Since my birthday, time has flown by, and now it's early May.
As always, I've been devoting myself to independent training and studying to become a trainer.
If there's been any change at all, it's that my self-training has become a bit more efficient thanks to what I've been learning from my trainer studies.
In particular, I've been focusing on increasing my stride length by working on the flexibility of my hip joints, knees, and ankles — approaching it from a medical perspective. Thanks to that, I think I've become quite a bit more flexible since enrolling here.
Well, it's only been a short while since I started, so the improvement is still minor, but progress is progress.
Today is Saturday, so there are no classes.
Unlike usual, I'm doing my daily training in the morning today.
After a thorough stretching session, I practice running on the woodchip track, which is easy on the legs, while focusing on my form. The goal there is to train my ability to change stride mid-race.
According to Ten Point-san, changing stride during a race is quite a difficult technique, so training this strength efficiently on a woodchip course with less strain makes sense.
After a certain amount of that, it's time for footwork training.
I do a few sets of tire-pulling on the dirt training ground — just like they did in the anime.
It can't be done on turf because it would damage the grass, so dirt it is.
It also requires more power than one might imagine, which makes it great training.
Since Nice Nature's strength is her explosive finishing power, tire-pulling, which builds strong, forceful steps, is especially effective.
On days when the dirt track can't be used, I tie a rubber band to an iron pole and do resistance pulls instead.
It's not as effective as tire-pulling, but it's easier on the legs, so it's a bit of a trade-off.
Once that's done, I finish with a 1600-meter run.
No matter how much stamina I have left, that's the end.
Then I do cooldown stretches, take a bath to wash off the sweat, do some joint flexibility stretches in my room, summarize my training data in a notebook, and study for my trainer qualifications — that's been my recent routine.
By the way, summarizing my training results is part of my trainer studies too.
It's actually quite convenient — I can use my own data as study material.
Recently, even Rudolf-senpai started doing the same thing after seeing me.
I was impressed by how diligent she is, especially since she's already in a team and her trainer handles her management.
Ah, right — Rudolf-senpai joined a team. The ever-familiar Team Rigil.
Well, no surprise there.
But thanks to that, I finally confirmed that this is indeed the anime world.
We even had a small celebration on the day she was scouted.
And today, through Rudolf-senpai's introduction, I get to observe Team Rigil's activities.
…Why though.
According to Rudolf-senpai, when she was chatting with Rigil's trainer, Ms. Hana, my name came up.
Apparently, she found it interesting that I'm an aspiring trainer despite being a horse girl myself, so she wanted to meet me.
By the way, when Rudolf-senpai brought this up, she had that smug face just like Tokai Teio in the anime. It was adorable.
There's a team meeting in the morning, so the visit will be in the afternoon.
That's why I'm doing my usual afternoon training in the morning today.
After finishing the last 1600-meter run, I wiped my sweat with the towel I brought.
At first, my times were all over the place because I focused too much on form, but lately they've stabilized and improved.
Ten Point-san said it's because I've stopped wasting unnecessary strength, but since I haven't raced since the mock race, I'm not entirely sure myself.
The day after that mock race, Ten Point-san told me to skip further mock races for now and focus on maintaining form while changing stride instead.
I figured that developing race sense — like reading opponents and timing attacks — could come later, so I haven't entered any mock races since the first one.
Mock races and the selection races that start in the second year are both mandatory for the first round, but optional after that.
Still, most horse girls participate unless they're unwell.
As I mentioned, I've been following Ten Point-san's advice and staying out for now.
Now, it's exactly 11 a.m.
The meeting time is at 1 p.m., so after taking a bath, recording today's training results, and eating lunch, it should be just right.
I slung the towel around my neck and was about to leave the training ground when suddenly, a creepy shiver ran down my body.
It came from my legs — a horribly unpleasant sensation, as if someone were touching me.
When I slowly looked down like a broken wind-up toy, there were hands groping my legs.
"Wow, these thigh muscles are amazing! And the bones supporting them are solid too. The joints are flexible, like springs that transmit power efficiently. You're not even fully developed yet, and you're already in this shape… Incredible!"
Yeah, I kind of recognize this situation.
Actually, there's probably only one person in the Central Training Academy who would do something like this.
When I slowly turned around, the man, completely unconcerned that he was still touching my legs, smiled brightly at me.
"You're amazing! There aren't many middle schoolers with thighs like these!"
Brown hair shaved on the left side, the rest tied back, yellow shirt, black vest — yep, it's Okino, the trainer from Team Spica.
Even if it's a different location, I can't believe I just reenacted Special Week's first encounter with him from the anime.
Talk about bad luck.
I let out a sigh, wishing our meeting had been a little more normal.
And worse — even after I sighed, he was still touching my legs.
Honestly, someone should reward me for not kicking him on reflex.
"What's your name? Wait—have you been scouted yet? If not, how about joining my team!!"
"…Ehhh?"
I had no idea how to respond as Okino rattled on.
As I brushed off his hands and stared at him in disbelief, he quickly showed me the trainer badge on his chest.
"Don't worry, I'm not shady or anything. I'm Okino, trainer of Team Spica. So, what's your name, kid? Wanna join us?"
Yeah, that's plenty shady…
But I can't bring myself to say that.
Besides that weird leg-touching habit, Okino's passion for horse girls and his ability to assess their condition just by touch are both top-tier.
Knowing his capabilities from the anime makes it even harder to talk back.
He trained Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, Gold Ship, Silence Suzuka (after "borrowing" her from Rigil), Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, and of course, Special Week.
That lineup alone is basically a dream team — a "cheat party," really.
He's an amazing trainer… if only he didn't have that leg-touching habit.
If only… he didn't have that leg-touching habit!!
"So! What's your name?"
"Uh… Nice Nature."
"Nice Nature, huh! Great name! So, what do you say? Want to join?"
He was really pushy.
For a moment I wondered if he was always this forward, but then I remembered how he once used Gold Ship to kidnap Special Week and realized… yeah, that tracks.
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept scouting."
"Oh… so you're already in a team, huh? Well, what do you think — want to transfer to ours? There's no one else right now, so I could train you one-on-one!"
No, Okino-san, even if I were in a team, poaching would still be out of the question, right?
"I'm only a first-year, so I can't be scouted yet."
"What!? You're a first-year with those thighs? No way!"
"I-It's true though."
I have no idea why he's so shocked.
Sure, I've probably been training more efficiently thanks to my trainer studies, but he's making it sound like I'm some kind of old veteran, and that's just rude.
Anyway, time's running short before my appointment, so I'll have to excuse myself.
It's a shame — I'd like to talk more, honestly.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go. I've got an appointment."
"Ah—wait a sec!?"
Ignoring Okino-san's voice behind me, I ran back toward the dorms.
I'm really sorry, Okino-san.
Next time we meet, I'll talk properly — mainly about training and trainer work, though.
Back at the Miho Dorm, I hurried to get ready.
I showered, washed off the sweat, summarized today's training results in my notebook, did my stretches even while in a rush, and packed my training notes, a memo pad, and some pens into my bag — just in case.
After a quick, light lunch in the cafeteria, I changed into a spare tracksuit.
All ready.
The meeting spot was in front of the dorm's main entrance — I could go anytime.
"I can't wait to hear what Ms. Hana has to say!"
Like a kid before a field trip, my heart was pounding with excitement.
"I hope the meeting time comes soon…"
30 minutes left until the meeting.