Chapter 143. Concern
After waking up, since there had been no race the night before, Shuta An didn't bother checking the attribute viewer to see whether anything had been added.
He glanced at the alarm clock by the bed, then got up to wash. He planned to grab a quick breakfast and then head to the Academy to clock in.
"If I think about it, after I finish the post-race report for Tokai Teio's Arima Kinen today, I won't have any extra tasks for the rest of the year. I can just clock in every day and then do whatever I want in the activity room."
Thinking this, Shuta An immediately felt much more relaxed.
"I'll clock in, then go to the hospital to keep Teio company, and then in the afternoon I'll go back to clock out. This life isn't as troublesome as I thought last night."
Going downstairs, he unexpectedly saw Berno busy in the kitchen.
"Berno, you're up so early again today. I thought since things are finally relaxed, you could sleep in."
Berno didn't even look up, continuing to carefully handle the potato pancakes lying flat in the frying pan.
"I'm not always busy nonstop. I've had enough rest when I needed it. It's Ann who should sleep in more, right?"
"I have way more days off than Berno,"
Shuta An said, sitting at the dining table and waiting for Berno Light to feed him.
"But I can rest at night, Ann can't, right?"
Berno's single sentence left the young man speechless.
"Well, I can't really argue with that."
His mouth twitched, and it took him a long time to squeeze out that one sentence.
Arriving at the office, Shuta An, intending to simply clock in and return to the Sadalsuud team's activity room, was surprised to find Kitahara-san had arrived even earlier than he had.
"Kitahara-san, you're in so early today?"
"Ahaha..." Kitahara-san awkwardly rubbed his nose. "Yes, I woke up earlier today."
"Sigh, I also woke up earlier than my alarm," Shuta An said, not suspecting anything, "I couldn't sleep thinking about writing the post-race report today."
"Tokai Teio, she should be fine, right?"
As the conversation turned to this, Kitahara-san also became concerned about Tokai Teio's injury.
"Teio's fracture is very slight, but honestly, it really gave me a huge fright,"
The young man said, shaking his head.
"Ever since I started training Tokai Teio, I've often dreamed of her fracturing after a race. This year, when she challenged the Triple Crown, every time I had to pray in my heart that she wouldn't get injured."
"As a result, while the Undefeated Triple Crown was achieved safely, she got injured after winning the Arima Kinen," Shuta An scratched his head. "The nightmare came true. Honestly, when I noticed Tokai Teio was uncomfortable, my legs were trembling. I can only be thankful that the injury really isn't serious."
"That truly is the most fortunate outcome," Kitahara-san agreed. "One can only hope that all Uma Musume can stay away from injuries."
"That's a bit difficult," Shuta An shrugged. "As Trainers, we can only do our best, starting with small everyday things, to reduce the probability of injury for the Uma Musume we train."
"Speaking of which, shouldn't we seek help from medical experts in this area?" Kitahara-san offered.
"For example, researching how to reduce the probability of injury during training. Bringing in experts to study this could also count as a benefit for all Uma Musume, right?"
"I feel like the URA Association might not have the budget for it,"
Shuta An said mercilessly, pouring cold water on the idea.
But what he didn't say was that if research couldn't be supported by the Central URA Association, he could support it himself.
"Back then, we had the research lab on the West Coast develop a treatment plan specifically for Oguri. Maybe we can start from those research results and expand them to various types of Uma Musume."
Back in the Sadalsuud team's activity room, Shuta An, while skillfully starting Teio's post-Arima Kinen report, contacted Secretariat on Line.
"No business, no visit to the temple.' Shuta, contacting me at this hour, you must have something important, right?"
Secretariat yawned after answering the voice call, then followed with a string of complaints.
"Well~ I can't deny that I do have something to discuss,"
Shuta An chuckled awkwardly, then got straight to the point.
"I'd like to ask the research institute at West Coast Tracen Academy to restart sports medicine research for Uma Musume. Starting from the original research results on Oguri Cap, focusing mainly on orthopedics."
"The research institute has actually been doing related research, but as you know, sponsors care more about races. They prefer to support projects that research how to improve training efficiency and enhance race performance. In sports medicine, only the Academy allocates a certain budget each year to support it,"
Secretariat paused.
"So, what happened?"
Before Shuta An could answer, Secretariat offered her guess.
"Did Tokai Teio fracture a bone? Is it serious?"
"She did fracture it, but it's just a hairline fracture without displacement; six weeks of rest will be enough," Shuta An said directly. "But I'm a little worried the injured area could become more fragile in the future."
"As long as you provide targeted care, and your luck isn't too bad, that kind of problem shouldn't happen,"
Secretariat said dismissively.
"I thought it was a very serious fracture that made you think of this."
"You could call it locking the stable door after the horse has bolted too,"
Shuta An didn't deny it.
"Then I'll discuss the specific investment with Grace. We can't guarantee results, but we can definitely give you some advice on how to manage Tokai Teio's daily recovery in the future,"
Secretariat said after a moment's thought.
"Okay."
After getting Secretariat's response, Shuta An knew this matter would definitely be pushed forward on the West Coast, and he felt much more at ease.
After finishing and submitting the post-race report, Shuta An stood up and stretched.
"Time to go to the hospital and take care of Teio. I wonder how she slept in the hospital bed last night."
However, before heading to the hospital, the young man still had one thing to do.
He hurried to the dormitory building, only to be stopped by Fuji Kiseki, the dorm leader, who was smiling.
"May I help you? Trainers are not allowed to enter the dormitories."
"Then I'll trouble Miss Fuji Kiseki to go to Tokai Teio's dormitory and help organize some daily necessities, as well as a few sets of everyday clothes, pajamas, and a pillow. It would be best if you also bring down the Symboli Rudolf doll she keeps by her bedside,"
Shuta An said, listing everything he needed.
"Alright."
After understanding the young man's intention, Fuji Kiseki felt she had stopped him at the door, so naturally she had to handle the rest herself. Thus, she readily agreed.
By the time Shuta An arrived at the hospital room carrying a fully packed suitcase, he pushed open the door and his eyes widened.
"Ah—" Tokai Teio opened her mouth wide, happily being fed by the Uma Musume sitting on the chair by the bed.
Admire Vega, with her usual cold expression, continued to fork another rabbit-shaped apple slice into Tokai Teio's mouth.
"What's going on?"
Shuta An couldn't understand why Admire Vega was here.
"Today it's my turn, tomorrow Rice Shower-senpai will come, the day after tomorrow it's me again, and then Kurofune will come for two consecutive days,"
Admire Vega replied simply.
Shuta An was completely bewildered.
"When did you all arrange a schedule to take care of Teio?"
"It was in the Line group chat last night!" Tokai Teio swallowed a piece of apple and interjected. "Trainer didn't check the Line group, did he?"
"I certainly didn't," Shuta An said, turning his gaze back to Admire Vega. "But the day after tomorrow is Christmas. If Ayabe-chan comes here again to look after Teio, then the Christmas party in the evening..."
At that point, he tapped his head.
"I'll be coming over then too. I can just take you back with me directly. I forgot about that method."
"Ah... that's so nice,"
Tokai Teio pouted.
"I also want to go to the Christmas party~ Last year was so lively, and in the end, we even pulled Oguri-senpai and the others to the small training ground outside for a competition."
"Oguri told me it's too hard to hold back. She's afraid of winning by too much and making you unable to bear it"
Shuta An teased her.
"Ugh—"
Tokai Teio really couldn't refute that, because she knew he was right.
"Race with the seniors?"
Admire Vega, who had been quietly peeling an apple at the side, suddenly looked up. She was clearly very interested in that.
"It probably won't be possible this year, but if you want to play games with them, that should be fine," Shuta An shrugged. "After all, the weather forecast says it's going to snow tomorrow and the day after. It's impossible to run in the snow; that would be too much trouble."
"That's true,"
Admire Vega's ears drooped a little, looking disappointed.
"In any case, if you want to race with Oguri and the others, there will be plenty of chances in the future. Ayabe-chan still needs to grow well. Your current condition makes it too difficult to keep up with Oguri and the others,"
Shuta An continued.
"Mhm,"
Admire Vega replied softly.
The idle conversation continued until noon, when Tokai Teio suddenly said, "I want to eat the gyoza and noodles from that restaurant near the hospital!"
"Then I'll go buy them?" Shuta An stood up, then asked Admire Vega, "What do you want to eat, Ayabe-chan?"
"Let Ayabe-chan go, that restaurant was recommended by Ayabe-chan too!"
Tokai Teio interrupted.
"I'd better go with her,"
Shuta An was still a little uneasy about letting Admire Vega go alone.
"It's fine,"
Admire Vega said, standing up and leaving the ward.
At that point, Shuta An also understood.
After Admire Vega left, he looked at Tokai Teio and asked,
"So, is there something you want to discuss that you don't want Admire Vega to hear?"
"Ayabe-chan is the type who seems cold but is actually warm-hearted,"
Tokai Teio didn't directly answer.
"Last night, she volunteered to be the first one to take care of me. Then she asked Maya-chan about my preferences, and before Trainer arrived, she kept peeling apples and feeding them to me. I didn't break my arm—I can do that myself—but she still insisted on helping."
"She's a good kid," Shuta An agreed. "If she weren't a good kid, she wouldn't have been able to join our Sadalsuud team."
"But the problem is precisely that she's a good kid," Tokai Teio sighed. "I heard from McQueen that Trainer Nishizaki, while affirming Ayabe-chan's talent, also has some concerns, right?"
"That's right," Shuta An said, not hiding it. "It's mainly a psychological issue. I've confirmed this with her family, and I have some ideas about the specific situation."
"I don't know what Ayabe-chan has been through, or what her family situation is, but I can feel it—"
Tokai Teio met her Trainer's gaze.
"She seems to be projecting someone else's existence onto me. When she takes care of me, it's like she's taking care of someone important she couldn't have."
When Tokai Teio voiced her feelings, this fact quickly merged with Shuta An's earlier suspicions.
"As expected—" the young man understood.
"It can be concluded that it's because of the sister she never met. However, if Ayabe-chan's specific psychological trauma is—."
Shuta An always felt it wasn't that simple, but given Admire Vega's current state, he could only speculate this far.
After Admire Vega brought back the wonton noodles for Tokai Teio, Shuta An watched her finish lunch, then led Admire Vega out of the ward, preparing to go eat lunch himself.
"It was hard on Ayabe-chan to come to the hospital so early to take care of Teio,"
Shuta An said as he walked ahead. This time, he intended to be decisive.
"There's a Jojoen nearby. My treat. Teio can't eat greasy food right now, so let's both have a good meal for her."
By the end, his tone carried a hint of teasing.
Admire Vega silently followed. She had no objection to her Trainer's suggestion. However, Tokai Teio would surely puff out her cheeks and protest if she heard it.
The two sat across from each other in silence. Admire Vega didn't like to talk, and Shuta An didn't know what topic to bring up.
After thinking for a long time, he finally chose the most ordinary topic and offered it to Admire Vega.
"I didn't expect Ayabe-chan to come take care of Tokai Teio on the very first day."
"There's nothing to do staying at the Academy, and Curren wants to go shopping with me tomorrow, so I came today,"
Admire Vega said, unusually speaking at length.
"What kind of stores do you like to go to when you shop, Ayabe-chan?"
Shuta An's mind stirred, trying to probe her preferences.
"I don't have any particular stores I like to visit," Admire Vega shook her head. "Mostly Curren drags me around If I go to an electronics store, I prefer to look at clothes dryers."
Shuta An, who had initially thought he would learn nothing, looked surprised when he heard that last sentence.
"Clothes dryers?" he raised an eyebrow. "Why do you like looking at those?"
"Because they can make blankets fluffy, and they're very comfortable to hug,"
Admire Vega lowered her head, as if it were embarrassing to say it aloud.
"A dried blanket is indeed very comfortable the first time you use it,"
Shuta An said, even though he didn't quite understand why Admire Vega was so fascinated by that feeling, and still expressed agreement.
"Trainer really understands,"
Admire Vega said, pleased with his reaction.
"It's a pity that high-power appliances aren't allowed in the dorms, so I can't use a dryer there. If there were low-power ones, that would be great. But even if there were low-power ones, I'd still worry a low-power dryer wouldn't meet my needs."
Talking about this, Admire Vega suddenly became much more animated.
But Shuta An knew that what she cared about wasn't the appliance itself.
"It's that fluffy feeling," the young man said, certain he had grasped Admire Vega's preference correctly this time.
"The Christmas gift can be decided then," he murmured to himself.