Lunar absentmindedly toyed with the crescent moon hairpin for a moment, turning it gently between her fingers before setting it down beside the framed photo of her mother. She leaned in slightly, her gaze settling on the warm, gentle smile captured in that frozen moment, and for a while, she said nothing at all.
Instead, her thoughts filled the silence for her. She pictured her mother as she must have been back then, younger, standing beneath the sunlight with that same golden crescent clipped neatly into her hair. Lunar tried to imagine how it would have looked back then, how it would have appeared when she ran, how it might have bounced with each stride.
The image lingered in her mind until the quiet creak of the door behind her broke the stillness. Lunar blinked and turned, the daydream slipping away as the door opened just enough to reveal Saiya standing there, offering a small, apologetic smile. "Sorry… I'm a little late."
Lunar shook her head immediately, her expression easy and reassuring. "You don't have to apologize."
She carefully placed the hairpin back into its box and set it beside the photo frame before stepping away from the vanity desk. Crossing the room, she sat down on the edge of her bed and looked up at Saiya with quiet curiosity. "What were you doing just now?" she asked. "Getting some water?"
Saiya let out a small, sheepish laugh as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "Not exactly…"
That was when Lunar had noticed that Saiya had one arm tucked behind her back the entire time. A knowing smile slowly formed on Lunar's face as she tilted her head slightly, her tone turning just a little playful. "…Were you, by any chance, preparing my gift for me?"
Saiya sighed softly, though there was no real resistance in it. "I can't even surprise you, can I?"
"So that's a yes," Lunar replied immediately, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. "Now I'm really interested. What is it that you wanted to give me but hid from the others so carefully that you had to wait until now?"
Saiya hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting slightly as she tried to find the right way to explain it. "It's nothing too special," she said at last, her voice lowering just a little. "It's just… really embarrassing to give something like this in front of everyone."
That only made Lunar lean forward slightly, her smile bright and genuine, curiosity only growing stronger. "Then I'm definitely going to love it," she said without hesitation. "Because it's from you, Saichan."
That did it.
A faint blush crept onto Saiya's face, subtle but noticeable, as she exhaled quietly and finally brought her hidden hand forward. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she revealed what she had been holding.
Resting in her palm was a small red box.
Lunar's eyes dropped to it, and for a brief second, her mind didn't quite catch up with what she was seeing. Instead, her thoughts wandered, quietly turning over possibilities, wondering what could be inside and, more importantly, why Saiya looked so unusually nervous over something as simple as a gift.
Before she could ask anything, Saiya gently flipped the lid open and inside, nestled against the soft red lining, was a pair of rings.
The first ring was crafted from a warm, gold-toned metal, its design bold enough to draw the eye instantly. At its center sat a small circular cluster of clear gemstones, arranged tightly to form the core of a sun, and from that center, sharp, radiant points extended outward in all directions, each lined with tiny stones that reflected the light. It felt bright just looking at it, seemingly alive, carrying a radiant warmth and energy that made it impossible to ignore.
Beside it rested the second ring, softer in tone but no less detailed. This one was made from a cool silver band, shaped into a gentle crescent moon that curved naturally, as though it was meant to wrap around something. The inside of the crescent was lined with deep blue gemstones, their color rich and calm, like the sky just before dawn, while along the outer edge, small star-shaped details were set with tiny clear stones that gave off a subtle shimmer.
And somehow, even without trying them on, Lunar could tell. They were made to fit together. When worn as a pair, the sun and moon would interlock perfectly, locking into one another as if they had always been designed that way, as if they were never meant to exist apart.
Her gaze stayed fixed on them, her fingers twitching slightly, hovering like she wanted to reach out but wasn't sure if she should. "They're…" she started softly, then paused, searching for the right word before letting out a quiet breath. "…really pretty."
Saiya rubbed the back of her neck, clearly a little self-conscious under that reaction. "I just found them online," she said quickly, almost brushing it aside. "They're not anything special, honestly, not rare or expensive or anything like that. I even got them on a deal… it was like fifty dollars for both, including the box." (she lied)
She gave a small, awkward laugh, though it didn't quite hide the tension behind it. "I just thought…" she continued, her gaze flickering away for a moment before returning to Lunar, "…it might be nice if we had something matching."
Her fingers moved slightly as she held the box out a little more. "And I figured a ring would be… you know… something we could keep on us all the time."
She coughed lightly after that, her expression turning just a little more flustered than before. Because the truth was, her reasoning went far deeper than that. There was something else about choosing a ring, something quietly intimate and meaningful in a way she couldn't bring herself to explain out loud, not without completely losing her mind and ending up probably getting on her knees and confessing on the spot.
So instead, she held onto the simpler explanation, even if it didn't quite capture everything she felt, and hoped it would be enough.
Lunar's expression softened, and then brightened just as quickly as she reached out without hesitation and took the box from Saiya's hands. "I love it," she said, her voice genuine that left no room for doubt of her likeness for the rings. "It's a really great idea."
She leaned in slightly, bringing the box closer as her eyes traced over the details again, taking her time this time around so as to not miss any hidden details. The way the tiny stones were set so carefully, the contrast between the warm gold and the cool silver, the way the two pieces seemed to belong together so naturally without feeling forced… it all made her smile grow just a little wider.
Then, a small thought crossed her mind. "…Wait," she murmured, glancing up at Saiya again. "Which one are we taking?"
Saiya blinked at the question before giving a light shrug. "It's your gift," she replied, her tone easy even if a hint of nervousness still lingered beneath it. "So you should decide. I don't mind taking whichever one's left."
That only made Lunar pause a little longer as she looked back down at the rings, her gaze shifting between them while she quietly weighed the choice. "…They're both really nice," she muttered under her breath, thinking out loud now. "I do like the colors on the moon one more…"
Her finger hovered slightly above the silver ring, like she was about to pick it up. Then, suddenly, her expression transformed. "Wait—no," she said, a small spark lighting up in her eyes as she straightened slightly. "I'll take the sun ring!"
Saiya blinked again, this time in clear surprise, though she nodded anyway without protest. "Alright," she said, accepting the decision, even if curiosity crept into her voice. "…But why that one?" She tilted her head slightly, watching Lunar more closely now. "I thought you'd pick the moon one," she admitted. "It matches the accessories you just got from Mom, and… well, your name literally means moon."
The rest of her thoughts, however, never made it past her lips.
Because to Saiya, Lunar had always felt like the moon in ways she couldn't properly explain, something gentle and always silently there, something that didn't overwhelm but still reached people all the same. Like a soft light that comforted rather than burned, exactly like the moon.
Lunar found herself letting out a shy and muted chuckle at that. "…You know my name means moon, right?"
Saiya nodded.
Lunar's fingers gently picked up the silver ring as she continued, her voice dipping just slightly. "Momma used to call me 'little moon' all the time," she admitted, a faint hint of embarrassment slipping through as she looked down at the ring in her hand. "So… I guess I've always kind of seen myself that way too."
She paused for a moment, turning the ring slightly between her fingers as the blue gemstones directly entered her vision before she looked back up. "But that's exactly why," she said, a small grin forming on her face.
Before Saiya could truly understand what she meant, Lunar reached out and gently took her free left hand. Her touch felt like fire to Saiya's ice that melted the taller girl. "If these rings are supposed to represent us," Lunar continued, "then we should wear each other's."
Saiya's eyes widened just slightly as she felt her hand being guided forward.
Lunar carefully slipped the silver moon ring onto Saiya's pinky finger as the ring seems to be made for her size and is a little too small for Saiya's other fingers, adjusting it just enough to make sure it sat comfortably. Once it was in place, Lunar looked back up, her pale yellow eyes meeting Saiya's silver gaze directly. "This one," she said softly, giving Saiya's hand a small, reassuring squeeze, "will be your moon." She paused for just a heartbeat, her expression gentle. "…Which is me."
Then, without letting go completely, Lunar used her other hand to gesture toward the remaining ring still resting inside the box. "And that one," she added, her smile widening just a little, "will be mine." She curved the corner of her lips a little, sincerity gracing her face. "Because that's you, Saichan."
She lifted her eyes again, holding Saiya's gaze as she added meaningfully, "You're the sun to my moon."
Saiya froze for a moment after Lunar's words, her mind going completely blank as she stared at her."…You're really dangerous with words, you know that?" she said quietly, almost in disbelief.
Lunar tilted her head slightly, confusion written plainly across her face. "Dangerous…? Why would words be dangerous?"
Saiya opened her mouth to explain, but nothing came out, and after a second she just let out a small breath and shook her head. "…Never mind," she muttered, giving up entirely.
Lunar only gave a small shrug in response, clearly not understanding what Saiya meant but choosing not to push it any further, and instead she extended her right hand toward her with a quiet, expectant smile. "Here," she said lightly. "put it on for me."
Saiya swallowed at the not so simple request. "…Right."
She reached into the box, carefully picking up the remaining ring before closing it with a soft click, and then she leaned in slightly, her movements slower now, more intricate as she brought Lunar's hand closer.
Lunar waited patiently, her fingers relaxed, completely at ease. "…You know," Lunar added suddenly without much thought. "this kind of feels like a proposal."
Saiya stopped.
Completely.
Her hand froze mid-motion, and for a split second it looked as if her entire body had locked up, her thoughts crashing into each other as she tried to process what she had just heard.
"…Eh?" Lunar questioned, her eyebrows frowning as she realized the abrupt pause. "Saichan?"
Something in Saiya snapped into place, she moved again—but not the way she had before. Instead of simply sliding the ring onto Lunar's finger, she changed her position entirely, lowering herself until she was kneeling in front of her, one knee pressing lightly against the floor as she took Lunar's hand more firmly this time, her grip still gentle but now carrying an intense intent behind it.
Lunar's breath caught at the sudden change in posture, the closeness, the way Saiya held her hand—all of it hit at once, and she found herself staring without meaning to, her eyes widening slightly as warmth rose from her chest to her face.
Saiya's cheeks were flushed, laughfully so, but there was something else there now too, something stronger that pushed past the embarrassment and settled into resolve. "…Lunar Light."
Lunar felt her heart jump at the way her full name was spoken. "U-uhm… y-yes…?" she replied, noticeably compliant now.
Saiya took a small breath. "When I first met you," she began, her voice firm despite the faint tremor beneath it, "you were just this lonely, mourning girl who looked like she might disappear if no one paid attention to her."
Thump.
"But somehow, without me even realizing it, you became someone I started looking for every single day, someone I wanted to stand beside no matter what we were doing, even if it was something small or meaningless."
Thump.
"And before I knew it, that simple feeling turned into something I couldn't ignore anymore, because being with you started to matter more than anything else."
Thump.
"And now… when I think about moving forward, about everything that comes next, you're always there in that picture, right beside me."
Thump.
Lunar could hear her own heartbeat, loud and overwhelming, echoing in her ears as her fingers trembled slightly in Saiya's grasp, the warmth of her hand only making everything feel more real.
Saiya's grip tightened just a fraction, enough to ground both of them as she leaned in a little closer, her voice dropping softer, more intimate. "…So."
A small pause. "…Will you forever be—"
Lunar's breath hitched, her entire body going still as anticipation coiled tightly in her chest, her thoughts scattering in every direction at once.
"—my dearest friend?"
The words settled in and with them, something inside Lunar moved in a way she couldn't quite explain.
The tension that had been coiling so tightly in her chest loosened, her heartbeat easing back into calmness, but along with that relief came a strange, faint emptiness, like she had been expecting something more without even realizing it. She thought hard, trying to grasp that feeling, but it slipped through her thoughts before she could put a name to it.
And then she noticed Saiya. And then she noticed Saiya, still kneeling in front of her, still holding her hand, still waiting for an answer.
The look on Saiya's face… It almost reminded her of a hurt puppy, one that seemed to be ignored by its owner and is trying its best to win their attention back. "Y-yes," Lunar replied quickly to remedy what she was being attacked with. "Of course."
It was almost comical how quickly that sad expression melted away, replaced by pure, unfiltered happiness, her shoulders relaxing as the sway of her tail only emphasizes how pleased she was. "…Good," she murmured, unable to hide her smile.
Carefully, Saiya guided the ring forward and slipped it onto Lunar's finger, her touch gentle as she adjusted it into place, making sure it sat just right.
Lunar lifted her hand once it was on, turning it slightly as her eyes moved between the ring she now wore and the one resting on Saiya's hand, quietly taking in how they looked together before she smiled. "…Yep," she said, warmth slipping into her voice as her gaze lingered. "This is definitely you."
She shifted a little closer after that, raising her hand toward Saiya's and aligning their fingers so that the rings touched, the sun and moon designs meeting perfectly, forming a single, complete image the moment they came together.
For a second, neither of them spoke, both simply looking at it.
"…It's beautiful."
Lunar nodded, her eyes still on the rings. "Yeah… it really is." And then, without warning, she moved.
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Saiya's neck, pulling her in with just enough momentum to catch her off guard, and Saiya let out a small, startled sound as they both tipped backward onto the bed, landing with a soft thud.
They ended up lying naturally on their sides, facing each other.
Lunar's arm remained loosely draped around Saiya's neck, her fingers absentmindedly threading through strands of soft pink hair, while Saiya's hand found its place at Lunar's waist, resting there naturally, like it belonged there.
"Thank you," Lunar said after a moment. "For the gift… I really love it."
Saiya let out a small breath, the last bit of tension leaving her shoulders as she met Lunar's gaze. "…You're welcome."
They stayed like that, unmoving, the quiet stretching between them in a way that felt comfortable rather than empty, neither of them feeling the need to break it or rush past it.
A minute passed, maybe more.
Then Saiya spoke again, her voice quieter this time, something hesitant lingering beneath it. "…I'm going to miss this."
Lunar's fingers slowed slightly where they rested in her hair, the motion pausing for just a second.
"…Miss you," Saiya added, the words softer, but far more direct this time.
Lunar's expression melted, and she gave a small nod, her thumb brushing lightly against Saiya's shoulder in a comforting way. "…I will too," she admitted. "But it's not like I'm disappearing." She smiled reassuringly. "I'll call you every day, that's a promise."
Saiya let out a small laugh at that, the sound carrying a clear sense of relief as her shoulders eased. "…Good."
They remained like that for a while longer, up until Saiya decided to break the moment. "…Lunar," she said hesitantly. "Can I be completely honest with you?"
Lunar didn't even need to think about it. "Of course," she replied gently, her fingers still loosely tangled in Saiya's hair.
Saiya took a small breath, as if gathering herself, and then asked the question that had clearly been sitting in her mind for far longer than she had let on. "…Do you think I'll ever be able to run in a race one day… with you?"
The words landed lightly, but their weight was anything but.
Lunar froze as the hand that was absentmindedly brushing Saiya's hair stopped completely, her thoughts halting as the question echoed in her mind, and for the first time since they had started talking, she found herself unable to answer.
It wasn't that she didn't want to. It was that she didn't know how to.
Saiya noticed the look and gave a small, understanding smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, and gently added, "…It's okay. Just be honest."
That only made it harder.
Lunar lowered her gaze slightly, her grip tightening just a little where it rested against Saiya as she tried to find the right words, something that wouldn't hurt, something that wouldn't lie. "…I… I want that," she admitted slowly. "I really do."
The honesty felt almost as painful as poison for her. "I want to run with you, just like you said… not just with me, but with everyone, on the same track, chasing the same finish line." She paused, her chest tightening as her thoughts grew heavier. "Just like how you helped me before… when I felt like I was stuck, like I couldn't move forward… I want to be able to do the same for you."
Her fingers curled slightly into the fabric of Saiya's pyjamas. "But…" That single word carried everything she couldn't avoid. "…I'm scared."
Saiya's expression mellowed. "Scared of what..?"
Lunar swallowed before continuing, her voice dropping just slightly as the words became harder to say out loud. "I'm scared that if I push you toward that, if you really try, it might put too much strain on your heart," she admitted, shaking her head faintly as her gaze dimmed with the thought.
"And if something goes wrong… if anything happens to you because of it…" Her voice faltered for a second. "…I might lose you, and that…" she whispered, "…that's way scarier than not ever being able to run together."
A silence followed—heavy with everything that had been laid out between them. Saiya let out a slow exhale, her eyes closing as if she had expected that answer all along. "…Yeah," she murmured. "I figured."
There was no bitterness in her voice, no frustration—just a quiet acceptance that made it hurt in a different way. "I know the chances are basically nonexistent," she continued, her tone calm, almost matter-of-fact now. "Even with maturization, even with everything… my heart just isn't built for it."
Her hand shifted slightly against Lunar's waist, grounding herself as she spoke. "It can't keep up with what my body can do, and it probably never will," she added, letting out a faint breath that carried a hint of self-awareness rather than self-pity. "So realistically… I'm never going to stand on a racetrack like that, not as someone who runs."
Lunar's expression tightened immediately, and she leaned in closer without thinking, trying to close the distance in a way words couldn't. "Saichan—"
"Even so," Saiya interrupted gently, her voice soft but certain, "that doesn't mean I can't run with you."
Confusion flickered across Lunar's face as she pulled back just enough to look at her properly. "…What do you mean?"
Saiya opened her eyes again, and this time, there was something steadier behind them. Something certain. "You remember when you carried me before?" she asked quietly. "After I passed out?"
Lunar nodded slowly, still trying to follow.
Saiya smiled faintly. "Then maybe… you can carry me again."
Lunar's brows furrowed slightly, the confusion still there, and Saiya let out a small breath before clarifying. "…Not like that," she added in amusement. "Not physically." Her hand shifted, gently pressing against Lunar's side as if to emphasize her presence. "I mean… you run." A small pause. "And I'll be right there with you."
Lunar's eyes widened just a fraction as she listened, something in her chest stirring at the idea.
"I'll support you," Saiya continued, her voice gaining a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before. "Every step, every race, every moment you're out there." She held her gaze with Lunar's. "Your support uma musume."
"Even if I can't stand on the track beside you as a runner… I can still stand behind you, beside you in a different way." Her gaze softened. "I can help you, guide you, push you when you need it… just like that day."
She smiled, small but big in meaning.. "So… in that way…" Her fingers tightened just slightly where they rested. "…I'll still be running with you."
Lunar stayed quiet for a moment after hearing Saiya out, letting the idea insert properly in her mind instead of brushing past it too quickly, and the more she thought about it, the more she found herself… liking it.
Not just a little.
A lot.
The image of Saiya being there with her, not as a runner on the track but as someone just as important in a different way, someone who would still share that journey with her, felt right in a way she had never thought of.
But even so, reality didn't take long to catch up. "…But I'm leaving soon," Lunar said, her voice softening slightly as she looked at Saiya. "If I go to Japan… how would that even work?"
Saiya didn't seem bothered by the question at all. "I'll just enroll in the academy here first," she replied simply, as if she had already thought this through more than once. "Then I'll apply for an exchange program to Japan later."
Lunar blinked, a little surprised. "That… actually sounds doable," she admitted, though another concern quickly followed. "But I won't just stay in one place. I want to race everywhere, travel a lot… would you really be okay with that?"
Saiya let out a small snort, like the answer was so obvious it almost didn't deserve the question. "Of course I would," she said without hesitation. "As long as you're there, I don't really care where 'there' is."
Lunar felt her chest warm at that, but there was still one last concern lingering at the back of her mind. "…What about Aunt Nel?" she asked. "And Aunt Tycoon… she definitely won't like the idea of you going overseas and live out of their supervision."
Saiya's expression transformed slightly, not into hesitation, but into something more resolute. "I'll figure something out," she said, resolve coating each one of her words.. "It's my life, they can't keep me caged like an injured bird forever."
There was a quiet strength in her voice now, something that hadn't been there before. "…Even if my wings aren't perfect," she continued, "they're still mine. And sooner or later, I'm going to fly where I want to go."
A small pause. "And where I want to go… is alongside you."
That was enough. More than enough.
Lunar didn't say anything right away, because she didn't need to. Instead, she pulled Saiya closer, closing the space between them completely as her arms wrapped around her in a firm, unhesitating embrace, holding on as if she could turn that promise into something tangible through nothing but warmth.
"…Then fine," Lunar murmured softly against her, her voice quiet but certain. "I'll wait." Her grip tightened just a little. "I'll wait for you to come find me."
Saiya let out a quiet breath, her arms naturally returning the hug just as firmly. "I'll do my besh—" she started, but the words broke apart halfway through as a yawn slipped out, completely unplanned and impossible to hold back.
Lunar paused for a second before letting out a soft laugh, the tension finally dissolving into something lighter. "…You're sleepy."
Saiya huffed weakly, rubbing her eyes a little. "A little…"
"It's late," Lunar said gently. "We should sleep."
"…Yeah," Saiya agreed, her voice already softer now, heavier with fatigue.
They both noticed it, the way they stayed exactly where they were, still wrapped around each other, still close enough to feel every bit of warmth between them.
And neither of them pointed it out.
Instead, they adjusted just slightly, settling into something more comfortable without ever pulling away, their arms remaining where they were, their bodies naturally fitting together in a way that didn't need to be questioned.
It became a quiet, unspoken agreement.
They were staying like this.
Just for tonight.
"…Goodnight, Saichan," Lunar murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, softened further by the closeness.
"…G'night, Lunar," Saiya replied just as quietly, her words already beginning to blur at the edges.
Not long after, the room fell into slumber along with them, their breathing gradually evening out as the warmth between them lingered, steady and real, and before either of them realized it, they had drifted off to sleep, still holding onto each other as if letting go was never part of the plan, even in their dreams
-
A clear chime rang out across the terminal, followed by a calm, practiced voice echoing through the speakers. "Passengers boarding the 6:30 a.m. direct flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido, please proceed to your designated boarding gate. Boarding will commence in half an hour."
The announcement cut cleanly through the bustling atmosphere of the airport, and almost instantly, Lunar's attention snapped toward it as she stood up slowly, the reality of the moment drowning in all at once.
Beside her, Black Caviar's eyes flicked toward her with that quiet, measured calm she always carried. "You've got everything ready?"
Lunar nodded, though her fingers tightened slightly on the strap of her bag. "Mhm. All packed." Though as she spoke, her gaze drifted across the group surrounding her. Everyone was here, yet in this moment, they all seemed different.
Namawa stood off to the side, unusually quiet for once, her usual chaotic energy dimmed into something dull, though the way she shifted her weight from foot to foot made it clear she didn't quite know how to handle standing still in a moment like this.
Saiya looked composed at first glance, but Lunar could see right through it, catching the faint tightness in her expression and the way her gaze lingered just a second too long, trying to memorize everything before it slipped away.
Persian stood a little straighter than usual, her demeanor still calm as expected, yet her hands were clasped just a bit too tightly in front of her, betraying the emotions she was trying to keep in check.
Anonym, on the other hand, looked as unreadable as ever, but Lunar didn't miss the way she stayed even closer than usual, or how her eyes never strayed too far from her.
And then there were the aunts.
They still appeared put together, but even they couldn't completely hide it, that quiet sense of sadness that lingered beneath their expressions. Because no matter how they framed it, no matter how temporary this was meant to be…
This was still a farewell.
A child who had once arrived as a stranger was now leaving as family, and that made it harder than anyone wanted to admit.
One by one, they stepped forward. More Than Ready was the first, reaching out to give Lunar a firm pat on the shoulder, her usual energy still present but softened at the edges. "Take care of yourself out there, kid."
Lunar smiled lightly and nodded. "I will. I'll keep that in mind."
Before she could say anything else, I Am Invincible slipped in with a quick, easy motion, pulling Lunar into a brief but warm hug before pressing a small packet into her hands. "Just in case," she said casually. "Cold, headache, whatever. Flights can be annoying."
Lunar let out a small laugh, but she accepted it without hesitation. "Thanks, Aunt Invincible. I'll make sure to use it if I need to."
From just behind them, Written Tycoon spoke up, her tone calm but carrying that familiar edge of strict care. "Take care of yourself properly, Lunar, and don't waste your time on that flight. I've sent you recordings of your classes, so make sure you go through them."
Lunar put a self-reminder at that, then gave a quick thumbs-up with a bright grin. "No worries. I'll watch them, promise."
More Than Ready and I Am Invincible stepped aside, making space as the next figure approached. Autumn Sun moved forward more slowly, her presence serene and tender, and when she smiled, Lunar couldn't help but pause for a moment.
There was something about it, something warm, something that reminded her… of her mother.
Autumn Sun reached out and took Lunar's hand gently, her touch soft as she gave it a reassuring squeeze. "If anything happens," she said firmly, "you remember to contact us. Don't ever hesitate to ask for help, no matter how small it might seem."
Lunar's expression softened instantly, her fingers curling slightly around that warmth as she nodded. "I will," she replied, her voice just as gentle. "Thank you, Aunt Autumn."
Lunar slowly pulled back from the warmth of the embrace, her hands lingering for just a second before she finally let go, though the feeling of it stayed with her a little longer than she expected.
Before she could properly gather herself, Invi stepped in as she reached out and immediately began ruffling Lunar's hair with an almost aggressive amount of enthusiasm. "Good luck out there, Lunar," she said with a grin. "And when you meet Sodashi, make sure you say hi for me."
Lunar laughed as she tried to squirm away from the relentless scrubbing, raising her arms in mock defense as she leaned back. "Okay, okay! I'll be sure to pass along your million 'I love you's' to Sodashi-oneechan!"
Invi froze for half a second before groaning loudly, her face immediately turning the other way as she clicked her tongue in embarrassment. "Will you shut up? Don't say weird things like that out loud," she muttered, though there was no real bite behind it. Then, with a small huff, she jerked her thumb off to the side. "Instead of teasing me, you've got something way more important to deal with."
Lunar followed the direction of her gesture, and the moment her eyes landed on them, she couldn't help the small, amused sigh that escaped her, the four of them looked like a complete mess.
Namawa was already on the verge of tears, Saiya was trying very hard not to show it and failing to do so, Persian looked like she was holding herself together by pure willpower and brainpower, and Anonym… well, Anonym was still Anonym, but even she couldn't hide it completely.
Lunar smiled softly, feeling her chest warm at the sight, and opened her arms wide. "Okay, guys, enough with the gloominess, come he—"
She didn't even get to finish as four bodies slammed into her all at once. The force of it nearly knocked her off her feet as they collided into her in a chaotic, desperate hug, arms wrapping around her from every direction with absolutely no coordination whatsoever.
Namawa was the loudest, as expected, her voice already breaking as tears streamed down her face. "Uuu… I'm gonna miss you, Lunar!!"
Persian's voice came next, softer but just as emotional, her words slightly muffled from how close she was. "We'll be watching your races… so you better watch ours too…"
Somewhere beneath the pile, only partially visible, Anonym managed to wedge her head just enough to speak, her voice quieter but clear despite everything. "Win the Triple Crown… okay? I'm going to win them too."
Lunar let out a breathless laugh, caught somewhere between exasperation and joy, her arms straining to wrap around as many of them as possible, trying to hold them all in the center of her world. "Okay, okay… I will," she said, her voice muffled by the tangle of bodies but full of sincerity.
And then, close to her ear, almost hidden beneath the chaos, Saiya's voice slipped through like a soft, steady pulse. "Wait for me."
Lunar didn't reply aloud. She didn't need to.
Her arms tightened just a fraction, anchoring them all to her, and in that quiet, wordless promise, the thought settled firmly in her mind.
I will.
They stayed like that for what felt longer than it probably was, holding onto each other as if trying to stretch the moment just a little further, just a little longer, until—
"Alright, girls." Black Caviar's voice cut through the quiet, firm and unyielding, immediately drawing everyone's attention. "Let Lunar go now, or she's going to miss her flight."
A collective pause followed, a ripple of reluctant groans and half-hearted protests filling the air. Slowly, inevitably, arms loosened, grips softened, and one by one, they peeled themselves away. Each movement carried a little hesitation, a silent acknowledgment that letting go was harder than it should have been, because none of them truly wanted to.
Black Caviar stepped forward once the others had finally let go, her presence a reminder of everything that is happening and will happen. She reached out, her hand brushing lightly over Lunar's head, patting her gently. Her eyes softened as they looked down at the girl, a faint, questioning smile tugging at her lips. "Is there anything else you need to say?"
Lunar didn't respond with words. She let her actions speak instead. In a swift, fluid motion, she stepped forward, jumped slightly, and wrapped her arms around Black Caviar's neck without hesitation, her feet barely brushing the ground as she leaned into the hug. Black Caviar let out a quiet snicker at the suddenness, but her arms moved instinctively, wrapping around Lunar's back with effortless strength, holding her securely without hurting a single hair of the dangling filly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Black Caviar exhaled and voiced out her hope, "Mesmerize the world, little moon… let them all know your name."
Lunar pulled back just enough to look at her, her pale yellow eyes shining with confidence as a bright smile spread across her face. "I will," she said in pure determination. "I'll make sure everyone knows who Lunar Light is… and how amazing my mothers are."
Black Caviar froze slightly, her brows arching as a faint crease appeared between them. "Mothers?" she repeated, her tone cautious, curious. "Do you know who your other mother is?"
Lunar shook her head easily, as if it wasn't something that bothered her. "No. Momma never really talked about her, and I've never seen a picture either, so I don't really know anything about her."
The expression on Black Caviar's face deepened, confusion and curiosity mingling subtly. "Then why did you say mothers?"
Lunar let out a small laugh, like the answer was obvious, like it had always been obvious. "Because I do have two." She leaned in closer, and before Black Caviar could react, Lunar pressed a soft kiss against her cheek, the gesture so sudden and smooth that it caught her completely off guard.
"One is a kind and selfless uma musume named Guair Light…" Her pale yellow eyes flicked to Black Caviar, locking onto the woman whose presence had shaped her entire world. "…And the other," she continued, her words wrapped in warmth and quiet awe, "is a strong and selfless uma musume who just so happens to be the greatest sprinter to ever live… Black Caviar."
For a heartbeat, Black Caviar didn't move. Then she felt it—the sharp, unbidden sting of emotion pricking behind her eyes. And before she could stop it, before she could gather the composure she had spent so long cultivating—
"Thank you," Lunar whispered, leaning just a little closer again, her voice low and trembling with sincerity. "For giving me a new family, Momma Nel."
That was enough.
The tears came suddenly, breaking through the careful mask of control she had maintained for so long. Her vision blurred, her breath hitched, and she let out a soft, helpless laugh that carried everything she couldn't put into words. Carefully, almost reluctantly, she loosened her hold and lowered Lunar back onto her feet, turning her face just enough so that the tears wouldn't fall directly onto the girl.
Overhead, the terminal's speakers rang out one final, crisp announcement. "Passengers for the 6:30 a.m. flight from Sydney to Hokkaido, final call. Please proceed through the boarding gate immediately."
Lunar took a few deliberate steps back, her gaze sweeping over the group gathered behind her one last time. Her hand lifted in a small, tentative wave, her smile softening just a touch, carrying warmth and reassurance all at once. "Well… goodbye?" she said, almost softly.
Voices rose to meet her, overlapping in volume and tone, some steady, some breaking slightly with the weight of their emotion, but all of them carrying the same unspoken truth—they didn't want her to go, yet they waved back all the same, each gesture brimming with affection, encouragement, and love. Black Caviar, even as she dabbed at her eyes, lifted her hand as well.
Lunar started walking, slow at first, savoring every step, every glance. She stole fleeting looks over her shoulder, committing every face, every expression to memory, letting the looks from them sink deep into her chest, faces that had greeted her with warmth when she was dying from coldness. And now, she carried that warmth forward with her, not to cling to it, but to ignite her own fire, a fire meant to reach back to that cold place and leave it brighter than she had left it.
Step by step, she approached the gate, her pace quickening ever so slightly, the thrill of anticipation curling around her like a gentle wind. And just before she reached the threshold—
"Goodbye, my daughter!" Black Caviar's voice rang out, clear and unrestrained, a declaration that startled everyone but made Lunar's heart soar.
She lit up instantly, her face breaking into the brightest, most unguarded smile yet. A soft laugh bubbled out of her, full of joy, relief, and excitement. She hopped lightly on her feet, waving even more energetically.
The sadness didn't vanish—it had no reason to—but it transformed, becoming something warmer, something lighter, something worth carrying forward. A memory, a spark, a promise that would keep her moving even when the road was long, even when the darkness of the void crept close again.
With one final, lingering glance, one last smile to seal the bond, Lunar stepped through the gate. The doors slid shut behind her, closing on the warmth she carried with her—and opening her world to the fire she would now ignite on her own.
"See you."