Chapter 14. Regulation
Shuta An could clearly see that Silence Suzuka had made remarkable progress compared to the end of last year. However, in his judgment, this leap forward owed more to the steady advancement of Suzuka's specialization over the past month than to any brilliance in his own training methods.
"It looks like Suzuka will still need to be trained separately from the other two in the future," Shuta An reflected. "If I applied Suzuka's high-intensity regimen to Miss Dober and Teio, it would only raise their risk of injury."
His gaze unconsciously shifted toward Tokai Teio.
"Teio really is exceptional," he mused. "Even though the signs of her specialization haven't surfaced yet, she's already performing slightly better than Mejiro Dober in training."
That realization only deepened his concern. More than anything, Shuta An hoped Tokai Teio's talent would never be cut short by injury.
"I may have bragged to Dr. Grace that I wouldn't let Teio compromise her full output just to stay healthy," he thought, "but maintaining her physical condition isn't something that can be solved through training adjustments alone."
With that, he made his decision.
"After the morning training, I'll go to the Student Council office. I need Miss Rudolf to arrange a special diet for Teio—or give me the authority to handle it myself."
Bone strengthening was non-negotiable. You couldn't weaken muscles simply because they were too strong—there was no such solution.
At this moment, Tokai Teio was completely unaware that her daily meals would soon be strictly regulated for the next "few years." Even if she had known, as long as Shuta An explained it properly, she wouldn't have objected.
After all, as her Trainer, Shuta An had no intention of banning her beloved honey drinks. According to a recent report in Science, the unique polyphenols found in honey had positive effects on osteoporosis, and the gluconic acid derived from maltose also showed excellent results in improving bone density.
In other words, honey wouldn't be forbidden—on the contrary, he would encourage Teio to consume it under suitable conditions.
"And vitamin D, calcium… all of it needs proper supplementation," Shuta An muttered inwardly. "She looks like an ordinary little girl, yet her muscle strength is so overwhelming that if she exerts herself fully, her bones could be seriously damaged."
After training concluded, Shuta An dismissed Silence Suzuka and the other two from the track.
That did not mean his workday was over. In the afternoon, he still had to return to his desk to complete training logs, report on the Uma Musume's physical conditions, and submit Silence Suzuka's future arrangements.
"Thankfully, those documents only need to be written once a week," he grumbled to himself. "If it were every day, my head would explode." It certainly hadn't been this troublesome back in Kasamatsu.
Still, his top priority now was to discuss Tokai Teio's long-term dietary plan with Symboli Rudolf.
Shuta An headed straight for the Student Council office. Just as he rounded the corner, Symboli Rudolf appeared in his line of sight, a bag slung over her shoulder.
"Shuta-kun, are you looking for me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "If it's important, I'm about to head to the cafeteria. Care to join me?"
"Then I'll gladly accept," Shuta An replied with a friendly grin. "I do have something important regarding Teio that I'd like to discuss with you."
"Then come along," Symboli Rudolf said. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes at the mention of Teio, but she quickly concealed it as she turned and walked ahead.
She led him to a cafeteria area reserved exclusively for Trainers and senior academy staff. In theory, Trainers could also dine with the Uma Musume—as long as they could compete with them for food and weren't bothered by the countless stares.
Shuta An didn't have the courage for that. Given his reputation, he knew plenty of Uma Musume would likely try to corner him in the cafeteria, hoping to be recruited into his team.
This restricted area, however, was new to him. In the past, his lunches were usually taken outside the Academy or consisted of a bento Berno Light had prepared before.
"It's a blessing the office has microwaves," he thought absently as he sat down across from Symboli Rudolf. "Cold bento really doesn't taste good."
"You can speak freely here, Shuta-kun," Symboli Rudolf said. She didn't rush to order, instead fixing him with a sharp gaze. "No one will be eavesdropping."
Shuta An cleared his throat and went straight to the point.
"I hope that, for the extended period before Tokai Teio reaches full development, her diet can be strictly controlled. If Miss Rudolf is too busy, then I'd like that authority to be delegated to me."
"Why?" Symboli Rudolf asked immediately, catching the inconsistency. "Why only Tokai Teio? Why not Mejiro Dober? Is this out of consideration for the Mejiro Family?"
"Not at all," Shuta An replied calmly. "It's simply that Mejiro Dober doesn't need it. Tokai Teio does. You should remember that I said Teio's health issues must be taken seriously."
"I do," Symboli Rudolf frowned. "But isn't that true for all Uma Musume? Given Teio's current training intensity, it shouldn't be easy for her to get injured. Or—is there something I don't know?"
"Didn't I take Teio and Mejiro Dober for a physical examination?" Shuta An spread his hands. "I sent the data to a friend on the West Coast—Dr. Grace. Dober's results matched my expectations."
He paused, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"And Tokai Teio's…also matched my expectations."
"Her muscle strength is simply too high," he continued evenly. "So high that even her above-average bone strength can't keep up. Miss Rudolf, you understand what that implies, don't you?"
"If Teio goes all out…" Symboli Rudolf's voice tightened, "…her bones could be damaged?" (Three Factures, mind you!)
The question came out heavy, and the atmosphere around the table sank with it.
"Exactly." Shuta An nodded, laying out the inescapable reality. "So Dr. Grace suggested that I alter Tokai Teio's gait—using a more stamina-intensive running style to reduce the instantaneous force she exerts. That way, her bones can be protected as much as possible."
"I know her suggestion is correct," he continued, eyes closing briefly. "And it's also the simplest solution. But I'm not willing to settle for that. I don't want Teio to be held back on the stage she loves most, forced to restrain herself just to stay safe."
"Even if she smiles brilliantly after winning," the young man said quietly, clenching his fist, "it would only make me feel even more guilty."
"So I want to try—over what will certainly be a long period of time—to see whether I can remove this 'curse' that never should have been placed on her in the first place."
"Alright." Symboli Rudolf pressed her lips together. "Please give me the detailed dietary plan as soon as possible, Shuta-kun. I'll take care of the arrangements. I'll also persuade Teio personally."
"I don't think Teio will object," Shuta An replied. "She's sensible, and she understands that if it's for her future performance in the Twinkle Series, she'll put in the effort."
"To be honest," Symboli Rudolf shrugged, "if this were any other Uma Musume, I would never agree to such strict dietary control. I don't believe most of them should sacrifice their enjoyment of food for years just for a few years of glory."
"But Teio is different," Shuta An said without hesitation. "In her short life of just over a decade, all her dreams are bound to the Twinkle Series. To shine there, she's willing to make that sacrifice."
"Yes. Teio would be like this." Symboli Rudolf rose from her seat. "What would you like to eat, Shuta-kun? My treat today."
"Udon noodles," Shuta An answered immediately.
"Alright." She nodded.
In the afternoon, well-fed and in good spirits, Shuta An returned to the office and, as expected, found Mr. Kitahara still busy at his desk.
"Mr. Kitahara, you didn't eat lunch?" Shuta An glanced over, noticing that his colleague showed no sign of having eaten.
"I'll go once I finish this report," Mr. Kitahara replied without looking up. "Trainers can use the cafeteria anytime during work hours, after all."
"If there's anything you're unsure about, feel free to ask me," Shuta An said as he sat down and turned on his computer. "I'll be off once I finish this week's training notes."
"That must be nice…" Mr. Kitahara muttered. "I've got more than ten Uma Musume under me. Writing weekly reports and updates is exhausting."
"On the bright side," Shuta An replied lightly as his fingers moved across the keyboard, "the more Uma Musume you have, the more races you can enter—and the more chances there are for honors."
Mr. Kitahara rolled his eyes. "Our team isn't like yours, Ann-san. Sadalsuud only gathers elite talents. The best Uma Musume in my team has only won a single G3. Honestly…there were times I even suspected Central kept me around just to stabilize you."
"How could that be?" Shuta An laughed. "If they wanted reassurance, they wouldn't need you for that. Mr. Kitahara, you've been at Central for years. Training a G3 winner is already impressive. Plenty of Trainers never win even one major race in their entire careers."
"That may be true," Mr. Kitahara sighed, "but after spending so much time around you, I can't help feeling my own results are lacking."
"Then recruit a few more Uma Musume," Shuta An suggested deliberately. "There's bound to be a hidden gem or two."
"That's impossible!" Mr. Kitahara immediately objected. "A Trainer has to limit their numbers to ensure every Uma Musume receives proper care. You can't just raise them like gu!"
"You're absolutely right," Shuta An grinned. "How about this—next time you recruit, I'll help you evaluate candidates behind the scenes. I won't compete with you, and I won't appear in person."
"Would that really be okay?" Mr. Kitahara hesitated. "And wouldn't the Uma Musume in your team complain? Sadalsuud's numbers are already quite small."
"For me, one or two more would be just right," Shuta An said casually.
And if there were any more than that, Oguri would definitely be unhappy—this thought, however, he wisely kept to himself.
By the time Shuta An finished his weekly tasks, Mr. Kitahara was still busy writing reports for a newly recruited Uma Musume. Shuta An didn't linger. He left the office building, walked to the parking lot, and got into his car.
He didn't need to work tomorrow.
"Finally, I can rest at home for a few days," he sighed as he started the engine. "After slacking off for years, working nonstop really does take getting used to."
Despite his words, his movements were quick and practiced.
When he parked in the garage, unlocked the door, and stepped inside, the house was dark.
"What's this?" He frowned, switched on the light, and spotted a note on the coffee table.
Picking it up, he quickly scanned the familiar handwriting—it was from Berno Light.
"Oguri and I are going back to Kasamatsu until February 4th! There are some ceremonies Oguri needs to attend! Don't worry—I'll keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't cause trouble!"
"A ceremony?" Shuta An sat down and pulled out his phone, searching for news from the Tokai region related to the Twinkle Series.
He soon found the answer.
Kasamatsu Racecourse had announced that starting this year, the last Thursday of April would host the "Oguri Cap Memorial." The race would be a 2500-meter dirt event, with a winning prize of 20 million yen. In its inaugural year, it would be designated as a Tokai Region Grade 1 (SP1) race, with plans to apply for Central interleague status if standards were maintained.
"Twenty million…" Shuta An muttered. "Kasamatsu's really going all in.This money isn't coming out of Oguri's pocket, right—?"
Alarmed, he rushed upstairs to check his bank cards, confirming that the one holding a large sum was still safely in place.
Only then did he finally relax.
"Thank goodness…thank goodness." He patted his chest, letting out a long breath.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For anyone interested, or just want to support me. Hit the membership button to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModerateCitizens