"Imaginary Training"

With Vodka's help, Anjing Zhen was honestly overjoyed.

But he didn't let it go to his head.

He hadn't expected Vodka's decision, but he had already planned to include someone with a running style similar to hers in the training.

All he had to do was adjust the plan to fit Vodka. There was no need to scrap everything and start over.

So he took some time over the weekend to adjust the original training plan, then spent the rest of the time resting as usual.

On Sunday night, Anjing Zhen arranged a time and place to meet the three girls the next day.

The location was still the Academy's track, but they'd be meeting a little earlier.

Having three girls run together was already considerably more complicated than having two. More importantly, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka were no ordinary racers.

They were not only top-class athletes, but also extremely experienced.

That experience had given them distinctive running styles and techniques. If he couldn't tailor the practice to them, their goodwill might go to waste.

So while they warmed up on the track before training, he not only went over Vodka's data, as he had before, but also made plenty of estimates and calculations.

Once he felt he'd optimized the plan enough, he officially arranged the group run.

"Daiwa, same as before: use the front-running style you're best at."

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

"Little Kita, same for you. Follow behind your senior again, and keep an eye out for my signals.

"Once I signal you, speed up and charge ahead right away.

"As for you, Vodka... Simulated Lag. Sound good?"

"OK."

Vodka nodded quickly, held her left arm horizontally, raised her right arm, and twisted her waist from side to side. Grinning, she said,

"This takes me back to the old days... Hey, Daiwa, you should've told me about something this fun sooner."

Daiwa Scarlet was doing some simple stretches too. She pouted.

"Who could've known you'd come back from Europe? Besides, you're back at the Academy now, aren't you?"

"True."

Vodka nodded, interlaced her fingers, and cracked her wrists a few times.

"I'm ready. Daiwa should be good to go too. Should we start now?"

Instead of answering, Anjing Zhen glanced at Kitasan Black.

"Um..."

Kitasan Black hesitated, then raised her hand.

"I wanted to ask... was what Trainer just said 'Simulated Lag'?"

At that, Anjing Zhen and the other two girls smiled warmly.

"Looks like you picked up on that."

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

"Actually, your Senior Yamato is doing the same thing. When she runs with you, she's doing 'Simulated Lead,' not ordinary leading."

"Simulated..."

Kitasan Black repeated the word, her eyes lighting up.

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

Anjing Zhen and the others looked impressed.

"You're quick on the uptake, Little Kita. Guess we can't keep treating you like a silly little junior forever!"

Vodka walked over and ruffled Kitasan Black's hair with a grin.

"Put simply, Simulated Lead and Simulated Lag are both types of Imaginary Training.

"Just like you said, you imagine that there are other opponents running alongside you.

"This kind of training is more effective than an ordinary group run, but it's also harder to master.

"Generally, only racers with plenty of competition experience can train this way. I'd guess it takes a bit of talent, too.

"Luckily, Daiwa and I are both that kind of racer. So don't overthink it. Just do your best running between us."

"I see..."

Kitasan Black nodded, understanding dawning on her, then looked a little embarrassed.

"This training... sounds like it must be exhausting. I mean, having to imagine opponents in your head.

"I always thought I hadn't been much trouble for Senior Yamato, but I didn't realize she'd been working so hard to help me. And now Senior Vodka is doing it too..."

"Ow!"

They both withdrew their hands after flicking Kitasan Black on the forehead, exchanged a knowing look, and laughed.

"Don't be silly, Little Kita."

Daiwa Scarlet scratched her nose with her index finger, smiling fondly.

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

"You'd bring us tea or towels, help us fix our horseshoes, or wash our clothes and shoes.

"At first, we thought you were too young to be doing all that, no matter how eager you were to help.

"But eventually we got used to it. Whenever you showed up, we'd call on you the moment something needed doing."

Vodka scratched her nose with her index finger in exactly the same way.

"Exactly. We remember all that.

"And it wasn't just us. Special Week Senpai, Suzuka Senpai, McQueen Senpai, Teio-senpai.

"And A-Fun.

"You helped all of them plenty, Little Kita.

"Especially Teio-senpai.

"She was so down that year, we had no idea what to do.

"If you hadn't kept encouraging her, I don't think it would've been so easy for her to return to the track.

"Anyway, Little Kita, you were always so enthusiastic about cheering us on. Now that you've officially debuted, how could we seniors just stand by and do nothing?"

"Exactly. I feel the same way."

Daiwa Scarlet chimed in with a smile, then bumped fists with Vodka without even looking at her.

"It's not just us. I'm sure Teio-senpai and the others want to do something for you, too.

"So instead of saying silly things here..."

With a shout of "Hup!" Daiwa Scarlet vaulted over the fence into the training track alongside Vodka, then gave a thumbs-up.

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

"You two..."

Kitasan Black gazed excitedly at the two girls on the track, then leaped in after them.

"Of course I'm ready!"

Anjing Zhen watched the three girls. When they looked his way, he couldn't help feeling moved.

He didn't know what Kitasan Black and her seniors had been through together, but from what he'd just heard, his racer was far more warmhearted, kind, and considerate than he'd realized.

Just like Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, he'd gradually gotten used to the black-haired girl quietly taking care of things behind the scenes.

At first, he'd only gotten used to her carrying his bag.

Then she started bringing him drinks, snacks, and even lunch.

Now, whenever she visited his single room, she'd clean up the trash and straighten out his somewhat messy books and papers. He'd gotten used to that, too.

And she did all of it quietly, never asking for anything in return. She even seemed to enjoy it.

There was no doubt about it: she simply wanted to help the people she cared about—or perhaps she was willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it, doing whatever she could. That alone made her happy.

Without realizing it, Anjing Zhen smiled.

That was true. A girl like her... really did make people want to return her warmth and do something for her.

With that thought, he raised his hand.

"Grass, 1,800 meters. Side-by-side Practice. On your marks, three, two... one!"