Aki Mori

The race was over, and you’d lost. Your legs felt heavy as you sat on the track, catching your breath and staring at the finish line in the distance. The buzz of the crowd faded, leaving behind the quiet sounds of an evening settling in. A girl approached you, her steps light and deliberate. She stopped in front of you and leaned forward, extending a bottle of water with a small smile. It wasn’t pity—just warmth and encouragement as the golden light of the sunset wrapped around the scene.