Chapter 13: It Hurts A Little, Bear With It
At the same time, on the other side of the training ground.
"Komiyama," Tamamo Cross asked after finishing a set of high-knee drills, unable to hold back any longer, "when will I finally undergo blooming?"
Katsumi stopped the stopwatch: "What's the rush? Look at Bakushin O—even though she's undergone blooming, she's still doing basic training now."
"But..."
"No buts." Katsumi crouched down, meeting her eyes at eye level, "Little Tamamo, do you know what I admire most about you?"
Tamamo Cross tilted her head: "That I'm fast?"
"It's your pure dedication to always giving your all." Katsumi smiled, "But an Uma Musume's career isn't a sprint—it's a marathon. Laying a solid foundation now will allow you to run more steadily and farther in the future. Trust me, when you undergo blooming, you'll surprise everyone."
Tamamo Cross blinked, then finally let out a firm "Mm-hmm."
"That's more like it." Katsumi stood up, "One more set of variable pace running. After today's training, I'll take you to eat your favorite okonomiyaki."
"Really?!"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
Tamamo Cross immediately perked up, her horse ears standing alertly and her tail wagging cheerfully.
Two hours later, the evening glow bathed the training ground.
Kisei and Sakura Bakushin O, having finished their training, walked side by side toward the activity room, their shadows stretching long behind them.
"Trainer-san," Sakura Bakushin O suddenly said softly, "thank you."
"For what?"
"Everything." She stopped walking, turning to look at him, her cherry-pink hair swaying gently in the evening breeze, "Thank you for choosing me, for considering my needs so seriously. And... thank you for believing I can go further."
Kisei paused briefly, then smiled gently: "Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? After all... I am your 'Polaris.'"
He reached out and ruffled her hair for the first time.
Sakura Bakushin O curled her lips slightly, turned around with her hands behind her back, and walked ahead of him with light steps.
Back in the activity room, Kisei pointed to the corner where a folding massage table covered with a pure white towel stood.
"Go lie down over there, face down."
"Eh...?" Sakura Bakushin O froze, her eyes widening slightly, a suspicious blush spreading across her cheeks. No way...! Is my Trainer really that kind of...
"What are you spacing out for?" Kisei was already walking toward the storage locker, "Your ligaments need deep relaxation. Seated massage isn't effective enough. Go take off your shoes and lie down."
His tone was natural as he took a medical kit from the storage locker and placed it on the table, "This is a pre-mixed compound massage oil in proportional blend. The base is grapeseed oil, with small amounts of arnica-infused oil and lavender essential oil added—mainly to relax your muscles and promote blood circulation."
Only then did Sakura Bakushin O understand, her ear tips growing warm as she quickly lowered her head and murmured, "Understood."
She obediently walked to the massage table and sat down, but when her hands touched her shoelaces, her movements suddenly froze.
Kisei put on disposable massage gloves and turned to see her completely still, face flushed bright red, fingertips trembling slightly, her expression full of embarrassment.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I... I..." Sakura Bakushin O stammered for a long time, and when she looked up, her eyes were glistening with moisture, "Can I go wash my feet first?"
The voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.
The thought of the trainer massaging her feet, right after training when they were surely drenched in sweat, her socks soaked, and maybe even steaming when she took off her shoes...
It was too unsightly, absolutely not how a lady should be!
Kisei was taken aback for a moment, then understanding dawned, a gentle smile flickering in his eyes.
"No need. In fact, this is even better."
"Huh?"
Sakura Bakushin O's expression turned strange, her mind flashing to some odd things her classmates had mentioned.
"Are you thinking something very rude?" Kisei narrowed his eyes.
"N-no, of course not! I just think... well, it's not very proper." Sakura Bakushin O hurriedly explained, like a child caught misbehaving. "Trainer, let's get started."
As if to hide her thoughts, Sakura Bakushin O quickly lowered her head, swiftly removing her shoes and socks, revealing her fair, delicate feet that were still faintly steaming.
"Lie face down." Kisei pointed to the face hole at the front of the massage table for when one lies prone.
Sakura Bakushin O moved nimbly, lying down and burying her face in the hole, closing her eyes. Her whole body was a bit tense, and upon closer look, she was trembling slightly.
Kisei stepped forward, gently rolling up the legs of her training pants above her knees, revealing her well-proportioned calves. He rubbed the pre-warmed massage cream evenly in his palms.
His warm hands precisely covered the muscles on the back of her calves.
A slight soreness and a strange comfort washed over her simultaneously. Sakura Bakushin O couldn't help but let out a muffled groan, her toes curling instinctively.
Pat!
Kisei lightly tapped her calf. "Relax, don't resist. The more tense you are, the tighter your muscles get."
"Mhm."
"It might hurt a bit at first. Bear with it."
Kisei began his technique. Just as he said, it was a bit sore and tight at first, but gradually, under his professional and rhythmic movements, the initial ache began to transform into a warm sense of relaxation. Her tense body softened bit by bit, and her breathing became long and steady.
So comfortable... I feel like sleeping, like I'm going to melt...
"Don't fall asleep, or you won't sleep tonight," Kisei said, adding a bit more pressure.
"Wah—!" Sakura Bakushin O shuddered all over, turning her head groggily, tears of reflex glistening at the corners of her eyes. "Trainer! You're so mean!"
Her tone was half complaint, half coquettish, the initial stiffness completely gone.
An hour later, the massage ended.
Sakura Bakushin O felt as light as if she could float, every muscle relaxed and stretched. Kisei carefully cleaned and disinfected the used tools, putting them back in place, an inexplicable satisfaction on his face as well.
"Go back, take a warm shower, and rest well tonight," he instructed. "Remember, absolutely no extra training on your own."
A faint blush still lingered on Sakura Bakushin O's face. She nodded obediently as she put on her shoes and socks.
"And also, I'm taking you to the hospital this weekend."
"The hospital?" She paused.
"Yes, for a comprehensive sports medicine examination." Kisei turned around, his expression serious. "I need precise data on your progress toward reaching prime condition, bone density, muscle distribution, and detailed cardiopulmonary function. These will directly determine the timing and tactical planning for your debut race."
Debut Race!
Upon hearing these three words, Sakura Bakushin O's eyes instantly lit up. Her instinctive resistance toward hospitals was immediately cast beyond the highest clouds.
"I'll get ready! Or..." Her eyes sparkled as her voice turned cheerful, "Shall we go tomorrow? I can take time off!"
Kisei shook his head with a soft laugh: "No need to rush, this weekend will be perfect."
Watching her instantly radiant face, he added: "Relax, it's not a medical examination—it's about creating a personalized body map just for you. With it, we can train more intelligently and run more safely."
Sakura Bakushin O hugged her small backpack and nodded firmly: "Mm!"