While Shuta An was quietly sorting through the tangled matters surrounding Silence Suzuka and Trainer Tojo Hana, another conversation was unfolding far away—within Central Tracen Academy.
Inside Team Rigil's activity room, Silence Suzuka and Tojo Hana sat facing one another across the low table. Morning light filtered through the windows, illuminating the stillness between them.
The silence lingered, heavy and restrained, until Tojo Hana finally spoke.
"Suzuka…you should understand why I called you here so early."
"Hm," Suzuka replied softly. "Is it to discuss my next race?"
"Exactly." Tojo Hana nodded. "Your debut—a 1600-meter turf race—went extremely well. However, since our primary objective next year is the Classic Races, we must begin extending your distance. Taking into account the demands of the first crown, the Satsuki Sho, I'm planning to enter you in the Kaleido Flower Award—a 2000-meter turf one-win class race at Nakayama in early December."
"Not the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes?" Suzuka's eyes widened slightly. "I thought we would aim for the Asahi Hai."
"Do you want to?" Tojo Hana asked calmly. "The reason I didn't choose the Asahi Hai is simple—Suzuka, you've only raced once. A G1 at this stage would be too demanding. I want you to progress step by step."
"So instead, a 2000-meter one-win class race," Suzuka murmured, tilting her head. "Alright. If that's what you believe is best, then I have no objections."
Her voice was flat—so flat that, for a fleeting moment, Tojo Hana felt as though Suzuka were discussing another Uma Musume's schedule entirely. With that, the carrot-haired horse girl rose from the sofa. Just as she reached the door, Tojo Hana called out once more.
"Honestly, Suzuka…what do you think of Team Rigil now?"
Suzuka halted.
The answer itself wasn't difficult. Despite the earlier dispute over her debut timing—and despite dragging Shuta An from Team Sadalsuud into that argument—her days in Team Rigil had been warm. Taiki Shuttle often pulled her along on shopping trips, and the senior members treated her without prejudice or distance.
"I really like everyone in Team Rigil," Suzuka answered without hesitation.
But that wasn't what Tojo Hana truly wanted to hear.
"What about me?" the trainer asked gently. "What do you think of me, as your trainer?"
"There's nothing to think about," Suzuka replied as she resumed walking. "You are my trainer. That's all."
The door closed behind her with a quiet click. The words themselves were not a rejection, yet Tojo Hana closed her eyes and let out a long, weary sigh.
"Perhaps—I should let her challenge the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes after all," she murmured. "Either to make her understand her limits—or to achieve a result that finally earns her trust."
The thought only deepened her exhaustion.
"If it were Shuta-kun," she muttered bitterly, "he wouldn't have to struggle like this. Oguri Cap trusts him completely."
What Tojo Hana didn't realize was that Silence Suzuka hadn't left. Standing just outside the door, the carrot-haired horse girl heard every word.
"Next, I still need to correct Suzuka's racing habits," Tojo Hana continued inside. "With her ability, relying solely on a front-running style is far too wasteful. If she transitions to a leading strategy, her ceiling will rise even higher."
Suzuka pressed her lips together. Without making a sound, she stepped away from the door and disappeared down the corridor.
—
For Shuta An and Team Sadalsuud, the coming month would be one of near-total seclusion—everything devoted to preparations for the Japan Cup.
"I've finished organizing the information on this year's overseas Uma Musume," Shuta An announced during breakfast one morning. "Once Oguri finishes training and gets some rest, I'll go through it all with you."
"Okay," Oguri Cap replied, lifting her head to meet his gaze.
"I want to listen too!" Berno Light raised her hand eagerly. "Ann, I've done some analysis myself. I want to see where my conclusions differ from yours."
"No problem," Shuta An agreed without hesitation. Training Berno Light as his assistant was already part of his plans—there was no reason to refuse.
After Oguri Cap completed her training, showered, dried her hair, and changed into casual clothes, she came downstairs to find Shuta An already seated at the table with his laptop open. Berno Light sat to his right, her own laptop at the ready.
Oguri Cap took the seat to his left.
And thus, the analysis began.
"Strictly speaking," Shuta An said, setting the tone, "this year's lineup is not weaker than last year's. However, it does lack the same star power. Even among Arc de Triomphe winners, Tony Bianca's reputation far eclipses Callies Room's, whose past success was largely confined to Germany."
He then moved through the overseas contenders, one by one.
"Thief Crow(Hawkster)—three-time G1 winner, including an American turf G1 this year. But she's never raced over 2400 meters."
"Eve Binty(IbnBey)—she has a G1 win this season, but whether she can adapt to Tokyo's turf remains uncertain."
"Obey Your Master(Pay the Butler)—I don't think I need to explain her. Oguri, you know her strength well."
"Run to the Top(TopSunrise)—the winner of the final leg of this year's French Two Crowns. Stamina shouldn't be an issue at 2400 meters, but if the track turns firm and the pace accelerates, her adaptability is questionable."
"Callies Room(Carrol House)—two G1 wins this year, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc. However, her only 2400-meter victory came in a slow-paced Arc. Compared to Tony Bianca, her threat is significantly smaller."
"Satias(Assatis)—no need for concern. At best, she's G2 level. The Italian Twinkle Series isn't what it used to be."
Finally, Shuta An's expression grew serious.
"And then there's Folkqueen(Horlicks)."
He paused.
"She gives me a very contradictory impression," he said slowly. "I'll explain in detail when we focus on her specifically."
"Okay," Oguri Cap nodded.
Berno Light, however, frowned slightly. "Folkqueen…is there something about her that I've overlooked?"
After the brief overview, Shuta An tapped the screen lightly, highlighting two names.
"Strictly speaking," he said calmly, "aside from Obey Your Master, these two are the ones we need to be most wary of—FolkQueen and Thief Crow."
Berno Light frowned in confusion. "But Ann, when you introduced them earlier, didn't you specifically say that the 2400-meter distance at Tokyo Racecourse is an unknown for both of them? Especially FolkQueen—most of her major achievements are between 1200 and 1600 meters. Can a short-distance Uma Musume like that really handle 2400 meters?"
Shuta An paused for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Good question. Let's start with Thief Crow."
He operated the computer a few times, bringing up footage from Thief Crow's most recent American turf G1 victory—the Oaks Stakes.
"This race was held at Santa Anita Park," he explained, "2400 meters. The runner-up was Obey Your Master."
Even before the video began, Oguri Cap's eyes sharpened. "She beat Obey Your Master head-on, from the front?"
Her interest was instantly piqued.
As the Uma Musume who had stolen the Japan Cup victory from an explosively performing Obey Your Master the previous year, Oguri Cap understood that rival's strength better than anyone.
"If Obey Your Master has improved again this year," Oguri continued seriously, "then Thief Crow is definitely someone we can't ignore."
"Exactly," Shuta An replied. "In every Twinkle Series race she's run in America, Thief Crow used a front-running strategy. That means she'll inevitably clash with Free Runner for the lead. Considering her adaptability to Tokyo Racecourse, Free Runner should secure the front—but the pace of this year's Japan Cup will almost certainly be extremely fast."
Oguri Cap immediately voiced her conclusion. "So you want me to hold back and make a late charge this time? A closing strategy?"
Shuta An shook his head without hesitation.
"No. This Japan Cup, I don't want you closing from behind. On the contrary—I want you to secure a solid Senko position."
"Huh?" Both Oguri Cap and Berno Light were taken aback.
"Why a Senko tactic?" Berno Light blurted out. "If the pace is that fast, forcing a Senko position will drain stamina. That could weaken the final burst, right?"
"You're both correct," Shuta An said, raising a finger. "But the explanation comes later."
He shifted the topic smoothly. "Next, the other overseas Uma Musume. I'll save FolkQueen for last—your questions will be answered then."
"Eve Binti," he continued, "is clearly suited only for heavy tracks. Unfortunately, based on the weather forecast, Tokyo's turf on race day will likely be firm. To avoid a direct final-burst confrontation with you, she'll probably try to grab a forward position early. That also means she's very likely to get dragged into the lead battle between Free Runner and Hawkster."
"Run to the Top," Shuta An went on, "won the Royal Oaks, a European long-distance G1 where the early pace is extremely slow—sometimes almost crawling through the first 1000 meters. But this Japan Cup won't be like that. With a fast early pace, she'll likely be left behind at the start. Oguri, once that happens, you don't need to worry about her at all. There's a ninety-nine percent chance she won't even interact with you during the race."
"Callies Room," he said next, his expression turning more serious, "this year's Arc de Triomphe winner—frankly speaking, she's also a heavy-track specialist. I've reviewed her races—her starts aren't great. I doubt she'll risk front-running here. Most likely, she'll choose a Senko position as well. Oguri, be careful not to get into physical contact with her. She's German—body-to-body contention would only play to her strengths."
"I understand," Oguri Cap replied, nodding firmly.
"As for Satias," Shuta An said with little hesitation, "she's essentially G2 level by European standards. She'll probably sit mid-pack. Oguri, when you accelerate early to gain position, try to pass her as soon as possible. If you get stuck behind her during the sprint phase, her deceleration could block your line."
He pouted slightly. "Personally, I think she'll be the last among the overseas Uma Musume this year."
"Ann is really pessimistic about her," Berno Light laughed. "Same here—I think Satias is the weakest too."
"I imagine everyone's opinion is the same," Shuta An said, reaching out to ruffle Berno Light's hair. "Now—let's get to the main point."
His tone sharpened.
"Folkqueen. This is the overseas Uma Musume I believe Oguri needs to be most cautious of."
After taking a sip of water, Shuta An queued up a series of race videos—every Twinkle Series victory FolkQueen had achieved.
"I've marked her number before each race," he said as the footage began. "Oguri, focus on how she performs in each one."
"Okay," Oguri Cap replied, her gaze locking onto the screen.
For the next ten minutes, silence filled the living room. Oguri Cap and Berno Light watched intently as the footage played, while Shuta An stepped away to pour himself a cup of tea, murmuring quietly to himself.
"She should notice it."
When he returned, Oguri Cap lifted her head, eyes sharp with realization.
"When FolkQueen raced in the Southern Hemisphere," she said slowly, "she never once fully exhausted her stamina, did she?"
Shuta An smiled.
"Exactly. Every race, she displayed top-tier explosiveness—but her stamina was artificially capped by the distance. She can absolutely handle 2400 meters. And considering her results on firm tracks down south, I suspect she'll use her talent to run in a Senko position here."
He looked straight at Oguri Cap.
"That's why I want you Lead as well. Whether it's 1200, 1600, or even 2000 meters, FolkQueen can consistently deliver a final 3F in the 34-second range on firm turf. I'm confident she can do the same in the Japan Cup."
He paused.
"Your closing explosiveness, Oguri, is in the 33-second range—but only when you close from behind. If you hold back and try to chase her down late—I can't guarantee you'll catch her."
The reasoning was clear. Precise. Unavoidable.
Oguri Cap clenched her fists. "I'll secure a strong Senko position. And I'll mark FolkQueen."
"I believe you can," Shuta An said as he sat back down. "After this, I'll see if Miss Mejiro Ramonu can help arrange some strong sparring partners—so you can practice marking tactics properly."
"Thank you, Ann," Oguri Cap said softly.
Shuta An wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling faintly. "What's there to thank me for? I'm your trainer. It's my responsibility to bring out all of your strength."
He leaned closer. "If you really insist on thanking me—"
Berno Light pouted and promptly reached out, pinching his waist.
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