Umamusume: Full of Flavor! [9]

“Back to the point. Suzuka, your left foot is dominant, and you’re better at left-handed tracks. That means when you run on a counterclockwise track, you rely more heavily on the power from your left foot when entering corners. Especially since you’re determined to use the Runaway Style, you can imagine how much pressure your left foot has to bear. That’s why your previous Trainer was worried about your career longevity.”

Precisely because being left-foot dominant and favoring left-handed tracks were both Silence Suzuka’s strengths, they made her rely even more heavily on the weapon she was best at. Over time, that accumulated strain could eventually turn into injury or illness.

Sometimes, a strength could become a weakness. That was the flaw caused by an unbalanced Skill combination.

Haruto did not know that he had accidentally touched upon the tragic fate of Silence Suzuka, the racehorse from his previous life… In a race, she had suffered a comminuted fracture of the cannon bone in her left foreleg and been euthanized at only four years old.

“I see…”

Silence Suzuka nodded in understanding, and her left foot unconsciously tensed.

It was as if she, too, had sensed her predetermined fate. If she kept running like this, her left foot would surely be injured. After all, two Trainers had now reached the same conclusion.

But she believed Haruto would find a solution for her.

“And Suzuka, you can enter a ‘ZONE,’ can’t you?”

“.Trainer, have you really never seen me run?”

“Of course I haven’t. Today is the first time I’ve met you, Suzuka. I only arrived at Tracen Academy to report in yesterday.”

“I see… Then your eye truly is exceptional.”

He had not even seen her run, yet he knew about her ZONE?

Silence Suzuka found it far too amazing. Haruto had to be a top-tier Trainer. She was so lucky to have been assigned to him!

Of course Haruto knew. After all, he had already learned all of Silence Suzuka’s data through Full of Flavor just now, including her Skill panel.

It was just that her Skills were a bit of a mixed bag, so he had not explained them to Silence Suzuka. Besides, unlike Aptitudes and stats, Skills were not intuitive and were difficult to explain clearly.

It was not like in the game, where a pop-up window meant a Skill had been activated. Nor could someone simply shout a Skill name and use it.

In the end, understanding a Skill and using it in the moment still depended on an Umamusume’s personal condition and instincts. It was also related to Wit, since Wit included comprehension as well.

However, among all Skills, there was only one type that Umamusume could “use consciously.”

That was an Umamusume’s “Unique ZONE,” a secret technique that only a tiny number of Umamusume could master, and a personal Skill unique to each individual Umamusume.

In sports terminology, it was also called being “in the zone,” referring to a state of complete immersion in which someone focused entirely on the race and blocked out everything around them.

Haruto had already seen the effect of Silence Suzuka’s ZONE Skill.

[ZONE: THE VIEW FROM THE LEAD IS MINE!]

[EFFECT: IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE RACE, WHEN LEADING AND OPENING A GAP, USE QUICKER FOOTWORK TO INCREASE VELOCITY.]

Haruto had used the name of that ZONE just now to persuade Silence Suzuka, because it clearly represented her “core thought,” the “mental image” of the Umamusume known as Silence Suzuka.

And judging by its effect, it was extremely well suited to a Front Runner. It denied the Umamusume behind her any chance to catch up, granting her a terrifying finishing kick—the explosive force of a Last Spurt that let her accelerate even further in the final moments.

Honestly, for an Umamusume who had only just debuted to already possess a ZONE Skill, Silence Suzuka was blessed by the heavens even among Umamusume. As expected of one of the game’s initial three-stars, she was truly formidable.

However, this was also the root of the problem straining Silence Suzuka’s left foot.

Using her ZONE on the fiercely contested final corner… Especially when her Stamina was already exhausted, she was practically running with her life on the line.

Since Haruto had never seen her run, Silence Suzuka took the initiative and described what it felt like when she entered her ZONE.

“In the second half of a race, I can sometimes feel as though I’m the only one in the entire venue. When I enter that state, I can’t even feel the pressure from the Umamusume behind me. I can run without thinking about anything else…”

“Then that feeling must be wonderful.”

“Yes. My body and mind feel… free. Even the fatigue in my feet seems to disappear. It’s almost like magic…”

Whenever she entered her ZONE, Silence Suzuka felt, This is exactly the scenery I’ve been chasing. That was why, no matter what, she could not give up the Runaway Style.

Because only the Runaway Style allowed her to enter her ZONE frequently.

“Just hearing that makes even me long for it a little… But unfortunately, Suzuka, I’m going to have to pour cold water on you. In future races and practice, you are not allowed to enter your ZONE on your own.”

“Huh?”

Seal away her ZONE finisher.

That was the first professional judgment Haruto made as a Trainer.

Although a ZONE was indeed an Umamusume’s strongest Skill, the current Silence Suzuka did not yet have the ability to control it.

“As I said just now, Suzuka, your left foot is under enormous pressure. If you enter your ZONE in every race, your left foot will inevitably end up fractured… So for now, you can’t use it.”

“…Yes…”

Silence Suzuka lowered her head, and her ears drooped as well. She looked terribly dejected.

But very soon, she raised her head and pulled herself together, because everything Haruto had said so far made perfect sense.

Besides, Haruto had already agreed to let her continue using the Runaway Style. That alone was fortunate enough. She could not ask for more.

“I understand. Unless I have your permission, Trainer, I won’t enter my ZONE on my own.”

“Good. But don’t worry, this is only temporary. Once you can enter your ZONE with room to spare, I’ll lift the restriction. Leaving it unused forever would be far too wasteful.”

“Yes!”

“And in exchange, I’ll also teach you other techniques that can stand in for your ZONE. We don’t need to rely on an all-or-nothing ZONE to seize victory. We’re going to claim the throne of 1st place with rock-solid ability.”

As Haruto spoke, he smiled while stroking Suzuka’s feet.

“You can look forward to it, Suzuka. When you run your next race, you may well feel that same free, solitary sensation you experience inside your ZONE.”

“Understood. I’ll look forward to it.”

Silence Suzuka placed a hand over her chest and smiled.

She truly was looking forward to seeing what other surprises Haruto would bring her.

The guidance he had given her so far was already something countless Umamusume could only dream of receiving.

But… why had her Trainer been stroking her feet this whole time? It was practically like a collector caring for his precious treasure… Were her feet her Trainer’s treasures?

Yes, that had to be it. Trainer cared even more about the condition of her feet than she did herself. That was why he had forbidden her from entering her ZONE… Even though the ZONE was a state many Umamusume longed to reach, and for a Trainer, it was also a finishing move that could let his assigned Umamusume win races.

But the way her Trainer was touching them was a little… um… indecent…

Did Trainers really have a special fondness for Umamusume feet after all…?

She felt both happy and embarrassed… That strange feeling was stirring low in her stomach again…

Although the examination and guidance were already over, Silence Suzuka did not speak up to stop Haruto’s hands. She silently endured it instead… Silence Suzuka could feel how reluctant Haruto was to let go, and somehow, she felt as if she could understand that feeling too.

It seemed she would have to buy some foot-care products in the future… That way, the next time Trainer examined her, they would feel even better to touch…

Silence Suzuka was already thinking about “next time.” She had completely failed to realize that, at first, she had felt embarrassed just taking off her socks in front of him, yet now her boundaries had already lowered to the point where she could let Haruto freely admire and play with them. She was even thinking about making them more pleasant for him to play with.

It was the same as a girl wearing revealing clothes in front of the boy she liked. The desire to be appreciated by the other person could overpower shame.

Of course, Silence Suzuka still had not realized what the feelings just beginning to sprout inside her were. For an Umamusume whose life so far had been filled with nothing but running, that was still too difficult to understand.

As for Haruto, he was not doing it on purpose either. He was simply too excited, so delighted that he began fondling the feet in his hands—the very feet that could one day bring him high stats… Her stats would become his stats in the end.

How wonderful. His first assigned Umamusume was such a gentle, obedient girl, and she also had top-tier Speed and the talent to enter a Unique ZONE…

Wasn’t victory already his for the taking?

T/N: suzuka no……………………………………

This is a fan translation of 赛马娘，味真足 by 夜幕下的鬼 Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!