Sagace extended proper respect to both Miss Miesque and Shuta An. And once she received Miss Miesque's pointed critique, she wasted no time applying pressure on Paris Turf.
After enjoying a brief surge in attention from their earlier sensationalism, Paris Turf immediately shifted gears, throwing all its weight behind promoting the upcoming first crown of the French Classic Series. Every trace of their earlier angle vanished overnight, leaving Shuta An with nothing to pursue.
Seeing the matter settled, the young Trainer simply redirected his focus to what mattered most:
"The 2000 Guineas is a week away. We need to use this final stretch for her last adjustments."
Throughout the week, entry lists were revised day after day as Uma Musume continued withdrawing. The long chart grew shorter and shorter—yet on the page for international competitors, Oguri Cap and Shuta An's names remained alone and unshaken.
"Barring surprises, ten Uma Musume will run the French 2000 Guineas," Shuta An explained to Oguri Cap. "And, barring surprises again, Paris will have clear skies for the next half month."
"Sunny weather" Oguri let out a small sigh of relief. Rain wouldn't hinder her resolve, but very few Uma Musume enjoyed the feeling of wet clothes clinging to them mid-stride.
"And according to the Longchamp turf-maintenance schedule I got, as long as it stays dry, track conditions on race day should be Hard." (Game term = Firm Condition)
"Hard?" Oguri echoed, hesitant. "Does that mean— difficult?"
"It doesn't mean that," Shuta An corrected, waving a hand. "It refers to moisture levels. 'Hard' is the firmest—lowest water content."
"The best of all good-track conditions," Berno Light added, having recently reviewed the same material.
"But since it's Longchamp, shouldn't I still prepare as if it might be heavy?" Oguri asked.
"Being cautious is always good," Shuta An agreed without hesitation.
While he and the two Uma Musume analyzed the track, French commentators and media were equally busy debating the likely favorite for the French Classics.
Some argued Blushing John—winner of the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau by two lengths—deserved top billing.
Some pushed for French Stress, winner of another key prep.
Others believed Tay Wharf, whose disappointing loss in last year's heavy-track Cant Stakes was chalked up to poor form, should be seen as the leading favorite.
Not even the most "creative" outlets placed the "top favorite" label on Oguri Cap.
"She carries the name 'Cap' yet the experts dismiss her so thoroughly," Miss Miesque remarked with a light grin as Shuta An trained Oguri.
Berno Light could only smile awkwardly. "Well— we are from Japan. Being overlooked is kind of normal."
"No," Miss Miesque countered firmly. "Don't ever think being underestimated is 'normal' because of where you're from."
"Favorites should be decided by strength, not nationality," she continued. "Oguri has the ability, yet she's being judged on origin alone."
Her smile turned foxlike, eyes curving faintly. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to shatter that right on Longchamp's turf next week? I'm looking forward to it."
Shuta An, listening from not far away, responded calmly: "I hope we get to see that moment too."
"Oguri will make it happen," Berno Light said confidently.
Only Oguri, still running laps, blinked in confusion. "What are they talking about?"
Meanwhile in Japan, analysts also weighed in on the French 2000 Guineas—trying to ride the wave of Oguri Cap's overseas challenge—but none believed she had a real chance. Not because they dismissed her strength, but because Sirius Symboli's two fruitless years in Europe had etched the harsh reality of the gap between Japanese and European Uma Musume.
"Could Oguri Cap really be stronger than Sirius Symboli? Admirable spirit or not, this plan is reckless."
"Let's just hope this trip doesn't break her confidence. And if it does, the responsibility lies with the Trainer!"
Several bolder media outlets, however, skipped the subtle criticism entirely and hurled their fastball straight at the URA Association:
"If Oguri Cap could enter the Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho, would her Trainer choose an overseas Classic instead? Which talented Uma Musume doesn't dream of running in a domestic Classic? Our URA Association slammed that door shut. Now they criticize the Trainer for choosing a harder path—yet won't criticize the Association's arrogance. How is that not enabling injustice?"
Few echoed that sentiment. Most people judge by results, and until Oguri Cap achieved something, no outlet dared follow such a stance. Even if common Twinkle Series fans agreed, the URA could easily smother any dissent.
In Tokyo, inside the Student Council office of Central Tracen Academy, Symboli Rudolf flipped through the day's newspaper.
"Those critiques to the URA have already faded," Maruzensky commented. "Everything left now is stuff you don't want to read, Rudolf-chan."
"It's fine," Rudolf replied. She picked up a pair of scissors and began clipping out the pro-URA articles.
"It'll be far more interesting when we look back after the reversal."
"Reversal?" Maruzensky blinked. "You think there's a chance?"
"Of course." Rudolf tapped her temple. "My intuition says so."
Regardless of public noise—whether Oguri Cap was favored or ignored—Shuta An stayed focused on what mattered.
On May 6, two days before the race, he summoned the gray-maned Uma Musume to the guest room. A few days earlier, Oguri Cap had already received her gate draw for the French 2000 Guineas: Gate 1, the innermost stall.
"I called you here to explain the tactics I've prepared for the French 2000 Guineas," Shuta An said immediately, getting straight to the point.
Oguri Cap had already dismissed distracting thoughts, but she still pouted at the familiar topic.
"Let's set everything else aside for now. Even if this race is just a prelude for us—you don't want to lose, right?
Seeing through her mood, Shuta An placed his right hand over her left. "Whatever concerns you have about Berno and the others—we'll talk after the race."
"Mhm." Oguri softly responded and listened as he began the briefing.
"The 1600 meters at Longchamp uses the outer course—basically the Arc de Triomphe route, but without the first 800 meters."
"That means," he continued, "two hundred meters after the start, you'll already be approaching the first turn."
"So I need to secure a position quickly?" Oguri asked. After Miss Miesque's special guidance, her sense for race dynamics had sharpened considerably.
"If we were still racing back home, that would be correct," Shuta An replied. Oguri immediately knew her assumption was off.
She pressed her lips together and refocused while he continued:
"Break the 1600 meters into four parts." He raised four fingers, then lowered three. "First, a 200-meter straight with an uphill slope—it leads to Longchamp's highest point."
He lifted another finger. "Second, a 750-meter turn with a steep downhill. Running downhill while cornering means your balance and center of gravity will be tested."
Oguri nodded repeatedly. Downhill running increased speed—but fighting centrifugal force on a curve meant one misstep could send a runner sprawling.
"The last two parts are technically one section, but I'll divide them to avoid confusion," he said, raising his index and middle fingers.
"After you exit the bend, if visibility is clear, you'll see the finish line when you look up. But if you accelerate here—you will absolutely lose."
"Eh? Why?" Oguri frowned. "Is the final stretch strange?"
"It looks like a single straight, but it's actually two straights connected at a slight angle. When you come out of the corner, there's a short 117-meter straight. Hold yourself back here. Then the rail suddenly shifts outward—that means you're entering the true 533-meter final straight."
Oguri's ears perked. "If the rail expands outward, that means I won't need to move out on my own, right?"
"Correct." Shuta An gave her a thumbs-up. "Even with the innermost lane, you don't need to force your way outward early. The opening will naturally appear on your right."
He added, "But don't get complacent. Others can use that same opening. You must still be near the front of the leading pack when you enter the real straight."
"So I'm using a pace-chaser strategy again?" Oguri asked. She scooted closer, resting her head lightly on his shoulder.
"No. This time, we're using a late-surger strategy." Shuta An hadn't forgotten her reward from the Dream World over a month ago—the skill 'Late Surger Tactic Tips.'
Its effect: Improves forward-path judgment while using a late-surger strategy.
It sounded simple, but to Shuta An, it was more valuable than any raw speed buff:
"Better path judgment means you're less likely to get boxed in by early leaders." And in two days, that mattered more than anything.
After absorbing everything, Oguri Cap's mind drifted to envisioning race scenarios. Noticing her thoughtful silence, Shuta An quietly laced his fingers with hers, savoring the warmth of her hand.
Lost in imagining the race, Oguri instinctively pulled her hand back and wrapped her arms around his waist instead.
The room fell into a soft stillness, their breathing aligned—Until Oguri finally snapped out of her daydream. She noticed the warmth on her leg and didn't need to look to know whose hand it was.
The "window paper" between them still remained unbroken—but only time will tell.
"Trainer," Oguri spoke softly, "after the 2000 Guineas let's go to Sacré-Cœur."
Shuta An withdrew his hand and thought for a moment. "Just us?"
"And Berno," Oguri pouted.
"After the race, it'll be time to relax."
"I'll give it everything I have," Oguri whispered into his ear.
"No," Shuta An corrected gently. "The most important thing is your health. Our real goal is the next race."