Chapter 3. Shuta An's Invitation
After waking up, Shuta An felt a hollow ache in his chest—a lingering sense of loss that refused to fade.
"It was just a dream," he murmured, lowering his head as if to console himself. With effort, he redirected his thoughts toward the rewards he had obtained for winning the Arima Kinen in the Dream World.
"'Seek Opportunity'…After use, on that day, you can encounter a potential Uma Musume who has not yet joined any team."
The corner of Shuta An's mouth twitched. "Good heavens. In the Dream World, I send off a retiring Oguri—and then I'm given a chance to meet a new Uma Musume."
Yet he had no intention of using it now—nor anytime soon.
"If I'm going to use it, it'll be next spring." He shook his head lightly. "Missing next year's Classic Race doesn't matter. What matters is training Silence Suzuka into the runner I envision."
After washing up, Shuta An changed into loungewear and went downstairs, turning on the television in the living room.
Yesterday had been Oguri Cap's retirement race. Naturally, he was curious how the media was evaluating it. A few minutes later, cheeks faintly flushed, Shuta An hastily switched to a variety show.
"This is too exaggerated—" He rubbed his face. "I know Oguri's achievements are incredible, but isn't this a bit much?"
NHK—who had caused Oguri Cap no small amount of trouble in the Dream World—was airing a special feature on her and had even announced plans for a full documentary. TV Asahi went on at length about Oguri Cap's contribution to revitalizing the Japanese economy that year. Even TV Tokyo, which usually kept its distance from such hype, was replaying yesterday's Arima Kinen.
Once again, Shuta An realized something unsettling.
He might never train an Uma Musume like Oguri Cap again.
"Will I really be able to nurture another Uma Musume like her?" The doubt surfaced before he could stop it.
He forcibly dismissed the thought—because Oguri Cap came downstairs.
Berno Light was still asleep, which meant cooking now fell to him. Otherwise, once the Gray Uma Musume got hungry, the household's food reserves might not survive the morning.
"Ann, do you have work today?" Oguri Cap asked, yawning as she picked up the remote and switched channels. She clearly wasn't interested in the detective drama that had been on.
"Even though it's Christmas Eve, I still need to go to Central Tracen Academy," Shuta An replied while chopping celery. "I want to check on Teio and the others' training."
"I see…" Oguri Cap switched to NHK, watching footage of her own race from the previous day. She blinked once.
"The Arima Kinen prize money should be credited today," Shuta An said casually. "Use that card when you go shopping."
"I know," Oguri Cap replied, eyes still fixed on the screen. "Ann, do you need anything?"
"Just Christmas ingredients. Berno and I can get those nearby later. Buy whatever you want," Shuta An said. If it weren't for the many goals he still had as a Trainer, he could practically begin a quiet retirement already.
Oguri Cap's ears twitched.
"Christmas…" she thought silently. "I should prepare a gift for Ann. I'll look for something good with Berno today. Berno should have ideas."
After breakfast, Shuta An was the first to leave, driving toward Central Tracen Academy. He wasn't worried about finding Tokai Teio or Mejiro Dober. At this hour, he was certain both would be training.
Thanks to his upcoming appointment, Symboli Rudolf had issued him a temporary pass. With it, he entered the academy unimpeded and made his way—by habit—to the number one training field.
As expected, Tokai Teio was running laps, while Mejiro Dober warmed up in a corner.
Not wanting to distract them, Shuta An sat quietly on a bench by the track, choosing to wait.
Tokai Teio, fully immersed in her training, didn't notice him at all until she completed her prescribed laps. Only when she slowed to rest did she finally see him.
"Trainer~!" Realizing Mejiro Dober was nearby, she lowered her voice. "Why are you here? It's Christmas Eve—shouldn't you be resting?"
"Aren't you two training as well?" Shuta An raised an eyebrow lightly. "I came to check on you."
He studied her briefly, then nodded. "I'm glad to see you're consciously reducing your training intensity, Teio. With your talent, you don't need excessive strain. Maintain your running sense, avoid injury, and your future will be bright."
"Mm.Mm." Tokai Teio nodded seriously. "Only if I stay healthy can I stand on the stage and win."
"That's exactly right." Shuta An smiled and patted her shoulder. "The luckiest Uma Musume are those who stay injury-free. If Oguri hadn't been injured twice, her achievements would've gone even further. If you want to catch up to her, your health comes first."
Tokai Teio's eyes sparkled, her voice firm. "I'll become the strongest Uma Musume my Trainer has ever trained!"
Shuta An only smiled. Tokai Teio's talent was undeniable—but surpassing Oguri Cap was no simple matter, even in his eyes.
"Then you'll need to work even harder," he said gently.
Not far away, Mejiro Dober witnessed the exchange. After hesitating briefly, she turned back to her training.
"I can't stop just because the Trainer is here," she muttered to herself. "If I did, he'd definitely be disappointed."
Although she clearly wanted to continue chatting with her Trainer, after resting sufficiently, Tokai Teio ultimately chose to resume her required exercises.
Shuta An, meanwhile, stood up and left the training ground. He felt slightly thirsty, and it would have been inappropriate to use Tokai Teio's water bottle directly, so he could only step outside to buy a bottle of water.
Mejiro Dober, distracted by her own thoughts, noticed his departure.
"Is the Trainer leaving already? Does that mean he only came today to talk with Tokai Teio?" A sense of grievance welled up in her chest, and she unconsciously puffed out her cheeks.
However, as a reserve Uma Musume, Mejiro Dober could not bring herself to chase after him. She could only suppress her dissatisfaction for the moment and continue training, cheeks still slightly puffed as she ran.
A few minutes later, Shuta An returned.
Seeing that Mejiro Dober was still training, he simply sat back down in his original spot. Even if she hadn't witnessed his earlier conversation with Tokai Teio, he had no intention of showing favoritism. As a Trainer, fairness toward every Uma Musume under his charge was not merely a virtue—it was a responsibility. Favoritism was a serious dereliction of duty.
Of course, Shuta An understood that some Trainers showed bias when faced with vastly different levels of performance. But the Uma Musume before him were all top-tier talents within the Academy. He had no reason—and no excuse—to do something so contemptible.
"If I can conduct targeted training to address their weaknesses before they fully mature," he thought, "then once they truly step onto the racecourse, the benefits will be immense."
With that in mind, the Young man carefully observed Mejiro Dober's current condition. As for Tokai Teio, he was in no hurry. In the Dream World, she would be his primary partner for years to come; any issues would inevitably reveal themselves there.
So for now, his attention remained on Mejiro Dober—someone he had yet to encounter in the Dream World.
After completing another set of training with full concentration, Mejiro Dober's gaze drifted back toward the sidelines.
This time, she noticed that her Trainer had returned. For reasons she couldn't quite articulate, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. She pressed her lips together, stomped her foot once, and then walked toward him. Unlike Tokai Teio, who would approach directly, Mejiro Dober stopped about five steps away.
"Trainer, good morning," she said, bowing politely.
"Good morning, Miss Dober." Shuta An smiled and nodded, calmly returning her courtesy.
In truth, Mejiro Dober disliked her own name. "Dober" didn't sound like a girl's name to her at all. Yet she had no right to change it, and could only accept it reluctantly.
Aside from her family, whenever others called her by name, a subtle discomfort would rise within her—except in two cases.
One was Agnes Digital.
The other was the Young man seated before her.
As for Agnes Digital, Mejiro Dober could justify it to herself: they shared interests, got along well, and Agnes was younger—it made sense to be lenient.
But Shuta An was different.
The first time they met alone, when he called her name, Mejiro Dober realized she didn't dislike it. She couldn't explain why.
"Miss Dober, you're spacing out." Shuta An raised a finger and waved it lightly in front of her eyes.
"Ah!" She snapped back to reality and instinctively stepped back.
"Sorry—did I startle you?" Shuta An asked, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"It's fine…It's my fault," Mejiro Dober replied, awkwardly averting her gaze. "I was just thinking…today is Christmas Eve."
"It is." Shuta An nodded. "So later, when Teio comes over, there's something I want to tell both of you."
Mejiro Dober's heart leapt, though her expression remained composed. "Trainer, you watched my training just now. Is there anything I need to improve?"
"One session isn't enough to judge," Shuta An said, shrugging. "After I officially join Central next year, I'll have both you and Teio undergo a period of training assessments and physical examinations. Then I'll carefully analyze which areas you each need to strengthen."
"Trainer." Mejiro Dober placed her right hand over her chest, her tone turning solemn. "I have a request."
"What kind of request?" Shuta An asked calmly. He didn't expect anything unreasonable.
"I know I can't run long distances, and I can't live up to the title of 'Endurance Mejiro,'" she said firmly. "But I want to become the Uma Musume who wins the most G1 races for the Mejiro Family. Can you help me achieve that?"
"That's not a request." Shuta An shook his finger gently. "Helping the Uma Musume I train achieve the highest honors is inherently my duty. Even if you hadn't said it, I would still do everything I can to help you win multiple G1s—of course, that also depends on your own effort, Miss Dober."
"I am the Trainer, and you are the Uma Musume I am responsible for. On the stage of the Twinkle Series, we move together—like I said before two people running a three-legged race. I will give you everything I have to guide you, and you must give everything you have to prove yourself."
"If you can do that, then I don't think any goal will be difficult to achieve."
His tone was sincere—and he truly meant every word.
"I understand." Mejiro Dober answered solemnly. "I will work even harder."
"As for the request you mentioned earlier," Shuta An smiled, shifting the topic, "let's revise it."
"Other than that, I can't think of anything right now." She glanced aside. "May I save it for later?"
"Of course." Shuta An grinned.
"Thank you, Trainer." Mejiro Dober gave a small, proper curtsy.
"Trainer, what were you talking about with Dober?" Tokai Teio's voice sounded from behind her.
"We were discussing her goals," Shuta An replied calmly. "Teio, have you finished your training for today? The volume looks just right—any more and you'd risk overdoing it."
"Mhm! I was planning to head back to the dorm anyway." Tokai Teio had intended to run a few more laps, but immediately agreed after hearing her Trainer's words.
"Perfect. Since both of you are here." Shuta An clapped his hands lightly. "If you're free tomorrow evening, would you like to come to my place for a Christmas party?"
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