After Yasui Makoto's prompt, Kitasan Black lay on the crash pad for a while, staring blankly at the sky before finally scrambling to her feet. She rubbed her wrist guards and looked at him curiously.
"…What's wrong?"
Yasui Makoto instinctively asked, tension creeping into his voice. "Are you hurt? Let me see…"
Before she could react, he leaned over, took her wrist, and unfastened the Velcro on her wrist guard.
In the morning light, her wrist was flushed from training, with faint pink marks from the strap already fading. He checked carefully for any abrasions or bruises, running his fingers over her palm and the base of her hand—the areas that usually took the impact in a fall. Her skin was warm and damp with sweat, but there were no injuries. The calluses from her strength training felt solid, just as he expected from her rigorous routine.
"No abrasions or bruises. Muscle tension and bone alignment seem normal too…"
Still holding her wrist and palm, Yasui Makoto glanced at the crash pad with a puzzled frown, muttering, "Could it be somewhere else? But that doesn't make sense…"
"I-I'm fine, Trainer…"
Kitasan Black finally pulled her hand back, unconsciously rubbing the spot he had examined.
"I just… suddenly realized you actually make jokes now…"
"Jokes?" Yasui Makoto was taken aback.
"How should I put it…"
She tapped her chin, thinking back.
"Before, you'd either comfort me or explain the training. It felt like you'd never say something like 'not enough practice.'"
Yasui Makoto reflected on it himself. She was right—he'd made casual jokes to lighten the mood before, but never with her like this.
"But I already told Dia-chan that Trainer has changed a bit recently, and it's actually pretty nice."
Kitasan Black continued with a warm smile.
"It's not that the old way was bad, but sometimes you were a bit too serious, and it made me feel pressured now and then.
Now, though…"
Her expression softened into a sweet smile.
"It's probably just like Crown-chan said—Trainer isn't that old to begin with. Having things you like, making jokes like that… That's how someone your age should be.
But since you said so… Alright!"
Her face lit up with renewed energy, and she pumped her fist enthusiastically.
"Not enough practice? Then let's keep practicing!
I'm starting, Trainer!"
…
===
During the special training breaks over the next few days, Yasui Makoto found himself thinking about what Kitasan Black had said—about how he'd "changed."
Looking back, it was true. At first, his focus had been solely on guiding her with all the knowledge and experience he could offer. But after months of living and training together, their relationship had shifted. He'd grown used to her obedience, thoughtfulness, and hard work, and gradually started paying more attention to her daily life and feelings.
The biggest shift had come recently. Thanks to their shared interest in Extreme Stunts, along with travel and movies, he'd started seeing her more as a fellow enthusiast and peer. Their interactions felt more relaxed and natural, like how he used to train with colleagues back in the day.
Or, as Satono Crown had pointed out, he was simply starting to act his age—showing emotions and behaviors that fit someone his age.
This new way of interacting was clearly better. He didn't know exactly what Kitasan Black thought about it, but he could sense her emotions more clearly now and sometimes even anticipate her thoughts. It made training smoother and their daily life together more comfortable.
With that realization, he felt even more optimistic about the days ahead and more confident in the upcoming training and races.
After training that day, Yasui Makoto finished his usual review of their progress and was about to head to the academy cafeteria for dinner with Kitasan Black when his phone buzzed with a message from Special Week.
As he opened it, Kitasan Black—who was putting away the equipment as usual—asked casually, "Another meeting, Trainer?"
"No, it's a message from Special Week… Hmm?"
After reading it, Yasui Makoto looked surprised and glanced toward the academy cafeteria.
"Special Week…"
Kitasan Black suddenly grew nervous.
"Could it be that something came up and she can't participate in the Training Race? That would be such a shame…"
The participants for the upcoming weekend's Training Race had already been decided. The Uma Musume assisting would be the same as last time: Orfevre and Deep Impact—the two Triple Crown winners—along with Vodka and Special Week.
Yasui Makoto had planned it that way on purpose. Vodka's win in the Japanese Derby offered unique insights, and he wanted Kitasan Black to have the chance to run the 2400-meter distance with her if possible.
As for Special Week, besides her racing experience, she was also preparing for the Summer Dream Cup. Since arriving in Tokyo, she'd been doing rehabilitation training for the race still several months away. Her self-training was already solid, and Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka had originally helped her. Now that her good friend Silence Suzuka had also come to Tokyo, her training had only gotten better.
But the message wasn't bad news at all.
"Why so pessimistic?"
Yasui Makoto put his phone away and shook his head, smiling at Kitasan Black.
"Don't worry, it's good news. A friend of Special Week just arrived in Tokyo, and she's also been invited to the Summer Dream Cup. When she heard you were preparing for the Japanese Derby, she said she'd be happy to help you out."
"Eh? Really?"
Kitasan Black's surprise quickly turned to excitement.
"If she's participating in the Dream Cup too, she must be an amazing senpai. I'll have to thank Special Week properly later—she must've invited her for my sake.
By the way, Trainer, who is this senpai? Did Special Week say?"
"Yes, she even sent over her past race records and profile, like she was worried I'd say no."
He pointed to the phone in his pocket with a playful glint in his eyes.
"As for who it is… Grass Wonder.
You know her, right, Kita-chan?"