When the Spica members collectively decided to go out for speed training on the track, they saw a unique scene.
Special Week was seen concentrating intently on the front inside the gate, while Zero waited at another gate.
[Beep—!]
Clang!
With a sharp sound, the gate opened, and Zero-chan shot out like an arrow from a bow. Unfortunately for Special Week, she was startled by the sudden noise and froze for a moment.
Just as everyone thought this was a simulated training, Zero, who had already run out, stopped in her tracks, ran to Special Week's gate and began to repeatedly tapping the other's forehead with her finger.
"Late start (tap)! Late start (tap)! Late start (tap)! Late start (tap)! After trying so many attempt you still can't concentrate! (tap)"
"Wuwu… Zero-chan is too strict…" Special Week hugged her head and squatted down, seemingly aggrieved, but in reality, it was to hide her expression.
Because when Zero came directly to the track, she was still wearing her going-out outfit… where she wore pants that were definitely not safe for viewing, especially with how they clung tightly to zero's body.
Special Week couldn't have been more thrilled at the sight, silently sending her thanks to the Three Goddesses.
It wasn't that she didn't want to run out quickly, but every time she looked up to watch the other's back, she could see a graceful view, and her gaze would immediately focus there and blood would rise to her brain instead of her legs.
However, the perpetrator to her late starts was completely unaware, coming over to tap her a few times before resuming training.
For Special Week, seeing such a beautiful sight but getting tapped a few more times was absolutely worth it.
But now that everyone else had come out to the track, she has to because serious from now on.
"Strict, my foot. Your late starts these past few times have been even worse than during yesterday's test. Although your [Late Surge] is good, do you really plan to leave the outcome of every race to other Uma Musumes who may or may not give you a chance to overtake?! (tap)"
By the way, why is this kid calling me Zero-chan too? Is that nickname really that convenient?
"One more time! This time, I promise to do well!"
"If you're late again this time, I'll arrange a super difficult guts training for you."
"Eh?" Special Week had heard others talk about Guts training before; it was very physically demanding. But what did 'super difficult' mean?
"It seems you're very curious, ho?" A mischievous smile appeared on Zero-chan's lips.
"(Swallowing saliva)" She nodded.
"First, I'll let you exhaust all your stamina, and then I'll treat you to a luxurious feast."
Gulp. What kind of guts training is this! It's practically heaven!
Special Week nervously swallowed her saliva again, but the sensation of salivation was unbearable.
Suzuka was still watching. The others on the side also seemed very interested in what Zero described as a wonderful guts training, so they hadn't started yet and were listening with great interest.
"However, because they are made with special ingredients, they will lose their original deliciousness within a short three hours after being prepared, and the taste will gradually become terrible, so it's best to eat them within an hour of being made."
It's just one hour! Don't underestimate me, Special Week!
"So I'll tie you up."
"Eh?"
"I'll tie you up and not let you eat, and then you'll have to watch the fragrant, delicious dishes gradually lose their original deliciousness, and even if they become unappetizing, I still won't let you eat them."
"Waaahhhhhhhh!!! Noooooo!!!"
"Senior, how can you such a heartless monster!?"
"No! This is beyond being a heartless monster! it's a Demon Lord's torture!" Not just Special Week, even Daiwa and Vodka, who were merely listening, screamed in despair, clutching their heads, perhaps imagining the scene.
Silent Suzuka on the side looked conflicted about whether to comment.
"So, do you understand? You must train well, okay?"
"(Frantically nodding)"
"Very good, then prepare again." Hearing the command, Special Week quickly entered the gate, her eyes focused solely on the gate.
Are you kidding? That was purely mental torture designed specifically for her. No matter how much she wanted to glimpse at Zero from behind to see the glorious view, it wasn't worth going against her own stomach!
Besides, if she performed well, maybe the other party would be happy enough to make her a meal!
For Zero-chan's homemade delicacies!
[Beep—!]
The sound rang out once more, and the gate opened accordingly.
Zero-chan's body once again shot out quickly as before, and this time, Special Week also burst out not far behind her.
However, considering that the other party hadn't debuted yet, Zero deliberately adjusted her speed, eventually running side by side with the other.
"Watch closely. Training can be postponed for a bit. This kind of teaching is also good material for you all." Trainer Okino clapped his hands, telling everyone to focus intently on the two running.
Perhaps they did also have the same thoughts as their trainer, everyone began to intently watch the two running. Zero, perhaps anticipating their observation, had already put on a small microphone, so even from a distance, everyone could clearly hear her words.
"Special Week, you must remember, while it's good to decide 'what running style to use this race' beforehand, the situation on the track often doesn't go as you wish.
Therefore, knowing when to change your running style according to the situation at the time is also an extremely important matter."
"You are good at chasing and surging. So, you need to decide your position within a maximum of 2 seconds from the start of the gate and implement it before the race officially enters the early stage, finding a suitable position for you."
"So, in this situation where I'm running alongside you, how do you plan to run? No need to answer, just show me through your actions."
Special Week on the side also fell into thought. While Zero was much stronger than herself, she did indicate that this run was primarily for teaching and not an actual race.
So, compared to [Pace Chaser], [Late Surger] would be more suitable for now, as Special Week wasn't quite familiar enough with pacer and that she could receive some more guidance to that style she was familiar with.
Once on the track, Special Week's awareness also became focused. All the random thoughts she had earlier were now completely forgotten, and she seriously began to ponder what she should be learning the most.
Thinking, she slightly slowed down her speed, falling back a little, but not by much, ensuring that she could burst forward with a sprint if necessary…
"!!"
"A very wise choice, but you're still thinking too little." Zero was running at the same speed as her, yet she seemed extremely at ease compared to Special Week, who was completely focused on running and her breathing state, unable to speak.
"While Late surge is a running style that prepares for a surge in the middle and late stages by conserving stamina in the early stage, this doesn't mean you can give up a suitable position if you can grab it. Remember, running isn't meant to become a problem in a race.
As long as you can ensure a surge in the late stage, then occupy the most advantageous position as much as possible. Finally, don't let others take it."
In Special Week's eyes, Zero-chan's entire figure seemed a bit blurred. When she came back to her senses, she realized they had already passed the first turn, and by then, Zero-chan had opened up a significant distance between them.
"The speed and power I'm using isn't much different from your's now." These were Zero's words to her before starting the training, and at this moment, they seemed so unreal.
"This is a small trick, I suppose. I'll teach it to everyone in the team later, including you, of course." The white-haired girl chuckled lightly and continued her teaching.
"Now, are you still going to maintain this distance between me, or will you try to… chase me closely?"
This training was only 2000m long. Although they had only just passed the first turn, they were already approaching the second turn in a blink of an eye.
"What should I do? Should I accelerate? The remaining distance isn't too much pressure, but if I can't achieve my desired goal, the final sprint will become even more difficult.
"Zero-chan's stamina is definitely superior to mine. If I accelerate now to try and stay close, and she also accelerates to maintain this distance, it will be very unfavorable for the situation later. But even if I don't catch up, my last spurt isn't as good as hers.
Damn it, is this the strength of the universally acknowledged number one? I can't think of what to do at all!"
Special Week felt a bit irritable at this moment, but she still suppressed the urge to rush out. On the surface, she seemed to want to maintain this distance, but she subtly began to quicken her pace, gradually closing the distance between herself and Zero.
Special Week's little thoughts naturally couldn't escape Zero, but a slight look of surprise also appeared on her face.
"It seems she's been thinking a lot. Once she's on the track, she's a completely different person from her usual goofy self. A typical big-race type, huh...
Well, it wouldn't hurt to let her taste a little sweetness, but I also need to give her some setbacks, or this kid will probably get carried away."
Thinking this, Zero didn't choose to accelerate, tacitly allowing the other party to slowly close the distance, and didn't stop speaking.
"Good decision, but remember, when using small tricks, don't make it too obvious. You need to learn to hide your true goal." While speaking, she changed lanes to occupy the innermost track.
Tsk, I've been found out.
Overtaking on the inside lane, this is the optimal solution that Special Week thought of for herself.
On terrain like curves, overtaking an opponent on the outer lane from the inner lane is the most suitable approach, but the inner lane means facing one thing—extremely fierce position battles.
"Changing lanes is a very common tactic, but remember not to be penalized for veering by obstructing others, okay?" The teaching on that side didn't stop either, but Special Week wasn't in the mood to listen at the moment.
The most advantageous position has already been taken by the opponent, but the most open outer lane has also been vacated.
So, what to do?
Of course!
Answering herself in her heart, Special Week gritted her teeth and moved to the outer lane.
Before she knew it, the race was approaching the final bend, and the distance between her and Zero was less than one Uma Musume's length.
Because of the extra bit of acceleration, she was consuming a bit more stamina, but as she was about to enter the bend, the nutrients from the cake and food she had eaten before seemed to turn into a warm current flowing through her limbs, allowing her stamina to continue to hold out.
[Hydrate: Slightly recover endurance mid-race]
Moreover, now is the best moment to overtake!
At the moment of entering the bend, her foot stomped hard on the ground. She was going to accelerate.
[Homestrech Haste: Slightly increase velocity in the final spurt]
The opponent was still maintaining a steady pace, and for Special Week, who had explosive acceleration, it wasn't particularly difficult to overtake her.
Afterward, at the moment of surpassing the opponent, she suddenly seemed to have a new understanding.
When trying her best to overtake the opponent in the final stage, she felt that all the cells in her body were cheering, further increasing the strength in her legs.
In Zero's "as expected" gaze, in the panel that only she could see, a new skill appeared in Special Week's skill column.
[Outer Swell: Slightly increase velocity when passing another runner on the outside on the final corner]
Then, at the moment of completely surpassing the opponent, all the power in her body was surging out. At this moment, she only had the finish line not far away in her eyes.
The joy from the bottom of her heart was like the cheering self who saw a meteor shower one night in Hometown, thinking of herself streaking across the racetrack like a meteor... It's really great.
[Unique Skill: Shooting Star: Ride the momentum and increase velocity after passing another runner towards the front late race]
In the surprised gazes of all the spectators, starlight seemed to light up around Special Week's body, and the whole person sped like a meteor.
Although I've seen it in the recording, but...
Zero's lips slightly curled up.
"A very outstanding spurt, Special Week. However, I'm sorry, I have to give you one final lesson."
Without another a moment of hesitation she also dug her feet into the ground hard.
[Unique Skill: Monstrous Whirlwind- Speed That Shall Reach The Divine (Weakened Version): Acceleration increases upon entering the final straight, and ignores whether all of one's own yellow skills have been triggered or their trigger conditions, activate them all at once. This time, only activate: Beeline burst, Homestretch Haste, and Steadfast.]
Almost there! The last 200 meters!
Special Week had already forgotten that she was in a practice match, rushing forward selflessly, the sweat she left behind wetting the clothes and hair on her body, sticking together messily, but she didn't care at all. As long as she could maintain this speed... A gust of wind suddenly blew, causing her to shiver involuntarily.
When she came back to her senses, Zero had completely surpassed her. The wind just now was just the strong wind blown out by the other party when she was running.
Lost... huh... Her heart felt very uncomfortable, but even so, Special Week didn't slow down, still running with all her strength to cross the finish line, and then fell down due to exhaustion.
However, Zero immediately hugged her, preventing her from falling forward.
After running so much, the other party's face was only slightly red and a little out of breath due to the acceleration. It was too unfair...
"Good job, Special Week, you performed very well."
"..." Lost, I really want to cry...
"How do you feel now?"
"My heart feels so uncomfortable... I want to cry..."
Is this child's mentality so bad? Zero was also stunned, and couldn't help but think that this child wasn't like her, a child who had endured all the hardships she could eat alone in the deep mountains and old forests.
She secretly cursed herself for being so serious, and comforted her.
"Cry if you want to cry, remember this feeling, and work hard so that you won't have this experience again in the future."
She hugged Special week and sat on the ground. Although Zero was much shorter than Special Week, she still hugged her like a mother hen in Special Week's exhausted state, burying the other's face on her shoulder, and stroking the back of their head with one hand.
"Yeah... but..."
"What's wrong?"
"Being comforted by Z-chan like this, I don't want to cry anymore."
"You little..." Zero couldn't help but laugh and cry a little. Unexpectedly, this child likes to act spoiled.
"Can I hug you a little longer?"
"Yes, yes, your training will also be officially put on the agenda starting tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah..."
Zero had already turned off her microphone when the competition ended. She didn't think that Gold Ship, who was secretly making faces at her over there, wouldn't do anything shocking after hearing her previous remarks. Besides, she also felt that those remarks were a bit shy.
She trusted Gold Ship very much, especially when it came to causing trouble.
"Trainer, I'll take Special Week to take a bath and give her some treatment first. You let everyone train first, and I'll come down later."
"No problem, how is she? Very powerful, am I right?" Trainer Okino showed his big white teeth, looking very happy.
"Ah, yeah. She is very talented, maybe she will be the next Undefeated Triple Crown."
"Oh? Such a high evaluation?"
"Of course, besides..."
"Besides?"
"If I teach together with you, we can remove the word 'maybe'."
"That would be great, but is it okay?" Naturally, she was asking about her own races.
"I'm waiting for an opportunity, but that opportunity is still some time away, and even if it doesn't come, winning those races is just a piece of cake."
"Should I say you're confident or arrogant?" Trainer Okino covered his face, looking troubled, but the grin on his face betrayed his feelings.
"Is that even a question?" Giving him a glare, Zero carried the sleeping Special Week into the large villa.
She and he had always been like this. Trainer Okino always trusted her confidence, and she, naturally, took victory as a reward for his trust.
"What do you say, how about taking on the Undefeated Triple Crown first?"
"I can..."
"Good! Then I'll leave it to you!"
This was her first conversation with Trainer Okino after losing her debut race. To others, a Uma Musume who lost her debut race saying such a thing would inevitably seem extremely arrogant, but she did indeed achieve exactly that later on, proving her words.
Uma Musume and Trainer are not just a relationship of mutual reliance; mutual trust, mutual learning, and mutual progress are the indispensable reasons for Uma Musume and Trainer; more importantly than an excellent Trainer is a Trainer who suits oneself.
Maybe this is why the Three Goddesses-sama let me join this team back then?
[No no no, we just wanted to see what you would look like after being kidnapped, it was very cute~]
Can't we just get rid of such lousy goddesses? (No mercy)
[Look at this! Zero's lewd picture .jpg]
So, can you guys be serious for once! ! ! !
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I'm a newbie translator and wanted to add more uma fics for more people to read. if there are any errors, multiple of the same text or sentence, let me know.
The credits and orginal story is: 传奇马娘想好好谈恋爱 and belongs to: 起始之零