Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 287 You're Punished by Sleeping in the Same Bed as Xiao Bei
Slightly surprised, Yasui Makoto quickly nodded: "Very good comprehension, Almond."

“Yes, I have some more comprehensive ideas.”

Feeling gratified by the talent his racehorse had displayed, he pondered for a moment, then continued:
"Whether it's training or running alongside someone, I've noticed that whenever you see someone ahead, you unconsciously adjust your breathing and stride frequency to match theirs."

"Of course, we can calculate part of it using data, but it's definitely not all of it."

"What you can't calculate is that 'must surpass' spirit that's ingrained in your bones."

"On this point, I actually feel..."

He thought for a while:

"Wang Ziding is not as good as you."

"On the final straight of today's simulation race, when she accelerated while staring at Xiao Bei's back, I felt that her gaze and demeanor were not as strong as yours."

"Honestly, if you watch the video closely, you'll notice the expression on your face when you were running after Xiao Bei..."

"It's like I wish I could swallow your Senior Xiao Bei whole."

As he was talking, he couldn't help but make a joke.

"No way! The trainer's words are way too exaggerated!"

The voice on the other end of the phone, while protesting, was also filled with barely concealed elation:
"I just... I just felt that I could definitely catch up!"

Even if you can't catch up on this straight or this curve, there's always the next straight or the next curve...

"I will definitely catch up!"
"No matter who it is, Senior Xiao Bei or anyone else, I will definitely catch up with them!"

Yasui Makoto smiled, picked up his pen, drew a burning sun next to the word "competitive spirit" in his notebook, and said in a deep voice:

"That's the key."

"As I just said, you prefer to run together, like a flock of geese, using each other's strength to fly forward."

"But when we fly together, there must always be a brave soul who can endure loneliness and fly first, able to find the rhythm of the wind on his own."

Xiao Bei is the latter.

"And you, Almond Eyes, are a natural challenger."

"You may not have the ability to find the wind on your own and lead the whole team, but when your companions in front gradually lose their strength, you can take over the leading position of flying forward by relying on the direction they give you."

"Your competitive spirit is not a weakness, but the key to victory by coming from behind."

"As long as you learn to control that 'I have to overtake now' impulse in the early and middle stages, and save your strength for the endgame..."

He suddenly stopped, then changed the subject:
"These details are a bit too much. I'll explain them to you in detail when training starts tomorrow."

"In short, the biggest gain from this trip to the Golden Family was what I learned from Senior Jinlang. I now understand more clearly that the running style of each racehorse girl is tailor-made."

"Instead of simple, dry data calculations and empirical deductions."

Hearing this, Almond Eyes suddenly interjected:

"So, does the trainer have any special training planned for me tomorrow? I'm fully prepared!"

"Of course."

Nodding subconsciously, Yasui Makoto suddenly had a thought, and his tone became slightly teasing:
"But I think I just said that your biggest problem or challenge right now is to control your competitive spirit before the end game."

"This is actually the task you will be completing for the next period of time and for a long time to come."

"If you can't do it or don't do it well..."

He paused deliberately, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up:

"As punishment, you'll have to sleep in the same bed as your senior, Xiao Bei—the one surrounded by red lanterns." There was silence on the other end of the phone.

After a while.

"No, no, trainer!"

With a mournful tone, Almond-eyed, usually full of energy, pleaded for mercy:
"Those red lanterns from Senior Xiao Bei... I have absolutely no idea what's going on!!"
"Can anyone actually sleep in that kind of environment?! You could see the sky filled with red even with your eyes closed!!"
"Even if I can't see while wearing an eye mask, it's still so uncomfortable to sleep with one on..."

After a period of wailing and begging for mercy, the person on the other end of the phone suddenly became confident, and their voice carried a unique sense of desperation.

"But since the trainer said so... I will definitely control the pace!"

"Never sleep in a bed with red lanterns hanging around it!"

Hearing Almond's series of words, which were both tearful and full of determination, Yasui Makoto instantly recalled the scene of the New Year's shrine visit.

At that time, Kita Genko invited Akime to sleep in the living room. That night, they were probably too excited from playing games together and slept too soundly, so Akime didn't react much.

But a day or two later, while Beifang Xuanju was cooking, Xingmu ran up to him with a mournful expression and secretly complained.

"Trainer, those red lanterns from Senior Xiao Bei are absolutely terrifying!"

"I felt like I was surrounded by red all night, and I couldn't fall asleep at all, tossing and turning..."

"I finally managed to get a little sleep, but all I could dream about were red lanterns swaying back and forth..."

"What should we do, trainer? Can you please persuade Senior Xiao Bei to put away all the lanterns...?"

I can still vividly recall the pitiful look on Almond's face as she frowned back then.

As he recalled the moment, the upward curve of Yasui Makoto's lips became even more pronounced, and a silent smile spread from the depths of his eyes.

He coughed lightly, trying to make his voice sound less amused, and said soothingly:

"Okay, okay, as long as you can control yourself in training and competition, you won't have to suffer this 'torture'."

"However, your senior, Xiao Bei, really likes those red lanterns. She said they make her feel festive."

"But...that's too exaggerated."

Almond-shaped eyes muttered softly:

"Besides, the trainer kept saying it was a festive occasion... Why don't you try sleeping in that bed for one night?"

Of course I could never sleep in that kind of bed. I wouldn't be able to sleep in anything, not even with red lanterns. Isn't that Xiao Bei's bed?
Before he could even think of a rebuttal, Yasui suddenly paused, feeling awkward.

So, what Almond said just now... was probably unintentional...?
On the other end of the phone, Almond Eyes was back to her energetic self.
"But it's okay, I'll definitely try my best so that I don't have to sleep in the same bed as Senior Xiao Bei!"
"Trainer, what exactly do I need to do tomorrow?"

Realizing that those words were indeed spoken unintentionally, Yasui Makoto quickly composed himself, sat up straight, and said seriously:
"Training starts tomorrow. I will make a detailed plan for you, but I can tell you the general idea first."

"The approach is very simple."

"In the early stages, you should focus on adjusting your breathing and pace, and not let your opponents in front of you easily affect your rhythm. Focus your attention on your physical condition."

"In the middle of the game, even if you see your opponent taking the lead, don't rush to sprint. Proceed at your predetermined pace."

"Once you get to the final stages, use your indomitable spirit to sprint all the way."

"Remember, controlling your competitive spirit doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue your goals, but rather that you should seize the right opportunity."

"Yeah, I remember!"

Her almond-shaped eyes nodded heavily, and her firm voice came through the phone:
"Trainer, just watch my performance! I definitely won't let you down!"

(End of this chapter)