Though the earlier overload training uphill was just a preliminary test, Kitasan Black was clearly exhausted.
Yasui Makoto wasn't surprised by this.
From his experience with extreme acrobatics, he was all too familiar with the intensity of such workouts and knew well what it felt like the first time.
Usually, few trainees could even complete their first overload session without needing to stop halfway or end early.
Even those who managed to finish often ended up with muscle strain or nausea.
Compared to them, Kitasan's performance was actually outstanding.
Considering this beforehand, upon reaching the Unkaisou Inn halfway up Mount Mitou, Yasui took charge of the luggage, telling Kitasan to follow the attendant for a restorative hot-spring treatment.
This inn had caught his eye immediately when he chose this location for their training camp.
Mount Mitou was over 1500 meters high, and the inn, sitting around 900 meters, was perfectly situated—ideal for climbing upward for endurance or downward for overload training.
Just nearby lay Lake Okutama, a scenic spot surrounded by a well-maintained lakeside trail, perfect for regular running drills.
The lake itself provided another training option.
Overload training wasn't the most conventional method for boosting stamina. It demanded high physical condition, and not all Uma Musume could withstand it.
More commonly, trainers arranged swimming sessions to build endurance. It was effective, low-impact, and easy to implement.
Previously, Kitasan had always done her swimming drills in the academy's pool, but despite its temperature control, it was always crowded, restricting her freedom during practice.
Before coming here, Yasui had confirmed with Tokai Teio: since Kitasan was the only one training on the mountain, they could use the lake freely without concern for others.
Being summer, the water temperature wouldn't be an issue either.
Kitasan, however, knew none of this.
After entering the hot-spring inn and following the attendant into the baths, she simply felt delighted by both the natural scenery and the facilities.
From the eastern corridor, she spotted a huge lake in the distance, its vivid blue and emerald reflections gleaming like a gem set among the mountains.
The inn, clearly built to blend with nature, was constructed entirely from solid wood and roofed with wide slabs of shale.
The outer walls surrounding the outdoor baths—whether painted or charred—were a sleek, appealing black, her favorite color.
The inn's service was excellent, too—not just the usual sulfur hot springs, massages, and nutritious meals, but even something called a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
She didn't fully understand what that was from the attendant's explanation, but after lying inside briefly, she felt a remarkable freshness—just like the first time she'd visited the mountains as a child. She unknowingly drifted into sleep.
She awoke without knowing how much time had passed, and upon asking an attendant, realized she'd slept two or three hours straight.
Refreshed yet worried that Yasui had been waiting anxiously, she hurriedly dressed in a yukata and rushed to the room.
Knocking softly on the sliding door, she heard Yasui say, "Come in," and eagerly slid the door open.
"Trainer! Sorry for making you wait—Eh? Suzuka-senpai?"
She spotted Yasui first, but her eyes widened with surprise and delight upon seeing the chestnut-haired Uma Musume next to him.
"Senpai, why are you here?"
Silence Suzuka, dressed in workout gear and inspecting the futons on the tatami, turned to her with a gentle smile, hugging a pillow.
"Does that mean you don't welcome me, Kita-chan?"
"Ah? That's not what I meant at all! I'm just surprised—but of course I'm happy and welcome you, senpai…"
Feeling she'd misspoken, Kitasan awkwardly scratched her head, growing curious again.
"But...weren't you helping Spe-chan with special training? Isn't the Summer Dream Trophy next month?"
"Yes, exactly one month from now," Silence Suzuka nodded, explaining calmly. "Spe-chan's training at the seaside now. We initially thought you'd pick there as well, since it was recommended by the Academy."
"But then we heard you'd chosen the mountains, and after some discussion, I decided to come here."
"A training camp feels more complete when we're all together, doesn't it?"
Kitasan found herself nodding unconsciously.
She hadn't competed for over a month, dedicating most of her energy outside of regular training to final exams.
Tracen Academy took academics seriously, especially since opening its university division. Continuing studies after graduation from middle school meant facing considerable exam pressure.
Kitasan occasionally thought about what she wanted to do in the future.
Initially, she'd imagined becoming a singer, just like her grandfather. Her family, including both Grandpa and Dad, praised her singing talent, and she genuinely loved it.
Lately, though, she'd developed a new interest.
Since Yasui introduced her to extreme acrobatics, she'd been deeply fascinated by this exciting, thrilling sport.
Especially appealing were its racing elements—competitions that reminded her of the joy she found in running.
Yasui had once said she might even be a genius at it; if she pursued this path, perhaps she'd become an outstanding extreme athlete.
But after some research and questioning, she found sadly that no specialized extreme acrobatics events existed for Uma Musume, so she'd put those ideas aside temporarily.
Regardless of her future goals—or her current pursuit of the Twinkle Series—studying diligently was essential.
Since her academic talent was average at best, she had to work even harder.
She'd spent considerable effort preparing for exams, even seeking tutoring from Satono Crown and others.
During these sessions, they'd talked about their summer training plans. When she realized she'd be alone at Mount Mitou, she'd felt disappointed.
But Silence Suzuka-senpai's unexpected arrival made it clear she was here specifically to support her. Gratefulness surged through Kitasan, mixing with delight.
After the initial surprise faded, Kitasan suddenly realized the room held more than just herself, Suzuka-senpai, and Yasui. There appeared to be another Uma Musume quietly crouching in the corner.
Long black hair shimmered with hints of purple under sunlight streaming through the window.
On her left ear rested a tiny, elegant deep-purple iris-shaped hat adorned with a pale-blue rose.
Though dressed in workout attire like Silence Suzuka, this girl was exceptionally petite—at first glance, barely taller than Almond Eye, with the look of an elementary-schooler.
Sensing Kitasan's gaze, the Uma Musume in the corner turned around, revealing a delicate, palm-sized face and beautiful, pale purple eyes.
"U-um...hello, Kitasan Black-san. I came here because I promised McQueen-san… Um, you can call me Rice Shower…"
---
T/N: RICE SHOWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!