Chapter 118. The Choice for Next Year's First Race; Arima Kinen Dream World
The atmosphere at the dining table became much quieter after Mejiro Dober lowered her gaze into thought.
The other Uma Musume also understood that this was not merely a simple discussion about choosing overseas races, but the beginning of Mejiro Dober's next stage after losing her undefeated record.
Shuta An did not rush her.
Instead, after taking a sip of water, he calmly continued: "Actually, there's another issue we need to consider besides race selection."
Mejiro Dober raised her head slightly.
"The overseas environment itself," the young man said. "No matter whether it's Dubai or Australia, racing there is completely different from racing in Japan. The climate, the tracks, the travel schedule, even the audience atmosphere—they're all different."
"Especially Australia," he added. "Their races are much more aggressive than Japan's. Physical confrontation during positioning is very common. If Dober chooses Australia, then during winter training, I'll have to increase adaptation work in that area."
Kurofune immediately nodded in agreement.
"That's true," the silver-haired Uma Musume spoke seriously. "American dirt races are similar. If you can't withstand interference and body pressure, you'll lose your position very easily."
Rice Shower quietly looked toward Mejiro Dober.
"Would Senior Dober be alright with that?"
"I don't know yet," Mejiro Dober admitted honestly. "But if I want to keep challenging stronger opponents, then I can't keep staying in my comfort zone forever."
Hearing that answer, Shuta An revealed a faint smile.
"That's enough."
Mejiro Dober blinked.
"A Trainer doesn't need their Uma Musume to guarantee victory before the race even begins,"
Shuta An said slowly.
"What matters is whether the Uma Musume herself still wants to keep moving forward after experiencing defeat."
The young man's gaze was calm.
"And Dober clearly still wants to."
Across from him, Agnes Digital silently looked at Mejiro Dober with sparkling eyes.
"Dober-chan really feels different now—"
"What do you mean by different?" Curren Chan tilted her head.
"She feels more like a protagonist in a hot-blooded sports manga now," Agnes Digital answered seriously. "The kind who suffers a crushing defeat once, then starts challenging the world stage."
"Curren thinks that sounds super cool too," Curren Chan immediately nodded in agreement.
Mejiro Dober's ears reddened slightly from being discussed so directly.
"Don't suddenly describe me like that—uww"
But compared to the frustration and unwillingness from earlier, the atmosphere around her had already relaxed considerably.
Shuta An naturally noticed this change as well.
"Then let's settle one thing first," he said while taking out his notebook. "For the next month, Dober's schedule will mainly focus on recovery and adjustment. No high-intensity training."
"Huh?" Mejiro Dober froze. "No high-intensity training?"
"You just finished a 2500-meter Arima Kinen," Shuta An replied flatly. "Did you think your body was made of steel?"
"But I—"
"No objections." The young man directly cut her off. "This isn't negotiable."
Seeing Mejiro Dober immediately become deflated, the other four Uma Musume at the table almost simultaneously turned their heads away, trying hard not to laugh.
Even Kurofune's shoulders trembled slightly.
Only Rice Shower still looked worried.
"But…if Dober-senpai rests for too long, won't she lose her condition?"
"She won't," Shuta An answered calmly. "Proper rest is also part of training. Especially after experiencing a race where one's mental pressure exceeded expectations."
At this point, the young man paused briefly before continuing:
"Dober probably doesn't realize it herself yet, but today's Arima Kinen exhausted her mentally far more than physically."
Mejiro Dober subconsciously fell silent.
Because she knew her Trainer was right.
The feeling of being caught in the final twenty meters by Grass Wonder and Special Week—
That feeling of helplessness—
Even now, merely recalling it made her chest tighten slightly.
"But," Shuta An lightly tapped the table with his finger, "this is also a good thing."
Everyone looked toward him.
"If Dober had truly won today's Arima Kinen while remaining undefeated, then next year, she might gradually become unable to accept failure at all."
The young man's tone remained calm.
"But now, she has experienced losing. And she's still sitting here. Then from now on, Dober can become even stronger."
The restaurant became quiet for several seconds.
Finally, Mejiro Dober lowered her head slightly and softly responded:
"MnmMn."
After sending the five Uma Musume back to Central Tracen Academy, Shuta An drove home. The moment he entered the door, he was hugged by Oguri Cap.
"Don't cry, don't cry ~" the Gray Uma Musume gently comforted the young man while rubbing his head.
Shuta An struggled free from Oguri Cap's embrace, his mouth twitching,
"Who did Oguri learn that from? I wasn't crying. It was just an Arima Kinen. Although it's a bit regrettable, it's not enough to make me cry."
"I specifically asked Creek after I got home today," Oguri Cap confessed directly. "She taught me this. She said that every time Trainer is hugged by her like this, she shows a comfortable expression."
"Miss Nase has such a hobby?" Shuta An was secretly surprised. "I really wouldn't have thought that the usually serious and proper her would have such a side."
Of course, the young man would never bring this up in front of Trainer Nase herself.
"Alright, even though Ann says it's not necessary, we're all ready," Oguri Cap pushed the young man to go upstairs. "In short, Ann doesn't have to do anything today."
"Do what?" Shuta An had a bad premonition. He always felt that he was going to suffer tonight.
"Just go up and we'll talk," Oguri Cap didn't answer directly, continuing to push the young man—
—
At two in the morning, Shuta An, who had finally returned to his room, lay on the bed, not wanting to move.
"Oguri was too energetic today."
He turned his head, his left hand fumbling for his phone, which was charging by the bed, and then picked it up.
"Let's see if there are any new messages before I sleep."
Opening his phone, the first thing he saw was a Line message from Tokai Teio—
"Trainer! I sent a comforting message to Dober-senpai. You shouldn't be too sad about this either. I will definitely win the Arima Kinen next year!"
"Okay," Shuta An smiled, muttering to himself, "Tonight in the Dream World, I'm going to challenge the Arima Kinen with Teio from that world."
After falling into the Dream World, Shuta An opened his eyes to find himself sitting in the jockey waiting room at Nakayama Racecourse. He glanced at the LED board; the tenth race at Nakayama Racecourse was about to begin.
"I still have some time to adjust my state," the young man breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to get up and grab a bottle of green tea to moisten his throat.
Casually picking up a bottle of green tea and twisting open the cap, Shuta An heard Yutaka Take call him from behind.
"Take-san, is something wrong?"
Yutaka Take, who was riding Hishi Masaru today, walked up and patted the young man on the shoulder.
"Ann-san, you directly gave Rice Shower's saddle to Matoba-san. Aren't you afraid Rice Shower's main jockey will be snatched away next year?"
"What am I afraid of?" Shuta An chuckled. "I'm riding Tokai Teio today; I can't be in two places at once, can I? I plan to suggest to the stable that Rice Shower follow Tokai Teio next year. The only suitable race for her in Japan is the Spring Tenno Sho, so there shouldn't be any schedule conflicts next year."
"Ann-san is still so thoughtful," Yutaka Take sighed. "Mejiro McQueen avoided the Arima Kinen, so I can only ride Hishi Masaru... Sigh~."
"Anyway, as long as you can participate in the Arima Kinen, that's what matters," Shuta An patted Yutaka Take's shoulder in return. "In short, there will be opportunities to win in the future."
"That's easy for you to say," Yutaka Take rolled his eyes. "Ann-san, you've won Arima Kinen how many times already? This year, you're probably going to win again, aren't you?"
"If I win, I'll treat you to dinner," the young man said without hesitation. "You pick the place after we return to Kyoto."
"That works!" Yutaka Take grinned. "This year, you and I are again the top two in the jockey rankings. Kanto is practically dying of anxiety over here. If Ann-san takes this Arima Kinen again, it'll be a complete victory for us Kansai."
"You know I don't really care about that kind of thing," Shuta An shrugged.
Arriving at the waiting area, Shuta An stood on the side, quietly observing the 16 competing racehorses. Tokai Teio wore bib number 13.
"This isn't very auspicious in the West," the young man thought. "But if I think of it in reverse, it could be that Teio and I become the misfortune of our opponents."
Tokai Teio's coat was shiny, his gait steady, and his muscles were taut, indicating he was in excellent condition.
"The Triple Crown Winner Tokai Teio, who previously won the Japan Cup, makes his first appearance in the Arima Kinen. Last year, he avoided the race due to excessive exertion in the Kikuka Sho. This is his first time on the 2500-meter Turf track at Nakayama Racecourse. What kind of performance will he bring us?" The commentator first introduced him, and then the guest next to him began to analyze Tokai Teio's physique in detail.
None of this concerned Shuta An. No matter how professional the "experts" were, none of them understood Tokai Teio better than he did as his jockey.
When it was time to mount, Shuta An, with the assistance of Stableman Higashi Ikuo, steadily straddled Tokai Teio's back.
Once seated, the young man raised an eyebrow: "Teio feels a bit different than before."
Higashi Ikuo flinched in surprise: "Shuta-kun, is there anything you're not satisfied with?"
"No, no," seeing Higashi Ikuo's reaction and knowing that he had misunderstood, Shuta An quickly explained,
"I don't think anything is wrong with Tokai Teio. On the contrary, I feel that Teio's condition is much better than it was during the Japan Cup, and his improvement has even exceeded my imagination."
"Oh, I see," Higashi Ikuo breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I was worried we hadn't taken good care of Tokai Teio."
"How could that be?" Shuta An smiled and shook his head, comforting him, "Stableman Higashi's dedication to caring for Teio is evident to everyone, isn't it?"
After leaving Stableman Higashi Ikuo, Shuta An rode Tokai Teio to the Turf track at Nakayama Racecourse. Because entry was in order of starting gate number, Tokai Teio's entry time was relatively late.
But as soon as he stepped onto the grass, the young man noticed that Tokai Teio's mental state became even more spirited.
"So full of fighting spirit—does Teio understand the importance of the Arima Kinen?" the young man murmured to himself. He couldn't possibly expect Tokai Teio to answer his question.
But after his words fell, Tokai Teio let out a whinny, as if answering Shuta An's question.
The young man merely took it as a coincidence and didn't dwell on it.
"Ugh!!! This body can't speak!"
Little did he know that his partner was secretly grumbling.