The cheers and glory of the Mile Championship finally faded beneath the dazzling lights of Kyoto Racecourse, the night closing with the Winner's Stage.
That evening, Fujimasa March—unsurprisingly—exercised the victor's privilege and marched straight into Kuroha's room with righteous confidence.
She outright squeezed Obey Your Master out of the plan, leaving the blonde fuming at the door.
The next morning.
When the clock's hands clicked to five, Kuroha's eyes opened and he sat up, full of energy.
From the slit in the curtains, a pale dawn seeped in, laying a quiet veil over the room.
His physique—tempered by the effects of the Body Tonic and sharpened by recent growth—had reached something close to outrageous.
Last night's warmth and comfort didn't drain him; for him, it was more like the finest replenishment.
Not to mention, even if it weren't just March—even several Uma Musume—he could handle it.
A human exemplar beyond Uma Musume.
Kuroha turned his head.
The silver-haired girl was sleeping deeply. Having finally relaxed completely, her posture was anything but prim.
The silk-thin quilt had slipped halfway, revealing a pale, elegant shoulder and the graceful lines of her collarbone.
The queen who'd overawed the track now breathed evenly, the corner of her mouth resting in a satisfied smile.
Kuroha chuckled helplessly, leaned in, and pressed a soft kiss to her brow; then carefully drew the quilt up to cover that beautiful spring light once more.
Click…
Dressing without a sound, Kuroha slipped out.
The whole villa was quiet.
Most of the team were still asleep; their body clocks rang at six-thirty, followed by morning training.
On the first floor, Kuroha headed to the kitchen by habit.
With more girls on the team now, lunch and dinner were typically taken at Central Tracen's cafeteria.
But breakfast—Kuroha still made that himself.
Six plates wasn't much. It was responsibility—and a warm daily ritual.
(Tokai Teio was still little, of course, and well cared for at home.)
As Kuroha neared the kitchen, he paused.
The kitchen lights were on, and someone was already inside.
A sakura-colored figure stood at the stove, moving smoothly among pans and plates.
The flat pan sizzled; the air filled with the aroma of eggs and toast.
She heard the door, turned, and blinked.
"Chiyono O."
Kuroha called softly.
At his voice, Sakura Chiyono O started; seeing him, she broke into a brilliant smile.
"Trainer, you're up early."
Kuroha nodded and stepped to her side. "How come you're up so early today?"
With a glint in his eyes, he clearly saw it—the dark aura around Sakura Chiyono O seemed a shade deeper than before.
She laughed. "Didn't you say we'd go out together today, Trainer? So I turned in early last night."
"Ended up waking early, and since I had time, I thought I'd fix breakfast for everyone."
"Is that so?"
Kuroha watched her quietly.
The girl before him was always like this—gentle, thoughtful—used to showing her feelings and efforts in this soft, rain-on-silk way.
He smiled without any lectures, tied on another apron, and took the spot by the sink.
"In that case, I'll help. More hands, faster plates."
Before long, the two had portioned out a balanced breakfast for each girl and set covers on every dish.
When they were done, Kuroha went to the sofa, sat, and patted his thigh. "Chiyono O, come here."
The sakura-haired girl flustered for a heartbeat, but her body was honest—she settled into his lap.
Kuroha wrapped his arms gently around the soft figure; a faint scent of cherry blossoms reached his nose.
He didn't speak, just set his chin on her crown and closed his eyes.
"Mmm…"
The girl in his arms let out a pleased little hum and shifted into a cozier angle. Her petite horse ears perked and flicked, happy.
Even her tail couldn't sit still, fussing in a rather dangerous spot…
Kuroha laughed softly. "I put in leave for you today. Anywhere you want to go?"
Sakura Chiyono O shook her head. "Trainer can decide. I like whatever you like."
"Then let's run a loop first and decide after."
For Uma Musume, running itself is a kind of play.
Decision made, they tidied up and headed out cheerfully.
Behind her, Kuroha watched the bouncing steps of Sakura Chiyono O, a smile tugging his lips.
Just like he'd promised Maruzensky during their trip to Tōkō (東煌) a few months back—
Those first few girls had mostly chased him.
This time, he would chase Sakura Chiyono O.
Although…
He glanced at the girl who hadn't gone three steps before circling back to hug his arm and nuzzle up—Cupid really was doing its job without him.
…
Dawn still hushed the grounds of Central Tracen Academy. Morning light gilded the broad, tree-lined paths.
No starter pistol. No shouts.
They exchanged a smile—and set off in unison.
Kuroha deliberately kept his pace slow to stay shoulder to shoulder.
This wasn't training. It was their morning walk.
He felt her breath, light and steady; each footfall carried a gentle cadence, more like dancing in sunlit air than running.
Now and then she tilted her head and flashed him a brilliant smile—so pure it melted something in his chest.
After a while, they stopped at a bench with a long view.
Sakura Chiyono O's cheeks glowed from the jog, fine sweat beading at her brow.
"Ha… running with Trainer makes time fly."
She tipped her face up, eyes sparkling.
"Then—how about the aquarium for our first stop today? I heard they have a beluga that's really fun."
"Mm! I'll go wherever Trainer decides!"
(End of Chapter)
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