"Loo-la-la-la, loo-loo-la, loo-la-de~"
Humming a cheerful little tune, Eternal Meteor bounced along the path toward Team Spica's training room, her steps practically skipping.
For someone who never held grudges overnight, the fact that she'd successfully reported Gold Ship for cheating on the exam to President Rudolf felt like eating an expensive dessert—like she'd plunged headfirst into a sea of sweetness.
Of course, Meteor still had a sense of proportion.
She only told Rudolf about the cheating.
She didn't mention the part where Gold Ship had forced a sack over her and carried her off.
Because if she did, the one who'd die wouldn't be Gold Ship—
It would be Trainer Nishizaki.
And that simply wouldn't do.
Meteor was still counting on those grilled-meat dinners he owed her.
And why two dinners now, when he'd only promised one before?
Simple.
Meteor planned to convert today's "race payment" into a barbecue dinner tonight.
Because asking for too much cash over one practice race felt awkward…
Asking for too little was unacceptable…
And doing it for free?
Not happening. One-sided giving never ended well.
So yes—another delicious barbecue meal was the perfect solution.
For someone who'd been living on cafeteria food and hospital meals, it was practically irresistible.
Just thinking about it almost made her drool.
"Hehehe…"
Meteor wiped at the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand and sped up again, like she wanted to fly there.
Near the training room entrance, she suddenly spotted a wild Tokai Teio.
Teio looked completely deflated—head down, mood in the gutter.
Meteor decided she'd share the good news and cheer her up too.
She crept up quietly…
…and reached out to give Teio's tail a quick touch.
One touch was enough to know Teio definitely maintained it carefully—smooth as fine silk.
"Wah—! Meteor!!!"
Teio spun around, puffing up in anger—
But the moment she saw Meteor smiling and waving at her, she fell silent again.
That silence made Meteor wary.
Normally Teio would lecture her first.
Why was she so quiet today?
It was honestly kind of creepy.
"Teio, let's go eat barbecue tonight!"
Meteor stepped forward, and under Teio's confused gaze, she suddenly did a dramatic backbend—one hand in her pocket, the other cupped at her mouth as she spoke upside-down.
"Sorry… I might have something going on tonight…"
Meteor studied Teio's forced smile.
Yeah—she had "something going on," alright.
Not outside.
Inside.
What could make someone as upbeat as Teio turn into this?
It wasn't a broken leg.
It wasn't losing an undefeated Triple Crown.
So the truth was probably only one thing.
The culprit is you, Rudolf.
Still… Meteor figured she should probe a little first.
What if she was wrong?
So she watched Teio's expression closely and asked:
"Did President Rudolf bully you again?"
X, watching from the sidelines in her head, immediately lost it.
"That's your idea of 'probing'?! You start with a super direct fastball?!"
"No, no… of course not…"
Teio forced out a denial with that same stiff smile… then lowered her head again, hiding her expression.
Meteor calmly concluded, "See? Now we know what's going on."
X muttered, half impressed and half horrified, "And you actually got it in one try…"
Meteor didn't argue. She simply stepped in and hugged Teio, positioning Teio's chin on her shoulder. Her right hand began to stroke Teio's head, slowly and gently, over and over.
X finally asked the question that had been bothering it for ages:
"Why do you always hug people? Every time you comfort someone, it's hug-and-headpat first. Maruzensky. Rudolf. Twin Turbo. Now Teio."
"Because hugs are warm," Meteor replied quietly. "I remember reading something about hugs triggering dopamine or something like that."
"And… because I really used to wish that when I was sad, someone would just hold me."
"No need for words."
"Just one warm hug… would've been enough."
"Maybe because I once wished for it so badly… that's why I choose to hug people now."
As she explained, Meteor tightened the hug a little.
She didn't want Teio burying everything inside.
Meteor understood too well what it felt like to suffocate under feelings you never let out.
So…
Say it, Teio.
"What happened?" she asked softly. "You can tell me. Maybe I can help fix it."
She didn't turn her head. Didn't loosen her arms to check Teio's face.
She just rested her own head against Teio's shoulder and kept stroking her hair—steady, unbroken, gentle.
"I… I don't know… I don't know how to say it," Teio's voice trembled. "It's such a small thing. Something insignificant, and I still…"
Maybe hugs really did work.
Meteor could feel dampness soaking into her shoulder.
And she could hear it too—Teio was already crying, even while trying desperately to suppress it.
"Then don't explain," Meteor whispered.
"Just cry."
"Don't hold it in."
"Let it out. It's only me here."
"…Ugh… ughhh…"
Teio tried to keep the sound down—
But under Meteor's gentle strokes, she finally gave up resisting.
Her arms clamped tight around Meteor's back, and the dam broke completely.
"Waaaah—! WAAAAAAAH!!!"
Yes.
That's it.
Let it out.
Just let it out.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 175)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 126)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter105)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter100)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter82)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter134)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 87
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 79
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 64
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 73
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 45
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 49
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 45
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 45
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