In the next period of training, Kitahara clearly noticed that Oguri Cap and the others were more fired up than ever before.
They didn't do any independent training on their own, but even the breaks between sets had noticeably shortened as much as possible, and even their "resting posture" was so active and precise it was hardly any different from training itself.
Was it because my division of labor with Komiyama, Yuzuhara, and Kyoko was showing better results?
Or… did something happen between them…?
That day, after lunch, Kitahara and the others quickly decided: once the three trainers passed the second round of next year's exam, they would apply together to Tracen Academy's central branch to establish a "training team."
In the past, moves like this were basically only done by "trainer families" or big corporate-backed groups. But the Japan URA Association's "training team" application process was open to everyone, so there was no problem in applying.
Details like the team's name would be discussed later, after entering Central and formally establishing the team. For now, everyone's top priorities remained the training, rehabilitation, and races of Oguri Cap and the others — as well as each trainer's own second-round Central exams.
One thing, however, was already decided in advance: Kitahara would be the team's leader — the "chief trainer."
This proposal, made by Yuzuhara Taro, was unanimously agreed to by Komiyama and Miyamura Kyoko as well.
Kitahara did not refuse or act modest — he believed in his own abilities.
He had run businesses and clubs in the past, with experience managing teams of over a hundred and clubs with hundreds of members. He was more than capable of handling the role of "chief trainer."
The title of "chief" was both a URA regulation and a convention. The other positions were set accordingly.
Yuzuhara Taro would be the team's "second trainer," Komiyama the "third trainer," and Miyamura Kyoko would serve as "chief physician."
Through further discussion, Belno Light and Konan Tomomi also joined, as "chief technician" and "team manager," respectively.
Both the horse girls and the team members were full of morale and ambition, and naturally, training went extremely smoothly.
Soon, according to the team plan, the preliminary weighted training had been completed. Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross, and Inari One had successfully adapted to weights of 40 kg, 33 kg, and 32 kg respectively. Even while wearing such weights now, the level they displayed wasn't much different from when they had first debuted.
The different weights were set to match their different physiques.
Oguri Cap was taller and heavier, so naturally her load was higher — otherwise, it wouldn't be effective.
Tamamo Cross and Inari One were both small-bodied horse girls; their 33 kg and 32 kg loads, proportionally speaking, were equivalent to Oguri Cap's 40 kg.
Super Creek wasn't put through weighted training — her goal during this period was simply to reach a state where she could train normally.
Now, that goal had been achieved. Her legs were now fully capable of handling all types of training.
The parachute sprint training was still ongoing. It had started relatively late and hadn't yet produced the expected results, so the horse girls still needed to spend a certain amount of time on it each day.
At this point, the key issue to tackle was to completely resolve Tamamo Cross's PTSD.
That day, after training, in Kitahara's new office.
Following approval, Kitahara now had a private office — to make team meetings more convenient.
"There are 11 days left until the two races on December 6th."
In his role as "chief trainer," leading this "training plan meeting," Kitahara held a laser pointer in hand, tapping at a human-height whiteboard beside him.
At the top of the whiteboard were the words "Naruo Kinen & Shiwasu Special Cup Joint Meeting," and circled in red was the number "11."
Sitting in neat rows facing the board were Komiyama, Yuzuhara, and the others, as well as Oguri Cap and the other horse girls.
"Thanks to our close cooperation in the previous phase, our training results have been very impressive. Komiyama, Yuzuhara, Kyoko, and I have all analyzed the data from both training and medical perspectives, and we've concluded that Oguri Cap, Tamamo Cross, and Inari One are fully race-ready."
"In fact, just judging by the numbers, they're clearly above the average level of other participants."
After delivering the good news, Kitahara moved the laser pointer down to a section where the letters "PTSD" were circled in black marker.
"The key issue now is Tamamo's psychological problem."
At this, Kitahara deliberately looked at Tamamo Cross — and so did everyone else.
Tamamo Cross's face showed no unusual expression, only a heavy seriousness as she nodded.
Kitahara was secretly pleased. This normal response from Tamamo Cross meant she was now consciously acknowledging her problem.
Psychological problems are generally complicated, mainly because, to the vast majority of people and horse girls, "psychological problems" are nearly synonymous with "being mentally ill."
In other words, they are stigmatized.
This "stigma" often leads those with psychological problems to reject treatment at first — some even unwilling to hear related words at all.
Tamamo Cross had been like this at the start. When she had first come to Kasamatsu, her withdrawn behavior was obvious — every day her spirit was dull, depressed, listless. When anyone brought up treatment or her issues, she often remained silent, or gave no response at all.
This kind of situation obviously hindered treatment.
Fortunately, with Oguri Cap and Inari One gradually joining training, Tamamo Cross had already run alongside them many times, and unintentionally adapted to a lot.
As early as a week or two ago, she was already able to talk about her psychological problems herself.
This indicated that she was gradually accepting her own issues, even partially adapting to the psychological shadows.
Now, after confirming Tamamo Cross's mental state once more, Kitahara nodded in satisfaction and continued pointing at the whiteboard with the laser.
"Our original plan was to gradually involve Oguri Cap and Inari One in running alongside Tamamo Cross, creating a fierce race-like environment for her, letting her adapt step by step."
On the whiteboard were three cartoonish little "green dumpling" style faces — chibi drawings of Oguri Cap, Inari One, and Tamamo Cross.
Kitahara had drawn them himself. Though he had never studied art, he'd copied a few things while reading manga for fun, and since these were just simple chibi sketches, they weren't hard to draw.
The three chibi faces were arranged in an "L" shape — Tamamo Cross at the bottom left, Oguri Cap above, and Inari One to the right.
"In our training these past days, we've been doing just that. But two opponents aren't enough."
As he spoke, Kitahara picked up an erasable marker and began drawing in the lower left corner of the "L."
"We also need to have Super Creek join the training. That way, Tamamo will be completely surrounded."
A smiling chibi Super Creek turned the "L" into a "凸" shape, with Tamamo Cross right in the center.
"When she's surrounded like this, even if Tamamo instinctively wants to avoid, there's no opening. She'll have to fight with everything she's got to break through, and in doing so, she'll unknowingly forget or adapt to her psychological shadow."
"The Tony Bianca case study provided by Yuzuhara also confirms that this approach is valid."
"So…"
He looked at everyone present.
"Now that Super Creek is fully able to join, the next 11 days will be about working together — to completely revive Tamamo Cross!"
"To let her show her true brilliance in the Naruo Kinen!"
"And to let the world see everything we've done for this!"
"Everyone — let's give it our all!"
"HEY HEY HOO!" ×8.
(End of this chapter)