The next morning, after waking up, Shuta An instinctively opened the attribute viewer.
"Congratulations on winning the 98th Autumn Tenno Sho. The skill 'Head-to-Head Duel' has been upgraded to 'Tsubazeriai / Close Combat.'"
"Huh?"
He blinked a few times, then tapped to check the skill's effect. The description, however, was exactly the same as before.
"But it says it's an upgrade, so the effect should be stronger right?" He muttered to himself. "In that case, I should find an opportunity to teach it to Oguri."
Oguri Cap currently only had a handful of skills, and Shuta had no way to change that. Skills in the Dream World were given out far too rarely. Even if he taught her "Concentration," it still wouldn't be enough to fill a single line.
"Even so, she still managed to tie with Tamamo Cross in the Autumn Tenno Sho—Oguri really is incredible."
Rubbing his eyes and blinking away the drowsiness, Shuta rolled out of bed to get ready. Since this week was Oguri Cap's post-race rest period, he didn't schedule any training for her. After breakfast, the Gray Uma Musume left the hotel with Berno Light, returning to Kasamatsu. Leaving Shuta alone in Tokyo. With nothing to do, he went out for a casual walk before returning to the hotel room to watch TV.
"There's still nearly a month until the Japan Cup, and the overseas participants aren't even finalized yet. The URA Association's efficiency is really—lacking."
Shuta leaned back on the sofa, flipping channels with the remote. "Well, just Tony Bianca alone—the one Symboli Rudolf-san leaked to me—is already troublesome enough."
Even so, he made no move to start collecting information. He simply sprawled on the sofa, watching NHK's morning drama like a housewife relaxing between chores. Just as the episode ended and the commercials began, Shuta stood up to grab a cold bottle of barley tea from the refrigerator.
Then his phone rang. He grabbed it quickly and saw the sender.
"Mr. Kitahara messaging me at this hour… could it be—?"
He opened it. Only one short line appeared:
"I passed!"
"Oh!" Shuta whistled in delight and typed a reply immediately:
"Congratulations, Mr. Kitahara! So you'll be starting next year?"
"That's right," came the instant reply. "I'm already in Ōi and about to check out Central Tracen Academy first."
"Oh?" For the first time today, Shuta found himself with a purpose. "Then I'll go too! It'll be good to look around together."
"Really?" Kitahara sounded genuinely surprised. "Isn't Oguri Cap training today?"
"She and Berno went back to Kasamatsu." Shuta grinned while typing. "I'm heading to Central Tracen from the hotel now. Let's meet at the main gate!"
"Okay!" Kitahara agreed without hesitation.
He muttered to himself after sending the message: "No wonder March didn't want to come to Tokyo with me today—"
At 11 A.M., the two Trainers met at the entrance of Central Tracen Academy.
"It's been a while," Shuta waved cheerfully. "And although I already said it over text—congratulations again on passing, Mr. Kitahara!"
"Thank you, Ann-san!" Kitahara smiled. "It really wasn't easy. Thinking back on the exam now, I feel exhausted all over again."
"That's normal." Shuta wagged his finger playfully. "This is the Central Trainer exam. It'd be strange if it were easy."
As they chatted, a young woman in a green uniform and matching hat stepped out of the gate.
"Something feels off," Shuta murmured under his breath. "Even though she doesn't have horse ears or a tail—she gives off the vibe of an Uma Musume."
Just as he was silently doubting himself, the young woman spoke:
"Good afternoon, Shuta-kun, Kitahara-kun. I am Hayakawa Tazuna. The Director has instructed me to guide you around the academy today."
"Oh, I see." Shuta straightened and bowed toward the Director's office. "Then I'll be in your care, Miss Hayakawa."
Kitahara followed and bowed politely as well. "Thank you for taking the time."
Kitahara couldn't help thinking: As expected of Shuta-kun…? Even a casual visit to Central Tracen Academy gets him a Director-appointed guide.
But what he didn't know was that Shuta was also complaining internally: This Director is way too attentive to this year's new Trainers.
Because both Shuta and Kitahara were male, certain areas were off-limits.
Thus, Hayakawa Tazuna didn't give them a full tour of the academy.But Shuta was more than satisfied. It was his first time inspecting Central Tracen Academy's training grounds directly— and he immediately noticed one thing:
"Central doesn't have a Slope Road training ground."
With just this fact, he felt the expanded training grounds at Kasamatsu easily surpassed Central's facilities. Kitahara had noticed the same thing. But Shuta remained silent.
If Ann-san isn't commenting… then I shouldn't either. Thinking this, Kitahara held his tongue.
Meanwhile, Hayakawa Tazuna was growing increasingly uneasy under Shuta's curious and suspicious glances, her thoughts scattering further with each step.
By the time the two Trainers left Central Tracen Academy, the sun was already setting. Shuta checked his phone and smiled.
"Mr. Kitahara, let's have dinner nearby. My treat."
"I'm already grateful enough to have Ann-san guide me around Central Tracen today." Kitahara waved his hands. "Let me treat you."
"Alright, alright—how about we go Dutch?" Shuta knew he couldn't win against his friend in this argument, so he compromised.
"That… works too." Kitahara finally accepted.
———
After a full week of well-earned rest, Oguri Cap once again stood at the starting line of her next challenge, following the training plan Shuta An had laid out for the Japan Cup. Meanwhile, Berno Light was deeply engrossed in researching suitable climbing hoof irons for Nakayama Racecourse.
The entire Sadalsuud team had been thrown into a lively, focused rhythm.
Yet the reporters' eyes weren't on them. Compared to Sadalsuud and Tamamo Cross, what truly swept up the fans of the Twinkle Series was the lineup of overseas Uma Musume preparing to descend upon the Japan Cup.
During this time, the list of foreign competitors for the Japan Cup was, for the most part, finalized.
Shuta An hadn't checked it yet—he planned to wait until everything was official before having Berno Light gather information.
"This time, among all the Japanese contenders, Oguri will definitely have the strongest mindset."
The Young man had absolute confidence in his beloved. And the source of that confidence was simple—
"After all, she's the only one who has beat an overseas Uma Musume before."
On the other side of Tokyo, in the Student Council office of Central Tracen Academy, Symboli Rudolf held the same opinion.
"You're not rooting for Tamamo Cross anymore?" Maruzensky blinked, taken aback. "Rudolf-chan, you sure switch sides quickly."
"What do you mean, switch sides?" Symboli Rudolf puffed out her cheeks, then glanced at Material—quietly sitting on the other sofa—and asked, "Material, who do you think has the better chance?"
"I also think Oguri Cap." Material looked up, answering without a moment of hesitation. "Because she's very strong. And also—very kind."
"Kind, huh…" Maruzensky's lips twitched. "Material, you've only competed against Oguri Cap once, you know."
"But she comforted me after the Autumn Tenno Sho," Material said honestly. "That's why I think she's very kind."
"Comforted Material, huh—" Hearing that, Symboli Rudolf couldn't help recalling what Shuta An had said on the day of the Autumn Tenno Sho.
"So he really knew about me and Material beforehand, and even had his own thoughts on it? I was completely outmaneuvered."
The "Emperor" could only sigh inwardly—there was no anger, only resigned amusement. "Looking at things now—I should thank him."
With half a month left until the Japan Cup, the URA Association officially announced the participants today.
"Six local Japanese Uma Musume, facing ten powerful international contenders! This year's Japan Cup—can the Japanese side recreate the legendary feats of the 'Ace' and the 'Emperor'!?" The midday news anchor spoke with barely contained excitement.
For Japan—a country that had failed to defend its honor for three consecutive years—the need for a local hero had never been more pressing. No competition host enjoys watching their representatives lose, and Japan was no exception. With both the "White Lightning" and the "Gray Monster of French Two Crowns" stepping into the spotlight, the nation placed its hopes on these two gray fillies to defend the glory of the Japan Cup against the incoming wave of overseas stars. And compared to Tamamo Cross, Oguri Cap had an even more pressing reason to win—
"I won the Prix du Jockey Club this year. According to URA regulations, if I win the Japan Cup, I'll get a bonus of two million USD on top of the prize money. That bonus alone is equivalent to all my winnings this year."
Such a huge sum—Oguri had realized, back when she was house-hunting with Shuta An—was enough to buy a very nice home in Tokyo.
"If I win, buying a house will be so much easier—" The Gray Uma Musume thought to herself.
But Tamamo Cross wanted to win no less desperately. With 95 million yen on the line, she estimated that if she took the Japan Cup, she could properly renovate the ranch's guesthouse—or even buy a hotel somewhere with better foot traffic for the uncles at the ranch to manage.
"At the end of the Autumn Tenno Sho, Oguri clearly reached that realm just like me. But the Japan Cup is 2400 meters, 400 meters longer. Over longer distances, I have the advantage."
After all, Tamamo Cross had conquered the 3200 meters of the Spring Tenno Sho, while the longest distance Oguri had ever run was 2400. In terms of stamina, Tamamo Cross had every right to be confident. But she knew Oguri wasn't the only threat. The overseas Uma Musume were formidable too.
"But it doesn't matter. Whoever comes, I'll defeat them all." The silver-gray girl on the training ground opened her eyes, resolve burning in them. "Japan Cup—I'm going to win."
While Tamamo Cross was still drenched in sweat on the training grounds, Shuta An led Oguri Cap and Berno Light to the hotel café. The three of them planned to check the Japan Cup entry list together.
"Alright, let's first see which local runners are confirmed." Shuta An scrolled through the page.
"I hope it's not like the Autumn Tenno Sho," Oguri muttered in a small voice. "Always going up against opponents I've already beaten—I don't feel like I can grow much from that."
"Including Tamamo Cross?" Shuta An, sharp-eared, pounced on the remark.
"That doesn't count." Oguri Cap denied instantly. "Tama is really strong. No matter how many times I face her, I feel like I can learn something."
Shuta An didn't pursue the topic further. Berno Light began reading the names on the list—
"Autumn Tenno Sho winner Oguri Cap, Autumn Tenno Sho winner Tamamo Cross, Autumn Tenno Sho fifth-place Running Free—"
Shuta An laughed. "Well, Oguri, looks like you've run into a familiar face."
Oguri Cap puffed her cheeks. "Running Free's form is impressive. She's someone worth facing again."
Berno continued: "Last year's Takarazuka Kinen winner, Suzu Parade."
"This one came back from injury this autumn and just won a G3 race, but I doubt she has enough form to shine on a G1 stage, especially the Japan Cup." Shuta An commented calmly.
"Last year's Arima Kinen winner, Mejiro Durren." Berno paused, knowing exactly what would follow.
"Winner of the Kikuka Sho two years ago, and last year's Arima Kinen… but honestly, this year she's completely lost the ability to compete on the G1 stage." Shuta An shrugged. "She's running in the Fuji Stakes an hour from now. I bet she won't even win that open race."
To him, Mejiro Durren wasn't someone Oguri needed to worry about.
"The last one among the locals—Hanshin Juvenile Fillies winner, supermodel Gold City."
Shuta An coughed lightly. He had worked with her in the Dream World, so his sharp tone softened.
"She placed third in the Kyoto Daishoten, so her ability is still there—but in the Japan Cup, her threat isn't too big. You don't need to focus too much on her."
After finishing the Japanese contenders, Berno moved on to the overseas lineup. She read the names aloud. Shuta An provided commentary.
"Tony Bianca, leader of this year's international challengers and this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner."
Berno glanced at her best friend—if Oguri had stayed in France, she might have run the Arc too.
"This year she's at her peak. She won't be easy to deal with. Other than Tamamo Cross, she's the one you must be most wary of."
Oguri Cap nodded seriously. "I understand."
"Michelle My Baby—this year's American turf G1 winner."
"This one has shown G1 form on both dirt and turf, but 2400 meters might exceed her optimal distance." Shuta An tapped the table thoughtfully. "We'll check her training later. If she's focusing on cardio, keep an eye on her. Otherwise, just watch her explosive power."
"Ellerslie Pride from New Zealand, with six G1 victories." Berno sighed softly. "She feels really strong…"
"If it were last year or the year before, yes. But her performance has declined this year. Otherwise, she wouldn't come to Japan searching for a breakthrough." Shuta shook his head. "Still, with her Derby title and major Australian G1s under her belt, she's practically guaranteed a place in the Australian Hall of Fame."
"Kondor from Germany, with two G1 victories."
"A German runner who can handle 2400 meters—definitely keep an eye on her. But—" He wagged his finger. "Both her G1 wins were on heavy German turf. I suspect she won't adapt to Japan's firmer surface."
"Shady Heights from England, last year's King George winner."
"A lucky G1. She crossed the line second—the winner was disqualified. No need to pay too much attention."
"Moonlight Lunacy, who beat Tony Bianca last year in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud."
"And then lost to Mtoto by twenty-five lengths this year in the King George—Her current form is one big question mark."
"Sky Chase from Australia, with three G1 wins."
"She's running in the Fuji Stakes later. If she can't win that, she probably won't enter the Japan Cup."
"The second to last one—Hours After. This year's French Derby runner-up."
"Eh?!" Oguri Cap's eyes sparkled. "She came too?! Perfect! I want to beat her again at Tokyo Racecourse!"
"She's also running in the Fuji Stakes. If she performs poorly, she won't be entering the Japan Cup." Shuta laughed. "If I remember right, her form after the Derby has been terrible. I bet she'll lose miserably."
"That's not good—" Oguri looked genuinely disappointed. "I really wanted her to race. She pushed me so hard at Chantilly—I want to get my revenge at Tokyo."
"That's not something I can control." Shuta raised his hands helplessly.
"The last one—Obey Your Master from the US. No G1 wins, but two G1 runner-ups."
"Obey Your Master?" Shuta raised an eyebrow. "Who's her Trainer?"
"Frankel," Berno answered. "She changed Trainers once."
"Ah—I see." A quiet sigh escaped Shuta An.
"What's wrong?" Oguri quickly asked.
"How should I say this…" Shuta narrowed his eyes. "She doesn't know me, but I know her. A hardworking Uma Musume who never quite managed to reach the top."
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'll recheck her data later. Maybe she's dangerous… maybe she's already given up."
"I can't guarantee anything." His voice softened. "As your Trainer, I hope she won't be a threat. But in my heart…I want her to finally achieve something."
"Otherwise…trying so hard and always stopping one step short of glory… that's just too cruel."
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