After parting ways with Ginjirou Musaka,
Kuroha wandered the streets for a bit, bought a few gifts and some essentials, then headed back to the Academy.
In the trainers' residence block, most windows were already dark.
Only one room on the third floor glowed with a warm orange light—Kuroha's dorm.
Click.
He went upstairs like clockwork, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
At once a soft fragrance—body wash mingled with the faint sweetness of a girl's scent—greeted him.
The room was spotless, clearly tidied with care.
"Trainer, you're back!"
With a small, delighted call, Mejiro Ardan peeked out from the living area.
She'd changed into soft, silky pajamas; her glassy blue hair fell over her shoulders.
Fresh from a bath, her cheeks carried a natural flush; under the light her eyes were glossy and full of expectation.
Right after, another figure popped out from behind the sofa—Fujimasa March.
She'd put on pajamas too, but simpler in style; her silver hair was loose and cleanly brushed.
She wasn't as forward as Ardan—her eyes flickered away, and the pink at her ears betrayed the restlessness in her chest.
"You two… still up?"
Kuroha asked what he already knew, smiling as he changed shoes.
"We're waiting to… ask you some questions,"
Ardan answered—recycling the same clumsy excuse from earlier that day.
March took the bags from Kuroha's hands and added, "We saved you a late-night meal…"
Kuroha looked toward the dining table: a covered, still-warm tray waited under a heat lid.
He lifted it—neat portions, still fragrant.
"Your cooking's leveled up lately."
He nodded with a grin.
Chasing Light wasn't only endless training; team dinners and get-togethers were regular, so helping in the kitchen had let the girls pick up a bit of his cooking "essence."
After praising his two adorable charges, Kuroha sat at the table, picked up his chopsticks, and said gently:
"Sit. Why are you standing there? I've actually got a couple things to tell you, too."
The two traded a glance, then, as if formally granted permission, settled right beside him—
three chairs pushed almost edge-to-edge.
Their warmth seeped through the thin fabric, steadily crossing the gap—
enough to unsettle anyone's heart.
"I went to see Ginjirou-senpai today," Kuroha said, picking up a bite like it was just small talk. "We talked about Oguri Cap."
He didn't look back, but he could feel it—
both girls straightened ever so slightly at the topic, listening closely.
"You both know I could heal Oguri's leg…"
"…but I didn't."
Kuroha turned to March and asked softly, "March, do you blame me for not helping her?"
March shook her head almost before he finished. "No!"
"When Oguri got hurt, I went to see her right away. The injury was from her own stubborn string of races."
The silver-haired girl's mind replayed the scene:
Oguri pouting miserably as March scolded her—nothing like the queen who dominated the track.
After a stern talk, she'd added, "No more reckless back-to-backs. I'll be mad. We still have races to run together."
The gray-haired girl had lowered her eyes, looking on the verge of tears. "I understand, March."
The memory faded.
March sighed lightly. "A proper rest is good."
"Last autumn's schedule was just… too much."
Seeing how clearly March grasped the issue, Kuroha nodded—satisfied.
Just then, Ardan murmured,
"A few days ago, Trainer Naze asked me if I knew any miracle medicine for leg injuries."
Kuroha blinked.
Nase Fumino?
So Super Creek's leg had her worried. Searching around, she'd found Ardan recovered far faster than usual. Naturally she wondered if the proud Mejiro line had a secret elixir.
"What did you tell her?"
"I said… my body just heals faster than most…"
No one knew better than Ardan how terrifying Kuroha's Panacea would be in this world if exposed.
If word got out—the consequences would be unimaginable.
As of now, only Kuroha and his own girls knew the details.
Even the Mejiro staff on Summer Island back then only half-understood…
And they were loyal; after Ardan told them to keep quiet, they said nothing.
Besides, both Mejiro young ladies currently raced under Kuroha.
They'd eaten well from that table—why leak anything?
"Super Creek, huh…"
Kuroha thought for a moment, then sighed and kept eating.
He put down the chopsticks with a small tink after the last bite.
In the quiet room, that sound landed like a signal.
Kuroha slowly turned his head—
first to the right, to Ardan's close, rosy face,
then left, to March's silver eyes, shy but brimming with anticipation.
"All right. Late snack's done, and so's my little speech."
A gentle smile tugged at his lips.
"So… is it time for your 'consultation'?"
"Who's going first?"
Both girls froze a fraction.
In the end, Ardan drew a deep breath—like mustering all her courage—and took Kuroha's hand from the table.
In a soft but steady voice: "We… together…"
March didn't speak, but the way her body leaned closer said everything.
"Looks like I really can't skip the daily tonic…"
Feeling the two eager forms at his sides, Kuroha was half helpless… and already moving.
He turned his hand to hold Ardan's slender fingers; his other arm slipped gently around March's smooth, pale shoulder.
"Okay," he said with a quiet laugh. "Together, then."
Outside, the moon tucked behind a passing cloud;
inside, the lights had somehow dimmed.
A Mega Steelix against a pair of Cloyster—
and the Steelix had both Dynamax and Tera buffs.
The outcome was, shall we say… not in doubt.
But tonight's "in-depth consultation" had only just begun.
For Kuroha, whether the grand designs on the track or the tender currents of the heart—
both were parts of a life he refused to forsake.
After all, to be the strongest trainer, it's not enough to know how to make horse girls fly down a track.
You also have to know…
how to let them shine with the happiest light in everyday life.
(End of Chapter)
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