On September 7th, Ann-san took Oguri Cap and Berno Light to Kasamatsu Racecourse.
Although there were also races being held at Nagoya Racecourse that day, nearly all fans of the Twinkle Series in the Tokai region had turned their attention to Kasamatsu. As a result, attendance at Nagoya was unusually low. While part of the reason was that its highest-class event was only a Class B race, the true reason lay with Oguri Cap.
The Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3) — the top race among the limited graded competitions for Mombetsu debutants — traditionally crowned its winner as the "Young King of the Region," a title well-recognized by the media.
Normally, the various Tracen Academies in Minami Kanto were somewhat displeased by this, yet they never openly refuted it; after all, Mombetsu Uma Musume had consistently performed well in local races.
But this year was different. The winner of the Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3) was not a Monbetsu representative, but Oguri Cap from Kasamatsu. Although the Minami Kanto media grudgingly followed the usual promotional routine, they also raised their own questions—"Was Oguri Cap's performance merely a flash in the pan? Could she really appear on the stage of the All Japan Yushun Championship by year's end?"
And it wasn't just Minami Kanto. Even in Tokai, many fans began calling for Oguri Cap to challenge the All Japan Yushun Championship.
However, Shuta An's thoughts, as he had told the Director a few days earlier, remained unwavering—
"Rather than proving something meaningless to Oguri Cap in the All Japan Yushun Championship, it's better to preserve her strength for next year's challenges in the Central major circuit."
The young Trainer suspected that if he hadn't already made and fulfilled a promise to the Director, the latter would surely be urging him now to send Oguri Cap into that very race. Lost in thought, Shuta An followed Oguri Cap into the inner grounds of Kasamatsu Racecourse.
Although no races were scheduled at Kasamatsu that day, the venue was still packed. Tickets for the celebration—held in honor of Oguri Cap's Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3) victory—had sold out within days of its announcement.
"Should I say the Academy and Kasamatsu Racecourse really know how to make money? I wonder if Oguri Cap gets a share of those ticket sales." Shuta An muttered behind her. "I'll have to ask about that later."
Oguri Cap had known for days that the Academy and Racecourse would hold a joint celebration for her, but she hadn't imagined it would be on this scale.
"It's even livelier than the day I raced at Monbetsu…" she murmured.
Monbetsu Racecourse was larger, of course, but that day's heavy rain had been nothing like the brilliant sunshine now blessing Kasamatsu.
Standing on the temporary stage, Oguri Cap took her position at the center. To her left stood her Trainer, and beside him, her good friend. To her right was the host of the ceremony.
As the trio—one Trainer and two Uma Musume—took their places, the celebration officially began. Oguri Cap, wearing her Tracen uniform, initially thought she would be asked to speak first. But before she could say a word, a sudden sound came from the large screen behind her, startling her.
"Oguri! Oguri! Oguri!"
Shuta An turned his head. The screen was replaying Oguri Cap's final straight sprint from Mombetsu. Though the commentary differed from the live broadcast, he recognized the voice of Kasamatsu's race announcer.
"Was this broadcast live at the time… or recorded later?" he wondered silently.
"Surpass her! Just surpass her! History will be made by you! Go, Oguri Cap! Let those in Hokkaido see the spirit of a Kasamatsu Uma Musume!"
"Oguri Cap! She's left all her rivals behind! The hero of Kasamatsu is charging toward her throne!"
"Oguri Cap crosses the finish line! Kasamatsu's first national local exchange major race victory in over fifty years!"
As the commentator's roar faded, the screen dimmed again. The host handed the microphone to Oguri Cap. The gray umamusume took it, hesitating—unsure what to say.
The crowd waited patiently, clapping rhythmically to encourage her.
Facing their cheers, Oguri Cap turned toward her Trainer. Shuta An met her gaze with a calm, encouraging smile.
Taking a deep breath, she turned back to the stands and raised the microphone. "If someone had told me before I came to Kasamatsu that I would become a major race Uma Musume, I would have thought they were joking. When I was little, my legs were stiff—so stiff that it was only through my mother's persistent massages that they improved."
"Last year, I hadn't even thought about becoming an Uma Musume. It was a teacher at school who suggested to my mother that I apply to Tracen Academy." Oguri Cap paused briefly. "Becoming an Uma Musume is an honor—and it offers a better life for my mother—but the tuition at the local Academy was… far beyond our reach."
"That's why I chose to come all the way from Hokkaido to Kasamatsu. It gave me the chance to become an Uma Musume."
Switching the microphone to her right hand, she turned and grasped Shuta An's hand with her left. In the young man's startled gaze, she raised it high and declared, "It also allowed me to meet the Trainer who shaped me into a major race Uma Musume—someone I will always be grateful to."
"The Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3) victory is just the beginning. I'll keep working hard and, together with my Trainer, climb to even greater heights." She then released his hand, ending her speech.
Next, the young Trainer stepped forward.
Taking the microphone, still warm from her hand, he gathered his thoughts and began: "Oguri Cap has already said everything that matters. As her Trainer, I'll continue to guide her toward higher stages—while ensuring her well-being."
"However, that challenge won't be this year." His eyes swept across the stands. "I know many fans hope Oguri Cap will represent the Tokai region in the All Japan Yushun Championship this November. But I'll state clearly here—she will not participate in that race."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the crowd grew restless. No one had expected Shuta An to so bluntly defy fan expectations in such a public setting.
"What is Ann-san thinking?" Kitahara muttered from the audience. Having brought Fujimasa March to watch the ceremony, he could clearly sense the mood in the stands shift—and couldn't help but worry for his friend on stage.
Shuta An was not a fool. Of course, he knew that openly refuting Oguri Cap's fans here was unfavorable—but he already had a plan for turning their doubt into conviction.
After announcing his decision, he continued calmly, "In my plan, Oguri Cap will still participate in two races this year: the Chukyo Hai, held at Chukyo Racecourse, and the Youth Crown Race, held right here at Kasamatsu Racecourse at the end of the year."
He paused briefly, letting his words sink in. "Although the prestige of these two races is indeed not on par with the All Japan Yushun Championship," a faint curve appeared on his lips, "as our hero of Kasamatsu—of the Tokai region—Oguri Cap's strength does not need the recognition of Minami Kanto, another local association!"
"Our Chubu region belongs neither to Kanto nor Kansai." His voice rose, firm and proud. "Next year, in the first half, I plan to challenge Central together with Oguri Cap, representing Kasamatsu! Central—that is the true stage where Oguri Cap's future lies! Do those Minami Kanto folks dare to challenge Central after Haiseiko? Oguri Cap and I will!"
He bit his lip, his blood surging, and shouted, "Not only will we challenge Central—we will win! Not just one race, but many!"
Hearing this, the host quickly asked the question already on every fan's mind:
"So, does that mean Shuta Trainer will be moving to Central with Oguri Cap?"
The crowd held their breath, silently anticipating a "yes." They had long grown used to seeing every brilliant local Uma Musume eventually transfer to Central Tracen Academy.
"Presumably, the only difference this time is that Oguri Cap will be bringing her Trainer along," many thought.
But Shuta An shook his head firmly. "Oguri Cap will not transfer from Kasamatsu. Even while challenging the Twinkle Series, she will remain here—and I will continue working at Kasamatsu Tracen Academy."
"Because everyone calls Oguri Cap the 'Hero of Kasamatsu,'" he said with a confident grin, "and a hero does not abandon her home."
"Even when competing in the Twinkle Series, Oguri Cap will always be 'Kasamatsu's Hero'! I hope everyone in Kasamatsu—and across the Tokai region—will continue to support her!"
With that, Shuta An lowered the microphone and bowed deeply to the stands.
The fans gave him the exact response he had hoped for—
"Go, Oguri Cap!"
"Show those Central elites what we're made of!"
"When you get to Central, sing 'Kasamatsu Ondo' on the winner's stage again!"
Leaving aside the first two cheers, Shuta An's lips twitched involuntarily at the last one.
In the stands, Kitahara—who had brought Fujimasa March to watch the celebration—noticed the shift in mood. He turned and saw the gray umamusume beside him gazing at Oguri Cap with undisguised admiration.
"You heard it too," Kitahara said quietly. "If you want to challenge Oguri Cap, there are only two chances left."
"No, not just two," Fujimasa March shook her head firmly. "I'll go to Central to challenge her in the future as well."
"By then, Trainer, you must come with me too. After all, I still haven't finished the training program you gave me." She smiled brightly, eyes full of determination.
"Alright," Kitahara swallowed hard, giving a solemn promise. "We'll build up our strength here in Kasamatsu and Nagoya—then meet Ann-san and Oguri Cap again on the Central stage."
Inwardly, though, Kitahara added another resolution: 'I'll have to earn a Central Trainer's license, too.'
'After Oguri Cap retires, Ann-san will surely leave Kasamatsu. If I stay the same, our conversations will dwindle, and even close friends will drift apart. That can't happen.'
Moreover, as a Trainer, Kitahara still had his own ambitions.
'If possible,' he thought, 'I want Fujimasa March to enter Central at the same time I do.'
He turned to glance at the gray umamusume, still watching Oguri Cap with burning eyes, and silently made his wish.
After the celebration ended, Shuta An led Oguri Cap and Berno Light—who still looked dazed from the event—off the stage. Two days earlier, he had sold his old Alto and replaced it with an onion-white BE-1, a reward from the Director.
"In two more days, Oguri Cap, you can resume normal training," Shuta An reminded her as they got into the car. "But don't start morning exercises just yet. We'll soon begin a new training program for next year's Central Graded race."
"I understand." Oguri Cap nodded. Though curious about what kind of regimen it would be, she decided to wait patiently, trusting her Trainer's guidance.
Starting the car, Shuta An turned to Berno Light. "Keep an eye on things at the Academy these next few days. Even though everyone's focused on Oguri Cap, there's no guarantee someone won't try something else. If anything happens, let me know immediately."
"Mhm!" Berno Light nodded with a cheerful smile, showing she understood.
"I'll drop you both off at the Academy first," Shuta An continued, "then go clean up the apartment. During this time, plenty of people—both inside and outside the Academy—will probably come to speak with you, Oguri. Other than normal social interactions, if anyone wants you for endorsements or commercials, tell them to talk to me directly. Say I'm not at the Academy and they can find me later."
"Mhm!" Oguri Cap agreed readily. After today's celebration, she fully realized how popular she had become—not only in Kasamatsu, but across the Tokai region. Though she didn't yet grasp the business side of fame, she recalled the example of Miss Sachiko, the innkeeper in Hokkaido.
"Oguri's becoming a real star now," Berno Light said with a teasing smile, her left hand resting lightly on Oguri's right.
"If Berno needs it, I can advertise for your family's shop anytime," Oguri said earnestly, her tone sincere. She was certain her Trainer wouldn't oppose such a small gesture.
"Well—let's not." Berno Light hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.
"I appreciate the thought, Oguri, but our shop doesn't need any endorsements. We only operate in Kasamatsu anyway." She chuckled softly. "If you helped promote us, we wouldn't be able to handle the sudden flood of customers—and if anything went wrong, it might reflect poorly on you. That wouldn't do."
"Speaking of which," Shuta An interjected, as something occurred to him, "a portion of the prize money from the Hokkaido Shimbun Hai (G3) was your share, Berno. Have you told your family yet?"
"I have." Berno Light stuck out her tongue playfully. "After winning my debut race, I confessed to my parents that I didn't want to be an Uma Musume anymore. Then my mother asked if I wanted to drop out, and I told her I wanted to be a Trainer's assistant in the future."
"At first, my family wasn't thrilled about it," she continued, smiling. "But after learning that I was doing logistics for Oguri, my mother told me to work hard and not drag the Trainer or Oguri down. So, I guess I got their permission."
"Once Oguri Cap resumes official training, you'll stay by my side," Shuta An instructed as he drove. "I promised to teach you about training, so we'll use Oguri Cap as our experiments."
"experiment?" Oguri Cap tilted her head curiously.
"You just run your training as usual," Shuta An replied dryly, pouting slightly at her confusion.
"Hm, understood." Oguri Cap pouted back, mimicking his tone, and Berno Light stifled a laugh.
After dropping the two off at the Academy, Shuta An drove to the apartment to supervise the workers installing furniture. Since Oguri Cap decided to rent this place, he had spent the past few days cleaning it top to bottom and personally ordering every piece of furniture.
Fortunately, the furniture store offered home delivery—otherwise, he thought wryly, he would've been exhausted just moving things back and forth.
"Indeed, this body still needs more exercise," he muttered under his breath while waiting at the door.
But the first thing the store owner said upon arrival made him freeze mid-thought.
"Is this apartment for Shuta-kun's personal use?"
"I can't answer that." Shuta An's mouth twitched slightly. "That's not something I can comment on."
"My apologies. I was being presumptuous." The store owner bowed before continuing, "Today my wife took the kids to Kasamatsu Racecourse, and that's when I learned Shuta-kun is Miss Oguri Cap's Trainer."
"Miss Oguri Cap made history for Kasamatsu. Thanks to her, we finally don't have to listen to those Nagoya fellows boasting about how superior their local Uma Musume are." He met Shuta An's eyes and said earnestly, "For that, we must thank you properly."
"Well… I only did what a Trainer is supposed to do." Shuta An smiled faintly. He had never considered himself worthy of such praise.
In truth, he thought, rather than giving thanks, the owner might consider offering him a discount—the renovation cost nearly matched the prize money from a debut win, and more than half of it had gone into this very store.
As if reading his mind, the owner smiled. "I know words alone aren't enough. I'll give Shuta-kun a fifty-percent discount on this order."
"Then I'm truly grateful!" Shuta An bowed deeply, pleasantly surprised. The discount was far more generous than he'd expected.
"The rest of the money," he thought with satisfaction, "can go toward ordering specialized turf-track shoes for Oguri Cap."
Over the next days, Shuta An followed a steady routine. In the mornings, he clocked in at the Academy, checked on Oguri's progress, and asked Berno if anything unusual had happened.
After lunch in the cafeteria, he would pack up briskly and leave—making his colleagues, including Kitahara, envious.
"If you want a life like Shuta-kun's," one trainer grumbled, "then train your Uma Musume to a national major race victory first!"
Kitahara could only shrug helplessly. He hadn't expected his friend to lead his Uma Musume to glory and now live a half-day work life.
"Before summer vacation, I thought winning two OP races with Fujimasa March would be enough to brag to Ann-san…" he sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead. Refocusing, he turned his mind toward the upcoming Youth Crown Race—the one Fujimasa March was preparing to enter next.
What Kitahara didn't know, however, was that those leisurely afternoons of Shuta An's were anything but idle. Each day after leaving the Academy, the young Trainer hurried to the apartment, arranging furniture and appliances until everything was perfectly in place—just in time for Oguri Cap's return to official training.
When he finally stood in the completed 2LDK, neat and beautifully arranged, he nodded with satisfaction. Then, using the camera he'd bought earlier, he took several photographs, planning to have them developed and give them to Oguri Cap the next day. From there, how she would bring her mother over would be her own task.
That evening, free of work, Shuta An went for a jog after dinner, picked up the developed photos on his way home, showered, and went to bed. Upon entering the Dream World, he once again found himself in the role of a jockey, partnering with Oguri Cap to win an OP race.
However, unlike him, Trainer Sagami Masayuki in this world did not plan an expedition to Hokkaido—the horse owner simply lacked the funds. Shuta An could understand that.
The next race Sagami selected for Oguri Cap was the Youth Crown Race—the very same race Kitahara's Fujimasa March was targeting in the real world. After that came the Chukyo Hai, followed by two months of rest, then a B2-level warm-up race, and finally, the Youth Grand Prix to close the year.
"But if we race in the Youth Crown and go straight to the Chukyo Hai…" Shuta An thought uneasily, "that's only a ten-day gap. Even with Oguri Cap's endurance, she won't be at full strength."
Still, in this world, he was only an apprentice jockey. He had no right to question the Trainer or the owner.
So he came up with his own idea: If Oguri Cap secures a solid lead in the Youth Crown, I'll have her ease up a bit near the finish. That way, she'll recover faster for Chukyo.
Trainer Sagami, of course, had no clue what his young jockey was plotting. After registering Oguri Cap for the Youth Crown Race, he approached Shuta An with a serious look.
"Shuta-kun, perform well in the Chukyo Hai. That's a Central racecourse—some Central owners will be watching. If you impress them, you might receive commissions to ride in Central someday."
"I'll do my best," Shuta An promised solemnly.
When morning came and Oguri Cap resumed official training, Shuta An checked her stats out of habit. Everything seemed normal—except for her intimacy value, which was rapidly climbing toward 300. He hadn't thought much of it at first… until he remembered the incident at the hot spring.
"Yeah," he muttered, half sighing, half smiling. "I'd better be prepared—for both mental and physical strain."