*pant, pant, pant…*

*pant, pant…* Keep up the good pace. I see equestrian training requires you to work on your cardio too.

It’s a sort of routine I must do before I start horseback riding. It’s been a while since I’ve engaged in it, so I want to make sure it goes well.

I must live up to everyone’s expectations of me, so I’ll start by getting my adrenaline flowing and preparing myself.

But Kamina-san, you didn’t need to accompany me, especially since you wanted to come here to rest.

To be running through the plains under a clear blue sky with my little brother… It’s a form of rest in and of itself.

Then I suppose I have nothing more to say… Shall we pick up the pace?

Hah, let’s do it.

For horseback riding, I think it’d be best to work on your adductors and quads along with your hamstrings.

I can teach you some effective bodyweight exercises to target them.

I’d be honored to receive your instruction. Please, by all means.

Of course, horses can sense fear, but they can also sense if you fail to do your due diligence and you ride with insincerity.

So I must put my full focus into my preparations for the sake of my horse as well…

To the Equestrian Club president, to the horses, to everyone… And most importantly, to you, Kamina-san, I promise to show you a performance you can be proud of.

It feels like we just shifted genres all of a sudden. What happened to the leisuring thing…?

I think it’s nice and exciting. Look, Muneuji has such a spirited expression on his face.

Yeah, he does look a lot more energetic compared to when he was relaxing. I prefer this side of him.

His Majesty… He’s so coooool!

You should start getting ready too, Preeeez.

But I get it, you just can’t take your eyes off him, riiiight?

…Alright! Muneuji, Yukikaze, let me join you! I can’t just sit here and watch.

Yes, let us all work up a sweat together. Will you join us as well, Kinouchi-san?

Yeah, I’ll do it. But my senses have been lagging behind since the bonfire incident, so I’m not sure if I can keep up with you guys.

Mr. President, if it’s alright, I’d like to extend my invitation to the Equestrian Club as well.

Hyah?! B-But our presence would only be a hindrance to Your Majesty…!

Fostering a healthy rivalry with your opponents is one of the thrills of competition… As well as a wonderful way to spend a holiday.

You’re almost up, Muneuji!

I’ve been watching the others, and it looks like they’re all doing the same thing out there.

Oh, that’s because this is the fixed routine of the competition.

Everyone performs the same set of movements along a predetermined path and competes on who has the most correct and visually appealing form.

The point of it is to watch for how accurate and harmonious the performance is. For example, focus on how in-sync Muneuji and his horse are.

……

…Kamina-san, are you alright? Your expression’s looking really stiff.

Even though Muneuji’s the one performing, I’m feeling nervous for him…

I don’t think we have to worry about him.

*gasp*

(Running a fixed routine on a horse I’ve never ridden before isn’t an ideal situation, but…)

I’ll make certain you won’t regret having me as your rider.

We shall both put our pride on the line and win in the name of honor.

Let us go.

*gasp* I’ve been captivated by His Majesty for so long, and now I get to see his gallant form on horseback! The walk alone…cinches my heart…!

It looks so pretty…or maybe “elegant” is the right word. You really can’t take your eyes off of them.

The horse is in peak condition, and they’re putting on a great performance together. It’s hard to believe he entered at the last minute.

I have experience in horseback riding as well, but I can’t control a horse as calmly as Muneuji does.

You can do this, Muneuji. Your brother’s watching you from the sidelines…!

Phew…

Congratulations on first place, Muneuji. You won by a landslide.

I can’t believe you won the whole thing as a last-minute entry. That was awesome.

Kuguri seemed to be watching you too.

Hah, thank you. I was only able to win due to the training I did with everyone.

Especially…Kamina-san. Thank you very much for watching over me this entire time.

I couldn’t see through my tears during the awards ceremony. I’m very proud of you.

But this honor doesn’t belong to me alone. Please, direct your praise to my horse for his efforts as well.

Pff… Haha, it looks like “His Majesty” is back better than ever!

Your Majesty!

Congratulations on your victory! Your performance was almost otherworldly in its beauty!

Mr. President… What are you saying? The person who inspired me was none other than you.

P-Pardon me…?

I could very clearly feel how much training you did and the bond you had with your horse. I was only able to put all of my effort into the competition because I watched your wonderful performance.

Ah… God may as well smite me here and now…

We’ll be seeing each other at school, won’t we? Feel free to strike up a conversation if you see me.

Yes! I have to keep living!! And I’ll follow you, Your Majesty! For the rest of my liiiiiife!!

I also recorded your performance, Muneuji. I’m planning on sending it to the chief and Ushio later.

Ushio seemed pretty worried, so I bet he’ll feel better after he watches it.

Yeah.

In order to excel at equestrian, one must strictly discipline oneself and work in harmony with the horse.

As I focused on those skills and competed with my full strength, my mind that was once kept prisoner by the theory of relaxation has reset itself.

So I would like to tell everyone once again. I am doing just fine.

Alright, so all that’s left is to…wash off the sweat by resting with all our might!

Taking a nice, warm bath… Chilling out in a hammock… This is perfect…

Even this fatigue feels quite pleasant. Perhaps this is the ultimate relaxation I was searching for.

Oh, I just remembered those “healing candies” you had when you were lying in the hammocks.

That was a phenomenal experience.

But I believe the most ideal form of leisuring is to allow your body to rest naturally.

Yes…

(Since we’re away from the city, the stars are bright, and you can see all of them clearly.)

(There’s no need to put all your focus into relaxing, nor is there a need to attain a higher state of being. Just allowing yourself to let go of your tension is more than enough to rest properly.)

(The one thing I was lacking was kindness towards myself.)

Muneuji, would you like some tea?

Yes, thank you.

…It’s delicious.

(It felt long and short at the same time, but our outing is finally coming to an end.)

(Tomorrow, I’ll return to my busy schedule, and I’ll face it with the same sincerity I always have.)

(Now that I’ve rested alongside my dear friends…)