I stare at the reflection in the mirror. I see the maiden version of me staring back, helmet on, ears peering through the holes, the red and white running uniform zipped up. I’m wearing the tight fitting bottoms, as I preferred them over the loose fitting ones. They do squeeze certain aspects of my body a bit tighter than I’m used to. I turn around, still keeping eyes on my reflection, as I see my tail peering through the hole in the back of the pants, as it flicks.

  I appear to be ready. Although part of me feels.. slightly embarrassed. But this was the uniform the rest of umas were wearing on the training field. So I’d stand out if I was wearing anything else. The shoes are also... something. I have to balance on them differently. I hope that this is easy to get used to, or at the very least, I don’t notice it while running. My ears find themselves leaning forward, as I try to hit them to get them to return to their upright position. I do not like how easy my emotions are to read here. I open the restroom door, taking the quick path back to the Director’s office.

  I reenter and walk through, I see Director Yayoi has fallen back asleep, this time her cat is back to sleeping on top of her own hat.

  Tazuna turns to me, giving me a smile. “She said she would rest her eyes until you came back.” She chuckles slightly. “From all the events I’ve seen her do, I’ve never seen her so excited she isn’t able to sleep.” She raises her hand up.

  “I’m... not used to someone treating me with such compassion before seeing what I offer them.” I stare at her. “I don’t feel I deserve it, truly”

  Tazuna frowns. “Well, as the Director said, perhaps that was your world. But here, when someone breaks all known laws of logic and appears from nowhere, they should be helped.” She places her hand on the Director’s shoulder. “Director Akikawa. Aven is back.”

  Director Yayoi instantly shoots up from her nap. “Right! Then let us go!” My tail flicks, startled. She quickly jumps down from her seat again, lowering her height. “This is prime time for the practice track to be used, so practicing there is not an option! Thankfully I have a secret place!”

  The Director continues her walk, acting wide awake even though she had just woken up again a few seconds ago. Is this a normal skill in this “modern Japan?”

  “It’s an indoor track, mostly used for evaluating, or for staff to use.” Director Yayoi smiles at me. “Let’s go!” She begins marching leading the way with Tazuna, I follow their lead.

  Once we entered the main hall of the main building it was a quick turn towards the heavily windowed back of the academy. Exiting from the building Yayoi speaks up again.

  “It’s helpful for staff to have a place they have for themselves. Trainers sure like amenities!”

  “Amenities?” I mutter in confusion.

  Tazuna turns to me. “It’s normally seen as a perk with employees for working somewhere.”

  I nod. “Ah, I see.” Right, I never considered it, but in a world of such peace, people would have more choices to where they would like to be. So, places of occupation might need more desirable reasons to choose theirs over others?

  Thinking about practicing where staff would do, would there not be trainers there? “Do you think trainers might be present in this indoor track?”

  Yayoi turns to me. “Some may be, but you shouldn’t pay them any mind.”

  “Are you positive?” I ask, averting my eyes. “If I do not run as well as you wish I would, I do not want them to second guess your judgement.”

  To my surprise, Yayoi responds with a chuckle. “Young Aven, it’s nice of you to be worried for me, but it’s the director’s job to be worried for the wellbeing of her students!”

  We approach a building out of the way of the paths that I was shown yesterday. A sign next to a door says “staff only” as there’s a small black square sticking out next to it.

  Yayoi reaches up, holding a thin yet firm parchment. As she brings it to the black square, it makes a sound like a “beep” and Yayoi opens the door.

  “What was that about?” I mumble, looking closer at the black square, seeing it emit a small light green light that turns on and off.

  “Oh, it’s a door that remains locked unless you have a badge.” She smiles showing off her “badge.” It has a picture of herself with her fan out, wearing her same outfit, a tooth is sticking out slightly as the cat remains sleeping on her hat.

  “A parchment that unlocks a door?” I let out. This world has things I would never have dreamed of.

  Tazuna interjects. “The ‘parchment’ has an electronic chip embedded into it. So it’s not just scanning the badge itself.”

  “Chip...?”

  Director Yayoi chuckles. “It’s lightning magic!”

  “I knew it!” I mutter, assuming it was the case, as everything in this world tends to revolve around the lightning magic.

  My ears perk up as I hear Tazuna whispering to the Director. “Director, you can’t do this forever... she needs to take a science class at some point.”

  Director Yayoi smiles. “She still needs time to adapt, and Archibald should be her top priority too.”

  The sound of them saying Archibald causes my tail to wag slightly. That’s what this is all about. My loyalty towards someone treating me so well while I have nothing to give is strong, but Archibald... reuniting with him, able to talk to him. I wonder, has he also taken an uma form? Will he be a maiden as well, or will he be human? Will our roles have swapped? I wish I could have been there for all his firsts as a human if he is one. My thoughts pause as I continue to absentmindlessly follow Director Yayoi and Tazuna down some corridors.

  Wait, if what the goddesses said is true, Archibald has had around eighteen years of life here? But I was only summoned here yesterday...? Are we now the same age?

  I was eighteen years of age when I had gotten him as a foal. Now, he has had eighteen years of life before I was summoned to this place.

  “Young Aven!” Director Yayoi interrupts my thoughts as we exit a corridor. “Here is the staff track.” She points to an oval with different rows of colors, white lines keeping them in check. There is a small railing, about waist high, keeping a lot of strange looking machinations of iron and metal there.

  “H-Huh?” I mutter out, ears perking in confusion. “The... track looks fine I suppose, it is strange to have one indoors, but... what are those machinations in the center? They can’t be some sort of siege weapon as this is a world of peace?”

  Director Yayoi smiles. “Absolutely correct, Young Aven! Those are machines that specialize in helping people exercise their muscles!”

  As she explains that, I do notice some people using them and one running the track. “Are... you positive that I will not shame you in front of these workers if I’m not good at running?”

  Director Yayoi grabs my hand and begins pulling me towards a lane. “No one is going to question me. I think you may be afraid to run yourself.” She turns her face to me giving me a reassuring smile. “I don’t know about your past, but when you rode your tall mule for the first time, I assume you must’ve been scared.”

  —

  Aven, merely eleven years of age, rubs a horse’s face in the stable of the capital city of Elfine. “You’re shaping up well, Stronghoof.” The young boy mutters out, as he offers comfort to the horse.

  Yelling interrupts his thoughts. “Stablemaster! Roland... Roland has escaped!”

  Aven freezes. “I’m sorry. I must go.” He mutters to the young stallion before turning and heading towards the exit of the small shack.

  A grizzled old veteran is already at the front gate. “What do you mean Roland has escaped?!” He’s shouting at the stablehand who had just delivered the dire news. “He’s a brigadier lieutenant's mount!”

  “I-I’m so sorry, sir!” The stablehand lets out. “We were leading him back from his breeding with the stable at the southern gate! Dolph thought it might be faster if we were to ride him back!”

  “That fool.” The stablemaster muses. “No mere stablehand can handle riding a horse that fierce! He demands respect!” The stablemaster turns to the other hands who have come to check on the commotion. “Get every available hand looking for Roland immediately!” Check everywhere from here to the south gate! Every trail, river or plain! Understand?!” He looks to those around him. “You all heard me! Get searching!” The crowd scatters, some grabbing horses from nearby barns.

  “Master.” Aven mutters, as he approaches his stablemaster. “Do you want me to search too?”

  The old veteran looks to Aven. “Young Culpa, this is not a task for you. Please remember your place.”

  Aven bows respectfully. “Of course, Master. Forgive me.”

  “For now, please resume care of any horses who aren’t being used to search for Roland.”

  “Of course, Master.” Aven bows again before heading back towards the shack of younger horses.

  The stablemaster stares as the young boy returns to his tasks. “Even if you were to help. There would be nothing you could do. Best to continue to prepare him for being a stablehand.”

  Aven continues the care for all the horses, as more and more stablehands return with more news of failure. A few hours pass, the sun begins approaching the west sky.

  Aven sets up the food for each horse that has returned, rubbing their faces and their withers. “You have worked hard.” He whispers a similar sentiment to each.

  The stablemaster looks to a stablehand returning. “What news do you have?”

  “We have made contact with Roland multiple times. He is uninjured, but any attempt to rein control ends in failure… and how he out speeds any of our mounts.”

  “As expected of a brigadier horse.” The old man sighs. “Do we know if Lieutenant Ethlen has heard any news of it?”

  “So far we’ve managed to keep the news contained.” The stablehand hands the reins of his horse to Aven. “Take care of him, Culpa, don’t make a mistake.”

  Aven nods. “Of course, sir.”

  The old stablemaster watches Aven head off, as he leads the horse into a building. “Back to your duties then. The Culpa has been covering for everyone since you’ve all been gone.”

  “Right, the horses are probably tired of dealing with him.” The stablehand mutters, looking to where his horse went. “Maybe I shouldn’t have let him off with Landslide.”

  “If you see a fault in his conduct, tell me.” The stablemaster mutters, before his eyes squint where Aven had gone. “The horses seem to like him though.”

  The stablehand sighs. “Well, the horses might find him amusing since he’s so small.” He shakes his head. “I’ll grab a drink and be right back to take care of that Culpa’s mess.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  The stablemaster’s gaze watches the stablehand head off. He slowly walks towards the small barn that Aven had entered.

  “You seem tired, Landslide.” Aven mutters to the horse, already in the process of remove his saddle and rubbing its withers. “Let me get you a treat, a reward day of work.” Aven turns before pausing, seeing the stablemaster. “Master, is something the matter?”

  “You don’t appear tired at all Culpa. You have covered for everyone since the sun was in the east, are you well?”

  Aven blinks, staring for a quiet moment at his elder. “I know my place, master. I do not bear the luxury of being tired.”

  The old man watches Aven’s response before smiling. “Aven, you are very aware of your lot as a Culpa. But you have done the tasks of over ten men these hours. You have earned yourself a break.”

  The young boy stares back, his head cocks slightly. “A break? But I still have my strength, master.”

  “I know, Young Culpa, but when someone does exceptional work, they earn themselves moments of respite.” He nods. “Just because you have been raised under my roof, does not make you immune to such deeds.”

  “Master… are you sure?”

  The old man’s smile fades swiftly. “Do not let this praise cloud your judgement Culpa, do not forget your place now to question me.”

  Aven bows. “I-I’m sorry, Master, I did not intend-” As Aven tries to let out his apologies he is pushed from behind. Aven turns to see Landslide pushing its face into his own back. The horse nickers in anticipation “Ah, Landslide, I’m sorry, I haven’t gotten you your treat.”

  The stablemaster watches the horse’s reaction to Aven carefully. His eyes follow Aven as he quickly opens the gate, and grabs a carrot. As Landslide watches with anticipation. After Aven feeds the horse he turns back to the stablemaster.

  “Master, what does one do on a ‘break?’”

  “Bah.” The old man lets out waving his hand. “You do what you wish, it is time you own for yourself. Be back before the sun sets. Your meal will not be waiting for you otherwise, am I clear?”

  “Of course Master.” The young boy bows. The way he walks out of the building is a sense of confusion. As if he doesn’t know what to do with the time.

  The veteran turns to the horses, whose eyes seem to follow Aven as he leaves. “The boy has a way with horses. If he were not a Culpa, he might have been able to be a stablemaster himself.”

  Aven pauses, standing outside, looking up to the sun. He has a few hours. But owning something himself… it was a concept he has not known as a Culpa. “Master will get upset if I continue to help around the stable with my gift he gave me.” He thinks to himself. His eyes follow the gate to the south trail. “But… I could help try to find Roland.” Swiftly he exits through the front gate and begins running down the south trail.

  Running down the path he thought about what he had overheard. Roland is safe, and he’s still somewhere between the western stable and the south gate.

  —

  The memory blazes through my mind, it felt like I had relived every moment. But, Director Yayoi stands in front of me still. Yes… I had ran… I had ran that day. I stare at the path set by the white lines on the ground. I had run to help my master as a child. Little did I know running that day had changed my trajectory in life. Director Yayoi says something I’m unable to make out before she goes to the side of the track to Tazuna. I just… I have to run again, right? How did I do it…? I just… moved my legs, intent to help the closest person to a father to me. Can I really think about how I did it? I turn my head, Director Yayoi is holding her fan open, staring at me with a closed grin on her face, Tazuna watches with her hands clasped together.

  My… my new master is depending on me to run. So… I must-

  —

  Aven follows the distressed sound as he looks through the forest. It had to have been coming from this direction, right? Aven moves a branch only for one to flip and scratch his face. “Ah! He yelps, rubbing the wound, an open cut on his cheek.

  “This is dangerous.” He whispers to himself, but… he wasn’t just hearing things. That was a horse, right? Perhaps one of the horses from the stablehands he served? Some who had taken their horses had not gotten back. “Are you okay?” He lets out, hoping to hear a stablehand respond back, but he only hears a squeal of a horse in return. Yes. That has to be a horse, he never heard the sound of a squeal so distressed before. “Please! I’m coming! I can help!” He doesn’t know how though, maybe he can run back and tell his master?

  He looks to the sky. The trees cover most of it, but the sky appears orange. He had no idea the time, but it must be close to sunset. If he doesn’t start heading back now… his master might evict him and he’ll be back on the streets…

  The squeal returns, more desperate this time. Aven turns instinctively, face distressed, hearing the pain. Must he betray the goodwill his master had given him to help this horse in need? Aven turns his head… considering running to return… However, a feeling as if something is cloaking over his shoulders, a comforting blanket? He turns, nothing is behind him or touching his shoulders. This feeling of warmth that things will be okay. Is this… the goddess? But… the Goddess doesn’t care for Culpas.

  Aven stops, taking a deep breath. “Remember my place…” He mumbles. “I’m a Culpa… so this horse's life is more valuable than mine…” He looks up. “I understand, I may suffer consequences… but I’m the only one who can help this horse…”

  Aven continues on, the desperate groaning growing louder. “Hold on. I’m almost there!”

  As he passes by more shrubs and bushes, the forest becoming more hostile, not meant to be traversed, he enters a small clearing. He sees him.

  A large white horse, his right legs stuck in a hollowed log, branches caught in the thick mane, left front leg appears to be caught in between a broken tree as it struggles to free itself. As Aven enters the clearing. The horse instantly looks towards him, face is intense, trying to get itself out of being stuck.

  “R-Roland?” Aven mutters, eyes widened. “I-I thought you were… you were safe!” He approaches, horrified. He was never allowed to work with Roland. As a brigadier horse, the stablehands thought a Culpa working with Roland would bring him bad luck. Aven looks around. “HEY! Can anyone hear me?! We need help! I found Roland!” He looks around, hearing no responses. “ANYONE?!” Nothing but the bugs respond.

  Roland lets out a stern squeal as Aven yells out for help. His eyes are wide as he is trying to get his legs unstuck. Roland’s back leg thrashes, panicking.

  Aven turns back to Roland. “I-I… I’m sorry Roland.” He bows to the horse. “I-I am not worthy. B-But I will try to help you get back." Tears flow down Aven’s face as he slowly approaches Roland from the side.

  Roland’s eye stares intently at Aven, as he continues to try to force his way out.

  “P-Please, b-be at ease. I-I will not leave you!”

  Roland pauses. As if recognizing the young boy’s voice from around the stable. His back leg settles down slowly as Aven speaks.

  “If… I may get close to you.” Aven slowly approaches, step by step. He is a mere foot away from Roland now. “First… l-let’s clear this off.” Aven slowly reaches out, seeing the branches caught in his mane. His hand brushes the mane, as he slowly untangles twigs, snapping them to get them out.

  Roland’s mane was nothing he had ever felt before. Thick, strong, as if a statement in itself. Roland watches Aven’s intently with his eye as the young boy reaches up to clear out some of the annoyances in its way.

  Aven pauses. “I’m sorry…” He mutters, looking to Roland. “I hope that eases your burden slightly.” Aven then looks down at the left front leg, stuck in between the broken tree. He sees splinters of the tree stabbing into the leg at places. “I-I’ll help you out here next!”

  Roland watches Aven intently. As he bends down. Roland moves his head, now that he is able to without pain, keeping his stern eye trained on the young child.

  Slowly, Aven is snapping pieces of the broken tree, making sure they won’t break skin further. Bit by bit the spikes pinning into Roland’s front leg was removed. Aven stands up, assessing the situation further.

  “I-It’s so narrow.” He bends down, clawing his fingers into the cold damp dirt. The light around them slowly diminishes as minutes continue to pass. Aven’s fingers are red get tired as he tries his best to open it further. “This… this is all I can do…” With the hole enlarged, Aven then seeks a way to get the leg out with the extra space he has made. Quickly in the fading light, he spots a thick branch. He approaches to grab it, Roland lets out a deep whinny. “Ro-Roland, I’m not leaving you.” Aven responds, as he picks up the branch. I’m going to need your help! P-Please understand me!” Using the branch, he manages to stick it under the horseshoe. “Now! Use your leg! Pull it now!”

  As if understanding, Roland feels the firm branch and give him something to push off of. With a moment His left leg is freed. Roland lets out a powerful whinny as he stumbles, leg not used to freedom. Aven quickly helps, trying to keep him steady.

  He feels the overwhelming weight of the horse. “P-Please! G-G-Goddess! Grant me strength!” Aven helps Roland keep his balance. The horse is groaning, as it appears to catch its breath. Roland stares at Aven with his eye. As the young boy continues to help him with all his strength.

  After a minute of Aven doing his best Roland snorts, causing Aven to look up towards his face. He shakes himself as his left foot is able to keep him up, he begins trying to kick his right leg out of the hollowed log.

  “O-Oh, right. I-I’ll help you get that one.” Aven pauses. “I-I’ll be going in front of you now so I can get to your right side. All right?”

  Roland stares, eye remaining stern as it stays locked on the young boy. His body remains calm as he watches the young human. Aven squeezes past some branches, and bushes, scratching his arms and cutting through his scuffed trousers. Roland catches Aven appearing through the trees on his right side, changing which eye watches him carefully.

  Aven bends next to the hollowed log. “R-Right…” He examines it for any weak points. “It… it doesn’t appear to be as weak elsewhere…” He mumbles. “I-I suppose it makes sense… you’ve probably been trying to break out of this for a little while…” Aven kneels down examining the thick leg that pushes through the cracked bark. “I-I think… if I can…” He looks up. “May I touch your leg?”

  Roland snorts. Eye still trained on Aven.

  “I suppose… you already let me. But…” Aven slowly touches the leg, Roland’s muscles tense suddenly as he whinnies, causing the boy to jump back, showing his hands to Roland. “I-I’ve stopped! I-I’ve stopped.”

  Roland struggles, thrashing between his left legs. He attempts to position himself elsewhere, unable to free either of his right legs. Roland struggles for a minute before resigning himself. He lets out a long breath, his eye gazing back at Aven.

  “May… May I try again?” Aven asks, looking up to Roland’s eye that is accessing the small human carefully. Aven bends down, keeping his hands where Roland can see them. “I-I’m going to touch your leg again…” Slowly, his hands reach out, feeling the bulky leg of the horse. Aven feels the twinge Roland makes at his touch, but this time he doesn’t thrash. “All right…” Slowly the young human tries to raise the leg, finding that Roland follows his guiding hands.

  Aven knows Roland is understanding him. There is no way he could lift this leg with his strength alone. Aven feels Roland twinge as he helps raise his leg through the spiked edges of Bark. “Please forgive me…” He mumbles. “There’s no other way…” Slowly, the leg continues to raise, Aven sees the plated horseshoe as he carefully raises the leg from the log.

  Instantly Roland’s body moves as he feels the pressure around his front right leg free. “Please don’t move!” Aven says. Causing Roland’s eye to gaze back down at the child. Understanding, he stops, putting his trust in Aven.

  Carefully, Aven helps straighten the foot, placing it adjacent to the log.

  As soon as Roland feels his foot touch the firm ground, he moves.

  Using his legs to balance he begins kicking his back leg. Aven falls back into the bushes behind him as he watches. With both legs keeping Roland balanced and without pain, he kicks through the edge of the hollowed log. Blood seeps down the leg where it broke through, bu, he was free.

  Roland begins moving around the clearing, trotting around in a circle, able to finally move freely. By now, the sun has fully set, leaving the two in darkness. Roland sees the clearing he had come in through. He is about to gallop through, but his eyes catch Aven standing up, covered in scrapes and cuts.

  “There, we got it.” Aven looks to the path of broken branches. “So you came through this way.” Aven walks towards the front of the horse. “May I take your reins…?” He reaches up to grab the brown strap.

  Roland moves quickly, pulling his head away from Aven. Whinnying and complaining.

  Aven sighs. “I-I know… I-I know I’m not worthy Roland… but there’s no one else here. We need to get you back and see your wounds tended to.” He raises his hand. “Please…?”

  Roland pulls his head away further, refusing to have his reins grabbed. He walks around in a circle of the clearing, before pausing near the broken tree where his left leg got caught. He pauses, before lowering his head and neck near the tree.

  Aven pauses. “W-What?” He turns to the clearing. “I-I can’t…” As if understanding what he’s asking he shakes his head. “I-I’m not worthy to.. Ride. I do not know how.”

  Roland stares at Aven, eyes trained on him. Composure unmoving as he stays still, feet planted into the ground, waiting.

  Aven steps closer, to Roland’s front. But Roland lets out a squeal that has the boy freeze in place. Aven looks down. “Right… I have forgotten my place…” He mumbles. “ I am a Culpa. I must follow orders…” Aven approaches the side of the Roland, climbing his leg onto the tree stump.

  Roland remains calm as he waits and watches Aven struggle with his right eye. Roland feels the pressure on his back as the boy attempts to mount the large horse. He is pulling himself up with all his weight. Roland recognizes the lack of experience in his rescuer. He braces himself, able to easily withstand the weight of the child climbing on his back.

  Aven looks to the ground, holding on tightly, to the reins as he rides the horse barebacked. “I-It’s so tall up here…” He wobbles, but Roland instinctively adjusts.

  Roland continues to adjust until he feels Aven’s movements slow. He begins, first a steady gallop towards the path he bore before.

  Aven instinctively leans forward wrapping his arms around Roland’s neck. “A-Ah! This is harder than they make it look!” He lets out with worry, holding tightly.

  As if understanding, Roland slows. His gallop shifts to a trot. Aven keeps his head down, hugging Roland’s neck as Roland leads the way down the trail he blazed earlier. Determined to get both of them home. Roland knickers, feeling Aven’s nerves around his neck. Trying to calm him down.

  Aven hugs tightly, keeping his eyes closed. The branches give vain resistance, quick brushes and stings relentlessly rub past him. All of a sudden all the abrasive feelings vanish. He peeks an eye open. They’re on the trail, heading back towards the direction of the stable.

  Quickly Aven looks around. “Everything… is so different.” He stares, watching the world move around him from the height of the giant brigadier horse.

  The grizzled stablemaster lets out a long breath. Staring out the window of his home in the stable. “Damnable Culpa…” He mutters to himself. “I had warned him strictly of arriving late.” He looks to the table. One bowl remained there, untouched, soup already cold, bread sitting stiffly on the table.

  “Master! Master!” Aven’s voice echoes down the road.

  The stablemaster freezes. He opens the door, shouting. “Culpa! I give you something and you abuse it in such a way?! I had warned you to remember your place!”

  He turns around the back of his shack, pausing suddenly as he sees what is on the south trail awaiting him. “By the Goddess’s will…” Approaching is Roland, with Aven riding him barebacked. Not only that, Roland was trotting calmly. Acting completely different than the attitude he was always known for possessing.

  Aven hugs Roland tight as Roland stops by the front gate. “I-I’m so…” Aven’s eyes water as his nose begins to run. “M-Master… I’m so… I’m so sorry!” He lets out through his sobs.

  The stablemaster opens the gate as Roland enters willingly. “Aven… How…?”

  “P-Please forgive me! B-But I could not leave… I could not leave Roland in danger! I-I know my place! Roland is more important than I! Which is w-why I had…” His words give out as the rest of his voice falls to unintelligible sobbing.

  After hearing the gate close behind him.. Roland stops his movement adjacent to the old man. Peering at the stablemaster with his right eye.

  The old man moves a mounting block, climbing it and lifts the young boy off, the boy continues crying, whispering “I’m sorry” over and over.

  “Young one…” The man looks at the boy as he helps him down.

  “I know my place! I-I heard a horse struggling, a-and I know I’m merely a Culpa! S-So I’m prepared to face my punishment!”

  The stablemaster sets Aven down. Before kneeling and hugging him, letting Aven’s sobs continue out. “Aven. What you’ve done today, is something no mere stablehand could have done.”

  “P-Please, care for Roland! H-He got hurt! He was stuck in the woods and I had to-”

  The stablemaster stands. “I will, young Aven.” He watches as Roland already heads towards his stable. “I will care for Roland. For now, eat what is left on the table.” He averts his eyes. “Then, we will discuss what you have done.”

  “I’m sorry, master…”

  “Aven, son. Do not be sorry for what you have accomplished today.”

  —

  Run.

  I must run.

  All the pressure I have pushes on the horseshoe of my right foot. In response, the surroundings around me blur. I move. I run. I run faster than I ever have before. My arms pump, my toes hit the ground faster and faster. The ground calls for them to land, as they do I feel a sense of belonging with each step. Pressure builds in my chest. Every fiber of my being tells me to run.

  It feels like a moment, but in the corner of my eyes, there is Director Yayoi, her smirk huge. Had I already run around the oval?

  Everything in my body tells me to keep going. So I do. Everything feels right. Exhaustion? I don’t feel it. Discomfort? It’s not there. This is what… This is what I’m meant to do. Right?

  The feeling of strength. The feeling of power. This feeling was exactly like riding horses. No. This isn’t riding horses. This is the power of an umamusume. This is the power of the three goddesses. Every skill and talent I learned with riding has shifted. It’s as if my body naturally knows how to react, I feel the wind brushing my face and ears, my tail blazing behind me.

  Everything I’ve learned about riding in eighteen years. How to balance my weight, how to guide our momentum, to ride with confidence. It’s as if all those skills have been moved naturally into running.

  I pass the Director’s position, again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again.

  My breathing comes out as pants, but… I don’t want to stop. I want to keep running. I want to keep going. Archibald, is this how you felt? When we rode into battle so many times, this is what you felt? Did you love it this much? When you ran around the field with other horses. Is this how it felt? I only recognized the joy I felt riding with you. Being with you. If this is how you felt, no wonder you refused to leave me as I was dying… is this how we felt all these years together?

  Archibald, I understand.

  Archibald, I want to run.

  Archibald, we will meet soon.

  Archibald, please, watch me run.

  Archibald, I want to make you proud.