#aoi kiryuin

And honestly, you were wondering why she even bothered with that, considering how easily she just lifted you up off the ground and carried you bridal style.

Funnily enough, it wasn't here that caused Aoi to suddenly realize how she felt. It was what you said when she finally set you down outside your room.

"Sorry to make you worry too."

She shook her head, a gentle smile now replacing that glare from earlier.

"If anything, I should have checked in sooner! You've always taken care of me, so it's only right I return the favor!" Aoi's balled fist hovered over her heart.

You smiled back and bowed in thanks.

"Hah, then I'm glad we have each other, Aoi. Thanks."

Aoi froze at that for only a moment, but she quickly composed herself and nodded.

"G-Good night, (Y/N)!" The trainer walked off to her dorm in a hurry, replaying your words in her head mentally.

'We have each other...?!' Her heart was racing now, blushing all the while. She didn't know how to respond properly to that, but, Aoi DID know how she felt about it.

Aoi was happier than she ever could have imagined hearing those words.

"Now, please be careful on the way back to your dorm!" You waved off some of the more energetic Umamusume, who were already rushing off again after accidentally tripping. "Something tells me that just went in one ear out the other..."

Tazuna giggled at that, walking up to your side.

"I think it helped that you sounded just a bit like me." Tazuna tilted her head playfully while you sighed, tired, but happy.

"It's the only way I can get them or the Director to listen. At this rate, it feels like we're trying to babysit the entirety of Tracen."

Before the Umamusume left her sight, she couldn't help but admire just how much care you put into their bandages, ensuring that they could trip again and it wouldn't so much as budge. And to that, she turned her vision back to you.

"A job you do well regardless. I'm grateful you're here in Tracen, as is everyone else." There was a faint flush to her cheeks as she admitted her thoughts, noticing that you were getting flustered.

"T-Thanks, Tazuna. That means a lot." Once you cleared your throat and began to move ahead, lips blew from your air as soon as their laughter echoed faintly through Campus. "Though, I wish the students would show their appreciation by getting into less mischief.

The secretary was happy to see your reaction. Tempted as she was to tease you a little, she mercifully held back and began to walk with you again. Tazuna did agree that some of the more troublesome students could stand to not perform some crazy feat that damaged the school, but-

"That wouldn't make for a nearly as interesting year, now would it?" She laughed with one hand moving to cover her mouth seeing your reaction.

"I guess not...Now come on, let me show you my appreciation for handling these crazy kids with dinner."

Tazuna just hummed, her smile growing even bigger.

...Meanwhile, Director Akikawa watched your interaction with her beloved friend, nodding in satisfaction, walking off to give you two some privacy.

"...Ah." Riko quietly muttered, seeing a text message from you.

'My trainee told me about this new restaurant that opened up. Wanna check it out with me later tonight?'

She smiled at that, moving to respond before-

(Bitter Glasse) "Trainer Kashimoto? Was that (Y/N)?"

(Riko) "WHA-?!"

Riko quickly clears her throat and attempted to regain her composure, noticing how both her trainees were looking at her curiously.

(Riko) "I-It was. An invitation to visit a newly opened restaurant for dinner."

(Little Cocon) "I see. Then we should move to work extra hard for today's pratice."

(Bitter Glasse) "Yeah! We gotta make her focus on her date completely! Let's go!"

(Riko) "D-Date?! L-Listen, do not misinterpret things! We are simply-"

Before she could move to clarify, the Umamusume moved to quickly change into their tracksuits, making Riko sigh. Did she really look that excited to talk to you that often?

A small smile formed at the corner of her lips, despite how flustered the train of thought made her. What an effect you had on her, despite you two having so many differences.

Then again, it was because of your differences that made her feel closer to you, in a strange way. And then Riko promptly replied to your text.

'I will be there. I shall text you when I become available.'

She let her focus wander for a brief moment, staring out the window of her office.

"...Does (Y/N) think of this as a date?"

...

A few hours later, Riko arrives in her suit, scanning the crowd for you. It took her a little longer than usual to spot you, and once she did, Riko paused for a moment. This was the first time she had seen your casual outfit, waiting for her arrival. Once you glanced up, you waved hello to her with a fond smile.

A smile that caused her heartbeat to quicken as you approached.

"I'm glad you can make it! Let's go in!"

"R-Right," Riko glanced at your outfit and muttered under her breath. "Should I...have changed into something more fitting?"

"Is something wrong?"