Divine Enmity (Catnipz)

XVI. Chariots of Fire

Nishimura Riki was the boy any girl could dream of. After that day, Haerin crossed paths with him every day of training, and they often went to the lake to spend the afternoon together. He was very good to her, and they could laugh together for hours. She never believed that someone with such a serious expression, and considering the rest of his brothers, could be so sweet.

Heeseung spied on them a lot when they were together, "to protect her," as he said, but he was often scolded by Haerin for meddling in his own affairs and pestered by Danielle afterwards.

Danielle wasn't entirely convinced, especially about Haerin spending so much time with Nishimura, not because she thought it was wrong, but after Haerin arrived, they had managed to get along better with Ares' children. Let's just say Danielle was much more jealous because Haerin spent much more time with him than with her.

"You've abandoned me ever since you got a boyfriend," Danielle said.

Haerin rolled her eyes. "He's not my boyfriend, idiot. Can't I have friends?"

"Of course you can! But it seems like he's the only friend you have now!"

"Please, Dani, I don't spend that much time with him."

"That's a lie!"

"No!"

Danielle looked at her amused. "Well, if you say so."

Haerin shook her head again. "Look, if you don't want to feel left out, how about joining me in the next game?"

"You're so kind to want to play a game with me, Haerin, really."

"Hey! I'm trying to be nice, put in some effort."

"Fine, fine, don't cry so much."

Haerin rolled her eyes at Danielle's jokes, but deep down, she appreciated her friend's concern.

"Look, I know I've been spending time with NiKi, but we're just friends," Haerin clarified. "You're irreplaceable to me, Danielle. You're my best friend."

Danielle smiled, touched by Haerin's words. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I love you too, idiot. I just wanted to make sure you weren't leaving me behind."

"Never. Besides, NiKi is just a friend," Haerin reiterated.

"Alright, I believe you," Danielle said. "And about that game... You do know the next game is a horse race, right?"

Haerin shrugged. "Yes, and?"

Danielle looked at her wide-eyed. "Haerin. You and me? Racing a horse-drawn carriage?" she said, pointing to the two of them. "I thought your death wish had disappeared."

"Hey!"

"Nah, I take it back, you still want to compete against Kim Minji, that instinct is still there," Danielle laughed.

Haerin huffed. "I don't see anything wrong with wanting to compete with her."

Danielle looked at her amused. "Just compete?"

"Of course!"

"Yah, yah, yah, don't get mad, come on, you're killing my ears," she said, covering her ears with both hands.

The daughter of Aphrodite huffed again. "Whatever you say."

"Well, do you even know how to drive a horse-drawn carriage?" Danielle inquired.

"There's always a first time," Haerin said with a shrug.

Danielle looked at her incredulously. "Haerin, please, if you want to drive a horse-drawn carriage, we can do it any other day. We don't have to start with a race."