Chapter 226: Finding Your Own Reason to Run
Hearing Kitasan Black speak with such trust and reliance, Makoto couldn't help but feel a faint sense of satisfaction. The corners of his lips lifted slightly as he smiled without realizing it.
As a trainer, helping his assigned trainee solve all kinds of problems was simply part of his job. Because of that, the girls naturally trusted their trainers.
Almost every trainer–trainee pair got along well thanks to that relationship. Still, receiving such a straightforward expression of trust from his own trainee…
It felt a little secretly gratifying.
But after smiling, Makoto quickly grew thoughtful and nodded.
"Kitasan… you've really been thinking about a lot lately."
"Mm-hmm. Before I knew it, I just started thinking about all this."
She nodded, then hurriedly explained, "But I'm still very focused during training.
"I feel like even though these things are related to training and races, finishing the daily tasks properly is more important."
"And like I said before, since you're here, Trainer, it's better to leave these things to you."
"It's just…"
Her eyes grew a little cautious.
"I'm not causing you trouble, am I?"
"Why are you suddenly being so distant?" Makoto asked, half-joking, half-serious, before turning earnest.
"I'm your assigned trainer. My whole purpose is to support you in every way."
"If there are things you can handle on your own, I'll naturally be proud of you."
"And the things you can't deal with for now—it's only right that I help you figure them out."
As he spoke, his mind was already racing.
Over the past year since becoming a trainer, he had spent a lot of time reflecting on every aspect of his job.
For issues like this—matters of mindset changes and personal growth—he had gradually developed some experience.
Umamusume might be simple and straightforward, but that didn't mean they lacked the ability to think.
In fact, when things were explained to them plainly and honestly, their simple hearts often helped them grasp the key points even faster.
Because of that, in many fields of work, they even outperformed humans.
For example, within the URA Association, academies, and even international organizations, most competition-related affairs were led by Umamusume.
They excelled at it, had rich experience, and acted without selfish motives, which reassured active runners, trainers, and fans alike.
So at times like this, sharing the information he had gathered and his own analysis with Kitasan Black might be a good way to help.
Thinking this, he looked at her and said,
"Your own reason for running… it's too abstract a topic. In my opinion, you can only find the answer by looking back at your past experiences."
"Past experiences…?" Kitasan Black frowned slightly, confusion and contemplation in her eyes as she repeated his words.
Makoto narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. Instead of answering directly, he asked:
"By the way… do you know about Oguri Cap's career history?"
"I do, I do!"
Kitasan Black instantly perked up, like a student eagerly answering a question in class, raising her hand high, her voice brimming with excitement.
"At first I only knew Oguri Cap–senpai was amazing. But these days, while learning cooking from her, I went back and watched a lot of her races. Now I finally understand just how incredible she really is!"
"After debuting, she totally dominated the regional races—10 wins out of 12 starts, including an unbelievable eight-race winning streak!"
"Then after moving to the Central circuit, she won six graded stakes in a row!"
"Even though she narrowly lost the first two matches against Tamamo–senpai, she won the Arima Kinen during her classic year. That race was seriously overwhelming!"
"After that, the Sankei Sho and the Mainichi Okan were amazing too. And of course, the most incredible one has to be her retirement race—the Arima Kinen!"
"Oh, right! Oguri Cap–senpai is also the Queen of the Mile. She's never lost a single mile race!"
After rattling it all off in one breath, Kitasan Black looked at her Trainer with an eager expression. Her eyes sparkled as she asked expectantly,
"How was that? I didn't get anything wrong, did I, Trainer?"
Makoto was thoroughly familiar with the records of many legendary runner. He smiled and nodded, his eyes full of approval.
"That's all correct. You really remember Oguri Cap's racing career clearly."
Then his tone shifted slightly, hinting at something deeper as he asked,
"But aside from that? For example… do you know anything about her life before her debut?"
"Before her debut…?"
Kitasan Black froze. Her previously bright expression stiffened instantly.
She frowned, lightly tapping her chin with her finger, racking her brain for a long time. In the end, she only shook her head awkwardly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Um… I really don't know, Trainer…"
"It's fine if you don't. Don't look like you just made a mistake."
Makoto found her reaction rather amusing and let out a helpless chuckle.
After a brief pause, he reached into the shoulder bag he carried with him and took out a tablet, skillfully swiping across the screen to pull up several pages.
"Take a look at this."
As he spoke, he turned the tablet toward Kitasan Black.
When she leaned in curiously, he continued,
"It's understandable that you wouldn't know. These things were mentioned in some early interviews, but that was years ago."
"And the focus of those reports quickly shifted to Oguri Cap's racing strength."
"Other than that, the only detailed records are probably in the academy's internal files. Look here."
He pointed to a line on the screen.
"Congenital leg nerve disorder."
"That's an illness Oguri Cap was born with."
Kitasan Black's eyes locked onto the page explaining the condition.
The moment she heard Makoto's words, her eyes widened instantly, shock written all over her face. Her mouth hung slightly open, and for a long while she couldn't speak.
After some time, she finally stammered,
"Th-this… is this really true? B-but it says here that people with this condition can't even stand… Then Oguri Cap–senpai, she…"
Her voice trembled, her words tumbling over each other. She was completely overwhelmed.
"So I think," Makoto said softly, deep respect and emotion filling his eyes, "that's the reason Oguri Cap told you she feels happy as long as she can run."
"Breaking the prejudice that gray-haired Umamusume can't run fast, becoming the queen of the mile, being called the gray monster from the countryside, creating that miracle ending in the Arima Kinen…"
"Those achievements are definitely important reasons why she became a legend."
"But I think… being born unable even to stand, then going through who knows how much unimaginable effort just to learn how to stand, walk, and run—and then to run so brilliantly…"
"Those hardships behind the scenes might be what Oguri Cap treasures most."
"And that… is her own personal reason for running."
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
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