Uma Musume: Become a Legendary Trainer

Chapter 200: Can't Fail in the Face of Such Difficulties
In the following preparatory training, as if it was agreed beforehand, Oguruma and the others, like Tamamo Cross, showed a slightly different style in the process of running alongside.

For example, in the initial running training, Tamamo Cross broke his usual habit of lag and chase, and not only ran ahead of Inari Ichi, but also used some leading techniques.

Similarly, Oguruma is usually better at running ahead and behind, but during the running process, she also used some chasing techniques and fell behind Inari.

The essence of running methods is to allow the horse girl to make countermeasures according to the actual situation of the game. Classifications such as escape, first, difference, and chase are more of a way of thinking rather than a rigid requirement to run in every position.

So strictly speaking, when running in an unfamiliar position during an actual race, you need to pay extra attention to the situation on the field, and generally you won’t make deliberate adjustments.

But as long as the timing is right, the running position can be changed.

Since it is just a running training, there is naturally no problem with this level of running position changes.

However, this is not a problem for Oguruma and the others who are running with them. As a running partner, Inari feels that his training during this period can be described as weird.

“Waaaaaaah! I feel like you guys are leading me by the nose during the training these days!”

It was the day before the Takamatsunomiya Cup started, and during the break after training, Inari let out a cry of dissatisfaction.

"You all colluded, right? One or two of you, why are you running like this these past few days instead of running when you should?"

"Wait, Inari, this is weird, right? I'm really serious about running with you."

Tamamo Cross disagreed with Inariichi's statement and corrected him, "And Komiya and the others all agree with our running style."

"The idea was to try to change up your routine and give you a variety of different rhythms."

"You have discovered it now, haven't you? Your personality is not very good to begin with. If your rhythm is deliberately disrupted during a game, you will become irritable all of a sudden."

"Just like now."

"When that happens, we will really be led by the nose."

"You should be thankful that the trainers discovered your situation and arranged countermeasures early on."

"Otherwise, this Takamatsu Palace Cup will be in trouble."

"Besides, I feel that you have adapted to the situation over the past few days and seem to be much better than at the beginning. Even if I or Xiaoli and the others deliberately make trouble, you will not be too excited."

"Hey! I heard it! I heard it with both ears!"

Pulling his ears, Inari shouted, "You just said you were making trouble, right?"

"Of course I did!"

"You still want to laugh at my joke, Xiaoyu!"

"Well, don't worry about such trivial matters."

Waving his hands and looking nonchalant, Tamamo Cross evaded the point and said, "Anyway, the special training over the past few months is aimed at our weaknesses, but it just so happens that you are the first one, Inari."

"It just so happens that you have such a troublesome opponent in this competition."

"Then it's normal to arrange special training that makes you uncomfortable."

"If you want us to see it, you might as well look at the bright side."

"Like we said just now, after all, you discovered this situation in advance and were prepared to deal with it, right?"

The special training that the Eisei team did for the Takamatsunomiya Cup was indeed aimed at reducing the impact of Inari's shortcomings in the competition.

From the trainer's perspective, this match was considered unlucky.

Through previous training, Inari actually has no particularly weak areas. Whether it is basic strength, speed, or endurance, she can be considered to be at the top level of this generation.

The same is true for her running style, skills, and tactics. The abilities she possesses are so great that it is almost impossible to find rivals of the same level among Japan's current horse girls, except for her teammates.

The way to start, the timing of turning, the way to switch tracks, sprinting, going uphill, etc., these have accumulated a lot of experience in daily training and actual competitions.

Perhaps each horse girl in the team has different levels of these abilities, but they have all mastered them anyway, and the specific differences are only in actual combat.

Under this premise, the target of Inari's special training happened to be character issues.

She tends to be impatient, especially when her rhythm is disrupted during a game.

The change in mentality not only affects the performance of basic abilities, but also requires a focused state of mind to enter a field.

This kind of problem is difficult to solve in the first place, and this time the opponent happens to be good at setting the tempo and marking, which is why the training in recent times has been so cautious.

Upon hearing Tamamo Cross's question, Inari suddenly calmed down and frowned slightly.

Seeing this, Tamamo Cross was stunned.

"Hey, Inari? What happened to you...?"

"Whether you are prepared or not... I don't know."

Inari murmured to himself with a little confusion, "Lang and the others worked so hard to prepare for me, and Xiaoyu, you guys also helped me very hard..."

"There shouldn't be any major problems in dealing with this."

"But I don't know why, I always feel like something is missing..."

Her gaze gradually moved downward, and at the same time her hands gradually rose and clasped in front of her.

Then she raised her hands again and reached forward, as if trying to grab something.

"I'm a little envious of you, Xiaoyu. You didn't have to face your shortcomings like I did in the last Takarazuka Kinen competition..."

She suddenly changed the subject.

"Facing your own shortcomings..."

Tamamo Cross repeated this sentence, becoming a little worried about the condition of his companion.

She also discovered that, in her team, the only particularly difficult competition so far was the exchange competition abroad some time ago.

In that exchange match, they faced world-class powerhouses for the first time. Even though they were unfamiliar with the venue and had insufficient preparation time, they still exposed many problems during the competition.

Even though the trainers have repeatedly analyzed and judged those problems based on world-class standards, problems are still problems.

Since they have appeared, it means that they still have some shortcomings.

She also somewhat admitted that what Inari said was right. At the Takarazuka Memorial after she returned to Japan, she did not encounter the situation that the latter was facing now.

In that game, she won the championship with a crushing victory. The whole game situation was exactly the same as analyzed at the beginning, and she did not encounter any obstacles.

But what if the situation was different, and there was an opponent in that competition that she was not used to?

For example, there are horse girls with strong physiques like those in the Yesen exchange competition.

Tamamo Cross herself has discovered that the shortcoming she faces is precisely "balance", which is what she is best at.

Her balance stems from her physical development in childhood.

Compared with other horse girls of the same age, her family conditions were very poor when she was a child. It was already very good to have three meals a day. Having enough to eat was something she had never dreamed of before entering Central Tresen College.

When she first learned that the college cafeteria was free, she couldn't believe it at all. For a long time, she didn't dare to eat as much as she wanted, for fear that she could not afford the food expenses.

This also led to the fact that when Super Little Bay met her later, her "maternal love overflowed", and she forced her to feed many times before she adapted.

There are many similar situations, such as when she came to the beach, she knew for the first time what fresh takoyaki tasted like.

She had eaten takoyaki before, and those takoyaki were very cheap because the store used frozen octopus to reduce costs.

The taste of takoyaki made from frozen octopus and fresh octopus is definitely different, and she only found out about this recently.

It is precisely because of this family situation that her physical foundation is not good.

To compensate for this, she placed special emphasis on balance in her early training so that she could avoid interference from her opponents as much as possible.

However, due to the nature of this feature being an "avoidant tactic", this balance can be easily disrupted.

In competitions like the Yesen Exchange Competition where there were intense physical collisions, it was easy for her to have problems. Post-match data analysis also showed that she suffered the most stalls after collisions.

Although the competitions in Japan are not as intense as those in Europe and the United States, there are still legal physical confrontations.

Tamamo Cross felt that what Inari said was right. Fortunately, she had not encountered this situation or this kind of opponent in the competitions so far, otherwise she would have been the one having the headache.

She suddenly felt that Inari Ichi was also very lucky, because although they were both short in stature, his body was extremely strong, and he would not be affected too much even if he encountered a fierce collision competition.

So, sooner or later, you will have to face your own shortcomings. You and I will all encounter them, as will Xiaoli and the others. It’s just that you will encounter this situation a little earlier.

Tamamo Cross was about to explain or comfort Inari when he suddenly heard an anxious voice from the side.

"Inari, Xiaoyu, the two of you should stop chatting and come over to help..."

The voice came from Xiao Limao, and her tone was full of helplessness, "We can no longer hold down the emperor..."

"Oh, Your Majesty, please stop moving. It will be fine soon..."

Hearing the noise nearby, Tamamo Cross and Inari Ichi were both stunned.

Looking over subconsciously, they both realized that the other side of the lounge seemed to be in chaos.

"Help! This is murder! You are committing illegal child abuse! I'm going to complain to the president and the URA association!"

The one who was shouting and screaming was the Emperor of the East China Sea. She was struggling in a massage chair and was about to jump up from the chair.

Standing on the side were horse racing girls such as Mejiro McQueen and Narita Shirahito. Judging from their postures, they wanted to push the Emperor of the East China Sea back into his chair.

A little further to the side was the newly opened Kouri-mao, and next to her were Kobayashi and Aldan. These horse girls were all carrying some stainless steel tools, helplessly looking at their juniors struggling on the massage chair.

"…What happened? Why does the emperor look so painful?"

Inari was not impatient when his conversation with Tamamo Cross was interrupted. Instead, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that he didn't have to worry about the problem for the time being.

After asking, she walked over and understood what was happening after a quick look.

"Oh, the fascia knife. No wonder the emperor looked like he was about to run away."

"Wait, has she been exercising that hard these past few days?"

When she asked the question, an expression of lingering fear appeared on her face involuntarily.

For the horse girls of the Eternal Team, most of the tasks assigned by the trainers can be completed easily.

This does not mean that they are not tired after training, but that they do not reject the content of the training.

But there is one exception, which is "fascia knife relaxation".

Including Inariichi, other horse girls such as Oguruma have all used fascia knives under the planning of Kyoko Miyamura. Generally, they are used after intense training.

After using it, everyone said that the effect was excellent and they also said that if possible, they would definitely not want to try it a second time.

The reason is simple: it hurts. It hurts so much.

Fascia is the connective tissue that connects all parts of the body. It protects deep tissues, maintains muscle function, coordinates movements, and improves athletic ability. After strenuous exercise, part of the fascia tissue will become adhered, causing muscle stiffness and soreness.

As the name suggests, the "fascia knife" "cuts" and "peels" the "fascia" to restore it to its normal function.

This "cutting" and "peeling" will generate shear force on the outside of the skin, allowing the adhered soft tissue to unfold again.

The fascia tissue itself contains a large number of nerves, which makes this process extremely painful.

More importantly, sometimes the adhesion is quite serious and there has been "abnormal healing", then it is necessary to destroy this part of the healing tissue and allow it to grow again.

That's "pain plus".

Because the pain was so profound, just thinking about it made Inari feel phantom pain in his body and he couldn't help but feel sympathy for the Emperor of the East China Sea.

To be honest, when she first experienced it, she also felt that it was a form of abuse to the horse girl...she thought so.

"The intensity... I feel okay."

Holding a "sweeping knife" as long as his forearm, he pointed at the East Sea Emperor who was being held down by Mejiro McQueen and Narita Shirahito on the massage chair, as if considering where to start the cut. Oguruma thought:
"The emperors haven't fully entered their true nature yet, so the amount of training won't be too much."

"But they were a little careless in their previous training and didn't train their buttocks."

"So during this time, she, Xiao Xiaoli, McQueen, and Bai Ren were all training their butts."

"Maybe it's because I haven't practiced before, so now I feel very tired when I practice."

"Your Majesty, don't be too nervous. Although this way of relaxation is a bit painful... well, it does hurt, but just bear with it."

"Otherwise, if you keep putting it off, you won't be able to properly train your butt in the next few days."

“Butt…?” Inari was stunned.

"Hey, Xiaoli, girls should be more elegant. That part can be called the buttocks."

Mejiro Altan, who was born in a prestigious family, was obviously not suitable for Oguruma's simple and rough statement. She coughed dryly and corrected it. She looked at Inari and explained:
"It's hip muscle training. Didn't Chief Kitahara emphasize this when we first started special training?"

"We are fine. Although we don't have any special training, our hip strength is not too bad."

"The emperors are different."

"They don't have a dedicated trainer yet, and the academy's regular courses also lack special training in this area, so according to the results of previous wind tunnel tests, their hip strength needs to be strengthened."

"Chief Kitahara also emphasized that Emperor and McQueen in particular must strengthen their hips."

“Although I’m not quite sure why he cares so much about Emperor and McQueen’s buttocks.”

"But if it's Chief Kitahara, he should have a deeper meaning."

"…Why does this normal training sound so weird when you say it, Aldan…"

Just like Aldan complained about Kouri, Xiaowan couldn't help but complain about her companions. After thinking for a while, she said tentatively:

"It's probably because of the legs."

"Mr. Kitahara said that if we only focus on our legs, it will put too much pressure on our legs, ankles, and feet."

"No matter which part of the body exerts force, the source comes from the waist core, and the hips are closest to the core."

"So if the strength of the hips is improved, the burden on the legs will be much less."

"We have already entered the stage and have adjusted our nutrition well. We also want to strengthen our hip strength in the next training."

"The emperors need it even more."

"So, Emperor, don't struggle. The sooner it's over, the sooner you can be free... I mean, the sooner you finish, the more relaxed you can be."

“Senior! Did you say the word liberation just now?! You must have said it, right?!”

Super Little Bay had already said the last sentence to the Emperor of the East China Sea, and after just briefly trying the so-called "very relaxing therapy", she refused to try it a second time no matter what.

Once upon a time, she thought that the most terrifying thing in the world was injections, but now, she finds that compared to the "fascia knife", injections are not painful at all.

"Is this kind of relaxation really useful?! Why is there such a horrible way to relax?! I'm going to die if I keep doing this, right?!"

"McQueen, Xiaoxiaoli! And Bairen! Let me go!"

"After me, it's you guys!"

The Emperor of the East China Sea, who was afraid of pain by nature, persuaded his companions with great sorrow.

“I know this method is painful…”

Having said this, Oguri Roman still firmly pressed one of the East Sea Emperor's legs and persuaded him: "But it's actually very easy after you're done."

"And what my sisters said is right. This method can quickly help you recover your training ability, so you won't fall behind in training."

"Yes, it is important to keep up with the training of the predecessors, although..."

Holding down the other leg of the Emperor of the East Sea, Narita Bairen glanced at the gleaming stainless steel tool in Oguruma's hand and was silent for a moment. "Anyway, I will accept it calmly later."

"Don't make it sound so easy, Bai Ren! It's really scary! You're going to die, you're really going to die..."

"Emperor, please stop arguing."

Standing behind the massage chair, holding his friend's shoulders, Mubai McQueen looked at the tools in the hands of his predecessors with some lingering fear, but his tone was firm.

"The fact that our predecessors all went through this kind of training shows that this kind of training is necessary."

"It's not like you have to endure all this alone. I, Xiao Xiaoli, and Bai Ren will also have to endure it later."

"If it were me, I wouldn't yell like you."

"Hey, hey! Since you said so, McQueen, how about you go first?!"

The Emperor of the East China Sea struggled even harder.

"I, I'll go first..."

"Alright, alright, stop arguing! Xiaoli, give us the stuff!"

Interrupting Mejiro McQueen rudely, Tamamo Cross curled his lips, asked Oguruma for tools, walked straight over and started giving orders.

"Xiao Xiaoli, you, McQueen, and Bai Ren should get out of the way. It's too much of a stretch to hold down the emperor with your strength."

"Oguri, Inari, you two are stronger, you take the lead."

"Really? It's just a pain for a while. If you delay any longer, you won't be able to make it in time for dinner."

"Don't worry, the technique of fascia knife is not difficult to learn. Sister Jingzi spent a long time teaching us. There will be no problem with our technique."

"Your Majesty, just lie down obediently!"

"That's right. It's not good to delay the meal. Besides, Xiao Xiaoli and the others don't have enough strength."

Xiaolimao quickly agreed and came over to help. Xiaohaiwan and Aldan on the side also took over the positions of their juniors and came over.

“No, please don’t do this, seniors! Please don’t do this!?”

Just as her companions let go, the Emperor of the East China Sea tried to slip away from the massage chair, but the seniors quickly pushed her back.

Under the latter's strong force, she was unable to escape even if she wanted to, and her face looked as pale as death for a moment.

"Please, please, McQueen, if possible, please bring me some more honey drink. This is my final request..."

"Wait, what are you talking about, Emperor? Why does it sound like your last words?"

Mebai McQueen was at a loss whether to laugh or cry at his friend's desperate expression and words.

Following Tamamo Cross, Oguruma and the others, Inari came over to help. Looking at the somewhat lifeless Emperor of the East Sea, he suddenly asked:

"…Hey, Emperor, are you so afraid of pain?"

"Because it will hurt like hell... ah? What did you say, Senior?"

After being stunned for a moment, the Emperor of the East Sea regained some vitality, "It must be because I am afraid of pain. I don't know why, but I have been particularly afraid of pain since I was a child."

"Like getting injections, getting injured, etc., it's always very annoying."

"But those are nothing compared to this so-and-so knife!"

"Wow... Why does this kind of horrible thing exist in the world..."

"If you are really afraid of pain, maybe you can just not do the fascia surgery."

Inari said thoughtfully: "After all, this method is to speed up recovery. There are other alternatives, but they are not as efficient."

"Do you want to try another approach?"

Hearing her say this, Tamamo Cross and the others who were already ready were stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the Emperor of the East China Sea.

Fascial knife is indeed a very effective means of post-training recovery, but it does not mean that it is the only way.

If the Emperor of the East China Sea is really afraid of pain, he must change the method, which is actually not impossible.

"Another way..."

After repeating it once, the East China Sea Emperor, who had been complaining about being afraid of pain, suddenly fell silent. Then he resigned himself and lay upright on the massage chair like a salted fish.

"Ahhh never mind!"

"Since I promised the president that I would complete the special training seriously, how can I give up in the face of such difficulties!"

"Don't even mention the pain. Even if it's a broken bone or something, I will never admit defeat!"

"Well, now that you've said that, then..."

"If this really helps me get back to training soon, it's okay if it hurts... Hey, seniors, if I scream too much later, please don't laugh..."

"Especially you, McQueen! If you laugh at my joke, when it's your turn later, I will definitely film you screaming in pain and repeat it over and over again every day to make me laugh!"

"Come on, seniors!"

Seeing her like this, Oguruma and the other horse racing girls smiled knowingly and prepared to start again.

And Inari nodded secretly after making a cooperative gesture.

Can't you just give up in the face of this kind of difficulty? Forget about the broken bones, there's no way such a thing as a broken bone would happen in the Eternal Team...

But no matter what, they are all outstanding juniors.

Then I also...

(End of this chapter)