Hello everyone!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Here, I am asking for leave tomorrow—Thursday, January 1st. Therefore, I might not release any chapters for tomorrow.
———
After waking up, Shuta An rubbed his head. It took a moment before realization dawned.
"Ah. That was just my head getting clipped by Yutaka Take's whip in the Dream World."
He broke into a grin. Being able to give Yutaka Take a smug look after crossing the finish line of the Autumn Tenno Sho—even if it was only in the Dream World—felt unexpectedly satisfying.
With a familiar motion, Shuta An opened the attribute viewer, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he checked the rewards he had obtained this time.
"Autumn Tenno Sho Victory Reward—Inner Lane Proficiency: When positioned on the inner lane during the final bend, speed increases."
"Interesting."
The young man's smile only grew brighter.
"So it's because Oguri Cap and I forced our way through the inside in that race, huh?"
He quickly judged the skill's value.
"This is useful—not just for me, but for Oguri Cap too. Whether it's the Japan Cup or the Arima Kinen, being able to accelerate from the inside on the final stretch will be invaluable."
He even began planning when to best apply it—perhaps during their later, more affectionate training sessions.
Meanwhile, in the real world—
Super Creek, the official winner of the Autumn Tenno Sho, had no idea that in another timeline, she had just been defeated by Oguri Cap. Having raced only yesterday, she still arrived at the training ground early in the morning, prepared for low-intensity recovery work.
"To defeat Oguri Cap in the Japan Cup, I have to train even harder than I did for the Autumn Tenno Sho."
The voluptuous G1 holder Uma Musume clenched her fists, silently encouraging herself before beginning her warm-up. It was obvious—she had already cast aside her Trainer's advice from the previous night.
From a distance, Nase Fumino watched Super Creek stretching and sighed softly.
"Creek…if you're this earnest, I don't even have the heart to stop you."
At Central Tracen Academy, inside the Student Council office—
Symboli Rudolf stared blankly at the document displayed on her computer screen. It was the proposed invitation list for overseas Uma Musumes for this year's Japan Cup. As always, the list was long—Uma Musumes from nations with strong Twinkle Series standards, many of whom had achieved excellent results in long-distance turf G1 races that year.
"How many of them will actually accept?" Symboli Rudolf pressed her temple, a headache forming.
Last year's incident—Tony Bianca's fracture—had cast a long shadow. Even a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe champion had fallen. With that precedent, it was only natural that overseas powerhouses would hesitate to come to Japan.
Even raising the prize money to 100 million yen might not be enough to sway them.
"Still…the invitations that must be sent, must be sent."
Muttering to herself, Symboli Rudolf began issuing the mass invitations under her name.
At the same time, the URA Association was holding its own discussion regarding the Japan Cup lineup. Like Symboli Rudolf, they were far from optimistic.
"The impact of Miss Tony Bianca's fracture last year was too severe. Even though compensation and follow-up measures were handled well, the incident itself can't be erased."
"We've begun screening and improving turf grass species, but changes within a single year won't be dramatic. Overseas Uma Musumes will definitely remain cautious. At worst…none of them may come."
"However, Miss 'Emperor' hasn't given up. She's sending invitations personally. Out of respect for her, some overseas Uma Musume might still accept."
"Even so, we shouldn't expect a lineup like last year's."
"Then our focus should shift—promoting Oguri Cap's return."
"It's unfortunate that her new winning outfit won't be completed until mid-December. Otherwise, we could have launched it before the Japan Cup, made a profit, and used that to subsidize the event."
"You never know," someone added. "Perhaps there are overseas Uma Musumes who want to challenge Oguri Cap—the 'French Two Crowns' winner."
Shuta An was also curious about the overseas lineup for the Japan Cup. But he knew that even if he asked Symboli Rudolf now, he wouldn't get an answer. So he simply poured himself fully into Oguri Cap's training.
His part-time job remained untouched, and from time to time, the young ladies of the Mejiro Family would come by to visit—excluding a certain Miss Mejiro Dober.
Shuta An didn't mind. He let them watch Oguri Cap train, and occasionally even invited them to join. However, after just one attempt, all of the Mejiro girls gave up.
They hadn't fully matured yet, and Oguri Cap's training—already at normal preparation intensity—was far too demanding for them to keep up with. As for Oguri Cap herself—
She found the current workload…light.
"To face domestic powerhouses and overseas rivals in the Japan Cup," she thought, sweat streaming down her body, "I must not only return to my pre-injury state—I must go beyond it."
With that conviction, the Gray Uma Musume trained even harder, her footsteps pounding the track with unwavering determination.
For now, Twinkle Series fans had their attention elsewhere. Next week's Kikuka Sho—the final leg of the Classic Triple Crown—was approaching. Known as the race where "the strongest horse wins," it was a stage destined to give birth to a new hero.
Shuta An, however, had no interest in it. Even in the Dream World, he refused riding invitations from Kikuka Sho participants.
Instead, he chose to ride three races at Tokyo Racecourse on that very day.
Among them was the main G3 race—the Negishi Stakes, a 1400-meter dirt race—where he was scheduled to ride Dyna Letter.
Anyone with half a mind could guess the owner from the name.
That's right.
Yoshida Zenya—of Shadai—through the Shadai Racehorse Club.
Yoshida Zenya hadn't forgotten his promise. After returning to Japan, he frequently sent riding invitations for club-owned horses. Shuta An had refused all of them—until now.
This was the first stakes race invitation he accepted. There was, however, another matter that had been troubling him. Trainer Setoguchi Tsutomu had recently been subtly hinting that the owner hoped Oguri Cap would participate in the Mile Championship.
Shuta An understood the implication perfectly.
On the surface, it was just one more G1 race. But the Japan Cup was only one week after the Mile Championship. Would the owner allow Oguri Cap to skip the battle afterward?
The answer was obvious.
That meant two ultra–high-intensity G1 races in consecutive weeks.
Shuta An wanted to object. But he wanted even less to be pulled off Oguri Cap's saddle. And so, lately—
The pressure he felt in the Dream World was even heavier than in reality. And on the evening of Kikuka Sho race day, within the Dream World—
After Shuta An finished his ride in the Negishi Stakes atop Dyna Letter and secured victory, he met with Trainer Setoguchi Tsutomu. At the entrance of Tokyo Racecourse, Setoguchi Tsutomu stood with a conflicted expression, clearly hesitating, his lips opening and closing as if unsure how to begin.
"Trainer Setoguchi," Shuta An spoke first, his tone calm and steady, "just say what you need to say. I'm already mentally prepared."
Indeed, he had already guessed the topic. Setoguchi Tsutomu exhaled softly.
"It's like this…after discussing things with the owner, Oguri Cap's race schedule for the remainder of this year has been finalized." He paused, then continued slowly. "He'll run the Mile Championship, then the Japan Cup, and finally the Arima Kinen. Those three races—no more, no less."
"You call that just three races?"
Shuta An frowned deeply.
Even though he had braced himself, hearing it confirmed still made his chest tighten. Oguri Cap had already competed three times in the past month alone. His physical reserves were inevitably strained. Running the Mile Championship itself might be manageable—but immediately following it with the Japan Cup?
He couldn't see how she would be able to perform at her best.
"I don't understand," Shuta An said, his voice low. "Why add the Mile Championship before the Japan Cup? I know the winner's prize money—75 million yen—is substantial, but the Japan Cup's first prize is 95 million yen. If Oguri Cap runs the Mile Championship, he will be affected in the Japan Cup. If he can't perform to his full ability there, wouldn't that be an even greater loss?"
"With Shuta-kun's ability," Setoguchi Tsutomu replied weakly, averting his gaze, "even if Oguri Cap doesn't win the Japan Cup, finishing within the top five shouldn't be a problem."
He hesitated, then added, "To be honest…this was the owner's request. I felt it would place a great burden on you, so I made a condition with him. Even if Shuta-kun fails to place top five in the Japan Cup, your position as main jockey will not be replaced."
"And Oguri Cap?" Shuta An let out a long sigh. "Trainer, you know better than anyone how damaging this kind of consecutive high-intensity racing can be—especially for a horse returning from injury. Aren't you afraid of another accident?"
His gaze sharpened.
"The lesson of Sakura Star O… surely it hasn't been forgotten."
Setoguchi Tsutomu spread his hands helplessly.
"But this is the owner's decision. In the end, we serve the owner. Any consequences…will be borne by him."
"Is there some urgent reason he's pushing Oguri Cap this hard?" Shuta An frowned. "Based on my previous impression of him, this kind of schedule doesn't fit his usual approach at all."
Silence fell between them. After a long moment, Setoguchi Tsutomu chose to change the subject—though his voice lowered.
"I've heard an unconfirmed rumor," he said. "That the owner has run into some official troubles. Cash flow problems. He urgently needs money."
He shrugged lightly.
"That's why Oguri Cap's schedule suddenly changed."
Shuta An's fingers brushed against the car keys in his pocket. He hesitated, then spoke again.
"Then…is there a way to resolve his problem?"
Setoguchi Tsutomu smiled bitterly.
"That's beyond what we can do. We can't exactly help him pay his taxes, can we?"
"Then we'll help him earn the money."
Shuta An's eyes suddenly lit up.
"I have an idea."
"Hm?" Setoguchi Tsutomu's eyes widened. "What are you planning to do, Shuta-kun?"
"The most valuable thing he has right now," Shuta An said as he began walking forward, leaving Setoguchi Tsutomu half a step behind, "is Oguri Cap."
He spoke plainly.
"So I'll find him a new owner. Let him make a large sum in one go. That should solve everything."
"A new owner?" Setoguchi Tsutomu quickened his pace to follow him. "Someone with ordinary financial strength wouldn't be able to afford that price."
"I'll start with Shadai Farm's owner," Shuta An replied without hesitation. "If that doesn't work, I'll ask other major owners I've worked with. Someone will be willing to bet on Oguri Cap's potential."
"If you hit a wall," Setoguchi Tsutomu said firmly, "I'll try as well. I know quite a few owners. There may be someone interested."
"Good." Shuta An raised his hand and made an OK gesture. "Wait for my good news. I won't let Oguri Cap take on unnecessary risks."
That night, Shuta An drove toward Ritto City.
As he passed a restaurant in Chiba Prefecture, he noticed a public phone booth nearby. After parking his car, he stepped inside and placed a call—to Yoshida Zenya, owner of Shadai.
Yoshida Zenya was clearly surprised.
Although a Shadai Racehorse Club horse had competed in the Negishi Stakes that day, he himself had remained in Hokkaido. After hearing Shuta An's proposal, he did not immediately agree.
"Oguri Cap's market value has long surpassed the original 20 million yen," Yoshida Zenya said calmly. "For us, this is a transaction that requires careful consideration. Let me think it over. I'll give you an answer by Wednesday."
"Understood." Shuta An replied evenly.
Yet in his heart, he had already treated it as a refusal.
After hanging up, he stepped out of the phone booth and exhaled slowly.
"Let's head home first…I'll contact other owners tomorrow."
Back in Hokkaido, Yoshida Zenya put down the phone and shook his head, preparing to return to work. But suddenly, his second son—Yoshida Katsumi, who was assisting with Shadai Farm's operations—spoke up.
"Father, was that Shuta-kun just now?"
"Yes," Yoshida Zenya nodded. "He wants to sell me Oguri Cap."
He continued thoughtfully, "This isn't a deal we can rush. Oguri Cap's racing value has nearly been fully extracted. As for his future breeding value…after Sunday Silence arrives in Japan next year, our resources will need to be focused there. Oguri Cap would inevitably be sidelined. This deal isn't simple."
"But I think we should try to buy him" Yoshida Katsumi said, offering a different view.
"Even if him future breeding value turns out to be a loss, it doesn't matter. We can place Oguri Cap into a one-share recruitment club. That way, the cost is distributed—it becomes a gamble with essentially zero capital risk."
Yoshida Zenya froze.
A long silence followed.
Finally, he nodded slowly. "Then you handle this matter."
"Alright!!" Yoshida Katsumi's eyes shone brightly.
As the second son, he naturally wanted to prove himself. And in his eyes, this was more than a business opportunity—It was a chance to establish a valuable connection with Shuta An.
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