, holding the inside position of the backstretch.
A good start.
Her face briefly shifted to a solemn stare in response, but settled into a gentle smile once more.
" You're Yaeno Muteki—My rival.
I intend on facing you with everything, like always. " Pressing her cleat into the turf with scrutiny, examining the track conditions.
The —
— so Yaeno would never approach any race with disrespect.
Then, she made her way to the starting line as well while taking deep breaths, calming herself down..
Alright..
Getting into starting positions, Yaeno's eyes fixated forwards.
eyes of the adoring fans around them. This silence... this solitude, it feels unusual...
But even so, this was still a nostalgic feeling nonetheless. The air breezed through her ashen mane, as the figurative gate soon bursts open before then, sending them off. —
" Hmm, hmm... "
Nod, nod.
Hell would possibly freeze over before the airheaded enthusiasm of Oguri Cap would disappear.
She understood Yaeno's intentions clearly. What other purpose would she approach her like this?
Her own plans changed as well. —
— the runner that was Oguri Cap..?
Either way, she had to try her best to give the best performance she could.
Yaeno had never stopped growing, but she knows the type of beast that was standing across from her. Oguri never stops running or growing.
She has to give her best.
She was one who had to give it her best, to take a vow as the Executioner to put an end to the Era of the " 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑. . To surpass the monster that stood alone amongst her peers.
That sort of guilt must have been immense, even though Oguri will never know or understand. —