Next, the three of them chatted casually as they slowly left the training grounds and headed toward the villa neighborhood where Lisi and the others were staying. Since Kuroha also needed to meet Haito Star, he tagged along to visit.
…
"By the way, Lisi-onee-san, Haitoshi hasn't been giving you too much trouble, has she?"
After talking for a while, everyone had gotten more familiar, so Kuroha smiled and asked Lisi.
"Hey! I haven't!" Haitoshi pouted in protest.
Lisi chuckled. "Haitoshi can be a little mischievous sometimes, but most days she's pretty easy to handle. And…" Her gaze softened as she looked at the girl beside her. "She really works hard."
Being praised by her own trainer right in front of Kuroha made Haitoshi blush. She scratched her head, visibly embarrassed.
As they talked, the group arrived in front of a grand, well-appointed two-story villa.
"Hm?"
From a distance, Kuroha spotted a small figure on the second-floor balcony.
When they got closer, he could see clearly: a tiny girl who resembled Haitoshi by about eighty percent, but was even more delicate and doll-like—almost unfairly cute. She was leaning on the railing with both arms, as if spacing out.
Those deep, starry eyes were unfocused, staring blankly at the clouds in the distance. She didn't even notice the three of them walking up below.
"Star!"
Haitoshi called up first, rolling her eyes while waving in that annoyed-but-fond way.
"…"
At the familiar voice, Haito Star slowly came back to herself. She glanced down casually, her eyes sweeping past her sister and Lisi—then stopping on the figure in the middle.
That familiar person was looking up at her, smiling.
"…"
The brown-haired little girl froze for a beat.
Then, in the next second, her previously expressionless face burst into a radiant smile.
And before anyone could react—under the horrified stares of all three—
She planted a hand on the balcony railing and, without the slightest hesitation, jumped straight down from the second floor.
"!!!"
All three nearly had their hearts stop.
Kuroha's body moved faster than his brain. He lunged forward and threw out his arms—catching that soft, light little body as it dropped neatly into his embrace.
Star didn't seem scared at all. If anything, she looked delighted. She wrapped her arms tightly around Kuroha's neck, rubbing against his chest with all her strength, her voice small and childlike.
"Kuroha-nii… long time no see."
"…"
Holding her, Kuroha couldn't help but feel a wry smile tug at him.
This kid was just like Teio—why did they all love pulling these "jump off the second floor" stunts?
"Long time no see, Star-chan."
…
Inside the villa's living room, tea aroma drifted gently through the air.
Kuroha and Lisi sat facing each other, sipping tea.
Star was sitting on Kuroha's lap playing on her phone.
Haitoshi, lacking both the nerve and the shamelessness to do the same, could only sit beside Lisi.
"I see." Lisi set her cup down and nodded. "You're staying at Gildune Manor and using the facilities here for acclimation training."
"And then next month you'll go straight into the Irish Champion Stakes?"
She clearly approved of his decision. "Gildune Manor really does have training tracks modeled after the characteristics of Ireland's major courses. That's a very sensible choice."
"Yes." Kuroha smiled, then set his cup down and leaned forward slightly. "Lisi-onee-san, that's why I came over today—besides checking in on the two of them, there's something else I'd like to ask."
"What is it?" she asked, puzzled.
Kuroha spoke earnestly. "This will be my third time dealing with an Irish track, outside of Tōkō and the Central circuits. I have the theory, but I'm still lacking real on-the-ground experience."
"So I need a local expert who's familiar with Ireland's courses and climate to give me some guidance."
Lisi shot him a strange look, understanding immediately what he was getting at.
"So… you want me?"
She pointed at herself. "I'm your colleague, sure, but I also have my own work. You can't seriously expect me to drop everything and be your consultant for a month for free."
"Mm…" Kuroha hummed thoughtfully, his gaze flicking—very casually—toward Haitoshi, who was sitting beside Lisi with her ears practically perked up from eavesdropping.
"How about this." Kuroha tossed out the bait he'd clearly prepared in advance. "In exchange, during that period, I'll do joint coaching with you for your assigned Uma Musume."
He paused, then continued. "I figure, as a trainer who's worked with G1-caliber Uma Musume, I'm at least qualified to give Haitoshi some suggestions and specialized training at this stage."
"…"
Lisi fell silent.
She glanced sideways at the girl beside her, looking thoroughly exasperated.
Sure enough, the moment Haitoshi heard the words "joint coaching," her eyes practically lit up on the spot.
"…Sigh." Lisi let out a soft breath, putting on a reluctant expression as she poured Kuroha three cups of tea in a row.
"Fine. Since you're putting it that way, and for the sake of our history—and Haitoshi—we can try it for a few days first."
"Then I'll be in your care, Lisi-onee-san." Kuroha raised his cup with a smile.
Deal.
Truthfully, the "joint coaching" idea wasn't just beneficial for Kuroha because it let him exchange insights with a top overseas trainer.
He had his own ulterior motive.
Back at the training ground, during that brief contact—watching Haitoshi stretch—Kuroha had already noticed something.
Through the sight of Body and Breath Perception, he'd picked up on several hidden risks and flaws in her fundamentals.
"I'll use this month." Kuroha thought, looking at the girl grinning like an idiot. He met Lisi's eyes, and the two of them shared a mutual understanding. "While I'm helping Aoi with special training, I'll also straighten Haitoshi out and get her back on the right track."
(End of Chapter)
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