"Imaginary Training"

To be honest, Anjing Zhen was truly overjoyed to receive the assistance of Vodka.

However, he did not lose his composure because of it.

He had indeed not anticipated Vodka's decision, but he had already considered candidates with similar running styles in his planned training sessions.

On this basis, he only needed to make adjustments according to Vodka's situation; there was no need to overturn the entire plan from scratch.

Thus, he took time over the weekend to adjust the original training program and spent the remaining time resting as usual.

On Sunday night, Anjing Zhen agreed on the time and place to meet with the three Horse Girls the next day.

The location remained the Academy track, and the time was set slightly earlier.

Having three Horse Girls run together was inherently much more complex than two, and more importantly, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka were no ordinary Horse Girls.

Not only were they top-tier in strength, but they were also extremely experienced.

These factors had allowed them to form unique running styles and techniques; if he could not arrange targeted practice, it was very likely he would waste their good intentions.

Therefore, during the warm-up before starting training at the track, he not only organized Vodka's data as he had done before but also performed quite a few inferences and calculations.

Only when he felt the plan was sufficiently optimized did he officially arrange the joint run.

"Daiwa, just like before, adopt the Simulated Lead style you are best at."

Holding a stopwatch in his right hand and a tablet tucked under his right arm, Anjing Zhen gestured to the positions with his left hand.

"Little Kita, you as well; this time you will still follow behind the seniors, keeping an eye on my signals at all times.

"Once I give you a hand signal, accelerate and charge forward immediately.

"As for you, Vodka... Simulated Lag, is that alright?"

"OK."

Nodding quickly, Vodka held her left arm horizontally and her right arm vertically, twisting her waist back and forth as she smiled.

"It feels like going back to the old days... Hey, Daiwa, you should have told me about such an interesting thing sooner."

Also doing simple stretching exercises, Daiwa Scarlet pouted.

"Who could have guessed you would return from Europe... Besides, aren't you back at the Academy now?"

"That's true, too."

Nodding, Vodka interlaced her fingers and cracked her wrists.

"I'm ready, and Daiwa should be fine too. Shall we start now?"

Without answering, Anjing Zhen glanced at Kitasan Black.

"Um..."

Hesitating for a moment, Kitasan Black raised her hand.

"I have a question. What the Trainer just said... was that 'Simulated Lag'?"

Upon hearing this, not only Anjing Zhen but the other two Horse Girls smiled with satisfaction.

"It seems you noticed."

Anjing Zhen nodded and said, "That's right, I said 'Simulated Lag,' not just Lag.

"In fact, your Senior Daiwa is the same; when she runs with you, she is performing a 'Simulated Lead,' not just a Lead."

"Simulated..."

Repeating the word, Kitasan Black's eyes lit up.

"Does that mean imagining that there are other opponents running with us besides the three of us?"

Anjing Zhen and the others all expressed their admiration.

"Your intuition is quite good, Little Kita. It seems I can't keep treating you like a silly little junior!"

Walking over to ruffle Kitasan Black's hair, Vodka laughed.

"Simply put, Simulated Lead and Simulated Lag are both forms of 'Imaginary Training.'

"Just as you said, it's imagining in your mind that there are other opponents running alongside you.

"This kind of training is more effective than a normal joint run, though of course, it is also much harder to master.

"Generally, only Horse Girls with sufficient racing experience can train this way, and naturally, it probably requires some talent as well.

"It just so happens that Daiwa and I are such Horse Girls, so you don't need to overthink it; just try your best to run between us."

"So that's how it is..."

Nodding in realization, Kitasan Black became a bit embarrassed.

"This kind of training... it sounds like it must be very tiring, I mean, having to simulate opponents in your mind.

"I always thought I wasn't causing Senior Daiwa much trouble, but I didn't realize she was helping me so painstakingly, and now Senior Vodka is doing this too..."

"Ouch!"

Withdrawing their hands from flicking her forehead at the same time, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka exchanged a knowing look and laughed together.

"What kind of foolish talk is that, Little Kita?"

Daiwa Scarlet scratched her nose with her index finger, saying with a gratified smile:

"Don't forget, back when we were training and racing, you came to help us whenever you had a spare moment.

"If you weren't serving tea or handing us towels, you were helping us organize our horseshoes, or doing our laundry and cleaning our shoes.

"At first, we thought you were too young, and even if you were enthusiastic, we shouldn't let you keep doing those things.

"But in the end, we all got used to it; whenever you came over, the moment something came up, we'd call for your help right away."

Doing the exact same thing, Vodka also scratched her nose with her index finger.

"That's right, we remember all of those things.

"And it wasn't just the two of us; Special Week Senpai, Suzuka Senpai, McQueen Senpai, and Teio-senpai.

"And A-Fun, too.

"You've helped everyone so much, Little Kita.

"Especially Teio-senpai.

"She was so depressed that year, we didn't know what to do.

"If it weren't for you constantly encouraging her, I don't think it would have been so easy for her to return to the track.

"In short, Little Kita was so enthusiastic about cheering us on back then, now that you've officially debuted, how could we seniors just stand by and watch?"

"Exactly, that's what I think too."

Laughing in agreement, Daiwa Scarlet bumped fists with Vodka without even looking, then smiled:

"It's not just us; I'm sure Teio-senpai and the others feel the same way about wanting to do something for you.

"So, instead of standing there saying foolish things..."

With a grunt, she vaulted over the fence alongside Vodka, leaping onto the training track, and Daiwa Scarlet gave a Thumbs Up.

"Little Kita, aren't you ready yet?"

"Two Seniors..."

Looking at the two Horse Girls on the track, Kitasan Black felt a surge of emotion, and she leaped in as well.

"Of course I'm ready!"

Watching the three Horse Girls, Anjing Zhen felt a secret sense of admiration as they looked toward him.

He didn't know about the history between Kitasan Black and her seniors, but from what he had just heard, this Horse Girl of his was far more enthusiastic, kind, and sensible than he had realized.

In fact, just like Daiwa Scarlet and the others had said, he had unconsciously grown accustomed to the Black Haired Girl quietly bustling about, taking care of everything.

At first, it was just her getting used to carrying his bag.

Later, it was bringing him drinks, snacks, and even bento boxes.

Now, every time she went to his single room, she would help clean up the trash and organize his somewhat scattered books and documents; he had grown used to these things as well.

Yet, in doing all this silently, the girl never asked for anything, appearing as if she truly enjoyed it.

Without a doubt, she simply wanted to help the people she cared about, or perhaps she was just willing to lend a hand to anyone in need, finding happiness in doing what she could.

Unconsciously, Anjing Zhen smiled.

It was true; a girl like this... would indeed make one unable to resist reciprocating that warmth and wanting to do something for her.

Thinking this, he raised his hand.

"Turf 1800m, Side-by-side Practice, get ready, three, two... one!"