October 30th.
In the golden days of late autumn, Tokyo basked beneath a clear sky. With no recent rainfall, the turf at Tokyo Racecourse was dry and firm—ideal conditions for speed.
After breakfast, Shuta An brought Berno Light and Oguri Cap to the racecourse early. Oguri entered through a designated aisle toward the lounge to prepare for her afternoon race, while Shuta An and Berno Light made their way to the VIP seats.
"Good track conditions," Shuta An muttered as he glanced at the board displaying the day's turf status. "If we think about the next race, dry turf today means lower stamina drain and faster recovery."
"Next race?" Berno Light tilted her head. "Ann is already thinking that far ahead before today's results even come out?"
"It's not that I'm thinking about it now," Shuta An corrected lightly. "The next race was already decided the moment Oguri won the French Derby." He raised a finger. "From every perspective, unless she's unable to compete, Oguri has to go to the Japan Cup."
Berno Light blinked in surprise. Her eyes silently asked for an explanation, so the Young Trainer continued:
"Let's start with something practical. After winning the French Derby, if Oguri wins the Japan Cup this year, she'll earn a two-million-dollar bonus. Just participating gets her a hundred thousand."
"Two million dollars…!" Berno Light's eyes sparkled. "That's incredible!"
"If Oguri were an overseas Uma Musume, the bonus would be three million." Shuta An shrugged. "But two million is already massive."
"Indeed—" Berno Light's mind wandered off into daydreams of what two million dollars could buy.
"But even without the bonus, Oguri still has to go." Shuta An's tone shifted, pulling Berno Light out of her imagination, leaving her confused.
She tugged his sleeve. "Trainer, why?"
"The Japan Cup was created by URA to connect with the world—to let people witness the strength of world-class Uma Musumes. When a Japanese Uma Musume wins it, she naturally becomes the pride of the country. And the reverse is also true: if a Japanese Uma Musume is strong enough, the public expects her to challenge overseas champions, defend her home turf, and earn the title of 'Japan's Great General.'"
"And because Oguri has already won the French Two Crowns, she's undoubtedly one of the Uma Musumes the public expects to enter this year's Japan Cup." He paused. "This is the fans' sentiment— the weight of public opinion. If Oguri wants to maintain a good image—if she remembers the fans who have supported her—she can't refuse."
"That's true…" Berno Light murmured, realizing he wasn't wrong.
"And after the Japan Cup, it'll be time to challenge the Arima Kinen," Berno Light added, arching her eyebrow.
"Yes," Shuta An nodded. "So in reality, Oguri's second-half schedule was already set long ago."
"It's a steady progression—2000 meters, then 2400, then 2500." Berno Light's perception was sharp.
Hours passed, and until the first race of the day began, only Shuta An and Berno Light occupied the VIP seats. With nothing else to do, Shuta An casually introduced another topic. "Today we'll finally get to see Tamamo Cross's secret weapon. I'm looking forward to it."
"I tried to gather info about it when I was filming Miss Tamamo Cross's training sessions," Berno Light admitted with an awkward smile. "But none of the Central Tracen Academy Uma Musumes I met knew anything."
"Of course, they wouldn't," Shuta An snorted. "Tamamo Cross is a top-class Uma Musume even in Central. It'd be strange if those weaker than her knew anything."
"Then has Trainer guessed anything?" Berno Light puffed her cheeks and pressed him.
Shuta An reached over to pinch her cheek. "I don't know, and I don't plan to guess."
"Why!?" Berno Light's eyes widened. "You're not giving Oguri any advice on how to deal with Miss Tamamo Cross's 'secret weapon'?"
"Nope," Shuta An said without hesitation.
"T-Then what if Oguri loses the Autumn Tenno Sho?"
"A 'secret weapon,' once used, isn't a secret anymore." Shuta An narrowed his eyes toward the Tokyo turf, speaking softly.
"Even if we lose today, as long as we force Tamamo Cross to reveal it, I'll figure out a counter by the Japan Cup. Then Oguri's chances of winning will skyrocket."
"So in Ann's view—this Autumn Tenno Sho is just a stage to observe Tamamo Cross's 'secret weapon'?" Berno Light tried to digest it. "Even though it's supposed to be the pinnacle battle of the middle-distance turf series, in your eyes it's—an experiment?"
"That's right." Shuta An grinned. "Berno, you need to understand—Oguri and Tamamo Cross's rivalry won't end here. We're looking ahead. We can afford to sacrifice this race if it means gaining a greater chance of victory later. Oguri and I both believe it's worth it."
"There's no such thing as an always-victorious general. Failure comes for everyone—that's life."
He turned his gaze to hers. "And besides—who says Tamamo Cross will overpower Oguri, even with her 'secret weapon'?"
"That's a pretty small chance, isn't it?" Berno Light muttered. "But if Oguri and Ann both think this way—then I'm prepared too."
"It just feels a bit cruel to Oguri's fans," she whispered.
"I never told Oguri she couldn't win today," Shuta An argued lightly. "And I promise—once Tamamo Cross reveals her secret weapon, I'll come up with a solid counter before the Japan Cup."
"I believe you." Berno Light's voice was soft but unwavering.
At 3:15 PM, the thirteen Uma Musumes entered the presentation area one after another from the underground passage, readying themselves for the Autumn Tenno Sho.
But Shuta An wasn't watching the presentation at all. His gaze shifted instead toward the VIP seats the moment Symboli Rudolf arrived—followed closely by Maruzensky and Tokai Teio.
"I didn't expect Miss Rudolf to come today," Shuta An greeted first, before offering a polite nod past her shoulder. "Good afternoon, Miss Maruzensky. And Teio came along as well."
Maruzensky returned the gesture with a silent nod, leaving room for Teio to speak. But the first voice belonged, naturally, to the "Emperor."
"Good afternoon, Shuta-kun. It seems you're quite confident in Miss Oguri Cap today."
"Of course." Even if he had decided to use this race to observe Tamamo Cross's "secret weapon," he maintained a confident front. "It's Oguri's first race back home after returning from overseas. I hope she can show everyone a strong result."
"I'm looking forward to seeing a performance even better than her first half of the year," Rudolf replied, turning her gaze toward the display area.
Only then did Tokai Teio step forward.
"Trainer!"
She slipped past Symboli Rudolf and plopped down on Shuta An's right side.
"The nutritional supplements you told me to use—I've been taking them properly." She puffed out her chest proudly. "I feel like I've grown a lot!"
After giving her a quick once-over, Shuta An withdrew his gaze, expression plain. "I lowered your training intensity and kept you out of school competitions. Are you unhappy about that, Teio?"
"I don't really understand." Teio pouted honestly. "But if Trainer arranged it, there must be a reason. So I'm fine with it."
Shuta An let out a quiet sigh. He reached over and gently patted her head. "Your wish will definitely come true."
"Hmmm~!" Teio hummed brightly. She'd heard similar promises before, unaware of the heaviness in Shuta An's heart.
This morning, he had told Berno Light that he could accept one failure in exchange for many future victories. But Tokai Teio's dream was to become an undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume—just like Symboli Rudolf.
And an undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume had no margin for error. Not a single loss before the Kikuka Sho. None.
The thought darkened his mood.
"So what exactly is Tamamo Cross's 'secret weapon'?" he muttered. "If it's only the pace-chaser strategy I predicted—that would be disappointing."
At 3:35 PM, the thirteen Uma Musumes finished entering their stalls.
Oguri Cap, as number 1, was the first to load in. On the large screen, the camera caught her calmly resting with her eyes closed inside the gate. Then it shifted to Tamamo Cross, still waiting to enter—her excitement almost impossible to hide.
"Although there's the old saying, 'Gray Uma Musumes aren't fast,' this year's Autumn Tenno Sho features two top favorites who happen to be gray: Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross," the commentator remarked.
"Indeed. Both 'Gray Umamusume' have already shattered that old prejudice," another commentator added. "But after today, only one 'Gray Umamusume' will remain."
"Will Tamamo Cross, who dominated the domestic G1s in the first half of the year, complete the first-ever Spring–Autumn Tenno Sho sweep? Or will Oguri Cap, winner of the Yayoi Sho and then two French Classics, the Gray Monster seizes her first domestic G1 victory upon returning home? Or will a dark horse emerge to claim the Autumn Shield? In just over two minutes, we'll know the answer!"
In the VIP seats, Shuta An felt Berno Light trembling beside him.
"Nervous?" he asked softly, squeezing the Chestnut-Haired Horse Girl's hand. "Just cheer for Oguri."
"I know but I can't help it." Her voice came out tiny and blurred. "I know the possibility that Oguri might lose—but I still want her to win."
Shuta An didn't answer. The moment Tamamo Cross's mysterious "secret weapon" appeared, his confidence in his predictions had wavered.
Symboli Rudolf glanced at him—catching that moment of hesitation.
"Is it because you're unsure about Tamamo Cross?" she asked, arching a brow. "You were acting quite confident earlier. I thought you had some way to counter her 'Zone.'"
But then she paused.
Does he even understand what 'Zone' truly is?
Of course, he didn't. Zone wasn't something a Trainer could grasp through theory. It could only be understood through direct experience. If a Trainer did understand Zone, they would, consciously or unconsciously, try to push their Uma Musume toward it—yet such forced attempts almost always backfired.
Which meant—
"He probably doesn't know," Rudolf concluded. "And yet he still managed to sense it—Truly remarkable."
Admiration filled her eyes. Shuta An caught her expression and stiffened.
What's with that look? Did she find yet another reason to praise me?
But before he could dwell on it, the orchestra began playing the pre-race G1 fanfare. Shuta An crossed his arms tightly, eyes fixed on the starting gates.
"Oguri—just don't mess up the start. Please."
He prayed silently—for the Gray Uma Musume under his care.
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