A day later...

Eli was feeding Silver Heart with hays. And as the horse began to eat, the young blonde raised a hand and caressed its muzzle as it eats. She has her gentle smile plastered on her face. She then grabbed the pail and walked to where the equipment are, which is just beside Silver Heart's stall. She did not notice that Umi was peeking from the entrance again, her eyes were shining with admiration as she stared at Eli's back, small but she knows that it is sturdy.

After the blonde has settled down the pail, she then turned her heels to walk out of the stables when she saw Umi, her smile widens and waved happily, "Hi, Umi!"

The blue-haired flinched with a yelp before she quickly hid away again, just like in their first meeting.

The blonde blinked and laughed before she rushed out of the stables then found Umi, leaning her back against the wall once again with her hands clamped together, "Hey, don't hide like that, I'm not gonna bite!" She reassured the taller child.

Umi softened her eyes, "S-Sorry..."

"Why are you sorry? There's nothing to be sorry for!" Eli grinned.

"Well, I was just being taught that way, sorry..." Umi answered.

"Really? That's harsh. But, you don't need to be shy around me ya know. I'd be very happy that we can play together after my job here is done! Besides, I don't have any friends here in this ranch and outside of the mansion except you." The blonde replied.

Umi then looked up at the blonde and blinked in curiosity, she didn't expect that an energetic and friendly child would have no friends around these parts and here, she was sure that Eli can get tons of friends outside of the mansion, "How come you don't have any friends?"

"Well..." Eli rubbed her nape in embarrassment, "I don't have a tour guide to roam me around you know and dad said that I should find someone of my age around here so then that person can tour me!" The blonde answered, "And I found you."

"You... found me..." Umi blinked and blushed slightly. In her mind, young love exists and she believes that even at their age, she can gain a crush. An early crush that is.

Eli nodded happily.

Umi then looked down at the ground while twiddling her fingers shyly, "B-But... I'm not good at touring someone around. In fact, you will be the first one whom I will tour around."

"That's no problem at all! Things start from small!" Eli grinned.

Umi then looked up and blinked, "Really? You don't mind?"

"Of course! You're my first friend! Don't worry! I'll follow you around and accompany you!"

That made Umi feel secured and relieved. She then began to smile gently and nodded, "Alright then. When do you want me to tour you around Woodstock? There are a lot of things you have to see!"

Eli then smiled widely, "Can we start tomorrow? I'll be very happy to be toured by you!"

Umi nodded excitingly, "Alright then!"

Eli then remembered something and it made her eyebrows furrow, "Ah! I almost forgot! Do you perhaps want to try to ride a horse?"

Umi then flinched and spoke in panic, "M-My dad will get mad! A-Are we gonna be okay?!"

Eli just let out a soft chuckle, she finds Umi so cute right now and it just overjoyed her heart, "No worries! Our dads are out of town to go to Healdsburg for a couple of days so it's okay! Besides, there are many people around here so they can keep an eye on us. Not only that, I know how to ride a horse! Alright? Now, want to come with me?" She then tilted her head with a smile as she stared at the blue-haired who then slowly calmed down, "Well..."

"Don't worry, if something happens, I will take responsibility!" Eli said.

"Ehh... Y-You are too young for that!" Umi thought wrongly about that.

Eli blinked, "Too young? I'm older than you by a year."

"R-Really? Then how come you are shorter than me?" Umi then blinked.

Eli blushed in embarrassment and shot a playful glare at her, "Hey! My growth is like that of a male's! I'll be taller than you someday! You'll see!"

Umi blinked and then let out a laugh, it then made Eli blink in curiosity.

Eli then said, "What's so funny? I'm serious!"

"I know, I know! I just find it cute!" Umi complimented.

"Hey!" Eli's blush deepened, "Let's make a bet then!"

"Sure, sure! Loser has to kiss her crush!" The blue-haired replied.

"Deal!" Eli grinned confidently.

Then the two of them laughed happily.

"So do you want to ride a horse?" Eli asked again.

"Are you really sure that it is okay? I don't want us to get in trouble you know." Umi raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry! I'll be guarding! And I know the exact day of their arrival!" Eli grinned.

Umi rolled her eyes, "Fine, fine. I'll ride a horse with you." She then smiled.

"Yay! Now, come on!" Eli then grabbed Umi's hand and dragged her into the stables.

Umi yelped but then lets out a soft smile as she lets the blonde drag her.

They then rushed towards Silver Heart, which looked at them. Upon stopping in front of its stall, Eli then looked at Umi, "We are going to ride with her!"

Umi may have gotten used to seeing horses at her height but she gets nervous whenever she comes close to a horse. She nervously looked up at Silver Heart while shivering a bit.

Eli blinked and hummed, "You afraid of horses?"

"N-No. It just makes me nervous since I don't like standing in front of a horse. I always get the feeling that the horse will step on me." Umi responded.

"I see. No wonder!" Eli grinned, "But don't worry! She is very kind!"

Umi looked at the blonde for a moment then went to look up at Silver Heart once again, which neighed softly and tapped its muzzle against Umi's head.

Eli chuckled, "See? And I think she likes you!"

The blue-haired then began to let out a soft smile and then held the muzzle with her two hands gently, "Y-You're right, she is kind."

Eli nodded, "And she is very caring! She'll be gentle with you!"

"Alright then... I trust you, Eli." Umi smiled at the blonde whose eyes were glimmering with excitement. The blonde then let out a grin, "Great! Let's take her out then! Wait here!" The blonde then ran out of the stables and went to the tack room to get the saddle, reigns and bridles. She then went back into the stables and then stopped in front of the blue-haired who was busy caressing Silver Heart's muzzle, "Here I am!" Eli said.

Umi then looked at Eli then smiles brightly, "Hello!"

"Brought the equipment! Better step back for a moment so then I can take her out properly!" Eli stated.

Umi nodded, "Alright then." She then looked up at Silver Heart before she slowly steps back, gaining a good distance from herself and the horse. She then went to the other side of the stall and watched the blonde as she gently opens the stall door and led the mare out.

Silver Heart is gentle, like she is being very careful since there is another person aside of Eli in the stables. Like she is trying to reassure Umi that she is okay to be ridden.

Eli then patted Silver Heart's sides before putting the reigns on her, "You gotta tie her up like this so then you can lead her out of the stables easily. She needs guidance you know."

Umi nodded, "Taking horses for a ride sure can be a hassle sometimes huh?"

"Yep, you actually need to learn how to properly equip your horse for the safety of you two. Since they can't speak, you have to figure if the reigns are too tight or too loose. If it is too tight, your horse will feel uncomfortable, and if it is too loose, you might fall off."

Umi nodded as she listened to her intently.

"Not only that but you also need to get the saddle. True, that horses can be ridden bareback but for beginners, you need a saddle first." Eli continued to explain.

"I even heard from dad that there are some voice commands so then you can make a horse move or stop or run." Umi said and the blonde nodded, "Yep! I'll show you!" Eli then looked up at Silver Heart with a smile before leading her out of the stables with Umi, following them.

Upon reaching outside, Umi then looked up at the mare then back at Eli, "So what's her name?"

"Hmm..." Eli hummed while thinking for a bit, "I can only remember Silver... I actually forgot her full name."

"Hoooh, I see." Umi nodded and patted Silver Heart's muzzle, "I'll name her Silver then!"

Eli chuckled before she began placing the saddle on Silver Heart's back and setting the mare up properly, once she is finished, she then looked up at Silver Heart, "There, you are good to go." She then turned to Umi, "I'll help you in hopping onto her back! Come here!"

Umi nodded before she walked nearer to the blonde and Eli helped her in mounting the mare. Once Umi has finally placed herself on the horse's back, the blonde then caressed the horse's muzzle, "Be gentle to her, alright? It's her first time riding a horse."

Silver Heart neighed softly.

Umi's eyes shone brightly, "Uwaaa, she responded!"

Eli chuckled, "She is trained well! Let's go! Walk on, Silver." She calmly but energetically commanded before leading Silver Heart around the ranch. The mare walked alongside Eli.

Umi then looked around happily, it was too calming that it excites her into roaming around the whole ranch. The trees are surrounding the ranch and the leaves coming from the trees were falling and creating a mess around the field. The cool wind is playing around with the leaves, grasses, their hair and clothing.

Umi softened her eyes and closed her eyes to inhale the wind deeply then exhales, "The wind sure is nice."

Eli nodded, "Calming isn't it? It's why riding horses are fun. Not only you won't inhale the pollution coming from vehicles but the scenery just gives you that kind of vibe where in all your worries will be wiped out."

"I agree with that." Umi giggled.

Eli then looked at her, "Do you perhaps want to reach the other end of this ranch? It is far though."

Umi's eyes glimmered, "Can I, really?"

"Of course!" Eli laughed, "You're cute when you are acting like a real kid!"

Umi then blushed in embarrassment, "I-I am a kid!"

Eli smiled, "Well, let's go to the other end then. I'm sure you will find it beautiful there! There's a hill there and it will let you see everything! Been there!"

"Hoooh? You sure are adventurous around someone else's house huh?"

Eli pouted, "Well, I like to roam around and I love landscapes. Especially countryside ones. It kinda gives off that good ol' stress reliever thing!" The blonde said, earning a light chuckle from Umi.

"Well, everyone likes the views here in Woodstock so it is natural."

"I agree! You'd never know what kind of places this town will offer! Better explore them out!" Eli responded.

Umi softened her eyes, she felt envious that Eli gets to explore the places where she wants to go. Not only that, she can do the things she wants to do and no one can ever stop her. At this point, Umi thought of Eli as someone who can take risks without fear. It is something that she does not have.

"So Eli..." Umi called out and the blonde blinked.

"Hmm?" Eli tilted her head.

"Since we are going to the other end of the ranch, you should hop on." Umi smiled.

Eli blinked and smiled, "Okay!"

The blonde then halted and it also made Silver Heart stop walking also. The blonde then went to hop on the horse's back behind Umi and grabbed the reigns, Umi blushed slightly, "Are you sure you can see from there? I am blocking the view you know."

Eli grinned, "Well, I don't want you to fall off, just duck a bit!"

Umi nodded and then did what she was told.

Eli then dragged the reigns up and down in a fast-paced motion, making Silver Heart neigh and gallop forward.

Umi yelped and held onto the saddle and Silver Heart's mane tightly with her eyes closed tightly.

Eli laughed, "Come on Umi, open your eyes!"

"I-I don't want to! It's scary!" Umi shouted while shaking.

"Aw come on! Which was why I placed myself behind you, right?! No worries! You won't fall off while I am behind you!"

"B-But still!"

"Trust me! I won't let you fall! Come on, you're missing the best part!" Eli reassured the blue-haired who then stopped.

Umi then slowly opened her eyes and they widened when she gets to see everything. The thrilling feeling began to flood her heart and it made her eyes glimmer and her jaw drop.

"You're right, Eli! It is beautiful!"

"Told you so!" Eli grinned.

Umi then let out a giddy chuckle until it became a laugh.

Eli then laughed with her.

Their voices began to echo as the flashback faded out.

Back in the present, Eli softened her eyes when she felt nostalgic about her memories here. She then smiled at Silver Heart and gently caressed its muzzle, "I'll be back. You'll get to see your owner real soon and I promise, she has grown into a fine woman."

The mare neighed slightly and the blonde chuckled at its response, "Excited? I'm sure she'll be surprised if she gets to know that you already have a daughter." And Silver Heart's ears flicker. The blonde then turned her heels to walk out of the stables and went back to the mansion.

Umi, on the other hand, was walking along the arches with a smile on her face, it seemed that she had went somewhere basing on her white dress being topped with a light brown jacket. As she nears the mansion, she saw an old man looking up at it.

The old man still looked strong due to how firmly he stands straight. His build is still slightly muscular and his hair is grayish in color. He is wearing a striped, red polo shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He is wearing dark blue pants and light brown shoes.

Umi blinked. 'Maybe he is here for a wedding appointment.' She then put up a bright smile on her face and then approached the man, "Hello, may I help you with something, sir?"

The man then slowly turned around, revealing his face. His expression and Umi's matched like they are father and daughter.

Which they are.

Umi's eyes widened and her smile dropped instantly when she remembered who he is.

"Father..." She whispered.

A/N: Heeey guys! Here is the new chapter! Hope you guys enjoyed it! Votes and comments are always appreciated! If you got any questions regarding to Umi's and Eli's memories, your answer will come out soon!