Chapter 16. In Dubai
The Dubai URA Association's approach to reimbursing travel expenses was remarkably straightforward. On March 14th, they directly dispatched a dedicated Emirates Airlines aircraft to Tokyo to pick up the three participating Uma Musume along with their accompanying personnel.
"I thought we'd buy the tickets ourselves and get reimbursed afterward," Mr. Kitahara whispered to Shuta An.
"How could that be?" Shuta An's mouth twitched. "There are so many participating Uma Musume. Reimbursing everyone individually would be a nightmare. Mr. Kitahara really is overthinking it."
"Well…either way, this works out nicely." Mr. Kitahara grinned. "An Emirates Airlines private jet—something I could never afford in my entire life—and now I get to experience it for free. It feels incredible. If this gets out, Minamisaka and Nishizaki will be green with envy."
"Everyone already knows, don't they?" Shuta An muttered. "Once reporters announce the expedition, they'll definitely mention how we traveled. Before long, the whole academy will know we left on a private jet."
Trainer Tojo remained silent beside them, her gaze fixed on the Emirates Airlines jet gleaming with gold-toned accents. After boarding, the three Trainers settled the Uma Musume—though "settling" was hardly necessary. The aircraft had completely removed business class and was configured entirely with first-class cabins. Originally designed with only six first-class seats, it had been refitted so that every passenger now enjoyed a first-class suite, with several cabins still left unused.
Calling them "seats" would have been misleading. Each was effectively a private suite for a single passenger.
The seat faced a vanity table, beneath which there was ample space for a suitcase. A display screen—currently dark—could be raised from the table, though Shuta An wasn't entirely sure what all its functions were. On either side of the screen sat compact refrigerators stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks. Turning around revealed a mini wardrobe and storage cabinets, with a touchscreen beside them to control curtains and seat angles. Every detail radiated comfort.
"By the way, Ann-san," Mr. Kitahara asked from the suite directly opposite Shuta An, "have you flown first class on previous expeditions?"
"I have," Shuta An replied, taking a bottle of sparkling water from the refrigerator. He leaned back, adjusted the angle of his seat, and let out a contented sigh. "But I'm certain no airline's first class compares to this. Just for this experience alone, coming to Dubai is worth it. Other invitations don't offer service on this level."
"If I'd declined and then received photos from you, I'd probably regret it immediately," Mr. Kitahara chuckled. "Listening to your advice was indeed the right decision."
"It's never a bad thing to see more of the world," Shuta An shrugged. "And if you don't have to pay for it yourself, there's even less reason to refuse. The URA Association still has certain discriminatory rules, so for some Uma Musume who are clearly being sidelined, going overseas to race is absolutely a wise choice."
Though his words were spoken aloud, they weren't meant for Mr. Kitahara.
They were meant for Trainer Tojo, seated in the suite ahead.
Trainer Tojo was not foolish. She understood exactly what Shuta An was implying—Grass Wonder, last year's Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes winner who had been barred from the Classic Races due to her repatriated status, and El Condor Pasa, who had yet to claim a major title but unquestionably possessed the strength to contend for one.
An overseas expedition might indeed be a path forward for them. But the question of turf adaptation could only be answered by actually racing abroad. And if they went—and failed—perhaps it would have been better to remain in Japan and target the NHK Mile Cup instead.
Those were thoughts Trainer Tojo kept to herself.
Shuta An could easily guess what troubled her. Even so, he had no intention of offering unsolicited advice. Grass Wonder and El Condor Pasa were not close to him, and without that connection, there was no reason for him to interfere.
After more than ten hours in the air, the group arrived safely in Dubai.
Upon disembarking, private vehicles transported them directly to the designated accommodation for participants of the Dubai World Cup Race Day—the Armani Hotel, located within the Burj Khalifa, one of Dubai City's most iconic landmarks. (Burj Khalifa shouldn't exist in 1991; but here it is. So reader please be accommodating to some settings)
"The UAE really spared no expense to make this event a success," Shuta An murmured to Silence Suzuka as they walked near the back of the group. "A single room here costs nearly seventy thousand yen per night. With this many participants and staff, the hotel probably won't even accept outside guests during this period."
"Ann saying that only adds pressure," Silence Suzuka replied, turning her head slightly to glance at him. "They're treating us so grandly—I really have to deliver my best performance."
"It's fine, Suzuka." Shuta An raised an eyebrow. "Do you know why I adjusted your training schedule to the evenings starting in March?"
"Because of the race schedule here?" Silence Suzuka answered immediately, grasping his intent without further explanation.
"Exactly. You've already adapted before your opponents' even arrived. There's nothing to worry about." Shuta An patted her shoulder. "No matter what, we're going to win."
"Yes." Silence Suzuka curled her left hand, then stretched it out. "We will definitely seize victory."
"Two point nine million US dollars," Shuta An said with a heartfelt smile. "If we win, Suzuka won't have to worry about expedition expenses for the next two years."
The Uma Musume shook her head gently. While Tokai Teio and Mejiro Dober ahead were busy admiring their surroundings, she reached out and firmly took the hand that had just left her shoulder.
"It's not that I don't need to worry," she said softly. "It's that you don't need to worry. The future expedition expenses for both Teio and Dober can come from this."
"That won't do," Shuta An replied, shaking his head. "Before anything else, we have to win."
"I will win." Silence Suzuka squeezed his hand, then quickly released it—Tokai Teio, who had been chatting with Mayano Top Gun about the view around the Burj Khalifa, had casually glanced back.
Shuta An didn't mind her sudden retreat. Suzuka had been visibly tense, and seeking brief closeness with someone she trusted was a perfectly natural way to ease that pressure.
"And since Teio and Dober are here this time," he added, "if you need sparring partners, you can use both of them. I'm giving you full authority."
"Alright." Silence Suzuka's eyes curved into a smile, clearly pleased by the trust placed in her. "If I need them, I won't hold back."
The next day, while Tokai Teio was preparing to head out and explore Dubai with Mayano Top Gun, Shuta An and Silence Suzuka were already on their way to Meydan Racecourse—the venue for the Dubai World Cup Race Day later that month—traveling in a special car arranged by the Dubai URA Association.
"They get to enjoy themselves, but we don't," Shuta An said, glancing at the Uma Musume beside him. "Bear with it for now. After the race, I'll give Suzuka half a month to properly explore the UAE."
"It won't take that long," Silence Suzuka replied with a light wave of her hand. "Dubai doesn't need half a month to see, does it? A week of vacation would be just right for me."
"That works too." Shuta An nodded. "Teio and Dober would probably be happy with that as well."
"Well…it's just the two of us now," Silence Suzuka tilted her head slightly. "Ann, please pay more attention to me."
"Naturally." Seizing the moment, Shuta An ruffled her hair. "Today we'll focus on recovery training. We just got off the plane yesterday—high-intensity work right now would be asking for an injury."
"Five easy laps jogging around Meydan should be enough. After that, Suzuka can head back to the hotel and rest properly." He paused, then added, "Taiki Shuttle didn't bother you last night, did she? She seemed quite interested in talking with you."
"Not really," Silence Suzuka replied with a smile. "She's enthusiastic, but she knows her limits. When she noticed I was tired, she didn't keep pestering me." She stretched lightly. "I'll do my warm-up first, then go for a jog."
"I'll prepare a wet towel and a sports drink," Shuta An said, nodding as he turned to leave.
Silence Suzuka watched his retreating back, lips pursed slightly.
"A week?" she murmured under her breath.
In truth, there was no need for Shuta An to prepare anything himself. After a brief greeting with the Dubai URA Association staff, someone promptly brought over both the towel and the drink.
Even so, Shuta An insisted on holding them personally, waiting for Silence Suzuka to finish her jog. After politely dismissing the staff, he looked around and realized that, for the moment, Meydan Racecourse was occupied only by the two of them.
"Everyone else must still be adjusting to the time difference…or maybe they're out shopping," he thought. "In the end, it's just Suzuka and me who came here first."
"I really hope our efforts are rewarded this time…" He let out a quiet sigh. "Suzuka hasn't tasted victory in over half a year."
Unable to remain still, Shuta An began walking slowly along the dirt track, his gaze constantly shifting toward the turf course.
As his feet pressed into the track surface, he carefully examined the structure of Meydan's Turf Classic course.
"The turns are very gentle, which reduces pressure on late-surge Uma Musume," he analyzed silently. "And there's no Slope Road here, so front-runners don't need to worry about excessive energy drain in the latter stages. The 1800-meter Dubai Turf starts with a long straight as well, making it easier for Uma Musume from various gate positions to secure their preferred spots. Overall, it's a fairly neutral course."
After completing a full lap, Shuta An reached his initial conclusion. But because it was only "fairly" neutral, he quickly noticed a more subtle detail.
"The grass moisture content is extremely low—understandable, given the desert environment. But from the exit of the turn to the final straight, the surface is surprisingly flat…" His eyes sharpened. "The implication is obvious."
"If I'm not mistaken, this year's Turf Classic course heavily favors front-runners—no, more than that, it favors outright runaway leaders." Excitement flared in his eyes. "That means Suzuka's chances here are even higher."
The realization sent a thrill through him, but he immediately forced himself to calm down.
"I can't be sure yet. I can't tell Suzuka until I verify it." Steeling his expression, Shuta An turned and walked toward Silence Suzuka, who had just finished her jog.
"Ha…thank you, Ann." Silence Suzuka took the towel, gently wiping her face before smiling brightly at him. "So? You've already figured out most of the Turf Classic course, haven't you?"
Of course, she had noticed what he was doing. Even while jogging, a few glances were enough to grasp his intentions.
"I have a hypothesis," Shuta An admitted, "but I can't confirm it yet. There's a race here in three days. After observing that, I'll know whether I'm right. If everything checks out, I'll tell you then."
"Then I hope your conclusion is correct," Silence Suzuka said softly. She twisted open the cap of the sports drink and handed it to him. "Ann, you drink first?"
"I'm not thirsty," Shuta An replied, gently pushing it back. "Right now, it's more important for Suzuka to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes."
Silence Suzuka obediently drank about half the bottle, then handed it back. "That's enough for me."
Seeing her insistence, Shuta An accepted it. Carefully gripping the rim with his thumb and forefinger to avoid direct contact, he took a small sip.
As expected, the taste was unpleasant—salty, slightly astringent, with a faint sweetness underneath.
"It's impressive that you drank half of this in one go," Shuta An commented after swallowing.
"There's no helping it," Silence Suzuka replied. "If you want to replenish electrolytes efficiently, this really is the best option. The staff here in Dubai put some thought into it." She glanced toward the distant Meydan staff who were beginning to tidy the grounds. "We should head back now."
"Yes, the car the Dubai URA Association arranged for us is still waiting outside," Shuta An agreed, stepping forward first. "Let's go—lunch, then a good rest."
"Mhm, mhm!" Silence Suzuka followed closely. "I wonder if Dober-chan and Teio are enjoying their shopping."
"I imagine they're already carrying huge bags and preparing to come back loaded," Shuta An said lightly. "Dubai has far too many duty-free shops. I still need to buy everything Oguri and the others asked for."
"Then let's wait until after the race. I'll go with you," Silence Suzuka said.
Shuta An paused, then waved his hand. "No need. Suzuka doesn't have to come along. That's my own private business."
At those words, Silence Suzuka closed her eyes and sighed inwardly.
"We both know what you mean…but Ann's bluntness really is irritating."
She puffed out her cheeks slightly and fell silent, no longer responding.
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