Character Story 8: Completely in Control of that Surly Horse
Scene: A street in Landsol.
A few days after their one-on-one fight to the finish, Yuuki is called somewhere by Rei.
Rei
Over here! Sorry for calling you out here on such short notice. But I wanted to take care of that thing a little bit earlier.
Rei
What thing...? Did you really forget about such an important thing? Honestly...
Rei
Remember, you and I fought, right? And because you won over me, I promised that I would do any one thing that you wanted.
Rei
I haven't heard your request yet, so I decided to give you a chance now. Now, come on, decide on what you want --
A light shines.
Rei
It's so bright!? W-What's this light...!?
Rei
This is... just like before!? No way...!
Scene: A dream. A park in Japan.
???
Huh...? I thought that I'd seen that rear profile before... It really is you.
Rei is standing with a horse.
Rei
How do you do? Are you out on a walk? So am I.
Rei
... Why do you look so surprised? Does something look strange to you...
Rei
... Ah, of course. This is my beloved horse -- Marengo is his name. I hope you get along.
Rei
Today, I thought that I'd take this child out on a walk, so we came to the park.
Rei
I suppose seeing a horse in your local park must be rather surprising. But there's no problem with taking him out on a walk outside. In fact, it's even okay to ride a horse on the street.
Rei
By any chance, are you interested in horses? It's a rare opportunity -- would you like to try riding him? This one is especially well-behaved, so it should be quite easy.
Rei
Of course, I'm not just going to put you up there by yourself and have you hang on by just your legs. I'll be pulling tightly on these reins, leading Marengo along.
Rei
So, would you like to try? I'll also help lift you up -- here, we can use this as a platform. Ready? Three, two, one...!
Yuuki mounts the horse.
Rei
Nice, you got on without a hitch. So? What's your impression of riding?
Yuuki
1. "I feel so tall."
2. "I'm worried that he might suddenly start running."
Option 1.
Rei
Ha ha, of course. You're on top of a horse, after all. But as long as you're enjoying it, I'm glad.
Option 2.
Rei
Don't worry about that. I'll be holding onto the reins.
End of branches.
Marengo whinnies.
Rei
Whoa, Marengo! Don't thrash about like that!
Yuuki
1. "I'm gonna fall!"
Rei
Hold on tight! If you fall, you could be badly hurt. Marengo should calm down at any moment.
Rei
Marengo, you're a good boy, so please, settle down!
Rei
Why...? He's always been very a obedient child...
Yuuki
1. "I can't hold on any longer..."
Rei
No! At this rate, you'll fall!
Rei
... Marengo. Do you intend to hurt my dearest person?
Marengo neighs and calms down.
Rei
You finally calmed down. As long as you understand, then it's okay. Thank you, Marengo.
Yuuki comes down.
Rei
You seem to be unharmed as well. Thank goodness. If something had happened to you...
Rei
... Ah! Um, about I said earlier, it's not what you think! When I said that you were my dearest person, I meant...
Rei
Of course, you're a very dear person to me, but... I mean, in a friend way...
Rei
I just blurted it out that way in order to make Marengo understand! That's all I meant by it!
End of dream.
Ames
All right, good work.
Ames
Horseback riding, huh? That really is just like an aristocratic daughter.
Ames
On "this side", it seems that she disliked her old life so much that she left her home. But on "that side", it doesn't seem to have gotten to that point.
Ames
She's a girl with a strong sense of responsibility, so even if she dislikes it, she seems to understand her situation, and she dutifully attends to all the things that she needs to do.
Ames
Looking at it in this light, moving forward, when the time comes to reckon with her situation, you should do what you can do to lend her your strength.
Ames
But when I say "what you can do", I don't mean that you should restrict yourself. It's important to understand that point.
Ames
But, well, as long as you're by her side, things should be fine. I'm probably just worrying too much.
Ames
Then, this will do for now. Bye-bye! See you later.
End of Ames conversation.
Scene: A street in Landsol.
Rei
Uh... Huh? I fell asleep again...? And you just woke up, too...?
Rei
We were having an important conversation, and we both fell asleep in the middle of it... Something like this also happened before, didn't it...
Rei
Um... What were we talking about... Right -- the request you were going to make of me. I'll do anything you ask, so have you decided what you want yet?
Yuuki
1. "It's already been granted."
Rei
... What do you mean? You want me to teach you horseback riding? But I've already taught you that...?
Rei
Could it be that you had the same dream as me again!? In that case, then... It's true that I've already done that for you...
Rei
But... I said that I would do anything at all, and I was prepared to do it...
Rei
And, moreover, if you want me to teach you horseback riding, then doing it in a dream shouldn't count. I would want to teach you properly in real life.
Rei
... But you know, if you're interested in horseback riding, you don't need to make a special request. All you need is to find an opportunity for us to ride together.
Rei
In fact, if you'd like... We could go out somewhere and spend a little time together doing just that. How about it?
Yuuki
1. "That sounds like a wonderful time."
Rei
Then, it's decided! Next time, we'll plan out a route and go for a ride together!
Rei
I'm looking forward to it...
So murmured Rei to herself, as she smiled without realizing it.