Chapter 16.
After winning this Hanshin Daishoten in the Dream World, Shuta An didn't receive any special rewards.
Didn't disappoint him, though. He hadn't expected anything good to come out of such a G2 race anyway.
After a simple two-day rest in Dubai, Shuta An took three Uma Musume on a special plane provided by the UAE URA Association back to Japan.
After more than ten hours of travel.
As the three Uma Musume were preparing to pack their luggage and disembark, Shuta An stopped Admire Vega.
"Ayabe, let Teio and Dober go in front of you."
He instructed.
"Understood."
Although she didn't know the reason, Admire Vega still nodded obediently.
"When we go out, there'll likely be reporters waiting to take pictures. If we walk in front, it'll be us being photographed. At times like this, it's better to let Teio and Dober enjoy it."
Shuta An briefly explained.
"Thank you, Trainer."
Admire Vega replied again.
She knew that Shuta An didn't want her exposed to the media's cameras too early—although whether it was Kurofune or Rice Shower, or other seniors in the team, they all received the same treatment before their full debut.
Except for Tokai Teio.
When they disembarked, as expected, there were indeed many reporters waiting outside.
Although the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai Turf were races that local Uma Musume had won before, this year, two Uma Musume from Team Sadalsuud both broke race records and won their races with an exaggerated lead.
Therefore, Japan was quite looking forward to the triumphant return of the two Uma Musume.
Because of this, a large number of reporters were stationed at Narita Airport today, just to send photos back to their magazines as soon as possible.
Teio, who was mentally prepared, smiled and waved towards the reporters as she stepped down the stairs.
And Mejiro Dober, walking behind her, was secretly surprised.
I never received this kind of treatment when I returned from an expedition before. Surely, all these reporters today are here because of Teio, right?
Mejiro Dober muttered to herself.
However, she didn't think much of it. After all, today she would show her face at Central Tracen Academy, then go home to chat with Sister Ramonu and discuss her holiday plans. Tomorrow, she would return here to take a plane to help Sister Ardan.
Experiencing a different Uma Musume racing atmosphere from the world's common system can also inspire my creativity.
She thought to herself.
–
After sending the three Uma Musume back to Central Tracen Academy, Shuta An went straight home.
"I'll be back to work as usual tomorrow,"
He replied to Kitahara, who wanted him to stay and chat.
"After all, it's only half a month until the Satsuki Sho. Tomorrow, Wednesday, I definitely have to come back to guide Rice Shower's final chase, right?"
Kitahara expressed understanding.
Among the Uma Musume participating in the first Classic Race this year, none were trained by Nishizaki Ryu, Kitahara, Minamisaka, or Tojo Hana.
So, among their "small group" only Shuta An had maintained the streak of having Uma Musume participate in the Classic Race every year for the past few years.
"To be honest, I don't have much confidence in the Satsuki Sho. Mihono Bourbon is indeed terrifyingly strong,"
Shuta An shrugged before leaving.
"Even Ann-san doesn't have confidence? I thought Rice Shower's performance in the trial race was quite impressive, wasn't it?"
Kitahara was very puzzled.
"Well..."
Shuta An, who had seen Mihono Bourbon's Satsuki Sho performance in the Dream World, indeed couldn't muster much confidence.
–
After returning home, Shuta An collected information on the Uma Musume participating in this year's Satsuki Sho and then studied it.
"Sure enough, the development is almost no different from the Dream World. Rice Shower only squeezed out the third-place finisher in the Yayoi Sho from the Dream World by winning the Yayoi Sho,"
The young man muttered to himself.
"But that third-place finisher in the Satsuki Sho barely participated anyway, so, barring any surprises, the race development in the Satsuki Sho will be the same as in the Dream World."
Thinking of this, Shuta An still had a bit of a headache.
If Mihono Bourbon were a senko Uma Musume or a chaser Uma Musume, it would be easy to say, but she happened to be an escape Uma Musume.
This meant that trying to target her tactically was almost impossible.
Unless Shuta An also adopted a team strategy like Sule—but the only Uma Musume from Team Sadalsuud participating this year was Rice Shower herself. Moreover, Shuta An couldn't possibly sacrifice the interests of one Uma Musume he trained to help another; that wouldn't be fair to the sacrificed party.
"Indeed, the only way is to find a way to improve Rice Shower herself."
With no way to weaken the opponent, Shuta An knew that he and Rice Shower only had this path to take.
"I guess I'll just have to see Rice Shower's previous week's final chase when I get to the Academy tomorrow," the young man got up from the computer. "If possible, control it to within 5F 62 seconds, with the last 1F at around 11.5 seconds."
"It's just a matter of seeing if Rice Shower can have the ability to run in the lead under a high-speed pace."
Facing Mihono Bourbon, who could set a high-speed pace, Shuta An clearly knew that Rice Shower couldn't be left to fight from behind.
"Especially since, barring any surprises, the Satsuki Sho Race Day will be a rainy day."
Nakayama Racecourse's ultra-short final straight combined with heavy turf was a nightmare for chasing Uma Musume.
–
The next day, Shuta An arrived early at the first training ground of Central Tracen Academy, where Rice Shower had already begun her warm-up.
"It's my turn to use this place for a chase-up!"
Rice Shower was full of ambition.
She used to only be able to watch the seniors of Team Sadalsuud use this place for chase-ups at other training grounds, but now it was finally her turn to use this venue.
I want to achieve good results on the Classic Race stage, just like my seniors!
Rice Shower, who had not yet experienced setbacks, was becoming increasingly confident.
Shuta An noticed that Rice Shower's momentum was not weak at all, and a smile curled on his lips as he gave her the details for today's chase-up,
"6F within 75 seconds, 5F within 62 seconds, and the last 1F in 11 and a half seconds. Since it's a solo chase-up, don't expect any reference points. Rice Shower, just imagine you're running a senko tactic, with a Suzuka in front of you."
"I understand!"
Rice Shower responded loudly.
She also knew in her heart that her Trainer wanted her to imagine that the one running in front of her was not Silence Suzuka, but—
"Last year's winner of the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, Mihono Bourbon."
Rice Shower knew a bit more about this year's top favorite for the Classic Race than other Uma Musume, as she often encountered her during morning training.
That stable pace surprised Rice Shower greatly.
Her control over her body is like a robot's, so precise and stable.
Rice Shower knew that if she wanted to become a Classic Race winning Uma Musume, the other party was an opponent she had to overcome.
Trainer must be having me do this chase-up to devise a strategy against her.
Understanding this, Rice Shower was even more determined to show her growth over the past month in this chase-up.
I'm much stronger now than I was before the Yayoi Sho!
"The chase-up was completed well."
After Rice Shower finished her week-before chase-up, Shuta An handed her a dry towel and then applauded, praising her,
"It's clear that Rice has trained well during this period; her condition is much better than before the Yayoi Sho."
"In that case, is there a chance to defeat Mihono Bourbon?"
Rice Shower asked while wiping her sweat.
"You'll only know after you run the race." Shuta An hesitated for a moment before replying, "Before running the race, such questions cannot be answered."
"I understand."
Rice Shower's tone remained calm, but she already had a good idea in her heart.
If Teio had asked such a question, Trainer would definitely tell her that she could.
Rice Shower thought silently.
It's still very difficult for me to defeat Mihono Bourbon in the Satsuki Sho—at least, in Trainer's opinion.
"Then I'll also work hard and challenge her once, to see just how big the gap between her and me really is!"
Rice Shower clenched her fists.
"I won't be intimidated by this!"
Shuta An actually regretted his response immediately after giving it.
However, when he saw that Rice Shower was not disheartened by his implied meaning, and her fighting spirit even seemed to grow stronger, the young man breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, Rice wasn't discouraged.
Thinking of this, Shuta An reached out and stroked Rice Shower's ears—speaking of which, Rice Shower had the largest ears in Team Sadalsuud.
They feel so good, he mused inwardly, then spoke aloud,
"Time is on our side. It's okay if we don't win the Satsuki Sho. Rice doesn't need to use Teio or Dober as her targets to chase, because the path you are destined to walk is different from theirs."
"I know, but I'm a Uma Musume." Rice Shower looked up. "So wanting to win the races I participate in is very normal, isn't it?"
"Of course, it's good if you can win." Shuta An showed a gentle smile. "If you don't win, it's not the end of the world. Rice, don't put too much psychological pressure on yourself."
Rice Shower looked into her Trainer's eyes, and the genuine concern revealed there touched her heartstrings.
"I won't let Trainer worry!" Rice Shower's tone was much louder this time. "Please rest assured!"
Seeing Rice Shower's current mental state, Shuta An was indeed much more at ease.
–
This week was Oka Sho race week, and the atmosphere of the Classic Race already permeated Central Tracen Academy.
All the Uma Musume participating were fully engaged in their final adjustments.
However, no one from Team Sadalsuud was participating in the Oka Sho, so Shuta An was quite free.
Therefore, it was no surprise that Twinkle magazine's commission came knocking.
Twinkle magazine hoped the young man could write a column predicting the Oka Sho and analyze the prospects of this year's Triple Tiara Route.
When he saw the list of Uma Musume participating in the Oka Sho, Shuta An immediately caught a familiar name—Nishino Flower.
This name brought back unpleasant memories for Shuta An in the Dream World.
But the young man shook his head,
"The Dream World is the Dream World, and the real world is the real world. I cannot confuse them and view Nishino Flower with prejudice."
After organizing his thoughts, Shuta An briefly reviewed the past race records of these participating Uma Musume, confirming that there was no difference from the Dream World.
"In that case, it's safe to favor Nishino Flower for the Oka Sho, isn't it?"
As for future predictions, having decided to separate the Nishino Flower of the real world from that of the Dream World, Shuta An also offered his advice regarding Nishino Flower—
"Even if she can achieve good results in the Japanese Oaks later, the most suitable races for Nishino Flower will always be short-distance and mile races. Don't get caught up in middle-to-long distance races. Participating in races where you cannot display your full strength is meaningless."
But when predicting the Shuka Sho, the final race of the Triple Tiara, remembering how this generation's final race in the Dream World ended with a major upset by a second-to-last favorite, the young man decided to add something mysterious to his column—
"Although she should be the biggest favorite for the Japanese Oaks in my opinion, that doesn't mean the Shuka Sho will be her stage. I believe that after more than half a year of growth, there will always be an as-yet-unknown presence that will shine brightly in that race. Let us wait and see."
Shuta An finished writing the manuscript in two days and quickly received his payment after submitting it.
As for what kind of reaction this column would cause, the young man didn't care.
"The column was 8,000 characters, with a pre-tax income of 100,000 yen. After the Satsuki Sho, I'll use this money to treat Rice Shower to a good meal to celebrate or to ease the depression of losing the race."
Shuta An had already planned the use of this money.
–
On Friday afternoon, as Shuta An was about to clock out, Kitahara-san spoke to his friend again—
"Trainer Kuronuma, Mihono Bourbon's Trainer, came looking for Ann-san here today. I told him you were in your team's clubroom, and he left. I wonder what it was about."
"Trainer Kuronuma didn't come to Team Sadalsuud's clubroom to find me either." Shuta An shrugged. "Never mind him, it probably wasn't anything important anyway."
After all, Shuta An wasn't really familiar with him.
However, his counterpart in the Dream World–
Thinking of this, the young man, who had already left the office, sighed silently,
"If events in the real world and the Dream World truly correspond one-to-one, should I suggest he go to the hospital for a check-up early?"
After all, he had no animosity towards the other party, and if a suggestion could save a life, Shuta An would be very willing to do it.