What is Rudolf even doing? How is she still not done throwing up? Hurry up and notice we're not waiting outside the restroom and call already!
Unfortunately, the number you dial in your head will never be answered.
"Teio… can you let go of me now?"
"I don't believe you!"
Eternal Meteor felt like she was about to cry. With another shout that seemed to shake her brain, Teio tightened her grip even more.
The pain had already gone from sharp to that numb, pins-and-needles feeling you get after squatting on the toilet too long—she was almost losing sensation in her palms altogether.
Believe it or not, could you please stop squeezing?! If you keep pressing like this, my delicate bones are actually going to break! They really are!
"I swear!"
She raised her voice on purpose—half to startle Teio, half to buy herself a second to think.
Okay. Brain, move. What kind of oath do I even—
"If I ever leave you casually… then I'll just die on the spot!"
Honestly, the day she truly "left" would be the day she died anyway. Was it an oath? Technically. But it was basically the same as not swearing at all.
And considering there were actual gods in this world, she'd better not get clever with some weird vow. A simple, low-impact one was safest—she didn't want some deity to show up and demand payment.
As for what X would do if the Three Goddesses really appeared?
Judging from how X was hiding silently and enjoying the show, it would probably be eating popcorn while watching her get demolished one-versus-three.
"No!"
Teio's expression changed violently, panic flashing across her face. She immediately released one hand and clapped it over Eternal Meteor's mouth to stop her from saying any more.
To be honest, Teio's brain right now was like… half filled with water, half with flour. Stir it once and it becomes a gluey mess.
The fear and disappointment of being rejected, plus Eternal Meteor's angry lecture, had overloaded her. Or maybe it was more like… some kind of mental overclocking.
When she'd heard "win by strength," her mind had jumped—randomly—to the last time she'd grabbed Eternal Meteor and tickled her. No matter how Eternal Meteor squirmed, she couldn't break free.
That soft, weak resistance was basically nothing. In Teio's arms, she'd felt like a cute little doll—something she could move however she wanted.
The devil in her heart won out.
And by the time she came back to herself, Eternal Meteor was already pinned against the wall.
Those eyes—like stars glittering inside—seemed to hook her soul. And those lips, pink like an unripe strawberry, made her want to press a kiss onto them in a single bite.
The last scraps of reason stopped her from actually kissing her. Struggling, she turned her head aside and leaned in to Eternal Meteor's ear instead, forcing herself not to stare at those lips.
Then the word "dislike" reached her.
And the desire in her chest was forced down again.
And the oath—that made her come to her senses even more.
Teio had seen Taisen Fukurai's fortune-telling before, and what followed really had matched the prediction. Since then, Teio had started to believe in that kind of thing.
So when she heard what Eternal Meteor was swearing, fear rose up like ice in her throat.
She'd rather be abandoned than have Eternal Meteor die.
Eternal Meteor seized the opening while Teio was stunned. With the hand Teio had released, she grabbed Teio's other arm, planning to wrench free with both hands.
It didn't work.
Eternal Meteor tried again—squirming, forcing strength into her arms—
—and fell into deep silence.
Are you kidding me? I'm a horse girl too. How is her strength so absurdly higher than mine?!
That struggle finally made Teio realize what she'd actually done. She released Eternal Meteor, then stumbled backward in a daze—until she tripped on a raised brick and fell onto the ground.
Freed, Eternal Meteor flexed her numb arms and legs, then glanced at her wrist.
As expected: five red marks stood out sharply against her pale skin, the contrast making them painfully obvious.
She sighed, tugged her sleeve down hard to hide the wrist, then walked over to Teio—who was sitting on the stone bricks with her knees hugged tight, head lowered, whispering "sorry" over and over.
Eternal Meteor extended her hand, grabbed Teio's, and tried to pull her up.
"Don't sit on the ground. You'll catch a cold."
"I'm sorry, Meteor… I—I—I just now…"
"Okay, okay. I forgive you. Stop hurting yourself. If you don't get up, I won't forgive you."
At the first half, Teio barely reacted. At the second half, she quickly wiped her tears and scrambled to her feet.
Right then, Eternal Meteor's phone rang.
No need to guess who it was.
She'd been pinned to a wall calling for help forever and her phone had done nothing. And now that she'd just been released, the call came instantly—like this was a novel and the timing was scripted.
Still, complaining aside… she had to pick up.
She held the phone a little away from her ear before answering, but Rudolf's urgent voice still came through loud and clear—so loud even Teio could hear.
"Meteor! Where did you two go?!"
After the first, loudest blast passed, Eternal Meteor brought the phone back to her ear and started dealing with Rudolf.
"Uh… I saw a juice stand, so I pulled Teio over to buy juice… yeah. Okay. We'll be right back."
She hung up.
Teio was still staring at her, tense, sniffling now and then.
Eternal Meteor slipped her phone into her pocket, pulled out a tissue to dab Teio's face, then—once reassured—started rubbing and kneading Teio's cheeks with her hand, enjoying the excellent texture.
"Stop crying. You don't want the President to notice, do you? I already forgave you—so why are you still crying?"
"But I was really… awful just now. I—I'm sorry."
Eternal Meteor's fingers paused mid-cheek-pull.
Teio, why are you starting to talk like this too? Don't tell me you've picked up weird habits from hovering around Rudolf all day…
"No more apologies. This is over. And we don't bring it up again."
"But I—"
"No 'but.' Go, go, go—let's buy drinks, or the President will start worrying."
Still, Teio didn't let go of her hand. Eternal Meteor turned back.
Teio stood there, hesitant, not moving.
"What is it?"
"I know this is shameless to ask, but… I still want to know."
Her voice was as small as a mosquito, and the words came out fast. If they weren't in this empty little alley, Eternal Meteor might not have caught it.
"Meteor… what would it take for you to accept a confession?"
If Eternal Meteor didn't redirect her attention now, Rudolf would definitely notice something was off.
"How about this," Eternal Meteor said. "Let's make a bet."
"A bet?"
"I said it myself—win by strength. So let's bet on the Yayoi Sho. We'll both be in that race, right? For our dreams."
"If I win, will you go out with me?"
Teio's eyes brightened again.
"No."
And Eternal Meteor flicked the light switch off.
"But—I can promise anything except that. Like going on dates and stuff, whatever. And if you lose, you have to promise me one thing too."
The light in Teio's eyes turned right back on.
If she could get dates, that was enough.
Give it time, build feelings—iron rods could be ground into needles. She refused to believe she couldn't eventually succeed.
As for losing?
Her racing dictionary didn't contain that word.
And Eternal Meteor felt the same—she never even considered that she might lose. In her last G2 race, she'd won by a massive margin.
Could Teio do that?
"I'll win."
"Don't be so sure."
Both of them were brimming with confidence, already fantasizing about what they'd make the other do after winning. The corners of their mouths curled up in the same quiet smile.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 126)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter140)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter89)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter1165)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 145
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 135
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 84
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 150
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 125
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 105
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 53
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 80
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 80
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 52
Uma Musume: I Want All 55
I Can Copy Unique Skills 53
Summoning an Evil God, but the 27
Supernatural Multiverse 27
My Harem Is Indescribable 26
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