"I wouldn't know if she gave you a bruise. They fade too quickly, but she likes you better than Mikio," Mizu comments. Even once she tamed Kai (an odd term that doesn't feel right), Kai never took to Mikio. She and Mizu recognized each other, respected each other. They still do. Taking care of Kai and providing for her is part of showing that respect. "As long as you don't taunt her that you can run faster than her, you should be fine."

Vergil doesn't know much about horses. Mizu didn't either before her marriage. Yet he respects Kai for who she is and never complains when Mizu needs to finish doing something in the stables before they can spend time together. Nor does he complain about Mizu dragging him into riding horses for the sheer joy of it. So many moments her heart feels lighter since Kai arrived. Since Vergil brought Kai here. It is in the fox spirit's nature to allow it but not to provide it unprompted. He didn't give her a horse. He allowed her part of her life back that Mizu thought gone for good. It never occurred to her to summon Kai, the horse she lost. The horse she has back. It will not be possible in Japan. Mizu cannot simply demand her horse back from a lord. Here, however, it's good.

"It wasn't a bad life, while it was good. Taking care of horses," Mizu says. "I never delivered them to his lord, never dealt with anyone. I wouldn't want to. Mikio couldn't choose his customers the way Master Eiji does. The work is good. The business is not."

Horses are expensive, so Mizu never had one after Kai. She walked. On occasion she took a boat or rode a horse, but those were exceptions when they were necessary. Even in Folkmore, it takes a lot. Mizu socializes more because of it. On Kai's behalf. There are simply too few Star Children and spirits in need of swords for that to sustain her. Time with Vergil isn't transactional like that. She'd do it, even if it didn't give her a lick of Lore.