Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 589 The Empty Sanatorium
The corridor from the changing room to the treatment room is indeed short, with soft carpets and warm, gentle lighting.

But the northern black horse felt that this journey was particularly awkward.

Every step I took seemed inexplicably heavy, yet also felt light and unsteady.

My heart was pounding irregularly in my chest, and I could almost hear the teasing laughter from the hot spring, as well as the off-key romantic melody of a chorus of sounds.

In my mind, various images and sounds continued to intertwine and swirl.

Yasui Makoto's focused profile, Kashuu's mischievous and sparkling eyes, his own silly words about his "ideal type," and the heart-fluttering feeling brought on by the words "your Makoto"...

All of this made her feel like she had just finished a long-distance race that exhausted her, but she was even more mentally tired and confused.

However, this agonizing distance seemed to come to an end in the blink of an eye.

Before she could even sort out her thoughts, and before she was mentally prepared, she heard Almond-eyed beside her remind her:

"Senior Xiao Bei, we've arrived. You've already passed by..."

Almost simultaneously, the half-closed door to the side and rear was pulled open slightly from the inside.

The familiar voice, with its usual calm tone, struck Beibu Xuanju like a subtle electric current, causing her to freeze almost imperceptibly.

"How's the hot spring, Xiao Bei?"

He paused, and as if noticing her lack of immediate response, called out again with a hint of concern:
"Xiao Bei...?"

Northern Black Steed responded hastily and abruptly turned its head.

When her gaze met Yasui Makoto's calm and focused expression, she seemed to be burned and quickly turned her face away, leaving only a flushed cheek and a slightly stiff neck visible.

While looking at a report in his hand, Yasui Makoto subconsciously looked up and happened to see Kita Genko's actions and expression.

Startled by her abrupt action, Yasui Makoto paused, then frowned slightly, her tone revealing obvious concern:

"What's wrong? Does your neck hurt?"

"Huh? N-nothing..."

Beibu Xuanju instinctively wanted to deny it, but as soon as she turned her head halfway back, the familiar face with a questioning look in her peripheral vision made her panic again.

Almost reflexively, she turned her head away again, her voice unconsciously rising slightly:
"No, no...okay, it seems a little...um, that's right, my neck...my neck is a little uncomfortable!"

Upon hearing her say that, Yasui's expression immediately turned serious.

"Come in quickly, let Senior Suko take a look." He stepped aside, his tone leaving no room for argument.

In an instant, the Northern Black Horse felt a pang of despair.

She was afraid that her lie would be exposed, and even more afraid that the overly perceptive trainer in front of her would see through the chaotic emotions she was feeling.

But for a moment she had no idea what to say or do, so she had to bite the bullet and, maintaining that slightly awkward, crooked posture, slowly shuffled sideways into the sanatorium like a crab.

The room was warmer and brighter than the hallway.

This is a separate treatment room where Alice and Yamato Akari are both. There are also many instruments and equipment on it, some of which look very familiar, as if I have seen them in the team office or the temporary laboratory during the training camp.

Her way of walking in, with her neck tilted to the side and like a crab, immediately attracted everyone's attention. "Hmm? Xiao Bei, what's this..." Alice pushed up her glasses, her gaze scrutinizingly sweeping over Xiao Bei's neck from behind the lenses.

Yamato Akaki put down his notepad and looked over: "What's wrong...? Do you have a stiff neck? Or are you dizzy from soaking in the hot spring for too long?"

Almond-eyed, already looking worried, immediately leaned forward, her small face filled with anxiety: "Senior Xiao Bei, are you alright? You were fine in the bathroom just now..."

"...N-I don't know...Let's get it checked out anyway. I mean...actually, it's just...just a little uncomfortable, right...?"

Northern Xuanju was so guilty that he dared not look anyone in the eye, and mumbled his answers, letting the increasingly nervous crowd settle him on the examination bed.

With a frown, Alice pressed on the back of her neck and around her shoulder blades, carefully pressing and touching, asking about her pain points and feelings.

With equally furrowed brows, Yasui Makoto and Yamato Akaki operated some kind of scanning device, while Almond-no-Mikoto nervously handed over various tools.

Northern Genko underwent the examination with trepidation, fearing every second that Alice would say, "Your muscles are in good condition, there are no problems."

However, after carefully examining the device and looking at the data displayed on Yamato Akaki's instrument, Alice finally let go of it.

"My muscles are a little tired and tense, but it's nothing serious. It's probably just a normal reaction after the competition and soaking in the hot springs. I just need to rest," Alice concluded.

Yasui Makoto and Yamato Akaki nodded in agreement, and then breathed a sigh of relief along with Aloe.

Beibu Xuanju's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled back down. She felt cold sweat seeping down her back and secretly breathed a long sigh of relief.

She didn't know what to say for a moment, so she pretended to be nervous about the neck problem and remained silent.

To her relief, Yasui Makoto, Alice Soko, and Yamato Akari quickly began rehabilitation examinations and discussions on treatment plans.

They analyzed her physical condition after the Japan Cup using various data and charts, discussed the key points of her subsequent recovery training, and the final adjustment plan before the Arima Memorial.

Northern Xuanju tried her best to concentrate and listen. Her long-standing habit of listening attentively allowed her to keep up with the pace and not miss any key information.

But a small part of his thoughts, like an uncontrollable dandelion, drifted and lingered, eventually sticking to the person who was meticulously giving his explanation.

Watching his clearly opening and closing lips, listening to his steady and reliable voice, and feeling his professional attitude with all his attention focused on the competition...

The complex and scalding emotions that arose in the hot spring did not subside; instead, they silently spread and fermented in my heart, becoming even more intense and indescribable.

However, as time passed, Yasui Makoto remained fully engaged in his work.

With clear eyes and a calm tone, all his conversations and interactions revolved strictly around "training" and "recovery," without deviating in the slightest.

As he watched and listened, Beifang Xuanju gradually felt that his initial panic and shyness were replaced by a strange emotion.

At the same time, the beautiful thoughts that had just begun to emerge in her heart, still carrying a hazy halo, deflated silently, like a balloon gently punctured by a fine needle.

In the end, only an empty, indescribable feeling remained in my heart.

When Yasui Makoto finally finished explaining, he habitually asked to confirm, "...Do you understand all of the above, Kita?"

Northern Black Steed lowered his head, avoiding his gaze, his voice lower than usual, carrying a hint of barely perceptible somberness:

"Okay... I understand, trainer..."

(End of this chapter)