What in the world is going on? Why does Narita Brian have this deadly serious attitude, as if she's deciding the future course of someone's life?
Especially with her arms slightly spread, wearing an expression that practically screamed, 'If you don't listen to me, I won't let you leave.'
"I've hesitated for a long time, unsure whether I should tell you. After all... this is a very selfish decision, born entirely from my own feelings. Even if I get rejected, I have no right to complain. But still, I want to tell you my true feelings."
Narita Brian gazed intensely at the girl, slowly closing the distance between them. Just then, Green Grass suddenly stepped forward, inserting herself between the two.
"Hold it right there!"
She blocked Narita Brian, her ears twitching rapidly.
"As your senior, I must correct your thinking here! Forcing your feelings onto someone else is wrong!"
Green Grass said loudly.
Narita Brian, just what are you trying to pull with this aggressive attitude?
Feelings! Those kind of feelings?
Green Grass felt herself being dragged into a massive emotional whirlpool.
Sure, there were relationships among Uma Musume that transcended friendship, but how should she put it... they took it step by step! Yes, they all took it step by step!
This approach of yours, suddenly popping up and forcing a confession without any regard for whether the other person accepts it, is completely unacceptable.
As a senior at Tracen Academy, she had to teach these youngsters that matters of the heart required careful consideration.
You must consider the other person's perspective, be sensitive to their actions, and not let momentary impulses control your brain! Otherwise, feelings won't last!
And Narita Brian! Usually, she acts aloof and indifferent to everyone. Who could have guessed she'd also have her heart set on someone?
And the object of her affection is actually my junior!
The moment Narita Brian spoke up, Green Grass suddenly felt a sting, as if a precious thing she'd painstakingly obtained was being snatched away.
Her feelings towards her junior were, of course, purely those of a senior. Precisely because of that, Green Grass strived to fulfill her responsibilities wholeheartedly.
Accompanying, guiding, and protecting—this was the bond she longed to build with her junior.
So she took her junior's emotional well-being very seriously.
Her junior rarely brought this sort of thing up normally, and Green Grass had never seen her pay special attention to anyone.
Plus, given her junior's... unique circumstances, Green Grass had assumed she wouldn't have troubles in this area. Who would have thought someone would confess to her today!
Narita Brian, does your sister know you're acting like this?!
Green Grass lectured her sternly.
"Green Grass-senpai... I understand that I'm being a bit unreasonable here. But my heart... it keeps calling out, ceaselessly."
She was yearning for an all-out battle, craving to be utterly consumed by the flames of combat.
"W-what?"
Green Grass's jaw slackened slightly.
While Narita Brian could be quite hot-tempered at times, overall she was a relatively steady kid.
Who knew she had this hidden side—such raging, fiery passion?
She remembered Symboli Rudolf mentioning that Narita Brian greatly admired powerful Uma Musume. Green Grass hadn't paid it much mind at the time, but thinking back now, that was probably the trigger for Narita Brian's interest in her junior.
"Brian, what is it about my junior that you value?" Green Grass asked.
"Her strength. Her utterly unadorned power," Narita Brian stated frankly.
That's why she wanted to compete in a race that was a return to primal, wild instincts.
"Is strength the only thing?"
"Yes."
How outrageous...
Green Grass gritted her teeth secretly.
My junior... her personality is so wonderful too! And you only care about her strength?
What's the difference between you and someone who only cares about looks and completely ignores what's inside!
Actually, just thinking about it made it obvious. Narita Brian had never even interacted with her junior before, only seen her on the racetrack. To confess with so little understanding of her...
It's so irrational! You haven't considered a girl's delicate heart at all! There's no 'step by step' here whatsoever, just you charging ahead driven by a headful of hot blood!
"As her senior, I have a responsibility to guide her. Whether it's running or matters of the heart, I will strive to do my best, to be the most capable senior possible..."
Green Grass spoke slowly, "Narita Brian, you haven't yet—"
"A moment ago, what did you say?" Narita Brian interrupted before she could finish.
"Green Grass-senpai, you just said... you were the one who guided her running?"
Completely missing the latter part of the sentence, Narita Brian's sharp senses had picked up on the anomaly.
"Correct. I was the one who taught her running form."
Whoosh—!
The very ground seemed to grow heavier as Narita Brian's aura intensified dramatically.
"I see! I was wondering why my rival's running style had suddenly changed. So that's it! It was you, Green Grass-senpai!"
Her yellow eyes fixed on Green Grass before her.
An ordinary Uma Musume would have been scared out of her wits by Narita Brian in this state. But Green Grass had seen her share of major confrontations. Her eyes narrowed, and an aura just as sharp and formidable as Narita Brian's erupted from her.
Her blue eyes, cold as ice crystals, stared back at the other.
"Green Grass-senpai, even though you are my senior, I must say this: do not interfere excessively with my rival."
"Narita Brian, as I thought, I could never entrust my junior to you with peace of mind."
Invisible waves of pressure collided, wild ferocity and sharp intensity permeating the surrounding air.
Copano Rickey, who had sensed the discord between the two from the start but was too terrified to speak, stood to the side, her legs trembling.
Her skin prickled with a continuous, stinging sensation. Struggling to suppress the urge to flee, she turned her head to look at the central figure of this conversation, that black-clad ghost of a girl.
Coincidentally, the other girl was also looking at her.
Magenta eyes and golden eyes met.
"Copano Rickey."
"W-what?"
"You haven't been causing me trouble lately."
"What's that supposed to mean? It's not like I enjoy bothering you!"
"It's best if you don't."
After all, her 'little sister' had recently started activities around the academy too. She really didn't want Copano Rickey running into her.
Seeing the girl didn't seem inclined to speak further, Copano Rickey suddenly remembered something and added, "Ah, right. During the [Tenno Sho], I overheard a few people in the audience seats who carry powerful fortune. Probably fellow feng shui practitioners."
"I see..."
"Well, it's just... you know. It's something you brought on yourself. Making such a big scene, it's no surprise others noticed. I'm just telling you, the older the feng shui practitioner, the more set in their ways they are. Anyway... just be careful."
Hearing Copano Rickey's evasive words, the girl nodded.
"I understand. Thanks for the warning."
"It's not a warning! I'm just reporting the situation on the field! I haven't abandoned my duty as a feng shui practitioner!"
"If you say so."
"Hmph—" She puffed out her cheeks.
On the other side, after a few seconds of silent confrontation with Green Grass, Narita Brian turned her head to look at the girl.
"My rival, I will make you understand that I am more suited for you than Green Grass is."
A wild, untamed battle—that was the form she was meant to take.
"Narita Brian, even though my junior and I aren't in that kind of relationship, if you think you can take my place, don't even dream of it."
With a final, meaningful glance at the girl, Narita Brian turned and left the scene.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.