Jo Kitahara paused for a moment, then realized that Shinpo was referring to Oguri Cap's nickname.
In the game, this cute little nickname indeed existed, and Jo couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Trouble… no, not really."
He denied Shinpo's guess, smiling. "Don't forget—the new school term hasn't started yet. How could your daughter possibly be causing any trouble?"
Shinpo's expression immediately relaxed a lot. She continued leading Jo further into the house, but still seemed somewhat hesitant.
"Then if it's not about Oguri Cap causing trouble, may I ask—what brings you here today, Jo Kitahara? Is there something important?"
"It's actually about Oguri Cap."
Seeing her concern flare again, Jo hurriedly explained, "But please don't worry—it's nothing bad."
"In short, as a trainer, I see a lot of potential in Oguri Cap. I hope she can join my team and fully display her talents on the racetrack."
For an Uma Musume, running seemed almost instinctual. Regardless of innate talent, few would resist the racetrack.
Whether they won or lost, standing on the green track, they exuded a natural aura that made it seem as if they were born to run.
Under such circumstances, being recognized by a prestigious academy and a trainer is usually a source of joy for an Uma Musume.
However, upon hearing Jo's words, Shinpo didn't show happiness. Instead, her expression became pensive and worried.
Jo was puzzled.
With his own prior memories, and after over a month interacting with various Uma Musume, he could clearly sense that those already part of a trainer's team were proud to participate in races, while those not yet in a team still looked forward to the racetrack with longing.
Moreover, Shinpo had herself been a racehorse. She should understand the longing Uma Musume feel for competition.
So why did her expression show concern instead of joy when she heard her daughter was valued by a trainer?
Could it be the reputation of this body's previous owner—his predecessor—had carried over here?
Thinking this, Jo felt a bit awkward and helpless.
This body was under 30, but Jo's predecessor had joined Kasamatsu Tracen Academy in his early teens under the recommendation of a senior, meaning he already had over ten years of training experience.
Yet, throughout this long career, the horses he trained had rarely achieved outstanding results.
Not just at the top-level central races—he also hadn't achieved much at local events or entertainment races.
Over time, he became lazy. He hardly visited the academy, only marking attendance, briefly showing up at mandatory meetings, then wandering around or occasionally watching races.
As a result, at Kasamatsu Tracen, he had become notorious for being idle and dissipated.
After crossing over, Jo wanted to change this perception, but such a change couldn't happen overnight.
Recruiting Oguri Cap into his team was the perfect opportunity: a way to improve his image and prove he could be an outstanding trainer.
If Shinpo knew about his predecessor's previous laziness, persuading her to allow her daughter to train under him would be far more difficult.
But he had to try.
After a quiet sigh, Jo quickly encouraged himself and straightened up.
Currently, he was merely a local trainer, largely unknown. Even if he got into the central Tracen Academy, top-level Uma Musume would not care about him. So for Oguri Cap, he couldn't give up until the very last moment.
Recruiting her was crucial—not just for his own career, but also because he had admired Oguri Cap before crossing over, both as a racehorse and an Uma Musume.
Oguri Cap's career was almost legendary.
From mediocre bloodlines, humble origins, and congenital weaknesses—some scouts even considered her incapable of becoming a racehorse.
Yet within a few years, she had risen from local competitions to the central stage, becoming a horse that shocked the entire racing world.
Her early career: 12 local races—10 wins, 2 second places. Central races: 22 races—12 wins, 4 second places, 1 third place, breaking world records three times.
She was 1988's best four-year-old horse, 1990's horse of the year, a hall-of-fame horse in Japan, and even broke the highest prize money record in 1990.
The JRA (Japan Racing Association) modified rules that hadn't changed for decades because of her impact, and the public called her a "god." Some even divided Japanese racing history into the "pre-Oguri Cap era" and the "post-Oguri Cap era."
In a 2011 official CM featuring Oguri Cap, the commentary concluded with the highest praise:"I think… gods really do exist."
Jo drew immense inspiration and resonance from this legendary story. Like Oguri Cap, he came from a modest family and had faced challenges growing up, yet achieved notable academic and professional success.
When communicating with friends in the racing industry, he noticed that no matter how they evaluated Oguri Cap, everyone agreed: she represented determination and transformed the entire horse racing world.
So he had to first talk with Oguri Cap's mother before presenting his intentions to her daughter.
Yet Jo didn't speak immediately.
Earlier, he had followed Shinpo into the living room. After being invited to sit at the table, she poured him tea. Jo decided to wait for a few sips before explaining his purpose.
However, after handing him the tea, Shinpo looked in another direction with a concerned expression and hesitantly spoke:
"Perhaps it's presumptuous for me to say this, but… Jo Kitahara, perhaps Oguri Cap… isn't a particularly exceptional Uma Musume. She may not bring you any honor."
Jo almost spit out his tea.
…Wait, what did she just say? Oguri Cap isn't a particularly exceptional Uma Musume?!
For a moment, he felt a mix of amusement and disbelief. He was about to correct her when he noticed where her gaze was focused.
It was an old cabinet in the living room. On top of it lay a slightly yellowed photo.
In the photo, near the edge, was a young Shinpo. She was side-facing the camera. At the center was a very small Uma Musume.
The little Uma Musume sat cross-legged on the floor, her legs awkwardly bent, her body clearly frail. She wore a loose pink sweater that hung off her frame.
Her expression was a little dazed. She stared at the camera, holding a carrot in each tiny hand, attempting to eat them clumsily.
Although Jo had never seen this photo before, he instinctively knew it was Oguri Cap as a child.
Ah, of course! People in this world wouldn't know Oguri Cap's future.
Without knowledge of her achievements, how could anyone here believe that such a small, awkward, and clumsy child would grow into a legendary, world-renowned Uma Musume?