It had already been a month since that day I talked with Okino-san.
Early June—right in the middle of the rainy season that came slightly earlier than usual, with rain pouring so hard it felt like the sky itself was falling.
If someone asked whether anything had happened since the exhibition race… well, I'd probably say that a few things—both good and bad—had changed a little.
First, the good part:
More Umamusume have started talking to me, even though I'm still terrible at getting along with my classmates as always.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Mejiro Ryan! I saw your race, Nice Nature! You were so fast and so cool! How about we train together sometime?"
The muscle-loving lady of the prestigious Mejiro family—Mejiro Ryaia—ah, sorry, Ryan.
Despite being from such a distinguished lineage, she doesn't act high and mighty at all. Her hobby is muscle training, her special skill is also muscle training, and the only thing she dislikes is cholesterol—a truly sporty, fresh, and boyish Umamusume.
She casually (but not in a bad way) came to talk to me while I was doing my usual routine of reading foreign academic papers between classes, giving me her impressions of the Regulus team's exhibition race.
To be honest, I was half-prepared to be avoided or disliked after that race, so it really surprised me.
When I subtly asked her about it, she said she's the type who doesn't dwell on losses—if something bothers her, she just trains harder. Her bright and positive personality suits her well, and we've ended up having a lot of discussions about how to train muscles more efficiently.
Thanks to Ryan, I also managed to start talking again with Air Groove and Suzuka.
We're in different classes, so we don't talk as often, but on days when Ten Point-san is busy or when there's nothing special going on, we even eat together in the cafeteria. I think we've gotten pretty close…
Though for some reason, when I invite Air Groove and Suzuka to join me and Ryan at the gym, they keep turning me down after the first time.
I swear, I only do moderate muscle training. My main focus is supporting Ryan's workouts using knowledge from the research papers and reference books I read.
I gain understanding through knowledge, and Ryan gains efficiency in her training. Truly a win–win relationship.
Because of the rainy season, it's been pouring too hard to use the outdoor training grounds lately, so we've been spending a bit more time indoors. I'll adjust our training once the rainy season ends.
I haven't gone to Team Regulus since that day—it's still awkward—but I'm on good terms with Ohana-san, Maruzensky-san, and, surprisingly, Katsuragi Ace-san.
Ohana-san came rushing to apologize the day after, apparently after hearing about everything from Okino-san that night.
She was so sincerely apologetic that I didn't know how to respond. After all, it's only natural for a trainer to take care of their trainees. She did tell me to take care of myself too…
Honestly, I was the one who left without permission, so I tried to apologize back—but then she said, "No, Nature, you're not at fault. I'm the one who didn't notice your condition."
So, of course, we got stuck in an endless apology loop until—right on cue—Okino-san, who happened to be out for a morning walk (or maybe just waiting for this moment), stepped in to stop us.
As for Maruzensky-san and Katsuragi Ace-san, we chat casually when we meet at school. I think we're on good terms.
But since I'm still in middle school, I don't go to the high school wing often, so I can't say for sure.
Still, I'd really appreciate it if the two of them stopped inviting me to train alongside the Regulus team.
They might be fine with it, but the rest of Regulus's girls definitely wouldn't like it.
Now, for the bad changes.
First of all—I've started getting stared at a lot.
Air Groove told me to pay more attention to my surroundings, and once I did, I realized people have been watching me in class, when I talk with Ryan, and even during training.
It makes me uneasy, honestly.
When I asked Air Groove for advice, she just said:
"Fool. Once you debut, you'll have more eyes on you than you can count. Think of this as good practice and get used to it."
At least most of those gazes don't feel malicious—more like curiosity or interest. So it's not unpleasant… just distracting.
When I brought it up with Ten Point-san, she asked about the whole exhibition race incident. After I told her, she stormed off to confront Okino-san.
Worried, I checked on him later—he had a huge cartoonish lump on his head and was writhing in pain.
Ten Point-san still seems irritated about it, poor Okino-san.
I tried to cheer them both up by preparing some low-calorie cookies (the ultimate weapon against McQueen) and a pot of Ten Point's special black tea.
Hopefully that helped his mood a little.
While drinking the tea I brewed, Ten Point-san told me that if there's no malice behind the stares, I should just ignore them. Some Umamusume, she said, practice something called "mitori-geiko"—"observation training"—where they watch others' runs and workouts to learn from them.
Okino-san, having recovered by then, agreed, saying that it was actually something to praise—a sign of ambition—while munching on another cookie.
I had to admit, that made sense. Observation can be a form of training too.
Ten Point-san also said there's no issue with my relationship with Okino-san.
Apparently, some trainers reserve their scouts for first-year Umamusume instead of waiting for second or third years.
They can't officially train or coach until the following year, but casual chats or academic mentoring are allowed.
And most of those early-scouted girls go on to achieve great success in the Twinkle Series—so, according to her, it's actually a good sign that I'm being evaluated so highly.
She trusts Okino-san's skill, though she made sure to remind me—very firmly—that she still hasn't forgiven him for touching my leg without permission.
All of that aside, the biggest change for me is… my relationship with Rudolf-senpai.
I don't dwell on what happened at the exhibition race anymore, and I've been trying to act normally around her.
But… it feels like she's avoiding me.
She now trains until just before curfew and goes straight to bed after showering.
She wakes up early for morning training, and we've stopped eating breakfast together or walking to school like we used to.
It makes me a little lonely.
When I asked Ohana-san if maybe the Regulus training had gotten more intense, she sighed and said:
"She's been overtraining on her own lately. I tried to make her stop, but she wouldn't listen, so I had to make her a personalized routine and tell her not to go beyond it."
Apparently, the team's regular training is still at a reasonable level for her age.
That made me feel a bit relieved—until Monte Prince-san told me that Rudolf-senpai's been skipping breakfast.
Both Ohana-san and I were horrified.
I never imagined she'd go that far.
So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and asked the dining hall staff if I could borrow part of the kitchen late at night.
Since I usually stay up later than Rudolf-senpai studying trainer theory, I started a little routine after she went to bed:
I make simple breakfasts—salted rice balls using leftover rice, and instant miso soup made with dashi powder (truly a gift from the gods).
I wrap the onigiri, pour the soup into an expensive thermos I bought myself—it keeps warm for more than half a day, which still amazes me—and leave a small note:
"Please eat breakfast properly."
Every morning, the food's gone, so I know she's eating it. That's enough for me.
"Nature… you've basically become her wife."
That was Okino-san's comment as we stood under the eaves outside Spica's clubroom, sharing a smoke while watching the heavy rain.
I did tell Ten Point-san about my use of aroma cigars (nicotine-free herbal ones), and she reacted by setting up an entire "Smoking Area" sign, permit, and ashtray stand outside Spica's clubroom.
It was… a bit much, honestly, but she looked so satisfied that I didn't have the heart to protest.
So now I can smoke there too, not just near the official smoking area by the school.
But I don't come here just to smoke—I also study trainer theory with Okino-san.
Ohana-san gives me assignments, which I submit through him, and he grades them.
He also lets me tackle past trainer exam questions and teaches me his own trainer philosophy in between.
Turns out his methods are surprisingly well-founded in theory. I honestly have to apologize for ever doubting him.
Here's an example of one of Ohana-san's assignments:
"Middle School Year 2 Umamusume
Distance aptitude: Middle distance
Running style: Front-runner, chaser
Health: Good
Leg issues: None
Goal: Japan Derby
Personality: Introverted, but diligent in training
Social life: Good, not isolated
Create a two-year training plan leading up to her debut, including mental care, identify potential issues, and propose improvements."
I have to come up with a full written plan in a week, submit it via Okino-san, and then get it back covered in red ink.
Still, I can only be grateful that she takes the time to give such detailed feedback despite her busy schedule.
"Wife, huh… what are you talking about, Okino-san? We're both girls. Besides, we share a dorm room, so this is normal, isn't it?"
"It's just a figure of speech. But still—there aren't many who'd go that far for someone who's avoiding them."
We laughed a little and watched the smoke rise into the gray sky, swallowed by the rain.
I like this quiet time with him more than I care to admit.
"Well, she's important to me… and I still want to make up with Rudolf-senpai."
"Make up, huh… Well, if it's you and Rudolf, I don't think it'll be a problem. Do what you think's best."
"I will. So, what now? Keep studying?"
The rain was still too heavy for outdoor training. Honestly, I didn't feel like running today anyway.
Okino-san thought for a moment, watching the rain.
"Well, I'm done for the day too. How about we just relax?"
I smiled back. "Yeah, that sounds nice for a change."
"Oh, by the way, I made some scones this morning—they're in my bag. Want one?"
"If they're made by my future beloved wife, then of course. Mind brewing some tea to go with it?"
"Sure thing~ …how's that?"
We both chuckled, silently laughing together before putting out our cigar and cigarette in the ashtray.
White breath, sweet aroma, warm tea.
In ten minutes, the scent of scones and tea would fill the room.
In five more, the sound of two people's laughter would follow.
Meanwhile, at a certain café…
"Hey, do you think Nature's dating Spica's trainer?"
"No way. I've seen them together once—they weren't just lovers, they were basically a married couple."
"You're kidding… Nature and the trainer are that close already?"
It would take Nature another day to clear up their misunderstanding.
And… well, who knows if the three of them will even believe her by then.