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Chapter 42
Having Vodka's help was honestly a pleasant surprise for Yasui Makoto.
However, he didn't let the joy make him lose his composure.
He hadn't expected Vodka's decision beforehand, but he had already planned for a horse girl with a similar running style in the training schedule. All he needed to do now was adjust the existing plan to fit Vodka's characteristics; there was no need to overhaul everything from scratch.
So, over the weekend, he spent some time fine-tuning the original training schedule while making sure the rest of the time was used for proper rest.
On Sunday night, Yasui Makoto arranged a meeting time and place with the three horse girls for the next day.
The location was still the academy's track, but the time was moved up a little earlier.
Having three horse girls do paired training together was already far more complicated than two, and more importantly, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka were no ordinary horse girls.
Not only were they top-tier in strength, their experience was also extremely rich.
This had given them unique running styles and techniques. If he couldn't arrange the practice in a targeted way, their kind offer might end up being wasted.
Therefore, when they arrived at the track and began warming up, he not only reviewed Vodka's data like before but also ran quite a few simulations and calculations.
Only after he felt the plan had been optimized did he officially start the paired training.
"Daiwa, you'll do the same as before — use your specialty, the leading (escape) style."
Stopwatch in his right hand and tablet tucked under his right arm, Yasui Makoto gestured with his left hand to indicate positions.
"Kitasan Black, you'll stay behind your senpai again and watch for my signal at all times.
"The moment I give you the hand signal, accelerate immediately and charge forward.
"As for Vodka… simulated tracking — is that okay?"
"OK."
Nodding quickly, Vodka crossed her left arm horizontally while her right arm stayed vertical, twisting her waist back and forth as she smiled.
"It feels just like the old days… Hey, Daiwa, you should've told me about something this fun earlier."
Doing simple stretches as well, Daiwa Scarlet pouted.
"How was I supposed to know you'd come back from Europe…? Besides, you're already back at the academy now."
"That's true."
Nodding, Vodka interlaced her fingers and cracked her knuckles.
"I'm ready. Daiwa should be too. Shall we start now?"
Instead of answering, Yasui Makoto glanced at Kitasan Black.
"Um…"
After a brief hesitation, Kitasan Black raised her hand.
"I have a question. Trainer, what you said earlier… was 'simulated tracking'?"
Hearing this, not only Yasui Makoto but also the other two horse girls smiled with approval.
"Looks like you noticed, Kitasan Black."
Yasui Makoto nodded. "That's right. I said 'simulated tracking,' not actual tracking.
"In fact, the same goes for your Daiwa-senpai. When she runs paired training with you, she's doing 'simulated leading,' not actual leading."
"Simulated…"
Repeating the word, Kitasan Black's eyes lit up.
"You mean imagining that there are other opponents running alongside us besides the three of us?"
Yasui Makoto and the others all looked impressed.
"Excellent insight, Kitasan Black. Looks like we can't keep treating you as our silly little junior anymore!"
Walking over and ruffling Kitasan Black's hair, Vodka smiled.
"Simply put, simulated leading and simulated tracking are both types of 'imaginary training.'
"Just like you said, it means imagining other opponents running beside you in your mind.
"This kind of training is more effective than regular paired runs, but it's also harder to master.
"Usually only horse girls with plenty of race experience can do it, and of course it requires some talent too.
"Lucky for you, both Daiwa and I are that kind of horse girl, so you don't need to overthink it. Just run your hardest between us."
"So that's what it means…"
Kitasan Black nodded in understanding, then looked a little embarrassed.
"This kind of training… sounds really tiring, right? I mean, having to imagine opponents in your head the whole time.
"I thought I wasn't causing Daiwa-senpai too much trouble, but it turns out senpai was working so hard to help me… and now Vodka-senpai is going to…"
"Ouch!"
Both Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka flicked her forehead at the same time. They exchanged a knowing glance and laughed together.
"What silly things are you saying, Kitasan Black?"
Rubbing the side of her nose with her index finger, Daiwa Scarlet said warmly:
"Don't forget — back when we were training and racing, whenever you had free time you'd come help us.
"You'd bring us drinks, hand us towels, help us adjust our horseshoes, and even wash our clothes and shoes.
"At first we thought you were too young and we shouldn't let you keep doing chores like that, but later we all got used to it. Whenever you showed up, we'd immediately call you over to help with whatever needed doing."
Exactly the same way, Vodka also rubbed the side of her nose with her index finger.
"That's right. We all remember those things.
"And it wasn't just the two of us — Special Week-senpai, Suzuka-senpai, McQueen-senpai, Teio-senpai…
"And even Silence Suzuka.
"You helped everyone a lot, Kitasan Black.
"Especially Teio-senpai.
"She was so depressed that year that none of us knew what to do.
"If you hadn't kept encouraging her, I don't think she would have returned to the track so easily.
"In short, when you were cheering and helping us so enthusiastically back then, how could we seniors just sit back and watch now that you've officially debuted?"
"Exactly. That's what I was thinking too."
Smiling in agreement, Daiwa Scarlet bumped fists with Vodka without even looking and laughed.
"Not just us — I'm sure Teio-senpai and the others want to do something for you too.
"So instead of saying silly things here…"
With a light leap, she and Vodka vaulted over the fence and landed on the track inside the training field. Daiwa Scarlet gave a thumbs-up.
"Kitasan Black, are you ready yet?"
"Senpais…"
Looking excitedly at the two horse girls on the track, Kitasan Black's emotions surged. She leaped in as well.
"Of course I'm ready!"
Watching the three horse girls, who all turned to look at him, Yasui Makoto sighed inwardly with emotion.
He didn't know about Kitasan Black's past experiences with her senpais, but from what he had just heard, his horse girl was far warmer, kinder, and more considerate than she appeared.
Just as Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka had said, he had unconsciously gotten used to the black-haired girl quietly working hard behind the scenes.
At first it was just her helping carry his bag.
Then she started bringing him drinks, snacks, and even bentos.
Now, every time she came to his single room, she would help clean up the trash and organize the scattered books and documents. He had gotten used to all of it.
And she did all these things silently, without asking for anything in return — she even looked like she enjoyed it.
There was no doubt that she simply wanted to help the people she cared about, or lend a hand to anyone who needed it. Doing what she could made her happy.
Unconsciously, Yasui Makoto smiled.
Indeed… a girl like this really makes people want to respond to that warmth and do something for her in return.
With that thought, he raised his hand.
"Grass 1800 meters, paired training. Ready… three, two… one!"
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