So Obey Your Master accepted Sakuraba Ryo's invitation and stayed in Japan.
After he had laid it on that thick, she did not have much inclination to refuse.
To be honest, for her, there was not that much difference between staying in America and staying in Japan.
From a practical standpoint, there did not seem to be much downside to remaining in Japan, either.
The only possible inconvenience was that if Obey Your Master wanted to return to the American circuit for races, she might have to fly frequently, which would be a bit tiring.
Other than that, there was not much else to complain about.
But if she was not looking at it from the standpoint of practical benefits...
Then she had also chosen to stay here of her own accord.
Since Sakuraba Ryo had said her running had moved him...
Then she did not mind growing even stronger in Japan and giving him even more to be moved by.
Feelings went both ways between people.
Sakuraba Ryo had given her a reason to keep going...
So should she not grow stronger properly and offer that back to him in return?
Next year's Japan Cup... I'll definitely win it.
Then I'll hold the trophy in my own hands and place it in yours.
By then... you'll probably have even more to be moved by, right...
That will be my way of repaying you.
Obey Your Master silently tucked those words away in the deepest corner of her heart. Naturally, Sakuraba Ryo had no idea what she was thinking.
What Sakuraba Ryo was thinking about right now were the terms he had just offered.
For Tony Bianca, he had offered one billion yen.
Since she was the King of the Arc, her price was naturally high.
For Obey Your Master, he had offered a signing bonus of five hundred million yen.
Even though Obey Your Master herself had said she did not need any money at all, that meals alone would be enough.
But there was no way Sakuraba Ryo was going to indulge that nonsense.
No money?
Heh. Nice try.
Even if he had to force it on her, he was going to stuff that money into her hands!
This was a hard-won project that let him lose five hundred million yen in one go. How could he possibly let that slip away?
Heh heh.
I am absolutely going to stuff you full of money.
In high spirits, Sakuraba Ryo gave Obey Your Master the address of Nishikino Academy, then took his leave.
The plan to build the galactic superteam had basically taken shape now, so Sakuraba Ryo no longer had any reason to stay in Tokyo for the time being. Just as he was about to say goodbye to Oguri and the others and head back to Nishikino, Oguri called out to him.
"Ryo!"
"Hm? What's up?"
At Tracen Academy, in the trainer's office, Sakuraba Ryo had just finished discussing Oguri's upcoming races with Kitahara Jo when Oguri called after him.
"Ryo! For New Year's... where are you going to be...?"
"New Year's?"
Hearing that, Sakuraba Ryo thought about it. Huh. Damn, there was only a month left until New Year's.
The Japan Cup was at the end of November, so New Year's was only a month away. If Oguri had not brought it up, he really might have forgotten.
"For New Year's... I do not think I have any major plans? Now that I think about it, there are kind of a lot of places I could stay...?"
Last year he had spent New Year's at the shop in Kasamatsu...
This year, it seemed like he could head over to Nishikino Academy...?
Well, Nishikino Academy had been renovated so much by now that it felt like a luxury apartment building, so it would probably be pretty comfortable to stay there.
Besides Nishikino Academy, Belno had also said he could stay at the Tokyo shop if he wanted...
But Sakuraba Ryo did not have much interest in that suggestion.
If he was going to stay at the foot-massage parlor in Tokyo, he would rather just stay at Nishikino instead.
"Mm..."
Oguri Cap lightly tugged on the corner of Sakuraba Ryo's sleeve, her gaze drifting off to the side as the tips of her ears turned faintly red.
"For New Year's... if you do not have plans... would you like to come to my house?"
Sakuraba Ryo stopped and turned to look at her.
Oguri Cap, unusually, looked a little awkward. Her hands were behind her back, and the tip of her foot tapped unconsciously against the floor.
"My mom... has been saying for a while that she wants to thank you properly."
Her voice gradually grew quieter, but she still finished what she wanted to say.
"She says I've become this strong all thanks to you... so she wants to have you over at our home."
She lifted her eyes to him. There was a trace of expectation in them, and a trace of embarrassment too.
"Of course, if you're really busy, then..."
Seeing her like that, Sakuraba Ryo could not help laughing.
He reached out and ruffled Oguri Cap's hair.
"I just so happen to be free for New Year's," he said. "Then I'll be in your care."
New Year's was New Year's no matter where he spent it.
Dropping by Oguri's house and imposing on them for a bit was not a bad idea.
Spending New Year's alone really was a little lonely...
Oguri Cap's eyes lit up at once, her earlier shyness swept away by a bright smile.
"Okay! It's a promise!"
She nodded hard, already starting to think about what delicious food her mother should prepare for New Year's.
Hehe.
At New Year's, Ryo and Mom will both be there...
Bliss~
Oguri Cap nodded firmly again, as if she had just made up her mind. Then she suddenly reached out and grabbed Sakuraba Ryo by the wrist.
Her palm was warm and strong, and her eyes shone brightly.
"Oh, right, Ryo!"
Her voice was crisp, brimming with energy.
"For the year-end Arima Kinen, I'll definitely win too! Then... then I'll bring that victory back to you as well!"
Sakuraba Ryo felt the corner of his mouth twitch slightly.
The Arima Kinen...
Right. When he had just been talking with Kitahara Jo, the other man really had mentioned it. With Oguri Cap's current momentum and results, there was practically no doubt that she would have a place in the year-end centerpiece, the Arima Kinen.
This climactic showdown that marked the close of the racing year gathered the most watched Umamusume of the entire season. The attention and influence surrounding it were in no way comparable to an ordinary race.
The moment he imagined Oguri Cap standing on that stage under everyone's eyes, giving it everything she had under countless cameras and deafening cheers...
Sakuraba Ryo felt his chest tighten a little, and a familiar premonition rose quietly inside him—something close to cardiac arrest.
If she won, of course she would be crowned with glory, but what came after that...
Aaaagh—!
Prize money!
More prize money again!
"Ah... mm, the Arima Kinen..."
Sakuraba Ryo answered vaguely, trying to suppress the complicated feelings in his chest.
"Just run your race. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
If you keep winning, then all that pressure is just going to land on me!
Sakuraba Ryo cried bitter tears inside.
"Mm-hmm!"
But Oguri Cap misunderstood what he meant and tightened her grip on his hand even more seriously.
"That's exactly why I have to win it—because it's a race you're looking forward to! Don't worry, Ryo!"
Looking at the pure, blazing light in her eyes, Sakuraba Ryo could only swallow the rest of his sigh.
Uh... uhgh...
When the kid wanted this badly to hand him New Year's money, what was he even supposed to say?
He had nothing to say.
Goddamn Arima Kinen!
Sakuraba Ryo could only rage helplessly inside.
---
T/N: GODDAMN ARIMA KINEN! (2/25)
that number btw was patreon bonus chaps