Chapter 86. Worry
In the real world, after returning from France, Shuta An devoted most of his attention to Tokai Teio. Meanwhile, after enjoying her brief holiday, Mejiro Dober resumed training alongside Kurofune and the others while steadily progressing through her own recovery program.
"Rice Shower-chan's stamina really is incredible."
One evening, nestled comfortably in her lover's embrace, Mejiro Dober suddenly made the observation.
"Yeah. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said I wanted Rice Shower to focus on long-distance races in the future."
Shuta An replied while breathing in the gentle fragrance of figs lingering about Mejiro Dober.
"I've always had complete confidence in my judgment when it comes to an Uma Musume's ideal racing distance and track suitability."
"We've always trusted Ann's judgment—not just in that regard. You've never made a mistake with race selection or tactical planning either."
Mejiro Dober paused before continuing.
"But lately, Ann has been focusing far too much on Teio."
She quickly added another sentence.
"It's not that I'm jealous or anything. I can just tell that Ann has been feeling very uneasy. Is it because you don't have enough confidence in Teio's adaptability to long-distance races?"
"Something like that."
Shuta An let out a quiet sigh.
"At this point, Teio can't afford to fail anymore."
"No, Ann. You're underestimating Teio."
Holding his wrist, Mejiro Dober spoke with unusual seriousness.
"Teio's heart isn't nearly as fragile as you think. She's a stubborn, resilient Uma Musume. It's just that she never shows that side of herself when she's with Ann."
"I know her mental strength is exceptional."
Shuta An tightened his embrace around his lover before lowering his voice.
"But the undefeated Triple Crown is only one step away from becoming an unparalleled legend. That final step only comes once and it just happens to be a long-distance race, the one distance Teio might struggles with the most."
"This isn't the same as a sprint."
"In sprint races, overwhelming talent and explosive speed can sometimes force a breakthrough. But in a long-distance race—if your stamina isn't enough, then no matter what you do, you simply won't be able to keep running."
"So, in the end—"
Mejiro Dober looked directly into his eyes.
"You're still worried that Teio can't handle the Kikuka Sho."
She smiled gently.
"But I don't think you need to worry about that, because worrying won't change anything, will it?"
"If Teio really can't win the Kikuka Sho, can't Ann simply help her surpass all the undefeated Triple Crown seniors through some other achievement?"
"If she doesn't win the Kikuka Sho—"
Shuta An slowly shook his head.
"There will always be people who use that to criticize her undefeated Triple Crown. Maybe you wouldn't care, but I don't want either of your honors to be questioned."
"It's alright."
Mejiro Dober smiled warmly.
"Ann, there will always be people who dislike us we are not Fukuzama Yukichi. No matter what we accomplish, they'll still find something to criticize. So caring about what those people say will only make life harder."
Before the young man could continue arguing, Mejiro Dober leaned forward and gently pressed her lips against his, silencing him before another word could escape.
—
On the second day of October, Mejiro Dober prepared to leave Tokyo once more for the United States.
Shuta had already contacted Secretariat beforehand. Although he couldn't accompany Dober during the early stages of her preparation this time, Secretariat would personally oversee her training.
"Dober, once you get there, make sure you familiarize yourself with the turf course at Santa Anita Park several times."
While accompanying his lover to the airport, Shuta An repeated his reminders over and over again.
"Try not to go out at night. If you want entertainment, there are plenty of things you can do without leaving the hotel. If you really want to go shopping, make sure Secretariat arranges someone to accompany you."
"In short—don't let your guard down."
"Mhm, mhm~"
Understanding that every reminder came from genuine concern, Mejiro Dober simply nodded repeatedly instead of feeling annoyed.
"Next week, Oguri will also be in the United States for the Breeders Cup promotional campaign."
Shuta An revealed another piece of news.
"She can act as your sparring partner for about a week."
"That's wonderful~" Mejiro Dober's eyes immediately brightened. "Now I feel even more confident about winning the Breeders Cup Turf."
"You make it sound as though you weren't confident before."
Shuta An teased.
"Who was it that made that promise to me—"
"Don't say it! Don't say it!"
The memory of the promise she'd made the previous night instantly turned Mejiro Dober's cheeks scarlet.
It was as though some invisible restraint in her mind had completely snapped while they were in bed.
"I definitely never said anything about winning the Breeders Cup... and then with Suzuka and Senior Oguri..."
"I wasn't even talking about that."
The young man was left utterly speechless.
—
After seeing Mejiro Dober off, Shuta An entered the Dream World that night and arrived at Longchamp Racecourse.
Several graded races were being held there that day, and André Fabre had arranged mounts for him in every one of them.
For Shuta An, however, none of today's races—aside from the Prix du Cadran—could compare with tomorrow's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
"But even including Rice Shower's Prix du Cadran—" Seated quietly in the jockeys' waiting room, the young man organized his thoughts. "the only race I absolutely cannot afford to lose is tomorrow's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."
"I have to help Teio accomplish something in her final racing season that no Japanese horse has ever achieved before—and something that future generations will find almost impossible to surpass."
"As long as she wins both the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe consecutively, I believe it'll become extraordinarily difficult for any future Japanese horse to eclipse her achievements."
"What are you thinking about?"
Thierry walked over.
Like Shuta An, he had several mounts from André Fabre's stable today and, as expected, would continue assisting him throughout the meeting.
"Nothing."
The young man returned to his senses before casually finding an excuse.
"I was just thinking that the turf at Longchamp looks rather difficult to run on today."
"The track is Heavy."
Thierry nodded in agreement.
"It's going to be a very demanding surface. For Apogee, who's running in the Royal Stakes next things don't look particularly optimistic."
"It's not an especially strong horse to begin with."
He offered his advice sincerely.
"Mr. Shuta, be careful out there later. Try to conserve as much energy as possible."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Shuta An nodded.
"I'll try to save as much as I can during the race."
Even so, Apogee struggled badly over Longchamp's rain-soaked turf.
Shuta An urged the horse relentlessly throughout the home straight until sweat soaked through his silks, but despite his efforts, they could only finish fifth.
"I'm sorry."
After the race, Shuta An was the first to apologize when speaking with André Fabre.
"No."
André Fabre shook his head without hesitation.
"This one is my responsibility."
"Apogee simply wasn't suited to today's going. We should have withdrawn earlier instead of insisting on running."
"Will any of the later runners have the same problem?"
Before Shuta An could speak, Manager Kohara stepped forward to ask.
That was his responsibility, and he had no intention of letting another fancied horse underperform because of circumstances beyond Shuta An's control.
"No."
André Fabre answered decisively.
"I've already considered that. None of the horses running later will encounter the same issue."
"I believe that as well."
Only then did Shuta An finally nod in agreement.
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