Chapter 270: I'll Definitely Be Back on Time
Hearing his mother's words, Makoto felt a bit embarrassed. He couldn't help rubbing his nose, a trace of awkwardness flashing in his eyes.
Since the beginning of the year, he hadn't returned home at all. He had even lied to his family before, naturally because he didn't want them to find out about his injury and worry too much.
What he hadn't expected was that his usually stern father—who always seemed to criticize him—would be so observant. Just from watching TV, he noticed Makoto was injured and immediately told his mother to come check on him.
Thinking about this, Makoto didn't feel any resentment. Instead, he felt a quiet warmth from this kind of family affection.
A gentle smile formed on his lips as he said softly, "Dad may not talk much and always points out my flaws, but when it really matters… he does care about me."
"Exactly. Your dad's just stubborn—he cares about you a lot inside," Mechalyn said, her eyes full of tenderness as she looked at her son. "When he saw you were hurt this time, he got really anxious and kept urging me to come see you."
Makoto smiled slightly but said nothing. In his mind, however, he was already making plans.
It was still the holiday period, and the academy hadn't reopened yet. Kitasan Black's races wouldn't start until after returning from overseas, and Almond Eye wouldn't be taking her assessment for a while either.
Since he was relatively free now—and since his injury had already been discovered—maybe he could go back home for a few days.
As if seeing through her son's thoughts, Mechalyn blinked and suddenly gave a mischievous smile.
Glancing at Kitasan Black, who was still busy taking photos and signing autographs with Almond Eye, she leaned closer to Makoto, cupped her hand by her mouth, and whispered, "So when the time comes, are you going back with me alone, or are you bringing Kita-chan along?"
Without thinking, Makoto replied, "Of course I'm going back alone. Why would I bring Kitasan…?"
Halfway through, he froze. Looking at his mother again, he noticed the teasing and knowing look in her eyes, and instantly understood the deeper meaning behind her words.
He scratched his head helplessly, feeling both awkward and troubled.
"…Please don't overthink it. Kitasan and I are just normal trainer and trainee. That cohabitation joke you made before was already a bit much—don't…"
Seeing her son's flustered expression, Mechalyn couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Alright, alright. Just a normal relationship, then."
"I just think that child Kita-chan is really wonderful, she's so well-behaved and considerate, and she takes such good care of you… Isn't that right?"
As she spoke, she glanced again in Kitasan Black's direction, her eyes full of admiration.
Makoto let out a helpless sigh and didn't continue the conversation. His gaze drifted unconsciously toward Kitasan Black in the distance.
At that moment, Kitasan Black was patiently signing an autograph for a young fan. A gentle smile lit up her face, and sunlight outlined her figure beautifully.
After finishing, she looked up and happened to meet Makoto's eyes. She paused for a moment, then broke into a bright smile and waved at him.
Makoto's heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, he wanted to look away, but he couldn't help smiling back and raising his hand in response.
Taking all of this in, Mechalyn gently shook her head, though a meaningful smile curved her lips. In a low voice, she muttered, "Just a normal relationship, huh… Looks like there'll be plenty to watch in the future…"
…
After the New Year shrine visit, Mechalyn didn't stay long. Two days later, she returned home, and Makoto went back with her.
As soon as he stepped into the familiar house, just as expected, he was given a lecture by his father.
The stern tone and concerned gaze mixed together, leaving Makoto with no choice but to repeatedly promise, "I'll definitely be more careful in the future. I won't get injured like this again, and I won't let any of my trainees get hurt either." Only then did his father's expression finally soften.
During the few days he stayed at home, Makoto found himself, without realizing it, frequently thinking about Kitasan Black and Almond Eye back in Tokyo.
But more often, his thoughts lingered on Kitasan Black.
The number and duration of his phone calls with the first trainee he had signed a contract with were noticeably greater than those with Almond Eye.
Every time the call connected and he heard the familiar voice of the girl on the other end talking about how she had made new progress in a game that day, or about a particularly interesting book she had come across, or about trying out a new training method at the track.
Listening to her enthusiastic daily updates, Makoto would unconsciously smile, yet there was also a strange feeling in his heart.
At first, he didn't think too deeply about it. He simply assumed it was because he had grown used to being with Kitasan Black every day, and now that they were suddenly apart, it felt a bit uncomfortable.
It wasn't until one day, while he was on the phone with Kitasan Black, that his mother happened to pass by and teasingly remarked, "Look at you smiling like that, are you really that happy talking to Kita-chan?"
Only then did he suddenly come back to his senses. After ending the call, he couldn't help but reflect on it.
He thought about their first meeting—the unexpected encounter.
He remembered the look in her eyes when she said she wanted to become his trainee—filled with longing and determination for future races.
He thought about their training sessions, where Kitasan Black gave it her all—every sprint, every start, every turn accompanied by his guidance, both of them striving together toward victory.
On the race track, her lightning-fast figure always brought him surprises at crucial moments.
Every race was a testament to their teamwork, a badge of their unwavering pursuit of dreams.
And then there was this recent period…
After he got injured, Kitasan Black's attentive care became something he simply couldn't forget.
Before the first light of morning had fully chased away the chill of night, she would quietly enter the kitchen to prepare a nutritious breakfast for him.
While he sat at his desk reviewing materials and planning training schedules, she would sit quietly beside him, occasionally handing him a steaming cup of tea.
The way she looked at him was always filled with trust and reliance, as if, in her heart, he was the most dependable person in the world.
If their previous coordination in training and races could be considered normal interaction between a trainer and his trainee, then these little moments of care in daily life were like stones dropped into the calm lake of his heart, creating ripples upon ripples.
Whenever he recalled them, his heartbeat would unconsciously quicken.
Lying on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling, Makoto had a faint smile on his lips, yet his brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes full of confusion and contemplation.
So… is this what liking someone feels like?
Do I… like Kitasan Black?
Since when…? How did I not notice…?
Just as he was caught in this tangle of confusion and hesitation, his phone chimed with a message.
Subconsciously, he picked it up.
[Trainer, I forgot to mention during the call—Ai-chan entrance exam is in a few days. You have to come back on time; she's is waiting for you.]
[And… I'm waiting for you too.]
His fingers gently brushed over the phone screen. The smile on his lips grew more obvious, and the tightness in his brows gradually eased.
The confusion and hesitation seemed to be carried away by a gentle breeze, leaving only a sense of certainty in his heart.
He no longer tried to figure out when exactly these feelings had begun.
He simply felt that having such a bond with Kitasan Black, and receiving a message filled with her anticipation, made everything feel incredibly wonderful.
Smiling unconsciously, his fingers quickly tapped on the screen as he sent a firm reply:
[Don't worry. I'll definitely be back on time. Wait for me.]
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 314: Kita, You're Truly Amazing[1]
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