Miyamura Kyoko and Komiyama both had excellent educational backgrounds and substantial experience, all related to horse girls. After listening to Kitahara, the two of them spoke almost simultaneously.
"This is simple, I have an idea."
"If it's only Oguri Cap and Super Creek, won't it…"
After speaking in unison, the two looked at each other for a moment. Komiyama reacted first.
"Kyoko-senpai, you go first. I'm not in a hurry," she said with a gentle smile.
"Alright, then I won't be polite."
Perhaps in daily life she sometimes seemed a bit immature, but Miyamura Kyoko's medical knowledge was impeccable. She spoke very seriously.
"In my opinion, Oguri Cap's weighted training should not stop."
"I analyze the training data you've compiled every day, Kitahara-san. Clearly, after this period of persistence, Oguri Cap has reached a plateau."
"For a considerable amount of time, 40 kilograms will be a limit she finds difficult to break through. To go further, she must fully adapt to this weight."
"She cannot interrupt her training before that. Otherwise, reaching this plateau again won't be as easy; she would take much longer to adapt."
Kitahara pondered for a moment and spoke a term.
"Has her 'psychological threshold' changed?"
Miyamura Kyoko showed a look of admiration.
"Exactly, the 'psychological threshold.' Oguri Cap's psychological threshold has changed, but her physiological threshold has not yet adapted."
Her expression grew serious. "A psychological threshold refers to the critical point in psychology used to describe perception, cognition, and response—or, in other words, the minimum amount of stimulus needed for perception and response under certain conditions."
"Oguri Cap has been training with 40 kilograms for some time, so her psychological threshold for this weight has increased."
"If we interrupt her weighted training now, to reach the same perception, cognition, and response thresholds again, the weight would have to be increased."
"But her body hasn't fully adapted to 40 kilograms yet; otherwise, her performance would be even better than it is now."
"So obviously, if we interrupt her weighted training, she would need more weight and more time to reach her current results."
At this moment, Komiyama suddenly interjected.
"I see now, I understand. Kyoko-senpai, you mean you want Tamamo to undergo weighted training as well, right?"
Both Miyamura Kyoko and Kitahara were momentarily stunned. The former quickly smiled and nodded.
"Exactly, that's my idea."
"Since Oguri Cap's situation cannot change, we can change the conditions for Tamamo instead."
"This is a basic control variable approach in scientific experiments. Honestly, you two could have thought of this yourselves."
Kitahara also smiled. "But saying it this way saves a lot of time, doesn't it?"
Then, looking at Komiyama with a questioning glance, he said, "The weighted training method we use for Oguri Cap involves wearing special 'weighted gear.'"
"This gear is similar to tactical suits, with many slots to attach weights as needed."
"There's an existing production line for the whole set. If Tamamo can also undergo this training, we can quickly tailor a set for her."
"Considering the difference in physical attributes between Tamamo and Oguri Cap, the gear and weight need precise calculation. But since we already have Oguri Cap's experience, the formula is ready. So the decision is up to you, junior sister."
"Don't worry, Senpai. I'm fine with it, and I've also agreed on Tamamo's behalf," Komiyama quickly responded, smiling with admiration.
"Impressive, Senpai, Kyoko-senpai. You've only been back at Kasamatsu for a week or two, right? And you've already come up with such an excellent training method!"
"It seems Uncle Kokobu's recommendation was spot on; you are the best choice to help Tamamo!"
"Tamamo's situation… looks like it can be resolved smoothly! Nice!"
Seeing Komiyama's excitement, Kitahara and Miyamura Kyoko exchanged a smile.
"Since you agree, junior sister, I'll contact the manufacturer to expedite a set of gear. Just send me Tamamo's physical measurements."
After Komiyama nodded, Kitahara asked, "You seemed to want to say something else earlier?"
"My idea… it's a long story."
Hesitating, Komiyama thought for a moment. "Originally, I thought Oguri Cap and Super Creek could run alongside Tamamo."
"Theoretically, this would help her recover the fastest. With Oguri Cap and Super Creek's abilities, Tamamo could quickly get used to the intensity of competitive races."
"If that's the case, I worry that having only Oguri Cap and Super Creek might not be enough."
"Not enough?" ×2
After sharing Kyoko's puzzled expression, Kitahara suddenly had a thought.
…If we want to add one more Uma Musume…
Komiyama continued, "Look."
She picked up her empty milk bottle and then took Kitahara's water cup and Miyamura Kyoko's vegetable juice cup, arranging them on the table in an "L" shape.
"This is Tamamo, this is Oguri Cap, this is Super Creek."
She pointed to the milk bottle, water cup, and vegetable juice cup in turn.
"If there are only two opponents, with Tamamo's abilities, she can still find many ways to avoid them."
She started moving the milk bottle representing Tamamo diagonally forward and backward in relation to the other two cups.
"Whether overtaking through a front gap or bypassing from behind, she can maintain speed while evading, even winning in paired runs or simulations."
"Tamamo has this ability. I'm not joking."
"So in that case, the therapeutic effect would be greatly reduced. We want her to feel the race environment during paired runs and simulations, but with only two opponents, it's too easy for her."
Komiyama's brows furrowed, forming a small crease.
"I'm really not joking, Tamamo has this ability."
"But in actual races, there's more than just two opponents."
"If she's in the middle of the pack, she could get surrounded. Under PTSD symptoms, she would panic and struggle to break out."
"She isn't good at escaping and can't avoid obstacles from the front the whole time."
"Trailing behind isn't much of a problem, but we know chasing from behind has too many variables; she can't always rely on it."
"So I think, if possible, it's best to find one more opponent, someone who can match Tamamo, Oguri Cap, and Super Creek."
She placed her fist at the lower-left corner of the "L" formed by the cups.
"This way, Tamamo would be surrounded."
"This way, she can feel the race environment during paired runs and adapt faster and more effectively."
"But…"
She shook her head wryly and didn't continue.
Miyamura Kyoko, with a worried expression, spoke up. "But a Uma Musume like that would be hard to find."
"The teacher's proposed list mentioned many active central competitors. They're all outstanding Uma Musume and could theoretically create pressure for Tamamo."
"But they're busy with races or training. It's really inconvenient to trouble them."
"Sigh… Komiyama, you're right. Someone with both ability and availability… that kind of Uma Musume is hard to find."
She sighed.
"Uh, actually, that sentence was said by you, Kyoko-senpai…"
Scratching her cheek and laughing awkwardly, Komiyama corrected Kyoko's slip. She quickly smiled and looked at Kitahara.
"But it's fine. Let's first have Oguri Cap and Super Creek… huh?"
She froze.
"…Senpai, what's that expression…?"
Kitahara finally snapped out of his thoughts.
"Ah, I just suddenly realized, it's not that there isn't a suitable Uma Musume…"
His gaze moved across the surprised faces of Komiyama and Kyoko, and he curled his lips into a smile.
"Have you heard of this horse girl?"
"Currently 7 wins in 7 races… Inari One from Oi."
(Note: The last part references an anime scene from the third season, clearly aimed at fans familiar with previous seasons and Uma Musume lore.)
(End of chapter)