Notice:
1. Japan Cup is done scheduling for this week on Patreon. Next week should be the end of Volume 2. 1988 in Arima Kinen.
2. For Webnovel readers, next week is going to be the Autumn Tenno Sho Arc and Japan Cup Arc, the followed by Arime Kinen Arc ending before Christmas
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Shuta An still hadn't found a perfect solution, but he already knew what he needed to do. He picked up his phone, sent Symboli Rudolf a Line message, and transferred her a sum of money, asking her to help purchase nutritional supplements for Tokai Teio.
He added another line: "And regarding Teio's upcoming training, please ask her to strictly control the intensity. If she can't regulate her pace properly, she shouldn't go all out."
After typing this much, he hesitated for a moment, then continued: "Also please don't let her participate in any races without my permission—not even low-intensity simulated ones."
"I understand."
Symboli Rudolf did not question why Shuta An suddenly issued such instructions. She trusted the young man completely—this was, after all, the Trainer who had guided this year's French Two-Crowns Uma Musume to glory, accomplishing what Symboli Rudolf herself had longed for but failed to achieve.
"I'm still organizing Teio's long-term training plan, so for now, I want to temporarily lower her workload and reduce unnecessary wear and tear," Shuta An explained briefly, even though she hadn't asked.
"So Shuta-kun has noticed something—" Symboli Rudolf murmured to herself as she typed out her reply: "I'll inform Teio and supervise her properly."
Her cooperation was a tremendous relief to Shuta An. Otherwise, he was certain Tokai Teio would be unable to resist joining her Central Tracen Academy classmates for simulated races during breaks. Given her current condition—where her muscle development likely outpaced her bone strength—he needed the still-immature Teio to take care of her body and avoid any injury that might affect her after full physical maturation.
"In any case, this is the best course for now. After this year's busy period ends, I'll arrange a full examination for her overseas and discuss the results with Dr. Grace." Shuta An committed the matter firmly to memory.
Although nearly half a month had passed since the vacation ended, Oguri Cap had barely trained during the summer break. Because of that, Shuta An instructed her to maintain light training to gradually regain her form.
The Gray Uma Musume obeyed his directions earnestly. This also meant that Berno Light had plenty of spare time to drag Oguri Cap around Tokyo these past few days.
While the two Uma Musume enjoyed their small outings, Shuta An was far from idle. He spent his days organizing information about potential opponents for the upcoming Autumn Tenno Sho and poring through materials related to his father, hoping for inspiration on Tokai Teio's future training regimen.
But these tasks only filled his daytime hours. His evenings were dedicated to something else entirely. After coaxing the exhausted Gray Uma Musume to sleep—her head resting on his arm—Shuta An soon drifted off as well.
Even though the Dream World had also entered September, and the "Summer Race" period had not yet ended, Shuta An continued to spend his days in Ritto. Occasionally, he visited Hokkaido to see the "Teio" of that world—due to certain personal reasons and the Kasamatsu Racecourse being closed.
Those personal reasons were simple:
"Oguri Cap has returned to the stable."
As her main Trainer, it was only natural that he wouldn't remain in Hokkaido. He returned to Ritto Training Center to rebuild the trust between them—trust that had mostly faded over the summer.
At least, that was what he expected—
When he stepped into the Setoguchi stable behind Assistant Ikee, Oguri Cap had already completed her early-morning medical check and feeding. She stood quietly in her stall, peeking out at him—the partner she hadn't seen in a long while.
"I hope Oguri hasn't forgotten me" With that anxious thought, Shuta An smiled and took a carrot from his pocket.
He held it out to her. Oguri Cap nibbled only a small bite before nudging the rest away with her lips.
"It seems Oguri Cap remembers you quite well, Shuta-kun," Assistant Ikee laughed.
Shuta An let out a soft breath. "That's a relief. She still recognizes me."
He placed the carrot into her personal feed bucket and gently rubbed her head. "In a few days, training starts again. Oguri, work hard."
He then muttered inwardly, "The Oguri in reality works incredibly hard. Will the dream Oguri be the same?"
Maintaining light-intensity training, time slipped into late September—only five weeks remained before the Autumn Tenno Sho.
"The Autumn Tenno Sho is the first G1 of the season. Oguri, we must be in peak form by then."
Shuta An glanced at the date on his phone as he ate breakfast.
"That's easy for you to say." Berno Light joined in, sounding worried.
"There's still over a month left, but Ann hasn't let Oguri do any serious training yet."
Shuta An could hear the concern in her voice.
"No rush. Oguri's high-intensity phase begins in the second week of October," he explained.
Upon hearing that, Oguri Cap felt relief—but a trace of disappointment flickered across her expression.
"So, my training intensity won't increase yet?"
"Of course not." Shuta An raised an eyebrow. "High-intensity training helps build peak form, but too much too early wastes stamina. If you reach the race wanting to sprint but have no energy left, I'll regret it terribly."
"I wanted to raise my training sooner so I can face Tama in my best state" Oguri Cap muttered.
Shuta An waved his hand. "You'll face Miss Tamamo Cross at your best—just not at the cost of burning your stamina."
"Hm, then I trust Ann's plan." Oguri Cap nodded firmly. "After all, we've been winning."
"And we'll win the Autumn Tenno Sho too." Under the table, he reached out and placed his hand on Oguri Cap's absolute territory, gently tracing the warm outline.
Oguri Cap set down her chopsticks, reached down to clasp his hand, and pouted, "It's morning—"
September 30th—one month before the Autumn Tenno Sho.
"Starting today, your training intensity increases." Before morning practice began, Shuta An reminded her: "For today's chase, I want the last 600 meters done in the 36-second range. The pace for the first 400 meters and the acceleration phase—you'll judge that yourself."
"I understand." Oguri Cap knew exactly what he meant. Compared to acceleration prep, he cared most about her speed in the final 600 meters.
"After all, this time we're challenging Tokyo Racecourse's 2000 meters. Explosive power on the final straight is crucial." Shuta An tapped the table lightly. "Ease up on the Sakado training for now. Use the gym more to build explosive strength."
"So what about me?" Berno Light asked. "I just keep following Ann around every day?"
"For Berno—" He thought a moment. "There's still your regular logistics work. After that, go to Central Tracen Academy to help me gather Tamamo Cross's training videos. And finish your usual assistant tasks—I haven't taught you much this summer."
"Okay!"
The moment she heard she was being assigned intelligence-gathering work again, Berno Light lit up. She completely ignored the rest. To her, going to other academies to collect footage was like being a spy. The thought that her intel could help Shuta An filled her with pride.
"I need to plan how not to get caught—" Berno began strategizing.
After arriving in Tokyo, whenever an important race took place at a Kansai racecourse, Shuta An always went to watch in person. Among them, what interested him most was one of the two Kikuka Sho trial races—the G2 St. Lite Kinen, a 2200-meter turf race at Niigata. This year's winner was Daigo Sur, who was later diagnosed with a fracture and would rest until next year, eliminating him from the Kikuka Sho line-up.
Many people felt sorry for him. Shuta An did not.
"Daigo Sur's limit is already around 2200 meters. Forcing him into the Kikuka Sho would be worse. Resting now and saving up strength for next year's middle-distance G1 races is much better."
As for the other trial in Kansai, the Kobe Shimbun Hai, its winner was Yaeno Daiya.
"Related to Yaeno Muteki?" That was his first thought. And so he checked Yaeno Muteki's next race.
"The Classic Triple Crown's final race—the Kikuka Sho. So she really wants to prove she can handle longer distances."
But Shuta An wasn't optimistic. He knew her too well. After all, he had secretly checked her stats while they were at the Shiretoko Peninsula—the long-distance aptitude was— tragic.
"If fans hype her up as a top contender and she gets crushed, she'll finally realize she can't do long distance." He sighed, oddly relieved.
"If it were me, I wouldn't know what to do with her either."
Let her face Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap in the Autumn Tenno Sho? That wouldn't end well. Send her to a lower-grade G2/G3 middle-distance? Would her pride accept that? Public opinion would explode—the Satsuki Sho winner hiding from major races? Impossible.
Go overseas? Not a chance. Japanese Uma Musume needed both Oguri-tier talent and long-term prep to succeed abroad. Yaeno Muteki had neither.
Realizing this, Shuta An concluded:
"There's really no viable path for her. Compared to that, at least I don't have to worry about Oguri's future."
That afternoon, under Shuta An's instructions, Berno Light brought Oguri Cap to the hotel swimming pool for training. Shuta An changed into his trunks and sat on a nearby bench, casually scrolling his phone.
Since it wasn't a holiday, the hotel had few guests. Only the three of them were there. So Shuta An felt no concern about anyone misunderstanding why he was using his phone poolside.
He snapped a photo of Oguri Cap floating with a kickboard—then a Line notification appeared.
"Why is Symboli Rudolf messaging me again?" He raised an eyebrow.
Opening it, he froze. This time, Symboli Rudolf's question was truly beyond anything he expected:
"Silence Suzuka wants your Line ID. Can I give it to her?"
He whispered, baffled,"Is she asking me so she doesn't have to hide it from Tojo Hana?"
He thought again.
"No. Miss Rudolf doesn't need to hide something like this from Tojo Hana. She would find out anyway."
"And adding a trainee behind her Trainer's back isn't exactly proper" He began forming a reply.
But before he could finish, another message appeared—this time from Tojo Hana.
Shuta An leaned forward to read it: "Shuta-kun, please add Suzuka on Line. I believe you're the only one who can persuade her right now."
"Huh?" He tilted his head. What did that mean?
He had no idea, but he did as instructed. Moments later, Silence Suzuka's friend request arrived.
He accepted it and went straight to the point: "So, Miss Silence Suzuka—did something happen between you and Miss Tojo Hana?"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For anyone interested, or just want to support me. Hit the membership button to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModerateCitizens
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>