Hello guys, The progress of this fic already at 15% of the original. So, to secure some funds to some RAW chapters, I am opening the Patreon now.
Here is the plan for the advance chapters:
First Week: 28 chapters (Since updating at the same time with Webnovel, Start at November 24th, 2025)
Second Week and so on: 14 chapters advantage from regular update.
Each membership will add an additional Bonus Chapter for regular update and membership update
For now, I am only opening it up for this fic. In the future, I also considering the Genshin Impact fic to be included in the plan as well.
So anyone interested, or just want to support me. Hit the membership button to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ModerateCitizens
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French Derby End This Week
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Shuta An, having acquired a new skill, naturally wanted to test it immediately.
So the next morning, after Oguri Cap finished her daily training menu, he suggested giving her a post-training physical check.
"Eh? Are we going to the hospital?" Oguri Cap stiffened. Months ago, Shuta An had predicted Sakura Star O's condition far in advance; now the Gray Uma Musume feared he had discovered some hidden problem with her as well.
"Don't overthink it," Shuta An waved his hand. "I've just learned some palpation techniques and want to practice."
"Ah—" Oguri Cap hesitated, not out of distrust, but for a different concern.
"Can Trainer wait a moment? I need to get ready."
"Get ready?" Shuta An blinked, but nodded. "Alright. I'll wait here."
Relieved, Oguri Cap quickly walked off. Berno Light gave Shuta An a suspicious look, pouted, and followed after her. It wasn't until nearly noon that Oguri Cap returned—this time wearing her racing silks, alone.
"I'm ready," she said, voice faintly trembling.
The faint scent of fresh shower gel drifted to Shuta An's nose. He understood immediately.
"She was embarrassed about the sweat from training, so she went to shower first."
But that was precisely part of why he wanted to test the skill.
He patted the spot beside him in invitation. "Then let's begin."
Every Uma Musume cared greatly about the condition of her legs, and Oguri Cap was no exception. But when Shuta An knelt before her and gently removed the shoes she had only just put on, she was more worried about how he would react.
"Even though I washed thoroughly, I'm still nervous" Oguri Cap bit her lip, thankful she had ordered Berno Light to stay behind. "If Berno were here, I'd die of embarrassment."
Though he wasn't looking at her face, Shuta An could read her state from the way her toes curled stiffly inside.
On his first attempt, he refrained from taking the stockings off—he didn't want to overstimulate her, and he wanted the practice to go smoothly. He set her shoes aside, placed her left foot gently in his hand, closed his eyes, and pressed his palm against her arch, rubbing slowly with practiced precision.
Oguri Cap blushed to the tips of her ears, closing her eyes as well—too shy to even look at his hands.
But Shuta An's mind was focused entirely on the technique. Any "bonus sensations" were secondary.
"Elasticity is good. Even with the increased intensity lately, all responses match a healthy condition."
He switched to her right foot and began again. This time, Oguri Cap's eyes flew open. With her vision gone, her sense of touch felt sharper, and the faint tingling rising from her lower body made her momentarily forget her shyness.
"Perfect," Shuta An murmured. "Next are the legs."
But as he moved upward, the warmth forming in her lower abdomen intensified. Oguri Cap instinctively pressed her thighs together, signaling clear resistance. Understanding immediately, Shuta An didn't push further. He quietly helped her slip her shoes back on.
"No abnormalities. Muscle tension and Achilles response are all excellent. Tomorrow's intensity doesn't need adjustment."
"So he really was palpating" Oguri Cap puffed her cheeks, but forced out—
"Thank you, Trainer"
The moment she heard her own voice, she slapped both hands over her mouth. It wasn't the words—it was the breathy, honey-dipped tone she hadn't intended at all.
"Huh?" Shuta An froze at the sound, then chuckled. "Oguri's legs are amazing. I really got my fill."
"I knew it!" Oguri Cap sprang to her feet, face blazing red, and bolted off.
Left alone, Shuta An rubbed his chin.
"Oguri Cap's physique is still the strongest I've seen. But Tokai Teio will probably need regular palpation too." He shook his head, pushing away unnecessary thoughts. "Well, that won't be for a long time. I shouldn't think too far ahead."
Meanwhile—
After fleeing the training ground, Oguri Cap hurried back to the guesthouse. She kept her legs pressed tightly together, walking with a tiny, rapid "pitter-patter" gait all the way to her room.
Berno Light, watching TV, looked up. "Oguri—?"
But Oguri Cap didn't reply, closing herself inside her bedroom in a flustered rush.
"Something's wrong." Berno Light narrowed her eyes. "Did Trainer do something while I wasn't there?"
The more she considered it, the more likely it seemed.
"No, I have to go ask."
Acting on impulse, she switched off the TV and dashed downstairs. Shuta An was still sitting on the bench, enjoying the warm spring breeze. When Berno Light demanded to know what happened, Shuta An calmly used her as the next practice subject.
A few minutes later, Berno Light was also fleeing the training ground—heels clicking, hands covering her face, hair bouncing behind her like a startled rabbit.
"Is my technique flawed?" Shuta An muttered, staring at his open palm. "I did everything by the book"
——
From the next day onward, Oguri Cap firmly refused to let Shuta An practice palpation on her again.
The young man didn't push the matter. He simply stopped trying. With that daily routine gone, Shuta An suddenly found himself with extra time.
There were still half a month left before the French Derby. Although the official entry list hadn't been finalized, he had scanned the likely participants and already identified Oguri Cap's main rivals—none of them were exceptionally strong. The toughest among them was Classic Cliche, winner of the G2 heavy Tokai Teio Stakes.
"But her Trainer skipping the Epsom Derby just to come to France— that's really strange." Shuta An couldn't make sense of Classic Cliche's schedule. In previous years, the Tokai Teio Stakes winner always attracted major support at Epsom.
If not for concerns about Oguri Cap's raw strength and uphill ability, Shuta An himself would've aimed straight at the world-renowned Derby at Epsom.
Classic Cliche abandoning that race for the French Derby made him quietly wary.
"Other than that, we can only pray the weather holds." The turf at Chantilly was drier than Longchamp, but rain would still pose a problem for Oguri Cap. A dry track would eliminate most of her disadvantages.
But weather forecasts for something half a month away were unreliable. Only a few days before the race would they get anything meaningful. So Shuta An requested that the hotel water the training turf more heavily, raising the moisture to a "slightly heavy" level.
He deliberately avoided making it fully heavy—deep turf consumed stamina too quickly, and he didn't want Oguri Cap burning unnecessary energy every day.
"Anyway, I'll just prepare everything I can for her," he murmured as he watched hotel staff tidy up the turf.
After finishing his daytime tasks, he spent the evening with the two Uma Musume as usual. By now, both Oguri Cap and Berno Light had fully adapted to quietly sitting by his side while he worked—taking turns visiting his room without needing to say anything.
Even when the three of them were together, Shuta An never crossed any lines with Oguri Cap. Like he had promised, he won't lay a hand before the French Derby. But that excuse didn't apply to Berno Light. She was no longer a Uma Musume, and no matter what he said, she wouldn't be convinced.
If not for worrying about Oguri Cap's feelings, under Berno Light's constant advances, Shuta An would've probably given in completely already.
Though in truth, the only thing left undone was the final step.
After sending Berno Light back to her shared room with Oguri Cap, Shuta An nervously checked his door lock several times before feeling secure enough to change into pajamas and close his bedroom door.
He trusted that the assistant uma musume wouldn't tell Oguri Cap about the hugging and kissing—but he trusted Oguri Cap's instincts far more. It wouldn't be strange if Oguri Cap was already preparing a surprise visit at night. And he didn't want anything to disrupt her pre-race condition. So he braced himself carefully.
After drifting into the Dream World, Shuta An mounted Rikiai Northern and began his usual training. Trainer Shimizu Izumi was pleased with his work ethic. If Gold City's owner hadn't favored another rider, he sincerely would've considered giving his stable's ace to Shuta An.
Even without that partnership, Shimizu introduced him to many colleagues, and soon Shuta An received numerous riding offers.
The horses varied in quality, but with his exceptional generational riding skill, he still maintained a win rate of over 40%. The Central riders and stable assistants greeted him eagerly every day—everyone here admired pure riding talent, and Shuta An clearly outclassed the average rider.
After circling Rikiai Northern to the outer track, he dismounted with a stable assistant's help, moved to the front, and rubbed his partner's head. Rewarding a horse after hard training was one of the best ways to build trust.
Rikiai Northern affectionately nuzzled him, then stuck out her tongue and licked his cheek.
Half-awake, Shuta An murmured, "This Dream World is too realistic— Why does my face feel wet?"
Then realization struck him. His eyes snapped open—
The gray-haired Uma Musume sitting beside his bed shot to her feet.
"How did you get in?" Shuta An felt a chill. He distinctly remembered locking the door last night.
"Trainer gave me a spare key," Oguri Cap said, showing the key in her palm. "It's almost 7:30. You still weren't awake, so I got worried."
Shuta An touched his cheek—the dampness made the truth obvious.
"I'll go wash up first." He tapped his forehead, threw aside the blankets, and got out of bed. "Has Oguri eaten?"
Oguri Cap's gaze lingered on the gaps between the buttons of his pajama. "Berno and I already ate," she replied.
After washing up and changing into casual clothes, he found her standing at the door, quietly waiting to head downstairs for morning training. He crossed the room in a few quick steps. Just as Oguri Cap turned, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her back toward him, and leaned down to kiss her.
Her eyes widened. She could feel his heartbeat clearly against her, and the world seemed to fall silent. Their breaths grew heavier until they had to separate. At that moment, a notification from the attribute viewer chimed faintly.
But he didn't check it—every bit of his attention was caught by how irresistibly beautiful Oguri Cap looked up close.
"Trainer, it's time to train," she whispered, slipping out of his arms and fleeing the room.
Shuta An watched her leave, savoring the aftertaste of that moment, then heard a notification.
"Conditions met. Skill 'Senko no Oni' has been imparted."