Just twenty minutes prior, right before the Kikuka Sho was about to start, Meisho Doto and Wada had already disembarked from the bullet train and arrived in Kyoto.
"We're finally here. I hope we make it in time."
Wada checked the time on his phone, letting out a sigh of relief, and then, holding Meisho Doto's hand, he said,
"Meisho Doto, there are a lot of people here, stick close to me so we don't get lost."
"I'll call a taxi to the Racecourse. If we're lucky, we might even be able to meet T.M. Opera O before the race starts."
"Mmm... we won't get separated."
Meisho Doto obediently held Wada's hand.
Although she had just won the Tenno Sho (Autumn), it was only yesterday, and so many people were still unaware.
Otherwise, a recent GI winner arriving here would likely attract a lot of onlookers and photographers, which saved Meisho Doto and Wada a lot of trouble.
They didn't have much time to waste interacting with fans or reporters right now. Their top priority was to get to the Kyoto Racecourse as quick as possible.
Wada and Meisho Doto then began to make their way through the crowd, squeezing out of the crowded station.
However, before they even had a chance to catch their breath, Wada suddenly noticed several conspicuous figures converging towards them.
"Good morning, Trainer Wada."
One of them stepped forward and addressed Wada,
"I imagine we don't need to introduce ourselves at this point. We've been waiting for you."
"...This will be the final time we stretch our hand to you. There's still time before the Kikuka Sho starts, you know?"
"So why don't we have a little chat? Depending on the outcome, Shadai might be willing to forget all your team's past actions and let bygones be bygones."
"...Shadai's reach has extended so far now? I feel like if I don't agree, the next person I will be meeting won't be you guys, but the yakuza."
Wada immediately knew who these people in front of him were.
Meisho Doto, realizing the seriousness of the situation, immediately stepped forward, but Wada pulled her back.
Meisho Doto absolutely could not get into a conflict with these people, otherwise, Shadai would just use it as leverage.
And if it escalated to physical conflict, it would be even worse; regardless of the outcome, they'd be dragged into a lengthy legal battle which would drain a massive amount of their team's funds as well as their already non-existent time.
Moreover, the other party's stance was very clear. Wada knew that if he didn't go with them, they wouldn't let him leave, or at least, delay him until the Kikuka Sho began.
But even so, Wada didn't intend to give up just like that, making a final attempt, he said:
"Shadai shouldn't be such a sore loser, right? Are you guys already planning to play such dirty tricks after just a few losses?"
"If you have a grudge against me, come at me. Don't involve my Uma Musume. I'll talk to you."
"Trainer?!"
Meisho Doto was startled by his words and immediately cried out, but Wada quickly covered her mouth.
"—Like I said, I'll talk to you. Let Meisho Doto leave, she's innocent."
Wada held firm to his last bottom line; otherwise, no matter what Shadai wanted to do, they wouldn't be able to reach an agreement.
"You really are as virtuous as the rumors say, especially towards your Uma Musume."
The person from Shadai smiled faintly and said, "—And especially T.M. Opera O."
"However, it is precisely because of this that we have a reason to negotiate. So, this way please, Trainer Wada."
At least the situation hadn't devolved into a dog fight, which made Wada breathe a sigh of relief. He immediately turned to the uneasy Meisho Doto beside him and said,
"Meisho Doto, go to the Racecourse first and tell the others that I'm fine. Don't let them worry about me."
"Trainer..."
Meisho Doto felt incredibly uneasy, but her words were immediately interrupted by Wada, who quickly said,
"Doto, you're now the only one who can go there, so you must go—and, absolutely do not tell T.M. Opera O about this; don't let her get distracted."
"Also, if you feel things are getting out of control during the race, if T.M. Opera O's condition is very bad, or even if there's a risk of injury—"
"—Don't worry about the consequences, even if it means a temporary suspension, stop the race immediately through any means necessary."
What Wada feared most now was that what Shadai planned might actually put T.M. Opera O in danger in order to put a 'permanent' stop to this threat.
He would never allow T.M. Opera O to get injured, even if it meant losing in an important race like one of the Classic Triple Crowns.
Especially if it was for a race that might not even end in victory.
"Are you ready, Trainer Wada? We should get going, otherwise, things might be too late."
The person from Shadai seemed to have gotten impatient and reminded him calmly.
Wada didn't answer to the person, but silently patted Meisho Doto's cheek. Meisho Doto also nodded reluctantly, watching Wada slowly walk away.
But out of nowhere, another voice suddenly interrupted just as Wada was about to walk away with the people from Shadai.
"—I can't believe that after all this time, Shadai is still using the same old trick. Were you all taught by the same inbred idiot? I've already seen you all pull this more than 9 times already."
"Trainer Wada, don't be intimidated by their bluff."
"For races that rely on popularity like the Takarazuka Kinen, they might be able to pull some strings... But the Classic Triple Crowns? That's a race that even central URA monitors."
"No matter how powerful Shadai is, they can't directly influence a race on this level. If you go with them, you'll just be giving Shadai something for nothing."
The moment this male voice interrupted, Wada trembled all over and immediately recognized whose voice it was, as it made no attempt to disguise itself.
He instantly looked in one direction and blurted out,
"Mr. Nase? You—"
"...Huh, you knew all along? Oh well, I wasn't planning on hiding anymore anyway."
At Wada's exclamation, a man wearing a black overcoat slowly emerged, removing his face mask and sunglasses to reveal a face that Wada had seen once before.
"We meet again, Trainer Wada. It seems like your attitude towards Shadai is quite alike my daughter's."
"Thank you for your help, senior, but I need your help with something!"
As soon as Wada saw Hidehito Nase appear, he knew that this situation would likely be resolved. He immediately pleaded for help:
"I need to get to the Kikuka Sho now! This will be the only chance I get!"
"I know."
Hidehito Nase nodded at his words, then turned his gaze to the group from Shadai, whose expressions had turned ugly, and said calmly,
"Quickly go with your adorable Uma Musume. Oh, and speaking from experience, a taxi won't make it. You'd better use the Uma Musume method."
"Leave them to me. Once I've sorted it out, I'll come find you at the Racecourse."
"Thank you, sir!"
Wada and Meisho Doto quickly bowed to Hidehito Nase to express their gratitude, but before Wada could react, Meisho Doto took a few steps forward, closed her eyes, blushed, and frantically said to Wada,
"Trainer—I'm sorry! Please excuse my rudeness!"
"Whoa!"
Before Wada could agree, he quickly felt his feet leaving the floor.
Meisho Doto flung Wada onto her back with astonishing strength. Then, without another word, carrying Wada's 55-kilogram weight, ran towards the Kyoto Racecourse.
So—this was the "Uma Musume's method"? Wada finally realized what Hidehito Nase had meant by his words.
At this point, there was no other good option. Plus, Wada's weight was no problem for Meisho Doto, who was an Uma Musume.
If Meisho Doto were a Racehorse, it would probably be like a hero riding his trusty horse towards the demon king's castle. It sounded quite heroic and even a bit cool. (T/N: Hero, on a plastic horse, fighting like it's real, with a cardboard sword~)
But unfortunately, she was an Uma Musume, and being carried on a girl's back to the all the way to their destination... had nothing to do with being heroic and cool.
After Wada and his group left, Hidehito Nase lazily turned his attention to the Shadai staff, his expression suddenly becoming serious again, and he said calmly,
"You all can go back. I don't blame you. You're all just employees after all."
"Higher-up orders and all that; I can understand your position."
"But, I hope you'll be a little smarter when you talk to your betters, understand?"
"Yes... Mr. Nase... Thank you for your kindness."
The few people from Shadai dared not linger. They immediately bowed to Hidehito Nase and thanked him, then quickly got into their car and drove away from the scene without stopping.
After a long while, Hidehito watched the car disappear from sight before sighing in relief and turning to look towards the Kyoto Racecourse, muttering,
"I hope I can still make it... I haven't watched a Kikuka Sho in a long time. Maybe I'll get to see the next Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume live."
"And... Fumino, I hope you've learned your lesson this time. Don't go believing an unscrupulous group like Shadai again and almost selling yourself to them."
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We lowkey need to slime Shadai out
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.