It wasn't until the administrator came to find Kazuo that he learned the library was supposed to close by 9:30 PM at the latest. However, because he was so engrossed in his reading, it was exceptionally delayed until 10 PM.
Kazuo felt both apologetic and grateful for the administrator's understanding.
As previously mentioned, Kazuo borrowed a book on the 'Introduction to Horse Racing' to continue studying in his dormitory. Stepping out of the library, the entire campus was silent, with only the gentle touch of the night breeze.
Kazuo stood still with his bag on his back, feeling a sense of emotion.
"This... I guess this counts as an unconventional university life, right?"
However, before returning to the Qing Dormitory, Kazuo inadvertently found himself back at the academy's Horse Racing training ground.
The early spring night was so tranquil. Even without anyone on the track, a place where youth was poured out, one couldn't help but marvel at this place that carried everyone's dreams.
"...She's not here today..."
Kazuo murmured softly. Although he subconsciously felt he might meet someone here, if possible—he actually didn't want to see her at this time.
So, when he confirmed there was no one else on the track, he breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart.
Just kidding—
Thump-thump-thump—
The sound coming from afar made his expression freeze.
Could it be, really?
Just as he had expected.
A familiar figure quickly ran past. That being said, her running posture clearly couldn't maintain a good standard.
Even Kazuo could tell at a glance that it was reckless.
Narita Taishin... It was already past lights out, why was she still at the Racecourse...?
"...Too reckless..."
."Phew... Phew..."
How many laps had it been? She didn't know.
How many times had it been? She didn't want to know.
The night wind blew against her body, her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest. Her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, but what drove her to keep running was her own stubbornness.
"...Damn it!!"
As soon as she stopped, she would recall everything that happened in the race.
In that instant, she witnessed with her own eyes someone smaller than herself accomplish something she couldn't.
Why, why—
Everyone is so strong!!!
The pace of the race was completely on a different level.
Especially when she realized this, the unwillingness in her heart completely filled everything.
Even so,
Suddenly, she stumbled. Her posture had completely distorted, and before she could react, she was already leaning forward and falling.
Then, she heavily fell onto the grass.
"Guh..."
It felt as if she had been hit hard, her body aching as if it were falling apart. Falling like that while running at high speed could result in minor scrapes or even broken bones.
Lying on the grass like that, she slowly gripped the turf with her hands, little by little, slowly propping herself up.
"Damn it... How can I fall here..."
Sweat slowly dripped from her forehead, her clothes were already soaked, but there was no sign of weakness on her face.
Daijin, filled with unwillingness and refusing to admit defeat, gritted her teeth and stood up, enduring the pain.
"Even so, I won't easily stop here!!"
Even though she said that, her body was already swaying. After the simulated race that afternoon, coupled with her already poor condition, she was now on the verge of exhaustion.
However, she still had no intention of stopping.
"Enough!!! Stop!!!"
The girl's actions made Kazuo extremely distressed, especially when he saw Daijin, even in her depleted state, still stubbornly wanting to continue running. He could no longer control the impulse in his heart and directly flipped over and jumped down from the spectator stand.
The girl's ears twitched slightly, and then she slowly turned her head. At this moment, she looked as if she had been pulled out of water.
She was panting heavily, unable to even steady her breathing.
However, even so, she still frowned and instantly became vigilant.
"Hah... Ah... What, what do you want to do...? Don't interfere with me!!"
She glared fiercely, but Kazuo had no intention of backing down at this moment. He rarely used such a stern tone to scold her:
"You're already overexerting yourself! Your running posture was distorted just now! Do you really want to injure yourself!!"
"Who are you!!! You're so annoying! This has nothing to do with you! Don't bother me!!!"
At this moment, Daijin was like a ruffled kitten, completely unwilling to listen.
But after witnessing that scene, how could Kazuo stand by and do nothing?
Seeing Daijin's intense reaction,
Kazuo walked straight over and grabbed her wrist, saying:
"Alright! No more talk like that! Curfew has already passed, you should be back in your dorm resting now!"
"Let, let go of me!!"
Her resistance was palpable, but Kazuo was absolutely not backing down now.
If he let her go, something bad would definitely happen to this girl.
"I told you! Leave me alone!!!"
As the girl struggled violently, she instinctively kicked Kazuo hard in the shin.
After all, she was a professional Uma Musume. Even a petite Uma Musume like Daijin, who was only 1.45 meters tall, had extremely efficient leg muscles. For an ordinary person to take such a direct hit was like being struck forcefully on the bone by a heavy object.
"Ah, ouch, ouch…"
The sharp pain made Kazuo instinctively let go of her. He clutched his shin and crouched down, almost rolling on the ground.
Daijin hadn't held back at all with that kick, and Kazuo's face was contorted in pain.
Having broken free, Daijin clearly realized what she had done, especially seeing Kazuo's pained expression, almost on the verge of tears.
For a moment, a hint of guilt appeared on her face, but in the blink of an eye, she once again put on a brave facade.
"I told you not to bother me!!"
"You two over there! What are you still doing on the track?!"
At this moment, a stern voice rang out, and a beam of light shone towards them.
Kazuo found the voice very familiar. By the time he reacted, Ms. Hayakawa had already run over from a distance at an extremely fast speed.
"Asama-kun!? What's wrong with you… and Narita Daijin!?"
When she saw the two of them clearly, Ms. Hayakawa's face was also filled with surprise, especially when she saw Kazuo clutching his leg in pain, and then glanced at Daijin, who had turned her head away in silence.
She instantly realized something, and the surprise on her face immediately turned into a serious and earnest expression.
"Narita Daijin, can you explain exactly what happened? Also, why are you still on campus after curfew!? Your Dorm Manager just called me. If you don't follow school rules, do you know what will happen?"
At this moment, Ms. Hayakawa no longer had her usual gentle demeanor. Rarely speaking in such a stern tone, she exuded a terrifying pressure.
One could feel that she was truly angry now.
"Guh…"
Daijin gritted her teeth, but at this point, she seemed determined to stubbornly resist to the end.
"N-no, I'm sorry, Ms. Hayakawa! It's me, it's my fault!"
What neither of them expected was that Kazuo, who was still crouching on the ground, was the first to speak.
"Eh…? Asama-kun?"
"W-well… it was me. I called Narita-san over because there were some things I wanted to ask her… I didn't realize the time and ended up keeping her until now…"
"But, but you look like this…"
"It was a fall! I accidentally fell just now… Oh dear, to let Ms. Hayakawa see such a useless side of me… I'm so old, yet I can still trip on flat ground or something… How embarrassing… Ah, haha…"
Seeing Kazuo like this, and then glancing at Daijin, who remained silent beside him, Ms. Hayakawa could only sigh helplessly and say:
"Since Asama-kun says so… then we'll take it as such."
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