Chapter 7

Was it Worth it?

'For the first time in my life…I was truly frightened. I received news about Creek's condition: it was a fracture on her left leg. Plus that, she has fallen ill. I couldn't believe something that we were this close…yet it became so far away…

A few days passed since the diagnosis. I was still shaken from Creek's condition. But…then I found out I wasn't the only one…'

Oguri notices Brian at school one day. She is just as stoic as ever, but something about her seems off. As if she is feeling…something. She decides to go and talk to her.

"Um…Brian…" Oguri says softly, reaching a hand out.

"What is it…?" Brian asks, crossing her arms. "Do you have business with me….?"

"I was wondering if the two of us could-" Oguri starts but the dark haired horsey turns around.

"Sorry, but I have things to do…" Brian says and then leaves immediately.

Oguri clenches a fist on her chest. She feels as though Brian is going through something, but doesn't know what it is.

Hospital*

Oguri arrives to see Tama by Creek's bedside. The smaller horsey waves and lets Oguri sit by her classmate and rival. The silver haired horsey hands out the brunette some flowers, which she liked and accepted. Then, Tama decides to give these two some privacy and leaves the room. It's so quiet except for the ticking of the clock. Super Creek looks down at the sheets with a weak smile.

"Ara…seems as though…" she starts but trails off.

"I don't know…why this had to happen…" Oguri says softly. "We were so close…"

"I know…" Creek says.

"Were you really pushing yourself this much?" Oguri looks up at Creek. "Tell me. Was it all for the sake of our promise…?"

Creek still gives a weak smile. "It wasn't impulsive. I worked my hardest so that it will motivate both of us to chase after our dream. I did not expect this to come up at all. It was completely beyond our control…"

"Creek…" Oguri says.

"The doctors informed me that I cannot enter the finals…" Creek continues. "My fractured leg and then my illness on top of that…I'm afraid I cannot race for a very long time…."

Oguri's ears droop down at the sad news. "No way…"

"I'm sorry…Oguri-chan…" Creek keeps on smiling, yet there are tears streaming down her face. "I know I wanted both of us to keep our promise but…but I was the one…who broke it…"

Oguri doesn't respond. She just clenches her fist and grits her teeth. She was so ready to confess her love to Super Creek. However, unexpected horrifying events came. How can Oguri try her hardest now?

Later*

When no one is around, Brian secretly places a bouquet in front of Creek's door. She then straightens up and just stares at it. The sun is setting already. Visiting hours are almost over. Brian keeps a stoic face, just staring at the door. She thinks back on the day of the semi-finals…where Creek collapsed. She shakes her head roughly at the memory. She won the semi-finals…but at what cost?

"Brian…." Biwa's beautiful voice reaches Brian's ears. However, the stoic horsey doesn't move a muscle.

The older sister approaches her little one. "Aren't you going in?"

"No…" Brian replies quickly.

"Super Creek would be happy to see you trying to give your condolences," Biwa says.

"I'd…rather not…" Brian says. "I won against her, yes, but…I don't know how she will react when she sees me…."

"She will probably congratulate you, silly," Biwa says. She pushes her glasses up her nose. "She won't be mad for winning a race because she was injured…"

Brian doesn't say anything as she keeps on staring at the door. Biwa sighs.

"Why don't we talk someplace else?" The silver haired beauty suggests.

"No….I'm staying…" Brian says.

"Brian…" Biwa says.

"I cannot leave Super Creek here…" Brian says.

"Then just go in," Biwa says. Then she sighs. "Listen to me, I completely understand how you feel, but you can't keep doing what you're doing right now. Pretty soon, the doctors are going to ask you to leave."

Brian hesitates a little bit before turning to leave. Biwa looks over at the flowers beside Creek's door and then follows her little sister close behind.

They are now at the lobby where both of the sisters sit down. Brian doesn't want anything right now. She just looks down at the floor. Biwa decides that now is the time to pop up the question.

"Brian…" she says softly. "Was it all worth it…?"

That seems to trigger the stoic horsey.

"Was it worth going against your rival like this?" Biwa continues. "Was it worth the victory…?"

Brian starts to shake. "I…I don't know. I should be happy I won…but…but why do I feel so…"

"Brian…" Biwa tenderly embraces her little sister. "It's okay. It's alright…"

For the first time in her life, Brian lets out her sobs. She is feeling emotion. She hugs Biwa tightly, burying her face in her big sister's chest.

"A-Aneki…!" Brian sobs. "I won and y-yet I….I…I feel so bad at the same time! My p-pride got th-the better of me and…and I took it out on training my hardest…! Now I'm feeling…I'm feeling…!"

"I know…" Biwa whispers, gently rubbing her little sister's back. "I'm very glad you are realizing it. No matter what…I will always see you as a strong horse girl. I love you for being you. That's all that matters."

"Y-you do…?" Brian looks up at her elder sis.

Biwa nods, smiling a beautiful smile. "I definitely do. Do not worry about being so worthy just for my sake. I want you to be yourself, whether it's inside or outside of racing. You will have my support always."

"Oh, Aneki…" Brian sniffles and buries her head against her big sister's chest.

Biwa kisses her on the forehead. "I will always love you…Brian~"

Next Day*

"Yo, Ogurin!" Tama says one afternoon at school. "Aren't ya gonna train again today? It's been a few days and ya took off training yet again!"

"No thanks…" Oguri says. "I'm gonna visit Creek again and give her some food and drinks."

"Mouuuu…!" Tama grumbles. "You've been like this ever since Creek got the diagnosis! When are ya gonna step it up, huh? You know the finals are coming next week!"

"Finals…?" Oguri looks down at the floor. "I don't know if there is a purpose anymore…"

Tama grits her teeth. "What…the hell…!? Have ya even realized how ya are acting right now!?"

"Not sure…" Oguri replies, not making eye contact with her little friend and roommate. She just wants to cope with how things turned out. And visiting Creek is the only way, for her at least.

"OGURIN!!" Tama stomps her foot loudly, making the taller horse girl stop in her tracks. "Why must you do this for Creek's sake all the time!? It's so goddamn annoying!"

Oguri doesn't reply.

"Look! If ya really love this woman, then just go tell her, dammit!" Tama approaches the taller horsey. "No need for this right moment bullshit!"

"I don't think you understand my motives…" Oguri says, which makes Tama even angrier.

"Understand..!? YOU are the one who doesn't understand anything!" Tama grabs Oguri's arm and forcefully turns her around, making her drop the bags of food.

"Tama!" Oguri gets angry, too. "What in the world…!?"

SLAP!

Tama manages to jump and slap Oguri across the face. "Snap out of it, will ya!? I'm tired of ya being like this! It's Creek this and Creek that! Don't ya think you are a little too selfless here!?"

"What do you mean…?" Oguri asks, rubbing the spot where Tama slapped her.

"Think about yourself every once in a while!" Tama says. "That incident has proven not everything can go as planned! Your promise has been broken, I understand that! But don't just shut down like that because of that one incident! Creek wouldn't want that, would she!?"

Oguri then realizes what her little friend is trying to say. "N-no…she wouldn't…"

"Exactly!" Tama says. Tears start to fall from her eyes. "Ya should listen to what others say most of the time! She's been trying to tell you time and time again! No matter what, she will love YOU for being YOU! No need to prove yourself at all for the sake of going out with her!"

"Tama….I'm so sorry…" Oguri says softly as she sees her little friend crying.

"Ogurin…you goddamn idiot…" Tama sniffles and then hugs her roommate. "Creek loves you…as I love you, Ogurin. For just being yourself…! That's all…what we really want…"

Oguri returns the embrace. "I'm sorry…I'm really sorry. I tried too hard…and it wasn't really worth anything…"

"Glad you figured it out…" Tama says

They stay like this for about 5 more minutes before pulling away. Tama wipes the last of her tears.

"So…what now? What are ya gonna do?" Tama asks.

"It seems as though…I do want to race in the finals…" Oguri says. "Brian made it and I still want to finish strong…"

Tama grins. "Soooo, ya going against Brian then~?"

"I will," Oguri pumps a fist with a determined smile. "It may not be Creek, but…at least now I have a worthy opponent…"

"That's my Ogurin~!" Tama gives the taller horsey a pat on the back.