Several days had passed since Kuroha's meeting with Mejiro Ardan.
Now, the location for the summer camp had been decided.
After winning the second leg of the South Kanto Triple Crown and the Million Stone Prize, Fujimasa March and Inari One had entered a short off-season.
The biggest relief for Kuroha was that the results of the Central Trainer License exam had been released — he had passed with high marks.
For the first time in a long while, all the taut strings relaxed, and Kuroha enjoyed an unprecedented period of leisure.
At his rented personal training facility…
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the wide floor-to-ceiling windows of the trainer's lounge, scattering mottled shadows across the floor.
Kuroha leaned back on the sofa, holding a professional pharmacology book in his hands, though his gaze kept wandering around the room.
The once-quiet space that belonged only to him was now bustling.
Down on the track outside, Inari One and Fujimasa March were undergoing a phase of light training.
With the summer camp approaching, Kuroha had eased the intensity of their regimen, adding only [Medium Distance Aptitude] and [Long Distance Aptitude] to their plans.
Both had unlocked the second stage of their [Zone], their stats now at the pinnacle among their generation.
Thus, his current plans for them mainly focused on honing their distance aptitudes.
While his two star runners trained steadily outside, a silent "battle" was taking place at his feet.
"Trainer~! Don't read anymore, play with me~!"
Tokai Teio was clinging to his pant leg, her small body hanging from him as she shook him with all her might.
Her bright, sparkling eyes were filled with a clear plea — "Play with me!"
No matter the time, this little ball of energy was like a perpetual motion machine.
"Teio, don't disturb the trainer."
Sitting primly on a small stool, Mejiro McQueen held a teacup, her brows gently furrowed, speaking in the tone of a refined young lady lecturing her peer.
"Kuroha-san also needs to rest."
As always, McQueen's graceful demeanor made her the picture of a well-bred lady — obedient, polite, and easy to manage.
These two little ones had just completed their basic ability training, but with some time before they needed to head back, Kuroha had brought them to the lounge to rest.
Smiling helplessly, Kuroha set down his book, patted Teio's head, and was about to speak when—
Click.
The door to the preparation room opened softly.
"Trainer, Ardan, I'm back!"
A slightly energetic voice called out.
A flash of cherry blossom pink entered his vision, followed by a cute, delicate face.
"Chiyono O, thank you for your hard work~"
A gentle, elegant voice sounded from beside him, accompanied by strands of pale blue hair swaying with the breeze — Sakura Chiyono O and Mejiro Ardan had arrived.
Kuroha greeted Chiyono O warmly, then lifted the squirming Teio from his leg and settled her in his lap, treating her like a soft pillow.
As for why Mejiro Ardan and Sakura Chiyono O were appearing in his personal training space… that was Kuroha's own doing.
After leaving the Mejiro family's sanatorium some time ago, an idea had struck him.
If things went well, Mejiro Ardan's leg could recover during the summer camp, allowing her to join in some rehab training.
So why let her spend all her time lying in bed until then?
Modern medicine would say — of course. A patient with a plastered leg should stay in bed.
But Kuroha was different.
In addition to [Body and Breath Perception] and [Panacea], he had another skill — [Massage].
While waiting for the [Panacea] to be prepared, Ardan could come here for massage sessions.
It would not only improve her circulation, which suffered from her injury and inactivity, but also prepare her for rehabilitation training.
Initially, Kuroha had suggested once a week.
But after experiencing its remarkable effects just once, Mejiro Ardan had changed her tune.
The deep, bone-penetrating comfort and long-lost lightness were almost unbelievable.
Her blocked circulation had been freed with skilled precision, and the heaviness she'd felt for so long was truly relieved.
The once-reserved young lady of the Mejiro family even took the initiative to request increasing the frequency "just a little."
As time passed, Sakura Chiyono O — her classmate and also in recovery — began tagging along with Ardan for these visits.
Now, whenever they had free time, the two could be found in Kuroha's lounge.
Luckily, both were pleasant company, and rather than feeling bothered, Kuroha found their presence brought warmth to the otherwise quiet room.
So, following the principle of "might as well," he even drew up a rehab training plan for Chiyono O.
"Ardan, how's your leg feeling today?"
Although her plaster hadn't been removed yet, she could now walk with crutches — far better than when she'd first been injured.
"Thanks to you, I don't feel that stiffness anymore," she said with a graceful smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Kuroha's gaze swept over the Uma Musume around him:
Inari One — second stage [Domain], the "strongest active runner" and a future member of the "Eternal Big Three."
Fujimasa March — fresh from winning the South Kanto Double Crown, the "Silver Radiance" chasing the Triple Crown.
Tokai Teio — curled up on his lap, the "Miracle Queen" in the making.
Mejiro McQueen — bearing the honor of her family, future "Long Distance Queen" of the Tenno Sho.
Sakura Chiyono O — reborn from the Derby, whose dream would bloom in full.
Mejiro Ardan — even if she had missed her chance before, and even if she might shatter like glass, she still chased the light, yearning to shine on the track.
Surrounded by these unique, shining girls, Kuroha felt a deep, indescribable sense of fulfillment.
The afternoon sun bathed the room in warm gold through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Teio found a comfortable spot in his lap, dozing like a cat.
McQueen sipped her tea with impeccable grace, sneaking a sweet when no one was watching.
Chiyono O chatted enthusiastically with Ardan, who listened with a soft smile, nodding gently in response.
This rare peace and warmth completely eased Kuroha's long-tensed nerves.
Leaning back, feeling Teio's warmth and listening to the girls' soft voices, he looked around at the lively room with quiet contentment.
Without realizing it, six Uma Musume with boundless futures had gathered here.
Cute, yes… but also exhausting.
He wasn't oblivious.
While Ardan's intentions were still somewhat unclear, Chiyono O had already made it clear she wanted to transfer to his team.
That meant at worst, five of the six here would eventually join his roster.
Adding in Obey Your Master from the US…
Before he knew it, his future team would have at least six members.
Kuroha rubbed his temples — the things he'd have to worry about from now on were only going to increase.
(End of Chapter)
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