Inside the gym, Fujihara Shirayuki prepared for the final training task, balance training.
First was the horse stance.
She lifted one leg, attached a dumbbell, then stretched both arms forward, keeping her body steady.
It sounded simple, but it was extremely difficult. The weight in front kept pulling her body forward, but leaning back would cause her foot to touch the ground. This wasn't just about balance, it was also coordination training.
After ten minutes, Shirayuki was already drenched in sweat. She had fallen more than ten times.
"Is it really this hard…"
She couldn't believe it.
Could balance really be this body's weakness? If that was the case, she would easily fall when leaning into turns.
No, lacking strength or agility was acceptable, but she absolutely could not lack balance.
Hard work makes up for shortcomings. She refused to believe she couldn't master it.
Finally, after the twentieth fall, Shirayuki lay flat on the ground.
"Shirayuki, do you want some water?"
Meisho Doto came over with a cup of water.
She had just finished step jump training outside and came in to rest.
"Doto…"
Lying on the floor, Shirayuki looked up at her.
"I feel like I'm really stupid. I can't even do something like this."
"That's not true. I think Shirayuki is already amazing… I can't even stand on one foot!"
Really, Doto?
Then what are you going to do in the race?
Shirayuki took a sip of water, then immediately spat it out.
"This is… vinegar!"
"Eh!? Vinegar? But I drank some of it earlier during training!"
"Seriously? Is your tongue okay?" Shirayuki sniffed it. It was full of vinegar smell.
"I think I drank it… or maybe I drank something else…"
While Doto was trying to remember, Gold Ship suddenly popped out.
"Hmph, Shirayuki, you're training wrong," she said, hands on her hips. "You can't improve balance like that."
"Oh? Do you have some expert advice, Gold Ship?"
Still dealing with the sour taste, Shirayuki asked.
She was genuinely hoping this "master" could offer something more advanced than her own training knowledge.
"You should train like this."
Gold Ship flipped over into a handstand, supported herself with one hand, and started walking forward using her hands instead of her feet.
"How are you even doing that!?" Shirayuki was stunned.
Uma Musume had enough strength to support their body weight, even with one hand, but Gold Ship could actually move forward step by step.
This was beyond ridiculous.
Was her balance really that insane?
Watching Gold Ship happily playing around with one hand, Shirayuki showed a complicated expression.
Talent was never fair. What took her days or even nights to improve might not even match an hour of someone else's effort. No, more like she couldn't catch up even if they didn't train at all.
That was talent.
"So, Shirayuki, did you learn it?"
With a push, Gold Ship flipped back onto her feet.
"Yeah. I learned nothing."
"As long as you train for a few hundred years, you'll reach my level."
Shirayuki clapped with a blank expression.
By the way, if both of them were here, where was Rice Shower?
"Heave-ho~"
At that moment, Shirayuki heard a sound from behind.
It was Rice Shower. She was copying Shirayuki's movement, holding the horse stance with one leg raised, a dumbbell attached, and both arms stretched forward.
Her body swayed rapidly, then stabilized. After a few seconds, it swayed again, then stabilized once more.
She maintained balance through that constant cycle.
This girl actually has good balance…
Shirayuki couldn't help but think as she watched Rice Shower puff her cheeks and endure.
Normally, this exercise lasted two to three minutes, maybe four or five at most, before taking a break.
Shirayuki carefully observed her movements and learned from them. After about three minutes, Rice Shower finally couldn't endure the muscle soreness anymore, lowered her leg, and sat down.
"Don't sit yet."
Shirayuki spoke.
"Your muscles are still tense. If you suddenly relax, it'll build up fatigue instead. Stand for a while first, then sit once the soreness fades."
"Shirayuki…"
Rice Shower froze for a moment.
"Does that mean… Shirayuki understands training?"
Whether it was a question or a statement, she asked.
"Of course I do. I mean… I heard it from my cousin. I know a little."
"From Onii-sama… I understand."
Rice Shower stood back up and began walking slowly.
At the same time, Fujihara Chiya returned to the gym.
He had been called away by Hayakawa Tazuna to fill out the roster for next week's race.
Everyone had been registered, but in their current state, Chiya couldn't imagine how they were going to win.
Should he rely on Gold Ship, or Meisho Doto?
Rice Shower might be fine, but Shirayuki…
Still uncertain.
He couldn't even determine his own standing among the newcomers.
"Onii-sama!"
Seeing him enter, Rice Shower's eyes lit up as she ran over.
"I worked really hard just now."
"Yeah, I saw. Good job."
Chiya smiled and patted her head. Rice Shower showed a blissful expression.
Wait, did I tell her to do balance training? I remember assigning her step jumps…
Looking at Rice Shower seeking head pats, Chiya decided not to worry about it.
"Psst, Shirayuki," Gold Ship whispered, sneaking up beside her. "At this rate, your dear brother is going to get stolen."
"What…"
"Chiya, obviously. Can't you see? He's getting really close to Rice Shower. You're his sister too, and you're just going to let that happen?"
"Why would I care about something like that? It's a good thing if a trainer and Uma Musume get along well. I think Rice Shower is really cute like this."
Looking at Rice Shower's happy smile, Shirayuki felt healed.
"Seriously?"
Gold Ship looked like her worldview had just shattered.
At first, Shirayuki kept praising Chiya, so Gold Ship assumed she was a brocon. But later she realized Shirayuki had zero reaction to Rice Shower being close to him.
Was Shirayuki that type of person? The kind who just wants her brother to be happy, like some overly selfless saint?
Damn it. If that's the case, messing with her will be a lot harder. Gold Ship couldn't deal with that kind of character. It was too radiant.
After finishing the head pats, Chiya announced,
"That's it for today. Tomorrow is the weekend. Don't forget to return on time. If you have plans, let me know in advance."
"Yes!"
With everyone's response, the team was dismissed.
Shirayuki took the headband back from Chiya and put it on again.
Chiya's work was done.
Now, it was Shirayuki's turn to work.