Chapter 287: As Punishment, You'll Have to Sleep in the Same Bed as Kita
Makoto was slightly surprised, but quickly nodded.
"Very good intuition, Almond Eye."
"That's right, I do have some more comprehensive ideas."
Feeling pleased with the talent his trainee was showing, he paused for a moment before continuing:
"Whether it's training or running side by side, I've noticed that as long as you see someone ahead of you, you'll unconsciously adjust your breathing and stride to match theirs."
"Sure, part of that can be calculated with data, but it's definitely not everything."
"What can't be calculated is that drive deep inside you, the feeling that you have to overtake them."
"At this point, I actually feel…"
He thought for a moment.
"Lucky Lilac isn't quite at your level."
"During today's practice race, when she accelerated on the final straight while focusing on Kita's back, her expression and presence didn't feel as strong as yours."
"Honestly, if you watch the footage carefully, when you're chasing Kita… that expression of yours…"
"It's like you want to swallow your Kita-senpai whole."
As he said that, he couldn't help but joke a little.
"I don't do that! Trainer, you're exaggerating!"
The voice on the other end protested, yet couldn't hide her excitement.
"I just… I just feel like I definitely can catch up!"
"Even if I can't catch up on this straight or this corner—then on the next straight, the next corner…"
"I will catch up!"
"No matter if it's Kita-senpai or anyone else—I will catch up!"
Makoto smiled. With his pen, he drew a blazing sun next to the words "competitive spirit" in his notebook, and said in a steady tone:
"That's the key."
"Like I said earlier, you all prefer running together—like a flock of geese, moving forward by borrowing each other's strength."
"But when flying together, someone has to be the brave one who can endure loneliness and fly at the very front, finding the rhythm of the wind alone."
"Kitasan Black is that kind of runner."
"And you, Almond Eye… are a natural challenger."
"You might not be the one who finds the wind on your own and leads the whole group from the front, but when the one ahead starts to lose strength, you can take over the lead by following the direction they've given you."
"Your competitiveness isn't a flaw, it's the key to winning from behind."
"As long as you learn to control that urge to 'overtake right now' during the early and middle stages, and save your strength for the final stretch…"
He suddenly stopped and changed the subject.
"That's getting a bit too detailed, I'll explain it carefully during training starting tomorrow."
"In any case, the biggest takeaway from this visit to the Gold Family is what I learned from Imanami-senpai: each Umamusume's running style is tailor-made."
"It's not just simple, rigid calculations of data and experience."
At this point, Almond Eye suddenly cut in:
"So, Trainer, do you have any special training prepared for me tomorrow? I'm totally ready!"
"Of course."
Makoto nodded instinctively. Then, a thought crossed his mind, and his tone took on a teasing edge:
"Your biggest problem, or rather challenge right now, is controlling your competitive spirit before the final stretch."
"That's going to be your task from now on—for quite a while."
"If you can't do it well…"
He deliberately paused, a slight smile forming on his lips.
"As punishment, you'll have to go sleep in the same bed as your Kita-senpai—the one surrounded by red lanterns."
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
A moment later—
"N-no way, Trainer!"
Almond Eye's voice sounded like a wail.
"Kita-senpai's red lanterns… I seriously don't understand what's going on with those, okay?!"
"Can anyone even fall asleep in that kind of environment?! Even with your eyes closed, it feels like everything's glowing red!"
"And even if I wear an eye mask, sleeping with one is super uncomfortable…"
After a round of dramatic complaining and pleading, her tone suddenly shifted—full of determination, with a hint of all-or-nothing resolve.
"But since you said that, Trainer… I'll definitely control my pacing!"
"I absolutely refuse to sleep in a bed surrounded by those red lanterns!"
Hearing Almond Eye's string of words—half on the verge of tears yet full of determination—Makoto couldn't help but recall a scene from New Year's shrine visit.
Back then, Kitasan Black had invited Almond Eye to sleep together in the living room. That night, they had probably gotten too excited playing games and slept too deeply, so Almond Eye didn't really react to anything.
But a day or two later, while Kitasan Black was cooking, Almond Eye had come to him with a pitiful, aggrieved expression and complained in a hushed voice:
"Trainer, those red lanterns of Kita-senpai are just too scary!"
"All night long I felt surrounded by red—I kept tossing and turning and couldn't fall asleep at all…"
"And when I finally managed to doze off for a bit, I kept dreaming of red lanterns swaying everywhere…"
"What should I do, Trainer? Could you talk to Kita-senpai and ask her to take them down…?"
The image of Almond Eye frowning, looking so pitiful, still felt vivid in his mind.
As he recalled it, the curve of Makoto's lips lifted more and more, silent laughter spreading through his eyes.
He gave a light cough, trying to keep his voice from sounding too amused, and reassured her:
"Alright, alright. As long as you can control yourself during training and races, you won't have to suffer that 'punishment.'"
"Though your Kita-senpai really likes those red lanterns—she says they make everything feel festive."
"But… isn't that a bit too much?"
Almond Eye muttered softly:
"And Trainer, you say it's festive… why don't you try sleeping on that bed for one night?"
There's no way I'd sleep on that kind of bed. Forget the lanterns, I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. And besides, isn't that Kita's bed…?
Makoto instinctively wanted to retort, but suddenly froze, feeling a bit awkward.
So… what Almond Eye just said—she didn't mean anything by it, right…?
On the other end of the phone, Almond Eye had already returned to her usual energetic self.
"But it's fine! In order to avoid sleeping in the same bed as Kita-senpai, I'll definitely work hard!"
"Trainer, what exactly should I do tomorrow?"
Realizing that her earlier remark had indeed been unintentional, Makoto quickly gathered his thoughts, sat up straight, and replied seriously:
"When training starts tomorrow, I'll give you a detailed plan—but I can explain the general idea now."
"The approach is actually quite simple."
"In the early stage, focus on adjusting your breathing and stride. Don't let the opponents ahead of you easily disrupt your rhythm, keep your attention on your own physical state."
"In the middle stage, even if you see others taking the lead, don't rush to sprint. Stick to your planned pace."
"Then, when you enter the final stretch, unleash that unwillingness to lose and sprint with everything you've got."
"Remember, controlling your competitive spirit doesn't mean not chasing. It means choosing the right moment to do so."
"Mm-hmm, I got it!"
Almond Eye nodded vigorously, her determined voice coming through the phone:
"Trainer, just watch me—I won't let you down!"