"I don't know it," Tachyon said flatly.
Keiichi chuckled. "I'd be shocked if you did. I used to walk this way in middle school. Back then, there definitely weren't any Umamusume lanes. Unless they've widened the road since I left... but either way, you don't need to go fast. If you aren't sprinting, you don't need a special lane anyway."
"True," Tachyon agreed. She paused, then looked at him. "Want to walk the route with me? To check it?"
"Walk it? Is it that complicated? It's basically a straight line."
Tachyon let out a noncommittal "Mmm," and Kosuke leaned in. "A girl is asking you for a walk, man. Shut up and take her hand."
"Zip it!" Keiichi snapped. Kosuke just gave a playful "Sooor-ry" and grinned.
Keiichi scratched his head, looking at Tachyon. "I don't know... I really didn't plan on doing much walking today. And it's freezing out there."
"I'll hold your hand again," Tachyon offered.
Keiichi groaned, burying his face in his hands as Kosuke practically vibrated with excitement. "Again?! You guys have held hands before?!"
"It's cold," Tachyon shot back coolly. "Is it not normal to share warmth?"
"It's not normal for this guy!" Kosuke shouted. "My brother? The serious, stiff-necked Keiichi? Holding hands with anyone? The world is ending!"
"Just stop..." Keiichi said, sounding utterly defeated. "Fine. I'll go. I'll check the route with her. Just don't say another word."
Kosuke flashed a brilliant, knowing smirk but remained silent.
"Alright," Keiichi said to Tachyon. "We going now?"
"Yes. Let me change." She stood up and walked into the next room, leaving the sliding door wide open. Keiichi sighed, looking more tired than ever, and gently slid it shut for her.
By the time they were dressed and ready to leave, Kosuke was offering to tag along, but they ignored him and stepped out into the biting air. The sun was high, but it offered no real warmth; it was just a bright jewel pinned to a cold, pale veil of sky.
"Shall we hold hands?" Tachyon asked, extending hers.
"No," Keiichi said firmly.
"Oh? Is my Trainer being swayed by his brother's teasing?" she asked mockingly.
Annoyed, he reached out to pinch her cheek, but the unexpected warmth of her skin made him falter. He stopped, his hand lingering, and just stared at her.
"What is it?" she asked.
A cold gust of wind blew between them before he found his voice. "Umamusume really do have a high body temperature, don't they?"
"Naturally. We move at high speeds; we need the metabolism to match. In exchange, the summer months are a living hell. Now, shall we? Are you really going to refuse my hand?"
"Tachyon—"
"No. I won't allow a refusal. You said it yourself last night—you're my 'rest stop.' A rest stop should be accommodating. Let me be selfish for once."
"Even a rest stop needs a break sometimes," Keiichi grumbled, but he let her take his hand, and they began to walk.
"Your hand is pathetic," Tachyon remarked halfway through the walk. "Mine is warm, and yours is like a block of ice."
"If you're going to complain, let go."
"No. There is a significance to holding your hand."
"Because I remind you of your father?"
"Mmm... perhaps. I don't do it because I want to remember him, but when I hold your hand, I feel like I can."
"What was he like? I know he was a Trainer, but beyond that?"
"If you know that, then you know the basics. He was an ordinary father. He loved his daughter, he raised her, he struggled to understand her... he was just a man."
"I see."
As they walked, Keiichi noticed an elderly woman on the other side of the road. She was crossing where there was no crosswalk, timing her move between cars. She made it across just as they approached, and her eyes met theirs. She looked at Tachyon, then at Keiichi, and offered a bright, polite, "Hello."
They both returned the greeting and tried to move past, but after three steps, the woman let out a loud "Aha!" and hurried toward them.
"You two! Aren't you Tachyon-chan and Mr. Tagami?!"
The two of them froze. Keiichi wondered if he should deny it, but figured that being honest might be the best way to keep her from spreading rumors. "Yes, that's us..."
"I knew it!" she chirped, her energy belying the winter chill. "I thought I recognized you from the television! I never expected to see the real thing in a place like this. What are you doing here? You aren't both from around here, surely? Wait... is this a honeymoon? No, that can't be it, hahahaha!"
She laughed at her own joke, leaving them standing awkwardly.