After a moment of surprise, Yasui Makoto quickly nodded. "That's very good intuition, Almond Eye.
"That's right. I do have a more comprehensive idea."
Pleased by the talent his Umamusume had shown, he thought for a moment before continuing.
"Whether in training or paired runs, I've noticed that whenever you see someone ahead of you, you unconsciously adjust your breathing and stride cadence to match theirs."
"Of course, part of that can be calculated through data, but not all of it."
"What can't be calculated is that drive in your bones—that feeling that you have to overtake them."
"On that point, I actually feel…"
He thought for a moment.
"Lucky Lilac isn't as strong as you."
"When she was accelerating while staring at Kita-chan's back on the final straight in today's mock race, her eyes and presence didn't feel as full as yours."
"Honestly, if you watch the footage closely, you'll see that when you're running behind Kita-chan, the look on your face…"
"It's like you can't wait to swallow Kita-senpai whole."
As he spoke, he could not help making a joke.
"I do not! Trainer, you're exaggerating way too much!"
The voice protesting from the other end of the phone was filled with unmistakable delight.
"I just… I just feel like I can definitely catch up!"
"Even if I can't catch up on this straight or this turn, then on the next straight, or the next turn…"
"I'll definitely catch up!"
"Whether it's Kita-senpai or anyone else, I'll catch up for sure!"
Yasui Makoto smiled. Taking his pen, he drew a blazing sun beside the words "competitive spirit" in his notebook and said in a low voice, "That's the key."
"Like I said earlier, all of you prefer running together, like a flock of geese flying forward by borrowing strength from one another."
"But when flying forward together, someone always has to be brave enough to endure solitude and fly at the very front, someone who can find the rhythm of the wind alone."
"Kita-chan is the latter."
"And you, Almond Eye, are a natural challenger."
"You may not have the ability to find the wind on your own and lead the entire group, but when the companions ahead of you gradually begin to lose strength, you can use the direction they've given you and take over the lead."
"Your competitive spirit isn't a flaw. It's the key to winning with a late strike."
"As long as you learn to control that urge to 'overtake them right now' during the early and middle stages, and save your strength for the closing stage…"
He suddenly stopped and changed the subject.
"This is getting a little detailed. Once training starts tomorrow, I'll explain it to you carefully."
"In any case, the greatest thing I gained from this visit to the Gold family was what I learned from Imanami-senpai. I understand more clearly now that every Umamusume's running style is tailor-made."
"It isn't just simple, dry calculation from data or inference from experience."
Hearing that, Almond Eye suddenly cut in.
"So, Trainer, did you prepare special training for me tomorrow? I'm completely ready!"
"Of course I did."
Yasui Makoto nodded instinctively. Then something stirred in his mind, and a teasing note entered his voice.
"But I think I just said it, didn't I? Your biggest problem—or challenge—right now is controlling your competitive spirit before the closing stage."
"That's actually the task you'll need to complete next, and for quite a long time after this."
"If you can't do it, or don't do it well…"
He deliberately paused, the corners of his mouth lifting without him realizing it.
"Then your punishment will be sleeping in the same bed as Kita-senpai. The one with red lanterns hanging all around it."
The other end of the phone went silent.
After a short while—
"N-nooo, Trainer!"
Almond Eye, usually so full of energy, wailed as if begging for mercy.
"Kita-senpai's red lanterns… I still don't understand what's going on with them at all, okay?!"
"Can anyone really sleep in that kind of environment?! Even with your eyes closed, everything still looks bright red, okay?!"
"And even if you wear an eye mask so you can't see them, sleeping with an eye mask on is way too uncomfortable…"
After wailing and pleading for a while, the voice on the other end suddenly filled with confidence again, carrying a different kind of do-or-die resolve.
"But if that's what you're saying, Trainer… then I'll definitely control my rhythm properly!"
"I absolutely refuse to sleep in some bed surrounded by red lanterns!"
Listening to Almond Eye's long string of tearful yet determined words, the scene from the day of their New Year's temple visit instantly surfaced in Yasui Makoto's mind.
At the time, Kitasan Black had invited Almond Eye to sleep with her in the living room. That night, perhaps because they had gotten too excited playing games together and slept too deeply, Almond Eye had not reacted much.
But a day or two later, while Kitasan Black was cooking, Almond Eye had run over to him with a mournful face and secretly complained.
"Trainer, Kita-senpai's red lanterns are way too scary!"
"I felt like I was surrounded by red all night. I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep at all…"
"And when I finally managed to doze off for a little while, even my dreams were full of red lanterns swaying around…"
"What should I do, Trainer? Can you talk to Kita-senpai and get her to put those lanterns away…?"
Almond Eye's pitiful look, her brows drawn together, seemed to appear right before his eyes again.
Remembering it, the curve of Yasui Makoto's lips grew even more obvious, silent laughter spreading through his eyes.
He coughed softly, trying to make his voice sound less amused as he comforted her.
"All right, all right. As long as you can control yourself properly in training and races, you won't have to suffer that 'torture.'"
"But Kita-senpai does rather like those red lanterns. She says they look festive."
"But… that's still way too much."
Almond Eye muttered quietly.
"And besides, Trainer, since you're talking about how festive they are… why don't you try sleeping in that bed for one night?"
Of course I'm not going to sleep in that bed. Red lanterns aside, I wouldn't be able to sleep there anyway. Isn't that Kita-chan's bed?
He instinctively wanted to retort, but Yasui Makoto suddenly froze and could not help feeling 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 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 Almond Eye really had spoken without thinking, Yasui Makoto quickly gathered his thoughts, sat up straight, and said seriously,
"When training starts tomorrow, I'll make a detailed plan for you. But I can tell you the general idea first."
"The approach itself is simple."
"In the early stage, focus on adjusting your breathing and stride cadence. Don't let the opponents ahead easily affect your rhythm. Put your attention on your own physical condition."
"Once you reach the middle stage, even if you see your opponent leading, don't rush to sprint. Advance according to the pace we set."
"When you enter the closing stage, then use that unwilling-to-lose spirit of yours to sprint with everything you have."
"Remember, controlling your competitive spirit doesn't mean not chasing. It means choosing the right moment."
"Mm, mm. I'll remember!"
Almond Eye nodded hard, her determined voice coming through the phone.
"Trainer, just watch how I do. I definitely won't disappoint you!"
---
T/N: hello i am back from japan, and i am sick heres some chapters i remembered you guys exist
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