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Chapter 5. Mejiro Dober's Resolve
"Honkakuka?!"
On his way out of the house, preparing to head to a used car dealership in Koto Ward, Shuta Ann murmured the word to himself.
Originally, he had assumed he wouldn't even have a chance to field a horse for the Classic Race for at least another two years. Miss Ramonu's message, however, had pulled his thoughts firmly back to Mejiro Dober.
"If she's entering Honkakuka—then if everything goes smoothly, she could debut next summer." His pace slowed unconsciously. "In that case, her race route really does need to be planned carefully."
Shuta Ann had never doubted Mejiro Dober's talent. "If her goal is to become the Uma Musume with the greatest number of honors in the Mejiro Family, then domestic races alone won't be enough. She has to set her sights on early overseas competition." He paused, then corrected himself. "But overseas races can't interfere with the domestic Classic Race."
Still, he had no intention of locking in any concrete plans yet. The exact progression of Mejiro Dober's Honkakuka was uncertain, and whether she could debut by summer remained an open question. Any race schedule drawn up now could be overturned at any time.
With that, he set those thoughts aside and drove out of the garage. If everything went smoothly, he hoped to finalize the purchase and drive the new car home today. After that, he would need to find a way to return his current car to Kasamatsu Tracen Academy.
Shuta Ann couldn't help but imagine that the Director of Kasamatsu Tracen would most likely enshrine the vehicle as a display piece.
Meanwhile, in Minato Ward, Oguri Cap stood before a brand-new sedan, deep in thought.
"It's nice, but doesn't it feel a bit…too business-like?" Berno Light leaned in and whispered her thoughts to the gray Uma Musume. "Ann doesn't really attend formal occasions that require something like this, right? It feels too serious for him. And this Toyota Century is pretty expensive. Since Ann doesn't have any particular requirements, wouldn't it be better to use that money for something else?"
"What Berno says makes sense," Oguri Cap replied. She didn't feel much attachment to the car either, so she simply passed it by.
Compared to the careful deliberation happening at the Minato Ward dealership, Shuta Ann's approach was far more straightforward. After stating his requirements, checking the interior, and having the chassis lifted to inspect its actual condition, he quickly made his decision. He drove home in a current-year Land Rover Range Rover.
"I really don't get it," Shuta Ann muttered as he drove. "Who buys a brand-new SUV and sells it after barely two hundred kilometers?" (The one in debt)
He felt as though he'd picked up a genuine bargain, and his mood was noticeably lighter.
"When I get back, I'll contact Kasamatsu and ask the Director to send someone to pick up the old car. Then I'll start sorting the ingredients." He glanced at the time. "By then, Oguri and the others should be home already, right?"
—
As Shuta Ann drove away from the academy grounds, Mejiro Dober headed to the academy garden and painted to her heart's content.
When she returned to her dormitory carrying her drawing board, she noticed an unread message from Miss Ramonu.
"She wants me to call her as soon as I see this…" Mejiro Dober frowned. "Is there something wrong with the physical exam?"
Her heart sank at the thought. "I hope it's good news. Otherwise, how am I supposed to go to the Christmas party tomorrow?"
Muttering to herself, she dialed the number.
Miss Ramonu quickly explained the situation.
"No wonder—" Mejiro Dober puffed out her cheeks. "My clothes have been getting tighter lately. I was even thinking I don't eat that much at the academy—maybe I should go on a diet?"
"You absolutely cannot diet," Miss Ramonu interrupted immediately. "During Honkakuka, proper nutrition is essential. This is for your future."
"I know, I know." Mejiro Dober stuck out her tongue. "I wouldn't do something that silly. I still know what matters most. I want to debut early and bring honor to the Mejiro Family."
Miss Ramonu fell silent for a moment before sighing softly. "Dober, your goal is different from McQueen's and Ryan's. You aren't trying to surpass the Mejiro Family's reputation as 'Endurance Mejiro.' You're aiming to surpass me. Listen to your Trainer, train diligently, protect yourself—and I look forward to seeing you become an even more formidable Uma Musume than I was."
On the other end of the line, Mejiro Dober lowered her head. "Mm," she replied quietly.
After a pause, she mentioned the invitation she had received earlier that day.
"Of course, you should go," Miss Ramonu said without hesitation. "Go home first and make sure your appearance is properly prepared. Joining Team Sadalsuud is a stroke of good fortune for you. McQueen joined a team that's still rebuilding, and Grandmother isn't very pleased about that."
"As long as Sister McQueen is happy, isn't that enough?" Mejiro Dober offered.
"You and I can think that way," Miss Ramonu replied, "but Grandmother hopes we'll join strong teams, so our paths in the Twinkle Series will be smoother."
Thinking of her own Trainer, Miss Ramonu shook her head silently.
"I understand," Mejiro Dober said firmly. "I won't waste such a rare opportunity." Only after she finished speaking did she add the rest of the sentence in her heart—whether it's the Twinkle Series, or…
After returning home, Shuta Ann contacted the Director of Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. Though it hadn't been emphasized much, the two had never lost contact. In fact, every time Oguri Cap won a race, the Director would send a congratulatory message.
This time, however, after hearing Shuta Ann's proposal, the Director raised an eyebrow and flatly refused. "No need. That's too much trouble. Just sell the car to a used dealership. Consider the money my congratulatory gift for Oguri Cap's beautiful farewell."
Shuta Ann was momentarily stunned, then accepted the offer. "Thank you for your continued care. If Kasamatsu needs me for anything in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me."
"Hm. I won't be polite about it," the Director replied with a grin.
He was pleased—Shuta Ann truly was a sentimental person.
"This can be considered a favor I'm leaving behind for Kasamatsu Racecourse," he thought quietly. "I just hope it will never be needed."
The next morning, Shuta Ann and Berno Light both rose early. The night before, by the time Oguri Cap and Berno Light returned home, Shuta Ann had already finished preparing all the ingredients that could be processed in advance.
Oguri Cap hadn't handed the car keys directly to Shuta Ann—mainly because neither she nor Berno Light could drive. Instead, they had arranged for the dealership to deliver the car today. Since the two Uma Musume rarely went into the garage, they had no idea that their thoughts had coincidentally aligned with Shuta Ann's.
"Only Dober-chan and Teio are coming today, right?" Berno Light asked as she glanced at Shuta Ann, who was carefully studying the oven's temperature settings.
"That's right. They'll come on their own. I don't need to pick them up," Shuta Ann replied, nodding with satisfaction after confirming that the temperature should be fine.
"By the way, is Miss Suzuka still in Hokkaido?" Berno Light suddenly asked, bringing up Silence Suzuka.
The young man turned his head to look at her. "Yes. I gave her some time off. Why would she return to Tokyo before her leave ends?"
"But she went to Hokkaido instead of her hometown?" Berno Light blinked.
"Her hometown is Hokkaido," Shuta Ann said, turning back to continue examining the cookie instructions. He muttered, "Berno, did you forget? We went to Hokkaido a few years ago. Didn't the proprietress of the onsen we stayed at mention her relationship with Suzuka?"
"Oh—right." Berno Light remembered at once. She stuck out her tongue, then stepped in front of Shuta Ann. "Let me handle the cakes. It's Christmas today, Ann. Don't use them as practice."
"Alright." Shuta Ann didn't insist. If the cakes failed because of him, it would be far too embarrassing. He still needed to preserve some dignity.
Although the gathering wouldn't begin until evening, Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio arrived one after the other in the afternoon.
"Good thing I prepared afternoon tea and snacks early," Shuta Ann thought with relief as he carried the refreshments to the small garden pavilion, where the four Uma Musume were already chatting.
As for himself, he had no intention of staying outside for long in this season. More importantly, his presence would likely make the Uma Musume feel restrained. So after delivering the snacks, he simply returned to the living room and turned on the TV.
Once the Trainer left, Tokai Teio lightly patted her chest and finally relaxed her tightly held posture. "It feels much easier now. I really wouldn't dare be too casual in front of the Trainer."
Mejiro Dober, by contrast, maintained her upright, composed posture. "Is the Trainer preparing the dishes for tonight? Is there anything I can help with?"
"It's still early for cooking," Berno Light replied with a smile, waving her hand. "And you're a guest today, Dober-chan. There's no reason to make a guest help. Ann and I will take care of it."
Both Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober noticed how Berno Light addressed the Trainer. Tokai Teio wasn't surprised—after all, she had already heard Silence Suzuka address him that way. To her, it was only natural.
Mejiro Dober, however, felt something subtly different. Upon hearing it, an unspoken weight seemed to lift from her heart.
This is really wonderful, she thought.
Inside the living room, Shuta Ann watched TV while idly scrolling through his phone. His mind was clear, and he had no interest in guessing what the Uma Musume outside might be chatting about.
All he wanted was to enjoy this brief lull before the kitchen became busy.
Just as the program cut to commercials, a Line message popped up on his phone.
"Ann-san, Merry Christmas!!" It was from Kitahara.
"Kitahara, Merry Christmas!" Shuta Ann replied without hesitation.
"March and I are back in Kasamatsu. Are you spending Christmas in Tokyo again this year?" Kitahara asked.
"Yes. Next year's training schedule still needs to be finalized. If I go back, I'll probably be dragged into events and interviews. I really don't have the time for all that, so I'll just stay here. The thought is what matters," Shuta Ann answered frankly.
Kitahara considered it and found the reasoning sound. Given Shuta Ann's current standing, returning to Kasamatsu would only attract relentless attention from local media—media far more eager for exclusives than those in Tokyo, which had already been "disciplined." There was no need for his friend to invite that kind of trouble.
After chatting for a while about Central Tracen Academy, Kitahara promised that once Shuta Ann officially joined, he would introduce him to the friends he had made there over the past two years.
Soon after, Shuta Ann received a call from Symboli Rudolf.
"Merry Christmas!" Her voice on the other end was unusually sweet—so much so that it felt deliberately forced.
"Miss Rudolf, please speak normally," Shuta Ann said, the corner of his mouth twitching as he teased, "That tone is a little frightening. Still, I wish you and everyone in the Student Council a Merry Christmas as well."
"Teio has arrived already, right?" Symboli Rudolf asked, returning to her usual tone.
"Yes. She's having afternoon tea in the garden," Shuta Ann replied. "Miss Dober is here as well. Thankfully, I prepared refreshments ahead of time."
"A tea party…" Symboli Rudolf shook her head lightly. "I can hardly picture Teio sitting properly like a young lady, especially given how lively she usually is."
"But Teio is very sharp. She knows how to behave depending on the situation," Shuta Ann said. "She's a good child. I hope the three goddesses smile upon her."
Leaving Teio aside, Symboli Rudolf abruptly shifted the topic. "I heard that Mejiro Dober has fully developed. Shuta-kun, what are your thoughts?"
Shuta Ann answered without hesitation. "For next year, the first half will be devoted entirely to training and preparation. I hope she can debut in the summer. As for her race schedule, that will depend on her condition at the time."
"I see." Symboli Rudolf understood the limitations. "As Student Council President, I really don't have the right to question how a Trainer arranges his Uma Musume's plans."
Still, she could tell that Shuta Ann didn't mind sharing his thoughts with her—and that realization quietly put her at ease.