"Why did you cheer for Gold City instead of me? I'm your trainee, you know? Not her. Is this your way of showing that you want her as your trainee more than me?"
"I was simply confident in you, that's why I didn't cheer for you."
"Liar~~!"
"Alright then! If you want me to be Gold City's trainer so much, then I'll just go to her."
"AH!! That's not fair!! Teio, use facehugger attack!!"
"Okey dokey~~"
*POMF*
"Mmmhh Hmmm Mmhh hhmm Mmmhh mmhh."
"Trainer said, 'You shouldn't use your friend like a Pokémon, McQueen.'"
"Said the person who was about to abandon us."
"Mmhh Hhmmm. Mmmhh mmm nnh mmhhh Mmmh."
"Trainer said, 'I was merely joking. No way in hell I'm going to leave you.'"
"Then why did you cheer for Gold City instead of me?"
"Mmmhhh Mmmhh Hmmm mmh. Mmmhh Mmmm Hhmmm Mmhhh."
"Trainer said, 'That's because I wholeheartedly believe you will win. I don't use my stamina on something inevitable.'"
"Something inevitable…"
"Mmmhh mmh! Mmhhh hmmm mmmmh Hmmm mmmhh mmm. Mmhhh Hmmm mmmh mmhh hhmm mmmmhh Mmmmh."
"Trainer said, 'That's right! Your win was guaranteed, which is why I didn't cheer for you. I was cheering for Gold City since she was so far back. If I didn't cheer for her, then she would've been tenth or something like that.'"
"So you don't cheer for me because you're confident in me?"
"Mhhm!"
"Trainer said, 'Yep!'"
"Absolute confidence in my win, huh… Hahahaha!! Thanks, I guess. You really are a weird person, trainer? By the way, where's Goldship and Haru Urara?"
"Mmmhh hhmm mmhhh mmmm mhhmm. Hhmm mmmh mmmm hmmm mmmhh mhmhmmm."
"Trainer said, 'I positioned Goldship at the roof with a sniper rifle just in case you're about to lose. For Urara, I positioned her at the edge of the track, so her cuteness distracts your enemies.'"
"...Sigh… You said you believe me, and yet you still try to use an underhanded tactic. I could never understand you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Good work on today's race, Gold City. If you need anything, just say it."
"Hmm… Ahh! I need some more sports drinks. Can you buy me some?"
"Sure thing. Wait here, I'll buy you plenty."
*Creak*
Gold City is sitting in her preparation room while completely drenched in sweat. She had forgotten the last time she was ever this drenched and sweaty before, but she sure has missed the feeling. The lofty feeling after the race where you gave it your all. The feeling of floating when there's nothing more left in you after a race. Gold City pinches her race wear, and sweat drips from it. That's just how much sweat she had let out during the race.
Man, a steamy bath would feel so good after this.
Normally, Gold City would quickly change into casual wear after a race, but she doesn't feel like it this time. She wants to savor the sticky feeling her race wear has on her skin.
"Aaah… Fuuh… Fufufu~~"
Gold City is scrolling through social media and ego-searching herself. She wants to know what everyone was thinking of her run. The run where she showed the world what she is made of and what her goal is. The comments didn't disappoint her.
"Look at her go!!"
"Goddesses!! She is not only a wonderful model, but she is also a great runner!!"
"Watch out, girls!! The next star of the racing world is coming for you!!"
"@Grok, put the 2 runners in a skimpy golden bikini."
"The world is really unfair!! Leave some talent for some of us!!"
"I'm going to watch her next race in person instead of online!!"
"Did anyone hear the scream?"
"To run such a long distance. That trainer of hers must have helped her train her stamina if you know what I mean."
"She was so close to winning!! Better luck next time."
Gold City's smile was akin to that of a joyful child. She never felt so happy scrolling through her ego search. There are some weird and demeaning comments, but those are the usual, and she got numb to them. The comments that support her, however, feel fresh and new to her. The light at the end of the tunnel seems to have grown brighter and closer after the race.
Darling… Thank you…
Gold City changes the contact name of the young man in her phone. She changed it into 'Darling<3'.
Gold_City: Hey.
Gold_City: Bring a change of clothes the next time you visit.