The encounter with Oguri Cap had been just a brief coincidence. Soon after, Kuroha and Fujimasa March returned to preparing for the upcoming Keihin Cup.
...
Ten days later.
At the Oi Tracen Academy, inside the swimming facility.
Splash—
Kuroha sat on a chair by one of the lanes, watching March as she swung her arms through the water. He tapped lightly on his notebook.
"The assessment of March's physical tolerance is complete. At the very least, for her, adding high-load training won't cause any adverse effects."
At this thought, Kuroha couldn't help but marvel at the Uma Musume's physical constitution.
Despite how often injuries like fractures occurred during races, based on his years of research—
Most of their physical damage didn't come from outside factors, but from themselves.
Even when sprinting while dragging massive tires, or doing grueling incline training designed to crush their cardiovascular system while under heavy loads...
As long as it wasn't consecutive overloading within a short period, it wouldn't cause any harm to their bodies.
Ironically, it was running that posed the greatest danger. The explosive strength of Uma Musume could overload their calves and ankles to the limits of endurance.
Truly, the only ones who could defeat them—were themselves.
Kuroha had noticed this during March's training.
Thus, her training regimen had been modified — now including two weekly sessions of incline training and swimming, while dialing back on explosive training.
Incline training — the same kind used by Mihono Bourbon and Mejiro McQueen in the anime — was designed to strengthen uphill capacity and lung endurance.
Swimming also focused on cardiovascular stamina and enhanced coordination.
Fujimasa March was a Pace Chaser.
That had been Kuroha's training direction from the very beginning.
His requirements for her were simple: exceptional stamina, consistent speed, and sharp race sense.
As for explosive power, as long as it reached above-average standards, it was enough.
With a clear plan and a set goal—
March was gradually transforming into the ideal version of herself she had dreamed of.
[Fujimasa March]
[Track Aptitude: Turf C, Dirt A]
[Distance Aptitude: Sprint B, Mile B, Middle C, Long F]
[Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner B, Pace Chaser A, Late Surger C, End Closer D]
[Unique Skill: Ode of the Wind Lv1]
[Skills: Good Track Conditions, Rainy Days, Wait and See, Professor of Curvature, Concentration, Bad Track Conditions, Positioning Sense]
[Speed: 492 | Stamina: 534 | Power: 447 | Gut: 434 | Wit: 417]
In the third month of her Classic Year, these were her stats.
"Never thought I'd become the kind of person I used to hate."
Kuroha let out a chuckle.
Stats — balanced, yet overwhelmingly strong!
As for the Keihin Cup four days from now...
Snap!
He closed his notebook with confidence like never before.
...
On the training grounds.
Thud!
A very different kind of sound — that of Inari One headbutting her notebook.
"Ahh, ouch!" Inari One clutched her forehead, pouting up at Kuroha.
Nearby, March was still engaged in joint-run training.
Though at this point, the side-by-side runs were less about sharpening her edge and more about maintaining condition and race pacing.
Kuroha stood before Inari One and two other Uma Musume brought in by Tatsuko Yuzuhara for training, lightly tapping Inari One's head with his notebook.
"I told you, endurance! Patience!"
"You were doing just fine, so why did you suddenly burst into a sprint when someone sped up ahead of you?"
He was clearly exasperated — this small-looking Uma Musume had a fierce, unyielding spirit.
"Sprinting aside — what happened to the steps I taught you? Forgotten already?"
"All you think is rush rush rush! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"
Inari One had grown more obedient over time, acknowledging Kuroha's training ability.
But at moments like these, she still looked aggrieved. "How should I know when the best time to sprint is? Besides, she was provoking me!"
She pointed at one of the other Uma Musume scratching her cheek awkwardly nearby.
They had all been brought in by Tatsuko for Inari One's joint training.
"I asked her to do that," Kuroha said flatly. "If you're going to lose your head every time someone provokes you, how are you going to survive in major races?"
Kuroha gritted his teeth and gripped her head with both hands.
"Y-yeah! I get it, Trainer! Ow ow ow—!"
Kuroha was getting worn out.
His time as a Trainer was still short — just over two months.
But his first assigned Uma Musume, Fujimasa March, had been diligent, self-motivated, intelligent, and obedient.
Inari One, however, was the first to really show him what a mischievous child could be like.
She had a short fuse, flew off the handle when provoked.
She learned slowly — one lesson took five tries.
Didn't listen to instructions — once angry, she ran purely on instinct.
Kuroha understood that this explosive temper was tied to her future awakening of a certain domain...
But still, it didn't make things easier.
"No matter what, you need to learn patience. From now on, every time you lose control, I'll film it and send it to Tatsuko-senpai!"
"I... I got it, okay?!"
Ultimately, only Tatsuko Yuzuhara, both mentor and maternal figure, could rein her in. Inari One nodded reluctantly.
...
After morning training.
Taking advantage of the break while the Uma Musume were in class, Kuroha went out for a rare walk.
Before he realized it, he'd arrived at the familiar park once again.
"Hmm... Once March's Haneda Cup ends next month, I should prepare for the Central Trainer exam."
Kuroha strolled casually, thinking things through.
"According to Central's regulations, the written exam should be in June, then interviews in September, final screening in October — the schedule lines up perfectly with the end of the South Kanto Triple Crown."
"After that, I can bring March into the Central circuit by year's end!"
For the first time since arriving in this world, his goal felt truly within reach.
Just as he was envisioning the future—
Thud!
A familiar sound of something heavy hitting the ground.
"...No way."
A thought flashed through Kuroha's mind, and he instinctively parted the branches blocking his view.
Sure enough, sprawled on the grass was a tall, voluptuous foreign Uma Musume in tight hot pants — currently doing a very intimate impression of an ostrich kissing the earth.
"..."
It was as if imaginary crows were cawing above his head.
The girl's twitching horse ears perked up. She quickly sat up on the ground, straightening her posture.
When she spotted Kuroha, she blinked, then clapped her hands in realization. "Oh! You're the Trainer from Oi Tracen last month!"
"...My name's Kuroha."
Kuroha paused before responding.
It was their second time meeting. That made them at least acquaintances.
Besides, he couldn't help but feel curious about this dirt-loving foreign Uma Musume who'd been in Tokyo for a month now.
"Okay! Trainer Kuroha-san!"
The girl changed her tone with infectious enthusiasm.
"My name is Obey Your Master! I'm an Uma Musume from the US!" (Only appear in Cinderella Gray)
(End of Chapter)
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