“What do you mean, you’ve never ridden a horse? Didn’t you grow up in a wealthy family?” Hairu is scandalized. Even she’s ridden a horse.
“I haven’t.” Ui gulps.
“Well.” Hirako drains his coffee. “You’re going today. We’ve got a few hours.”
“What – I -” With Hairu grabbing his left arm and Hirako his right, Ui realizes there’s no use protesting.
—————————————
“Hi, horsey,” he mutters when he’s standing below the majestic, speckled beast.
The horse snorts.
He’s faced ghouls and risked his life. He can ride a horse.
“Is this your first time?” The trainer asks, as if he’s a little kid.
Ui nods.
“Nope,” Hirako says, and Hairu nods.
Ui cringes. He doesn’t wanna do this.
—————————————
“Okay, put your foot in the stirrups.” The trainer is an old woman who looks like she has about two millennia on Ui. “Hoist yourself up.”
“Ah!” Ui squeaks, but manages. Once in the saddle, he breathes deeply. This is less scary than Suzuya’s motorcycle trick.
“Ui!” Hairu waves from the pen where she’s cantering on her snow-white horse.
He waves back, tentatively.
But when the horse trots forward, his heart soars. He’s doing it. He’s facing his fear.
Of course, he muses, rubbing the horse’s neck, it helps when that fear is fuzzy.
Mercy and Magic 