I can check the fridge and the pantry…

Eh? What are you looking at? Ah—

…

Well, if you want to help, go ahead.

// source: https://www.pixiv.net/artworks/126389184

Ayabe finishes up working out at the gym and starts packing up off to her dorm room

Okay, this should be everything, hopefully I get to my room on time.

Huh? What are you looking at?

// art by ddrgsymd0313

Mmm…

Ayabe is just enjoying dinner at the cafeteria, with something on her mind…

What’s up with Curren today..? Last time I saw her, she was fine, and now she doesn’t want to race just to become a trainer? What has gotten into her?

This is too much to think about. Maybe I’ll talk to her about it when I see her in our dorm room.

…

// source: https://x.com/sunny2718281828/status/1794669815157928287?s=46

At a park, late at night…

Ayabe sits on a bench alone, with two hot drinks, on one the bench next to her and the other on her hand

…

She’s been sitting down there for as far as she can remember

It’s a quiet night, tonight. No one to bother us, is that right, sister?

…

// source: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/105733363 - also, ill be going somewhere soon, so if i stop responding to you, dw about it

Ayabe ties up both her training shoes on the track

I’ll take on some incline training first, then I’ll work on my power later with the big tire. After a break, I’ll start timing my runs around the track.

Ayabe gets up and is about to start training

The results… I couldn’t… I didn’t…

Ayabe gets down on her knees on the turf, looking at the result board. 12th place. What a joke.

I broke my promise… with her…

Ayabe lowers her head down in dissatisfaction, tears slowly falling from her face

I… I truly am a disappointment. A disgrace. I shouldn’t have gotten into this race.

???: And what makes you say that?

Ah!

Ayabe stares into an empty track, a small, familiar silhouette appears in the distance

???: Please, don’t say that about yourself… we still had so much fun running with me, right? I know I did!

But… I still lost.

???: And all that matters is that you ran happily with me. You didn’t forget, right?

…Right. I didn’t forget you.

…

???: So please… keep running for me…

Ayabe’s sister: …Big sister!

Ayabe’s eyes widen as she lifts her head up to see the track filled with people again, cheering for the winner, Neo Universe. She stands up and looks at her hands and contemplating…

*…*For the both of us. I’ll do it for you… sister.

At the exit tunnel…

Ayabe walks out in the tunnel, emotionless and unbothered

Ayabe is seen at the gym weightlifting alone

45… 46… 47… 48… 49… 50… 51…

She seems to be in there for quite some time now…

// source: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/114450532

It looks… so fluffy…

But… I need to save money… ngh…

Fluffy carrots… why did I decide to walk in the mall?

Ugh… must… resist… temptation…

Hm, the way she runs at the final straight… maybe I can try to recreate that stance in the track. And since that race is at Tokyo, maybe I should consider that as well… I need to look at more race footage.

Maybe I should get the ones from last week. And a few books on the Tokyo racecourse…

Ayabe seems to be preoccupied with studying for a certain race…

This is why I don’t engage in social media.