Chapter 1164: NO. 68: It is, after all, an Aomo

NO. 68: It is, after all, an Aomo

"You didn't tell him?"

In the pattering rain, Narita Hakujin stood under the eaves of the teaching building of the university department, beside him was Qianming, the representative, sitting on an electric wheelchair.

"What are you talking about?" The distraction in his eyes, which originally carried many worries, upon hearing this, clearly returned to reality. Qianming smiled and asked back: "Say why you lost to me?"

Although it wasn't the main point, Hakujin, for whom the outcome of the race was equally hard to ignore, was instead choked by this remark and glanced at the smirking senior.

"……You know what I'm talking about." She muttered.

"Look, we've come to this point, and you still refuse to admit it directly."

The brown-haired girl on the wheelchair helplessly shook her head: "Even if it's just the two of us, do you still have to speak in riddles? If that's the case…"

She suddenly gripped the armrests with both hands, relying on her excellent arm strength and core to lift herself slightly, smiling at her: "So do you want me to have told him, or not?"

"... You're being dangerous like this..."

"Eh~! Don't be like Lu Daofu and them." Without a word, she let herself sit back properly, and Qianming sighed disappointedly.

Over the years, the only thing she could never accept was those cautious gazes, as if she were some fragile object.

However, among them, Narita Hakujin was still relatively pleasant to behold.

This goodness isn't because she would change, but because she speaks frankly: "But your feet are indeed fragile."

Compared to those who worry about themselves yet fear hurting themselves, thus being cautious in that turmoil, as if thinking of themselves, she would rather those people be as frank and straightforward as Hakujin.

Precisely because one can face it directly, there is room for normal communication to change.

"Weak is weak, but not that weak," Qianming pursed her lips, "and how did the topic turn to me?"

"Do you want to escape? Hakujin, you still haven't answered the previous question."

"I... cannot answer."

"Oh?"

"I myself am not sure either, whether I hope you tell him or not..." She lifted her gaze to the campus shrouded in mist.

In terms of course scheduling, Central Telesen, which greatly respects the everyday climate, allowed the continual drizzle to occupy the areas including the shaded groves, corridors, and open-air tennis courts.

Originally, the students there mostly moved to the gymnasium, or simply began indoor self-study; consequently, during this class period, one hardly saw any umbrellas swaying.

Naturally, such a campus would not have the answer she wanted, so she ultimately had to turn her gaze inward.

"It should be a mix of the two, but I'm not the older sister—I can't sort out the proportion."

"Moreover, you feel that this mixture is somewhat shameful, not your style, and even harder to endure."

"... How...?"

"A little bit of simulated sketching, if you're to do detective work," Qianming chuckled, "this is standard equipment—even if you can't master it yourself, you can rely on AI simulation… ah, of course, I don't use AI."

"But even so, it's still quite prone to error, after all, our overlap isn't that close, right?"

"So you made me run a race with you?" Hakujin asked her, lowering his head.

"Hmm, that's part of the reason," Qianming, looking up at her, tapped her cheek with her index finger as she thought, "mainly because you're too clueless."

"Clueless?"

"Since you don't plan to directly step onto that track, then don't let distractions keep you from finding the other track, right?"

"……"

Those words sounded somewhat profound, but Narita Hakujin, who indeed understood them, fell silent for a moment, then slightly bowed: "Thank you."

"Oh, very polite." At least in that regard, Narita Hakujin, who has regained his form on the career track, must thank this senior for the guidance.

"Well, it's just a matter of running a race; I haven't lied before—being able to run like this is still quite enjoyable, but next time I can't just accompany you; I at least also need to bring Lu Duo."

"Next time…" It wasn't surprising that Qianming appointed the president; Hakujin was merely taken aback by the first half.

"Can I still be included?"

"Of course, of course—more opponents are always better, just like the ace from back then suddenly appeared and gave me and Lu Daofu a surprise."

She nonchalantly patted Hakujin's arm: "That's not only my motivation, but also Lu Duo's; have you heard the saying from Aomo?"

"A saying?"

"A stage without opponents is lonely; some power only erupts when there is an opponent."

That statement is indeed correct; although it was the first time hearing it, Hakujin could still feel something about it, yet he also reacted quickly to a certain crucial point.

"But you now…" she couldn't finish.

Sometimes she feels she shouldn't be so direct, wanting to restrain that ideal of doing as she pleases.

Especially in front of this senior female student.

Many words, even if just a beginning, this senior female student who appears carefree can precisely and perfectly complete them, just like that person.

"Even grasping the peak period is difficult enough; one shouldn't aim for higher goals, right?"

"But then, wouldn't you want to give it a try? Little Hakujin."

After many days, she uttered that somewhat frivolous affectionate nickname again, but the words were so solemn and heavy.

"Probably."

That vivid pain of injury and illness still lay before her; Narita Hakujin didn't understand exactly what it meant for this senior female student's naturally weaker legs, but she alone knew that when her strength fell short, that desire would instead burn even more fiercely.

That desire, like a poisonous tree sprouting from the soul, laden with the fruits of craving; if resisted, one fears they would no longer be themselves.

"Right, little Hakujin, so let's give it our all together." She raised her palm, half-leaning against the chair back, looking up at him with a bright smile, utterly unlike a girl who would spare no effort, even running herself bloody, to chase that figure.

And this hand she extended, together with her words, constituted the true meaning of the invitation.

This runs counter to the older sister's advice of "act within one's means," pointing to a rugged mountain path, like a devil's instruction, to bring her to the summit of the highest peak to behold all.

But the process of climbing that peak, however, consists of countless desires stacked into a winding danger.

If it were the older sister, she would certainly not respond lightly.

She would surely use her proud mind to calculate the risks and gains of the choices, then make a steady and proper decision.

And it is highly likely to refuse.

Because everyone knows how dangerous that road is, how sharp that goal is, and how easily it can injure oneself.

She, Narita Hakujin, has always been fascinated by that danger and sharpness.

So…

With a slap.

The raised hand and the lowered palm clasped; the two horse girls, whose situations were similar yet different but who shared a similar longing, found a companion.

Indeed, besides running, a horse girl's life can have many other things.

But once a horse girl starts running, she cannot tolerate anything else.

"Alright, since you still want to oppose it like that, then I won't interfere with your situation with Aomo, okay? Anyway, you're just being stubborn and don't want to bother him, right?"

""

Cannot tolerate anything else…

Probably.