“Getting back to the point, Suzuka: you’re left-foot dominant and naturally better on counter-clockwise tracks.
When running those circuits, you’ll rely heavily on your left foot through turns.
And since you’ve decided to go all-in with a Runaway, imagine how much pressure that puts on your left foot.
That’s exactly why your previous Trainer was worried about your career longevity.”
Because both traits were strengths, she’d naturally lean on them even more.
Over time, that overuse built up strain and could easily turn into an injury.
Sometimes a strength could become your weakness, that was the downside of mismatched skill combinations.
Kenji didn’t realize he’d just accidentally echoed the tragic fate of Silence Suzuka from his past life… In reality, he suffered a major fracture in her left front foot during a race and was euthanized at just four years old.
“I see…”
Suzuka’s expression turned understanding, and her left foot instinctively tensed straight.
It felt like she could sense her destined fate now, if she kept running like this, her left foot would definitely get injured.
After all, both Trainers had reached the same conclusion.
But she trusted Kenji to find a solution for her.
“Also… Suzuka, you have a ‘Zone,’ right?”
“…!
Trainer-san, are you serious?
You’ve never actually seen me run before?”
“Of course not.
Today’s the first time I’m meeting you.
I only registered at Tracen Academy yesterday.”
“Is that so… Then you really have an incredible eye.”
Even without seeing her race, he knew about her Zone?
Suzuka thought it was amazing.
Kenji had to be a top-tier Trainer!
She was so lucky to be assigned to him!
Kenji obviously knew.
He’d just pulled all of Suzuka’s data through [Taste of the Foot], including her skill panel.
It was just that her skills were a bit scattered, so he hadn’t explained them yet.
Besides, unlike adaptability or stats, skills weren’t straightforward and were hard to explain clearly.
This wasn’t a game where you could pop up a window and activate them, nor did shouting the skill’s name make it work.
In the end, mastering and using skills in a race depended on an Uma Musume’s condition and instincts, and intelligence too, since that stat included comprehension.
But among all skills, there was one that Uma Musume could consciously activate.
That was their ‘Innate Zone’, a rare technique only a handful of runners possessed, and a personal signature skill unique to each.
In sports psychology, it’s called being “in the zone.” It refers to a flow state where you’re so focused on the race that your surroundings fade away.
Kenji had already checked Suzuka’s Zone effect.
[Zone: The view from the very front… I won’t let anyone take it!] [Effect: When leading and pulling away in the latter half of a race, quicken your stride to accelerate further.]
Kenji had just used that Zone name to convince Suzuka, because it clearly represented her core mindset, the mental image of Silence Suzuka herself.
Judging by its effect, it was a perfect skill for a Front-Runner.
It gave chasing rivals zero chance to catch up and delivered a terrifying late kick, a massive burst of speed right at the finish.
Honestly, for a rookie Uma Musume to already possess a Zone made her one of the chosen ones among runners.
No wonder she was one of the game’s initial three-star units, she really was that strong.
But this Zone was also the root cause of her left foot’s strain.
Activating it during the most intense final bend… especially when stamina was already drained… was basically running on borrowed time.
Since Kenji hadn’t seen her race, Suzuka took the initiative to describe what it felt like when she entered her Zone.
“In the latter half of a race, I sometimes get this feeling that… it’s just me alone in the world.
Once I’m in that state, I can’t even feel the pressure from the runners behind me.
I can run without any distractions…”
“That must feel incredibly exhilarating.”
“Yes.
It feels like my whole body and mind… relax.
Even the fatigue in my feet seems to vanish, like magic…”
Every time she entered her Zone, Suzuka felt: This is exactly the view I’ve been chasing.
That’s why she refused to give up her Runaway no matter what.
Only by leading from the front could she frequently slip into that state.
“I’m almost tempted to try it myself… but unfortunately, I have to pour some cold water on you.
From now on, in both races and training, you’re not allowed to consciously enter your Zone.”
“Eh?”
Sealing her ultimate move.
This was Kenji’s first professional decision as a Trainer.
While a Zone was indeed an Uma Musume’s strongest asset, Suzuka currently lacked the capacity to control it safely.
“As I mentioned earlier, your left foot is under massive pressure.
If you use your Zone in every race, a fracture is inevitable… So for now, you’re not allowed to use it.”
“…Understood…”
Suzuka lowered her head, ears drooping in disappointment.
But she quickly lifted it back up and perked up again, everything Kenji had said so far made perfect sense.
Besides, he’d already allowed her to keep using Runaway.
That alone was lucky enough; she shouldn’t ask for more.
“I understand.
Unless you give me permission, Trainer-san, I won’t enter my Zone on my own.”
“Mm, but don’t worry.
This is only temporary.
Once you’re able to activate it smoothly and safely, I’ll lift the restriction.
Keeping it locked away forever would be a waste.”
“Yes!”
“And in return, I’ll teach you other techniques that can substitute for your Zone.
We don’t need to rely on a gamble-style ultimate move to win.
We’ll take first place with rock-solid fundamentals.”
Kenji smiled as he gently rubbed Suzuka’s feet.
“You can look forward to it, Suzuka.
By the time you run your next race, there’s no guarantee you won’t feel that same exhilarating sense of running alone… just like being in your Zone.”
“Understood.
I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Suzuka placed a hand over her chest and smiled.
She was genuinely excited about what surprises Kenji might bring next.
The guidance she’d received so far alone was something countless Uma Musume would kill for.
But… why is he still stroking my feet?
It’s like a collector carefully maintaining his prized possession… Are my feet really treasures to him?
Right… Trainer-san cares about my feet even more than I do.
That’s why he banned my Zone, right?
Even though it’s a state many Uma Musume dream of reaching, and for Trainers, it’s basically a trump card to win races…
But the way he was touching them felt a little… um… lewd… Did all Trainers have a thing for Uma Musume feet?
Happy yet embarrassed… that strange feeling bubbled up in her stomach again…
Even though the examination and instruction were over, Suzuka didn’t say a word to stop him.
She just quietly endured it… She could feel Kenji’s reluctance to let go, and she almost felt the same way herself.
Maybe she should buy some foot care products later… That way, when Trainer-san checks her next time, his hands would have something even nicer to touch…
Suzuka was already thinking about “next time.” She hadn’t realized that her mental threshold had shifted so much.
Just a moment ago, taking off her socks in front of him had made her shy; now she was completely fine with letting Kenji admire and play with them freely, even wanting to make it easier for him next time.
It was like how girls sometimes dress revealingly around boys they’re interested in: the desire to be admired quietly overpowered their embarrassment.
Of course, Suzuka hadn’t yet realized what this budding feeling actually was.
For an Uma Musume whose entire life so far had revolved around running, it was still too early to understand.
On his end, Kenji wasn’t being deliberate either.
He was just too thrilled to resist happily playing with the pair of feet that would bring him such high stats… Her numbers would eventually become his.
How nice.
His first charge was this obedient, well-behaved Uma Musume… plus she had top-tier speed and an innate Zone talent…
Victory was practically handed to him!