…Why…
Why is this happening…
Why is this happening!
Dad and Mom were looking forward to me running on the track, everyone else gets to happily run on the track, I worked so hard—so why… why is this happening!
I finally… finally found Mr. Kitahara, who was willing to take me in, willing to accept a horse girl no other trainer wanted—and why is this happening!
I… I clearly… huh?
Her eyes, suddenly hot with tears, blinked open as she felt a sudden warmth on top of her head. Reflexively, she opened her eyes wide and lifted her head.
Kitahara wasn't looking at her. Instead, he gently stroked her smooth, chestnut hair while turning his gaze toward Miyamura, speaking in a low, steady tone.
"Since you, Kyoko, said there's nothing seriously wrong with Super Creek, does that mean she only might have fragile legs, not that it's certain?"
Miyamura Kyoko didn't notice Super Creek's emotional state at all. She quickly nodded in a rush.
"Yes, yes! That's exactly what I meant. As expected of a trainer the professor values—I was just worried Mr. Kitahara might not be able to handle this kind of news…" She let out a long sigh of relief.
Kitahara gave a small smile and finally looked at Super Creek. His eyes were gentle, his tone soft, though his words were still aimed at Miyamura Kyoko.
"Then you should have explained it to Super Creek first."
"You probably just told her she might have fragile legs, then rushed here to find me, didn't you? Honestly, you should've explained it to the patient first… Look how scared the kid is."
Only then did Miyamura Kyoko realize Super Creek's tearful, on-the-verge-of-crying expression. Flustered, she hurriedly apologized.
"I'm so sorry! Super Creek! I'm sorry! I—I got too impatient and forgot to explain to you first… Ugh, I didn't mean to…"
Kitahara chuckled again, waving a hand to signal Miyamura not to blame herself too much.
"Alright, just be more careful next time. You're going to be helping Uma Musume with treatment, right? Then you need to understand this: they're all sensitive and pure-hearted. You don't need to hide things from them. Just explain clearly, or else they'll end up worrying for no reason."
After offering advice based on his experience raising Oguri Cap and Belno Light, he didn't dwell on the topic further and brought the conversation back to business.
"What you described—I have some guesses."
"Huh? Mr. Kitahara knows?"
Miyamura Kyoko was surprised. "Wait… did you already have Super Creek examined earlier? That can't be. The professor said you only came in today, and I haven't even given you the test results yet…"
Super Creek was surprised too. She had only learned about her condition from Miyamura's words. She hadn't expected Kitahara to act as though he'd already anticipated it.
"I said it was only a guess."
Kitahara began to explain: "Generally speaking, when the body is injured, nutrients from surrounding muscles, bones, and blood vessels are prioritized and directed to the injured area to accelerate healing. This is basic physiology for all living creatures."
"So, Super Creeks foot inflammation has lasted for a week or two. It's easy to imagine that the injury site has been consuming a lot of nutrients. Correspondingly, other areas will become weaker."
He then remembered something. "Also, I recall Super Creek previously had a long period of digestive issues, meaning her nutrient intake was already low. That too would affect her recovery and the condition of her legs."
"In that situation, if the missing nutrients aren't replenished in time, and instead she's pushed into intense activities—like training—her legs would become even more fragile."
"For now, don't schedule any training for Super Creek. Focus on replenishing nutrients and strengthening her body. That's really what you meant, right, Kyoko?"
The response came not from Miyamura, but from Super Creek.
"…Was I eating too little? But I feel like, even when I had diarrhea, I wasn't eating that little…"
She puzzledly touched her stomach.
Only then did Miyamura exclaim in admiration.
"Yes! What Mr. Kitahara said—that's exactly what I meant!"
She had already been impressed by Kitahara's medical knowledge. While she knew many trainers had decent medical understanding, she had never seen it in someone as young as Kitahara.
In her memory, it seemed only the professor's friends—like Mr. Musaka, Mr. Nisei, or Ms. Yuzuhara—knew this much medical detail. Among younger trainers, there weren't many who did…
Ah, right—Mr. Kitahara is Mr. Musaka's nephew, so it makes sense he'd know this much…
Amazing—both uncle and nephew are such outstanding trainers. Looks like I'll have to work harder too, so I don't bring shame to the professor!
Quietly giving herself a pep talk, Miyamura straightened up and began seriously discussing Super Creek's follow-up plan.
"Since Mr. Kitahara understands, this makes things much easier."
"For Super Creek's upcoming plan, at first she'll need to continue hot spring therapy and massages here. In addition to that, there's one very important thing that requires her—and Mr. Kitahara—to cooperate closely."
Kitahara grew curious. "What is it? I'll definitely do my best." Super Creek didn't speak, but she nodded firmly.
"Eating!"
Miyamura Kyoko raised a finger. "Eating!"
"I'll put together a specific meal plan for Mr. Kitahara. You'll need to supervise Super Creek—make sure she eats fully and enough, never skipping or under-eating. That's alright, isn't it?"
Kitahara burst out laughing.
"Haha—if it were anything else, I might not dare promise, but raising a big eater? I've got plenty of experience. I've already got a huge eater at home."
"I'll keep a close eye on Super Creek."
Both Miyamura and Super Creek froze for a second. Super Creek still didn't know about Oguri Cap's appetite, but Miyamura suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, oh—Mr. Kitahara is talking about Oguri Cap, right? The professor told me about her."
She kept her professional tone. "In fact, when the professor examined Oguri Cap before, he discovered something unique about her."
"Her digestive system contains digestive enzymes rarely found in other Uma Musume. That's an important discovery!"
"Because Uma Musume may look just like us, but there are actually many differences in detail. For example, digestive aids designed for humans don't necessarily work for horse girls."
"But the professor said, with Oguri Cap, he can directly reference those digestive enzymes, analyze their protein structures, and develop digestive aids suitable for horse girls."
"For example—'Oguri Cap'-brand Stomach-Soothing Digestive Tablets."
"Yes, that's exactly what the professor said. He plans to contact some colleagues, friends, and students to develop and produce this brand of digestive tablets, doing something good for all horse girls."
"Of course, the brand ambassador would be Oguri Cap. But if Mr. Kitahara wanted to appear in the ads too, that would be fine."
"Once these digestive tablets are produced, the professor will let Mr. Kitahara try them first. That way, Super Creek's nutritional issues can be even better resolved!"
(End of this chapter)