WebNovels

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8

A little over a week had passed since the mock race.

Now that independent training was allowed, every day had become busy and fulfilling.

Still, that day of the mock race really caught me off guard — I never expected to be suddenly approached by one of the TTG trio, Green Grass-senpai, while I was cooling down. Later, Ten Point-san came over, looking all apologetic, and both of us ended up getting lectured by Green Grass-senpai.

He seemed very concerned about my legs and, when we parted, smiled kindly and told me I could rely on him anytime. He seemed like a really gentle senior — but according to Ten Point-san, he becomes terrifying in a race, like an assassin. Scary.

Anyway, after school I'd do some self-training, take a bath and eat dinner with Rudolf-senpai, and then study to become a trainer. I focused mostly on equine anatomy — basic training methods, how to monitor physical strain and accumulation of fatigue, and so on.

Honestly, I really underestimated how hard it is to become a trainer. To understand one textbook, I often needed to open another one just to understand that one. Even if I could grasp things in my head, I wouldn't really get it unless I compared it directly with the actual body. In that regard, I'm lucky — Rudolf-senpai helps me a lot. Of course, I'd feel bad asking her to strip or anything, so I mostly examine her legs, but still — I really should do something to thank her.

"D-doneee!!"

""""Congrats, Nei-chan!!""""

Yes, I was in the dorm kitchen, having borrowed it to make a cake. Actually, I'd been borrowing it now and then to bake cookies for tea with Ten Point-san (if you can call it a tea party?), or to share with Rudolf-senpai and Monte Prince-san.

Thanks to that, I'd become quite familiar with the kitchen staff. So as thanks for always helping me out, I made two strawberry shortcakes — one for the staff, and one for me and Rudolf-senpai.

It was my first time baking a cake, and I messed up a few, but the staff laughed it off and even provided me with ingredients. Absolute legends. Thank you so much for always making delicious meals!

"Thank you so much, everyone!"

"Hey, no problem! You're gonna share that with your roommate, right? I bet she'll love it!"

"Yes!"

Carefully transferring the cake onto a borrowed plate so it wouldn't lose its shape, I headed back to my room.

It was evening. Rudolf-senpai had taken the day off training to go out with some friends, so she'd probably be back by curfew. I put the cake in the fridge and wondered what to do while waiting.

"Too late for training… and too early to study again…"

A dilemma. I'd already finished my homework right after returning to the dorm, so I guess trainer studies were the only option. But I'd already read through all my reference books once. Reading and understanding are two different things, of course, but I wanted new materials.

"Still, they're expensive…"

Just a few books had already eaten up half my savings. Some cost over ten thousand yen each — no way I could afford that. I'd settled for the cheaper ones, but still, there were definite gaps in what I had.

"Sigh… guess I'll just reread what I have…"

I picked one of the books I understood least, opened my notebook and pens. It had only been a bit over two weeks since I enrolled, yet I was already on my third notebook. Just writing down all the unknown terms and definitions filled pages quickly — notebook costs weren't trivial either. I'd buy a bulk pack next time I went out.

The sound of flipping pages filled the room. I didn't listen to music while studying — someone once told me you can't focus that way, and it just stuck with me. Whether it really helps, I don't know.

I'd look up unknown words in my notebook, and if I still didn't get them, I'd open another reference book. In a sense, my notebooks had become a self-made dictionary. Not bad, actually.

But when even the other reference books failed me… well, it's like they say: "When it comes to study materials, numbers are everything, Aniki!"

(Though in my case, I don't have enough numbers.)

I understood most of the anatomy, especially about legs, thanks to Rudolf-senpai. But the training methods and fatigue management parts were still confusing — I'd need to learn directly from an active trainer someday. That's why the assistant-trainer system was such a blessing. You get to learn right beside a professional — how lucky is that?

"Thinking about it… the app version's trainer is just insane."

I mean, a total rookie with zero assistant experience managing to raise Triple Crown-level horses? That's absurd. A genius? Which would mean… all of us players were geniuses too?

"…Yeah, no."

Anyway, Rudolf-senpai was late. It was already 7:30 p.m. — curfew was at 9, but she was usually back by now.

Taking a short break, I opened the fridge, grabbed a soda, and took a sip. The fizzy bubbles perked me up nicely after all that studying.

"Still… I'm kinda worried."

I muttered to myself while fidgeting with my pencil, head resting on my hand. Concentration gone, sleepiness creeping in.

"Uh oh… lost focus… and now I'm getting sleepy…"

After hours of reading dense text, my brain demanded rest. I shouldn't sleep yet, not before Rudolf-senpai comes back…

But the warm, drowsy feeling quickly won over.

"S…leepy…"

---

"…cha… Nature!"

I jolted awake. I must've fallen asleep sitting in my chair.

"Nature, are you all right? If you're going to sleep, at least change into pajamas and use your bed."

Rudolf-senpai was back, looking worried. I checked the clock — it was just before 9. I'd been out for over an hour.

"I-I'm so sorry! I was waiting for you, but I fell asleep!"

"Ah… no, I should apologize. I couldn't find what I was looking for and lost track of time. I should've at least sent a message."

She looked genuinely apologetic, which made me feel bad too. Wanting to change the mood, I brought up the cake.

"Right! Rudolf-senpai, would you like some cake?"

"Cake?"

"Um… it's to thank you for always helping me with my trainer studies… kind of a token of appreciation."

At the mention of cake, she made a strange face. My heart sank — maybe she didn't like cake? She'd always enjoyed the cookies, though…

"Wait… Nature. Do you not remember what today is?"

I tilted my head. I checked the calendar — April 16. Not a holiday or anything, right?

"Ah!"

"You remember?"

"Yes! It's the anniversary of the enactment of the National Pension Act!"

"…"

Rudolf-senpai sighed deeply, pressing a hand to her temple. Uh oh.

"Today is your birthday, you fool!"

…Oh.

"The look on your face says it all. I can't believe someone could forget their own birthday…"

I couldn't argue. I mean, come on — with my past-life memories, mentally I'm a middle-aged man nearing forty. Birthdays stopped being special ages ago — they're just numbers on paperwork now. And honestly, life had been so fulfilling lately that I completely forgot.

"Here."

She handed me a small, neatly wrapped box — small enough to fit in both hands. Its weight alone made the reality of my birthday sink in.

"Go on, open it."

With trembling hands, I carefully unwrapped it without tearing the paper. Inside was a dark blue jewelry box.

"…It's beautiful."

Inside was a single earring — a clear, azure crystal encased in silver fittings. One glance told me it was expensive. And I instantly knew who else wore one just like it.

"It's my birthday present to you," she said, looking away, cheeks tinged red. "The shop I usually go to was sold out, so I went around to a few others. That's why I got back so late."

The matching earring sparkled on her right ear — identical to the one now in my hand.

"You always wear the same ear covers, so I thought… you might like a change. Unless… you don't like it?"

She looked uneasy, but I quickly shook my head. No, I loved it. Tears pricked my eyes. I hadn't expected something so nice.

I removed my usual ear covers, took the earring, and handed it back to her. She looked puzzled until I smiled through my tears and said,

"Please… could you put it on me, Rudolf-senpai?"

"Wh—!? Ah, o-of course!"

Tail wagging furiously, she took it and gently reached for my right ear. Her hand was warm and soft, the touch ticklish. After a small click, she pulled back.

I went to the mirror by the door and looked. The same blue crystal earring Rudolf-senpai wore shimmered under the room light. I thought to myself — so this is what "deeply moved" really means.

"It suits you, Nature."

"Thank you, Rudolf-senpai! But… wasn't this expensive?"

"It's my first gift to a precious junior. I may have splurged a bit, but it's worth it!"

She said it with such pride that I couldn't say anything more. Anything else would've been rude.

"Then… how about we celebrate both my birthday and my thanks to you together?"

"Sounds perfect. I'm looking forward to your handmade cake."

She'd also brought a cake herself, but between two hungry Uma Musume, a whole shortcake and a few slices disappeared in no time.

It was one of the happiest days of my life — in both this life and the last.

That night, as per Rudolf-senpai's suggestion, we shared the same bed — just for tonight.

As I drifted to sleep, I gazed at the two matching blue crystals resting side by side on the desk and smiled.

---

Epilogue:

The next day, Ten Point-san gifted me the reference book I'd been wanting. I was overjoyed — though she was sulking about missing out on the handmade cake, while Rudolf-senpai smugly showed off. Watching that scene, Green Grass-senpai, Tosho Boy-senpai, and I couldn't help but laugh.

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