Silence Suzuka hadn't expected Shuta An to be so direct. For a moment, she was unsure how to begin. When she didn't reply for a long while, Shuta An closed Line and turned to check other things instead.
On the other side of the phone, Silence Suzuka—kneeling on the tatami—remained deep in thought, brows faintly furrowed. Tojo Hana, seated across from her, noticed Suzuka's stillness and gently shook her head.
"Honestly, why don't you just tell Shuta-kun what we're arguing about? Unless— Suzuka, even you realize you're the unreasonable one here?"
"I don't think I'm being unreasonable," Silence Suzuka answered quietly. "I just don't understand the decision to not let me debut next year."
"There's nothing to discuss." Tojo Hana's tone was firm. "Even if you begin full-scale training next year, I will still arrange your debut for the year after."
"If I start full-scale training next year, shouldn't I debut that same year? Making me wait longer— I really don't understand." Suzuka muttered softly.
"Delaying your debut until the second year after full-scale training isn't unusual. Please understand, Suzuka—giving you more time to grow is not a bad thing." Tojo Hana tapped lightly on the tea table. "If you debut immediately in the summer after full-scale training, your performance will be hard to guarantee."
Silence Suzuka set down her phone and bit her lip. That last point was exactly what weighed on her the most. No Uma Musume is free from expectations for her Twinkle Series results. Silence Suzuka had never aimed for the Triple Crown, but she did wish to win at least one G1. And for her, the first possible G1 was naturally the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in mid-December of her first year as a full-fledged debutante.
But if she debuted early in the Classic Race year under Tojo Hana's arrangement, she would not be able to participate in it at all.
Hanshin 1600 meters— I really want to try it.
The thought alone made her unwilling to accept a delayed debut—especially when the reason given was so vague: "you need more time to grow."
Late in the afternoon, Silence Suzuka finally sent Shuta An the details of her argument with Tojo Hana. The young Trainer was surprised.
"They're arguing over this? And Miss Tojo Hana even told Suzuka to send their argument to me? Am I supposed to be the judge?"
After complaining, he typed his question.
"You could say that— After all, when it comes to this kind of matter, both Miss Trainer and I feel Shuta-kun has the most say," Silence Suzuka replied. "If I follow Miss Trainer's suggestion and delay my debut by half a year, can I really perform well? By then, there'll only be a little over three months until the Classic season—way too rushed, with no room for mistakes."
"The room for error isn't necessarily better with an early debut either." As soon as that message arrived, Suzuka understood his stance.
"So Shuta-kun also agrees with Miss Trainer?" She bit her lip, a little unwilling.
"It doesn't matter whether you debut early or late. As long as you're strong enough, you'll make it onto the Classic stage," Shuta An replied flawlessly.
"And what if I get injured?" She sought a weak point.
"Then debuting early and running more races also increases your risk of injury," he countered. "Don't use probabilistic arguments to defend your point."
"So Shuta-kun supports Miss Trainer, right?" Suzuka asked again.
"Yes," Shuta An didn't leave room for interpretation. "I don't know your exact physical condition, but if Miss Tojo says delaying is necessary, then I trust her more."
That answer stung Silence Suzuka a little.
'But Shuta-kun and I are clearly closer' The thought flickered across her mind.
Yet Shuta continued, "Precisely because we're close, I must support Miss Tojo even more. She's your Trainer, and the one who wants you to succeed the most. Your achievements directly shape her career as well."
"I understand." Suzuka pouted as she typed. To her, the words of a Trainer who once ran morning training with her and later guided a French Two Crowns winner carried a heavy weight.
After Silence Suzuka stopped messaging, Shuta An contacted Tojo Hana.
"Honestly, please don't make me the judge for these kinds of things. It's super awkward."
"Sorry, but I thought only Shuta-kun could persuade her," Tojo Hana replied quickly.
Shuta An sighed. "If Miss Tojo can't even convince Silence Suzuka now, what will you do later on?"
Tojo Hana was well aware of the issue, but did not intend to dwell on it. "We'll take things one step at a time."
"That's very on-brand for you," Shuta pouted. Then a thought struck him. "If Miss Tojo finds training Silence Suzuka too troublesome, I can take over in two years."
"By then Miss Oguri Cap will be finishing her Twinkle Series career, and Shuta-kun wants a new Uma Musume to take over right away?" Tojo Hana teased sharply. "I had originally buried the thought of you poaching Oguri's negativity deep in my heart."
"Hm" Shuta An felt embarrassed at being seen through so easily.
"But perhaps Suzuka will be more willing to follow my instructions after her debut?" he quickly pointed out.
"That's true," Tojo Hana sighed as she looked at her phone. "Even if she follows my training right now, she definitely has her own ideas—and she's been sulking this whole time without saying it."
"That's why Miss Tojo should be the one to help her open up." Shuta hadn't expected there to be this much unresolved tension between them.
"I might last another two years," Tojo Hana replied after a moment of silence. "If after two years I still can't shape Suzuka into what I envision… then I'll ask for Shuta-kun's help."
"Good luck, Miss Tojo. Without our Uma Musume's trust, a Trainer can't do anything."
With that reminder, he set down his phone.
I should focus on Oguri now, he thought.
———
The first G1 of autumn was the Autumn Tenno Sho—the pinnacle of domestic middle-distance turf racing in Japan. Every year's edition gathered stars.
On October 14th, the URA Association officially announced the provisional entry list.
Carrying his laptop, Shuta An led Oguri Cap to a café near the hotel.
"Let's see who your opponents are this time." He opened his computer and signaled Oguri to sit beside him. The gray filly obediently sat down and naturally wrapped her hand around his left arm. Shuta didn't pull away; using only his right hand, he opened the URA website and clicked the entry list.
"With you included, there are 13 entrants in total," he counted quickly.
"Only 13? Isn't the full gate 18?" Oguri asked in surprise.
"That's right." Shuta lightly squeezed the soft hand holding his arm. "But with both you and Tamamo Cross in this year's Autumn Tenno Sho, it's normal for some to avoid registering."
Although every participant receives a subsidy regardless of finish, any Uma Musume who is defeated by a large enough margin receives a mandatory suspension penalty of one to three months. Because of that, even with five open spots, weaker Uma Musumes avoid risking such a setback.
"I don't know the others very well," Oguri glanced up. "Can Trainer introduce them to me?"
"That's exactly why I brought you here," Shuta smiled. "To give you a proper rundown."
He pointed randomly at the first name.
"Paris' Benbe. She's the weakest here." He showed Oguri her record. "48 races, 5 wins, still in the three-win class. This will be her first major race."
"Jumping straight into a G1— that's brave," Oguri commented.
"Bravery?" Shuta smirked. "Let's see how many seconds that bravery costs her."
Bravery without strength only leads to pain—Shuta had always believed that.
Next was Kashima King.
"She also has 48 races and 10 wins. She's participated in several major races, but her peak was runner-up in Niigata Kinen and Sekiya Kinen. Solid, but a G1 threat? Not really."
The third was Galdan.
"She's special. Like you, she's locally trained, but transferred to Central this year. She won the OP Tanigawadake Stakes and placed sixth in Yasuda Kinen. Much stronger than the first two. She also prefers aggressive positioning—she may obstruct you early on."
"Okay, noted." Oguri nodded.
Next was Tosho Summit.
"The first G2 winner I'm introducing. Same generation as Sirius Symboli, winner of the G2 NHK Cup. But she's terrible on heavy tracks and finished last in the Derby. And she hasn't won anything in three years, so she's not as threatening as Galdan."
Then came Kailas Amon.
"She won this year's G3 Mainichi Okan. A legitimate threat— but still not the one you should worry about. Your biggest rival is Tamamo Cross."
When he pointed at the next name, "Material," his expression wavered.
"Is there something special about her?" Oguri asked immediately.
"No," Shuta waved it off. "She has one G2 win and was the Satsuki Sho favorite last year. But in this race? There's no need to pay attention to her."
"Eh? Why?" Oguri tilted her head.
"Because 2000 meters isn't her distance." He stated it plainly—something he realized after reviewing her race videos. "She belongs in Mile races."
"Doesn't she know that? And her Trainer?" Oguri asked.
"Oguri— do you know what's scary?" Shuta smiled bitterly. "Not when a Uma Musume fails to recognize her abilities—but when she recognizes them and still chases impossible dreams."
"Ann—" Oguri bit her lip. "You're saying—"
"Material is exactly like that."
"Then shouldn't Ann point it out to her? Isn't she pitiful if no one helps?" Oguri held his arm tighter.
"That's not my place," Shuta refused without hesitation. "It's not something I should interfere in. And honestly, both you and I should stay away from her. Otherwise, trouble will come."
"Why?" Oguri widened her eyes. "I'm a French Two Crowns winner. Would helping someone really cause trouble?"
"Your kindness won't be received kindly by her," Shuta insisted. "The only one who can solve her problem is still lost in her own fog."
"Ann" Oguri pressed, "do you know something extra?"
The young Trainer sighed when he saw her pleading expression.
"Alright— I'll tell you."
But before he began, he added a condition:
"After you hear it, Oguri, you must keep it a secret. Don't tell anyone—not even Berno."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For anyone interested, or just want to support me. Hit the membership button to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModerateCitizens
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>