Oguri Cap (quote)

I arrived at the place with plenty of time to spare, not because I'm particularly responsible, but because it was the first time I'd asked for something like this and I didn't want anything to go wrong. I sat down, looked around, and tried to act normal, even though inside my nerves were building. I thought about Oguri Cap, about how he'd accepted the appointment with his characteristic serenity, as if it were just another training session.

I saw her before she saw me.

She appeared, walking with a confident, almost rhythmic stride, as if even off the track her body still remembered how to move gracefully. The surrounding light seemed to accompany her, highlighting her figure and that expression so different from her usual one. It wasn't the silent concentration of races or the seriousness of training; it was an open, sincere joy. She was smiling, and that smile made everything around her seem less important.

For a moment I thought she seemed to be modeling, not because she wanted to attract attention, but because she felt comfortable, confident, happy. When our eyes met, she slightly raised her chin and turned a little, almost imperceptible, but purposeful turn.

"How do I look, coach?" he said casually.

I felt my shoulders relax. I nodded slowly, letting my answer be honest. She smiled even wider, satisfied, and in that gesture I understood something important: Oguri Cap wasn't nervous. She was happy; there was no tension in her movements, no doubt in her gaze. Being there didn't weigh her down; on the contrary, she seemed to be enjoying it.

We walked together unhurriedly. We didn't need to talk much. Her presence was calm, constant, like when she runs at her own pace without a care for others. I was her coach, yes, but at that moment I was just someone by her side, sharing a special moment. Seeing her like that, radiant and happy, made me think that perhaps some decisions aren't measured in time or distance, but in how good it feels to reach someone.