*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
Why did she pick this path? Wouldn't going straight be much faster? Does she actually know the way?
The young man kept his mouth shut when Dober picked the right path. He knows where Rudolph's room is, but if he complains to Dober, it would create suspicion about him. How does a male trainer know where Rudolph's room is? To prevent those kinds of questions, the young man kept his mouth shut and followed her.
It wasn't only Igo that asked the question, Dober was also questioning herself. In her mind, she is guiding a lost lamb away from its true goal for no apparent reason. Her body moved on its own. It wouldn't be bad if it were only her who took the wrong path, but it is bad when she took someone else for the ride.
Why? Why? Why? Why did I take the right earlier? If I go straight, then he would've reached Symboli Rudolph's room by now. He would've reached his goal, and we would've separated once again…
The pair continues walking along the wooden path, and soon enough, they are walking through a garden. The garden is less of a garden and more of a park to the young man. There is an acupuncture path, a shallow pool full of small fish, park benches, and more. It's a place where tired umamusumes can rest after a day of training.
"This place is nice. Do you girls not like it here?"
"We do. I, myself, have used the acupuncture path multiple times. It's just tonight, it's weirdly lonely."
As Dober said, the park would be swarming with umamusumes on a normal day. Tonight was just a lot different, where there were only she and the young man.
"That must feel good."
"It does. Do you not have it in the trainers' inn?"
"No…?"
"Do you want to try it while you are here? It can be used as a path to Symboli Rudolph's room. It's just more windy and longer, but more therapeutic."
"Can I? That would be nice."
Dober slips and carries her sandals in her hands before putting her bare feet on the acupuncture path. The young man follows behind her.
"Oh! Damn… This hurts more than I anticipated. Youchie!!"
"Do you need some help?"
Once again, Dober's body moves on its own. She held her soft hand toward the young man. Again and again, Dober is doing something she would never do.
Why? With him… Why don't I feel nervous with him? Why does my body treat him differently from most men?
Is Dober offering me her hand? The hell? Did Cygames retcon her fear of men or something? What is happening on the other side that forces Cygames to retcon her character?
Is it weird to offer your hand to someone you barely know? Those men did it to me, but I don't like that… I don't like how they act so close while knowing next to nothing about me. If I don't like it when it is done to me… Why am I doing it to him?
As Dober was about to pull her hand away, the young man put his hand gently on it. The gentle warmth of a rough man's hand shocked Dober's body. It's been years since the last time she was touched by a man that her body registered as an alien feeling.
"Thanks, Dober."
"Yeah… You are welcome."
The pair walks down the rough path while holding hands. To those who know Mejiro Dober, this sight alone would make them gasp. The umamusume that would lash out the moment a man is near her is now holding hands with one.
Normally, the young man would be gripping hard on his partner's hand, but he made sure to control his strength. It feels like he is touching a baby's skin from how soft it is. It feels like he is grazing on virgin snow.
Dober can feel the large, encompassing hand of the young man. Her hand disappeared inside the young man's hand, like a bunny inside a lion's mouth. The roughness of his palm, the warmth of his body, and his overbearing dominance over her. She weirdly feels comfortable when she is supposed to feel threatened.
"This… Kinda hurt…"
"They say that if it hurts, then it is working."
"Does it hurt you?"
"Not as much as you, by the look of it. They said that it will be less painful if you are healthier."
"You girls are athletes after all."
"You don't look that bad, Trainer Igo Heita."
"Thanks…"
"You're welcome…"
Why am I wishing for this to go on for much longer?