[Thanks to my best friend! And to everyone who supported me! Today is truly the happiest day of my life!]
[Image] [Image]
[đ1 đŹ0]
Mejiro Ardan was scrolling through her phone in the dorm when she saw the private Umastagram update from Nice Nature celebrating her victory in the Selection Race earlier that day. Attached were two photos: one with Nature, her trainer, and Kagura-chan; the other showed Nature surrounded by a huge crowd. Currently, the only friend who could see Nature's private postsâKagura-chanâhad already left a like.
Ardan had just posted a congratulatory comment and left a like herself when she heard the dormitory door opening. Kagura-chan stumbled in from outside, swaying unsteadily, exhaustion clearly visible on her face.
"Kagura-san! Are you alright?"
Ardan quickly hopped off her bed, rushing over to support Kagura-chan, who seemed ready to fall asleep on her feet. Kagura-chan raised her limp arm, softly patting Ardan's shoulder, then shook her head weakly:
"I'm fine...just a bit tired."
"You look completely exhausted, hurry and get some rest."
"Mm... I'll go...take a bath first..."
"Doâdo you need my help with anything?"
Watching Kagura-chan shake her head and shuffle unsteadily inside, Ardan worried she might collapse at any moment. Yet even in this state, Kagura-chan didn't seem willing to ask anyone for help.
Seeing Kagura-chan sluggishly grab her pajamas and wander slowly into the bathroom, Ardan hesitated. Although she was worried, their relationship still hadn't reached the stage where she could casually follow Kagura-chan into the bath. She didn't know if Kagura-chan would mind, either, so she simply sat back on her bed to wait.
It was late, and the dorm was quiet. Ardan waited for a long while but didn't hear any sounds from inside the bathroom.
Could Kagura-san have fallen asleep in there�
If Kagura-chan stayed submerged for too long, she might fall sick. Ardan thought for a moment, then decided this wasn't the time to worry about manners. She stood up, approached the bathroom door, and gently knocked.
No response.
Kagura-chan really seemed to have fallen asleep inside. Recalling how Kagura-chan had saved her before, Ardan couldn't bear the thought of leaving her soaking dangerously long. Forgetting all hesitation, she took her own key and unlocked the bathroom door.
"Kagura-san?"
Still no response. Kagura-chan was seated in the bath, leaning against the tub, head tilted to one side, eyes closed. Completely unresponsive, clearly deep in sleep. She must've been utterly worn out after the day's events and the entire week spent supporting Nice Nature.
Ardan cautiously stepped closer to the bathtub, carefully looking at the peacefully sleeping Kagura-chan, unsure of how to proceed.
Should I wake her up? But she's already so tired...
Having witnessed Kagura-chan's dedicated efforts throughout the past week, Ardan felt immense admiration but also deep envy towards Nice Nature. A friend like Kagura-chanâsurely one had to save the world in a previous life to deserve someone like that, right?
If she wanted to carry Kagura-chan out without waking her, she'd inevitably get her clothes wet. Ardan, already bathed herself, paused as her hand reached out toward Kagura-chan's pale shoulder, glistening softly above the water.
Stepping back, Ardan decided to remove her pajamas and underwear as well before lifting Kagura-chan directly out of the water. Just as she gripped the edge of her own pajamas, about to pull them off, Kagura-chan suddenly opened her eyes:
"How did this silly child fall asleep here...? Oh, Ardan...san? Why are you here?"
Kagura-chan, still groggy from just waking up, spoke slowly, with a distinct pause. Ardan wasn't sure if it was a trick of the bathroom's peculiar lighting, but Kagura-chan's eyes now seemed faintly tinged with red.
"You'd been inside for a long time without a sound, Kagura-san. I was worried you might catch a cold if you soaked too long...but I also didn't want to wake you, so I planned to carry you out..."
"Oh...sorry, sorry I really was a bit too busy today, accidentally fell asleep in here. Sorry for making you worry, Ardan-san Thank you for checking up on me!"
"Noâno problem! Since you're awake now, Kagura-san...IâI'll leave first!"
Seeing Kagura-chan about to stand up from the bath, Ardan hurriedly waved her hand, face flushed, turned around and escaped out the door, shutting it quickly behind her.
Kagura-chan stood up from the tub, stretching lazily, relaxing her stiff muscles. Opening her eyesânow clearly dark redâshe looked toward the closed bathroom door and murmured softly:
"Hehe~ Such a shy and adorable child. Wanting to help, yet afraid of being rudeâtruly cute."
'Kagura' smiled lightly, stepped out of the bath, dried herself thoroughly, changed into her pajamas, and blew dry her hair. After briefly checking herself in the mirror, she resumed her sleepy, hazy appearance and walked out of the bathroom.
"Kagura-san, you haven't had proper rest all this time. With Nature-san's situation finally settled today, you can finally rest now, right?"
On her bed, Ardan had curled up with her knees hugged close. Seeing Kagura-chan finally come out, still visibly exhausted, Ardan couldn't help but voice her concern again.
"Yes...haa...so sleepy..."
'Kagura' yawned heavily, walking unsteadily as if she could collapse any second. Ardan, terrified this little Uma Musume might actually fall over, quickly rose again and gently supported her. After carefully wrapping her arms around Kagura-chan's waist and legs, Ardan gently lifted her, princess-carrying her back to her bed.
Worried about Kagura-chan catching a chill, Ardan carefully positioned her comfortably, pulled the blanket over her, then knelt quietly beside the bed, watching the now peacefully sleeping Kagura-chan.
From the first day she returned to the dorm, Ardan had sensed something uniquely comforting about Kagura-chan's presence. She had been curious about it, and now that Kagura-chan was entirely defenseless, she hesitated whether she should get a little closer.
If it's just a tiny touch...
Swallowing nervously, Ardan carefully reached out, softly brushing Kagura-chan's soft, warm cheek with her fingertips.
"This..."
She discovered Kagura-chan wasn't peacefully asleep at all. Her brow was tightly knitted, her body curled up tightly, clearly caught in a bad dream.
"So hot...it burns..."
A faint murmur escaped Kagura-chan's lips. Ardan had good ears, so she clearly heard Kagura-chan's soft whispers.
Hot...? Burning...? Could it be...she's dreaming about that day...?
Ardan had heard from her grandmother about Kagura-chan's pastâhow Kagura-chan had fled a burning shrine, exhausted, and collapsed at the doorstep of the Symboli family, becoming their maid afterwards.
"Is there anyone...to save me...?"
Should I help her? Roommates should help each other, right?
Seeing Kagura-chan's distressed expression, Ardanâoriginally intending only a brief touchâcouldn't leave her suffering alone. Following an impulse deep inside, she leaned down slightly, gently placing her hand on Kagura-chan's head, softly stroking her hair:
"Don't be scared...I'm here, don't worry now..."
"Mm..."
Ardan held her position, gently comforting Kagura-chan for a while. Gradually, Kagura-chan's expression relaxed, and her breathing became calm and even.
Finally, seeing Kagura-chan peaceful again, Ardan attempted to withdraw her hand, only to find Kagura-chan holding onto her tightlyâas if a frightened child had finally found something safe to cling onto.
Even Kagura-san, always so mature, has moments like this...
Ardan gently tugged her hand, realizing quickly that freeing herself without waking Kagura-chan was impossible.
What should I do...?
After a moment of hesitation, a somewhat impolite yet strangely tempting idea appeared in Ardan's mind.
"I'll just think of it as helping Kagura-san... She did help me a lot before..."
After briefly convincing herself, Ardan leaned forward, switched off the bedside lamp, cautiously climbed onto the bed, carefully slipped under the covers, and gently embraced Kagura-chan from behind.
Instantly enveloped in that gentle, comforting, mysterious warmth, Ardan, who'd already been sleepy, immediately felt her eyelids growing heavy:
"Goodnight, Kagura-san..."
Darkness quickly overcame her awareness. Soon, Ardan also drifted into gentle, peaceful breathing.
Thus, she didn't see the 'Kagura' she held in her arms slowly open eyes of dark crimson after she'd fallen asleep:
"Huhu... It seems she truly is a kind, reliable child..."