The Gold Ship's "Justice" Plan

Gold Ship put on an "just as I thought" expression as well. She nodded vigorously, her silver-gray long hair swishing with the motion. "Exactly! I totally get it. Gold Artisan and I were just like that back then—we couldn't even run however we wanted in comfort! Those old geezers were so annoying, always going on about the bigger picture. This wasn't allowed, that was dangerous! Don't be scared, Little Kita! Your goal is so cool! We've got your back!"

"Hey, get this straight. Who's anything like you?" Gold Artisan frowned. "You clearly went to France on a publicly funded vacation. Besides, what do you mean, 'run however you want'?"

"Tch, I told you already. None of you understand my Running Style!"

"Tsk. Boring."

"Wait, wait! Two seniors, please don't fight!"

Watching the two highly individualistic seniors trade barbs, with the atmosphere somehow turning confrontational, Kitasan Black panicked and instinctively raised both hands—along with the two fresh, green branches she had just snapped off a bush.

The air went quiet for a moment.

Gold Ship and Gold Artisan's gazes fell simultaneously upon the two branches still trembling slightly with Kitasan Black's movement.

Supernatural Steed's brow furrowed at once, her gaze sharpening.

Kitasan Black: "—Ah!"

She suddenly came back to herself and hurriedly hid both hands, along with the "evidence," behind her back as though she had been burned. Her cheeks flushed bright red in an instant, and even the ears atop her head drooped slightly in embarrassment.

"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to! Th-This is—this is—" She stumbled over her words, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Seeing Kitasan Black so anxious and embarrassed, yet still so fixated on her Trainer's situation, Gold Ship let out a snort of laughter, and the earlier tension immediately dissipated.