Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 622 Seeking Advice from Teacher Beidao
The atmosphere was warm and harmonious during the meal. After chatting for a while, the topic quickly turned to the Northern Black Steed.

After briefly recounting the Northern Genko's performance at school, Yamato Akaki took over the conversation with a smile:

"I remember an interesting story I heard from my senior, Fujikishi, when I first took over as the dormitory manager."

"When Xiao Bei first enrolled, he was just like Xiao Te, and he was late for quite a while."

"It just so happens that Twin Turbine Senior was also late that day, and Fuji Senior was very angry at the time, so he punished them both by making them do community service together."

She paused, keeping him in suspense, and looked at the slightly flushed cheeks of the Northern Black Horse before continuing with a smile:
"Later we found out that Xiao Bei was delayed because he met a lost old lady on the road and patiently helped her find her family."

"As for the Twin Turbo senior..."

She shrugged.

"She helped train her juniors and then they played together and forgot about it. Well, that's very much her style."

After everyone laughed for a while, Xingmu nodded in agreement, her tone gentle and firm:

"Senior Xiao Bei is really kind. Once, I met Senior Xiao Bei while I was carrying my review materials. I could have done it myself, but she took most of them and even helped me carry them to the library."

Hearing the sharing from several seniors, Chunqiu Fen, who had been sitting quietly next to Xingmu listening, mustered up her courage and whispered a supplement:

"And me... that time when we went to Chinatown, it was Senior Xiao Bei who took care of me and showed me lots of delicious food..."

"Ah! Of course, Anzu-senpai also took good care of me! In short... Kobe-senpai is really, really enthusiastic." After she finished speaking, she lowered her head somewhat shyly.

As the Northern Black Horse's mother listened to these recounted anecdotes, a mixture of surprise and tenderness appeared on her face. She said softly:
“These things… Xiao Bei rarely talks about them in detail at home. Whenever I ask about life at school, she always smiles and says ‘nothing special,’ or ‘everyone is fine’ and that’s it.”

Upon hearing this, Kitajima Saburo couldn't help but burst into loud laughter:
"Oh? It seems our Xiao Bei has many 'heroic deeds' that we don't know about! Come on, tell us, are there any more stories we don't know?"

Northern Black Horse's cheeks flushed red instantly, and he quickly waved his hands:
"Grandpa, it's really nothing! We're all classmates, helping each other is only right!"

"Is there any 'shameful story' you can share?"

Northern Black Horse's father also joined the conversation with a smile, looking at his daughter with a slightly mischievous grin:

"Let me start with one. Xiao Bei, on the first day she went to Treson Academy, was so excited that she walked with her arms and legs moving in unison."

"If her mother hadn't noticed and corrected her, she probably wouldn't have been late for school on her first day; she would have made a fool of herself by walking with her feet turned out the wrong way."

"besides……"

In an instant, the Northern Black Steed blushed deeply and hurriedly interrupted:

"Oh dear! I don't need to say any of that, do I...?"

As she spoke, she subconsciously glanced at Yasui Makoto beside her.

This...this shameful thing, if Ah Zhen heard about it...he'd definitely laugh at me, oh dear, Dad...

Yasui Makoto had been listening quietly with a smile, but when Kita Genkomo glanced over, he paused slightly, then pondered for a moment before naturally taking over the conversation:

"Speaking of which, I made quite a few jokes when I first started as a trainer."

"At that time, I was working as an assistant to my seniors. I finally had a chance to coach and train them on my own, so I carefully devised a training plan that I thought was foolproof."

"As a result of a calculation error, the intensity of the recovery training was set higher than that of the daily training. Fortunately, the senior colleague at the time discovered and corrected me in time, otherwise the racehorse girl in charge at the time would probably have been exhausted."

He continued, with a hint of self-deprecation:

"Another time, during training, I was even more nervous than the racehorse girl I was training. I checked the equipment seven or eight times. In the end, she patted me on the shoulder and comforted me, saying, 'Relax and trust me.'"

These little-known "rookie" past stories of Yasui Makoto immediately piqued the interest of the Kitajima family and Yamato Akaki. Even Kita Genkoma was somewhat surprised, saying that he had never heard Yasui Makoto mention these things before.

She was feeling a little surprised when suddenly an idea struck her.

It seems... I glanced over there...

Then... he told me about those embarrassing things, so...

He noticed, and then... was he trying to get me out of that predicament in this way...?
Thinking of these things, an indescribable warmth quietly welled up in her heart, and she couldn't help but look up at the trainer beside her, whose expression remained calm.

He didn't look at her, but gently answered the elders' teasing, as if he had just shared something casually.

The family dinner continued in this relaxed, warm, and joyful atmosphere.

After the meal, Kitajima Saburo gestured to Kita Genko and the others to do as they pleased, then gestured for Yasui Makoto to follow suit.

"Yasui-kun, come for a walk in the yard with me."

The courtyard was a bit chilly on this winter night. My breath turned into white mist, and the air was exceptionally fresh, carrying the chill of grass and earth.

Kitajima Saburo walked ahead, with Yasui Makoto a little behind. The two strolled slowly along the pebbly path, their footsteps sounding particularly clear in the quiet night.

"Xiao Bei, we really owe you a lot."

Saburo Kitajima looked up at the night sky, his voice filled with emotion:

"With your help and guidance, she has brought me so many surprises... so many. Sometimes, looking at her now, I can hardly remember how clumsy she was as a child."

"You flatter me," Yasui Makoto said, shaking his head slightly. "It's because Koki is hardworking and excellent. She has the talent and put in the effort. I was just doing my duty as a trainer."

"Yes, it's true that she works hard. Her determination is like mine; once she sets her mind on something, she never looks back."

Kitajima Saburo stopped and turned to look at Yasui Makoto, his gaze piercing:
"But Yasui-kun, without your careful guidance, scientific planning, and support at crucial moments, her efforts may have been much less effective."

"So don't be too modest. I've seen all your efforts and hard work."

He paused and changed the subject:
"Then... I heard from Xiao Bei that you guys are considering overseas expeditions?"

Upon hearing this, Yasui Makoto's spirits lifted.

Although Genju didn't mention that she talked about overseas expeditions at home, given her inability to keep secrets, she must have already shared such a significant dream and plan with her family.

Thinking about it this way, Kitajima Saburo's sudden question at this moment is more like a formal confirmation and an opportunity to start a deeper discussion.

You have to understand that if we really embark on an overseas expedition, leaving Japan won't be a matter of just a day or two, and our families will be concerned and worried no matter what.

This is precisely what Yasui Makoto wanted to communicate with Kitajima Saburo about.

"Yes. Xiao Bei has this desire, and you could say it's a very strong one."

Yasui Makoto spoke frankly, knowing there was no need to beat around the bush in front of Kitajima Saburo. He looked directly at Kitajima Saburo with open eyes, his tone conveying respect for an elder and a desire to learn:
"I also believe that challenging herself in overseas competitions is a necessary step for her to reach a higher level."

“This matter is of great importance, not only concerning Xiao Bei’s career planning, but also affecting the emotions of her family. Therefore, I have always believed that it is necessary to have a full communication with you and hope to hear your views and suggestions.”

Kitajima Saburo nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes:
"That's very thoughtful, that's good."

The old man didn't say much, but Yasui Makoto knew that this was a signal for him to continue.

(End of this chapter)