Another day had arrived for Hayato to train Seiun. The intensity of the training was gradually increasing. Sticking to the same level wouldn't foster growth, but a sudden, drastic jump could lead to injury. So, in the two days following the initial training session, he hadn't increased the difficulty too much, only adding a few extra reps to the jumps and other exercises.
Now, on this new day, Hayato was once again closely observing Seiun's training session. She had just finished a strenuous set, barely a moment ago. Hayato gently wiped the sweat from her hairline with the towel he carried. Her rapid, panting breaths showed no sign of stopping. Even though she was exhausted to the point of barely being able to move, the light in her blue eyes remained bright, as if hiding a certain spark deep within.
"Hmm... Not dead yet, I see," he said with a teasing smile.
"Ha... Hayato... san... Saying that... when I'm practically dying here..." Seiun groaned, her body tense and trembling, her legs almost numb. Yet, she managed to raise a hand to cover her face, as if defending her last shred of dignity.
Hayato chuckled softly. "If you were really dying, I'd have been fired on the first day. Don't be so dramatic."
Seiun was sure he was deliberately teasing her, but she had no energy to argue. She just lay face down on the grass, her horse ears drooping completely like a puppy that had been dragged around the park ten times. Hayato watched her quietly for a moment before speaking in a softer tone.
"...You did really well."
Both of Seiun's ears perked up instantly, without any need to ask if her body could handle it. She glanced at him sideways. The lips that had been on the verge of a crying pout moments before now curled into a small, irrepressible smile.
"Really...?"
"Yeah. Your body still lacks explosive power at the start and finishing power in the middle to long distances... but your fundamentals are excellent. Your ankles and thighs can withstand more force than I expected. No matter how much you complain, you never stop pushing through."
Hayato spoke while looking at her sprawled-out, corpse-like state. "Seriously, Seiun... if you keep this up every day, we'll see results in less than two months."
"Gmm... Two months... Sounds brutal..."
"That's right."
Seiun stared at his face as if she wanted to bite him, but lacked the strength to get up and do it. She could only pout like a scolded child. After a moment, Hayato handed her a bottle of electrolyte drink.
"Drink this. It'll help prevent cramps."
She took it obediently, bringing it to her lips and drinking slowly. As her shoulders rose and fell with her panting, Hayato noticed her breathing was gradually becoming more regular, indicating she was starting to adapt to this level of intense exertion. After finishing the bottle, Seiun placed it beside her and muttered softly, something between a complaint and not quite a full complaint.
"...Trainer... you're mean... but it's kind of strange..."
"Strange?"
"Mhm... Normally, if anyone ordered me to do something this hard, I'd probably sneak off to go laze around. But with you, Trainer... when I see you looking so serious like that, I just... uh... don't really want to lose..."
Hayato paused for a moment, then smiled knowingly.
"That's good. If you want to win, you have to be willing to endure some pain. You're an Uma. For you all, pain is always the first gateway to becoming stronger."
Seiun closed her eyes, as if absorbing his words. She raised her arm to cover her face again, the cheeks flushed from exhaustion deepening in color another level.
"Geez... Trainer, saying things like that makes you sound like the hero in a novel..."
"Keep talking, and I'll make you do another set."
"No way!?! My legs are about to fall off as it is!!"
Hayato laughed heartily. His laughter noticeably eased the tense atmosphere from the intense morning training. He gently placed the towel on Seiun's head.
"Rest for another twenty minutes. Then I'll help you stretch."
"...You won't torture me more, right?"
"If you don't stretch, you won't be able to walk tomorrow."
Seiun's eyes widened as if picturing herself walking stiffly like a piece of un-bendable wood. Then she muttered softly.
"Okay... Then, Trainer, please... help me stretch..."
"I already said I would."
Their eyes met for a brief moment before Seiun quickly averted her gaze, her face feeling suddenly hot as if under a strong sun, even though the breeze was cool. Finally, she let out a long sigh and lay still, surrendering to both her physical state and the person in front of her. Hayato looked at her for a moment longer before speaking softly but seriously.
"...Soon, I'll make you run much faster than this, Seiun."
"Mhm... Then Trainer has to take responsibility, okay..."
"Hmm? Responsibility for what?"
"Responsibility... for shaping me into the fastest horse on the track, of course... Do I have to spell it out..."
She finished speaking and immediately buried her face in her arms, her ears twitching nervously as if melting from having said something so embarrassingly earnest. Hayato stared at her for a moment, then smiled a satisfied smile at the corner of his mouth.
"...Naturally."
A gentle morning breeze blew through, carrying the scent of grass and faint sweat, mixing into the unique aroma of the training field—a scent that seemed to say, *This is only the beginning.* And their training journey... still had a long way to go.
"Alright, get up. Let's go stretch your legs."
"Waaahhhhhhh! Mean Trainer!!"
The past four days had been so intense it was hard to tell who was training whom. But the results were undeniable and impossible to ignore. Seiun Sky stood in front of the mirror in the Uma dorm. Her usually playful, innocent face was unusually calm today, as if she was trying to steady her breathing. Her light blue tail swished gently in time with her pounding heart. She pulled her gloves on, shaking her arms twice as if preparing for war.
"You... look more prepared than I expected," Hayato leaned against the doorframe, watching her with the eyes of a trainer experienced enough to recognize every nuance of a rookie runner's nerves.
Seiun grinned widely. "Of course! Did you think I'd be scared? I'm going to fly today."
"If you can really fly, I might just quit and become an idol manager instead," he retorted teasingly, but deep down, he could feel that her confidence today wasn't just empty bravado like before; it was several times more solid. After seeing her off to the changing room, Hayato walked out slowly, but his mind was racing nonstop. He instinctively opened the system to check Seiun's status once more.
[Name: Seiun Sky]
[Track Preference: Turf A / Dirt G]
[Distance: Short G / Mile C / Medium A / Long A]
[Running Style: Front A / Pace B / Late D / End E]
[Stats: Spd 321 / Sta 343 / Pow 294 / Gut 243 / Wit 267]
[Mood: Great]
Her stats had visibly skyrocketed since the first day, especially Sta and Spd, which had increased at an almost inhuman or rather, un-Uma-like pace. But what truly caught his attention was the Mood value, which read "Great." Normally, most Uma would be so anxious before their debut that their Mood would be negative, but Seiun's was abnormally high, as if she was more excited than stressed... or perhaps it was because she trusted him more than he had thought. He allowed a faint, unconscious smile to touch his lips.
"Heh... Excellent. This kid is really catching on."
A cool draft from the hallway blew past him, light but distinct enough to remind him that this was no time for idle thoughts. Hayato took a deep breath and headed for the trainers' stands, which offered the clearest view of both the straightaways and curves.
The scene shifted to the racetrack. The roar of the crowd grew louder and louder. The stands vibrated like a giant wall breathing in sync with the masses. Seiun Sky stepped out of the tunnel alongside eleven other Uma. All eyes were drawn to her the Uma rumored to be debuting in "abnormally good form."
Gate 5 stood open, waiting for her. It was an excellent position for her Front-running style, as it wouldn't require much jostling for position in the first curve and would allow her to subtly choose the moment for her "breakaway" on the long straight before the final turn. Seiun warmed up her legs a few times before stepping into the gate. She clenched her fists tightly and took a deep, full breath.
'Trainer... watch me closely.'
Meanwhile, the two announcers in the high commentary box began their broadcast with voices so excited they had the audience on their feet.
Announcer 1:
"Hello, everyone! We are now at the debut race for many new Uma, and the highlight undoubtedly revolves around the top three favorites voted by the fans!"
Announcer 2:
"That's right! And today's top three contenders are:
In third place, Kitasan Miracle, whose initial speed is terrifyingly fearsome!
In second place, Air Flashy, the workhorse famous for her fierce final corner sprint!
And the number one spot, the most watched... the new debutante Uma from the stable of an equally new trainer, Seiun Sky!!!"
A roar erupted from the crowd, so loud it seemed to shake the very stands.
Announcer 1:
"To be honest, folks, everyone is eager to see if the rumors about her training form over the past week are true!"
Announcer 2 chuckled lightly.
"Well, we'll find out today! Let's see just how much this new kid in Gate 5 can do!"
The silence before the race slowly swallowed all other sounds. Every spectator watched intently. The breathing of the twelve Uma grew still, as if they were focusing completely on what lay ahead. As the gate locks clicked shut, the track became filled with a pressure that made the air feel several times heavier.
3
2
1
CLANG!
The sound of all twelve gate doors flying open simultaneously was like a bell announcing the start of battle. And in the split second before the mechanism even stopped vibrating, Seiun Sky burst forth from Gate 5 like a blue arrow shot from a precise bow. The power in her legs erupted, kicking up a long trail of dust from the track surface. She rapidly seized the lead position so quickly that the other Uma didn't even have a chance to contest the lane.
The announcer's voice boomed over the field instantly.
Announcer 1:
"Oh ! Seiun Sky breaks out like a storm! She's already opened up a lead of over 4 lengths from second place, folks!!"
The following roar from the crowd hit the stands like a typhoon. But it wasn't that sound that disturbed her; it was the breathing of the other eleven Uma chasing behind her in waves. The pressure from the entire field surged against her back like invisible hands trying to pull her back, making Seiun's heart pound relentlessly.
'It's not like training at all... This pressure from behind... it's intense. What should I do? Increase the lead? Or—'
She inadvertently took a sharp breath. Distracting thoughts swarmed in, but then she narrowed her eyes, slowing her breathing deliberately as if steadying herself.
'No, Seiun... What crazy thoughts are these? Trainer trusts me. He trained me in everything I lacked. He never expected me to just run away; he hoped I could "control" my own running...'
A brief moment from before the race flashed vividly through her mind: Hayato standing with his arms crossed, leaning against a pillar in the tunnel, his lips forming words that still echoed in her ears.
"This track is 2000 meters. Don't use all your strength from the start... Maintain the lead, that's true, but lead in a 'controlled' way. Don't panic. If you feel pressure, reset your breathing rhythm. Remember, the final corner is when you must 'release' everything."
Back then, he had casually placed a hand on her head. His voice was softer than ever.
"...Trust in the training we've done. Trust in yourself too. Understand, Seiun?"
She remembered her own short reply.
"Mhm... I won't make you lose face, Trainer."
That memory struck her chest like cold water dousing flames of anxiety. Suddenly, her stride became steady again. The sound of frantic footsteps behind her was pushed out of her focus, leaving only the rhythm of her own breath and heartbeat. She adjusted her pace to remain stable, neither slowing down nor surging beyond the plan, maintaining a stubborn distance from the persistent second place.
Her tail swished in the wind. Her deep blue eyes remained fixed on the path ahead, not looking back even once.
The announcers began explaining the situation excitedly.
Announcer 2:
"We're now entering the first 600 meters! Seiun Sky remains in the lead, maintaining a 4-length gap without losing rhythm!"
Announcer 1:
"But the pursuers are closing in! On the inside is Kitasan Miracle, on the outside is Air Flashy! Both are trying fiercely to close the distance!"
The cheers for the competitors roared from both sides of the track like clashing waves in an ocean. But Seiun kept running as if she had muted all those sounds.
'This part... isn't the time to accelerate yet.'
'Have to wait... wait for the final corner.'
'Trainer said if I believe in my own rhythm, I will "soar" better than anyone else on this track.'
A faint smile touched the corner of Seiun's lips as she led into the first curve. The wind whistling past her horse ears sounded like a personal cheer. From Hayato's position in the stands, he stood leaning against the steel railing, watching his blue arrow cut a straight line across the track. He saw the rhythm of her legs, the stability of her breath, and he saw that she was believing in herself just as he believed in her.
"Excellent... That's it, Seiun."
(End of chapter)