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Before the French Derby arrived, the Japanese Derby had taken place first.
There, Sakura Chiyono O—who had once been overtaken by Oguri Cap in the Yayoi Sho—unleashed a desperate determination. Even at the cost of injury and a long recovery, she claimed the title of this year's Japanese Derby Uma Musume.
In previous years, both the media and Twinkle Series fans would naturally have celebrated Sakura Chiyono O as the unquestioned pinnacle of her generation. Praise, anticipation, and admiration would have surrounded her completely.
But this year was different.
Even now, winning the Japanese Derby still crowns a Uma Musume as the top of her generation. However, this generation possessed an anomaly—someone who, because she never registered with the Central Tracen Academy, was forbidden from even stepping onto the Derby stage. If it were only that, it would be a simple matter of being unable to participate. But she had done something no Japanese Uma Musume had ever achieved: conquering a European Classic G1 race.
And just one week after the Japanese Derby, she would challenge yet another European Classic—the French Derby. Even amid Japan's rising economic confidence, even as some boldly declared they "could buy the entire United States," everyone involved in the Twinkle Series still understood well that domestic standards were inferior to Europe and America.
Thus, Oguri Cap—who had already won the French 2000 Guineas and was now set to run the French Derby—became the most closely watched Japanese Uma Musume.
Even Sakura Chiyono O, despite fulfilling her dream of becoming the Derby Uma Musume, found herself in the same tragic position as last year's winner, Happy Beauty. Last year, everyone lamented Sakura Star O's inability to participate in the Derby. This year, they lamented the same for Oguri Cap.
"If only Oguri Cap had run the Classic races."
"If she wins both the French 2000 Guineas and the French Derby"
"She just beat Sakura Chiyono O not long ago"
Such comments spread endlessly. And although Sakura Chiyono O said nothing while recovering, everyone at the Academy noticed her change. The once high-spirited Derby winner had become gloomier by the day.
Tokai Teio, seeing this, felt pity for her.
"This isn't Oguri-senpai's fault, or Trainer's fault— and Chiyono O-senpai did nothing wrong. The real problem is—" Tokai Teio knew the answer—but could not say it aloud. A Uma Musume needed her fans. Eventually, unable to bear it, she messaged Shuta Ann via Line and told him everything happening in Japan.
"So that's how it is." After hearing Shuta Ann's retelling, Berno Light frowned deeply. "It really is unfair to Miss Sakura Chiyono O. But isn't this something outside our control?"
"Not entirely." Shuta Ann shook his head. "Even if we aren't at fault, offering Sakura Chiyono O a hand still aligns with Oguri's wishes, doesn't it?"
"If Sakura Chiyono O is troubled by public opinion because of my presence, I should speak up," Oguri Cap agreed.
But Shuta Ann waved off the suggestion. "Oguri, the French Derby is only days away. I'll handle this myself."
Thus, the next morning, when Tokai Teio woke up and checked her phone, she found a video file from Trainer. She downloaded it immediately. The moment it opened, she saw Shuta Ann in casual clothing, standing at Chantilly Racecourse.
His speech was firm, direct, and exactly what Tokai Teio expected from a Trainer:
"The winner of the Japanese Derby is Sakura Chiyono O. The winner deserves her cheers. A Uma Musume who didn't run the race should not be used to question the winner."
"This is disrespectful to Sakura Chiyono O, and it is equally disrespectful to Oguri Cap."
"I hope these pointless comments disappear soon. They are interfering with Oguri Cap's training."
By the end, his expression had hardened into something almost grim.
"How scary—" Tokai Teio muttered internally. "Trainer looks like he's about to eat the audience—"
But she also knew his attitude would help cleanse the public opinion space.
"Still— Trainer's image may suffer. Some people will never back down after this." Tokai Teio bit her lip. "I have to work harder. Because of my selfish request, Trainer took time to record this. Now it's my responsibility to offset the damage to his reputation."
Not erase—offset.
"If I achieve great success thanks to Trainer, then no malice will stand."
With that conviction, Tokai Teio leapt out of bed for her morning practice.
"I'll send the video to the Director during lunch. She'll be thrilled," she murmured, humming softly.
Meanwhile, Shuta Ann didn't take the matter to heart at all. Recording the video was merely to settle his conscience—to return some kindness to the pink-haired Uma Musume who had once bowed to him for a casual reminder.
"The French Derby is almost here. I hope Oguri will be the luckiest one this year," he murmured.
"It will definitely be Oguri. Who could be luckier than Oguri and me, meeting a frustrated genius Trainer in Japan countryside?"
"I'm no genius," Shuta Ann replied, waving her hand. "But Berno and Oguri really are the luckiest Uma Musumes."
And so, the trio marched toward the greatest goal of their journey: the Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby.
———
June 4th, Saturday. Paris was shrouded in dark clouds, threatening heavy rain at any moment.
Seeing the weather, Shuta Ann immediately instructed Oguri Cap to bring her heavy-track shoes and horseshoes.
"It's only one rain. It shouldn't become a heavy track, right?" Berno Light asked.
"The turf here drains poorly. A strong downpour can turn a 'slightly heavy' listing into practically a 'bad' track."
Although the turf at Chantilly drained better than Longchamp, Shuta Ann still felt—
"Oguri advantage is much greater on a dry track," he thought with a quiet sigh.
"If it rains, I must watch the heavy-track runners carefully," Oguri Cap said, noticing his concern. "Especially Hours After beside me—I'll stay alert."
"Don't worry," she added, patting his shoulder. "I'll bring back the crown."
"I believe you," Shuta Ann replied, taking her hand. "But I wish every race you ran could be won easily."
"That's impossible," Oguri Cap smiled faintly. "No victory is easily earned."
"I know" He raised her hand gently between his own. "I'll be cheering near the 50-meter mark."
"Me too!" Berno chimed in. "I'll be cheering as loudly as I can!"
This Derby mattered to all three.
For Oguri Cap: winning would make her the first "French Two Crowns Uma Musume" in twenty-six years.
For Berno Light: it would give her logistics role a glorious achievement—since she must also appear on stage during the ceremony.
For Shuta Ann: any Trainer dreamed of becoming a "Derby Trainer." The title alone eclipsed nearly all others.
"A few minutes past three— we'll see the result," Shuta Ann murmured. "Let it be the best one."
When the trio stepped out of the hotel, reporters were already waiting. Shuta Ann walked ahead, the two Uma Musume behind him. When a reporter tried to approach Oguri Cap, he immediately stepped between them.
"If you want an interview, ask me. Please don't disturb Oguri."
The reporters froze. With any other Trainer, they could push past. But this man carried the bloodline of a French Triple Tiara Uma Musume behind him. Offending him would be disastrous.
They changed targets without protest. Shuta Ann handled the questions with ease, as he had done since his West Coast internship, leaving the two Uma Musume blinking at his composure.
After answering enough, he checked the time.
"We need to head to Chantilly for preparations. That's all for now."
He didn't ask; he simply ended it. The reporters accepted it. Just before they dispersed, Shuta Ann threw out one more line:
"I hope you can all interview me again this afternoon—with smiles."
Every reporter understood the meaning.
"I hope to witness the first Two Crowns Uma Musume in twenty-six years," said a reporter from Paris Turf, who had previously clashed with him and Miesque.
At the racecourse, Shuta Ann handed a package to Oguri Cap. "Choose your shoes based on the rainfall. Even if the official listing doesn't change, switch if the ground feels heavy."
"I understand," Oguri Cap nodded.
"I'll be watching you at the fifty-meter point. Trust our preparations. Trust my belief in you. Oguri will win."
"I know." She reached for his hand again. "I'll give everything for Trainer and Berno."
After Oguri Cap disappeared into the runners' passage, Shuta Ann and Berno headed into the staff entrance.
"It feels like a castle," Berno gasped. "Old, but full of history."
"That's why the Derby is held here," Shuta Ann replied. "The French Oaks will be here next week as well."
"No wonder last weekend was quiet— I thought the Oaks wasn't popular."
"That's a G1. Of course, it's popular."
"Trainer, honestly do you think Oguri will win?" Berno asked softly.
Shuta Ann said nothing until they approached the staff area.
"Fifty-fifty. She wins, or she doesn't."
Berno puffed her cheeks. "What a sly answer."