"Fortunately, it's not a severe injury. You acted quick by bringing her here as soon as possible, a few more steps and it might worsen it"
Takeda let out a long, slow breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The tension in his shoulders dropped an inch, though his gaze remained fixed on the check-up result.
"How long is the recovery would be? Can she still run the Derby?" Takeda asks.
"Well, just as I said, it wasn't severe but I suggest pausing the training for at least a week."
"I see," Takeda said in low voice, "Thank you, Doctor."
"I'm just doing my job."
Takeda bowed and turned around, leaving the medical room.
He found Astonishing in the waiting area, sitting on a low bench with her leg propped up on a padded stool.
She looked small against the sterile white walls, and with her gaze fixed intently on the floor.
As Takeda approached, her ears twitched, but she didn't look up immediately.
"The doctor says it's not severe," Takeda said as he stopped in front of her. "But I'm afraid you couldn't run for a week. We're going to switch to the upper body and analyzing race footages instead"
Astonishing didn't move. Her ears remained pinned back, flat against her head.
"A week," she finally whispered, "The Derby is only six weeks away, and I just wasted one week worth of training."
She looked down at her bandaged ankle, her voice trembling with a mix of pain and fury. "I'm already fallen behind her and now... We are moving too slow, Trainer"
Takeda didn't answer immediately. Instead, he sat down on the bench beside her, "Slow isn't the same as stagnant, Aston. There are times when we will face a wall so high that we thought it's impossible to get through"
Astonishing turned her head towards her trainer.
"But overtime, we will find a way to pass the wall." he continued, "Either by taking a long detour, climbing up the slippery surface, or just straight up punching it until the wall finally give up"
"No matter how slow the process, you still progress"
Takeda stood up and face Astonishing, "So, don't be discouraged"
Takeda reached out. His hand hesitated for a fraction of a second in mid-air... before it landed gently on top of her head.
Astonishing froze. Her ears twitched when she felt the slight pressure on her head, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into the touch almost imperceptibly.
"Now, let's head back, shall we?" He gave her head a final, reassuring pat before withdrawing his hand, which make sthe umamusume a little dissapointed.
Takeda turned to grab a pair of crutches leaning against the wall. "Here, let me help you stand up"
Astonishing accept the help and took the crutches.
"Why don't we stop by to eat?" he suggested.
Astonishing looked at him and went silent for a while before speaking up.
"I... yeah. I'd like that," she said, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
A/N: Poor trainer. He must pay the medical bill plus the food.
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"How is it? Is it bad? Please tell me you don't have to pull out of the Triple Crown! Aston-channnn!!!"
"Relax, Dora. Don't make the situation worse..."
Astonishing winced as Dorazora's voice echoed off the classroom walls. The umamusume was practically vibrating, her hands hovering over Astonishing's bandaged ankle as if she were afraid to touch it but desperate to help.
"But it's not too bad right? RIGHT?"
"No, only around seven to ten days. After that, I can go back running just fine" she explained.
I has been three days after Satsuki Sho, she's finally free from the crutches but she still couldn't run. The pain has subsided but she doesn't want to risk a sequel.
"Seven to ten days is still a long time to be away from the track!" Dora cried.
"I'll make up for it," she assured. "Instead, shouldn't you worry more about the upcoming Oka Sho?"
Dora's entire body stiffened, her tail popping upright like an exclamation mark. "A... ah, yes. The Oka Sho, I've been practicing of course! Me and my trainer has been recreating the Tulip Sho scenario over and over"
"Well, I'm glad that at least you put some effort on your training"
"Just what kind of person am I in your eyes?💢" Dora huffed, "But seriously, Aston-chan. My Trainer says if I can just nail the timing on that final straight, I can beat anyone."
"I'm sure you can, Dora. I'm sure..." Astonishing's voice trailed off, but she quickly regained her composure. "Anyway, I'm hungry. Let's go the the cafeteria"
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The atmosphere inside cafeteria never changes. As they entered the bustling hall, the usual aroma of heavenly dishes entered their nose like an invitation.
Just as Astonishing about to grab a tray, Dora stopped her. "Wait, I'll get the tray! You just sit down and don't put any weight on that foot!" Dora insisted, scurrying off toward the counter before Astonishing could even argue.
When Astonishing about to search for an empty seat, a voice called from behind her.
"Yo!" It was Jungle Pocket, carrying two parfaits on her hands.
"Jungle Pocket-senpai," Astonishing said.
"It was close wasn't it? The Satsuki Sho. I'm sure you have the strength to win that race! Sometimes things just didn't go as we wanted" she assured. "Anyway, let's find a seat"
They found a table at the very corner of the cafeteria. Pocket slid into the seat opposite her and immediately pushed one of the parfaits toward her.
"Here, eat up. It's my treat."
Astonishing blinked, looking down at the glass of cream, fruit, and syrup. "Senpai, I can't just--"
"Don't worry, just eat," Pocket interrupted with a wide, toothy grin, already digging into her own.
Astonishing looked at the parfait. She picked up a long spoon and took a small bite. The cold sweetness was sharp and refreshing.
"Taste great, right?"
"Yeah, it is. Thank you for the treat"
"No problem! I just thought maybe you need something to refresh your mind"
Astonishing looked at Pocket's parfait, it was already half done. Well, it sure was surprising how fast Jungle Pocket eat her parfait while she only just have her first spoon.
"A-anyway, senpai. Where are the others?"
"Hmm... Fuji is busy, Dantsu is out, Cafe might still in the lab, and Tachyon... she probably bothering her right now" Pokke then realize something. "Oh right, you haven't met Tachyon, right? Well... Ehh... I suggest you stay away from her. She's a bit... hard to predict"
"I'll... keep that in mind" Astonishing replied as she took another spoonful of parfait.
Dora returned just then, sliding two two trays onto the table with one of them carrying more food than it actual capacity. "I got the extra-thick steak for you, Aston-chan! And a triple-portion salad! And, oh, Pocket-senpai! Are you sharing parfaits?!"
"Haha, sorry, I didn't bring one for you. Maybe next time, okay?" Pocket scratches the back of her head, finally polishing off her glass and standing up. "Anyway, I gotta run. Trainer's gonna have my head if I'm late. See ya at the Derby!"
"You better mean it, Pocket-senpai!" Dora pouted, "I'm holding you to that!"
"Yeah, don't worry" She waved before heading out of the cafeteria.
"She's really something, isn't she?" Dora whispered, finally digging into her own food.
"Yeah..." As they ate, the bustling noise of the cafeteria provided a strange sort of comfort.
If only Astonishing realized someone is observing her from afar.
Oh, it seems she ran out of tea. She's going to refill it and come back soon.
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"Sigh... I didn't do anything all day but I'm so tired... " Astonishing throw herself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.
She rolled onto her side, wincing slightly as her bandaged leg brushed against the sheets.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She grabbed it to see who's calling.
It was her home number. Might be her mother.
She sat up and answered the call. "Hello, Mom? What is it? "
"Oh girl... You know very well why I called. How's your leg?"
"I'm fine, Mom. All set. You don't need to keep worrying about me. You have been calling more and more since Satsuki Sho. Trust me, I'm fine. I would never lie about this matter to you..."
"I know you wouldn't lie... But it's natural for a mother to be worried of her daughter. You've been gone through a lot, I know. I've been there too--" Her mother's soft voice was very calming in her ears. All the stress Astonishing has been carrying since morning vanished in am instant.
"--You remember what your father told you right? The road will be long and the path might be hard to see, just keep running, it will be good--"
"--Now, rest up, okay? I'll send some you some snacks from home"
"I will. Thanks, Mom. Goodnight "
"Goodnight, sweetie"
The call ended.
She slumped back onto her pillow and close her eyes. But just as she about to enter the dream realm, her phone rang again.
"Ugh... what now" she pick it up and sees who's calling. It's a video call from End.
For a second, Astonishing just let the phone vibrate in her hand, but she eventually click the accept button.
MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH
The first thing that appears on the screen is End munching a carrot, from the perspective of the camera, she appears to sit in front of her desk.
CRUNCH MUNCH MUNCH
"What do you want?" the caller asked.
Astonishing squinted her eyes, making sure if the person on the screen is really End. "What? You're the one who called me"
End stopped chewing mid-bite. Slowly, deliberately, she finished swallowing.
"Really? Must've been miss click then" she said, then continue to eat her carrot.
MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH
Astonishing just stared at the screen, watching this chestnut girl finishing her snack with screen lighting her sleepy face.
Seeing there's no more purpose to stay in the call, her thumb hovered over the 'end' call button. Get it?
"So, how's your leg?"
Her thumb stopped just in time to hear the question.
"Oh... it's... not too bad, I guess. The doctor said seven to ten days off the track"
"I see... that's unfortunate"
"Why are you asking anyway?" Astonishing eyes rolled sideway.
"Don't you remember how incredible the Satsuki Sho was? You didn't forgot, right? Our battle left the audience's mouth gapped! I want to check how's my partner doing after our grand show" For a moment, End returned to her usual state. "Of course, I'm also worried about my friend"
Friend.
Rivals wasn't actually enemies, right? They usually know each other very well. Sometimes rivalry are common between friends.
"Do you... never sees me as a friend?" End's face showed a saddened expression.
"No, no! I mean, yes, we are friends. It's just..." Astonishing struggles to find the right words. "Sorry, I can't talk to you like this"
"... I suppose I can't provide any help either." End pondered. "Well, I can only hope you can recover fast and return to the track. Then, we can do a rematch at the Derby."
"....."
"Well, then. I won't bother you any longer. Sleep well, Aston! Our story is still long"
"Yeah... Goodnight, End. See you at the Derby,"
The call ended and the screen turned black.
Astonishing stared at the darkened display for a few seconds before letting her arm drop, the phone resting loosely on her chest.
She turned onto her side, carefully shielding her bandaged ankle with the heavy blanket, and closed her eyes.
All she thinks is returning to the track as fast of possible, but for now, sleep is what she needs.
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Astonishing opened her eyes to see that everything has turned white.
She's back into the white void.