Chapter 11
After completing the full set of training, Yasui Makoto was once again shocked by his horse girl for a while.
There had been scheduled breaks throughout the several hours, but overall it was non-stop.
Yet even after such long training, Kitasan Black showed almost no signs of fatigue.
Not only was she not tired, she didn't even have much sweat on her face. She still looked energetic and ready for the next training session at any moment.
Although he had already judged from the data that her physical foundation was excellent, he hadn't expected it to be this outrageously good in person.
Because of this, Yasui Makoto didn't rest either. He performed preliminary calculations on the data as soon as he obtained it.
During Kitasan Black's breaks, he used the time to further analyze, judge, and adjust, which led to clear improvement in her subsequent training.
Of course, part of the credit also went to Kitasan Black's own talent.
Not only was her physique outstanding, but her sense of rhythm was surprisingly good.
Aside from making mistakes in the first one or two sets, her movements synchronized with the music beats better and better. The overall average reached more than 75%.
For this kind of training, reaching 50% synchronization on the first try was already considered very good for most horse girls. 75% could genuinely be called genius level.
Noticing this, Yasui Makoto unconsciously updated his evaluation of his horse girl once again.
"Let's stop here for today."
With admiration, Yasui Makoto began packing up.
"I'll take you to eat. Also…"
He thought for a moment.
"Kitasan, besides the dance and singing classes taught at school, have you been self-studying them before?"
"Yes! Trainer, please let me treat you to dinner this time!"
Full of energy, Kitasan Black raised her hand enthusiastically and rushed over.
"Trainer, let me carry your bag!"
After picking up Yasui Makoto's shoulder bag, she tapped her lower lip and finally answered the earlier question.
"As for music and dance… I wouldn't really say I've studied them.
"But I've always loved singing!
"My father, my grandfather, and many people in my family are all really good at singing. I grew up listening to them sing!"
Yasui Makoto immediately understood.
The files had mentioned that Kitasan Black came from a good background. Her grandfather was a well-known singer in the industry with many disciples and students across Japan — essentially a musical family.
Growing up in such an environment, it wasn't surprising that she had strong adaptability to rhythm and beats.
She probably just hadn't applied that mindset to running before, which was why her strides during training had such messy rhythm.
Of course, her immense strength was also part of the reason.
Running and singing were fundamentally different. Singing mainly used the muscles in the neck, chest, and abdomen, while running required mobilizing almost every muscle in the body. Mastering excellent rhythm was naturally much harder.
However, with her family background as a foundation, as long as she continued training consistently, her basic stride should no longer be a problem.
That meant it was time to consider the next type of training…
While Yasui Makoto was thinking, Kitasan Black kept talking excitedly about her family and fun stories from her childhood.
"…So I used to live in the countryside. In summer evenings, I would often go into the woods with my friends to catch fireflies. Oh, and we also caught stag beetles!
"We even competed over whose stag beetle was stronger and held stag beetle tournaments!
"Oh right, I think the idea of becoming a horse girl started around that time.
"Hehehe, I was the fastest runner among my friends back then. Everyone said I would definitely become an amazing horse girl in the future!
"My dad and grandpa said the same thing, and…"
She became even more excited.
"After watching Emperor-senpai's races, I've always wanted to become a dazzling horse girl just like her!
"Trainer, do you think…"
She looked at him expectantly.
"Is my dream… actually possible to achieve?"
Looking back at Kitasan Black and seeing his own reflection clearly in her clear, bright eyes, Yasui Makoto smiled unconsciously.
"I will do everything in my power to help you achieve that dream."
"Mm! Thank you, Trainer!"
She raised both arms and nodded vigorously. Then, this lively and energetic horse girl shyly rubbed her stomach.
"But you were right, Trainer. Before realizing dreams and all that… it's better to fill our stomachs first."
By the time they finished talking, the two had already arrived at the Tracen Academy cafeteria.
Most students had already eaten, so there weren't many people inside. After ordering, Kitasan Black proactively carried both trays to the table.
Although it was called "both" trays, Yasui Makoto's portion was very small — just a bowl of ramen.
Kitasan Black, on the other hand, had ordered more than ten times that amount. Fried rice, fried noodles, grilled meat, carrot dishes with sauce… the pile was almost half her height.
The cafeteria chefs were very professional. All the food was not only suited to horse girls' tastes but also not overly greasy.
So Yasui Makoto was only slightly surprised by Kitasan Black's appetite. He understood that after an afternoon of training, this girl was genuinely hungry.
"I'm digging in!"
She clapped her hands together in front of the mountain of food. Just as she picked up her chopsticks, she noticed Yasui Makoto's slightly surprised gaze from the corner of her eye. Her face turned red.
"Um… actually…"
She tapped her two index fingers together in front of her and said softly:
"I don't usually eat this much…
"Normally I eat about this much… wait, no, this much…
"Wait, actually it should be this little…"
She gestured three times, lowering her hand each time.
Finally, her voice got a bit louder.
"Okay… Trainer, you can laugh if you want. I really am hungry… but I did eat a bit more than usual today…"
"Why would I laugh?"
"Really, it's only a little more… Eh?"
Kitasan Black's ears twitched.
"Trainer… you're not going to make fun of me for eating a lot?"
"There's nothing funny about it. Besides, there's no reason for a trainer to mock his own horse girl."
Yasui Makoto picked up the chopsticks next to his meal set and said calmly:
"Besides, this isn't even that much. I've seen horse girls who eat way more than you."
"R-Really? Then I won't hold back!"
Realizing her earlier worry had been completely unnecessary, Kitasan Black instantly became cheerful again. She picked up a huge plate of fried rice and took a big bite.
"Mmm… Oh right, Trainer, you said there are horse girls who eat more than me. Who are they?"
"…Swallow first before talking. Be careful not to choke."
After reminding her, and hearing her ask again, Yasui Makoto thought for a moment and answered with a question instead:
"You'll meet them later. But more importantly…"
"Kitasan, what kind of horse girl do you think is considered outstanding and dazzling?
"Or rather, have you thought about what races you want to run in the future?"
...
That evening, in Kitasan Black's double room.
"Diamond-chan! I'm back!"
"Ah, welcome back, Kitasan."
The one responding to Kitasan Black's energetic greeting was a horse girl with light brown long hair and pale golden eyes.
From her facial features, she looked somewhat similar to Satono Crown, whom they had seen practicing in the dance studio earlier. Her temperament was equally refined and elegant.
This was exactly Satono Diamond, Kitasan Black's roommate.