Her Eyes Are as Cool as Mine

Rizumu Hikari was reading at her desk. After greeting Hokubu Genkoma, she closed her book and asked curiously, "You're back quite late today… were you training?"

"Training? Hmm… I guess you could call it that. I'm not really sure."

Shaking her head, Hokubu Genkoma looked around.

"Hikari-chan, I remember you have a yoga mat? Can I borrow it? I'll buy a new one tomorrow!"

"The yoga mat… it's right by the closet. Just take it."

"Okay, okay! You're the best, Hikari-chan!"

After thanking her with a cheerful smile, Hokubu Genkoma went to the closet, picked up the rolled-up yoga mat, unrolled it on the floor, and sat down cross-legged.

Rizumu Hikari smiled faintly and nodded, then leaned closer, still curious.

She quickly noticed that her roommate's sitting posture was strange.

Her full, shapely calves weren't crossed downwards, but upwards, causing her fair feet to rest almost upside down against her knees.

Her hand gestures were also odd, not resting properly on her knees or stomach like they would in a shrine or dojo.

Instead, her fingers were interlocked in a somewhat clumsy, back-and-forth motion, changing like sign language or shadow puppets.

"Xiao Bei, what is this…?"

"Ah, the Trainer taught me this after our walk."

Hokubu Genkoma said casually, her eyes focused on her hands.

"It's something about Brahma and Buddhism hand seals, right? Oh, and the sitting posture I'm using was also taught by him."

"Brahma… Brahmanism?"

"Mhm! That's the one!"

Rizumu Hikari grew even more curious.

"I remember that's a religion from South Asia, and Buddhism… didn't that also originate from there?"

"You know a lot, Hikari-chan."

Hokubu Genkoma praised, still looking at her hands.

"The Trainer said the same thing. He also said these hand seals and postures cover almost all the movements we can make, and practicing them regularly will help me control my strength better.

"But he only taught me these few gestures and sitting poses. He said there are many more and he'll teach them to me gradually based on my physical condition."

"…He sounds like a very skilled Trainer."

Rizumu Hikari exclaimed in admiration. "I've never heard of this kind of training method before, and…"

She hesitated, then studied Hokubu Genkoma's hand gestures for a moment. Raising her own hands, she thought for a bit and tried to imitate them.

However, as soon as she started, she realized something was wrong.

From her perspective, her roommate's hands seemed to be cupped together as if to catch water.

But somehow, her index fingers and ring fingers, like magic, had "grown" out from the other hands.

Then, another gesture was similar. It looked like a normal interlacing of fingers, but normal finger interlacing would never give the illusion of "tying a knot."

Neither she nor Hokubu Genkoma knew that these gestures, including the sitting posture, originated from another world.

The ultimate techniques in this world were still relatively primitive, while this training was basic conditioning in Yasui Makoto's past life, integrating skills from many sports fields. Essentially, it was a form of body training.

Theoretically, with proficient mastery, one could assume any posture in any situation, and this control naturally included strength.

For humans, learning this training method would be extremely difficult. Without sufficient talent, attempting it would absolutely lead to injury.

Uma Musume had far superior physiques to humans, and Hokubu Genkoma's physical foundation was considered excellent even among them.

Combined with Yasui Makoto's familiarity with training techniques, this allowed her to grasp a bit in a short time.

Rizumu Hikari couldn't imitate it, naturally lacking the necessary skills.

"Phew—all done… Ah! Hikari-chan! Don't try to copy my movements!"

After completing the special "pre-sleep training" as instructed by Yasui Makoto, Hokubu Genkoma turned around and panicked when she saw her roommate awkwardly moving her hands.

"The Trainer said these poses look simple, but the technique is hard to replicate. If you force it, you might break a bone!"

"B-break a bone…?!"

Rizumu Hikari was startled and quickly let go of her hands.

At the same time, she noticed that just by trying to imitate a few gestures, the joints of her fingers were already slightly numb and stinging.

"…He really is an amazing Trainer…"

Once again, she exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Mhm! The Trainer is really amazing!"

Nodding repeatedly in agreement, Hokubu Genkoma let out a grunt and stood up from the yoga mat, diligently rolling it up and placing it back by the closet.

With a hint of anticipation, she took out her phone, tapped a few times, and held it up in front of Rizumu Hikari.

"And look, Hikari-chan! My Shining Race Account! The Trainer helped me get it these past few days! And I already have fans!"

As soon as she leaned closer and heard what Hokubu Genkoma said, Rizumu Hikari's eyes widened. In a flash, she said with a mix of envy and congratulations:

"Congratulations, Xiao Bei! Now you're a proper Uma Musume, just like your sister."

"Heehee, I've been looking forward to this day for a long time... Heave-ho--"

Flipping over onto the bed, Hokubu Genkoma dangled her legs in the air, swinging them back and forth as she happily clutched her phone.

"With a race account, I can see my fan count whether I'm racing or doing anything else...

"Ah! More followers!

"And comments too! That's great!"

Still looking on with admiration, Rizumu Hikari leaned closer, sitting sideways next to Hokubu Genkoma and peering down at the phone.

The races for Uma Musume are collectively known as the "Shining Star Series." Unlike other competitions, the Shining Series not only involves racing but also has a significant "idol" component.

The racing aspect uses the "Grade Race System," with levels ranked from highest to lowest: G1, G2, G3, OP, and Pre-OP. To participate in a certain level of race, a corresponding number of fans is required.

A "race account" is one of the symbols of an Uma Musume officially stepping into the Shining Star Series. This account is linked to many platforms and can tally fan numbers across the entire web.

Unlike her roommate Hokubu Genkoma and her sister Satono Crown, Rizumu Hikari, despite being admitted to Central Academy due to her grades and physical condition, hasn't yet entered the full-fledged racing world. She's temporarily unable to participate in intense races and training.

It's so nice that Xiao Bei already has a race account like my sister...

But the doctor at home said I'll probably be able to race next year...

By then...

"Hikari-chan! Do you think my eyes are cool?"

Just as she was silently cheering herself on, Rizumu Hikari was startled by Hokubu Genkoma's sudden shout. Turning her head, Rizumu Hikari saw that her roommate had somehow sat up and was looking at her with full anticipation.

"Mmm... They're very cool."

Although she didn't know why she was asked, Rizumu Hikari looked closely at Hokubu Genkoma's sparkling eyes for a moment before nodding, then asked with confusion.

"Why the sudden question...?"

"Well, it's because of a fan's comment."

Grinning and holding up her phone, Hokubu Genkoma said with ambition:

"'Her eyes are as cool as mine. A child like this will surely become a great Uma Musume!'

"I don't know who this fan is, but I'm really happy they said that!

"And I believe it too – I will definitely become a great Uma Musume!"