Just Before the Finish Line

"Become the wind." Riko whispered it inside her heart. The final corner. The wind went whoosh against her cheeks. Her legs kicked off the ground and she felt like she was flying. She loved to run. She loved, more than anything, to run out in front. The finish line was right there now.

Riko was the fastest runner in her class. In the mornings, while it was still dark, she ran loops around the park. Her buddy, the cat Tora, came trotting along beside her. "Tora, today's the big race." This year too, she'd take the first-place ribbon. Her chest fizzed with excitement.

But today was different. Tou was right beside her. Beside her, all the way. Tou had never once won. But he had practiced, every single day. Beyond the finish line, Tou's family was shouting. "Tou! Go, go!" Tou's eyes were desperate.

Riko knew it. If she pushed her legs harder right now, she would win. Like always. But — she glanced over at Tou. Huff, huff, he looked like it hurt. And still, he kept his eyes only on the front. Tou's dream was right there, within reach. Riko's chest tightened.

She wanted to run her hardest, all the way through. Because that was Riko's "love." She wanted to run without telling a single lie. — But. She remembered the day she won for the very first time. That feeling, when the whole world lit up bright. Could she give that, to Tou…? Two feelings collided, right inside her legs.

At the fence, Tora was watching, very still. Tora's eyes met Riko's. The finish-line tape gleamed white. Her legs knew how to win. But her heart was looking at Tou. Just a little more. Just a tiny bit more, and —.

The finish line was right in front of her now. Give her all, and Riko wins. Ease off, and it's Tou's first win ever. Hold true to what she loves? Or hand over the joy? Riko clenched her fists tight. …What will Riko do?