After completing the entire training session, Anjing Zhen was once again amazed by his horse girl.
There had been scheduled breaks over the course of several hours, but overall, the training had been continuous.
Yet after such a long session, Kitasan Black showed hardly any signs of fatigue.
Not only was she not tired, but she barely even had a sheen of sweat on her face. She looked bright-eyed and full of energy, as though she could start another training session at any moment.
He'd already judged from the data that she had an excellent constitution, but he hadn't expected her to be so astonishingly fit in person.
That was why Anjing Zhen hadn't taken a break either. Whenever he got a new set of data, he immediately ran some preliminary calculations.
While Kitasan Black rested, he seized the opportunity to analyze, evaluate, and make adjustments. As a result, her subsequent training improved noticeably.
Of course, Kitasan Black's own talent also played a part.
Not only was she physically outstanding, but her sense of rhythm was surprisingly good.
She'd made mistakes in the first one or two sets of exercises, but her movements matched the beat of the music better and better as they went on. Her overall average came in at over 75%.
For a first attempt at this kind of training, 50% synchronization was already quite good for a horse girl. At 75%, she could definitely be called a genius.
Noticing this, Anjing Zhen found himself revising his impression of his horse girl.
"That's enough for today."
Still marveling at her, Anjing Zhen began packing up.
"I'll take you to get something to eat. Also..."
He thought for a moment.
"Little Kita, aside from the dancing taught at school, you've probably taught yourself some songs and dances before, right?"
"Yes! And please let me treat you to dinner this time, Trainer!"
She answered energetically with her hand raised, then hurried over to him.
"Trainer, I'll carry your bag!"
After picking up Anjing Zhen's shoulder bag, she pressed her lips together and answered his earlier question.
"As for music and dancing... I guess I wouldn't say I've actually studied them.
"But I've always loved singing!
"My father, my grandfather, and lots of people in my family are great singers. I grew up listening to them sing!"
Anjing Zhen immediately understood.
Her records mentioned that Kitasan Black came from a distinguished family. Her grandfather was a renowned singer in the industry, with students and disciples all over Japan. Her family was practically a musical dynasty.
It was no surprise that growing up surrounded by music had given her such a strong feel for rhythm.
She probably hadn't used this approach to running before, which was why her stride had been so erratic during training.
Of course, her great strength had also been a factor.
Running and singing were different, after all. Singing mainly engaged the muscles in the neck, chest, and abdomen, while running required the use of every muscle in the body. It was certainly harder to master a good rhythm.
But with her family background as a foundation, as long as she kept training, this horse girl would have no trouble getting her basic stride down.
That meant they needed to consider another kind of training...
As Anjing Zhen pondered, Kitasan Black kept talking excitedly about her family and the fun things she'd done as a child.
"...So, I lived in the countryside for a long time. In the summer, my friends and I would often go into the woods at night to catch fireflies. Oh, and rhinoceros beetles!
"We'd see whose rhinoceros beetle was the strongest, and even hold rhinoceros beetle contests!
"Oh, right. I think I already had the idea of becoming a horse girl back then.
"Hehehe, I was the fastest runner among my friends, and everyone said I'd grow up to be an amazing horse girl!
"My dad and grandpa said so, too. And..."
She grew even more excited.
"After watching Teio-senpai's races, I've always wanted to become a horse girl who shines just like her!
"Trainer, do you think..."
She looked at Anjing Zhen expectantly.
"Could my dream... really come true?"
Looking back at Kitasan Black, Anjing Zhen could clearly see his own reflection in her clear eyes. He couldn't help smiling.
"I'll do everything I can to help you make your dream come true."
"Mhm! Thank you, Trainer!"
She threw both arms up and nodded again and again. Then the lively, energetic horse girl bashfully covered her stomach.
"But you were right, Trainer. Before I can make my dream come true, I'd better fill my stomach first."
By then, they'd reached the cafeteria at Central Treisen Academy.
Most of the students had already eaten, so there weren't many people in the cafeteria. After ordering, Kitasan Black took both their trays to the table herself.
Though they'd each ordered a meal, Anjing Zhen's portion was tiny—just a bowl of ramen.
Kitasan Black, on the other hand, had ordered more than ten times as much. Fried rice, fried noodles, barbecue, glazed carrots, and other delicious dishes were piled nearly as high as half her body.
The cafeteria chefs were professionals. The food was not only suited to horse girls' tastes but also never too greasy.
So while Anjing Zhen was a little surprised by Kitasan Black's appetite, he understood that the girl was genuinely hungry after an afternoon of training.
"Let's eat!"
She put her hands together before the mountain of food, and had just picked up her chopsticks when she noticed the surprise on Anjing Zhen's face out of the corner of her eye. Her cheeks turned red.
"Um... actually..."
She tapped her index fingers together in front of her and spoke softly.
"I don't usually eat this much...
"I usually eat about this much... No, this much...
"No, wait, more like this little..."
She gestured three times, lowering her hand each time.
At last, her voice rose a little.
"Okay, Trainer, you can laugh if you want. I really was hungry... Though I did eat a bit more than usual today..."
"Why would I laugh?"
"I really did only eat a little more... Huh?"
Kitasan Black's ears twitched.
"Trainer... you're not going to make fun of me for eating so much?"
"What's there to make fun of? Besides, a Trainer shouldn't mock his Assigned Horse Girl."
Anjing Zhen calmly picked up the chopsticks beside his set meal.
"Besides, that's not even a lot. I've seen someone who can eat more than you."
"R-really? Then I won't hold back!"
Realizing her worry had been completely unnecessary, Kitasan Black brightened at once. She lifted a huge plate of fried rice and took a big mouthful.
"Mm... by the way, Trainerr, who's the horse girl you said eats more than me?"
"...Swallow before you talk. You might choke."
After warning her, Anjing Zhen heard Kitasan Black ask again. He thought for a moment, then answered with a question of his own.
"I'll take you to meet her later. But more importantly...
"Little Kita, what kind of horse girl do you think is truly outstanding, truly dazzling?
"Or, to put it another way, have you thought about which races you want to run in the future?"
That evening, in Kitasan Black's shared dorm room.
"Diamond-chan! I'm back!"
"Ah, welcome back, Little Kita."
The one who answered Kitasan Black's energetic greeting was a horse girl with light brown hair and pale golden eyes.
Judging by her features, she looked a little like Satono Crown, who'd been practicing in the Dance Hall that afternoon. She had the same refined, elegant air.
She was Satono Crown's younger sister, Kitasan Black's roommate, Satono Diamond.
Before you continue