Chapter 30. Training~
That being said, Shuta An returned to work on the third day after arriving back in Japan, while Silence Suzuka was firmly ordered into a half-month vacation.
"There are nearly two months until the Takarazuka Kinen," Shuta An said, quite unyielding, as he practically chased her back to the dormitory. "Even if we start preparing later, there's no rush. One month of preparation is more than sufficient."
Silence Suzuka, unable to refute her Trainer's reasoning, could only accept the arrangement. During this enforced break, she took on supporting duties during Tokai Teio's and Mejiro Dober's training—washing towels, preparing sports drinks, and assisting from the sidelines.
"Suzuka's surprisingly adept at support Uma Musume tasks," Shuta An remarked casually.
"Because I once considered what I might do if I couldn't run," Silence Suzuka replied as she hung a freshly prepared towel on the line for Mejiro Dober. "I took more home economics courses back in school… though I stopped after joining Team Rigil. Fortunately, I don't seem to have forgotten everything."
Shuta An nodded, then shifted his gaze to the track, where Mejiro Dober was currently chasing Tokai Teio.
"After the Japanese Derby at the end of this month, Dober will begin preparing for her debut," he said. "Her Full Bloom Stage is progressing very quickly. She's not fully matured yet, but judging by her recent training performances, her debut race—or even a graded stakes—shouldn't be a problem."
"I heard that even Dober-chan's sketch subjects have turned into Uma Musume lately," Silence Suzuka added with a smile, relaying what she had heard from Taiki Shuttle.
"It's natural for an Uma Musume to have hobbies," Shuta An shrugged. "But sometimes, she has to set aside personal interests, at least temporarily. There's no way around that."
He paused, then added, "Still, thanks for reminding me. I'll think about how to compensate her later."
"Winning the Twinkle Series is already the greatest compensation," Silence Suzuka said. After finishing her task, she stepped closer and gently straightened Shuta An's collar. "Dober-chan must think so as well."
Shuta An recalled Mejiro Dober's previous request and found himself agreeing.
However, what neither he nor Silence Suzuka knew was that Mejiro Dober hadn't actually abandoned her hobbies at all.
After finishing her training for the day, it was time for her afternoon relaxation. Carrying her tablet and laptop, Mejiro Dober left Central Tracen Academy and took her private car to a café in Minato Ward—a seat she had reserved the previous day.
After ordering a cappuccino, she set up her computer and opened a new file.
"There are still three months until ComicMarket this summer," she muttered. "I need to hurry and prepare my new publication."
The progress bar read "0," yet Mejiro Dober felt no anxiety. During her breaks in training, she had already decided on the theme of her next work.
"No more fan art this time," she clenched her fist lightly. "I'm challenging original work."
"I can't keep relying on Digital-chan to write scripts for me. I want to release something of my own." Her eyes gleamed. "This time, the theme will be Uma Musume."
…That said, she didn't begin drawing immediately. The concept was still broad, and the story itself required careful planning.
"The protagonist can't be based on Oguri-senpai or Suzuka-senpai," she reasoned. "Especially Suzuka-senpai—she knows I draw. If she saw a manga centered on her, she'd identify me as the artist instantly."
"As for the Trainer…" Mejiro Dober tapped her stylus against the desk. "I'll just model him after 'the Trainer.' As long as I avoid writing details outsiders wouldn't know, it'll be fine. He's famous enough that lots of creators already use him as a reference."
With that decision settled, Mejiro Dober began sketching the image of "the protagonist's Trainer" for the day.
As for the plot—there were still three months. She wasn't in any hurry.
—
On Mr. Kitahara's Scorpii team, Shuta An also did not forget the promise he had made after the Oka Sho.
By the time Silence Suzuka officially resumed training, it was already Wednesday of Oaks race week. Without delay, Shuta An arranged a chase-up training session involving Silence Suzuka and Air Deja Vu.
"The objective for Miss Air Deja Vuis simple," Shuta An explained. "Suzuka will start one second ahead. Please catch up to her within five furlongs."
He then turned toward Silence Suzuka.
"And I'd like Suzuka to approach this as if she were leading a race."
As he spoke, Shuta An raised an eyebrow—his back turned deliberately toward Air Deja Vu. He trusted that Suzuka would understand the nuance of the gesture.
"Mhm." Having caught the hint, Silence Suzuka smiled and nodded. "Since Ann has asked, I'll naturally give it my all."
"Hey, hey, hey," Mr. Kitahara interjected quietly as the two Uma Musume began warming up and others gathered to watch. "Ann-san, isn't this a bit too demanding for Air Deja Vu? How could she possibly catch up to Silence Suzuka? That's the Silence Suzuka who just won a G1. You can't judge our Scorpii Uma Musume by your team's standards."
"Even if she can't catch up, I have my explanation prepared," Shuta An replied calmly, waving a hand. "Don't worry, Mr. Kitahara. Suzuka knows what to do. She won't damage Miss Air Deja Vu's race mentality."
"I hope so…" Mr. Kitahara muttered, clearly still worried. Being asked to chase a nationally recognized top-tier front-runner while starting a full second behind was no small task.
As the two Uma Musume continued warming up, Nishizaki Ryu approached as well.
"Ann-san," he said, positioning himself on Shuta An's other side with an ingratiating smile. "Um… could Miss Silence Suzuka also provide our Spica's Special Week with some special training?"
"Hm?" Mr. Kitahara immediately bristled. "But I made an appointment with Ann-san first."
"That being said, you should still get some good rest tomorrow. We'll resume training on Friday." Shuta An smoothed out Silence Suzuka's gym uniform, "You worked hard. Silence Suzuka's training ends here for today."
"Then I'll head back to the dorm first." The Uma Musume didn't wait for Shuta An's reply and quickly turned to leave… After helping Air Deja Vubuild her confidence, summarizing how to handle front-running Uma Musume, and when to start her chase at Tokyo Racecourse, Mr. Kitahara returned to Shuta An's side: "Thank you. Silence Suzuka is also very grateful that she didn't go all out and crush Air Deja Vu's confidence."
"Isn't that perfectly normal?" Shuta An waved his hand, "Anyway, Mr. Kitahara, there's no need to say that. Perhaps there will be a time in the future when I'll need help from your Scorpii team."
"If that day comes, I definitely won't hesitate," Mr. Kitahara earnestly promised.
"Rather than that, let's focus on becoming an Oaks Trainer first." The Young man chuckled, patting his friend's shoulder, "You should be confident this time, right?"
"If I can't win this time, I'll treat Ann-san to half a year's worth of drinks." Mr. Kitahara clenched his fist, proactively suggesting a "punishment game."
Shuta An didn't expect such a good deal: "Oh? Then I'm looking forward to it."
"Hey, hey, hey, you should be cheering for me and Air Deja Vu, right?" Mr. Kitahara complained.
After Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio finished their training, Shuta An announced to Mejiro Dober that her debut race had been entered— "The Saturday of the week after the Japanese Derby, which is June 3rd, Tokyo 5R, a 1600-meter turf debut race."
"The earliest debut race." Mejiro Dober blinked, "So that means I have to win."
"Exactly. If you lose, even if you manage to break out of the maiden races in one go, it wouldn't be ideal to challenge the Hakodate Nisai Stakes." Shuta An shrugged, "We must win a graded race domestically to ensure our overseas expedition won't be rejected. If the target race for the expedition is oversubscribed, and we don't have a graded race victory under our belt, we'll definitely be the first to be cleared from the race entry list."
"I understand!" Mejiro Dober nodded, "This battle, victory is the only option!"
"Rather, isn't it best to win every race?" Shuta An said this, his gaze falling on Tokai Teio.
"That's right!" Tokai Teio met her Trainer's gaze and responded simultaneously, "Every Twinkle Series race, we must win with all our might! This is the best way to show respect for our own sweat, for our opponents' efforts, and for the Trainer's work."
"Teio, keep training like this. I believe you can achieve everything you hope for." Shuta An rubbed Tokai Teio's head—the latter narrowed her eyes, showing a comfortable expression.
"As for me, is there anything I need to prepare specifically?" Mejiro Dober asked when she saw her Trainer and Tokai Teio chatting.
Shuta An thought for a moment and offered his suggestion: "Miss Dober, first design your winning uniform for when you step onto the G1 stage in the future. Then, if you can win the Hakodate Nisai Stakes, submit your design to the URA Association so they can produce it as quickly as possible—after all, the next goal for the expedition is an overseas G1."
"Hmm!" Upon hearing "overseas G1," Mejiro Dober visibly became much more excited—after all, the Mejiro Family had never won an overseas race to date. If Mejiro Dober could win one… she could already imagine how happy the Mejiro Family's ancestors would be.
"I must do it," she secretly vowed in her heart.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
For anyone interested, or just want to support me. Hit the membership button to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModerateCitizens