It was definitely too soon for another training race.
Even though a training race was lighter than an official one thanks to the different venue, track conditions, and instructions, it still demanded real effort. What came next had to be proper rest and recovery.
Not just for Kitasan Black, but for every Uma Musume who had come to help. Training races counted as high-intensity work, so the cooldown phase followed a complete, systematic routine.
First came immediate active recovery: five to ten minutes of slow walking, light jogging, or easy cycling, followed by dynamic stretches like lunge twists and leg swings. This helped clear lactic acid, boost blood flow, and ease muscle tightness while flushing out waste products faster.
The prime recovery window hit about an hour after training. That was when they moved on to static stretching, contrast baths, foam rollers, and fascia guns.
After that came the deep recovery stage, focused on replenishing carbohydrates, protein, and electrolytes.
Tracen Academy's gym had every piece of equipment they needed. Since the training race had tied up the track for a while, Yasui Makoto greeted Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen, then led Kitasan Black and the others straight to the gym.
A short while later…
"Ow ow ow ow ow! This thing… why does it hurt so much?!"
"Hmph… hmph hmph… It doesn't hurt at all, Daiwa Scarlet… You're just too weak…"
"You… want to look in a mirror right now? Is that really the face of someone who doesn't hurt at all?!"
"None of your business! When I say it doesn't hurt… this is exactly how I look!"
Yasui Makoto listened to Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka going back and forth. He was not entirely surprised, yet still a little taken aback. After several months around them, he had learned that the two Uma Musumes really did compete over everything, just like the rumors said. So of course they would turn the foam roller and fascia gun session into a contest of who could endure more pain.
These tools worked wonders for releasing muscle tension, improving local circulation, and speeding up recovery after hard training. The only downside was how much they hurt to use.
What did catch him off guard was that Special Week had no idea how to operate them. A quick check confirmed she had never used anything like this during her racing days. Or rather, the tools simply had not existed in her era.
Yasui Makoto filed away another fascinating detail about the development of the Japanese Uma Musume world. He kept an eye on the others while patiently showing Special Week how to handle the fascia gun.
"Start with the gluteus medius." He pointed out the spot for her. "Try gear one first, just to get the feel of it. Trust me… this thing really stings."
"Really?"
Special Week followed his guidance and pressed the round head against the outer side of her hip. The moment she turned it on, she gave a small shiver.
"Uh… what a weird sensation… and yeah, it does hurt a little."
"Exactly." Yasui Makoto nodded. "Gears one and two are good for warming up the muscle. Three and four are for relaxation. Five through seven help break down lactic acid. Raise the intensity one gear at a time. Take it slow. Only move up once you've adjusted."
"Okay. Thanks, Yasui." Special Week nodded and began working the tool carefully.
Once he was sure she had the basic technique down and had moved on to the area near her Achilles tendon, Yasui Makoto glanced around at the rest of the group. Everything looked fine, so he picked up the tablet from outside the recovery zone and walked over to Kitasan Black.
He had prepared thoroughly for the training race, right down to the post-race recovery plan. Every Uma Musume wore a monitoring bracelet, and the data synced wirelessly to his tablet.
The numbers proved once again that Special Week and the others lived up to their reputations. An Uma Musume's true strength showed not only on the track but in how quickly she recovered afterward. With all her experience, Special Week was bouncing back nicely even without prior exposure to the fascia gun. The rest of the group was doing even better.
For example, Special Week's Achilles tendon elasticity was already climbing, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka's heart-rate variability was settling back toward normal, and Gold Ship's muscle tension index kept dropping steadily.
Kitasan Black, on the other hand, was recovering a little more slowly.
Yasui Makoto had come over specifically to guide his own Uma Musume.
Kitasan Black spotted him approaching. She was gripping the fascia gun with tense little muscles and trembling lips.
"Tr-Trainer…"
"Hmm. Time to switch to your hamstrings," Yasui Makoto said, eyes flicking to the tablet data.
"Ham… hamstrings…?" She blinked.
"The muscle group on the back of your thigh." He turned halfway and patted the area to show her. "That's still your main power source during a race. Keep the gun there for one or two minutes at a time and hold it on any tight spots for ten to fifteen seconds."
"Oh… right…"
Her voice shook a little as she tried to aim the tool where he had indicated. "Here…?"
Yasui Makoto spotted the mistake instantly. He frowned and shook his head. "No, that's not right."
He set the tablet down, stepped closer, and held out his hand. Kitasan Black realized he wanted the fascia gun and passed it over without thinking.
The next second she felt a firm hand steady her thigh while the round head of the tool pressed against the back of her leg.
"Tr-Trainer… Ugh…!"
She gasped. Before she could finish, a deep, aching pain shot through her entire leg and she let out an involuntary moan.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to make those weird sounds?"
Yasui Makoto shook his head, half exasperated, half amused. He kept one hand on the outside of her thigh and held the fascia gun steady with the other.
"And I've said this before. These tools have to be used in the right spot or you'll end up hurting yourself. Especially around the popliteal fossa. There are a lot of superficial veins right there. That's exactly where you just pointed it. The vibration is strong. If you're not careful you can compress nerves or blood vessels and actually pass out."
He kept talking while he worked, completely focused on helping her recover. He never noticed the way Kitasan Black's face had gone bright red as she stared at him.
On the sidelines the other Uma Musumes watched with various expressions. Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, and Gold Ship looked mostly unfazed, though their eyes held a familiar "here we go again" glint. Gold Ship in particular seemed eager to enjoy the show.
Special Week's face showed a mix of embarrassment and a tiny spark of curiosity.
---
Bonus chapters
200 - Stones
400 - Stones
600 - Stones
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