Running another training race right away was obviously impossible.
Although the intensity of a training race was somewhat lower than a formal one due to differences in venue, track, and instructions, it still had its toll.
What came next, of course, was rest and recovery.
Not only Kitasan Black but the other Uma Musume who had come to help also needed to go through this recovery phase.
A training race was considered high-intensity training, so there was an established system for post-race relaxation.
First was immediate cooldown—five to ten minutes of slow walking, jogging, or cycling, followed by dynamic stretching like lunging twists or leg swings. This helped accelerate lactic acid metabolism, improved circulation, reduced muscle stiffness, and flushed metabolic waste.
About an hour after training was the "golden recovery period," involving static stretches, contrast baths alternating hot and cold, foam rollers, and massage guns.
Then came deeper recovery, focusing on replenishing carbohydrates, protein, and electrolytes in sufficient amounts.
The academy gym had facilities for all of this. Since the training race had occupied the field for a while, Yasui Makoto brought Kitasan Black and the others over to the gym after quickly greeting Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen.
...
A short while later…
"Owowowow! Why does this thing…hurt so much?!"
"Hmph… Heh-heh… It's not even… painful, Scarlet… You're just weak…"
"You… Why don't you grab a mirror… and look at your own expression? Is that…really the face of someone who isn't in pain?!"
"Mind your own business! This is just…my normal face!"
Listening to Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka's exchange, Yasui felt both amused and unsurprised.
After a few months around them, he'd long realized these two Uma Musume really would turn anything, big or small, into a competition.
So competing to see who could endure the pain from the foam rollers and massage guns the longest was probably inevitable.
These recovery tools could effectively relieve muscle tension, promote local circulation, and greatly accelerate recovery after intense exercise.
But of course, the downside was that using them hurt—a lot.
What genuinely surprised him was that Special Week had no idea how to use these devices.
After briefly questioning her, Yasui realized these tools hadn't been available during her racing career—or perhaps simply didn't exist during her generation.
With a fresh appreciation for how far Japan's Uma Musume scene had evolved, Yasui began instructing Special Week on using the massage gun, while keeping an eye on the others.
"Start with the gluteus medius," he said, gesturing to the right spot. "Set the speed at level one first. You need to get used to it—this thing really does hurt quite a bit."
"Like this?"
Special Week cautiously positioned the massage gun on the outer side of her hip and turned it on, immediately shuddering slightly.
"Ugh… It feels so weird and… a bit painful."
"Yes, exactly," Yasui nodded. "Levels one to two wake up your muscles, three to four are best for relaxation, and five to seven help break down lactic acid. Go slowly—move up levels gradually once you get used to the sensation. Don't rush."
"Got it, thank you, Yasui-san." Special Week nodded and carefully began operating the massage gun herself.
Once he confirmed Special Week had grasped the basics, Yasui guided her to target muscles near her Achilles tendon, then glanced around at the others.
Seeing no obvious problems, he picked up the tablet displaying their recovery data and walked over to Kitasan Black.
He'd made extensive preparations for the training race—including post-race recovery. All the Uma Musume were wearing tracking bracelets that wirelessly transmitted data to his tablet.
According to the data, Special Week and the others were absolutely worthy of their legendary reputations.
The competitive strength of an Uma Musume wasn't only in racing itself, but also in their recovery afterward.
With ample experience—even Special Week, despite her unfamiliarity with massage guns—her recovery status was excellent, relying purely on past training methods. The others were naturally even better off.
For instance, Special Week's Achilles tendon elasticity coefficient had risen steadily after using the massage gun. Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka's heart-rate variability was returning toward baseline, and Gold Ship's muscle tension index was dropping smoothly.
By comparison, Kitasan Black's recovery was clearly slower.
Yasui came over specifically to guide her through the process.
Noticing his approach, Kitasan's small face tightened nervously, her lips trembling slightly as she held the massage gun, greeting him softly:
"T-Trainer-san…"
"Good, switch to the hamstrings now," Yasui instructed, eyes flicking over the data on his tablet.
"H-hamstrings…?" Kitasan repeated blankly.
"The muscle group behind your thighs." Yasui half-turned, lightly tapping the corresponding area. "That's where most of your strength came from during the race. One to two minutes at a time is enough, pausing on tender points for ten to fifteen seconds."
"O-okay…"
Her voice trembled a little as she attempted to position the massage gun. "Is it… here?"
Immediately spotting her error, Yasui frowned slightly, shaking his head firmly. "Not there."
He put down the tablet, stepped closer, and reached out his hand in request.
Kitasan blinked, quickly realizing he wanted the massage gun, and handed it over without a second thought.
A second later, she felt a firm hand pressing gently yet firmly against her thigh, followed by the solid, rounded head of the massage gun against the correct spot.
"T-Trainer-san…a-ahhh—!"
She cried out instinctively, interrupted midway by an intense wave of numbness and pain radiating from her thigh, inadvertently letting out a soft moan.
"How many times have I told you—don't make such weird sounds…"
Shaking his head helplessly, Yasui kept one hand stabilizing her thigh, the other holding the massage gun firmly in place, his brow slightly furrowed as he rambled gently:
"And I've also told you countless times, you have to use this properly, or you could injure yourself. Especially around the popliteal fossa—there's a cluster of superficial veins there. That's exactly where you were aiming just now."
"With this vibration frequency, pressing that area incorrectly could compress nerves or blood vessels, even cause fainting."
"Seriously, if you aren't sure, you should always ask me first…"
While Yasui lectured gently, focusing intently on carefully treating Kitasan Black, he didn't notice his Uma Musume staring at him, her cheeks flushed bright red.
Nearby, the other Uma Musume watched with varying levels of amusement and curiosity.
Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, and Gold Ship exchanged strange looks but ultimately seemed unsurprised—Gold Ship especially looked on with mischievous interest, as if thoroughly enjoying the scene unfolding before her.
Special Week's expression was more complex—a blend of awkwardness, curiosity, and subtle embarrassment.