Chapter 95. Quarrel (One-Sided)
The following days burned with focus.
Shuta An poured everything into guiding Tokai Teio's training for the Kikuka Sho. As the race date tightened its grip, the URA Association itself sent staff to his doorstep, asking if there was anything they could provide.
"There's nothing needed. If you absolutely want to do something, I hope the URA Association can start designing Teio's new racing uniforms now, to celebrate her achieving the Undefeated Triple Crown," Shuta An said flatly.
Rumors spread that the URA Association immediately issued a strict order to the design department. But Shuta An didn't care about what they were doing — his entire world had narrowed down to Tokai Teio.
Starting October 5th, after consulting all parties, Shuta An obtained permission for Teio to temporarily leave Central Tracen Academy.
"Ann wouldn't be thinking of taking Teio home, would he?"
Mejiro Dober, resting in America, reacted with that first thought.
"I have no such intention," the young man denied. "Instead, I'm planning to take her to your house."
"Huh?" Mejiro Dober's mouth dropped open. She froze. "What does that mean?"
"Literally," Shuta An shrugged. "After all, the Mejiro Family has expertise in endurance training. So I asked Mejiro Ramonu if Tokai Teio could use the Mejiro Family's vacation villa and its training facilities for the next half month to focus on cardiovascular exercise and long-distance race specialized training."
"I didn't expect Ramonu-nee to agree," Mejiro Dober admitted, surprised.
"Logically speaking, it's a vacation villa. Even though no one is using it right now, lending it out would still require convincing the old-fashioned elders in the family."
"It proves that Mejiro Ramonu's control over the Mejiro Family has improved a lot, doesn't it?"
Shuta An felt a flicker of guilt — he had indeed provided a small amount of help to Mejiro Ramonu in that regard.
But Mejiro Dober didn't catch it, happily taking over the conversation:
"Indeed, Ramonu-nee seems much brighter lately. She's chatted with me a lot on Line, and she even said she wants to visit me in America next week and do some shopping in Los Angeles."
On the 6th — one month left until the Breeders Cup Series — Mejiro Dober's preparation was progressing smoothly.
Shuta An felt he didn't need to worry much.
But on Teio's side?
The young man arrived at the Mejiro Family villa in the afternoon and felt frustrated.
"Teio, understand this: the next race is 3000 meters. You don't need to rush to set a fast pace at the beginning, and no brainless Uma Musume would target you by setting a fast pace to make you uncomfortable,"
Shuta An complained unceremoniously after glancing at Tokai Teio's training records for the day.
Today, Tokai Teio was focusing more on explosive power — not endurance training. The experienced young man could tell what she was worried about just by looking at the regimen.
"I know," Tokai Teio stuck out her tongue. "I was just simulating the final straight sprint."
"Do we need to consider that situation?"
Shuta An sat cross-legged opposite the two-time Triple Crown Winner.
"The Kikuka Sho race will not, under any circumstances, be a super-fast-paced race."
"But what if there's an Uma Musume who doesn't care about her results and just wants everyone to remember her?"
Teio looked up, retorting sharply,
"I've seen this happen in overseas races. This year's Kikuka Sho is destined to be highly anticipated. If I were in another position, I would definitely choose to make a big escape to be remembered and to cause trouble for the strongest opponent."
"If it were a middle-distance race, a fast pace in the first half would indeed be trouble for Teio, but the Kikuka Sho is different,"
Shuta An shook his head.
"Everyone is uncertain about their distance adaptability and stamina. So generally no Uma Musume would choose a fast-paced big escape. But if there is such an Uma Musume running that way, all other leading Uma Musume will choose to control their pace."
"What if there's an Uma Musume who is very confident in her stamina?" Tokai Teio tilted her head.
"There are no Mejiro Family Uma Musume running this year,"
the young man wagged his finger.
"And even if there were, the Yodo Slope at Kyoto Racecourse is the biggest challenge in front of her. As long as you get past there, Teio, you can gradually accelerate and regain any lost ground."
"On the day of the Kikuka Sho, the final straight at Kyoto Racecourse is 398 meters long, which isn't too short. It's enough to catch up,"
Shuta An added.
"I think you don't need to worry about being left too far behind by your opponents and not being able to catch up. In short, just focus on building your stamina, Teio. As long as you can run the 3000 meters, you'll have no opponents in this Kikuka Sho."
"But the Spring Tenno Sho and such won't work, right?" Tokai Teio bit her lip. "Can I really not beat Mejiro McQueen over long distances? Trainer, if I can win the Kikuka Sho—"
Watching Tokai Teio fall into this unnecessary self-doubt again, Shuta An shook his head helplessly.
He knew the truth: Teio's condition was due to the Kikuka Sho drawing near.
Her usually confident self had become cautious — the Undefeated Triple Crown was just one step away, and that thought was weighing her down.
"Every Uma Musume has her strengths. If Teio doubts herself because her long-distance talent isn't as good as Mejiro McQueen's, then why doesn't she consider that she can't beat many Uma Musume in dirt races?"
Shuta An retorted sharply.
"I will design the most suitable race schedule for Teio — that's a promise I made a long time ago. But I also have to state a fact today—if the Kikuka Sho weren't the final race for your coveted Undefeated Triple Crown, Tokai Teio, I would never let you run this race!"
Tokai Teio was startled. Her gaze fell on her Trainer, remaining silent for a long moment.
"I know your first goal for yourself is Symboli Rudolf, but do you absolutely have to win the Spring Tenno Sho like her to prove you've surpassed her? Did Oguri Cap ever run a race over 2500 meters? Would anyone say Oguri Cap is inferior to Symboli Rudolf?"
Shuta An's imposing aura was overwhelming. Teio didn't even have the courage to retort.
"There's less than a month left until the Kikuka Sho! If you want to win, then honestly go and train your cardio and stamina, and stop thinking about the Spring Tenno Sho or Mejiro McQueen! The race you're running is only for yourself!"
Shuta An stood up, leaving Tokai Teio in the living room.
"If you want to go to the Spring Tenno Sho, remember to hand in a resignation letter. I'll just consider all the previous training time wasted."
"I won't think about that anymore!"
When Tokai Teio came back to her senses, she had already clung to her Trainer, shouting loudly.