Chapter 45. Bad News at the Dinner
After celebrating with Adorable around the racecourse, Shuta An made his way down into the underground passage. There, he dismounted in one smooth motion, boots landing firmly against the ground, before watching as the groom carefully led Adorable away. The filly's coat still shimmered faintly with the remnants of exertion as she was guided toward the wash area, soon to be showered and draped in a clean horse blanket.
"Thank you, Shuta-kun!"
Haruo Negishi had clearly been waiting for him. The moment he caught sight of Shuta An, he stepped forward without hesitation, extending his hand with visible excitement. His expression carried both relief and pride, the emotions of a horse owner whose trust had just been rewarded.
"It's part of the job,"
Shuta An replied, shaking his head lightly as he accepted the handshake. His tone remained composed, almost casual, yet there was no mistaking the sincerity beneath it.
"If anything, I should be the one thanking Mr. Negishi and Trainer Kobayashi. Without your approval, I wouldn't have had the chance to get revenge on Nishino Flower here."
The moment those words were spoken, a subtle shift passed through the atmosphere.
Though he had phrased it as "revenge on Nishino Flower," everyone present understood the deeper implication. Their thoughts inevitably drifted back to Nishiyama Masayuki after the Oka Sho. The target of Shuta An's so-called "revenge" had never truly been the horse alone.
Even so, no one showed any concern.
The idea that Shuta An might offend the Nishiyama family simply didn't carry weight here. His relationship with Shadai Farm was so close it bordered on familial. That level of backing made any potential backlash seem insignificant—something that could stir noise, perhaps, but nothing more.
Once Adorable had been properly taken care of, Shuta An regrouped with the horse owner and trainer. Together, the three of them walked out from the underground passage, stepping back into the brilliance of the racecourse as they made their way toward the awards ceremony.
The formalities proceeded in order. First, the horse owner received his recognition. Then came the trainer. Finally, it was Shuta An's turn.
As he stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere subtly shifted once again.
Unlike the previous two, his presence immediately drew heightened attention. The reporters, who had maintained a professional composure until now, visibly perked up. Cameras adjusted, microphones angled forward, anticipation building in an instant.
After receiving his medal and trophy, Shuta An stood beneath the lights, the weight of victory settling naturally upon him. When the microphone was handed over, the interview began without delay.
"First, congratulations, Shuta-kun, on another Classic Race victory this year. You won this race riding Adorable, who was the fourth favorite before the race. How do you feel now?"
"Of course, I'm very happy," Shuta An answered with a relaxed smile, his voice steady and unhurried.
"Before the race, Yutaka Take and I actually made a bet on whose ranking would be higher, so it looks like I've earned myself a free meal. And, I was very frustrated after the Oka Sho, so being able to win the Oaks like this feels especially satisfying."
A ripple of laughter and murmurs spread through the reporters at the casual mention of his bet, but the underlying edge in his words didn't go unnoticed.
"So, in your opinion, what kind of filly is Adorable?"
Although he had no intention of forming a long-term partnership with Adorable, Shuta An's answer came without hesitation, polished and measured, revealing a natural emotional intelligence that required no borrowed theatrics.
"Adorable is an excellent filly. She has strong stamina, and more importantly, she remains very focused during the race. She understands that she's competing—her mind stays calm, and she follows instructions precisely. Honestly, I always thought she had what it takes to win the Japanese Oaks. This result didn't surprise me."
The reporters exchanged glances, jotting down notes rapidly.
Then came the question everyone had been waiting for.
"So, we all saw you shouting toward the stands after crossing the finish line. What exactly were you shouting at that moment?"
There was no hesitation, no attempt to deflect.
Shuta An didn't bother hiding it. He knew very well that even if he remained silent here, word would spread through other jockeys soon enough.
"I shouted, 'There will be no Triple Tiara even Triple Crown. I said it.'"
The effect was immediate.
The reporters' eyes widened, pens pausing mid-motion. Even the distant noise from the stands seemed to collapse into a brief, stunned silence, as if the entire racecourse had inhaled sharply at once.
Today, this young man had not only shattered Nishino Flower's bid for a second crown—he had also openly declared his intent to do the same to Mihono Bourbon in the upcoming Derby.
For some Horse Raching fans, denying Nishino Flower a Triple Tiara had been acceptable. After all, she had not entered the Oka Sho undefeated. But Mihono Bourbon was different.
Many had been eagerly anticipating a historic clash—Mihono Bourbon and Tokai Teio, two generations of undefeated Triple Crown contenders, meeting at the pinnacle. The prospect alone carried echoes of legendary rivalries, reminiscent of the famed showdown between Symboli Rudolf and Mr. CB.
In addition, if Mihono Bourbon succeeded, then a future confrontation between her and Tokai Teio would transcend even that—a duel between undefeated Triple Crown champions, a spectacle unmatched in its prestige.
And yet, here stood Shuta An, calmly declaring his intention to bring that dream to an end.
However, just as the tension reached its peak, he paused.
Then, with a slight shift in tone, he continued, "The Derby might be a bit difficult—but please look forward to the Kikuka Sho."
Like a sudden release of pressure, the atmosphere softened.
The Derby was only a week away—far too immediate, far too intense. But the Kikuka Sho lay in the distant future, distant enough to blur the sharpness of his earlier statement. To most, it sounded less like a firm declaration and more like the lingering excitement of a victorious jockey carried away by the moment.
Even if reporters attempted to stir controversy from his words, it was unlikely to gain significant traction.
After all, Shuta An had just claimed victory in the Japanese Oaks. Earlier in the month, he had also triumphed alongside Tokai Teio in the Prix Ganay. At this moment, he stood as the undeniable centerpiece of the Horse racing world—a figure even the JRA had reason to accommodate.
The interview session soon concluded.
With the formalities behind him, Shuta An stepped away from the stage, heading toward the jockey waiting room. A shower awaited, followed by a return trip to Kanto. The rhythm of routine began to reassert itself after the intensity of competition.
Yet just as he was about to leave Tokyo Racecourse and make his way toward the shinkansen, he found his path intercepted.
"Hello."
Shuta An slowed, his gaze settling on the man who had approached him. There was a hint of puzzlement in his eyes as he recognized the figure—a Kanto-based trainer.
"Hello, Shuta-kun. I'm a trainer from Kanto. I apologize for the sudden interruption, but I was hoping to ask whether you might be interested in riding a horse under the Sakura owner name."
The man, Kentaro Sakai, bowed politely, his tone direct yet respectful.
"Sakura owner?" Shuta An raised an eyebrow, the unfamiliarity evident in his expression.
"I'm not particularly familiar with that family. Most of the riding requests I've received before were handled through my agent, and they were all for class races. If this were just another class race horse, I doubt Trainer Sakai would need to approach me personally."
"That's correct." Kentaro Sakai nodded without hesitation. "I would like to invite you to ride Sakura Bakushin O."
"Sakura Bakushin O?" The name lingered on Shuta An's lips as he frowned slightly, searching through his memory. "I feel like I've heard that name before—"
"Yes. He previously competed in the Spring Stakes. In that race, Mejiro McQueen—whom you rode—delivered an outstanding performance."
Recognition flashed instantly.
"Oh—right, right, right." Shuta An nodded as the memory clicked into place. "But if I remember correctly, Sakura Bakushin O didn't perform particularly well in that race."
"That was because the distance was too long," Sakai replied candidly, making no attempt to conceal the issue.
"Afterward, he won the open race Ayame Stakes. From here on, we plan to focus entirely on short-distance and mile races. Our next target is the New Zealand Trophy."
"A 1600-meter race" Shuta An murmured, his brow lifting slightly as he processed the information. "So you're hoping I'll ride him?"
"While we would certainly prefer that you take the ride immediately," Sakai admitted, "his current jockey, Kojima Futoshi, still has a contract with the owner that runs through the second half of the year."
A faint, knowing look appeared in Shuta An's eyes.
"So you're planning ahead," he said, the underlying meaning already clear.
"Yes." Sakai gave a small, almost self-conscious nod. "If I waited until that time to approach you, I'm afraid it would already be too late. I wanted to confirm your interest in advance."
"This kind of arrangement—" Shuta An fell into brief thought, weighing the situation before ultimately choosing the most practical course. "You should contact my agent first, Trainer Sakai. Any specifics regarding the riding contract can be discussed through them."
Then, after a short pause, he added one final remark.
"I do think Sakura Bakushin O has some potential."
Those words alone were enough.
For Kentaro Sakai, who had braced himself for rejection, the tension in his expression visibly eased. The lines at his brow relaxed, replaced by a quiet sense of relief.
After exchanging farewells and watching the trainer depart, Shuta An remained where he stood for a moment.
Then, almost absentmindedly, he muttered to himself,
"Why does this feel so familiar?"
Once seated on the shinkansen, the steady rhythm of the train settling into motion, Shuta An lifted a hand and lightly patted his head, as if knocking loose a forgotten detail.
"Oh, right—I have ridden Sakura Bakushin O before. He actually felt pretty good back then," he murmured, the memory finally surfacing with clarity. "I'll talk to my agent about it when I get back."
The recollection itself was unremarkable at first glance.
That ride had only happened because Kojima Futoshi had been unavailable at the time, forcing Shuta An to step in as a temporary substitute. It had been a one-off arrangement, nothing more. Given the circumstances, he hadn't paid it much attention afterward. For the current Shuta An—who had long since grown accustomed to higher stakes and grander stages—a G3 victory simply didn't warrant being etched too deeply into memory.
Yet now, viewed from a different angle, the situation carried a subtle weight.
Considering the mentor-apprentice relationship between Katsutaro Sakai and Kojima Futoshi, the approach earlier that day began to make more sense. If Kojima Futoshi's riding contract with the horse owner were not nearing its expiration—and more importantly, if its renewal were not already in doubt—then Sakai would never have reached out to him in the first place.
That much was obvious.
In principle, after the fallout between Hiroji Wada and Yuji Nohira—an incident that had led to the failed overseas expedition of Symboli Rudolf—horse owners had grown more inclined to respect the trainer's judgment. It had become an unspoken industry norm, a lesson carved into memory through costly experience.
But norms were not guarantees.
Katsutaro Sakai could not be certain that the Korean horse owner behind the "Sakura" name would adhere to such conventions. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the head of the Sakura family, Jeon Yeon-Sik, was already in the twilight of his life.
Jeon Yeon-Sik had placed considerable hope on Sakura Bakushin O.
And Sakai—himself no longer young—could not help but feel a quiet resonance with that sentiment. There was a certain understanding there, a shared urgency born from time slipping away. Naturally, he wanted to secure the best possible partner for Sakura Bakushin O while the opportunity still existed.
Of course—it was absolutely not because Jeon Yeon-Sik held a significant position across both sides of the Korean Peninsula, nor because he currently carried the title of Supreme People's Assembly member in North Korea.
Shuta An, reclining slightly in his seat with his eyes closed, let these thoughts drift through his mind until, at last, something clicked into place.
"So that's why it felt familiar—"
His lips moved faintly as realization settled in.
"It's just like when Trainer Iizuka asked me to ride Rice Shower back then."
The similarity was undeniable. Back then, too, it had been an invitation that came with quiet expectations and unspoken urgency.
Thinking of Rice Shower, another thought surfaced almost immediately.
"Now that I think about it—I haven't seen Rice Shower at the Academy lately."
A faint crease formed between his brows.
"That's a bit strange—Is she focusing entirely on training?"
The question lingered, unanswered, but not without weight.
Curiosity took root.
Shuta An decided that when he returned to Central Tracen Academy in a few days, he would make a point of looking for her. Whatever the reason behind her recent absence, he intended to see it for himself.
—
After returning home and getting some rest, Shuta An gradually shifted back into his routine.
Since the Japanese Oaks had only concluded the previous day, he granted Mejiro Dober a full day off. There was no need to push her unnecessarily. At most, he instructed her to spend some time in the swimming pool for light exercise—just enough to loosen her muscles and aid recovery.
As for Tokai Teio and Kurofune, his approach was far less lenient.
He instructed them to follow Silence Suzuka's example and dedicate themselves to reviewing their studies for the next week. Final exams were approaching, and failure was not an option. If they didn't pass, they would be barred from participating in the upcoming Hokkaido training camp.
The message was clear.
Training alone was not enough.
Fortunately, with each member of Team Sadalsuud occupied with their own responsibilities at the Academy, Shuta An found himself with an unusual stretch of free time. For once, he could remain at home and enjoy a few days of relative quiet.
And so, the next morning, he did exactly that.
The hours slipped by lazily in the living room, the calm atmosphere a stark contrast to the intensity of the racecourse. By the time he finally rose, intending to head out for lunch, his phone buzzed softly.
A message had arrived.
It was from Symboli Rudolf.
"Shuta-kun, have you had lunch yet?"
Shuta An glanced at the screen, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he typed his reply.
"Even if Ms. Rudolf asks me that, I have no intention of hiring you as a nutritionist."
On the other end, Symboli Rudolf read the message, shook her head slightly, and chose to ignore the remark entirely.
"If you haven't had lunch, how about coming here?"
A moment later, an address followed.
"An Italian restaurant in Minato Ward…" Shuta An muttered, eyes scanning the details. The place was familiar. He had been there once before with Oguri Cap. The food had been excellent—undeniably so—but not to the extent that it justified traveling all the way from Shinjuku solely for a meal.
Which meant one thing.
This invitation was not about food.
Even without further explanation, Shuta An could already infer the underlying purpose.
"No problem. I'll drive over now," he replied without hesitation.
"Good. The URA Association Chairman is here as well."
Even through text, Symboli Rudolf couldn't resist offering that small hint.
"I knew Ms. Rudolf wouldn't invite me out unless there was something important to discuss," Shuta An shot back, tone light but knowing.
"Naturally," she responded without the slightest attempt at denial. "I always have to consider every Uma Musume's positions, don't I?"
Faced with such straightforward reasoning, Shuta An found himself with no room to argue.
—
After driving to the designated location, Shuta An was promptly led to his seat by a waiter.
As expected, the gathering was small.
Just as Symboli Rudolf had said, aside from her, the only other person present was the URA Association Chairman.
"Good day, Mr. Chairman."
Though this was not their first meeting, it was the first time they had met in such a private setting.
"Good afternoon, Shuta-kun," the Chairman replied with a slight bow. "I apologize for troubling Ms. Symboli Rudolf to call you here."
There was a brief pause before he added, "Shall we eat first? We can discuss the specifics afterward."
"No problem," Shuta An agreed readily, settling into his seat. Then, with a faint glint of curiosity in his eyes, he added, "Though I am quite curious about the reason for this invitation."
"We'll discuss that later," the Chairman said firmly, offering no further details.
The matter was closed—for now.
—
Half an hour later, after the meal had concluded, the conversation finally turned to its true purpose.
"It's like this," the URA Association Chairman began, his tone measured.
"The URA Association is preparing for its annual meeting in the latter half of the year. During this meeting, we will finalize next year's race schedule. At present, the only confirmed changes are an increase in prize money and the promotion of several races."
"Race promotions and increased prize money are both positive developments," Shuta An responded calmly, his gaze shifting toward Symboli Rudolf.
"I imagine no one at Central Tracen Academy would object to that."
"The Academy is indeed satisfied with the current proposals," Symboli Rudolf confirmed with a slight nod. Then, after a brief pause, she added,
"With the exception of one."
Shuta An was not surprised.
If everything had been acceptable, this meeting would never have taken place.
"Oh?" he said lightly. "So what is the proposal?"
The Chairman exhaled slowly before continuing.
"First, I would like to thank you, Shuta-kun, for actively pioneering overseas expeditions. Your success has provided a clear direction for many Uma Musume at Central Tracen Academy. Encouraged by your example, a number of them have already begun attempting overseas campaigns, and the results so far have been quite promising."
Praise came first.
Then, inevitably, came the shift.
"However," the Chairman continued, his tone tightening slightly, "this has also led to an accompanying issue. The domestic race lineup has gradually weakened. This year, for example, among the Uma Musume scheduled to participate in the Takarazuka Kinen, there is only a single G1 winner."
He paused briefly, allowing the weight of that statement to settle.
"This race is meant to be the defining event of the first half of the Twinkle Series. Naturally, Hanshin Racecourse is dissatisfied. And it's not just Hanshin—Nakayama and Tokyo Racecourses have both raised similar concerns regarding their G1 events."
A faint sense of unease began to form.
Shuta An could already sense where this was heading.
"So?" he asked.
"So," the Chairman said, meeting his gaze directly, "we intend to introduce a new regulation. Uma Musume registered domestically will not be permitted to remain on overseas expeditions for more than three months. Any Uma Musume exceeding this limit will be required to rest for one month upon returning to Japan, in order to mitigate acclimatization issues."
The implications were immediate—and unmistakable.
"Of course," the Chairman continued, "I am fully aware that this policy will have a direct impact on Team Sadalsuud. Therefore, I have also prepared a compensation proposal. I would like to hear your thoughts on it, Shuta-kun."
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