The next day, the sound of the stream murmured as it always had.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled spots of light across the riverbank.
Myriad Dreams had, in a rare move, taken the initiative to invite Seiun Sky to the stretch of the riverbank they knew best.
When Seiun Sky appeared carrying her fishing gear, she immediately spotted Myriad Dreams waiting at their usual spot.
A flash of surprise crossed her face, followed by her habitual, relaxed smile.
"Oh my, is the sun rising from the west today? Myriad Dreams, you actually invited me out to fish?"
Myriad Dreams didn't respond with her usual laziness.
Instead, she gently patted the empty space beside her, signaling for her friend to sit.
Once Seiun Sky had set down her gear, Myriad Dreams turned her head, her gaze calm and concerned as she looked at her, getting straight to the point.
"Sky, it hurts to have lost the race yesterday, doesn't it? There's no one else here. If there's anything you want to say, you can tell me."
Seiun Sky's movements as she prepared the bait paused slightly.
The smile on her face froze for an instant before she forced an even brighter grin, her voice intentionally rising in pitch.
"Gosh~ it's just one lost race, isn't it? Victory and defeat are routine for an Uma Musume. I..."
She cut herself off.
Myriad Dreams said nothing, she simply reached out and gave her back a gentle, firm pat.
That soft touch carried a silent understanding, as if saying: Stop pretending. In front of me, you never need to wear a mask.
It was this simple gesture that instantly shattered the defenses Seiun Sky had so carefully constructed.
Her spine, which she had been holding straight, slumped slightly.
Her horse ears, usually so full of energy, drooped listlessly, and her fingers tightened unconsciously around her fishing rod.
The forced smile in her eyes receded like the tide, replaced by the shimmer of tears and a sense of grievance and frustration that could no longer be hidden.
"...Honestly..."
Seiun Sky's voice carried a faint, barely perceptible sob.
She lowered her head, not wanting her friend to see her expression. "Originally... I had already comforted myself... thinking it wasn't a big deal..."
Her shoulders trembled slightly, and her voice grew lower, carrying a suppressed cry:
"But... but since you said it... it's true... I'm so frustrated...! Even though... I worked so hard... why... why did I still lose...!"
Tears finally escaped her eyes, falling like broken pearls, drop by drop, onto the back of her clenched hands and onto the grass where they sat together.
The mask of being perpetually breezy and carefree shattered completely, revealing the real Seiun Sky underneath, one who also felt pain and confusion because of failure.
Myriad Dreams remained silent, simply moving a bit closer so her friend could lean against her shoulder.
Seiun Sky finally couldn't help but throw herself into Myriad Dreams' arms and began to cry.
Myriad Dreams' clothes were gradually soaked by Seiun Sky's tears.
It was clear that Seiun Sky was truly devastated. After all, despite appearing so leisurely every day, she was actually incredibly competitive deep down.
Losing to Special Week had left her heart full of bitterness.
Myriad Dreams could only offer her quiet company.
By this small stream that had witnessed countless of their idle hours, what she provided now was a silent yet solid support.
The gurgling of the water seemed to play an accompaniment for them.
The sunlight remained warm, and in this stillness, their sincere friendship felt exceptionally precious.