Chapter 73. Obey Your Master & Mejiro Family
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On the giant screen above Tokyo Racecourse, the time for the Japan Cup flickered into clarity—
"2:25.4."
"So fast—" Berno Light blinked, recalling Oguri Cap's time in the French Derby as if it had happened yesterday. "That's eight seconds quicker than in France."
"The track is different, so don't compare." Shuta An waved his hand, unable to hide the broad grin spreading across his face. "What matters is that Oguri won the Japan Cup. That's all that counts."
"Two million US dollars in prize money—cash-in the instant." Berno Light quietly calculated her own share—one hundred thousand dollars. Converted to yen, it was an almost dizzying figure.
"With that kind of money I could buy so many things" Her eyes were already sparkling with the shapes of the items she'd dreamed of.
"What about you, Trainer? What will you do with your share?" she asked, leaning toward him with curiosity.
"Save it." Shuta An's answer was painfully plain.
Before Berno Light could comment, he naturally reached out and took her hand.
"Come on. We should go to the underground passage. Oguri will be coming out soon."
"Mhm, mhm!" Berno Light nodded, matching her pace to his like a loyal shadow.
Not far away, Symboli Rudolf was tapping feverishly on her phone. Tony Bianca appeared to be injured, and the URA Association now needed immediate instructions from "The Emperor."
"If something goes wrong foreign Uma Musume won't dare attend next year's Japan Cup," she muttered under her breath. "Please—please don't let her injury be serious—"
As Tony Bianca was lifted onto a stretcher, the three Uma Musume who had finished ahead exchanged glances.
"Oh dear~" Obey Your Master gave a defeated smile. "I studied Tamamo Cross pattern the most. Though I also researched Miss Oguri Cap, today was like a different her. Even then, I barely beat Tamamo, and then Oguri left us both behind by half a length—"
"My Trainer and I thought the biggest threats would be Tamamo and Miss Tony Bianca," Oguri Cap said earnestly. "But Ann told me to keep an eye on Miss Obey Your Master as well."
"No wonder I felt someone watching me from behind" Obey Your Master let out a wry sigh. "I didn't think Shuta-kun would really notice me. We didn't even meet properly when I was in West Coast."
"Ann said your Trainer is incredible. He brought me from the local circuit to the French Two Crowns." Oguri Cap smiled faintly. "So since Ann takes you seriously, I will too."
"Oh my, oh my~" Tamamo Cross narrowed her eyes like a fox who had just spotted something amusing. "So that's how it is?"
"I focused entirely on studying Tony Bianca," White Lightning admitted with a sigh. "Over 2400 meters, I thought I'd have more advantage over Oguri."
Tamamo Cross shrugged. "Well, that's awkward, isn't it?"
Despite her lighthearted tone, Oguri Cap sensed the faint regret beneath it.
"Argh!" Obey Your Master slapped her own forehead. "I'm so unlucky~ I still haven't won a G1. What do I do now? Maybe I'm just not cut out for this—"
The vulnerable expression on her face tugged at Oguri Cap's chest.
"Then—why don't I ask my Trainer?" Oguri Cap suddenly offered. "He's really good at arranging race schedules!"
"Eh?!" Obey Your Master stared at her, eyes wide. "You'd really—do that for me?"
"Of course!" Oguri Cap nodded vigorously.
"Then I'll leave it to you!" Obey Your Master scratched her cheek shyly. "Let's go prepare for the winning live. After that—let's add each other on Line."
"It's a promise," Oguri Cap replied with a smile.
And so, when Shuta An—waiting with Berno Light at the underground passage—saw Obey Your Master following Oguri Cap out with a friendly grin, he was momentarily stunned. In contrast, Tamamo Cross drifted out behind them, deep in thought, her expression unreadable.
"Trainer!" Oguri Cap ran up to him, tugging her luggage along, and relayed Obey Your Master's request on the spot.
"Race schedule planning?" Shuta An raised a brow. "Is it really okay for me to take this on? Mr. Frankel is a senior I deeply respect."
"It's fine if he's not disappointed in me," Obey Your Master said bitterly. "I disappointed him again today—so I want to try planning things myself."
"Then how about Canada next October?" Shuta An suggested casually. "Or maybe Australia first?"
"Canada…?" Obey Your Master murmured, doing a quick calculation in her head. Then— "I see!"
"You do?" Shuta An blinked. He had meant the Canadian International Stakes, but who knew what she had interpreted?
Well, whatever her thoughts were, he didn't pry.
"Then we'll excuse ourselves." Shuta An nodded to Obey Your Master and Tamamo Cross, then took Oguri Cap's hand with an ease that had become second nature. "Let's return to the hotel, pack up, and check out. We're moving into Miss Mejiro Ramonu's house tonight."
"Eh? We're moving today?" Oguri Cap blinked.
"Yep. Miss Ramonu keeps asking when we'll move in. She seems nervous if we don't."
"Alright then." Oguri Cap puffed her cheeks adorably.
———
But when the trio arrived at the house, bags in tow, all three froze at the gate.
"Let me check—We didn't get the wrong place, right?" Shuta An scrolled through his Line chat with Mejiro Ramonu, looked at the house plate— It clearly read "Mejiro."
But the lights inside were blazing.
"Why is it so bright? Is something happening?" He messaged Ramonu for clarification.
Left on read.
"What the—"
His mouth twitched. Just as he was about to call, a cheerful voice rang from behind the gate—
"Good evening~"
Mejiro Ramonu, wearing an apron, opened the door with a gentle smile.
"This is—?" Shuta An blinked, confused.
Oguri Cap sniffed lightly. "It smells like she just came from the kitchen."
"That's correct," Ramonu said proudly. "I stepped out of the kitchen to welcome you after reading your message."
"Please, everyone, come in. You'll understand once you step inside."
Inside the entrance hall, a banner awaited them:
"CONGRATULATIONS TO OGURI CAP — JAPAN CUP WINNER!"
"A celebration party?" Shuta An blinked.
"And also a housewarming celebration," Ramonu added with a wink. "Plus—a good chance for you to meet the Mejiro juniors who'll be under your care."
Inside the living room, five unfamiliar Uma Musume occupied the space—
A gray-haired girl happily savoring cake.
A long-haired deer-eared girl sketching on a board.
Three others chatting animatedly about the Japan Cup.
Surprisingly, the heroine of their conversation was Tony Bianca, not Obey Your Master.
Just as Shuta An mused over this, Ramonu clapped her hands.
"Everyone, gather."
The five girls immediately stood. Oguri Cap stepped forward, unconsciously taking a protective position in front of Shuta An.
"These are the juniors who will follow Shuta-kun's training plans," Ramonu said proudly.
"I see." Shuta An surveyed them, noticing the artist girl quietly averting her gaze.
'Shy? Or a different reason?'
He dismissed the thought. He stepped forward and introduced himself. After explaining his background, victories, and how he met Oguri, he added—
"And after Oguri retires from the Twinkle Series, I plan to move to Central Tracen Academy. I already have a student pre-enrolled there."
"It's Tokai Teio, isn't it?" The cake-loving gray Uma Musume asked, eyes bright.
Shuta An glanced at Ramonu— She smiled apologetically.
"It is," he admitted with a nod. He looked toward the ceiling as if seeing Teio's future painted there.
"She's progressing well. What she needs most now is to grow safely. If she doesn't get injured—she'll surpass everyone's expectations."
"Surpass…everyone's expectations…" The gray Uma Musume lowered her gaze, then clenched her fists. "I'll train harder. I'll beat her."
"You're that interested in Teio?" Shuta An asked with amusement.
The girl nodded silently.
"Ah, yes," Ramonu interjected. "McQueen and Teio consider each other rivals."
"Is that so?" Shuta An chuckled. "Then I'll train you thoroughly."
"You're not worried about giving Teio a strong rival?" McQueen blinked.
"Worried?" Shuta An grinned. "Why would I be? In fact, I want you to grow stronger."
He added with an impish glint—
"Otherwise Teio might get too full of herself, and then who would keep her in check?"