Hikigaya initially thought that the Riding Club would be located in the suburbs with a large area, probably far from the city. However, he took a taxi and arrived at the destination much quicker than expected. To his surprise, the club was entirely indoors, and the space was not as large as a football field.
"This is a very common horse riding club in Japan, Hikigaya-kun, so don't think of it as a hobby only for the wealthy," Haruno said proudly.
"But the rich can enjoy the best, right?" Hikigaya was about to argue again, but Haruno rolled her eyes playfully.
"The horses in this club are all extremely docile, but to avoid any possible dangers, it's important to practice some basic operations before getting on a horse." Haruno led Hikigaya to a small practice horse equipped with a saddle, reins, and other accessories. "Come on, junior, get on it. I'll teach you how to do it."
Haruno watched expectantly as Hikigaya got on the prop horse. He remained quiet and simply sat on it.
"First, hold a rein in each hand. Pinch the ends with your ring and pinky fingers, and press the front with your thumbs. That's it." Haruno explained gently. When Hikigaya didn't understand, she would often demonstrate. Sometimes she would place her hand gently on his or rest her hands on his shoulders to help him correct his posture.
"Okay... okay, senior, I think I understand," Hikigaya said after practicing for a while. He felt a bit shy; it was hard not to, especially when such a beautiful and mature senior sister was so close, whispering instructions in his ear.
Finally, after a series of lessons from Haruno and assistance from the club staff, Hikigaya rode a real horse for the first time. The height from the ground made him feel a little scared, so he turned to Haruno, who was sitting on her horse in a perfect posture while gently stroking the horse's mane.
"Senior, you seem really good at riding. Do you practice often?" he asked as he began to steer his horse to align with hers.
"No, actually I haven't ridden much since high school. To be frank, I just pick things up quickly," Haruno replied proudly.
"That's really impressive..." Hikigaya replied, taken aback by her confidence.
Hikigaya was speechless. However, he soon discovered that the horse he was riding was surprisingly easy to control. Without any extra movements, the horse maintained a posture that exhibited its willingness to obey. A slight shake of the reins would prompt the horse to trot, while a gentle pull would slow it down.
"It turns out that horses can be tamed to this extent..." Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh. Despite riding such a well-behaved horse, he still had to work hard to keep his balance, which proved to be quite a challenge. In contrast, his senior sister rode with ease and maintained a much faster speed. Clearly, their physical fitness levels differed.
Though Hikigaya reassured himself that he was still in a phase of rapid growth and could significantly improve his physical fitness, he acknowledged that his sedentary lifestyle of staying at home and writing was negatively impacting his condition.
"Fitness should really be prioritized..." Hikigaya muttered to himself as he rode.
After their riding session, Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Haruno dismounted and moved to a rest area. Hikigaya was already sweating, as if he had been running, while Haruno had a rosy complexion and was breathing steadily. She was indeed a well-rounded young lady from a prestigious family.
"Alright, junior. I think that's enough for today. If you want to ride again in the future, feel free to contact me. I can take you to a place far away where you can have the 'best' experience, as you mentioned," Haruno said.
"At least during my third year of junior high, I should focus on studying. If I want to have fun, I'll wait until summer vacation, Senior. You're preparing for the college entrance exam this year too, right? Chiba University?" Hikigaya remembered that she was taking the entrance exam in the same school year.
"Bingo! Hikigaya-kun, it's Chiba University. Actually, with my academic ability, I could get into a better school, but staying close to home is the biggest advantage. Once I go to university, I'll have many family matters to handle," Haruno explained, her tone casual. For her, it was natural to follow her family's plans and eventually inherit control of the Yukinoshita family. There was no resistance or joy in her expression—only a deep respect for her mother.
"I understand. Though it might seem a bit far-fetched, Senior, I also plan to apply to Chiba University. Then I could be your classmate for a year."
"Haha, by the time you're a senior, I might not even be at the school anymore. But don't worry; I'll at least be there to greet you on your enrollment day. So you must do it, Hikigaya-kun," she encouraged, looking at him with hope. Hikigaya met her gaze without flinching, holding a passionate look of his own. After a brief staring contest, Haruno was the first to look away.
After returning home, Haruno began to seriously consider the idea of Hikigaya marrying into her family for the first time. She quickly concluded that it was impossible. He was emerging as a mystery star in the Japanese literary world, and the anticipated sales of his debut work were expected to exceed one million copies a year. He would undoubtedly receive various literary awards in the future. How could such an accomplished writer, who came from a wealthy background, possibly marry into her family?
Disappointed by the realization that this path was unfeasible, Haruno accepted that she was destined to take over the Yukinoshita family. If she were like Yukino, she would have boldly pursued a relationship with Hachiman, securing him before he became surrounded by other girls and introducing him to her parents. Instead, she found herself in an ambiguous situation.
"Forget it; let's just enjoy the present moment. At least I'm much stronger than Yukino now, right? She can't even ride a horse on her own," Haruno decided, temporarily coming to terms with her circumstances.
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