May 27th—the day of this year's Japanese Derby.
Today, Shuta An was not by Lake Toya.
Instead, he had brought Oguri Cap to Tokyo for her final medical check-up. According to the most recent report, as long as nothing unexpected occurred, Oguri Cap would officially be declared fully recovered.
"After resting at Lake Toya for a week starting tomorrow, we can depart for America in early June—" Shuta An leaned back in the car seat, his thoughts drifting. "But where we'll stay once we arrive—that's another headache."
Oguri Cap, seated beside him, was far less preoccupied. Having lived quite comfortably in recent days, the gray Uma Musume was in an excellent mood. She gazed out the window, her thoughts light and lively.
"Today's the Japanese Derby," she mused inwardly. "After the check-up, I won't rush back to Hokkaido by plane. I'll go to Tokyo Racecourse instead and watch the Derby live. I wonder what kind of performance Miss Suzuka will deliver?"
When she thought of Silence Suzuka, Oguri Cap realized her own feelings had shifted since the birthday party. At the very least, that sense of guarded distance had faded.
"I hope she gets good results," Oguri Cap reflected. "But Ann's Derby preview directly pointed out her lack of growth. That probably influenced the experts a lot."
She glanced sideways at the young man beside her.
"Several analysts who were optimistic about Miss Suzuka before have now switched to Ann's position. Ann's authority in the Twinkle Series is incredibly high now—just a few words from him can sway public opinion."
She clenched her fist lightly.
"That authority is inseparable from the achievements I've made. So if I want to maintain this position, I have to work even harder in the second half of the year."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Being called the 'strongest active' isn't my endpoint. I'm not an undefeated Triple Crown like Miss Rudolf. If I want to surpass her, then I need to keep producing results—again and again."
—
At eleven o'clock, Oguri Cap walked out of the hospital with a radiant smile. Standing by the roadside, she turned toward her Trainer.
"Ann, how about we go to Tokyo Racecourse and watch the Derby first?"
As she spoke, she even gave him a playful wink, clearly trying to show off her charm. Shuta An watched her performance and smiled faintly.
"But we don't have reservations. Even if we buy tickets now, we'd just be squeezed into the crowd downstairs," he said casually. "Why don't we greet Miss Symboli Rudolf and crash her private box instead?"
Oguri Cap considered it for a moment, then nodded.
"That does sound better. Then let's contact Miss Rudolf right away."
"Already did." Shuta An pulled out his phone and waved it in front of her. "I figured Oguri would want to watch the Derby live, so I contacted her this morning."
"Wow—" Oguri Cap covered her mouth. "Ann, you really are…"
In truth, it wasn't hard to predict.
Oguri Cap had never once watched the Japanese Derby live at Tokyo Racecourse. Before becoming an Uma Musume, she simply hadn't had the means. During her first year, she was busy accumulating capital at Kasamatsu. During her second year, she couldn't participate in the Japanese Classics and was in France instead. Last year, the Sadalsuud team spent the entire first half in America.
This year—finally—she had the chance.
"Miss Rudolf agreed so quickly," Oguri Cap smiled after reading the message on his phone. "Then let's go!"
"No rush." Shuta An raised a finger. "The Derby doesn't start until after three. Let's eat lunch first, then buy some souvenirs for Miss Rudolf and the others. We've got plenty of time."
"Mhm! Mhm!" Oguri Cap nodded enthusiastically, hooking her arm around his. "Let's go! Lunch first!"
—
After lunch and picking up a few small gifts, the two took a taxi to Tokyo Racecourse.
"Taxis are really expensive," Oguri Cap complained as she stepped out. "Next time we should just take the subway."
"Consider it contributing to the GDP. The economy's not doing great right now," Shuta An replied lightly, then took her hand. "Besides, if we took the subway, Oguri would be recognized immediately."
"That's true," Oguri Cap stuck out her tongue. "I still forget sometimes that I'm a superstar."
"Once you enter the Dream Trophy Series, you'll have to gradually get used to that awareness," Shuta An said calmly. "It's not about distancing yourself from fans—it's about protecting yourself."
As they spoke, the two stepped into Tokyo Racecourse side by side.
—
Soon, they met Tokai Teio, who had come down under Symboli Rudolf's instructions.
Tokai Teio's eyes lit up. She quickly took the bag from Shuta An's hands and hooked her arm around his.
"The President told me to come pick up Trainer and Senior Oguri~ So I rushed right down!"
"Is it just Student Council members in the box?" Shuta An asked—if others were present, he would need to prepare polite small talk.
"Yes," Tokai Teio nodded cheerfully. "Besides the President and me, only Maruzensky-senpai is there. The other senpais are busy."
She smiled.
"Even with Trainer and Senior Oguri here, it'll still feel pretty empty."
"Who does Miss Rudolf favor today?" Oguri Cap asked, steering the topic back to the race.
"Of course, Senior Sunny Brian—the Satsuki Sho winner," Tokai Teio replied without hesitation. "The President thinks her winning the Derby wouldn't be surprising at all."
"She is strong," Shuta An shrugged. "But the far outside gate is a big disadvantage."
"Right?! Trainer thinks the same as me!" Tokai Teio nodded vigorously. "I also think the outside lane is bad for a runaway Uma Musume. But the President said Sunny Brian was also outside at the Satsuki Sho and still led from start to finish—so it shouldn't matter this time either."
"The pace will probably be very fast," Shuta An pursed his lips. "Miss Suzuka will definitely contest the lead."
—
At the same moment, in the underground passage, Silence Suzuka stood face to face with Tojo Hana.
"For this Derby, Suzuka," Tojo Hana said steadily, "I want you to maintain a leading strategy, but don't force a battle for the front with Sunny Brian."
She continued calmly,
"This is your first time racing 2400 meters. Going too fast will only benefit the others."
A flicker of struggle passed through Silence Suzuka's eyes.
But in the end, she nodded gently.
She didn't speak—but that nod was her answer.
And Miss Tojo believed she understood the Uma Musume standing before her well enough.
As Symboli Rudolf had predicted, this year's Japanese Derby once again unfolded into a runaway victory. Sunny Brian, starting from the far outside lane, seized the initiative without hesitation.
"Even from the very outside, she still took the lead and deliberately slowed the pace—61.5 seconds for the first 1000 meters—" Tokai Teio muttered, disbelief evident in her voice. "What were the other front-runners thinking? In such a decisive race, they just let the Satsuki Sho winner control the tempo so comfortably? Did they really believe their late kick was strong enough to overturn a slow-paced Derby?"
"That's exactly the point," Shuta An replied calmly, his eyes fixed on the race data sheet issued by the URA Association. "Among the leading group, the fastest final three furlongs belonged to Sunny Brian herself—35.1 seconds. From a tactical standpoint, this was a complete defeat."
As he spoke, Shuta An glanced toward Symboli Rudolf. "What surprised me most was Silence Suzuka choosing to remain near the front throughout. Was it because this was her first 2400-meter race that she held back?"
"It was the Trainer's instruction," Symboli Rudolf said, unexpectedly taking over the conversation. "And the result proves that judgment was mistaken."
Seeing her stance, Shuta An hastily tried to soften the remark. "Of course, there's also the issue of Miss Suzuka's current limitations."
He tightened his grip on Oguri Cap's hand. "If Oguri had been out there, she would've crushed the race even from the lead."
"We can't make that comparison," Maruzensky said with a gentle smile as she joined in. "Miss Oguri is a seven-crown Uma Musume, and she's about to head overseas. Suzuka still has much to learn."
"If you were training her, Shuta-kun," Symboli Rudolf suddenly interrupted, "how would you have arranged the tactics for this Derby?"
"I wouldn't have registered her for the Principal Stakes in the first place," Shuta An answered without hesitation. "I'd let her rest through the Derby, then start again with the two-win and three-win classes over the summer, and aim for the St. Leger Stakes in autumn."
"And the Kikuka Sho?" Symboli Rudolf raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised. The St. Leger Stakes was widely seen as a stepping stone toward that very race.
"How could that be?" Shuta An scoffed lightly. "Nakayama's 2200-meter turf is perfect for testing her distance ceiling. If she clears that, we skip the Kikuka Sho entirely and challenge the Autumn Tenno Sho."
"But the opponents there will be far stronger," Symboli Rudolf pressed, unable to hide her confusion. "After suffering such a decisive defeat in the Derby, facing even more specialized rivals—Silence Suzuka—"
"She's not the kind who doubts herself over one or two losses," Shuta An said firmly, raising a finger. "The Autumn Tenno Sho isn't something she must win. If I were responsible for her, I'd set my true objective next year. After a full season in the Twinkle Series—that's when Silence Suzuka would truly shine on the grand stage."
"That—may be reasonable," Symboli Rudolf replied vaguely, then reached for her bag. "It's just that Miss Tojo won't be able to stay with her."
"What do you mean?" Shuta An misunderstood at once. "Is Miss Tojo ill?"
"N-no—" Symboli Rudolf nearly stumbled over her words. "For her, this is where her connection with Silence Suzuka ends."
Shuta An's eyes narrowed, his voice sharpening. "She signed a one-year agreement with me back then. What—she's giving up halfway?"
"I'm sorry," Symboli Rudolf said softly. "She believes her abilities are truly insufficient to guide Silence Suzuka any further. To her, she's become nothing more than a burden."
"I don't think Miss Suzuka sees it that way," Oguri Cap interjected. "She probably only hates her own inadequacy."
"Regardless," Symboli Rudolf said, handing over a document, "this is the outcome."
It was a certificate approving the transfer of an Uma Musume.
"What does this mean?" Shuta An didn't take it, even though Silence Suzuka's name was printed clearly on the form.
Oguri Cap and Tokai Teio both frowned when they saw it. Their dissatisfaction wasn't directed at Suzuka—but at Symboli Rudolf.
"If I refuse," Shuta An asked coldly, "does that mean Silence Suzuka will be expelled from Team Rigil?"
"No," Symboli Rudolf answered at once. "If you decline, I'll pass this certificate to another team. Even after her Derby loss, she's still a Rigil Uma Musume. There are many Trainers willing to take her."
To Shuta An, that answer was no different from expulsion.
"What a joke." His voice was low, yet it struck Symboli Rudolf like thunder. "Do you think this kind of pressure will force my hand? Do you think her future—the one I just described—can be rushed?"
Before the 'Emperor' could respond, the Young Trainer cut her off.
"Fine. Very well."
His jaw clenched as he snatched the certificate, pulled out his pen, and signed his name alongside Team Sadalsuud's without hesitation. He tossed the document back.
"Then watch closely," Shuta An declared. "This year, I will let Silence Suzuka claim her own G1 victory."
Inside the private box, Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf stared in shock. Shuta An's analysis of Suzuka had been so precise that neither of them believed she could reach G1-winning form within the year.
"Please tell Suzuka this, Miss Rudolf," Shuta An said as he turned to leave, still holding Oguri Cap's hand. "Meet us at the hotel in Lake Toya within three days. Next week, we depart for America together."
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