When the swimming training concluded, Berno Light, having changed back into her Academy uniform, found Shuta An standing idly by the training ground, his thoughts elsewhere.
"Trainer," she began directly, "is someone from Central trying to poach Oguri?"
"Not yet," Shuta An replied after regaining his focus, shaking his head slightly. "But I expect it will happen soon."
In his estimation, once Oguri Cap secured victory in the Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3), the chances of Central Tracen Academy extending an olive branch would rise sharply. Even if Central remained unmoved after the local exchange stakes at the end of August, her outstanding performance during her debut year would inevitably draw their attention before the season closed.
It might not even take that long.
A shadow named Symboli Rudolf surfaced in Shuta An's heart.
"After all, I'm here in Kasamatsu was on the recommendation of that 'Emperor,'" he murmured inwardly. "She would surely keep an eye on me from time to time."
As long as Symboli Rudolf's attention turned toward Kasamatsu, it would be impossible for her to overlook Oguri Cap, who was already shining brilliantly in the Tokai region. And once the Emperor's gaze settled upon Oguri Cap, Shuta An could easily imagine what would follow.
In essence—
"I'm not facing a Trainer from Central," he realized grimly, "I'm facing Symboli Rudolf herself."
The realization weighed heavily on him.
Determined to stave off needless overthinking, Shuta An resolved to keep himself occupied by handling the team's accommodation arrangements for the upcoming summer expedition.
"Keep busy," he told himself, "so I don't drown in speculation."
Even so, he didn't neglect his formal duties. The registration for Oguri Cap's next race remained a priority. With the prize money from her debut and the OP race secured, her qualification for entry into the Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3) was practically guaranteed.
Normally, this local exchange stakes event reserved seven fixed slots for Hokkaido Uma Musume, with nine open to other regions. Yet, in practice, the participants were almost exclusively local. Since Central Uma Musume were not permitted to register, the so-called "seven-slot limit" had long been an empty formality.
It wasn't that Uma Musume from other regions lacked ambition. The winner's prize of twenty-five million yen was considerable, even for a G3 event. The true obstacle lay in logistics and cost—preparation required early arrival, and expeditions from local academies were notoriously expensive. For most, the risk outweighed the reward. Without Central's partial reimbursement system, local Trainers simply couldn't afford to gamble on such ventures.
Seated at his desk, Shuta An flipped through the latest edition of Hokkaido's yellow pages, his finger tracing across a detailed regional map as he searched meticulously for suitable lodging.
"It doesn't matter if it's a bit far from Mombetsu Racecourse," he muttered, "as long as it has its own training ground—and preferably, a hot spring and swimming pool."
His standards were non-negotiable. The expedition would last two months, and a poor environment could easily affect Oguri Cap's condition. Losing a race due to stinginess would be the height of folly—a lesson no Trainer could afford to ignore.
Though his total commission from Oguri Cap and Berno Light's winnings barely reached one million yen, the young man did not hesitate to draw from his personal savings to ensure the best for their journey.
"The Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3) is only one step toward our dream," he reminded himself. "There's no need to cut corners now."
Eventually, his search yielded success—a hot spring inn named Biratori Onsen Yukara, complete with a private training ground and access to a nearby public pool.
After informing the proprietress, Ms. Sachiko, and explaining his needs, he secured a Japanese-style suite with two guest rooms—enough for three people—and a private open-air bath. The cost was 18,000 yen per day, inclusive of three buffet-style meals. The buffet detail, in particular, delighted Shuta An, for it saved him from budgeting an additional million yen solely for Oguri Cap's meals.
Even so, the basic accommodation expenses alone surpassed 1.1 million yen.
"With contingencies," he estimated aloud, "two million yen at minimum."
Only then did he truly grasp why local Trainers were reluctant to attempt long-distance expeditions.
"Still," he mused, "at least future challenges against Central won't cost quite this much."
That evening, after calculating the time difference, Shuta An made an international call.
"Sell the house on the West Coast," he instructed. "If my parents were still here, they'd agree—it's better to use that money to fund the Uma Musume I'm training."
Unbeknownst to him, the real estate agent handling the sale immediately contacted the Student Council President of West Coast Tracen Academy.
"He's selling the only inheritance his parents left?" the President remarked coolly. "Then I'll buy it at market price. Consider it sponsorship—a quiet gesture for a junior chasing his dream across the Pacific."
A brief silence followed.
"If he ever returns… no," she muttered, recalling the determined face that had once placed a resignation letter upon her desk. "He won't come back. Don't lie to yourself."
The journey from Kasamatsu to Biratori Town, Hokkaido, spanned over four hours: an hour by air from Nagoya to Sapporo, then more than three by bus from New Chitose Airport to the hot spring inn.
A week after the Wakakoma Sho, Shuta An bid farewell to his colleagues and set out with Oguri Cap and Berno Light for Hokkaido. Their departure was modest—no reporters, no fans, just three travelers boarding an ordinary flight.
For Oguri Cap and Berno Light, it felt like a simple trip. For Shuta An, it was disquieting. On the West Coast, every expedition had been an event—press coverage, fanfare, interviews. Here, silence reigned.
Only after sitting down did he smile faintly. "That's right. This isn't the West Coast anymore."
He turned to the window, watching the clouds drift by. "But someday, I'll make Oguri Cap a star who draws crowds wherever she goes."
Oguri Cap, on her first plane ride, was brimming with curiosity; Berno Light, though equally excited, restrained herself and kept a close watch in case Oguri Cap did something impulsive.
Departing shortly after eight in the morning, they arrived at Biratori Onsen Yukara precisely at one in the afternoon. Guided by Ms. Sachiko, the inn's proprietress, Shuta An led the two Uma Musume to their suite. Though technically one room, the accommodation had two separate bedrooms, ensuring no impropriety. After settling them in, Shuta An went to speak with Ms. Sachiko in the lobby. Staying for two months, he deemed it essential to establish good rapport—with no ulterior motives whatsoever.
Their conversation flowed easily.
"If Shuta-kun had booked a day later," Ms. Sachiko said with a smile, "I wouldn't have had a room for you."
"Oh? Because of other guests?" Shuta An guessed. "You turned them away for me?"
"Not quite," she laughed. "Another guest wanted to reserve the entire inn. But since you had already booked one room, they settled for the rest."
"That's… extravagant," Shuta An remarked.
"I heard she's a Trainer from Central Tracen Academy, here for a summer training camp with his Uma Musume," Ms. Sachiko added, glancing knowingly at him. "You're a Trainer as well, aren't you?"
"Yes, but I'm just a local one," he admitted. "This trip's for a regional challenge. I can't compare to Central's Trainers."
"That's not necessarily true," she countered warmly. "I grew up watching Haiseiko's races. Perhaps the Uma Musume you train will become the next Haiseiko."
Shuta An smiled faintly but said nothing. For most Japanese, that was the highest compliment one could give a local Trainer. But he didn't want Oguri Cap to be the next Haiseiko. He wanted her to be the first Oguri Cap.
"I also have a junior at Central," Ms. Sachiko added, pouting slightly. "Frankly, I think her Trainer hasn't fully drawn out her talent. I believe Shuta-kun could do better."
He could only reply with an awkward smile—though inwardly, he didn't entirely disagree.
At dinner, Ms. Sachiko's gentle demeanor never faltered, even as Oguri Cap's voracious appetite astonished her. She simply smiled and kept refilling the filly's bowl.
Watching, Shuta An muttered under his breath, "I really should pay extra for Oguri Cap's meals later."
Just then, Ms. Sachiko stood.
"Oh dear, the guests I mentioned earlier should be arriving soon. I'll go greet them."
"Guests?" Berno Light turned to Shuta An, curious. "Does Trainer know who they are?"
"The Central's Team coming for summer camp," he answered casually.
A stray thought crossed his mind—perhaps Oguri Cap could train alongside them, if only to gauge her current level. But the notion quickly dissolved; no Central Trainer would allow such a comparison.
As he mused, the sound of footsteps filled the lobby.
"I'm exhausted after traveling all day… I'm going straight to the hot springs!"
"Wait for me, Amazon!"
The room buzzed with chatter until a composed young woman entered. Her bearing marked her instantly as a Trainer.
"Quiet down, everyone!" she commanded. At once, the noise faded. She turned toward Shuta An's table and bowed. "My apologies. They've just arrived from Tokyo and are still a bit too excited."
"It's fine," Shuta An replied with an easy smile. "Energetic is a good sign." He introduced himself politely. "Shuta An, Trainer from Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. And you are?"
"Tojo Hana," the woman replied, bowing again. "Trainer from Central Tracen Academy. A pleasure to meet you, Shuta-kun."
"So Ms. Sachiko's afternoon news was true," he said, glancing at the group of Uma Musume. "Central's delegation really is impressive…"
The comment was sincere—he could see, even without a stat viewer, the extraordinary potential in every one of them.
"The Uma Musume you train must be impressive as well," Tojo Hana replied with a courteous smile, returning the compliment.
In her eyes, the gray-haired filly across the table, though notable for her appetite, had yet to reveal the brilliance her Trainer saw so clearly.