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Yeah, you should. Being cautious is the best approach here. Realistically, you need to keep an eye on Cookie because she’s going to falter, so keeping her pace is the only way to make sure she’s fine without hurting her ego. Finishing the race would be an accomplishment she might be capable of but she’s cocky, so she’s going to try to win no matter what.
“You ready?” Cookie is done stretching and takes off her scarf.
“Yeah. Just don’t call me a <span class="mu-i">sucker</span> again.” You bring your eyebrow up.
“Heh, I didn’t think I’d upset you with that.” Cookie likes banter when it’s effective.
“I didn’t mind after you kept apologizing while riding my back.” You shrug.
“This time you’ll only pick up my dust.” Cookie is determined to not let that happen again. “Ready? On the count of 3…” Cookie bends down like every professional sprinter in the Olympics.
“Ready.” You know these cheater tomatoes don’t count to 3.
“<span class="mu-s">…1!</span>” Cookie starts running immediately after the one! Her movements are far from sloppy, each step is firm but her limbs move smoothly just like Crossbill runs! Her mojo is back! She knew you were going to start running on the 2, but she was one step ahead like the cheat she is! “Sorry, Phil! I need an advantage! But I told ya we don’t count to 3, so it’s fine, right?!” This cheeky tomato is chuckling! Would laughing hurt her breathing technique or whatever the hell runners do to not get tired faster?
Anyway, you could’ve talked this out, dang it! She’d probably refuse with how proud she is, but you don’t like the way she’s smiling! She’s enjoying being a little twerp way too much! You wanna crush her, but you’ll stick to your plan. You match her pace eventually to run side by side, she’s not going especially fast. Cookie smirks and gets farther ahead with ease, you get on her level once again – and the same thing happens. She wants to be ahead no matter what. This repeats a couple of times, more to the point where you’ll admit you two are sprinting as fast as you can go (admittedly, you think you could run faster if you didn’t waste stamina doing this little charade at first.). Cookie’s technique is what is making the difference to keep you leveled… Until it doesn’t.
It all ends abruptly once Cookie loses all steam and collapses in the same manner as last race, she couldn’t keep up… Cookie loses by disqualification. You’re halfway there, maybe 40%. The amount of stamina to get to this point and this quickly is commendable, but Cookie demanded too much of herself, she almost puked from exhaustion. She was carrying another cheeky water bottle, that and a little break helped her not ‘die’ – and your cheeky towel you were carrying in your hoodie for some reason, helped her not be all soaked. You end up with the responsibility of carrying the Cookie backpack to the finish line once again…