Although it was said that she hadn't fully recovered, she was completely healed after just one day. After all, that treatment cost her 500pt, and she couldn't use it again for a short period.
Once she recovered, training resumed under the twitching gazes of the new team members. She also took the opportunity to instruct the new recruits, Special Week and Suzuka. Then, at an appropriate time, she ended training early to go back, take a shower, and cook for everyone.
Life suddenly became fulfilling!
Also, something interesting happened: after learning that Special Week's favorite food was carrots, Ling couldn't resist the urge to quip and blurted out, "No wonder you fell in love with Suzuka at first sight."
Hearing this, everyone pondered for a moment. Then, seeing Suzuka's orange long hair and green earmuffs, they instantly understood.
This caused her to be stared at resentfully by Suzuka for a long time. Later, she promised to teach how to utilize wind techniques in the next stage of training, after the current one was completed, to earn forgiveness.
Amidst the daily training and routine, that day finally arrived.
Of course, it wasn't Special Week's debut race, but that was happening tomorrow.
To help Special Week adjust her mindset, and since today was already a day off, Trainer Okino waved his hand and announced that everyone should find a way to help Little Special relax.
So, everyone went shopping together.
Understanding the destructive power of a group of girls shopping and Trainer Okino's human fragility, Ling handed Trainer Okino a black card, telling him to treat Sister Hua and also properly apologize for the incident a few days ago where he threw up on her.
This wasn't the first or second time she had done this. Trainer Okino wasn't someone who spent money lavishly; his primary reason for poverty was the large number of 'sleeping dragons and crouching phoenixes' in his team, leading to extraordinarily high extra expenses, which he still enjoyed. Of course, the most important thing was that every time he borrowed the card, Trainer Okino meticulously recorded all expenses and would even repay it with a bit of interest when his salary came in, even if she said he didn't need to repay or give interest.
Of course, after repaying, his expenses for that month would again be insufficient, leading him to borrow money again, then repay, and so on.
As for why the expenses were so high... you wouldn't think the school cafeteria was free, would you?
Before joining the team, Uma Musume paid for themselves, supplemented by some school subsidies, and charged per meal. After joining the team, the Trainer was responsible, as nutrition naturally became more important after races. So, a portion of the Uma Musume's meal expenses was included in the Trainer's salary, commonly known as the 'salary recovery plan'. Trainer Okino stated, "The Uma Musume in my team may not be the strongest, but they must be the happiest," so he always ordered the highest-grade meals, often paying extra out of his own pocket.
Although Ling now covered part of the dinner expenses, Trainer Okino still had to cover breakfast and lunch. Moreover, his salary had recently been docked, so he definitely couldn't be well-off now.
"Thanks, I'll pay you back when my salary comes in."
"It's fine, you don't have to."
"I haven't fallen so low that my own Uma Musume needs to support me www"
Watching him leave, and after confirming he was completely gone, Ling, urged by the others, pulled out her phone.
"Hello, it's me, Maruzensky. How are things on your end?"
"Okay~ Hua-chan is completely free now." Maruzensky, who had helped Tojo Hana by taking over all her work with Air Groove and Emperor, said with a smile from the other end.
"Good, then everything proceeds as planned."
"Remember to share it with us later~"
"No problem."
Not just the original four of Spica, but even the veterans of Rigil were worried sick about the feelings between these two Trainers.
Yes, even Tojo Hana would give the Uma Musume a day off on rest days, not allowing excessive training. And for Special Week, who was about to debut, Trainer Okino would definitely give everyone a day off to help her adjust her mindset. Thus, both sides had perfectly staggered free time.
So, last night, Ling received a notification that Maruzensky's side would handle Tojo Hana's extra work, while she would follow the two, providing some off-field assistance.
Although she was a great senior, even Maruzensky was only college-aged, and Uma Musume had no resistance to such topics... Yes, although today was ostensibly "Operation Relax Little Special," the actual content was "Spica and Rigil Collaborate on Operation Trainer Okino and Tojo Hana Love!"
After all, no one said *how* they had to relax, right? As long as Special Week was happy, that was enough. You should know that after receiving the notification last night, she created a small group, added Spica's Uma Musume, and informed them of the plan. Their excitement was through the roof.
Especially Special Week. If Daiwa and Vodka hadn't deliberately blocked her, she probably would have given it away.
"Z-chan! Let's catch up!" Special Week's ears twitched on her head, looking incredibly excited, and so did everyone else.
"Alright, then today's Operation Promote Trainer Okino and Sister Hua's Relationship! Start!"
"Fire!!!"
"Will it really be okay...?" This was the worried Silent Suzuka.
For some reason, Ling felt that Suzuka definitely had the essence of a great tsukkomi (straight man), but due to her gentle nature, she wouldn't deliberately blurt it out. Privately, she had already discussed with Gold Ship to find a way to make Suzuka acknowledge and accept her true nature.
Also known as "Operation Corrupt Good Girl Suzuka," the goal was to officially make Suzuka a tsukkomi, which would also help her integrate better into the team.
Although, in reality, it was just two scoundrels who wanted to see Suzuka make tsukkomi.
Mainly because many times, after some incident, when jokes were made, Suzuka's reaction was often the quickest, just like her running style. Even her understanding of memes was at the 'Great Escape' level; she could instantly understand many memes but held back from making tsukkomi for fear of causing trouble for others, which made the two of them very uncomfortable.
Sorry, Suzuka. It hasn't been long since the carrot spirit incident, and now this, but knowing the reason, you, being so gentle, will surely forgive me, right?
(Suzuka: I want to retract the title of the previous chapter)
In any case, after everyone changed into their casual clothes, they went to their respective ambush locations according to the pre-arranged plan. The Rigil members were also there; that group chat wasn't just for the Spica members.
Everyone felt like parents desperately trying to push two children, who were just one step away, together.
Oh, speaking of parents, Oguri Cap also participated in this operation. Her maternal instinct burst was due to come again in the next few days. To avoid being caught, it was good to let her experience the feeling of parents marrying off their child and release her overflowing maternal feelings now.
As for the two gray-haired ones... it seemed a ramen shop was having a Gluttony contest and had invited Special Week. However, Special Week's gossip-loving heart ultimately outweighed her appetite, and she reluctantly declined.