Red Data Girl - Series 1 & 2

The First Makeup - 13

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Red Data Girl: The First Makeup
By Noriko Ogiwara
Chapter 3: Manatsu
Part 1 (1 of 3)

Ah. Manatsu’s riding…

While the riders were too far away to make out anyone’s face, the moment the ring came into view, Izumiko still knew Manatsu was there riding. She strained her eyes to find him.

Although Manatsu hung around the barn, he rarely entered the ring. It was possible that he rode early in the morning when no one was around, but Izumiko hadn’t had an opportunity to see him do so. It was nice to see him on horseback.

There was something so unique about Manatsu’s riding that it was impossible to mistake it. For one, there weren’t any other students who could ride without holding the reins. Even now while the horse walked, Manatsu’s hands were empty and yet he looked like he was ready for anything, sitting in the saddle.

Riders normally held power over their mounts through the connection to their horses’ mouths. It was how they controlled them. Trained horses knew to follow directions that way, starting, stopping, turning, and so on. While that was supposed to be the basics of horseback riding at least, Manatsu’s horse was moving its head up and down as it pleased. And yet, both horse and rider were at ease. Manatsu was happily holding onto the horse’s back in no danger at all.

The horse continued to walk around, making it clear that he was in high spirits as Manatsu enjoyed himself on its back as well. It was the sort of riding that instructors heard about, but never saw. The riding club advisor was watching his form jealously.

This place really is nice…

The light feeling Izumiko got when she came here hadn’t changed. The shikigami never came anywhere near the horses. It was probably because the barn was so far away from the school buildings, not to mention they were cautious of the horses’ sensitivity.

Izumiko realized with a start that she was no longer afraid of the shikigami or at least she had grown used to them.

As she watched the horseback riders, Manatsu moved around the ring and neared Izumiko who was standing outside of the fence. It was a complete mystery why he could ride without the reins in his hands.

“You’re here. Did you come for something?”

Izumiko looked around herself nervously. She wasn’t the only one watching from the other side of the fence. As usual, there were plenty of other students nearby, all of whom were watching Manatsu.

Ugh… I have to get more used to this…

It was something that was unavoidable whenever either of the Souda siblings did anything. And it was also something Izumiko was coming to accept.

Manatsu felt the annoying aftereffects of his sister’s popularity and occasionally let out a snide remark as a result, but Izumiko thought there was more going on than just that. Manatsu continued to think of nothing but horses and he continued to wear his old clothes. Someone with such a bright personality couldn’t be dampened so easily.

“I don’t have anything to do here. I’m just watching, so don’t mind me,” Izumiko answered in a quiet voice.

Manatsu looked at her strangely.

“You’re not here to meet Mayura?”

Before Izumiko could shake her head, there was a voice from behind her.

“It’s not a meeting per say, but I asked her to come here for something like that,” Mayura said as she walked towards them, her hair blowing in the wind.