Archive of Our Own

The sun glared annoyingly into her face as she stepped onto the turf, forcing her to squint more than she would’ve liked. The cheers came out in waves, loud, overwhelming, and far too energetic for her taste. She raised a hand anyway, more out of habit than enthusiasm. Some faces stood out in the blur, her trainer, friends, a few familiar rivals. She let out a quiet breath and looked away first, her gaze drifted instead toward the starting gates.

It had been over a year since she stepped off the track. The injury had given her a convenient excuse, an easy way out, if she really wanted it. No one would’ve blamed her for stopping. Honestly, it would’ve been the simpler choice, no pressure, no expectations, no risk of losing. It wasn’t like she had anything left to chase, she’d already done more than enough. Anyone could see that. And yet…

Walking away like that… just didn’t sit right.

That thought alone was enough to bother her more than she cared to admit.

“…Just one more.” She muttered under her breath, as if setting a limit would make it easier to ignore everything else. Not for anyone else. Just to settle things. That was all.

…

With that quiet excuse in place, Seiun Sky finally began heading toward the gates.

—

As she stood there doing her stretches, competitors surrounding her, Sei took in a long breath, like she was trying to remind her body of something it should’ve never forgotten. The track felt the same, the turf beneath her feet, the distant hum of the crowd, even the tension in the air, it was all just as sharp as it used to be 2 years ago. Of course it was, how could it not? This was a race, every runner here carried that same quiet pressure, that same singular goal. Sei knew that feeling well. She’d lived in it long enough to recognize it anywhere.

But this time…

Something didn’t sit right. The air felt… off. Not weaker, not lighter. It had a sense of unfamiliarity that she just couldn’t brush aside. Her gaze flickered across the other runners, lingering for a second too long. The rhythm felt wrong. The spacing, the presence, like she’d stepped into a race that had already started without her.

She exhaled softly, but the feeling didn’t leave.

It wasn’t the track that had changed. It was the fact that, somehow, she didn’t quite belong to it anymore. Why? She had stood on this exact track two years ago. So why did it feel so different now?

…2 years.

Sei let the number sit for a moment. Plenty of time for things to change, probably. She didn’t think much of it. The track was still the same anyway, The air still carried that same quiet pressure. So it couldn’t have been that different, right?

…

A breeze passed over the track, light and fleeting, brushing against her face just enough to pull her out of it. Sei blinked.

She glanced to the side. Different faces, though not unfamiliar, exactly. If anything, most of them were hard to miss these days. Headlines she never bothered reading all the way through, races she half-paid attention to. It didn’t take much to see they were used to this. They looked comfortable, like they’d been doing this for a while.

And she…

Sei shifted her weight slightly, the motion small, almost absentminded.

…felt just a little out of place.

Not enough to matter. Just enough to notice.

—

A sudden wave of noise crashed over the track. Not the scattered cheers from before, not the usual restless buzz of a crowd waiting for a race to start. This was sharper. Unified. Like something had arrived.

Sei’s ears flicked at the shift before she even looked back.

Then, a name. Called once. Then again, and again. Louder each time, until it stopped sounding like separate voices and more like a single, rising chorus.

T.M. Opera O.

She stepped onto the turf as if answering a cue only she could hear. Each step was deliberate, measured, almost rehearsed. Like this wasn’t an entrance, …but a stage. The sunlight caught on her the wrong way, too perfectly, too intentionally, turning her into something closer to a spotlight than a runner. Cheers surged, swelled, followed her every movement like they already knew where to look, what to expect. She began walking towards her rivals, Meisho Doto and such, to strike up conversations.

Sei watched, silently. She’d heard of the name, of course. Hard not to, when it kept showing up at the top. But this, this wasn’t just someone who won races, this was something else entirely. The way the air bent around her, the way attention stuck. Like the race hadn’t even started yet, and it already had a center. Sei held her gaze for a second longer, before looking away. The noise lingered even after she shifted her gaze.

Sei let out a quiet breath, and glanced up toward the board. Names lined up in neat rows. She recognized most of them, obviously. But… her gaze slowed. What should’ve been a quick glance lingered. She traced the list again without really meaning to. Her eyes moved down the board, then back up, like she was trying to catch something she’d missed the first time. Nothing stuck. No presence she could place without thinking. No one she’d naturally line herself up against like before.

…2 years. She rolled the number around in her head again. That same faint feeling from before, like noticing something had changed without ever seeing it happen.

“…Only 2, right?” It didn’t feel like it now. Too much had shifted. Too many names she used to hear had stopped showing up. She tried, briefly, to recall who used to be there. Not clearly, just enough to fill the space. Like trying to remember what had been there yesterday. Her rivals, the people who pushed her forward. They weren’t there, they were in the crowd, cheering for her. She tilted her head slightly, eyes half-lidded as the thought finally caught up.

“…Huh.”

A small pause.

“Guess that makes me the last one.”

The words came out light, almost idle, like she was commenting on the weather. People liked to make a big deal out of that sort of thing. Carrying on a generation, representing what came before. She exhaled softly, something faintly amused tugging at her tone.

“…Sounds like a pain.”

And just like that, she let the thought drift, as if it hadn’t settled a little heavier than she expected.

—

“All contestants please enter the starting gates.” The announcer’s voice cut cleanly through the air, steady and practiced, calling the runners to the gates.

One by one, they began to move. Sei followed with the rest, steps unhurried, almost lazy, like this was just another routine she hadn’t quite bothered to forget. However, the closer she got, the narrower everything felt. The noise of the crowd dulled. The track stretched forward, straight and distant.

And…

There it was. That same feeling.

A faint tightening in her chest. A weight settling low in her stomach, quiet but unmistakable. It crept in without asking, as familiar as the turf beneath her feet. The last time she stood here, Sei paused just short of the gate.

Just for a second. The memory flickered. The hesitation, the way everything had felt wrong before it even started.

“…Hah.” A soft breath slipped past her lips. Not this again.

She stepped forward. This time, no stopping, no second-guessing, no making a scene out of something that hadn’t even happened yet.

It was just a race, that’s all it ever was.

Sei settled into the gate, it still made her shiver a little, adjusting her stance with practiced ease, like her body remembered what to do even if her mind lagged behind.

First place would be nice. Second or third… that’d be fine too. She wasn’t picky, not this time.

The thought came easily enough. Too easily.

But the feeling didn’t leave. It lingered, quiet and stubborn, sitting just beneath everything else.

The latch clicked into place.

A brief stillness.

Then…

The gates flew open. And it followed her out.

—

…

Seiun Sky crossed the finish line.

For a second, there was nothing.

No sound. No thought.

She slowed to a halt, bent down, putting her hands on her knees.

Her vision blurred. Breaths came out unevenly, almost disrupted. Her lips trembled. Sweats dropped down from her face and onto the ground. Her heart beat rapidly.

She looked down to the grass, and subsequently, her legs. She got down on one knee, and tried checking her leg, maybe something was wrong, maybe the injury came back. But nothing immediately stands out. Save for the stress they had from the race. From her giving all she had, not holding back, not coasting, and from her desperately trying to keep up to the end.

The sounds of the crowd were no longer silenced, but they were muffled, accompanied by a loud ring in her ears.

She didn’t need to look at anything to tell her the results, as if it had already been written down 16 seconds ago. She didn’t want to look up. Yet, she did.

12th.

Her breaths began evening out. Long inhales and exhales, repeating after one another.

She swallowed. “ …That’s rough.”

In her mind, this should be normal. It wasn’t like she had never lost before. By all means, this was a race where she could’ve just slowly walked away with her hands behind her head, acknowledged her loss and moved on.

…

But… she just stood there. Breathing slowly.

This time, something felt off.

Not her leg. Not her breathing. Not anything she could point to.

She frowned slightly. Her chest felt tight. Not painful. Just… heavier than it needed to be.

“…Probably just tired.” The thought came quickly, easy. It made sense.

She’d just run, of course she’d feel like this. Anyone would.

She straightened a little, rolling her shoulders back as if that alone could shake it off.

Yeah. That had to be it.

…

The feeling didn’t go away. It lingered, stubborn, sitting somewhere she couldn’t quite reach.

Her gaze drifted for a moment, unfocused.

She’d lost before. Plenty of times. It was never a big deal, just one race. You win some, you lose some. Nothing worth thinking too hard about. So this should be the same, right?

She let out a small breath, almost like a quiet laugh.

“…Yeah.”

There was nothing special about this one. Nothing worth making a fuss over.

…

…Whatever.

Her fingers curled slightly at her side, then loosened just as quickly.

She wasn’t going to stand there overthinking it. The noise of the crowd started coming back into focus, clearer now. Scattered cheers, conversations picking up again, attention already shifting elsewhere. Not on her.

That was fine.

She glanced to her side briefly, just a quick sweep, nothing more. If her trainer or anyone else was there, she didn’t hold her gaze long enough to find them.

Didn’t need to. She’d talk to them later anyway.

With that, she turned, and started walking away, towards the changing room. She had a winning live to be at anyway.

Just another race. Just another result.

Nothing had changed. Nothing was wrong.

…

—

────────────

—

Sei slowed to a stop, letting the motion bleed out of her step by step.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Same as always.

The track was quieter by the time she finished. Not empty, just settling. The last few were wrapping up their drills, footsteps less hurried, voices lower.

It was the next day already, it came faster than she had anticipated. In fact, the day itself was already starting to wind down.

She stretched lightly, brushing a bit of stray grass from her sleeve as she did, then she took a sip of water. Nothing felt particularly off. Muscles were a little sore, but that was normal after a run. Everything was normal.

…Partially.

That feeling from yesterday hadn’t gone anywhere. It hasn't gotten worse, nor has it gotten better. It just… stayed, quiet, persistent. Like something sitting at the back of her mind, not loud enough to interrupt, but not faint enough to ignore completely. Sei clicked her tongue softly, more out of mild annoyance than anything else. She’d slept, rested, gone through her usual routine. If it was just fatigue, it should’ve been gone by now.

But it hasn’t.

She rolled her shoulder once, like she could shake it off that way, then let her arms fall back to her sides.

Around her, Tracen moved on like nothing had happened. Students passed by, chatting about upcoming races, training plans, things she only half-listened to as she walked past. Someone laughed nearby. Another group argued over times and placements. Everything was still the same as always. No tension, no lingering weight in the air.

Yesterday’s race might as well have been just another entry on the board. Win or lose, it didn’t stop anything. Didn’t slow anything down.

Sei let her gaze drift across the track for a moment, unfocused.

…Of course it didn’t. Why would it?

She exhaled quietly and turned away, steps unhurried as she made her way toward the building.

Still the same. Everything was still the same.

…

So, there was no reason for her not to be.

—

The office door slid open with a soft click as Sei took her first step inside. Uncaring, casual, as if this was any other day.

“Hey hey, I’m back.” Sei greeted her trainer, lifting her hand up slightly. “Would’ve thought you were gone by now.”

Her trainer looked up, almost as if Sei’s voice was the thing that caught her attention instead of the door. “Ah… Sei, you’re back.”

“That I am.” Sei shrugged, already drifting further inside. “Training’s done, nothing too exciting.”

A small pause.

“Well, unless you count me actually showing up on time.”

…No response.

On any other day, it would’ve been a chuckle, a light comeback from her trainer. On some days, she would even teased Sei back.

But today,… nothing.

Sei glanced over, just briefly.

The woman had just set whatever she was holding down. Hands resting a little too still on the computer. Her shoulders were just slightly tense. She looked uneasy.

“What?” Sei tilted her head. “That bad? Guess I should skip practice more often if it gets that kind of reaction.”

…Still nothing.

“Trainer?”

Her trainer blinked.

“Huh? Oh, uh… go-good work today.” She sounded like she just got snapped back into reality as she put her hand over her face.

“Well, you look like you could use a coffee or two.” Sei said, still in that playful tone. She moved toward her usual spot, picking up her things one by one, bag, towel, the little things she left behind earlier.

Behind her, the room stayed quiet. Too quiet. Sei zipped her bag, slinging it over her shoulder with a small adjustment. “…Anyway, I’ll head out first.” She said, tone light, like there wasn’t anything else to say. “You should probably get some rest too.”

She stepped towards the door, placing her hand on the handle, and began opening it slowly.

Before-

“Sei.”

There was a sound of a chair scraping. Her trainer stood up, and called her name.

Sei froze. “Yes?”

The woman shifted herself slightly. “…Do you have a moment?”

Sei took her hand off the handle, leaving the door with a small gap. Her lips trembled slightly, before turning back to her trainer with a lazy smile. “Yea, what’s up?”

—

King adjusted her sleeve as she walked, posture straight as ever, steps measured without needing to think about it. Her training had gone as expected, nothing worth noting.

The hallway was mostly empty by the time King stepped into it. The usual post training noise had already faded, doors closing, footsteps trailing off, voices drifting further away until only the occasional echo remained. What was left was quieter, orderly.

In fact, it was… too orderly, too predictable.

Normally, someone would’ve ruined that by now. Seiun Sky, specifically. The image of her stupid grin flashed itself into King’s mind, causing her to blush slightly. Luckily for her, no one was around to catch it.

King clicked her tongue softly. She hadn’t seen much of her today. Not properly, anyway. Just glimpses. Across the track, passing by in the distance, nothing that lasted more than a second or two. She didn’t even see her at lunch today.

Something was off. Subtle, maybe. Easy to miss if you weren’t paying attention.

But King was.

Sei’s pace had been normal. Her posture, relaxed as always. No obvious mistakes, no clear signs of anything wrong.

And yet, it didn’t quite feel the same.

King frowned slightly. And without thinking much about it, she adjusted her course, steps shifting down a different hallway. If she was going to confirm it, she’d do it properly. No use relying on half-glances.

The corridor grew more familiar the further she went, her movement echoed with every step. The hallways were beamed a sunset orange as she walked between them. The peace and quietness of Tracen at this hour was amplified in the trainer sector of the building.

King slowed slightly as she approached one of the many doors. Sei’s trainer’s office. She knew her of course, hard not to when Sei and King are so close to each other. She stopped just short of the door, her hand reaching to the handle of the slight opened door.

But she stopped herself.

Voices. Faint, but clear enough. King’s ears flicked. She hadn’t meant to overhear.

A brief pause.

Then, without a sound, King stepped closer, just enough to catch the conversation more clearly.

—

King stilled just outside the door, attention sharpening. The voices were clearer now.

“…-it’s fine, really.” Sei’s voice drifted through first, casual as ever. “Just a bad run. It happens.”

A pause.

King frowned slightly.

That tone, too smooth.

“…I don’t think that’s-” her trainer started, then faltered. The rest came softer, harder to catch.
King leaned in just a fraction. “…yesterday wasn’t something you can just-”

Yesterday.

For a moment, the image came back uninvited.

The halfway mark, everything was looking fine, it even seemed like Sei would keep her lead to the end and claim a win after being in recovery for so long. And then, almost abruptly, she wasn’t there anymore. Not ahead, or beside anyone else. She fell back, step by step, until there was nothing left to chase. By the time the others broke into the final stretch, Seiun Sky had only just come out of the turn. Too far. Far enough that it stopped being a race.

Sixteen seconds.

She didn’t need to hear it again.

That kind of gap didn’t just happen. Not to someone like her.

King’s grip tugged against her sleeve. She’d seen losses before. That wasn’t what that was.

“Eh?” Sei cut in, almost amused. “You’re overthinking it.”

“…Sei.” Her trainer tried again, more careful now. “Have you thought about stepping back for a while?”

Stepping back.

King’s ears flicked. Her thoughts shifted, unwillingly.

Another track, another finish line. The roar of the crowd, louder than anything else. Her own breath, steadying as she crossed it for the last time. Not first, not where she wanted to be. But enough, she had decided that much herself. That it was time.

King exhaled quietly.

“…You mean retiring?” Sei’s voice came, simple. Direct.

The words pulled her back. King blinked.

A small pause settled in her chest.

Yes. That would be the reasonable choice. After a race like that, after an injury. Sei wasn’t that reckless, she’d understand that.

“I wouldn’t put it that way,” her trainer replied carefully. “But after yesterday, and with your leg…”

A pause.

Then,… a chuckle. It came from Sei. “Is that what this is about?”

The word cut cleanly through the door.

Light. Easy. Immediate. How it would seem at first.

“I just got back, didn’t I?” The words came quickly, too quickly. Sei continued, her voice just barely trembled. “Would be kind of a waste, right?”

For a second, King didn’t react. The thought didn’t quite register.

Then, it did.

And just like that, the image in her mind of a quiet, sensible ending fell apart.

Because that… wasn’t the answer she’d expected. Not from someone who ran like that, not from someone who should’ve known better. Not from someone like her.

Inside, a pause lingered, just long enough to feel like something should’ve been said.

“I’m not saying you have to decide now, but after what happened yesterday-” Her trainer tried again.

“I said I’m fine.” Sei didn’t raise her voice. It stayed light and easy. But it seemed more like an act now, rather than her just being her.

“…Your condition hasn’t fully stabilized yet.” Her trainer continued, more firmly now. “And your performance…”

Another silence.

“Then I’ll fix it.” Sei said, like it was just another adjustment to make.

“…That’s not what I’m worried about.”

Sei let out a quiet breath, something almost like a sigh, but lighter. “C’mon trainer.” Her tone tried drifting back to casual, like she was already done with the conversation. “It was one bad race. I can bounce back.”

A pause.

“Just give me a bit, I’ll figure it out in a jiffy.”

No hesitation, no doubt. Just that same easy confidence, or something close enough to pass for it.

Silence followed, lasting longer this time.

“…Alright.” Her trainer said at last, though it didn’t quite sound like agreement. “Just… please think about it.”

A soft rustle, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching the door.

King panicked slightly, moved before the door could open, slipping behind the corner just out of sight as the door slid open.

Sei stepped out, still in her track suit, bag slung over her shoulder, posture loose as ever. Like nothing had happened.

Her footsteps started fading towards the other direction.

King stayed still. Waited until the sound disappeared completely down the hall. Only then did she shift, stepping back into view, eyes lingering on the now closed door for a moment.

“…Honestly.” A quiet exhale.

The answer still didn’t sit right. Especially not after everything that had happened.

King’s gaze drifted in the direction Sei had gone.

“Guess I’ll have to ask her myself.”

—

────────────

—

“No, she’s not back yet, I have no idea of where she could be.”

Sakura Laurel’s voice came through the phone, quieter than usual.

A soft sigh came from Fuji Kiseki. “…Thank you Laurel, please call us again if she comes back.”

“Got it.”

With that, the call ended. Fuji lowered her phone in her pocket.

Across the room, King Halo’s phone rang. The sound cut through the silence in the room, sharp and sudden, before fading out, and starting again.

The air felt uncomfortable between everyone in the room, the kind that sat heavy, pressing down on everyone just enough to make it hard to speak. Even the people that were not quite in the room. Fuji leaned against the doorframe, arms loosely crossed, gaze lowered in thought. Opposite her, Hishi Amazon stood unusually still, her usual fiery temper quelled into something quieter, more uncertain. No one said anything. Not even the ever-energetic and joyful Haru Urara. She shifted where she was sitting on her bed, clearly wanting to say something, anything to brighten up the mood, but she held back, hands fidgeting at her sides instead. Now’s probably not a good time to ask everyone what their favorite animal is.

King exhaled slowly, fingers tightening slightly around her phone.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She had a plan. Find Sei in her room, because of course she’d be there. At this hour, there weren’t many other options. Either asleep already or just sprawled out on her bed, half-watching one of those fishing videos she never seemed to get tired of. But when King had arrived,… nothing. Just Sakura Laurel, and an empty side of the room that felt a little too untouched. No bag tossed aside, no clothes thrown carelessly on the bed. No sign that Sei had even come back at all.

She’d tried texting. No reply. Calling? Straight to nothing.

So she did the only reasonable thing left. The group chat. One message turned into several. Questions layered over questions. No one had seen her.

And somehow, that had turned into this. A room full of people, and no answer of where Seiun Sky could be.

—

The phone rang, and rang… Then cut off. No answer.

King clicked her tongue in annoyance.

As if the room wasn’t uncomfortable enough already, the silence settled back in, now broken only by the quiet tick of the clock.

Another sigh slipped from Fuji. “Well, I should get going,” she said, pushing herself off the doorframe. “Let me know if anything comes up, alright?”

“Yeah, got it,” Hishi replied, giving a small, half-hearted nod.

Fuji didn’t linger. She turned and walked off down the hall, her footsteps fading quickly into the distance.

For a moment, Hishi stayed where she was. Then, she let out a long groan, rolling her shoulders as she stretched. “Man… guess I’ll hang around the lounge tonight.”

Her tone was casual, but she didn’t move to leave right away. Instead, she glanced back at the room, expression tightening just slightly.

“Oh, and remember to head back to your own dorms once you’re done.” She added, reaching for the door. “I don’t feel like getting an earful from her again.”

With that, she pulled it shut behind her. The click echoed softly. And just like that, the two dorm leaders were gone.

The room sat in a tense, uneasy silence, thick enough that even the ticking of the clock felt too loud. It was Special Week who finally broke.

“…I hope she’s okay.” Spe murmured, fingers curling into the bedsheet as she sat at the corner of Haru’s bed, her worry plain on her face.

“She better be!” King shot back immediately, too fast, too sharp. She crossed her arms, chin raised like she was daring the situation itself to prove her wrong. “When that girl comes back, I’ll give her a piece of my mind and then some. Running off without a word? Honestly…”

That didn’t really help.

Spe’s shoulders shrank in on themselves. “B-But what if something really did happen to her?”

“It won’t.” Grass Wonder’s voice slipped in, smooth and steady. She sat neatly on King’s bed, posture relaxed but composed. “She’s not so fragile that we need to imagine the worst.”

“¡Exactamente!” El Condor Pasa chimed in, puffing up with confidence, one fist planted on her hip. “Sei is strong! If trouble shows up, she’ll just-”

Her sentence cut off instantly. Grass’s fist drove cleanly into her abdomen, precise, controlled, and completely without warning. El folded over with a strangled wheeze, eyes wide, barely managing to keep the noise down.

Grass didn’t even look at her, she kept a kind smile on her lips. “Let’s not encourage any unnecessary scenarios.”

Sitting on the floor, Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi tilted her head, watching the exchange with wide, curious eyes. “…Oh!” she perked up suddenly, like something had just clicked. “So, King, why were you looking for Sei in the first place?”

The question caught King completely off guard. Her posture stiffened, and a faint blush crept across her face, fast enough to betray her before she could hide it.

“I- I wasn’t-” she tried to save face, her usual sharp tone slipping for just a second. “…I was just concerned. That’s all.”

King turned her head away with a small huff, arms crossing tighter than before. “As her rival and close friend, it would be irresponsible not to be.”

Tsuru blinked at her for a moment, clearly curious, but didn’t press any further.

King exhaled quietly, her shoulders lowering slightly. “…After yesterday’s race, she just didn’t look right. Not during it, and definitely not after.”

That shifted the mood. The room became silent again. Almost like they all collectively remembered the scene.

Spe’s ears drooped, a sorrowful expression washed over her face. “I just…” Her voice wavered slightly, she hesitated, struggling to find the words. “…I’ve just never seen anyone experience that kind of loss in a race before.”

El frowned, unusually subdued. “…Sí. That was no ordinary loss.” She shook her head slowly. “When a racer loses that hard, they burn with frustration, anger, something.” Her hand tightened into a fist. “But her? There was nothing. No fire, no fight… just emptiness.”

Grass lowered her gaze, but she remained quiet, her usual composure turning more solemn.

Haru, who had been quietly observing until now, finally spoke. “…What race are you all talking about?”

A brief pause. Then Tsurumaru sighed, less than happy to be the one telling. “Yesterday, Sei-”

Her explanation began smoothly, words quick and precise. But to King, they started to blur almost immediately. Not because Tsuru was unclear. But because King had already heard enough. More than enough.

Fragments of that conversation crept back in, Sei’s voice, quieter than usual, stripped of its usual ease. Words King had never been meant to hear. She shouldn’t have listened. It wasn’t fair to Sei. To take something said in private and hold onto it like this, it felt… wrong. So she said nothing. Just listened as the others spoke in her place.

King waited. Let them finish. Let them say everything.

Their concerns overlapped, different angles, different tones, but all circling the same uneasy truth.

Sei wasn’t okay.

The room fell quiet again.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, King spoke.

“…What would you all think,” she started, her voice lower now, more measured, “if she… retired?”

That got their attention.

Special Week blinked. “Retired…?”

Haru’s expression shifted slightly, surprised.

Tsurumaru leaned in a little, clearly intrigued.

But it was Grass who answered first. “If that is her decision,” she said calmly, without hesitation, “then I would support it.”

King’s fingers curled slightly at her sides.

Grass continued, her tone even, it carried a quiet respect. “She has already achieved more than most ever will. There is no shame in choosing to stop, especially if continuing would cost her more than she is willing to give.”

“…Yeah,” Spe nodded after a moment, though it was clear the idea still hurt her. “If that’s what Sei really wants… I’d support her too.”

“A campeón knows when to step away,” El said, crossing her arms, more serious now. “It is not weakness. It is strength.”

“…I don’t know much about racing,” Haru spoke, glancing between everyone, “but if she’s already done her best… then forcing herself to keep going doesn’t sound right.”

Tsurumaru tilted her head, then gave a small nod. “I think it’s fine.” She said gently. “She shouldn’t have to keep going just for other people.”

Agreement. From all sides.

Easy. Natural. Almost obvious.

And somehow, that made something in King’s chest tighten.

“…I see.” She murmured. Her gaze drifted, unfocused.

Supported. Of course they would support her. King herself would support her.

That was the right answer.

So why did it feel so wrong at this moment?

—

“Ah! I should be getting back now. Suzuka would be worried.” Spe shrieked, already springing to her feet. “Bye everyone, see you guys tomorrow!”

Before anyone could respond, she was already gone, her footsteps fading quickly down the hall.

Tsurumaru popped up from the floor in one quick motion, stretching her arms overhead. “Alright! I’ll head back too, Bright gets fussy if I stay out too late.” She said with a small laugh, already making her way toward the door.

“Shall we head back as well, El?” Grass asked, already standing.

“¡Está bien!” El replied, bouncing up with her usual energy.

El paused at the doorway, turning back with a semi-reassuring smile. “Don’t overthink it, King! Sei will be fine, she is strong, sí?”

Grass followed just behind her, stopping briefly to close the door behind them. “Good night you two.”

King waved goodbye to Grass, barely, she was too tired at this point.

“Good night! Come back again soon!” Haru called out, her usual brightness finally slipping back into her voice.

With a polite wave and smile from Grass, the door slid shut behind her.

It was late. Nearly 9 P.M, in fact. Spe had left right on time, and for a good reason. It was nearly Haru’s bedtime. King might have a habit of staying up more than she should, but she wasn’t gonna let that bleed over to Haru.

She let out a quiet sigh before turning to the pink-haired girl. “Come on, let’s go brush our teeth.”

“Okay!” She slipped off the bed without hesitation, her earlier restraint gone, and padded over to King’s side with an eager little bounce in her step.

“Can we use the strawberry toothpaste tonight?”

—

It was 9:30 now.

No,… 9:31.

King lay in bed, the lights in the room had been shut for a while now. Her gaze stayed fixed on the ceiling, the only thing visible in the dark. Normally, she’d be on her phone by now, scrolling through Umatter until her eyes gave out. But tonight, she didn’t feel like it.

After a moment, she turned her head slightly, glancing across the room. Despite all her energy during the day, Haru Urara had always been a fast sleeper. They’d gone through their usual routine, something Haru looked forward to every night. Brushing their teeth, changing into their pajamas, King helping with homework if there was any. Luckily, there wasn’t any tonight. For once, luck was on her side.

She returned her gaze to the ceiling, as if the answer to all that had happened would be there.

It wasn’t.

…

…Sei.

Where in three Goddesses’ names could she be?

The thought hadn’t moved. If anything, it had settled in deeper, pressing against the back of her mind no matter how she tried to ignore it.

She closed her eyes. Opened them again.

Still there.

“She’d be fine…” King murmured under her breath, before closing her eyes.

The words felt hollow the second they left her.

She turned onto her side.

Then onto her back again.

Another minute passed.

Or maybe longer. King didn’t keep track.

…

…

…Dangit.

Her eyes snapped open.

That was it.

With a sharp exhale, King pushed herself up, the covers shifting as she sat at the edge of the bed. For a moment, she stayed there, shoulders tense, as if waiting for the feeling to pass. It didn’t.

“This is ridiculous,” King muttered under her breath.

And yet, she was already on her feet, crossing the room toward the closet. The door creaked open just a fraction, carefully, deliberately, mindful of Haru, still fast asleep like nothing in the world could bother her. A hand slipped inside, fingers brushing past hangers until they found a spare tracksuit. It was on in seconds, movements quieter than usual. A quick glance followed, instinctive. Still sleeping. Good.

King hesitated for only a second longer. Not long enough to stop her from bending down and putting on her shoes.

Then, without giving herself time to rethink it, she opened the door, quietly, and stepped out into the hallway.

—

King kept her footsteps as light as possible, carefully placing each step like it was a test of precision. Most of them were fine, quiet, controlled, exactly how she liked it.

And then-

creeeak.

King froze.

The sound might as well have echoed through the entire building.

“…Fantastic.” She stood there for a second, listening.

Nothing. Good.

Another step.

creak.

Her eyes twitched.

Somehow, despite the floor’s apparent vendetta against her, King managed to make it all the way down to the ground floor. A small sigh of relief slipped out before she could stop it.

Now she just gotta get out of the building.

…Undetected.

Of course, as any reasonable person, Fuji would probably not be too happy with the fact that another pony was trying to leave. In the middle of the night, no less.

Considering what Sei did tonight, King could expect one thing from the Ritto dorm leader. She peaked over to the lounge area, narrowing her eyes. Yup. Fuji was there, not even asleep yet. King wanted to cuss, but she held back. Partly because it would probably get her caught, mainly because she wanted to keep her image even in situations like this.

Well, there was still the backdoor, just needed to get through the kitchen area. Simple.

King slowly backed away, then turned and made for the kitchen instead. Each step felt louder than the last, her nerves tightening the closer she got.

However… she stopped. She heard noises, indescribable ones. King’s entire body went rigid. It sounded like someone, or something eating, chewing, and swallowing. None of those sounded nice, and now she was scared. Could an animal have gotten in here, if what’s in there even is an animal in the first place? What if it’s a raccoon, it came in here and was devouring all the kitchen’s ingredients… Raccoons are kinda cute actuall- No! Now’s not the time.

Despite everything telling her to turn and run back to her room, King pressed forward. Sei better pay her back for risking her life like this.

She turned the corner into the kitchen.

The noise was louder now. Chewing. Uneven. Loud.

King felt it before she fully saw it.

Blue eyes, glinting faintly in the dark. They were looking at her. In what way? King couldn’t tell you since she already froze over.

Her mind went blank.

Without thinking, her hand shot toward the wall, fingers fumbling for the switch. Whatever this beast was, she at least was going to see it before she died.

The light flooded the room. King squeezed her eyes shut for a split second before forcing them open.

…

…

“…Oguri?”

In front of King Halo right then, was Oguri Cap, who was standing by the fridge. There were cupcakes, decorated with the faces of her rivals, Tamamo Cross, Super Creek, Inari One, scattered across the counter. And Oguri… looked like she had declared war on all of them. Chocolate smeared around her mouth, wrappers littered the floor, another cupcake halfway gone in her hand.

“…Please don’t tell Tama.” She mumbled, not even pausing her chewing.

King couldn’t believe it.

There was a second of silence before King spoke up.

“Okay… I won’t tell Tamamo Cross. If you don’t say anything about me sneaking out tonight.” King kept her voice low, so as to not announce Fuji of her presence.

Oguri nodded immediately, giving King a thumbs up with her free hand. Still chewing.

And with that, King left Oguri to her devouring as she made it to the backdoor.

…

She was outside.

A soft gust of wind brushed past her, drawing a small shiver from her shoulders. The dorms felt different at night, quieter, calmer. Almost unfamiliar.

King exhaled softly. Then her expression tightened.

…Right.

Find Seiun Sky.

—

────────────

—

…

The air outside felt quiet, calm. Too calm.

King’s steps slowed as she moved along the path, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

There she was.

“…Sei?” she called softly.

No answer. She took a few more steps.

“Sei.”

Still nothing.

A faint frown tugged at her lips.

“Seiun Sky!” She called again, much louder this time.

A pause.

Then…

“There you are.” Sei turned. She stood a short distance away, looking back at King like she had been there the entire time.

“What took you so long?” Sei asked, tone light, almost teasing.

King blinked.

“You’re the one who wandered off,” she shot back. “And left me behind, might I add.”

Sei only gave a lazy shrug, already turning away. “But you caught up, didn’t you?”

King clicked her tongue but followed anyway.

The two of them walked side by side. Like usual. Shopping bags hung from King’s arms, far more than she would’ve liked, while Sei casually held both of their drinks, sipping from her straw without a care in the world.

“Honestly…” King muttered. “You could at least carry some of these.”

“Mm.” Sei hummed, not even looking at her. “But then who’d hold the drinks?”

“That’s not-” King stopped herself, exhaling sharply. “…Unbelievable.”

Sei gave a small, almost amused smile before glancing back.“Hey, over here.” she called as she ran a few steps ahead of King.

King followed her gaze. “What is this?” she asked.

“A park.” Sei answered simply.

King’s brows went up in surprise. “There’s a park here?”

“Mm. Found it recently.” Sei took another sip. “Apparently it’s been around for a while.”

“And we’ve just never been?”

“Guess so.”

Sei stepped forward, already making her way in. “Come on.”

King hesitated for only a moment before following.

The air in the park felt different. Cool, but not cold. Still, but not suffocating. A quiet kind of calm settled over the place, the kind that made even the smallest sounds stand out, like the soft rustle of leaves, or the sound of Sei still sipping on her drink. Trees were scattered all around, their branches stretching overhead in no particular order, yet somehow never feeling crowded. The spaces between them felt deliberate, like the park had been shaped to let the air move freely. A few people lingered here and there, their presence distant and muted. Conversations barely carried, footsteps softened by the open space.

The whole place felt untouched. Like it existed just slightly apart from everything else.

Sei wandered over to a nearby bench and sat down, placing King’s drink beside her before giving the empty spot a light pat.

With a quiet sigh, King followed.

—

“You really are just so…” King searched for the right word. “…random.”

Sei let out a small huff of amusement. “That’s a new one.”

“I’m running out of ways to describe how annoying you are,” King replied, though there wasn’t much bite behind it really.

Sei chuckled softly. They settled into a quiet rhythm after that, sitting side by side on the bench. The bags rested by their feet, drinks in hand.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Just… still.

“…How’s your leg been?” King asked at last, her voice softer now, the earlier irritation gone.

Sei answered almost immediately. “It’s been good.” She took a sip from her drink, tone as lazy as ever. “I’ll probably be back on the track soon.”

King didn’t realize it, but her expression eased at that, something warm flickered across her face instead. “…That’s good.” She murmured.

“Maybe we can race together again.” Sei added, turning slightly toward her, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Just like old times.”

For a second, King just sat there. Then her gaze dropped, her grip tightened slightly around her drink.

“King?”

There was a pause. A quiet breath.

“…Actually,” King said, her voice low, almost careful, “I’m planning to retire this year.”

Sei didn’t say anything, she just watched her.

King kept her gaze lowered, fingers tracing faint circles along the side of her cup. “…I’ve been thinking about it for a while now,” she continued quietly. “And I want the Arima Kinen to be my last race.”

The words came out steadier than she expected. “One last run, everything I have, all of it… just for that.” A small breath escaped her. “…And then I’m done.”

Sei remained silent, no interruption, no teasing. Just listening.

King’s grip tightened slightly. “It’s not like I’m running away or anything,” she muttered. “I just…” She stopped herself. “…It just feels like the right place to end.”

The silence stretched for a moment longer.

Sei leaned back slightly, taking a slow sip of her drink. “…Guess that means you won’t be able to lose to me anymore,” she said lightly.

King blinked. “…Excuse me?”

A faint, lazy smile tugged at Sei’s lips.

King huffed and nudged her shoulder with her own. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she shot back, a hint of her usual fire slipping through. “I haven’t lost yet.”

Sei let out a quiet chuckle, not even bothering to argue.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The park was quiet, unchanged.

Sei tilted her head back slightly, looking up through the scattered branches above.

“…Hey.” Sei said after a while.

King glanced at her. “What?”

Sei gestured lazily around them. “This place isn’t bad.”

King huffed softly. “It’s… nice, I suppose.”

Sei smiled faintly. “Then let’s come back here again sometime.”

King blinked. “That’s it?”

“Yup.” Sei nodded. “After your last race. Or whenever.”

She turned slightly, meeting King’s gaze. “Just… don’t disappear on me, ‘kay?”

King hesitated. “…You’re the one who tends to wander off.” She muttered, though there wasn’t much bite behind it.

A brief pause.

“…Fine.” Her grip tightened faintly around her drink.

Sei hummed, then lifted her hand between them, pinky extended. “Let’s make it a promise.”

King looked at her hand, then back at her.

“You’re serious, what are we, children?”

Sei didn’t answer, just waited.

King exhaled quietly, something in her expression softening. “You really are something else.”

But her hand moved anyway.

She hooked her pinky with Sei’s, more naturally this time.

“Happy now?” she asked, a little quieter.

Sei smiled.

“Yeah.”

…

“We’ll come back.”

A promise.

—

────────────

—

King had already searched everywhere Sei would usually be. The quiet corners near Tracen where she liked to nap. The riverbank where she would sit for hours, fishing without a care. All of it. She’d run between them, one after another, barely stopping to think, barely stopping to breathe. Nothing.

Time was slipping, it was getting late. Either she found Sei, or she kept running until her legs gave out. She’d even thought about going back to the beach.

But for a second, King stilted, pausing to take a breather. She let her thoughts spin, racing through memory after memory, grasping at anything that might lead her to Sei.

Then, something surfaced. A quiet moment. A promise.

The memory hit her all at once.

King’s eyes widened. “…The park.”

She was already moving. Footsteps quick, uneven, almost tripping over themselves as she turned and ran, retracing her path. It was near the mall, it had to be.

“Please…” She muttered silently, breath coming faster with each step. “Just… be there.”

—

By the time she reached the park, her breath was uneven, chest rising and falling too fast. She slowed. However, the moment she stepped forward, something felt… off.

It was the same park, the same scattered trees, the same open paths. The same quiet. And yet, it didn't feel the same. The calm from before had shifted into something heavier. The air sat still, almost too still, like the whole place was holding its breath.

King pulled out her phone.

10:33.

The screen dimmed again, leaving her in the low glow of the park lamps. Somewhere nearby, crickets sang into the silence, steady, distant, filling the space where voices should’ve been. King stepped forward slowly, eyes scanning every corner she could see.

Empty. Benches, paths, shadows between trees. Nothing.

King frowned. “…Sei?” She called out, quietly, as if trying to keep the silence of the place intact.

…

There was no answer. The silence pressed in. For a moment, doubt crept in. What if she wasn’t here either? What if…

King took another step forward, forcing her eyes to keep searching, refusing to give in just yet.

Then…

There.

In the distance, a figure, mint-green hair, sitting on a bench beneath one of the few working lamps, its light casting a soft, pale circle against the dark.

Sei.

She hadn’t noticed her yet.

King’s heart pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. Without another thought, she stepped forward. Slow, careful, each step deliberate, as if she didn’t want to be noticed until she was right in front of her.

—

As King drew closer, Sei came into clearer view. She sat slouched against the bench, back fully resting against it, posture loose in that familiar, careless way. Her head was tilted down, eyes fixed on her phone as her thumb idly scrolled across the screen. She was still in her tracksuit. Her bag rested beside her. Nothing about her looked out of place. And yet, something was.

Her eyes.

Not red. Not even her usual half-lidded, lazy gaze. Just… tired. A kind of exhaustion that sat deeper than that.

She must have noticed by now, right? It wasn’t like there was anything blocking her view from being able to see King approaching. But there was nothing. No movement, no reaction, it was as if King wasn’t even there.

…

Not for long. King’s grip tightened slightly as she picked up her pace.

By the time King reached the bench, she was right beside her.

“…Sei.” Quiet, barely above a breath.

Sei’s thumb stilled. Then, finally, she looked up. For a split second, something flickered across her face. Gone just as quickly.

“Oh,” she said lightly, like none of it mattered. “What are you doing here?” A small, lazy smile followed.

“Fuji’s not gonna be very happy about this, you know.”

King didn’t answer. She just stood there, looking at her. Worry. Frustration. Something heavier sitting just beneath both.

Sei’s smile lingered, but didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You didn’t have to come all the way out here. I can handle myself just fine, you know.”

King remained silent, keeping eye contact with her.

This girl. Had the gall to joke. After everything. Running off without a word, ignoring every call, every message. Leaving everyone worried. Leaving her worried. And now she just acted as if nothing was wrong. King felt it rise in her chest, sharp, immediate. The urge to scold her, to demand an explanation, to drag her back and make her face everyone she’d worried tonight.

…But she knew better. Sei had always been like this. Push too hard, and she’d slip away, laugh it off, pretend nothing ever mattered in the first place. And right now, she looked like she might. King exhaled slowly, forcing the tension down, swallowing every word that wanted to come out.

…

“…Why?” The word came out before she could stop it.

Sei blinked. For a brief moment, something like surprise crossed her face. Then she looked away, like she didn’t want to answer.

“Just… getting some fresh air.” She said after a beat, letting out a small laugh. It didn’t sound real. “It was getting stuffy at the academy.” She looked back at her phone.

King kept her gaze, After a moment, she exhaled softly through her nose and moved to sit beside her.

The silence that followed settled in quickly. Heavy. Neither of them spoke. Sei kept her gaze fixed on her phone, thumb idly scrolling across her phone, though she didn’t seem to be reading anything at all. Beside her, King frowned faintly, her attention dropping to her lap, fingers curled slightly tighter than before.

“…You weren’t just getting some fresh air,” King said at last.

Sei’s thumb paused for a fraction of a second, before moving again. “What, you don’t believe me?” She replied lightly, not even looking towards her.

King didn’t answer right away. Her eyes stayed on Sei. “You were talking to your trainer,” she continued, quieter now. “…About retiring.”

This time, Sei’s hand stilled completely. The screen dimmed. For a moment, she said nothing. “…So you heard.”

Not surprised, not really. Just… stated.

King’s gaze softened, but she didn’t look away.

Sei let out a small breath through her nose, tilting her head back slightly against the bench. “…Not you too.” The words came out quieter than before. There was no bite in them. Just tired.

King’s fingers tightened in her lap. “I wasn’t-” she started, then stopped herself. Her brows knit together slightly. “…I wasn’t planning to bring it up like this.”

Sei gave a faint huff. “Yet here we are.” Her phone slipped loosely in her hand, forgotten now, but she still didn’t look at King.

King hesitated.

For a moment, it looked like she might push further, say what had been building in her chest since she found her.

But instead, she exhaled softly. “…Do you want to?” She asked instead.

Sei blinked. “What?”

King’s voice stayed even, but quieter. “Retire.”

A pause.

Sei’s grip shifted slightly around her phone. Her shoulders lifted in a small, careless shrug. She let out a quiet scoff. “Does it matter?”

“It does,” King replied, more firmly this time.

That got her. Sei finally glanced at her, just briefly. “…Why?”

King held her gaze. “Because you’re not the type to just… walk away,” she said. “Not like this.”

Sei looked at her for a second longer. Then her eyes drifted away again. “…You’d be surprised.” Her voice was softer now. Not lazy, just… low.

King frowned slightly. “That’s not an answer.”

“Maybe I don’t have one.” Sei murmured.

The air between them stilled again. This time, it felt heavier.

Sei leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on her knees, phone dangling loosely from her hand. “…Everyone keeps talking about it like it’s simple,” she said after a while. “Like I just decide, and that’s it.”

Her fingers tightened faintly. “Like it doesn’t mean anything.”

King didn’t interrupt.

“…I lost,” Sei continued, quieter now. “That’s all it took.”

A small, hollow laugh followed. “Guess that was enough, wasn’t it?”

King’s expression tightened. “That’s not-”

Sei shook her head slightly, cutting her off. “It’s fine,” she said, almost automatically. “I can handle it.”

It was the same line, the same tone. But it didn’t land the same anymore.

King looked at her. Really looked at her. At the way her shoulders sat just a little too still. At the way her voice had lost its usual ease. …At the way she wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“…Sei.”

Sei didn’t respond.

King’s hand shifted slightly against the bench.

“You don’t have to pretend.”

That finally made Sei pause. Just for a moment. Sei didn’t move, not at first. Then, her fingers tightened slightly around her phone. Just a little.

“…I’m not,” She said. But it came out quieter than before. Less certain. A pause followed. Longer this time. Her gaze dropped, somewhere unfocused. “I said I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

Sei’s jaw tightened, just barely. She replied, a little sharper now. “…I just needed space.”

“From what?” No hesitation from King.

Sei opened her mouth, then stopped. Her grip shifted around her phone. “…From everything.” she said instead, quieter this time.

A pause settled between them.

King watched her carefully. “…Everyone’s worried,” she said. “You know that.”

“I know.”

“Then why-”

“Because I can handle it,” that came out faster. Stronger. Like she needed it to be true. Again.

Silence followed.

King’s expression tightened slightly. “…You keep saying that.”

No response.

“…But you’re still here,” King continued. “Sitting alone in the dark like this.”

No answer.

“…That doesn’t look like someone who’s handling it.”

Sei’s shoulders stiffened. “What do you want me to say?” she muttered.

King didn’t miss a beat. “The truth.”

Sei let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “The truth?” She repeated. “You want the truth?” She finally turned her head, just enough to look at King.

There was something sharper in her eyes now.

“Fine. I lost.” A small breath. “Humiliatingly, in fact.”

The words were harsh. Harsh enough to make King freeze.

“I was given a second chance that many others don’t get, to prove myself on the racetrack once more,” she pressed on, her voice now trembling. “ …and what happened? I wasted it, King.”

Her breathing grew uneven, each word coming out a little less steady than the last.

“I couldn’t keep up. I couldn’t finish strong.” She let out a shaky breath, her grip tightening against her sleeve. “I couldn’t even-”

She stopped. Swallowed. “…I couldn’t be the Seiun Sky everyone believed in.”

A small, broken laugh slipped out. Her shoulders tensed.

“I had everything lined up. One last run. One last chance to do it properly.” Her voice wavered. “And I still messed it up.”

King didn’t interrupt. Didn’t move.

Sei’s fingers curled tighter, knuckles faintly paling. Her breath hitched. “That was supposed to be my ending.” Silence pressed in around them. “…And I ruined it.”

The words came out small. Fragile. Like they barely held together.

“And now, I’m gonna leave behind a last race that…” She faltered. “…that’s all anyone’s going to remember.”

Sei’s shoulders dipped slightly, the tension finally slipping.

“…I failed.” She murmured.

A pause. Longer this time.

Her voice dropped even further.

“…I failed my trainer.”

Her fingers trembled faintly.

“…I failed everyone who believed in me.”

Another breath, shaky, uneven.

“…I failed you.”

That was where it broke. Not loudly, not all at once. Just… quiet hitches in her breath. Her hand lifted slightly, pressing against her face as if that would stop it.

It didn’t.

A tear slipped through anyway.

Then another.

“…I failed everyone.”

Her voice cracked, barely holding together now, the words dissolving into a soft, uneven sob she couldn’t quite hide. She turned her head away, shoulders curling in just a little, like she was trying to make herself smaller, like if she did, maybe it wouldn’t hurt as much.

“…Funny, isn’t it?” She let out a shaky breath. “All that time making sure something like this wouldn’t get to me… and here it is.”

King’s expression tightened. She didn’t interrupt, not yet at least . Sei needed to say it. All of it. Because this wasn’t just about one race. King could hear it in her voice. This had been building for a long time. Pushed down, ignored, brushed aside with that same careless smile. Until it couldn’t be anymore.

…

King knew that feeling. All too well.

“…I don’t think you failed anyone.”

Sei didn’t respond. Her gaze stayed lowered, like the words didn’t quite reach.

King drew in a breath. “…You think one race decides everything?” she continued, quieter but firm. “After everything you’ve done?”

Still nothing.

“…People don’t remember you for one loss, Sei.”

Sei let out a faint, tired breath through her nose. “…That’s easy for you to say.” Her voice wasn’t sharp. Just… distant.

King hesitated, then shook her head slightly. “I mean it.” She looked at her. “…What you’ve done doesn’t just disappear because of one bad race.”

Sei’s fingers tightened slightly, but she didn’t look up. Silence.

The words hung there, but didn’t land.

King could see it.

The way Sei didn’t react. Didn’t push back. Didn’t accept it either. Just… stayed there.

Unconvinced.

King exhaled. “…Fine.” She pushed herself up to her feet.

Sei blinked, glancing up slightly. King stepped in front of her, turning to face her fully. Then, she held her hand out.

“Then let's do it.” No hesitation.

Sei frowned faintly.

“…What?”

“A race,” King said. Simple, direct. “Just a short one.”

Sei stared at her, clearly not following.

King’s grip steadied slightly.

“…You want a better ending, don’t you?”

A small pause.

“…Then take it.”

That made Sei freeze.

“You said you wanted us to race each other again, didn’t you?” King didn’t back down. “Let’s do it. Right here. Right now.”

Sei stared at her. “…You’re serious?” she said, her voice still unsteady.

King didn’t waver. “Completely.”

Sei let out a weak breath, something close to a laugh, but it didn’t quite make it. “…You really think that’s going to fix anything?”

“I don’t.” King replied. “…But I think you need it.”

“…It’s not the same,” she murmured. “This isn’t a real race.”

“No,” King said. “It’s not.”

A small step closer. “But you’re still you.”

Sei’s fingers twitched slightly.

King’s voice softened, just a little. “…And I want to see you run.”

Not the result. Not the outcome.

Just… her.

Sei swallowed. For a moment, it looked like she might refuse. Like she’d turn away again, retreat into that same distance she’d been hiding in all night. But instead… Sei pulled her hand back, pushing herself up from the bench. Her legs felt a little unsteady at first, but she steadied herself. King stepped back, giving her space.

“How far?”

“…Just a short distance,” King said, a small smile tugging at her lips. “From here to the end of the path.”

Sei followed her gaze. “…And that’s it?”

“That’s it.”

A pause.

“…Fine.”

They moved side by side to the start of the path. No crowd. No noise. Just the quiet hum of the night and the distant sound of crickets. Sei rolled her shoulders once, like she was trying to shake something off.

“Remember what I said?” King asked, almost like a taunt. “I’m not losing to you yet.”

Sei didn’t say anything back. She just looked at her, before preparing herself.

King glanced at her. “…Ready?”

Sei exhaled. “…As I’ll ever be.”

They didn’t count down. Didn’t need to.

For a brief second, they stood still…

Then they ran.

—

The wind rushed through their hair as they bolted down the path.

Sei pulled ahead almost immediately, of course she did. But this time, something felt… off. The path was straight, short. It didn’t take long for it to click. A sprint. King’s kind of race. Sei’s stride didn’t falter, but the thought lingered in the back of her mind, just enough to make her aware of it. Still, she didn’t slow down.

Behind her, King kept pace, just a step or two back. Close enough to feel the rhythm of Sei’s stride. Far enough not to interfere. The wind pressed against Sei, stealing breath, draining stamina faster than she liked, but King didn’t push yet. Not here, not now. Sei had the advantage in endurance. If this dragged on, she’d lose. King knew that. So she waited, watched, and counted the rhythm.

Sei’s pace was steady, but not settled. Not fully. There was hesitation in it. A slight unevenness. Like she hadn’t decided how fast she wanted to go.

That was her opening. King drew in a breath, and moved.

Sei frowned faintly, but didn’t slow. Didn’t give it up. Not yet.

Their footsteps fell into a sharp rhythm, the distance between them barely changing.

Then, just for a moment, Sei’s pace dipped. Barely noticeable. A breath out of place. A step just a fraction shorter.

King saw it. Instinct kicked in.

Sei eased, just slightly, letting her own pace drop for a split second. A breath. A reset.

That was all King needed.

But, Sei moved first. She pushed off hard, a sudden burst forward that caught King off guard, her stride snapping back into something cleaner, sharper. Faster. Not forced anymore. Natural. For a split second, she wasn’t thinking about the race. Or the loss. Or anything at all. Just the ground beneath her feet, and the feeling of running.

King’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed.

A breath.

Then she answered. King surged forward, her own pace shifting instantly, the hesitation gone. This time, she didn’t hold back. Didn’t linger behind. Her stride sharpened, precise and controlled, cutting through the distance as she pulled up alongside Sei once more.

Now, this felt right.

Sei’s pace evened out, no longer forced into the lead, no longer holding anything back.

King ran beside her, no tricks, no waiting.

They didn’t look at each other. Didn’t need to. The rhythm had returned.

Step for step. Stride for stride.

Neither yielding. Neither chasing.

Just running.

The path ahead narrowed under the dim lights, the end drawing closer with each passing second.

Faster. Closer.

Neither of them faltered. Not this time.

They held their pace, all the way through. And crossed the end…

Together.

…

Sei slowed to a stop, her breathing uneven again, but different this time. Not desperate. Just… tired. She stood there for a moment, staring ahead. Then let out a breath.

“…Hah.” It wasn’t a laugh. Not quite.

Her shoulders dropped slightly, the tension she’d been carrying finally loosening, if only a little. Sei lifted a hand, brushing her hair back, gaze drifting upward for a second before settling forward again.

“…That was nice.”

The words came out soft, unforced. Almost like she hadn’t meant to say them out loud.

No bitterness. No mask.

Just, honest.

King didn’t say anything, not right away. Her breath was heavier than she would’ve liked, but she ignored it, attention fixed on Sei instead. On the way her shoulders had lowered. On the way her voice didn’t sound strained anymore.

King exhaled slowly. “…Good.”

She turned her gaze forward, giving Sei that space, like if she looked too closely, she might break whatever had just settled. “You didn’t hold back.” She added after a moment.

A small pause.

“…That’s more like it.”

There was a faint huff under her breath, something close to satisfaction, though she’d never call it that out loud. King adjusted her posture slightly, brushing a strand of hair back into place, regaining that familiar composure.

King glanced toward the path they had just run. “…You see?”

Sei tilted her head slightly. “…See what?”

King didn’t look at her this time.

“…That,” she said, nodding faintly toward the stretch of ground behind them, “is what people remember.”

Sei’s gaze followed, landing on the empty path.

“Not just how it ends,” King continued, voice steady, grounded. “But how you ran.”

A small pause.

“…Moments like that don’t just disappear.”

The wind passed between them, softer now.

Sei didn’t respond. But she didn’t look away either.

King’s expression eased, just slightly. “…You think one race is all you’re leaving behind,” she said. “It’s not.”

Her voice lowered, just a fraction.

“…It never was.”

Silence lingered.

Not heavy. Not suffocating.

Just… there.

Sei’s fingers shifted faintly at her side. Her gaze stayed on the path a second longer, before dropping. She scoffed softly. “Didn’t take you for the philosophical type.”

King whipped her head back at her, clearly offended. “Excuse me?”

Sei raised a hand lazily, as if to wave it off. “I’m just saying,” she murmured, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “that was… surprisingly deep.”

King huffed, straightening slightly. “I’ll have you know I am perfectly capable of insightful thought.”

“Mhm.” Sei’s tone was light, unconvinced, but not dismissive.

A pause.

Then, quieter. “…Thanks.”

It slipped out before she could dress it up into something else.

King blinked. Just once. “…Of course.” She said, a little more composed than she felt.

Sei glanced at her briefly, then away again, but the edge from before was gone. “Still doesn’t change the fact that you dragged me into a random night race.” She added.

King crossed her arms. “You’re welcome.”

That earned a small breath of a laugh, soft, but real.

—

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—

It was late. Much later than either of them had ever stayed out for. The campus had long since gone quiet, the lights in the dorms dimmed, the world settling into that soft stillness that only came with the night.

They walked side by side.

Slowly.

No rush to get back, no urgency pulling them forward.

Just the quiet rhythm of their footsteps, steady and in sync.

A breeze passed between them, cooler now, brushing lightly against their skin. Sei let out a small breath, shoulders looser than before, her hands tucked lazily into her sleeves. For a while, neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to.

Then… King’s hand moved. Carefully, deliberately. She reached out and took Sei’s hand.

Not tentative.

Just… firm.

Sei blinked, glancing down briefly at their joined hands, then up at King.

“What’s this?” she asked, a hint of amusement slipping back into her voice.

King didn’t look at her. Her grip tightened slightly.

“So you don’t run off again,” she said. “…At least not without me knowing.”

Sei let out a soft huff. “Wow. Didn’t know I needed supervision now.”

“You do,” King replied immediately.

That earned a quiet chuckle.

Sei didn’t pull away.

Instead, her fingers shifted slightly in King’s grasp, settling. Comfortable.

…

They walked like that for a few more steps.

Then, Sei slowed. Just a little. King glanced over, about to say something, when Sei leaned in.

Quick, light. A brief press of her lips against King’s cheek. And just like that, she pulled back. Like it was nothing.

King stopped. Completely. “…Wha-”

Sei was already looking ahead again, expression calm, too calm.

“Keep walking,” she said casually.

King’s face flushed instantly, her composure cracking in a way she’d never admit.

“I- You- That was-!”

Sei’s shoulders shook slightly. “You talk too much.” She murmured.

King huffed, clearly flustered, but didn’t let go of her hand. If anything, her grip tightened.

“Unbelievable.”

A pause.

“…Don’t do that again without warning.” Quieter now.

Sei let out a soft laugh. “Now you know how I felt.”

King clicked her tongue. But she didn’t argue further.

…

After a few more steps, Sei spoke again, softer this time. “…Hey.”

King glanced at her, still faintly flustered. “What?”

Sei looked ahead, her voice quieter than before. “…If something like tonight happens again.”

A small pause.

King’s expression settled. “…Then?”

Sei’s fingers shifted slightly in her grip. “…I’ll try not to just disappear.”

Not a promise.

Not quite.

Just… closer than before.

King was quiet for a moment. “…You’d better not.”

Her hand adjusted slightly, a subtle squeeze. “…And if you do,” she added, tone softer now, “I’ll come drag you back myself.”

Sei let out a faint breath, something just shy of a laugh. “Sounds troublesome.”

“Good.” King replied.

A small pause.

Then, quieter. “…You won’t have to look far.” Sei glanced at her this time, just briefly.

“…That so?” King met her gaze.

“Obviously.”

Before Sei knew it, King held her free hand up, and made a gesture with her pinky. “Promise?”

Sei blinked. For a moment, she just stared at it. The gesture felt… oddly familiar. Simple, almost childish. And yet, right now, it didn’t feel like a joke.

Her expression softened. A small smile tugged at her lips as she slipped her finger around King’s. Gentle. Certain.

“…Promise.”

…

They kept walking, side by side. The night stretched quietly around them, unchanged. The path ahead dimly lit. The one behind them already fading into the dark. But neither of them looked back.

They didn’t need to. Because what mattered, what stayed, was never just the finish line. Not one race, not one ending, but the moments in between, the steps taken, the times they chose to run, and the times they chose not to run alone.

Some things don’t disappear when they’re over. They linger.

In quiet places.

In shared steps.

In promises kept.

And in the memories left behind, long after the race is done.

—

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