Chapter 3. The Next Run
When Shuta An woke up the next day, he found himself lying on a bed in the Sadalsuud team's activity room lounge.
After tugging at his clothes, the young man confirmed he had slept fully dressed, with only a blanket covering him.
"Ann, are you awake?"
Just as Shuta An was about to get up and wash, Dober appeared at the lounge door, carrying a bag.
"I brought breakfast for Ann from the cafeteria, just in time."
"Dober brought me here?"
Shuta An rubbed his eyes and asked after taking the bag.
"Although I want to say no, it was indeed me. Miss Rudolph saw Ann and the other Trainers drunk and called me to take you home, but I don't have a driver's license, and at that hour I didn't think I should trouble Berno-senpai, so I simply moved Ann to the lounge."
"Fortunately, Ann didn't throw up last night from drinking too much, otherwise this lounge wouldn't be usable today."
"I know my alcohol limit; there's no way I'd drink too much." Shuta An waved a hand. "Maybe I just got too excited at the end of the conversation yesterday and didn't pay attention."
"Anyway, thank you, Dober, for taking care of me."
He held the bag and was about to move to the adjacent office to eat breakfast—before that, Shuta An still had to clock in.
"I already clocked in for Ann." Dober held her lover's wrist. "The Academy's clock-in system not requiring facial recognition is just too convenient."
"Didn't you trouble any other Uma Musume?"
Shuta An sat in the office chair and asked again.
"I asked Hayate to help me get dried tangerine peel from home, to brew water for you to sober up. Yesterday wasn't a holiday, so why did you all drink so much?"
Dober shook her head, truly unable to understand.
Shuta An rubbed his head, laughed awkwardly, and didn't respond.
—
Last night in the Dream World, Shuta An had gone to Kyoto Racecourse to participate in the Kansai Gold Cup and easily won. Afterward, he met with Rice Shower's Trainer, and the two discussed Rice Shower's race schedule for the year.
In the first half of the year, Rice Shower would first run the Hanshin Daishoten, then go to the Spring Tenno Sho for a big battle with Biwa Hayahide, then travel abroad to prepare for the Ascot Gold Cup.
In the second half of the year, he would focus on the Melbourne Cup challenge, and then, depending on Rice Shower's condition, they would decide whether or not to run the Arima Kinen.
Of course, even if he were to run the Arima Kinen, Shuta An had already said he would most likely not ride Rice Shower there.
Trainer Iizuka Yoshitsugu had candidly accepted that statement.
"After all, Rice Shower focuses on long distances, and dropping to the length of the Arima Kinen would reduce his competitiveness. It's within our expectations for Shuta-kun to choose other horses."
For this year's Classic Race, Shuta An could tell it would be Narita Brian's Era's; he couldn't see any racehorses who could contend with Narita Brian. As for the mare race line, he still couldn't discern anything yet.
So after discussing with his agent this year, he decided to focus on overseas races for the current year. He could ride more in America and Europe. In Japan, he would focus on riding Oguri Cap and Sunday Silence's offspring.
The young man also shared this plan with Yutaka Take.
"Then I'll go to America for further studies with Ann-san,"
Yutaka Take immediately declared.
"Forget it," Shuta An pouted. "Let's avoid each other; otherwise, I'll easily snatch your resources."
Yutaka Take couldn't refute that and could only nod honestly.
"I also have to work hard to train myself. I can't say I'll catch up to Ann-san's level, but at least I want to make a name for myself overseas,"
Yutaka Take silently vowed in his heart.
—
January was a busy month for Trainers of other teams, but not for Shuta An. January wasn't busy at all; in fact, he felt it was much more relaxed than December.
By the end of the month, Teio, who had been in the hospital for a full month, was also discharged.
Shuta gave her roommate, Mayano Top Gun, a medium-term task—to help Tokai Teio get to the Sadalsuud team's activity room every day.
On one hand, Shuta An could easily monitor Tokai Teio to prevent her from causing trouble and affecting her recovery. On the other hand, he could personally guide Tokai Teio through her recovery training.
Although the cast had been removed, Shuta An explicitly forbade Tokai Teio from running, even jogging. For now, she was to walk slowly and steadily.
"If you can make a full recovery by early February, it's not impossible for us to compete in Dubai."
To ensure Tokai Teio obediently followed instructions, Shuta An even drew up a grand plan that he estimated she would definitely not be able to achieve.
Upon hearing that her first race of the year might be moved up from late June to late March, Tokai Teio became energized. She immediately became even more cautious than Shuta, fearing that she might accidentally lose this opportunity to compete three months early—
Shuta An's arrangements for Tokai Teio were not without criticism.
Tojo Hana once asked him,
"Aren't races like the Sankei Osaka Hai worth participating in? Why let Tokai Teio make her comeback at the Takarazuka Kinen if she doesn't make it in Dubai?"
Shuta, who was eating in the cafeteria at the time, glanced around, and after confirming that no one was eavesdropping, quietly replied,
"If she doesn't run super long-distance races in the first half of the year, the only race in Japan that Tokai Teio can compete in is the Takarazuka Kinen. Other races really aren't worth it."
"It's clearly a G2 race,"
Tojo Hana truly didn't understand.
"The honor isn't as good as G1, and the prize money is less,"
Shuta An also didn't understand why Tojo Hana was so fixated on a G2 race.
It could only be said that their different Trainer educations had led to major differences in how they viewed races.
After all, there were too many G1 races in America. Shuta An had never seen his father consider G2 or G3 races unless they were absolutely necessary.
"Even if it means short-term consecutive races, running G1s yields higher returns than running G2s or G3s."
That was the insight the young man had gained from his father's race schedule planning.
—
On the last day of January, Shuta An, Mejiro Dober, and Tokai Teio attended the URA Association Annual Awards Ceremony for the previous year.
Mejiro Dober received the award for Best Older Filly of the previous year, while Tokai Teio won the Central URA Association's Uma Musume of the Year and Best Classic Race Uma Musume awards for the previous year.
During his speech on stage, Shuta An also announced Mejiro Dober's next race:
"Mejiro Dober will return with me to Dubai, where the seniors of the Sadalsuud team have already won honors. On Dubai World Cup Race Day, we will challenge the Dubai Turf. I also want to strive to become the Trainer with the most wins in the Dubai Turf in the history of the UAE Twinkle Series."
As for Tokai Teio, Shuta An also revealed during his speech:
"Currently, Tokai Teio's future race schedule still depends on her recovery. In fact, Tokai Teio's recovery speed is faster than expected. If she can recover earlier, she and I wouldn't mind making our comeback in the Dubai Sheema Classic."
"However, if her recovery speed isn't ideal, we will make our comeback in the Takarazuka Kinen. This race will most likely be a showdown with Miss Mejiro McQueen of Team Spica. Our confrontation in last year's Arima Kinen didn't fully satisfy either of us. I believe Miss Mejiro McQueen and Nishizaki-san are also looking forward to a match with Teio at Hanshin Racecourse."
"That's right!" Nishizaki Ryu responded loudly from the audience. "It's a deal! Even if Tokai Teio goes to the Dubai Sheema Classic, she must participate in the Takarazuka Kinen! I will also ensure that Mejiro McQueen competes normally at that time!"
"Of course!"
Shuta An gave Nishizaki Ryu an "OK" gesture—a scene immediately captured by the reporters on the sidelines.
"This photo feels like it'll be usable for a long time," the Twinkle magazine reporter said, quite satisfied with his work.
—
Entering February, Comic Market had long since ended.
The doujinshi co-produced by Mejiro Dober, Agnes Digital, and Rice Shower was a huge hit, selling out in two hours at the event. More copies were later reprinted and consigned directly to bookstores.
Mejiro Dober did a quick calculation: after deducting costs and paying taxes, Rice Shower's earnings were equivalent to her prize money share from two Twinkle Series races last year.
"But this doesn't mean I'm telling you not to race, Rice Shower-chan."
In front of a watchful Shuta An, Mejiro Dober's survival instinct was fully engaged.
"Teio's recovery speed is even faster than I expected. She really wants to go to Dubai."
Listening to Mejiro Dober, the young man put down the medical report.
"Honestly, I'm considering paying an extra registration fee to enter Teio late."
"Then register her,"
Mejiro Dober said, without much thought—nor did she think Tokai Teio was intentionally interrupting her time with her lover.
"You won't be able to go this year, Rice."
Shuta An looked up, noticing Rice Shower's expression of really wanting to go to Dubai to tour the world, and reminded her helplessly,
"You're participating in the Yayoi Sho this year, so you can't go to Dubai."
"That's right,"
Rice Shower, who also immediately realized this, replied, then lowered her head in disappointment.
"But next year, Rice Shower can go. If you want to choose the Dubai Gold Cup over the Spring Tenno Sho—"
Shuta An drew a "pie" that Rice Shower would never choose.
"There's no way I'd go," Rice Shower herself knew that. "How could a long distance-specialist Uma Musume give up the Spring Tenno Sho to go to the Dubai Gold Cup?"
Rice Shower was speaking the truth—if the scope was limited to Uma Musume from Japan.
European Uma Musumes wouldn't care about the Spring Tenno Sho.
—
On Valentine's Day, although it was a holiday, Shuta didn't stay home with Oguri and Berno. Instead, he went to the hospital with Teio for a follow-up examination.
"If people didn't know the inside story, seeing Teio and me at the hospital on this day would easily lead to the wrong assumptions, wouldn't it?" the young man muttered to himself.
Teio, however, had an expectant look—don't misunderstand, she wasn't there for a pregnancy check-up.
It was just that today was very likely the last follow-up examination, which made the Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume happy.
If she received permission here, Shuta An would have to pay out of his own pocket to register Tokai Teio for the Dubai Sheema Classic.
"Although I can't be sure if registering for this race is a bit too rushed for Tokai Teio, if she wants it, then register her. If her condition isn't right, she can just withdraw directly."
Shuta An's calculations were very clear.
After the X-ray, Shuta An sat on a bench in the corridor, playing on his phone and waiting for the results.
Oguri, Suzuka, and Dober all sent Line messages asking about Tokai Teio's diagnosis.
Especially Dober, who asked every few minutes, seeming even more anxious than Tokai Teio.
"I'll tell everyone in the Line group when the results are out."
Finally, Shuta An used this sentence to calm Dober down.
"She really cares about Teio," the young man muttered after turning off Line.
As for why Mejiro Dober was asking about Tokai Teio's condition so frequently, Shuta An knew the reason.
"If Teio can really go, I can consider putting Teio and Dober in a suite, and I'll take a single room."
The young man decided to tease Dober a little. He could already imagine how embarrassed she would be that night when she saw the room assignments in Dubai.
"You can start race training again. I have to say, Shuta-kun is indeed Japan's best Trainer. Tokai Teio's recovery speed is the fastest I've seen in my medical career."
The doctor said with a smile to Shuta An, then turned to Tokai Teio.
"Miss Tokai Teio, although you can now enter formal training, you've just recovered from an injury, so I hope the training intensity remains moderate."
"I understand."
Tokai Teio nodded honestly.
The words Shuta An had "threatened" her with in the hospital room, the Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume hadn't completely forgotten. In order to experience the feeling of galloping on the racetrack three months early, Tokai Teio decided to faithfully follow Shuta An's instructions during training.
Shuta sent the news of Tokai Teio's permission to resume training to the Line group. The Uma Musume of Team Sadalsuud all popped up—
"Does this mean Teio-senpai can participate in the Dubai race?"
"Teio-senpai recovered so quickly, as expected of her outstanding talent!"
"Trainer has been working hard too! Can we come with you to Dubai?"
"Congratulations, Senpai."
The first and third sentences were sent by Kurofune, the second by Rice Shower, and the last by Admire Vega.
"Kurofune, you should stay in Tokyo for now to be Rice Shower's sparring partner. If Rice Shower can win the Yayoi Sho, I'll take you to Dubai. If she can't—"
Shuta An raised an eyebrow and said no more.
This year, Dubai World Cup Race Day is on March 28, and the Yayoi Sho is on March 5.
So aside from Rice Shower, who is preparing for the Yayoi Sho and Satsuki Sho and definitely can't go, the other Uma Musume can all go.
However, compared to Admire Vega, whom Shuta An definitely wants to take to see the world since she hasn't been before, he intends to motivate Kurofune into being a good sparring partner for Rice Shower.
"I will absolutely be diligent and responsible!"
Kurofune immediately swore in the Line group.
And Rice Shower also replied,
"I will do my best to win the Yayoi Sho so Kurofune-chan can go to Dubai and have fun!"
"Thank you! Rice Shower-senpai! I'll bring you rice balls from the cafeteria after training tomorrow!" Kurofune replied, moved to tears.
After sending Tokai Teio back to Central Tracen Academy, Shuta An opened his phone, logged onto Twitter, and announced:
"Tokai Teio has recovered smoothly and aims for the Dubai Sheema Classic as her comeback race."
Less than five minutes after that tweet, an international call came in.
Shuta An looked at the country code—UAE—and, knowing what was happening, answered with a smile.
"Hello, hello, how are you?"
"Mr. Shuta, didn't Tokai Teio cancel her registration? Why are you now saying the Dubai Sheema Classic is her comeback race?"
The voice of the Dubai Sheikh came from the other end of the phone.
"Is this Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume really willing to run her first senior-year race in our Dubai?"
"Why wouldn't she be willing?" Shuta An asked with a smile.
"Is Dubai inferior to Europe? I think the track conditions at Meydan Racecourse are better than most European racecourses, and the UAE URA Association's service for overseas participating Uma Musume teams is also very considerate. The reason I didn't go in previous years was because I felt the race schedule wasn't suitable for the Uma Musume in my team. Now that it is suitable, of course I want to go on expedition."
"Last year, Mr. Shuta didn't come, and instead arranged for Mejiro Dober to go to Australia. I even wondered if our hospitality was lacking somewhere before."
The Dubai Sheikh breathed a sigh of relief.
"If possible, I would like to invite Miss Tokai Teio to film a promotional advertisement for Dubai World Cup Race Day."
"Mr. Shuta, you know that our Middle Eastern countries still need to improve their image overseas, so I'm offering Miss Tokai Teio the highest rate in Japan for this advertisement."
"I have no problem, but it depends on what Teio thinks." Shuta An shrugged. "So I have to discuss it with her. Friendship is friendship, business is business."
"Hmm, I certainly understand that. Regardless, Mr. Shuta will always be our friend in my heart."
"I also consider you my friend, haha."
Shuta An grinned, in a very good mood.
He never imagined that his participation in the banquet organized by the Hong Kong URA Association back then could have such a profound impact.
"It's truly surprising," he muttered to himself after hanging up the phone.