In the afternoon, after visiting the waterfall in Shiretoko National Park, Oguri Cap suddenly turned to Yaeno Muteki and her teammates.
"We're planning a barbecue party at the ranch tonight. Would Miss Yaeno Muteki and your juniors like to join us?"
"Huh?" Yaeno Muteki clearly didn't expect that. Even though a full day together had softened the impression of Oguri Cap being aloof, it was still surprising to see the French Two Crowns actively extending an invitation.
"Mainly— it'll be livelier," Oguri Cap murmured, casting a glance at Shuta An.
"I don't mind at all. The ranch has plenty of ingredients anyway," Shuta An replied. To him, it wasn't a bad idea in the slightest.
Yaeno Muteki hesitated briefly before nodding. "Since it's Miss Oguri Cap inviting us, of course we'll accept."
Shuta An immediately messaged the guesthouse owner, asking them to prepare additional ingredients. On the way back, Berno Light spoke up.
"Oguri wants the party to be lively—but what about Trainer?"
"Me?" Shuta An blinked. "Since Oguri invited them, why would I object?"
"But—" He paused. "I intend to use this chance to learn about what's been happening in Central these past few months from Miss Yaeno Muteki. Teio has been with Miss Symboli Rudolf this whole time, but her perspective is— too high up."
He traced a downward motion with his hand. "So I need to hear things from Yaeno Muteki's point of view—what Uma Musume in Central have been feeling these last two months."
"So Trainer's real target is information," Berno Light nodded, looking relieved. "I thought it was because of that person named Glory."
"Huh!?" Shuta An jolted. "Why would you think that?"
"Ummm—" Berno Light lightly touched her lips. "A woman's intuition?"
"Let's not rely on something that unreliable." Shuta An's mouth twitched. "We need to stay scientific."
"Scientific—" Berno Light muttered. "Ann's ability to unleash power comparable to a top-tier Uma Musume in bursts is already unscientific, though."
"What's unscientific about it?" Shuta An looked baffled. "My family background is just like that. Anyone could do it."
"But I've only ever seen it in you." Berno Light puffed her cheeks.
That evening, the barbecue began, with the guesthouse staff joining as well. Sitting at the head of the table, Shuta An no longer bothered cutting meat into pieces. Instead, he placed an entire slab of beef directly onto Oguri Cap's plate, watching with affection as she eagerly devoured the juicy Hokkaido specialty.
Then he turned to Yaeno Muteki—time to gather information.
"By the way, has anything noteworthy happened at Central Tracen Academy lately?"
Yaeno Muteki blinked, then shifted her gaze toward Oguri Cap.
"Well, the biggest news is definitely Oguri Cap-san winning the French Two Crowns. Especially with Derby Uma Musume Sirius Symboli-senpai performing poorly on her overseas expedition. Because of that comparison, some very confident Uma Musume are planning to challenge Classic Races abroad next year."
"If they lack adaptability on heavy turf, it's better not to waste their time," Shuta An said bluntly.
"That's exactly what all the Trainers say. Everyone saw how narrowly Miss Oguri Cap won the French Derby." Yaeno Muteki sighed. "On that kind of ground, I'd probably lose strength in my legs after just 1600 meters."
"The resolve to go overseas is admirable, but the goal of an expedition should differ for each person. Simply following trends is irresponsible to one's own Twinkle Series career." Shuta An nodded. "But Oguri had no choice but to go on that expedition. Everyone in Central knows that, right?"
"Yes." Yaeno Muteki nodded again. "Honestly, I don't agree with the URA Association's regulations but—"
A bittersweet smile surfaced. "I am one of the beneficiaries."
Shuta An couldn't respond to that.
Yaeno Muteki composed herself. "Still, I've heard rumors that URA plans to announce rule amendments at the year-end meeting. If the predictions are correct— They might be called the 'Oguri Cap Act.'"
"'Oguri Cap Act,' huh…" Shuta An laughed softly. "Ironically, the Uma Musume who'll profit from it won't be Oguri Cap herself."
"It doesn't matter," Oguri Cap said quietly. "As long as future Uma Musume don't experience what I did in spring, that's enough."
While munching a carrot, Yaeno Muteki asked, "Is Miss Oguri Cap running in the Autumn Tenno Sho next?"
"Yes," Shuta An answered for her.
"Then she'll clash with Tamamo Cross-senpai." Yaeno Muteki swallowed. "What a shame—I'm going to the Kikuka Sho, so I won't be appearing in this year's Autumn Tenno Sho."
"The Classics are once in a lifetime. You can still run the Autumn Tenno Sho next year," Shuta An shrugged.
When everyone had eaten their fill, and while grilling more meat for Oguri Cap, Shuta An asked another question.
"By the way, is your Trainer not with you, Miss Yaeno Muteki?"
"Grandpa didn't want to take a long trip. He just handed me the money and let me plan everything," she replied.
"Tokyo summers are harsh on seniors," Shuta An commented.
"But Grandpa refuses to move, so there's nothing we can do." Yaeno Muteki sighed. She couldn't exactly run all the way back to Tokyo, hoist the old man onto her back, and drag him to Hokkaido.
"Suffering in the heat, but unable to travel far. He must be quite old."
Meanwhile, in Tokyo—
"Ha!" Yaeno Muteki's elderly Trainer sent a sandbag flying with a straight punch.
"I wonder if Yaeno Muteki and the others are enjoying Hokkaido," the man muttered, catching the sandbag with one hand as he looked up at the polluted night sky.
———
Over nearly a week, Shuta An took the two Uma Musume across the entire Shiretoko Peninsula. During that time, everyone at the guesthouse learned about Oguri Cap's looming showdown with Tamamo Cross in autumn—and that Oguri might become Tamamo Cross's greatest rival.
Still, their hospitality remained warm, far warmer than Shuta An expected. It left him almost embarrassed.
"Most of the people staying in Noboribetsu have already left. We're done exploring here, so it's time to go back," he reminded the two girls after breakfast.
"We're leaving?" Oguri Cap looked reluctant. "I really like it here"
"We can't help it. We can't keep wasting the Noboribetsu rooms." Shuta An shrugged. "We still have to return."
As they departed, the guesthouse staff enthusiastically cheered for Oguri Cap.
"Oguri Cap! Do your best in autumn! Show your strength against Tamamo Cross!"
"If Oguri Cap wins, we'll get to see Tamamo Cross cry!"
Shuta An's mouth twitched.
Oguri Cap nodded firmly. "I will definitely deliver a performance that makes Tamamo Cross take me seriously!!"
Just as they were about to get into the car, they ran into Yaeno Muteki again—she and her team planned to head for Sapporo to shop.
"It'll be afternoon by the time you arrive from Shiretoko," Shuta An remarked.
"It's fine. I'll stay overnight and shop properly tomorrow." Yaeno Muteki tapped her phone. "Everyone has things they want to buy. And Sapporo is the only place in Hokkaido where you can get everything."
"I see," Shuta An nodded.
"Speaking of which, we've barely explored Sapporo ourselves," Berno Light said. "Should we go after resting a few days in Noboribetsu? Staying in the same place too long gets boring."
"Sure," Shuta An agreed. "Sapporo and Hakodate both have a lot to see."
"I want Sapporo desserts! I heard Hokkaido milk makes them amazing!" Oguri Cap declared.
—
Back in Noboribetsu, Shuta An opened the door to their room.
"It's been almost a week since I last soaked in the hot spring," he muttered. Noboribetsu's hot springs were heavenly—sometimes he suspected he had been a hot spring in his past life.
After showering, he wrapped a towel around his head and slipped into the private bath.
"A good soak after traveling— it really washes away fatigue."
But just as he relaxed—
Ring ring.
Annoyed, he climbed out, dried his hands, grabbed his phone, and unlocked the screen.
"Who's messaging me at this hour?"
It was Symboli Rudolf. He already had a feeling what this was about.
"Shuta-kun, forgive me for messaging at this time."
"It's regarding Oguri Cap and you attending summer camp."
"We hope you two can come to Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture on August 14th to attend the closing ceremony on the 15th."
"Will this interfere with your plans?"
Shuta An replied: "No problem. We'll arrive on time."
Symboli Rudolf immediately responded.
"There's also a personal matter I wanted to ask Shuta-kun."
"A personal matter?" Shuta An's brow rose. "What does she need from me personally?"
He typed: "Please go ahead."
"Well… didn't Shuta-kun say before that you wanted to observe Teio's training? Although you said autumn— Teio seems impatient. Her daily behavior has been a little distracted lately"
"It can't be that bad, can it?" Shuta An frowned. "If so, Teio needs to adjust her mindset."
"Eh…" Symboli Rudolf hesitated at his immediate response. "Why do you say that?"
"If the simple fact that I'll observe her training can disrupt her daily routine, then what will happen during important races?" Shuta An replied. "Mental fragility cannot be ignored. If you want me to come early, I must refuse. Teio must overcome this."
"No, I'm not asking you to come early. It's just—"
Symboli Rudolf typed, hesitated, deleted, and tried again.
"Teio simply wants to see you."
Shuta An narrowed his eyes, staring at the message in silence.
"She'll see me at the summer camp."
He sent the message, then shook his head.
"Teio is really strange— When we first met, she had such an attitude with me."
He opened the attribute viewer. Teio's favorability remained "???"
"So what's the reason?"
———
In Matsushima Bay, Tokai Teio, currently at summer camp, dragged her roommate along.
"There's nothing to see here. Maya thinks it's better to go back to sleep," Mayano Top Gun yawned. "I gamed too much last night, then we had morning team activities. Maya hasn't slept at all."
"Maya-chan, please come with me to Matsushima Town. Trainer will be here soon—I need to prepare a gift!" Teio pleaded, clinging to her arm.
"Maya thinks isn't it the Trainer who's supposed to prepare a gift for Teio?" Mayano Top Gun teased.