Kuroha took a few steps closer.
But Oguri was still completely immersed in her world of food, not noticing his approach at all.
It was as if her eyes held nothing but those bamboo steamers filled with little white dumplings, each one letting off curling wisps of heat.
Kuroha walked up behind her with a smile, reached out, and covered her eyes with both hands.
"!"
Oguri Cap's body instantly stiffened.
"Mmph, mmph…"
A little flustered, she raised her hands and waved them around in the air, tilting her head back slightly as she tried to figure out what was happening.
She looked adorably blank and helpless.
But very quickly, her nose twitched.
Maybe she caught a familiar scent. Or maybe she recognized the feel of the large hand covering her eyes.
At once, she gradually relaxed.
"Trai… Trainer, good morning."
Kuroha let go, but kept one hand resting on the silver-haired girl's wonderfully soft head, gently rubbing it.
"Yeah, good morning, Oguri."
He glanced at the table, where more than half the steamers were already empty, then looked at Oguri's puffed-up cheeks and smiled.
"Why'd you get up so late today?"
Although both Oguri and Ardan had retired some time ago and were no longer active racers, racing and running were still two different things.
Even after retirement, Oguri still went on her morning run, midday run, and evening run every single day without fail.
With her usual daily exercise volume totaling dozens of kilometers, oversleeping was basically unheard of.
Sleeping in until nearly eight and only then showing up in the hall for breakfast like this was far too unusual.
"Mmph…"
Oguri's mouth was stuffed full of buns, so she couldn't answer right away.
She puffed out her cheeks and chewed a few times, doing her best to swallow the food in her mouth.
Then she looked up with those clear, bright eyes and muttered:
"Trainer, it's really good. Want some?"
Kuroha laughed.
"In a second. Let me brush my teeth first."
He patted the girl on the head and turned toward the bathroom.
After a quick wash-up, Kuroha returned to the dining room.
The moment he stepped back out, a fair arm stretched out in front of him.
Between slender fingers was a soup dumpling, still steaming hot.
Kuroha reflexively opened his mouth.
Oguri neatly popped the dumpling into his mouth, then happily bobbed her head. The small horse ears atop her head swayed back and forth with the motion.
"Is it good?"
"Yeah, not bad."
After getting his approval, Oguri contentedly pulled her hand back and resumed her grand campaign of devouring everything in sight.
Kuroha sat down beside her and looked over the dazzling spread of breakfast on the table.
Besides the food Ardan had made, there were also some masterpieces from Maruzensky and Sakura Chiyono O.
The entire table was packed with dishes of every kind, from Japanese to Chinese to Western-style cuisine.
Ever since Oguri had moved into Chasing Light Villa, the girls had really started showing off their skills.
There was absolutely no need to worry about food going to waste.
Kuroha lifted a bowl of soy milk and sipped at it leisurely while watching Oguri destroy the food on the table one bite after another.
Before long, the battle was over.
Oguri put down her chopsticks and let out a long breath.
Her whole body slumped into the chair. One hand rested on her round, full stomach, and her face was glowing with a happiness so pure it practically bubbled over.
"Haa…"
Kuroha couldn't help smiling at the sight. "Full?"
"Mhm…"
Oguri narrowed her eyes. After quite a while, she finally explained why she'd gotten up late today.
"Trainer, did you forget? The one-month period is already over."
Kuroha froze for a moment.
The one-month period?
But he quickly realized what she meant.
That so-called one-month period was actually the cooldown on using Blessing Power on the retired girls in his household, the power that let them return to their peak condition.
Still, aside from Oguri, who always showed up right on schedule, the other girls usually never came exactly on time.
It was completely normal for them to wait thirty-something days, or even more than forty, before suddenly remembering and asking Kuroha for another blessing.
As for why Oguri had gotten up so late this time, there was more than one reason.
"Also, this month you and Nian were playing around until really late every night, Trainer."
Oguri tilted her head and looked at Kuroha with those pure, immaculate eyes, her tone flat and matter-of-fact.
"You always get up around this time because of that, so I got up late today too."
"…"
Kuroha was briefly speechless.
Looking into the clear eyes of the girl beside him, he actually felt a flicker of guilt.
But only briefly.
Because there was nothing he could do about it.
After all, it had been Obey Your Master's wedding and honeymoon period.
Naturally, he had no intention of refusing Nian's enthusiasm, and in any case, he probably couldn't have refused even if he wanted to.
"…All right."
He gave a light cough, stood up, and said:
"Then, Oguri, do you want me to give you the blessing later when we get to the training grounds, or do you want it now?"
Even though they'd woken up an hour later than usual, it was still only a little past eight.
The timing was just about perfect. Not too early, not too late.
And despite how this silver-haired girl usually looked so adorably absentminded and obedient, the kind of girl who seemed unbelievably easy to handle, she had clearly gone through enough "baptism" from the girls of Chasing Light that she was no longer quite the same as before.
"Now?"
Oguri tilted her head and thought about it. Then she raised her eyes to Kuroha and blinked.
"Maybe not. Once we get to the training grounds, can you give me a massage first, Trainer, and then do it?"
Kuroha nodded. "You want to run in your best condition?"
"Mhm!"
"That works."
He finished the last of the soy milk in his bowl, stood up, and began clearing away the dishes he and Oguri had used.
Oguri also struggled to climb out of her chair and came over to help.
Her stomach was still round and full, but she could at least handle basic chores.
Before long, the kitchen was spotless.
At the entryway, the two of them changed into their outdoor shoes.
Hand in hand, they headed out.
...
Mejiro Training Grounds.
Tap, tap, tap!
A crisp, rhythmic series of footsteps echoed across the track.
A purple figure was running there with clenched teeth. Fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead, yet she still maintained a steady, controlled pace.
Her breathing was even and deep, and every step landed solidly with strength.
Off to the side of the track stood a tall figure with arms folded, watching her with a stern expression.
"Mm. Not bad!"
Byerley's voice rang out with firm authority.
"Keep this pace! Suppress your impulses! Don't let speed erode your senses!"
On the track, McQueen gritted her teeth.
Under Byerley's guidance, she was in the middle of a special training session.
This wasn't about pursuing absolute speed. It was about learning how to control herself.
How to stay calm over a long race. How to unleash all her strength only at the most critical moment.
Kuroha had taught her these things before, of course.
But no matter what, instruction from one of the Three Goddesses still carried a completely different weight.
"My, Byerley really is strict, isn't she?"
At one side, Godolphin covered her mouth and laughed softly.
Darley stood beside her as well, watching McQueen on the track with obvious interest.
"But that child McQueen truly is exceptional. She learns so quickly."
Standing near the three goddesses, Nase Fumino held a notebook in her hands, lowering her head from time to time to jot something down.
She was currently observing McQueen's training alongside the goddesses in a joint supervision session.
Of course, although it was called joint training, it was much like what had happened during the overseas expedition with Kuroha.
For the most part, Nase Fumino was simply learning more advanced training methods.
The three goddesses' understanding of Uma Musume, and their insight into the essence of running and the techniques and artistry behind it, were all precious experience she needed to absorb as a trainer.
Even if her role at the edges of the session was somewhat minor, the purple-haired beauty was still learning with enormous enthusiasm, occasionally asking quiet questions and then carefully writing the answers down in her notebook.
On the other side of the track, another figure was sweating through her own training.
Teio moved with light, lively steps, running lap after lap around the course.
Beside her stood Aoi Kiryuin with a stopwatch in hand, diligently recording every single data point.
The Aoi of today was no longer the inexperienced rookie who hadn't even graduated yet.
She had fully grown into a trainer capable of standing on her own.
Her professional knowledge had even surpassed that of most trainers at Central Tracen Academy.
Kuroha trusted her completely.
At the edge of the track, Kuroha and Oguri stood for a while watching. Then he smiled and waved toward them. After greeting everyone, he and Oguri headed into the trainer's office.
...
Inside the trainer's office.
A breathtakingly beautiful girl with long brown hair, a gentle temperament, and a full, graceful figure was sitting by the tea table.
On the table before her sat an exquisite tea set, and steam was rising in soft curls from the pot.
Hearing the door open, she looked up.
Then, once she saw who had come in, a warm smile bloomed across her face.
"Oh, Trainer Kuroha! And Oguri-san too!"
She happily waved them over.
"Creek." Kuroha smiled as he walked in. "Practicing tea again?"
Super Creek froze for a second, then gave an embarrassed laugh as her gaze drifted away.
"Just… once in a while."
Oguri, meanwhile, naturally walked over to Super Creek and looked down at the cup of tea in front of her.
"Oguri, want some?"
Super Creek smiled and poured her a cup.
Oguri picked it up in both hands and looked at it, then took a small sip.
After that, she tilted her head and smacked her lips.
It seemed she hadn't really tasted anything.
So she took another sip.
Still nothing.
"…"
The silver-haired girl silently put the teacup back down.
Watching the scene, Kuroha smiled, then looked at Super Creek and said:
"Creek, Oguri's coming with me to the massage room in a bit, then I'm giving her the blessing."
He paused.
"If I remember right, your time should be up too. Want to come along?"
Mas… massage?
Super Creek blanked for a second.
Then, as if something had suddenly come to mind, her cheeks turned bright red in an instant.
"Ah… I-I'm not in a hurry…"
"Oguri should go first…"
Even after so many times, this pure-hearted girl still hadn't fully adjusted to that feeling.
Kuroha found her reaction a little funny.
"All right." He stood up. "Then let's go, Oguri."
Inside the trainer's office, Super Creek stared blankly as the two of them walked into the massage room. Then she cupped her flushed cheeks in both hands, swaying in place as a low, soft little hum slipped from her lips.
The massage room door closed gently.
The lighting inside was soft, and a faint mugwort fragrance lingered in the air.
A massage bed sat quietly in the center of the room.
In the corner, a humidifier released wisps of white mist, making the whole space feel peaceful and warm.
At this moment, Oguri had already taken off her Central Tracen Academy uniform jacket and was lying obediently on the massage bed.
Kuroha stood beside her, both hands pressing gently against her pale shoulders and back.
A slender waist. Smooth, fair skin.
Perhaps because she had maintained such intense training even during retirement, this former racer's figure still retained a stunning athletic beauty even as the blessings of the Three Goddesses had faded and the absolute peak of her prime had slowly begun to pass.
Those long, shapely legs had smooth, elastic muscle lines, full and firm and brimming with power.
Every inch of her skin was toned just right, as though it held a burst of energy that could be released at any moment.
Moving upward from that slim waist, because she was lying flat, the modest fullness of her chest was gently pressed beneath her.
From the side, it traced a soft, breathtaking curve.
Not as exaggerated as Obey Your Master, Maruzensky, or Super Creek.
But it suited the graceful beauty of her overall figure perfectly.
"Mmh…"
But Oguri had long since gotten used to this by now.
Unlike the first time, when she had gone stiff with embarrassment, now she was fully immersed in enjoyment.
Her head rested limply atop her folded arms, her whole body softened into an almost melting state.
She looked like a tiny little Oguri.
Every so often, a few soft hums of comfort slipped out through her nose.
A clear sign that she felt extremely good.
...
The massage room was very quiet.
The only sounds were the faint rustle of hands against skin, and Oguri's occasional little hums of comfort.
As he worked carefully, Kuroha watched the relaxed expression on the girl beneath him and let out a quiet chuckle.
Without stopping his hands, he asked softly, "Oguri."
"Mmh…"
"How have you been lately?"
"...What do you mean?"
"I mean... have you had something on your mind lately?"
At that, the girl's body stiffened slightly, but quickly relaxed again.
"...No."
Her voice was still muffled.
"I've still been running every day lately. There's nothing I'm unhappy about."
Hearing that, Kuroha felt a little helpless.
At some point, this girl had apparently learned to bottle things up when something was bothering her.
During this period after retirement, things had been very different.
Unlike Ardan, who had been constantly running back and forth between Chasing Light and the Mejiro household every day, practically glowing with joy while preparing for the wedding, Oguri's mood had visibly dimmed.
It was obvious she had been troubled by something.
His palms continued moving over her slender waist and abdomen, feeling the firm, supple resilience unique to a young girl in her prime.
Looking at Oguri, who still clearly didn't want to talk, Kuroha let a faintly mischievous smile curl at his lips.
Then he pressed lightly on a certain pressure point.
"Eek...!"
The silver-haired girl's whole body jolted.
Suppressing a laugh, Kuroha continued, "Really nothing, Oguri?"
"…"
Oguri fell silent for a few seconds, then reached out, pulled the pillow into her arms, and answered in a muffled voice.
The pillow covered the lower half of her face, leaving only a pair of slightly shy eyes visible.
A few seconds later, she finally spoke in a soft voice.
"...There is a little."
"Mhm."
Kuroha's hands slid from her waist to the center of her back, pressing gently and steadily.
Oguri buried her face deeper into the pillow.
"A little while ago... I really did feel kind of bad..."
"After retiring, I didn't have to race anymore, and I didn't have to train so much either... Every day, all I did was go run by myself and watch the other girls at the academy train..."
"Sometimes I would think..."
She paused, fell silent for a moment, then continued.
"If only I could keep running... If only I could race those girls again... If only I could win one more time..."
Kuroha listened quietly.
The skin beneath his hands was warm and soft. Through her pale back, he could feel the steady thump of her heartbeat, strong and alive.
"But... later, I slowly figured it out."
Oguri paused, then turned her head and looked at Kuroha with those clear, cool eyes.
"After retiring, I had a lot of time to calm down, to watch the other girls at the academy, and to think back on the races I ran before."
"And then I realized... I've actually already been luckier than almost every other Uma Musume."
"From Kasamatsu to Central. From nobody to somebody."
"I ran in so many races. I met so many amazing rivals. I won so many honors..."
Her voice remained soft, but there was a seriousness in it that was rare for her.
"Some girls go their whole lives without ever winning a graded race. Some get injured and have to retire right after debuting. Some give everything they have and still can do nothing but linger at the local level."
"But I not only made it safely all the way to the end, I also met you, Trainer, moved into Chasing Light, and get to eat delicious food every day..."
She blinked.
"So I'm already very satisfied."
"No one's life is absolutely perfect, right, Trainer?"
After saying that, she simply looked at Kuroha like that, her eyes shining, as though waiting for his opinion.
"…"
Kuroha was quiet for a few seconds. Then his palm moved again, drawing a soft little cry from Oguri and making her arch her waist.
"Mmh... Trainer..."
Oguri let out a protesting sound.
"Haha."
Kuroha laughed as he continued massaging her and teased:
"That was really well said. I never thought I'd hear something so insightful come out of your mouth, Oguri."
"That's honestly incredible."
At that, Oguri's cheeks puffed out slightly.
She buried her face deeper into the pillow and muttered in a muffled voice:
"Hikaru said the same thing before... and now you're saying it too, Trainer..."
"I'm not dumb."
Hikaru?
So some of these oddly profound realizations of Oguri's were thanks to Berno Light too.
Now that he understood, Kuroha smiled and continued carefully working his hands down along her spine, seriously massaging every inch of muscle.
Although the girl beneath him kept grumbling, her body was honestly enjoying every second of it, and every now and then she let out a few little hums of satisfaction.
Watching Oguri like that, Kuroha felt something soft stir in his heart.
Oguri had grown too...
The first time they met, her world had been made up of nothing but running and food. She had almost no complicated understanding of anything else.
But now, little by little, she had shed that initial innocence and blank simplicity.
She had come to hold her own understanding of herself and of the world.
In a way, she was finally starting to have that calm, composed quality that belonged to the Oguri Cap he remembered from the anime and the game.
Though...
In front of him, most of the time, Oguri was still just an adorably airheaded glutton.
(End of Chapter)
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