Upon waking, Shuta An felt completely refreshed.
Winning a major race in the Dream World while his rival failed had widened the gap between their achievements once again. For someone who had developed a competitive streak in that realm, the feeling was exceptionally satisfying.
Opening the attribute viewer, he saw a reward different from usual—exactly as he had expected.
"'Standard Biological Clock' lets a Uma Musume adjust her internal rhythm and manage her pace better."
After skimming through the description, Shuta An immediately decided it wasn't something Oguri Cap needed.
"Oguri can handle both fast and slow paces on her own. With her guts and explosive power, something like this is unnecessary." He closed the viewer, got out of bed, and began preparing for his morning exercise.
Dressed casually, phone in his pocket, Shuta An stepped out of the hotel. The staff no longer found his morning routine surprising—everyone already knew this Two Crown Classic Trainer jogged every day, completely unlike the image they had of Trainers who simply watched from the sidelines.
He glanced around, then started running toward the rising sun. Having lived in the area for a while, he was already a familiar face, exchanging greetings with the locals as he passed. Despite being the Trainer who led a Uma Musume to claim the French Two Crowns, he rarely got asked for autographs. In Japan, Europe, or North America, it was natural that the spotlight shone on the Uma Musume themselves.
This made things easier for him.
"Oguri, for example, has already gone through more than ten autograph pens since returning to Japan," Shuta An muttered. "And some oddballs didn't even ask her to sign paper… but things like the casing of an air conditioner."
He still remembered the bewildered look on his girlfriend's face when she told him.
"Japanese fans really are creative."
Just when he felt he had run enough and turned back toward the hotel, his phone chimed.
"Hm?" He took it out. A new Line message flashed on the screen—Trainer Tojo Hana.
"I have some Twinkle Series questions I'd like to ask Shuta-kun. Do you have time now?"
"Twinkle questions?" he murmured, puzzled. He typed back: "At this hour, shouldn't you be doing morning training? Why Twinkle Series?"
"It was during morning training that the Uma Musume I'm training asked me a question I couldn't answer" Tojo Hana, hiding in a corner of Central Tracen's courtyard, typed frantically.
"I could only think of asking Shuta-kun."
"She sounds panicked— What kind of question is it?" he asked.
"She asked: If she wants to prove her ability overseas and gain recognition from Japanese fans, what kind of race route should she choose?"
A question that, in this era, most Japanese Twinkle fans didn't have a strong answer for. European and American G1s were considered high-level, while others were hardly noticed. Winning was amazing, losing wasn't surprising.
Oguri Cap's overseas success had made waves only because the URA Association had barred her from the Japanese Classics. A two-crown overseas victory born from hardship made for a classic underdog narrative—exactly the kind Japanese fans adored.
Otherwise, her G1 wins abroad would still be celebrated, but not endlessly talked about.
For Tojo Hana, who knew little about overseas races, this question was a struggle. But for Shuta An, it was trivial. Still, before answering, he needed to confirm—
"What distances and surfaces is this Uma Musume good at?"
"Turf. Anything from Mile to middle-long is fine," she replied instantly.
"Then it's obvious. The goal should be the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe," he replied without hesitation.
"In turf middle-long distances, nothing outranks the Arc."
"But Longchamp's 2400 meters is challenging for Japanese Uma Musume," he added, remembering she asked for a 'route.' "If you want to go for the Arc, I recommend staying in Europe for half a year to adapt. The turf is totally different."
"And if staying that long feels like it'll hurt their chances elsewhere… well, that's unavoidable."
Without waiting for her reaction, he continued typing confidently:
"For the route: Prix d'Ispahan in May (Longchamp 1850m). Then the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July (Saint-Cloud 2400m). After that, the G2 Grand Prix Foy in September at Longchamp. And finally, the Arc in early October."
"Of course, this requires time and money. And since the Arc is the pinnacle of turf races worldwide, it's very possible to return empty-handed."
Tojo Hana's side showed 'typing…' for a long time, but no message appeared.
So he added: "Only after preparing yourself mentally should you attempt the Arc. Many Uma Musume in Europe dream of winning it—very few ever do."
"I understand. Thank you, Shuta-kun." After sending that, she slipped her phone into her pocket and returned to the training grounds.
Stopping in front of a waiting Uma Musume, Tojo Hana relayed everything Shuta An had said. Then she asked quietly:"So, Condor, do you have that kind of determination?"
———
August 14th. The Obon festival period.
Leaving Berno Light in Noboribetsu, Shuta An and Oguri Cap took a flight from Sapporo to Miyagi Prefecture. Miyagi, located in the Tohoku region, about 300 km from Tokyo, was known as the region's political and cultural center. Famous for its livestock farming, it was also known for its rice and beef.
"If Symboli Rudolf hadn't told me Central's summer camp is held in Matsushima, I would've assumed this year's main activity was herding cattle," Shuta An remarked as they waited at Sapporo Airport.
"And then getting chased by cows—to awaken their potential."
"Wouldn't that be dangerous?" Oguri Cap blinked. "Cows don't show mercy."
"Heh." Shuta An grinned mischievously. "Survival of the fittest."
"That's way too scary," Oguri Cap puffed her cheeks. "They'd definitely protest!"
"You're right," he laughed. "So it was a joke."
Her eyes shifted to the suitcase beside him. "Speaking of which, what gift did Ann prepare for Teio? You went to Hakodate alone to buy it."
"No need to drag you along. Haven't you and Berno been to Hakodate several times already?" he replied.
"It's a custom wood carving. The craftsman said it'd take a month, but after I paid extra, he finished in half a month."
"Wood carving?" Oguri Cap tilted her head. "You can't eat it though—"
Shuta An didn't even bother responding to that one.
The flight from Sapporo to Sendai took only a little over an hour, and the train from Sendai to Matsushima was another thirty minutes. Leaving at 8 a.m., they arrived at the summer camp site at 10:30.
"I didn't expect Shuta-kun and Miss Oguri Cap to come this early," Symboli Rudolf said, looking genuinely surprised. "Your attendance isn't required until tomorrow."
"Arriving early means resting early. That also gives me time to check on Teio," Shuta An replied, smiling. "I haven't seen her for a while. It's probably time to make a new training plan."
"I always urge Teio to follow the plan you made last year. She's been very diligent." Symboli Rudolf sat opposite him, looking pleased. "Her daily progress is obvious. It makes me very happy."
"It's proof of her own talent," Shuta An said lightly. "Any Trainer could help her progress."
"You're too humble," Symboli Rudolf shook her head. "With someone else, earning Teio's trust alone would take ages."
"Well—yes," he admitted, recalling their first meeting. "Teio aims to follow in Symboli Rudolf's footsteps, after all. She wouldn't easily listen to an ordinary Trainer."
"But she listens to you," Symboli Rudolf said with a small smile. "That alone sets you apart."
"Maybe Teio and I just… get along." He chuckled. Oguri Cap quietly pinched his waist for that.
Since they hadn't tried to hide their arrival, Tokai Teio appeared in Symboli Rudolf's office minutes later.
"Trainer~!"
Ignoring Symboli Rudolf entirely, she bounded over to Shuta An with her usual energy. Stopping in front of him, she beamed.
"It's been sooo long!"
"It has," he nodded, eyes drifting to her outfit—standard JC uniform, a small backpack slung behind her.
"Were you going out?" he asked, pointing to it.
"I was going shopping with Maya-chan, but after hearing Trainer came, I rushed back," she said proudly. "Because I wanted to see you quickly!"
Oguri Cap's ears twitched—but quickly settled, as if she understood something.
"Then rest well today. Light training tomorrow morning. After I finish in the afternoon, we'll head to a nearby racecourse so I can see Teio's progress," he said, tapping the tea table.
"Okay!!" Teio nodded energetically. "I'll show Trainer how much I've improved! I won't disappoint you!"
At that moment, Shuta An slapped his forehead. "Right, the gift."
He opened his suitcase and took out a carefully wrapped box.
"A little something, I commissioned in Hakodate earlier this month. I thought Teio would like it."
"Can I open it now?" she asked, holding it with sparkling eyes.
"Of course. It's for you."
"Okay" With careful hands, she unwrapped the box— Revealing a finely carved wooden statue.
Tokai Teio, in a Central Tracen uniform, raising three fingers with a radiant smile.
"I remember Teio saying her dream was to become an 'Undefeated Triple Crown' like Symboli Rudolf. So I wanted to bless that wish in this form," Shuta An explained.
"Thank you, Trainer!" Her voice alone made it clear that she adored the gift.
Her eyes sparkled as she held up the carving. "This pose— I've dreamed of standing like this so many times!"
She looked up, meeting his gaze. "If I could really achieve something like this—that would be a dream come true!"
"You can." Shuta An placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Undefeated Triple Crown, anything—Teio can absolutely achieve it."
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