"So Viola's running too?"
Nishino Flower tilted her head, clearly surprised.
Fair enough reaction—Since trainers don't usually tend to run alongside their horse girls.
"Rice-chan gets grumpy if I don't run with her…"
"Because if Viola-chan's the only one not running, it would be unfair."
"Well no matter what…"
I still don't understand why it would be consider 'unfair' for a trainer to not run alongside their horse girl, but Rice Shower was in a good mood, so I reluctantly joined in.
There's a huge difference between Nishino—who's precocious and physically developed despite skipping a grade—and me, who still hasn't yet grown to the limit of my body. But Rice doesn't seem to care about that.
We lined up at the entrance of the slope course, chatting casually.
"Let's go at our own pace. I'll run at 15–15."
15–15 means running 1 furlong (200 meters) in 15 seconds—a standard pace for slope training. The incline increases gradually, making it tougher, but for active athletes, but it's manageable.
For first-years like them, running at that pace is already impressive. But for me, it's borderline impossible.
But Rice Shower is already at debut level, and Mihono Bourbon and Nishino Flower showed that kind of ability in the selection race. So for them, this pace is just a warm-up.
"Okay."
"I'll follow Viola's pace too."
That was the plan—until we started running.
Rice-chan immediately picked up speed. I was left behind in seconds. The first furlong felt like she was running under 14 seconds.
Mihono and Nishino followed suit, matching her pace.
I stuck to the original 15–15, but I couldn't keep up-
They were in an entirely different league from me!
In the end, all three ran full throttle, with Rice crossing the finish line first.
She wasn't even in the selection race so that result was… expected? I think?
"Mmm, I couldn't catch up at all,-" Nishino said, frustrated.
But she clocked under 13 seconds in the final furlong. That's seriously impressive.
"We need more training then" Mihono added, equally dissatisfied.
Still, she hit 13.5 seconds with precision. That's no small feat.
"Rice wins."
"Rice-chan."
"What?"
"Punishment."
"Why!?"
"You said you were a horse. Right?"
No horse should run that fast!
I sat her down and crushed her with a long forward bend.
"Nigyaa!!!"
"Still stiff but looks like you can go further now."
"I'll break! Rice will break!!"
Rice had gotten more flexible lately, but she still had stiff spots. Stretching her to the limit was the perfect punishment.
"You two should cool down too. I'll guide you through stretching."
"Then we'll follow your lead."
"I'll join in as well."
"There's just two of us here, so please imitate me. Just don't overdo it."
"Rice cannot go further!!"
"Quiet, Rice-chan! Push harder!"
"Hah!!"
Mihono and Nishino began stretching as well while watching me bend Rice into submission.
But watching them laugh and stretch together, I realized—being good friends really is beautiful.
I continued explaining proper stretching techniques while Rice whimpered beneath me, her limbs bent beyond their limits.