Shuta An woke up refreshed the next morning.
"I didn't meet Oguri Cap in my dreams last night either. The last few times that happened, the reward was something like 'Physique +1,' so I wonder what it'll be this time." With that thought, he opened his attribute viewer.
Dream Reward: Kyoto Shimbun Hai victory prize money—35,000,000 Japanese Yen, already deposited into bank account.
"Well, well." The young man, cheered by such an auspicious start to the day, immediately perked up. "That should cover Oguri Cap's expedition expenses for next year."
Shaking off his drowsiness, Shuta An washed up, had a simple breakfast, and then hummed a light tune as he drove to Kasamatsu Tracen Academy—ready to start another day of work (or, perhaps, mild slacking off).
Meanwhile, at Central Tracen Academy, a young and capable female Trainer wore a faintly irritated expression.
"Trainer, what's wrong?" asked the Uma Musume beside her, bending forward curiously. As she leaned in, her notable peaks pressed closer—Super Creek, unmistakably.
"Nothing," the Trainer replied, waving a hand. "I just feel… oddly irritated for no reason."
"Probably your magic period," Creek teased. "Girls are such troublesome creatures."
"I can't help it; I'm not an Uma Musume," the Trainer pouted. "And it's not even that time recently."
"Hmm…" Creek tilted her head mischievously. "Then I think I know when Trainer's magic period is."
"Tsk." The Trainer turned her face away in mock annoyance. "Creek, don't waste effort on nonsense like that!"
"Hehehe." Creek's eyes curved into crescents as she stuck out her tongue.
(I don't get it why Nase Trainer and Creek included in this section)
Though Shuta An claimed he was going to "slack off," he still had plenty to do—among them, preparing for Oguri Cap's upcoming expedition.
"Oguri Cap's passport can only be issued with three months' validity. That means I'll have to apply by March... And not just hers—Berno Light's, too."
However, the passport issue wasn't one he could easily hand to the Kasamatsu Director. According to French regulations, to extend the standard validity period, an applicant had to be "nationally or internationally recognized in their field."
Kasamatsu's Uma Musume records were modest at best, and Shuta An wasn't sure whether a G3 win in the Hokkaido Shimbun Hai would be enough for Oguri Cap to qualify for a long-term passport.
And even if she did, Berno Light would need one as well.
"Sigh… my first time personally managing an overseas expedition, and there's already this much to handle." Shuta An rubbed his forehead. "Do I have to make Oguri Cap win a major Twinkle Series race before March?"
If possible, he wanted both Uma Musume to secure long-term passports—who knew when they might need them again?
Although next year's trip would likely be just one race in France, Shuta An couldn't help but dream. If Oguri Cap truly grew into a top G1-level Uma Musume, he wanted to bring her to America someday—to challenge the turf G1s there.
"It'd be even more satisfying if I could beat those smug Baffert-trained Uma Musume head-on," he muttered with a grin.
Despite his doubts about the Kasamatsu Director's influence, Shuta An went to see him anyway.
As soon as he entered the office, he got straight to the point. "I'd like to ask the Director's help in securing long-term visas for our team's two Uma Musume—for France."
"Ehhh… what?" The Director blinked in surprise. "Didn't you say Oguri Cap would continue racing here at Kasamatsu for the second half of the year? Why the sudden talk about passports and visas? Is she entering an overseas race?"
"For next year," Shuta An clarified. "I plan to take Oguri Cap and Berno Light to France right after the Yayoi Sho. Getting long-term passports here will make applying for other countries later much easier."
"What about you, Shuta-kun?" the Director asked, unexpectedly cooperative.
"I won't need one," Shuta An said, shaking his head. "A visa on arrival will do."
"I see…" The Director nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, I'll see what I can do. I don't know why you suddenly want to send Oguri Cap abroad, but even stepping onto a foreign track will be a great honor for Kasamatsu."
He paused, then added gently, "Just make sure to take good care of Oguri Cap's health."
"Of course," Shuta An replied without hesitation. "I'm the last person in this world who'd ever want her to get hurt."
He said it with quiet conviction.
Back in his office, Shuta An twirled his pen absentmindedly, staring into space.
"Now that I've handed the passport issue to the Director. There's really not much left for me to do right now."
Just as he was about to leave early again, Kitahara's voice called from the door.
"Ann-san! You've got mail!"
"Mail?" Shuta An blinked. "Who'd send me something?"
He got up quickly and took the tightly sealed envelope from his friend's hand.
Although Kitahara was curious, he turned away after handing it over. "Probably something personal," he thought. "Better not pry."
Shuta An didn't stop him. He was just as curious himself. Opening the envelope, he found three tickets and a folded letter inside.
"These are box tickets… for Kyoto Racecourse. Kikuka Sho race day." He unfolded the letter and read:
'We look forward to Shuta-kun's presence that day.'
There was no signature, but he recognized the handwriting immediately—it had to be Symboli Rudolf's.
"They even prepared three tickets, huh." He smiled faintly, turning them over in his hand. "The Kikuka Sho… half a month away. I'll take Oguri Cap and the others to watch it."
(When I search information about Gold City, I found that she lost her derby to Mejiro Nice. But in anime, Gold City lost to Merry Beauty)
On Sunday, November 8th, Shuta An arrived early at Kyoto Racecourse with Oguri Cap and Berno Light.
"Today's main event is the final battle of the Classic Triple Crown," he said, walking ahead while half-speaking to himself and half-introducing it to the two Uma Musume behind him. "The 3000-meter Kikuka Sho."
He then noticed Oguri Cap's expression and added, "But you don't need to study the long-distance races too closely today, Oguri Cap. I won't be signing you up for anything that long."
He wagged his finger. "At most, I'd only put you in a 2500-meter race—and that's only if it's the Arima Kinen. Otherwise, in my assessment, your stage lies in the Mile and middle-distance tracks."
"Mm," Oguri Cap nodded gently, indicating she understood.
"But, Trainer, where did these tickets come from? They're even box seats... There's no way these could be bought, right?" Berno Light asked. It was the same question that had been on her mind ever since Shuta An told them they'd be spectating today's race.
Shuta An didn't hide it. "Actually, Miss Symboli Rudolf sent them to me. We'll likely be in the same box as her."
"Eh..." Oguri Cap's brows furrowed slightly at that name—the gray filly hadn't forgotten that this Triple Crown Uma Musume from the Central had once tried to separate her from her Trainer.
Although Shuta An couldn't see Oguri Cap's face behind him, her tone alone told him she wasn't in the best mood.
"It's fine," he reassured her. "Miss Symboli Rudolf won't be so tactless today. It's just a race. And while we don't plan to transfer to the Central, getting to know more Central Uma Musume will be useful for you."
Oguri Cap nodded again silently. She knew her Trainer was right.
Meanwhile, Symboli Rudolf had also arrived early at Kyoto Racecourse, accompanied by Maruzensky and Tokai Teio, just as before.
"Teio, how have you been feeling after following Shuta-kun's instructions?" Symboli Rudolf asked, sitting on the sofa as Teio stood by the window, gazing outside.
"There's no change at all." Teio pouted. "Just more expenses—trampolining, nutritional supplements—none of it helps."
"You can't rush these things," Maruzensky said with an understanding smile. "It hasn't even been a month yet. These kinds of training effects take time."
"I know..." Teio muttered. Still, she couldn't shake off her discomfort toward that Trainer—even though he had trained Oguri Cap, the Uma Musume she acknowledged, under such rough local conditions. The prejudice persisted.
Symboli Rudolf noticed this but didn't correct her.
'If Teio wants to surpass me, she must walk her own path' the undefeated "Emperor" thought.
Just as Teio continued to enjoy the pre-race performance, Shuta An and his group stood before the box door. After knocking and hearing a response, he entered.
"I didn't expect Shuta-kun to arrive so early," Symboli Rudolf said, standing up and motioning for him to sit opposite her.
The young man nodded but first guided Berno Light and Oguri Cap to their seats before joining her.
"Today, let's not talk about anything else," the Emperor began. "We're here to watch the race."
"I read in the newspaper that today marks the comeback of Sakura Star O, the Satsuki Sho winner?" Shuta An raised an eyebrow, initiating conversation. "Choosing a 3000-meter race at Kyoto for her return—won't that strain her legs too much?"
"But this is the Kikuka Sho," Maruzensky replied. "She's just barely recovered, but there's no reason to avoid it. Perhaps Shuta-kun, coming from overseas, doesn't know how deep our Central Tracen Uma Musume's obsession runs for the Classic Races."
"No matter how strong the obsession, health should always come first." Shuta An shrugged. "If it were me, I'd never let Sakura Star O run in this Kikuka Sho."
The three Central Uma Musume didn't argue.
Yet, as Shuta An watched Sakura Star O endure the grueling pace, holding on until her rival ahead faltered before seizing the lead, he couldn't help but admit—she had the victory in her grasp.
"When I enter the Dream World tonight, I must remember to start earlier," Shuta An muttered to himself. "Otherwise, it'll end up like this."
At that moment, Sakura Star O edged out Gold City by half a body length to claim the Kikuka Sho title.
The race announcer's voice trembled with emotion as he proclaimed: "The season of chrysanthemums is unexpectedly full of cherry blossoms! Cherry blossoms in the chrysanthemum season! Sakura Star O blooms brilliantly at Kyoto Racecourse!"
(In Japan, chrysanthemums also called "kiku")
"Truly magnificent," Shuta An said, clapping calmly. His eyes, however, narrowed toward the screen.
Symboli Rudolf noticed his expression and followed his gaze to the broadcast feed—focused on Sakura Star O's recently healed legs.
"Something on your mind?" she asked.
"Just a suggestion," he replied seriously. "Whether you take it or not is up to you. But if you don't want to create a tragedy, give Sakura Star O a break for the rest of the year."
He gestured toward his eyes. "Those legs need months of reconditioning. I trust my eyesight."
"Really?" Tokai Teio interjected before Rudolf could answer. "But her gait seems fine."
"If you can only notice a problem after it appears," Shuta An said with a faint smirk, "then being a Trainer would be far too easy."