Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 640 Breakfast Time of the Heart

The next morning, when Yasui Makoto finished washing up and arrived at the dining room, his parents had already prepared a traditional Japanese breakfast.

Steaming hot miso soup, grilled fish, rice, and natto are neatly arranged.

He had just sat down and picked up his chopsticks, and hadn't even taken a few bites when he noticed that his mother, Misuzu, was staring at him intently, her gaze filled with inquiry and a hint of... regret.
Yasui Makoto felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze and couldn't help but touch his face: "Is there... something on my face that I haven't washed off properly?"

"Oh, no, that's not it."

Misuzu, regaining her senses, rested her chin on her hand and sighed dramatically:
"I just didn't expect that you would actually come back to sleep obediently last night. I thought you would find an excuse to stay with Xiao Bei."

As soon as he said that, Yasui Hirokazu, who was quietly eating, almost choked on his rice and gave his wife a helpless look.

Yasui Makoto froze, his chopsticks hanging in mid-air, his face filled with astonishment.

Misuzu, observing their reactions, blinked, looking completely at ease.
"Isn't that right? Xiao Zhen and Xiao Bei seem to be a good match. They've even taken each other to their hometown now. Besides, Xiao Zhen mentioned that she'd been to Xiao Bei's house before. Do I need to elaborate on their relationship?"

“…Meiling!” Yasui Hirokazu put down his bowl, his tone reproachful. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“I’m not talking nonsense!” Misuzuki immediately retorted, looking at her husband, “Didn’t you say before that Xiaobei is a very good kid?”

Hirokazu Yasui sighed in exasperation, saying, "I'm talking about her skill and mentality. I've watched a lot of her matches, especially her performances in the Emperor's Slam and the Japan Cup last autumn."

His tone softened, and he continued with a professional analytical tone:
"For example, in Tianqiu's race, her acceleration on the final straight was very resilient. She was able to break through steadily in that chaotic situation, which shows that her mental quality and determination to win are top-notch."

"In the later Japan Cup, although it took some time to adapt to strong overseas opponents and the different rhythm of the field, the chasing posture was maintained very well, and the stamina and footwork were excellent..."

"Alright, alright," Misuzuki quickly waved her hand to interrupt, her brows furrowing slightly. "It's so early in the morning, let's not nag about these headache-inducing statistics and matches."

She instantly withdrew her helpless expression, then fixed her gaze intently on her son, her face filled with eager curiosity.

"So? Xiao Zhen, what do you say?"

Yasui Makoto silently chewed his rice.

He understood his mother's mischievous thoughts, of course.

The mother and son had previously discussed their feelings for the Northern Black Horse.

He never deliberately avoided it, and was always confident that he could handle it properly with reason, strictly keeping that unconsciously growing affection within the proper boundaries between a trainer and a racehorse girl.

He is used to being in control, whether it's on-field strategy or his own emotions.

But last night, under the dim lights in front of the oden stall, Bei Chu Genju's shy yet incredibly sincere words, "I want to get closer to the world you live in," left him feeling a little lost.

Even now, that sentence keeps echoing in his ears, making him realize for the first time that perhaps his self-control and long-term planning alone are no longer enough to properly manage this growing and even influencing feeling.

She's been in Nagoya these past few days, so... this should be a good time.

He needed to find an opportunity to have a deeper and more honest conversation with her, at least... to re-examine and redefine some things.

However, he has always been accustomed to planning before acting. He is not used to easily revealing any emotions that may bring about changes before things are fully considered and every step is arranged.

So he put aside his chaotic thoughts for the time being, quickened his eating pace, and finished the remaining rice in his bowl in a few bites.

"I'm finished eating." He put down his chopsticks, stood up, and his tone returned to its usual calm, without the slightest hint of emotion.

"Today I plan to take Xiaobei and the others around Nagoya and the surrounding area. I can't keep them waiting."

"I am coming too!"

Misuzu immediately responded, instantly forgetting the topic she had been relentlessly pursuing, and a bright smile bloomed on her face:
"I'm the perfect tour guide! I know so many interesting places!"

Seeing his mother's eyes light up instantly, Yasui Makoto knew he couldn't stop her from doing this, and too lazy to struggle in vain, he could only sigh slightly and nod helplessly: "...Okay."

His subtle expression of helplessness did not escape his mother's notice. The clever Meiling immediately stepped forward, bent her finger, and precisely flicked his forehead, making a soft "thump" sound.

"Honestly, Xiao Zhen, what's with that reluctant look? You should feel honored to have such a lovely guide as your mother!"

……

While the Yasui family was enjoying breakfast, at another hotel, Kita Genkom and the others were also having the local breakfast that Yasui Makoto had recommended the night before.

The main dish is steaming hot, wide, flat udon noodles, served with tempura crumbs and green onions, and a small dish of special red bean paste-cooked dumplings as a dessert.

As soon as the udon noodles were served, Chunqiufen couldn't wait to pick up a strand, quickly blew on it a few times, slurped it up, and her eyes instantly lit up:

Wow! This noodle is so smooth! The soup is light but very flavorful.

Almond didn't rush to eat the noodles. Instead, she poked at the soft, chewy dumplings with her chopsticks, then looked at the dark miso sauce coating them. She tried picking one up and putting it in her mouth.

"Huh? This dumpling... how peculiar! It's sweet and salty, but it's delicious!"

Northern Genko ate his smooth udon noodles with gusto, nodding repeatedly in agreement with the assessments of the spring and autumn equinoxes and the almond.

The warm noodle soup dispelled the last trace of morning weariness, but she had something more important on her mind than breakfast.

Last night at the oden stall, Yasui Makoto specifically analyzed the competition and Apricot's situation for her. With that advice, she gained a completely new understanding of "guiding Apricot".

This is no longer just a whim, but a clear goal, an opportunity to put what I've learned into practice and truly understand the trainer's perspective.

She clearly realized that Ah Zhen was already paving the way and creating opportunities for himself in his own way, and even handing over the final communication and decision-making power to her.

Next, it depends on whether I can communicate well with Xingmu.

This might be the crucial step to becoming an assistant trainer, at least that's what she believed in her mind.

However, although she had made up her mind, when it came time to speak, she realized the actual difficulties.

She, who is usually fearless on the track, was at a loss for words at this moment, in order to convey the seriousness of the challenge while also offering encouragement.

She unconsciously rubbed the chopsticks, her mind flashing back to how Yasui Makoto usually supported and guided her with calm and resolute words when she was confused or frustrated.

So... how should I put it?

Wouldn't it be too abrupt to just ask Almond-sensei, "Do you want to race against a legend?"
Or... let's talk about how lively and fun Kasamatsu is first?

(End of this chapter)