Uma Musume Pretty Derby: To The Basement [27] [100 STONES]

After leaving the Student Council President's office, Mizuno stopped pushing Urara along and instead walked slowly beside her.

"Trainer-san, why did you refuse the President's request? I thought it sounded great~!" Urara asked, puzzled.

"Urara, you have to remember—not every Uma Musume is qualified to join our ninja clan," Mizuno explained.

"But someone recommended by the President must be really amazing!"

"Well, that's true, but…"

Did Tokai Teio lack talent? Of course not. So why wouldn't Mizuno want her on the team?

Those who know, know.

"You alone are enough for me. Until you win your first race, I won't take on another Uma Musume."

"But won't that Uma Musume feel sad without a trainer…?"

Mizuno gently shook his head.

"Urara, allow me to give you your first ninja lesson."

"Lesson One: Before considering others' feelings, think of yourself first."

"Caring for others is good, but not at the expense of your own feelings. A decision should make both sides happy, or it won't have real meaning."

Urara tilted her head in confusion.

"Mmm… Urara doesn't understand…"

Mizuno instinctively reached out to pat Urara's head, but caught himself halfway and withdrew his hand.

"It's okay if you don't understand. Just keep being yourself. Leave decisions about recruiting new members to me."

"Okay! Urara will listen to Trainer-san!"

As they talked, they found themselves back at the training grounds.

After successful trainer pairings, the academy traditionally granted the new trainer and their Uma Musume a day off to bond and get acquainted.

Other trainers had already taken their new trainees out for fun, but Mizuno was different—he chose to skip resting and began training immediately.

Firstly, Urara was bursting with energy. When he'd asked her opinion, she'd enthusiastically declared she wanted to run.

Secondly, Mizuno had limited time. To secure Urara's first-place finish, he needed every available second.

"Our first training session since becoming partners officially begins now!" Mizuno announced loudly.

"Yay~!" Urara cheered excitedly, bouncing up and down on the grass.

"Trainer-san, how many laps should I run? Just tell me, Urara can do it!" She eagerly prepared to sprint.

"No, we're not going to run just yet."

"Eh? Then what will we train?"

"Long jump!" Mizuno pointed to a sandpit nearby.

"Long jump?" Urara cocked her head, confused. "But what does long jump have to do with running faster?"

"It has a lot to do with it—more than you'd think," Mizuno explained confidently.

When Urara ran the selection race earlier, Mizuno noticed numerous problems: poor running form, insufficient stamina, slow reactions, flawed tactics—in short, all her attributes were basically an "F," nowhere near even "E."

Different attributes required different training methods, but one short week wasn't enough to make Urara an all-around athlete. He had to focus on one critical area first.

So, Mizuno decided to concentrate on improving Urara's speed.

One effective way to enhance speed was by training in the long jump.

Mizuno had noticed Urara poorly utilized her leg muscles while running; they were rigid, not at all springy, making her strides stiff and wasteful, like running on stilts.

The book [From Getting Started as a Trainer! (Basement Ending)] explained clearly: Practicing the long jump helped Uma Musume better discover their legs' natural strength, greatly increasing their springiness and overall speed.

Therefore, practicing the long jump now was definitely the right move.

"Alright! I trust Trainer-san!"

Without needing further explanation, Urara readily believed in Mizuno's plan, eagerly rushing toward the sandpit.

"Urara is going to jump now~!" Urara leapt enthusiastically—but due to improper form, she landed squarely on her backside in the sandpit, coating herself in sand.

"Hehe~" Embarrassed, she turned toward Mizuno with a sheepish grin.

"Ahem…" Mizuno took a moment to stabilize his pulse from Urara's devastating cuteness attack before offering his guidance.

"The correct way to jump is like this…"

"Got it~!"

Under Mizuno's semi-professional coaching, Urara tried again.

"Heave-ho~!"

This time, executing proper form, Urara jumped successfully, achieving a significant improvement.

"Ohhh!!!" Urara's face lit up with excitement.

"Trainer-san, did you see that? I jumped farther than last time!"

"Good job! Keep going—you can jump even farther," Mizuno encouraged.

"Urara will do her best!"

Motivated by Mizuno's praise, Urara felt even more enthusiastic and continued practicing eagerly.

"Trainer-san, look, look! I improved again!"

"You're amazing."

"Ugh… I messed up…"

"No worries, you'll do better next time."

"Okay! Trainer-san, look, look!"

"Great job."

Thanks to Mizuno's motivational training style, Urara remained cheerful throughout, steadily improving her jumps.

Time flew quickly when spent happily. Before they knew it, they'd trained the entire morning away.

"Phew~ Long jumping is so much fun!"

Now drenched in sweat and covered in sand, Urara looked messy but couldn't care less. Her brilliant smile shone even brighter against the backdrop of grime.

"So happy~!"

What Urara loved most was seeing herself improve, especially with someone nearby continually cheering her on. For the first time, training felt joyful and easy.

"You worked hard," Mizuno said warmly, offering a towel and bottled water.

Don't ask where Mizuno got these—he was always prepared.

"Arigato~!" Urara took the towel and water gratefully. However, slightly dizzy from training, she absentmindedly poured water over her head and stuck the towel in her mouth.

"Let me handle that…" Mizuno quickly retrieved the towel and gently began wiping Urara dry.

"Hehe~!" Urara giggled adorably.

Externally, Mizuno appeared completely calm. Internally, however, he was trembling uncontrollably.

Too cute! Medic! Save me!

Like a patient father, Mizuno helped dry her hair and gave her some water to drink. Then he laid out their next tasks.

"Morning training is over. Go back, take a shower, have lunch, and get some rest. We'll continue in the afternoon."

"Okay~!" Urara obediently nodded.

"Trainer-san should rest well too~!"

"I will."

"Then I'll go shower first. See you this afternoon, Trainer-san~!"

"See you this afternoon."

Watching Urara's departing figure, Mizuno began plotting his next moves.

Rest? No—there was no time for that.

He sat down where he stood, pulled out [From Getting Started as a Trainer! (Basement Ending)], and resumed studying.