"...and that's why I'm here." Blossom Star finished, looking utterly miserable as she slouched into her chair. Or at least she tried to, because she was currently tied up and bound to her chair. The most she could do was wiggle her toes, and even that took some effort.
Of course, with her strength, she could've easily freed herself, but considering Oguri Cap was currently sitting on the couch and watching her like a hawk, that would likely just invite further punishment from the Grey Monster.
Belno Light snorted as she continued writing down her notes on the various Domains she'd witnessed over the past couple years. "Hmm. As expected, it's because Star was being an idiot." She said, her voice purposely bland as she flipped onto the next page of her notebook.
"Hey, I'm not that bad!"
"She is." Oguri immediately said.
"Dumb as bricks." Kitahara commented cheekily before he returned to studying for his Final Exam.
"See? Unanimous decision." Belno said, giving Star a playful smile. "It's a well-known fact that Star-san only has 2 brain cells, and they're both dedicated to running at the front."
Star opened her mouth to retort, thought it over for a moment, and then proceeded to slouch back as her ears drooped with defeat. "Tch, that ain't even wrong…"
Belno rolled her eyes as he grabbed her mug, and then paused when she found it empty. She then turned to the water dispenser, and her eyes narrowed in annoyance as she found the water dispenser was similarly empty. "Didn't we ask for a refill?"
"We did, right?" Kitahara said as he turned to the water dispenser. He blinked when he saw it empty. "...huh. Did our request get forgotten?"
Belno frowned. "I guess it did." She said, before her eyes widened slightly. "Oh, is it because Tazuna-san's been away recently?"
He perked up at the realization. "Ah, you're probably right."
She hummed as she stood up. "Then I'll go get some water from the cafeteria." She turned to leave, though she quickly turned back around and asked, "Does anyone want anything?"
"Another can of coffee would be nice." Kitahara said, still neck-deep in his own studies.
"Snacks." Was Oguri's simple answer.
"I'd ask for an orange or something, but-, well-" Star gestured at the rope binding her. "I don't think I can do anything like this."
"I can feed you." Oguri said, her eyes gleaming with intent.
Star gulped, her cheeks flushing red.
Belno rolled her eyes. "I'll be back!" She said, huffing slightly as he closed the door behind her. The hallway she came out into was thankfully empty, and so no one could see the exasperated grin on her lips.
She sighed. It'd been so long since Team Kitahara was together that she'd forgotten how it felt like to play third wheel between those two.
She shook her head and began walking.
It was quiet for some time. The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, though the sunlight was partially obscured by the light dusting of snow that was falling from the clouds. The snow had come a little earlier than normal, but it was probably just a one-off. The forecast was saying that it'd be sunny for the next couple days.
She squinted her eyes slightly as the sunlight fell over her eyes, and she blinked as she shook her head.
And then, as if appearing from the sunlight's mirage–
"Envious, are you?" A voice said, and her expression became mildly amused as she turned to her left and found a man standing next to her. His form was incorporeal, his body a translucent blue. He was dressed in a long oriental robe, a feathery fan tied to his hip by a thin rope.
She huffed. "Who wouldn't? Those two are just so…perfect together." She said, struggling to find a better word to describe it. Oguri and Star really were perfect for one another—she couldn't imagine a world where those two wouldn't be together.
The man hummed as he idly stroked his neatly trimmed beard. "I am sure you would have many suitors if you were to announce your intentions."
She snorted. "I'm not looking for anyone." She said genuinely. Of course, she wouldn't mind if she found someone she liked, but she wasn't actively looking for it. She was more interested in uncovering all the new changes that were occurring all around the world.
The man chuckled. "Then let the chips fall as they may."
She rolled her eyes at the man's words, though she then turned to him with a curious frown. "So, what is it, Zhuge-san?" She asked. "It's unlike you for you to appear so suddenly."
Zhuge Liang hummed, glancing back at the door they'd just come from. "Nay. I was merely fascinated by your compatriots, that is all."
She blinked. "What about them?"
He paused for some time. "I cannot claim full understanding, but even a cursory glance reveals that your companions exist in a plane far beyond mere mortals." A knowing smile came onto his lips. "Even as Fledglings, their strength has far transcended the bounds of Understanding." He chuckled. "Had they been born in my era, they would've surely become legends."
"They already are." Belno said proudly, giving the man a smile. "Even a thousand years from now, I'm sure they'll still be remembered."
He nodded. "To that, I agree."
She went quiet for a moment, gazing out the window and at the tracks just outside the building. Even with the snowfall, she could see dozens of umamusume running at the track, eager to train despite the weather. They were all juniors she was mildly acquainted with, and a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Getting nostalgic?"
She chuckled. "Of course I am." She smiled fondly. "After all, we'll be leaving in just a few weeks, and who knows when I'll be coming back here."
"Time waits for none." He said, before he smiled. "But such ponderings are to be saved for a later date. After all, there remains one last battle you must head towards, no?"
She nodded, her grip on her mug growing tighter.
He wasn't wrong. There was still the [Arima Kinen]. There was a lot hanging on it; Tamamo Cross' retirement, Team Kitahara's leave for America, Dicta and Ardan's move to China—this would be the very last race of the Generation of Miracles.
But more than anything, this would probably be the last chance she had at defeating Oguri and Star in a fair race.
Zhuge Liang was right. At this point, Oguri and Star were so far ahead of the curve that no one could predict the limits of their strength. But that was only for the future. Right now, neither of them were fully capable of unleashing their Domains.
This was their last chance.
And yet, even now she didn't know if she could win. Even with her greatest adversaries weakened, she didn't know if that was enough to clinch her the win—Oguri and Star were just that strong. And that was before considering everyone else.
Zhuge Liang chuckled, his eyes narrowing as he smiled sharply. "A battle with seemingly impossible odds…" He sighed fondly. "A truly invigorating scenario. A battle with no stakes ceases to be a battle, after all."
"Mm." Belno narrowed her eyes, and with a small breath, she clenched her fist and raised them to the air. "Just you watch, you two." She whispered, grinning. "I'm not letting you run away this time around."
He smiled. "Fine words."
…
"But perhaps we make a move on? You promised your companions sustenance, no?"
Belno blinked, and then yelped when she remembered the real reason she'd even left the clubroom. "R-Right. Let's go."
She took a quick breath to calm herself, and she resumed her walk to the cafeteria, with Zhuge Liang's ghostly form following just behind her.