By the time Saito Asuka said, "Training over," it was already five o'clock in the afternoon.
Seeing her lover frowning and subconsciously biting the top of his pen, Nakayama Megumi walked to his side and handed him the water bottle she had already prepared.
Then, seeing him subconsciously look up at her, Nakayama Megumi's expression, which had been blank, softened considerably, "And… you worked hard."
"…Megumi?"
Saito Asuka, completely unaware that his beloved was sitting on a nearby chair watching him and Seiun Sky train, was stunned, then a few seconds later, he recovered, placed the notebook in his hand on his lap, unscrewed the cap, and took several big gulps of water.
"When did you arrive?"
After letting out a long breath, Saito Asuka looked at Nakayama Megumi standing beside him and asked casually.
"I've been sitting there all afternoon watching you train."
"…Huh?"
Hearing Nakayama Megumi's reply, the man was stunned again, then followed the direction she pointed.
"…You've been there all afternoon? Didn't I tell you to go to the Director's Office and enjoy the air conditioning?"
The man curled his index finger and flicked her nose, chiding, "And couldn't you see from there too?"
"Sitting here all afternoon, aren't you hot?"
"But, I wanted to watch you up close."
The woman with long, flowing hair, whose nose had been flicked, blinked, "…Is that not allowed?"
"Allowed! Of course, it is! No problem at all!"
Saito Asuka, forgetting what he had said not long ago, replied without hesitation.
Damn it… My girlfriend is just too cute!
Looking at Nakayama Megumi, who sat down beside him and leaned her upper body towards him, Saito Asuka couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
I simply… cannot refuse!
"Is there any problem with her training?"
While he was still lost in thought, Nakayama Megumi looked up and asked.
"…No, her training was perfectly executed."
Saito Asuka shook his head, then used the pen in his hand to tap the notebook filled with writing.
So perfect that he couldn't help at all.
Amidst his sigh, that doubt reappeared in his mind.
…With such strength, she could clearly join Teresen Academy, which has better conditions. Why did this child choose to join our Himeji Tracen Academy?
"Perfect? That's high praise."
Hearing Saito Asuka's evaluation of Seiun Sky, Nakayama Megumi tilted her head in confusion, "…If that's the case, why do you still look so worried?"
"Megumi, do you think she really needs me?"
Looking at the Black-haired Horse Girl standing on the training ground, Saito Asuka seemed to be asking Nakayama Megumi, and also talking to himself, "An Uma Musume like her, isn't she beyond someone like me, who can't even be considered a rookie Trainer, to be responsible for?"
…I'm completely useless.
Even the most basic techniques, such as how to exert force when running, precautions to take when cornering, and how to exert force more easily when going uphill, she had already learned and applied well in her training.
She showed great strength even before her debut, and she will only get stronger in the future, right?
Will I, in the future, really be able to keep up with her pace?
"…What does she think?"
After a brief silence, Nakayama Megumi, hearing her lover ask this question, also shifted her gaze to Seiun Sky.
Then, she asked the question.
"She…?"
Saito Asuka, confused, repeated Nakayama Megumi's words, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, you've already told her that you're still taking the Uma Musume Trainer qualification exam, haven't you?"
Nakayama Megumi said softly.
"Yes, I told her about it from the beginning."
Although puzzled, Saito Asuka still nodded in response, "But what does this have to do with what I was saying?"
"What I'm about to say might be a little harsh for you, but I still hope you'll listen."
After saying this, Nakayama Megumi paused, and then continued, "Since she already knows you're a 'Trainer' who hasn't passed the Trainer exam yet, she should also know that, given her situation, you definitely can't help her now."
"Which means, when she agreed to you, she must have been prepared for this."
Nakayama Megumi, who directly said 'you can't help her now', met Saito Asuka's eyes, then showed a slightly helpless expression: "Maybe she just wants you to accompany her, to see the scenery after the end of her efforts together?"
"But if that's the case... wouldn't all the burden fall completely on that child's shoulders..."
"What can you help her with now?"
Nakayama Megumi interrupted Saito Asuka unceremoniously: "What can you help her with?"
...
Saito Asuka was speechless and fell silent.
"See, you don't even know what you can help her with now."
Nakayama Megumi picked up the half-empty bottle of mineral water that the man had drunk: "I know you desperately want to help her because she agreed to your request and is willing to save Himeji Trese Academy with you, but..."
She unscrewed the cap, and as she brought the bottle to her lips, she said, "Instead of trying your best to do useless things, it's better to do what you can do now and strive to make yourself stronger tomorrow."
"The current you, no."
...
Saito Asuka scratched his head after hearing Nakayama Megumi's words.
"...You really don't hold back at all."
Looking at Nakayama Megumi beside him, the man smiled wryly and shook his head.
"Hmm? Is this your first day knowing me?"
The woman, who threw the plastic bottle into the man's arms, glanced at Saito Asuka on the chair: "I always speak like this."
"Anyway, thank you very much."
The man took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled: "Seriously, she's still working hard, but I'm here feeling sorry for myself."
"But... have you started writing novels again recently?"
"Hmm? Is this also deduced from what I said earlier?"
Nakayama Megumi's face showed no surprise, and she nodded lightly: "...It just passed review yesterday and officially started updating."
"...Your last book seemed to have been on hiatus not long ago, right?"
The man complained: "Aren't you afraid the editor will come knocking on your door?"
"Why do you think I chose to be an online novelist?"
Nakayama Megumi, who had put several online novels on hiatus so far, asked back.