Chapter 21. Proposal
1:48.7.
After Silence Suzuka crossed the finish line, this number flashed on the timer beside the giant screen at Meydan Racecourse, its frame engraved with the names of sponsors.
"An 1800-meter race in 1:48.7… this pace is truly terrifying," Kitahara murmured with a sigh. He was well aware of the difference between Dubai's timing system and Japan's. In other words, if Silence Suzuka's result were converted to Japanese timing, it would likely fall somewhere between 1:46.7 and 1:47.0.
A finishing time of that caliber, even if placed in the Mainichi Okan—the most prestigious 1800-meter turf race in the Twinkle Series—would still be competitive enough to contend for victory. What's more, Tokyo Racecourse was even faster than Meydan in terms of turf conditions. Under identical circumstances, Silence Suzuka's time there would only be quicker.
"It's hard to imagine—" one reporter muttered. "In the Hong Kong International Cup last December, Silence Suzuka was eventually caught after being marked in by Val Prince and the local Uma Musume. And now, just four months later, she's crushed the field at Meydan with a seven-length lead, utterly merciless. They say that after the Hong Kong race, Team Sadalsuud's Trainer gave her nearly a full month off. That means this transformation came from just over three months of training—she's practically a different Uma Musume."
The reporter frowned deeply. "So who exactly was it that drove Team Sadalsuud's Trainer out of the West Coast back then? That was going way too far, wasn't it?!"
On this topic, the American reporters who already knew the truth chose not to comment. Although Shuta An's results were exceptional, the Trainer he defeated on the West Coast also had solid achievements. Everyone in the industry depended on one another to survive, and no one wanted to offend either side.
Shuta An, however, couldn't be bothered with their discussions. After watching Silence Suzuka receive her trophy from the President of the Dubai URA Association, he smiled and prepared to go greet her.
"Hey, wait—there's no Winning Live, is there?" Taiki Shuttle suddenly realized. "And no staff told me to get ready for one."
"That's right, there isn't," Tokai Teio replied, having once browsed the Dubai URA Association's official website out of boredom. "They say it's a local custom, and they ask foreign spectators to understand why there's no Winning Live."
"Local custom, huh…" Taiki Shuttle glanced around the venue. "I've got a feeling that custom will loosen up in the future."
"Exactly!" Tokai Teio nodded vigorously. "There are still two races left in this Dubai World Cup. If everything goes smoothly, it's definitely going to shake up the industry."
"The prize money is high, the treatment for participating Uma Musume and their accompanying staff is excellent, and the on-site atmosphere is incredibly enthusiastic," Tojo Hana added with a professional assessment. "As long as it continues long-term, this will absolutely become a global event everyone looks forward to every March. If they invite our team again next year, I'd gladly come back."
"Same here," Kitahara agreed, nodding—only for a bitter smile to appear immediately after. "But barring any surprises, this will be Hayate Fubuki's final year in the Twinkle Series. It's hard to imagine our team having another Uma Musume who could be invited next year."
"Have some faith—in yourself, and in the Uma Musume you've trained," Tojo Hana said, raising an eyebrow. "Who knows? Someone might make a breakthrough this year."
After all, only Hayate Fubuki had yet to compete. Even though Japan's dirt-track level wasn't particularly strong, both Tojo Hana and Kitahara still held onto hope. If they could follow in the victorious footsteps of Taiki Shuttle and Silence Suzuka—then this year would truly be a bountiful harvest for Team Japan in Dubai. In that case, Central Tracen Academy's team would likely receive even more invitations next year.
After Shuta An escorted Silence Suzuka back, the Dubai Sheema Classic began.
Stowaway, having learned from Silence Suzuka's winning strategy, decisively chose to seize the lead from the start.
The other Uma Musume were unwilling to fall behind, but considering the grueling 2400-meter distance, none of them dared to pressure Stowaway too aggressively.
That hesitation allowed Stowaway to lead from start to finish, claiming victory in the inaugural Dubai Sheema Classic by half a length.
Shuta An turned to Tokai Teio. "If there's a chance in the future, Teio, why don't you come run this race too? By the time you officially debut, this race will probably have already been upgraded to a G1."
"If I run this race," Tokai Teio countered instead of agreeing outright, "with Trainer's habits, doesn't that mean I won't be able to enter the Spring Tenno Sho? There's only a one-month gap."
"That's right," Shuta An admitted without hesitation. "If possible, I want the Kikuka Sho to be the first long-distance race you enter in the Twinkle Series—and ideally, the last one, aside from the Arima Kinen."
"But that's the Spring Tenno Sho!" Tokai Teio exclaimed, eyes wide. "I don't want to miss such an important race, especially McQueen always tell me about it as her goal!"
"The Breeders' Cup Classic is the pinnacle of dirt racing worldwide," Shuta An said solemnly, "but it isn't a suitable stage for you, Teio—so I won't enter you. The same goes for the 3200-meter Spring Tenno Sho at Kyoto. I don't think it suits you either. Of course, I know you have your own thoughts on this."
He paused, then made a proposal. "When the Kikuka Sho comes, if you can win by more than two lengths, I'll enter you in the Spring Tenno Sho."
"Deal! Trainer!" Tokai Teio immediately extended her right pinky finger. "Let's make it a pinky promise!"
"Alright."
Shuta An felt an urge to retort that Tokai Teio didn't need to worry about him going back on his word in front of so many people. But since she had suggested it, he didn't refuse.
He extended his left pinky finger, hooking it with hers.
"I'll absolutely prove my long-distance adaptability!" Tokai Teio declared, her voice brimming with confidence.
Shuta An glanced at Tokai Teio's long-distance adaptability rating—still only a 'C' on the attribute viewer—and felt just as confident himself. (She is B right in long distance? Is it because she is in her growing stage?")
Today, in the Dubai World Cup—the main event of Dubai World Cup Race Day—Hayate Fubuki ultimately finished fifth, just half a length behind the fourth-place finisher, Benba, last year's Irish Champion Stakes winner.
Unable to seize the lead, she was forced to race from the front-running group, relying solely on grit and resilience to endure until the very end. Though she failed to advance further, securing a place within the top five was already more than respectable. The accompanying prize money—$360,000—was enough to leave Kitahara overjoyed.
"Three hundred and sixty thousand dollars!" Kitahara clenched his fist tightly. "That's more than the winner's prize for the Teio Sho! I'm not taking a single cent of commission—this money all goes to Hayate Fubuki!"
"This is the first time an Uma Musume from Central Tracen Academy has competed in an overseas dirt Twinkle Series," Tojo Hana added calmly. "And finishing fifth is absolutely an encouraging result for dirt-track Uma Musume. Perhaps, in the future, we'll see more of them heading overseas to challenge dirt races."
"The turf-over-dirt bias back home is extremely serious," Shuta An shrugged. "There isn't even a single dirt G1. Something needs to change. But those slow-thinking people at the URA Association probably won't take action for at least a few more years."
"Not necessarily," Tojo Hana glanced at the young man meaningfully. "Shuta-kun should be aware of his current standing within the Academy. Using that influence appropriately is not a bad thing."
"You're right," Shuta An replied after a brief pause, accepting the reminder. "When I return home, I'll bring this up with Miss Rudolph. Dirt Uma Musume deserve proper respect. They shouldn't continue being ignored to the point where even local races offer better returns than Central."
Once the day's races concluded, with no Winning Live to prepare for, Shuta An sent the three Uma Musume under his care back to the hotel to rest. He alone attended the celebration banquet.
Silence Suzuka's absence disappointed many of the guests. Yet no one dared to voice dissatisfaction behind Shuta An's back. In fact, aside from him, none of the winning Uma Musume—or their related staff—were present at the banquet.
Regarding this, Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum smiled wryly at Shuta An.
"Before the banquet began, I thought this event had been a great success. But it seems that isn't entirely the case."
"It's not dissatisfaction with the competition," Shuta An replied evenly. "The Uma Musume are simply exhausted after racing. Attending a party isn't appropriate for them. As for those who lost—unless they were mentally prepared beforehand, it would only make them uncomfortable."
"You're absolutely right. This was our oversight," Al Maktoum shrugged. "We assumed everyone would enjoy exchanging pleasantries after the races. Next year, we'll revise the arrangements."
"Next year—" Shuta An thought of Mejiro Dober, who should be making her debut this season, and shook his head with a helpless smile. "Unfortunately, next year, it's likely that only Silence Suzuka from my team will be able to compete."
"That's quite all right," Al Maktoum grinned. "In fact, next year our association plans to attempt upgrading the Dubai Turf, Dubai Sheema Classic, Al Quoz Sprint, and Dubai Golden Shaheen to G1—assuming the International URA Association permits us to continue paving the way with prize money."
"If that happens, I believe even more Uma Musume will come," Shuta An raised his thumb approvingly. "To be honest, I'm very satisfied with today's race day. The scheduling, the venue, the hospitality from Meydan Racecourse—everything was excellent. Mr. Al Maktoum, you've worked hard."
"It would be wonderful if more people like Mr. Shuta recognized our efforts," Al Maktoum replied with clear satisfaction. "I look forward to welcoming Miss Silence Suzuka again next year—though the prize money likely won't increase."
"Keeping it as it is would be best," Shuta An laughed lightly. "If it rose any further, I might start feeling uneasy."
The banquet hall was located on a high floor of the Burj Khalifa. After checking the time and realizing it was growing late, Shuta An bade farewell to Al Maktoum and departed.
After all, he wasn't the center of attention. No one would mind if he left early.
However, upon exiting and heading toward the elevator to return to his floor, Shuta An was surprised to see Silence Suzuka ascending the stairs.
"Suzuka, shouldn't you be resting?" he called out.
"I heard that tonight, the At the Top SKY observation deck will remain open all night," Silence Suzuka explained. "Teio-chan and Dober-chan plan to sleep first before coming up later. Mayano Top Gun is doing the same. Agnes Digital wanted to come with me, but I told her to rest—children shouldn't stay up late."
"At the Top SKY, huh…" Shuta An glanced upward, as if trying to peer through the ceiling toward the summit of the Burj Khalifa. "I'm not tired either. Suzuka, would you mind if I joined you?"
"Of course not," Silence Suzuka paused, then smiled softly. "With Ann accompanying me, I think the experience will be even better."
"I'm no professional commentator," Shuta An spread his hands. "But if it makes Suzuka happy, I'll do my best."
After meeting her Trainer, Silence Suzuka abandoned the stairs and waited with him for the elevator.
The world's fastest elevator carried them swiftly to the 148th floor. Upon arrival, they found that aside from themselves, only staff members occupied the observation deck.
A staff member noticed them and approached, politely offering commentary service.
Before Shuta An could respond, Silence Suzuka gently waved her hand. "Thank you, but there's no need."
"Understood. I wish you both a wonderful experience," the staff member bowed and promptly withdrew.
As Silence Suzuka followed Shuta An toward the edge of the observation deck, preparing to take in the view, she noticed that the staff on duty were deliberately keeping their distance from that area.
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