The cheers for Flashy Step still echoed in my ears as I followed Aoi through the bustling crowd at Tracen Academy's turf track. The air smelled of fresh grass and sweet snacks, but my chest felt tight, like I'd run the 1800 meters myself. Flashy's victory was breathtaking—her chestnut ponytail bouncing as she crossed the finish line, five lengths ahead, the crowd chanting her name. I was so proud of her, my heart swelled until it hurt. But then I overheard them.
"Flashy Step has all the potential for being the ruler of this new era," a reporter said, scribbling in his notebook. "Flashy's a genius. Her companion Meek's… well, she's okay, but she'll never take the lead like that."
I froze mid-step, my smile faltering. Aoi glanced back, her sharp eyes catching mine, but she didn't say anything. She didn't need to. The words stung deeper than I wanted to admit. Okay? Just okay? I wanted to scream that I wasn't trying to be Flashy, but… was I? My debut race was in three days, and the thought made my stomach churn like it had when Aoi first told me. I'd thrown up that day, nerves twisting me inside out. Now, watching Flashy wave to the crowd, I wondered if I'd ever feel that kind of light. Probably they weren't even focused on me, just mentioned me, but I still felt bad, people don't seem to understand how much effort I have been putting in to improve.
"You okay, Meek?" Aoi's voice was soft but firm as we reached the training grounds' exit.
"Yeah," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just… happy for Flashy. She was amazing."
Aoi nodded, handing me another carrot skewer. "She was. And you will be too. You don't need to be her, Meek. You've got your own fire."
I smiled, but for some reason, those words seemed hollow to me, like the things I needed to hear... but she really meant them? That is my question. I knew I was just being dramatic, but I'm feeling anxiety; even so, I don't want to spoil Flashy's victory.
After that, I put on my best poker face and congratulated Flashy, who was really happy. She looked dashing, like a star that came down to earth. People were talking about how good she will look when she finally wears a special racewear, not the generic track uniform for sports. Then she placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled, it wasn't over yet...
During her concert, she was dashing. The image of her performance was deeply embedded in my mind. This is Flashy Step, probably the strongest runner of my generation.
...
...
...
The next day, early in the morning was running again; it seems the weather reporters had diagnosed that we would have the next few days of nonstop rain. So during my debut, the weather will be rough. But still, I had to complete the request of the system to present myself at the track... It was a cold morning, even with all the rain pouring down.
"Haaa... I don't feel like running today..." I complained, looking at the cloudy sky, it was worth a masterpiece, the dark clouds dropping cascades of water over the city.
Aoi had given me these days for myself, she said it would be good if I rest properly before the debut. At a certain moment, I wondered what if I just lost and let myself go under the radar... but then again...
'I don't want to lose to Flashy!' That's the conclusion that rang in my mind after consulting with the bed, 'I don't want to be called mediocre by the media too!'
I closed my eyes and started running... the system didn't request it, but... but... I stopped not too far ahead.
'I'm not ready...' I thought and let the rain fall over me while I took a deep breath. 'Why can't I be as fast as her? What am I lacking?'
Before I could spiral further, a familiar voice cut through the downpour. "Meek! Looking like a drowned rat!" Gold Ship bounded over, her silver hair wild, her rosewood eyes glinting with mischief. She waved a pair of tickets, rain beading off her yellow tracksuit. "Got these from sponsors after my last race—free aquarium passes! You're coming with me!"
I blinked, water dripping from my ears. "Aquarium? Now?"
"Yep!" she barked, grabbing my arm. "Time to live a little! And I can't find McQueen anywhere, so you are a good replacement!"
I hesitated, but her energy was infectious. 'And also the meme is real! She will do anything but training! And when did she get here!? I didn't sense her at all.
And so, after changing clothes, we went to the aquarium. I had forgotten about this. But in the game, Happy Meek wanted to go to the aquarium that had been inaugurated recently... this... this for some reason is making my heart pound in my chest.
At the aquarium, the rain faded behind glass walls, replaced by the serene glow of tanks. The place was huge and wonderful. I have never been to a place like this before. Gold Ship handed me a map of the place, saying that I'd better hold it cause she will lose it, her enthusiasm undimmed. "Look at that tuna!" she exclaimed, pointing at a massive fish gliding by. "Big and strong—kinda like you, Meek, if you stop doubting!"
I managed a laugh, my tail flicking. "I'm not that big… and I'm slow compared to Flashy."
"Pfft!" she scoffed, leaning against a tank. "Speed's not everything. I lost races, got laughed at, but I kept going. You've got guts—those training laps prove it."
Her words sank in as we watched a school of colorful fish dart past. "But what if I fail?" I asked, my voice small.
"Then you try again," she replied, her tone firm. "Effort beats talent, kid. You fail, you get up, you cry, and then become strong, as strong as your resolve can carry you on."
Then some jellyfish hovered by in the tanks... and yeah... for some strange, weird reason, those reminded me of Aoi, I looked at the creatures and so did Gold Ship, who quickly caught on what I was thinking and started laughing alongside me as we fooled around looking at different creatures from the sea.
After a while, I wasn't thinking about my rival or my debut, but I was truly enjoying the experience. Gold Ship may be silly, but she seems to enjoy her life and what she does. And while we were watching the last exhibition, some penguins, she looked at me...
"Say Meek..." The look in her eyes was intense.
"Y-Yes?" I answered, looking at her.
"I know I'm not the best example... and I know I'm not in your team too... but..."
I tilted my head, letting her continue.
"Don't pay attention to what external people say, just enjoy your journey and have fun along the way." Her words surprised me; I wasn't expecting something like that. "I'm not the best example, but even so, if you don't enjoy what you are doing, you will just regret it later."
I smiled and nodded.
"Nnnn," I agree to her words. She may be silly, but she seems to be material for an amazing friend. "Thank you, Golshi."
The rest of the day was full of shenanigans. Some people came near us for autographs, from Gold Ship, of course, and I bought her a plushie of a jellyfish, telling her it was a good luck charm, as it represents my trainer looking over her or something like that. Then we had a very healthy lunch; I can't remember if I ate three or four hamburgers. About that, I got tricked and ate some very spicy mustard, which I had totally forgotten about.
"Don't worry, trainer-san pays for this!" She said smugly, for some reason, she had her trainer credit card.
I thought we would go back to Tracen after that, but then we spent most of the afternoon playing bowling, and then we had a light stroll in the park. Lame me, this is the closest I had been to a date in my whole life, but of course, this was just me hanging out with her.
'I didn't have friends back then... so it was very rare for me to go out with any other person outside my family,' I thought as we rested in a place with a great view of the city.
"You know..." She suddenly said, looking at the city, "I started running because others wanted me to," She said, looking very serious for a moment. "All my childhood, it was Gold Ship train here, now do this, improve that." She clicked her tongue as if she had a bad memory.
It seems Goldship comes from a high-standing family in the racing world, and from her birth over her shoulders, weighed immense pressure to keep the bloodline in the highest standard, to race to win, to keep doing achievments.
"But in the end, the most important thing is that I am myself," She said, pointing towards herself. "I kept running, but not for them, but for myself. I love to challenge myself, but I don't have to prove anything to anyone." She then looked at me with a cocky smile, "You gotta train, but don't forget to play, to enjoy the things you like, and make the racetrack your playground, it's all on you."
She then turned around and laughed, walking back to the academy.
"I will be cheering for you!"
(Wits increased by 5!)
(You gained the skills: End Closer Savvy)
(Thank you for choosing your racing path!)
'I haven't chosen anything! You didn't ask! Stupid system!'
"Wait!" I cried.
"Hahaha!" Gold Ship laughed, "Come on, or I will leave you behind."
And that's how Goldshi trolled me to make a choice I didn't know I had to make.