Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 270 I will definitely go back on time
Hearing his mother's words, Yasui Makoto felt a little embarrassed and couldn't help but touch his nose, a hint of unease flashing in his eyes.

Since the beginning of this year, he has not been back to his hometown. He did lie to his family before, naturally because he didn't want them to find out he was injured and worry too much.

But unexpectedly, my father, who always had a stern face and said that he was no good, was so thoughtful that he could find out that I was injured just by watching TV, and then he asked my mother to come and visit me.

Thinking about all this, he felt no complaints, but rather a sense of relief and comfort at the sight of such family affection.

A gentle smile appeared on his lips as he spoke softly:
"Although my dad doesn't talk much usually and always finds fault with me, he still cares about me a lot when it matters."

"Yes, your dad is just being stubborn, but he really cares about you."

Meiling looked at her son with tenderness in her eyes: "When he saw you were injured this time, he was so worried and kept urging me to come and see you as soon as possible."

Yasui Makoto smiled but didn't say anything, though he was making plans in his mind.

We're still on holiday, the academy hasn't started yet, and the Northern Black Horse race won't be until after we return from overseas. Xingmu will also have to wait a while before he can take the assessment.

Now that I have some free time and the fact that my injury has been discovered, I might be able to go back to my hometown in a couple of days.

As if she could read her son's mind, Meiling blinked and then gave a strange smile.

She glanced at Beifang Xuanju, who was still busy taking photos and signing autographs for Xingmu, then leaned closer to her son, cupped her hand to her mouth, and whispered:

"So, are you coming back with me alone, or are you bringing Xiao Bei with you?"

Without thinking too much, Yasui Makoto subconsciously said, "Of course it's me. Why would I bring Kobe along..."

After he finished speaking, he paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked at his mother. Seeing the subtle teasing and mockery in her eyes, he paused again, instantly understanding the deeper meaning behind her words.

He scratched his head, looking somewhat helpless and troubled, and said:
"...Don't overthink it. Xiao Bei and I are just a trainer and a racehorse girl. Your previous joke about living together was already pretty much enough, so please don't..."

Meiling couldn't help but chuckle softly as she looked at her son's embarrassed expression.
"Okay, okay, a normal relationship is fine."

"I just think Xiao Bei is such a good kid, so well-behaved and sensible, and he takes such good care of you..."

"Is not it?"

As she spoke, she glanced again toward the direction of the northern Black Horse, her eyes full of admiration.

Yasui sighed helplessly, no longer responding to his mother's words, and his gaze unconsciously turned to the distant Northern Black Horse.

At this moment, Beibu Genko was patiently signing an autograph for a young fan. Her face was filled with a gentle smile, and the sunlight shone on her, outlining her beautiful features.

After signing his name, he looked up and met Yasui Makoto's gaze. Hokuto Genkoto was slightly taken aback, then gave Yasui Makoto a bright smile and waved.

Yasui's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. He instinctively tried to look away, but couldn't help but laugh and raised his hand in response to Hokuto Genko.

Taking in all of this, Meiling gently shook her head, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, and muttered in a low voice:
"Just a normal relationship, huh? Looks like... there's more to come..."

……

After visiting the shrine for the New Year, Misuzu Kiki didn't stay long. Two days later, she returned to her hometown, and Makoto Yasui went back home with her.

As soon as I entered my familiar home, I was unsurprisingly given a lecture by my father.

With that serious tone and concerned look, Yasui Makoto could only promise repeatedly, "I will be careful in the future, and I will never get hurt like this again, and I will never let Saima Niko get hurt," before his father's expression finally softened a little.

During the few days he spent in his hometown, Yasui Makoto would unconsciously think of Genkoma and Apricot in northern Tokyo from time to time.

She thought more about Northern Black Horse, and the number of times and duration of her phone calls with the racehorse girl who signed the contract with her, the number one, were significantly more than those with Almond.

Each time the call connected, I heard the girl's familiar voice on the other end, telling me about her new progress in the game that day. Perhaps she had found a very interesting book, or she had tried a new training method on the training field.

Listening to the enthusiastic daily sharing, Yasui Makoto couldn't help but smile, but a strange feeling also lingered in his heart.

He didn't investigate this strangeness at first, simply assuming it was because he was used to spending every day with the Northern Black Horse and was a little uncomfortable being separated from him.

One day, while he was on the phone with Beifang Xuanju, his mother passed by and jokingly said, "Look at how happy you are, talking to Xiaobei on the phone so happily."

He suddenly came to his senses and, after ending the call, unconsciously began to think back on it.

Thinking back to that unexpected first encounter, and recalling the look in her eyes when she said she hoped to become my racehorse girl, her gaze revealed her longing and determination for the future races.

Recalling the training, Northern Black Horse was fully committed. Every sprint, every start, and every turn was accompanied by his guidance. They fought together for the goal of victory.

On the field, her lightning-fast figure always manages to surprise him at crucial moments.

Every match is a testament to their camaraderie and a badge of honor for their unwavering pursuit of their dreams.

And recently, after his injury, the meticulous care he received from Beifang Xuanju has been something he can never forget.

Before the first rays of sunlight had completely dispelled the chill of the night, she would tiptoe into the kitchen to prepare a nutritious breakfast for him.

He was at his desk researching materials and planning training programs, while she sat quietly beside him, occasionally offering him a steaming cup of tea.

The way she looked at me was always full of trust and reliance, as if in her heart I was the most reliable person in the world.

If the tacit cooperation in training and competition was just normal interaction between an ordinary trainer and a racehorse girl, then...

These small acts of care in life, however, are like pebbles thrown into his originally calm lake of heart, creating ripples.

When he recalls it, his heart beats faster involuntarily.

Lying on the ground, staring blankly at the ceiling, Yasui Makoto had a smile on his lips, but his brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes were full of confusion and contemplation.

So... does this count as liking someone?
I... like the Northern Black Steed?
When...? How come I didn't know...?

Just as I was feeling conflicted and confused, my phone chimed with a text message.

I instinctively picked up my phone.

Trainer, I forgot to mention this in our previous call. Almond's entrance exam is in a few days. Trainer, you must come back. Almond is waiting for you.

And I'm waiting for you to come back too!

His fingers gently stroked the phone screen, his smile widening, and his previously furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

The confusion and uncertainty seemed to be blown away by a gentle breeze, leaving only a sense of certainty in my heart.

He stopped trying to figure out exactly when this feeling had started.

I simply feel that having such a bond with the Northern Black Horse, and receiving such an expectant text message from her, is all incredibly wonderful.

She smiled unconsciously, her fingers rapidly tapping on the screen as she replied with an affirmative text message.

Don't worry, I'll be back on time. Wait for me.

(End of this chapter)