Chapter 110. Mejiro McQueen's Conjecture
Sunday.
Today was the race day of the Sprinter Stakes.
(This Sprinter Stakes should happen in 1998 where Taiki and Seeking the Pearl lost to Meiner Love. However, Sabuno Hana Park should be Flower Park, the one who win Sprinter Stakes in 1997.)
Sabuno Hana Park, who had just secured the first graded-race victory of her career in the previous CBC Sho, would be participating in this race. At the same time, this race would also become Taiki Shuttle's final appearance in the Twinkle Series.
"Didn't you say the Mile Championship was supposed to be her retirement race?"
Standing at the entrance of Nakayama Racecourse, Shuta An looked toward Tojo Hana with a puzzled expression.
"Does Taiki Shuttle also have troublesome relatives at home forcing her to participate in the Sprinter Stakes?"
"There aren't any unfortunate relatives like Miss Mejiro Dober's family."
Tojo Hana's voice carried obvious bitterness.
"It's more my own problem, I suppose."
"Taiki Shuttle's previous endorsement contract required her to participate in this race in order to receive the full advertising fee. That clause was hidden in the additional terms, and I completely forgot about it while arranging her schedule."
"Considering that failing to race would result in an eight-figure financial loss—"
"To put it bluntly, I could only trouble Taiki Shuttle, who originally planned to travel aboard together with Miss Mejiro Dober, to hastily prepare for this race."
"That actually works out nicely anyway."
Shuta An shrugged lightly.
"Dober also has to participate in the Arima Kinen. Once Dober finishes racing, the two of them can continue their travel plans afterward."
"But they'd only truly feel like traveling if they win, wouldn't they?"
Tojo Hana shook her head helplessly.
"Although everyone says Taiki Shuttle is the overwhelming favorite, honestly speaking… I'm not very confident."
"I always feel like there's something I haven't handled properly."
"If you can't even identify the problem itself, then you might as well temporarily assume it doesn't exist."
Shuta An offered his suggestion calmly.
"In any case, the answer will reveal itself after this afternoon's race."
"Who are you supporting this time, Ann-san?"
Nishizaki Ryu, who had just arrived at Nakayama Racecourse, immediately walked over after spotting Shuta An and Tojo Hana chatting together.
"I support Sabuno Hana Park."
Shuta An answered without even hesitating.
"Taiki Shuttle is Miss Mejiro Dober's best friend!"
Tojo Hana widened her eyes in disbelief, clearly not expecting Shuta An to support another Uma Musume instead.
"Compared to Taiki Shuttle, Sabuno Hana Park looks slightly weaker."
The young man answered matter-of-factly.
"So I'm supporting the weaker side."
"Now that you say that…"
Tojo Hana immediately followed his logic with a mischievous smile.
"When the Arima Kinen comes around, I suppose I'll have to support Miss Mejiro Dober too."
"Hana, do you really think Miss Mejiro Dober is weaker than Special Week from our team and Grass Wonder from your team?"
Nishizaki Ryu instantly began stirring trouble from the side.
"Ann-san, can you tolerate that?"
"Miss Tojo is simply stating the truth."
Shuta An showed absolutely no intention of denying it.
"Dober's current strength is indeed still slightly inferior to Miss Special Week and Miss Grass Wonder. Although Dober is already a Seven-Crown Uma Musume, the strongest opponent she has defeated so far is Kyoei March, who will also participate in today's Sprinter Stakes."
"Moreover, the Arima Kinen will become Dober's very first challenge in a mixed G1 race."
"To be honest, personally speaking…I really don't want Dober participating in this Arima Kinen."
"Sigh~ the Mejiro Family…"
Both Trainers, who were close friends with Shuta An, sighed almost simultaneously.
"I just hope Ann-san can resolve those issues soon."
"To say something somewhat rebellious…"
Shuta An lowered his voice slightly.
"To completely solve those problems, we'll probably still need several more years. Only once that person is no longer around will we truly be able to act."
"Oh right, speaking of which…"
Tojo Hana suddenly narrowed her eyes and looked toward Nishizaki Ryu.
"Doesn't Team Spica also have an Uma Musume from the Mejiro Family? How come you haven't encountered the same issues as Ann-san?"
"If I had Ann-san's face, I'd probably encounter them too."
Nishizaki Ryu rolled his eyes helplessly.
"I already asked McQueen whether she needed help, but she just played dumb with me."
Shuta An casually patted his friend's shoulder.
"This entire matter originally started because of me. It would be too troublesome to drag Nishizaki-san into it as well."
"But when the time finally comes for me to step in, Ann-san, you absolutely can't forget me."
Nishizaki Ryu's eyes suddenly lit up.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go against a prestigious family like that."
"You're getting excited over a power reversal now?"
Tojo Hana pouted slightly.
"Don't just talk about me!"
Nishizaki Ryu immediately pointed toward Shuta An.
"Isn't Ann-san supporting the weaker Sabuno Hana Park today because he also enjoys that kind of power reversal?"
Because of his declaration of support for Sabuno Hana Park, Shuta An was ultimately "expelled" by Tojo Hana and sent directly toward Kitahara-san's Box instead.
"Kitahara-san, I've come seeking political asylum!"
The young man loudly announced himself the moment he pushed the door open.
"Good morning, Shuta Trainer."
Fujimasa March blinked softly before lightly patting Kitahara-san, who was currently resting with his head on her lap.
The next second, Kitahara-san immediately rolled off and crashed directly onto the floor.
"It seems I arrived at a bad moment."
Shuta An narrowed his eyes slightly and instinctively prepared to retreat.
"Ann-san, why are you here?"
Kitahara-san hurriedly scrambled back up while calling out to him.
"I thought you'd be with Miss Tojo today. Team Rigil seems to have gathered completely."
"Because I openly told Miss Tojo that I'm supporting Sabuno Hana Park today, so I got kicked out."
Shuta An casually sat down opposite Fujimasa March.
"Looks like I really interrupted something?"
"No problem at all."
Kitahara-san scratched his head awkwardly before sitting back onto the sofa.
"I honestly didn't expect Ann-san to support Sabuno Hana Park. I thought you'd naturally support Taiki Shuttle like everyone else. After all, she's overwhelmingly strong in sprint and mile races."
"Taiki Shuttle definitely has the higher probability of winning."
Shuta An shrugged lightly.
"But I want to see something different happen. So don't misunderstand. I'm not specifically favoring Sabuno Hana Park."
"I'm only supporting her emotionally."
"Alright then."
Kitahara-san did not comment further.
"Anyway, although I don't have much confidence either, since Sabuno Hana Park herself requested this challenge, then we have to try. If she can really win—That would become history."
"Making history…"
After hearing those words, Shuta An involuntarily thought of Oguri Cap.
"Back then, Oguri and I were also constantly creating history together."
The moment Oguri Cap's name surfaced, Fujimasa March could no longer restrain herself. She carefully looked toward the young man, her voice becoming noticeably cautious.
"How has Oguri been lately?"
"Oguri should still appear publicly fairly often, shouldn't she?"
Shuta An looked genuinely puzzled, unable to understand why Fujimasa March was asking that question.
"She looks perfectly fine to me. She also hasn't mentioned encountering any problems recently."
"Is that so…" Fujimasa March lowered her head slightly.
"Oguri looked very energetic during the Dream Trophy Series."
"Sorry…"
At that moment, Kitahara-san hurriedly spoke up to comfort her.
"It's my fault for not being able to secure you an opportunity to enter the Dream Cup."
At this point, Shuta An found it somewhat awkward to interject into the atmosphere, so he simply lowered his head and pulled out his phone, intending to casually browse the latest news.
Then, a headline entered his eyes.
"Silence Suzuka officially deregistered from the Twinkle Series today under the URA Association and completed transfer procedures to the Dream Trophy Series Association."
"Better not read that headline aloud."
The young man, extremely skilled at reading the atmosphere, decisively swallowed the words back down internally.
"Sabuno Hana Park! It's Sabuno Hana Park!"
"Taiki Shuttle finishes second! Sabuno Hana Park overtook Taiki Shuttle right before the finish line!"
"She becomes Team Scorpii's second G1-winning Uma Musume!"
"Oh!"
Shuta immediately raised both arms high before turning around toward his friend with a smile.
"Kitahara-san, you owe me a good meal this time. I came all the way here to watch the race with you, I even support her in front of Ms. Tojo, and you ended up winning a G1."
"Alright, alright, alright."
Kitahara-san grinned so hard that his face was practically splitting apart.
"This is my first mixed Central G1. I hope I can keep winning more in the future."
"There'll definitely be opportunities."
Shuta reached out and patted his shoulder firmly.
"To win the Sprinter Stakes during her Classic year, while still having two senior years ahead of her—Sabuno Hana Park will definitely continue winning."
"I'll gladly accept Ann-san's auspicious words."
Kitahara-san turned toward Fujimasa March.
"Let's head down and see Sabuno Hana Park."
"Mhm."
Although Fujimasa March verbally agreed, her gaze remained fixed on Sabuno Hana Park's figure displayed on the television screen.
For Fujimasa March, winning even a graded race in the Central Twinkle Series had always been a long-held dream.
Unfortunately, she herself had never managed to achieve it.
Meanwhile, Sabuno Hana Park had already become a G1 winner.
Shuta naturally noticed the subtle change in Fujimasa March's expression, but ultimately chose not to say anything.
In his position, comforting Fujimasa March would only create unnecessary misunderstandings.
Besides, if anyone should comfort her, it should be Kitahara-san.
—
After leaving Nakayama Racecourse, Shuta checked the time briefly. Instead of heading directly home to rest, he instead changed direction and headed toward Central Tracen Academy.
"Just as I expected."
The moment the young man arrived at the academy's first training ground, he immediately saw Mejiro Dober pulling Silence Suzuka along for additional practice on the Slope Road.
"You still need to rest when it's time to rest."
Shuta walked over and called out to the two Uma Musumes.
"That's enough training for today. I don't want to suddenly hear news tomorrow that Dober injured herself."
Mejiro Dober lowered her head slightly.
"I understand."
After quietly responding, she immediately turned around and left the training ground, leaving only Silence Suzuka standing where she was.
"Ann was too blunt just now."
Silence Suzuka looked toward him and softly complained.
"Dober being willing to work hard is a good thing, isn't it? Besides, I was watching over her too."
"Training too excessively isn't good either."
Shuta looked at the Uma Musume and patiently explained himself.
"If Dober gets injured, then the pressure on my side will only become even greater. And besides, Suzuka officially stopped being an active Twinkle Series Uma Musume today as well."
"You should properly rest whenever it's time to rest and preserve your energy for next year's Dream Cup. If Suzuka got injured while helping as a sparring partner—I'd be very sad."
Before the young man could continue speaking further, Silence Suzuka gently raised her index finger and pressed it lightly against his lips.
"Alright, don't keep talking anymore."
Then, she softly smiled.
"Instead, I'm going home with Ann today. Is that okay?"
"That's my home."
Shuta naturally grabbed hold of the Uma Musume's wrist.
"And it's Suzuka's home too. What's strange about returning to your own home? Let's go. We'll make it back just in time for dinner."
—
After leaving the training ground, Mejiro Dober slowed her steps slightly before eventually stopping and turning around.
The moment she saw the Trainer chatting naturally together with Silence Suzuka, she silently turned away once more and continued walking forward.
"Dober!"
After walking absentmindedly with her head lowered for nearly half a minute, Mejiro Dober suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out to her.
She looked up toward the direction of the voice and immediately saw Mejiro McQueen waving toward her from nearby.
"McQueen, what's wrong?"
Mejiro Dober walked over while asking quietly.
"I noticed Dober looked rather dejected, so I wanted to ask what happened."
Mejiro McQueen carefully observed her expression.
"Dober still has to prepare for the Arima Kinen, so your mental state also needs proper adjustment."
"It's nothing."
Mejiro Dober immediately waved her hand dismissively. Was she supposed to openly admit in front of Mejiro McQueen that she had just felt slightly jealous while watching the Trainer and Silence Suzuka together?
However, even if Mejiro Dober refused to admit it verbally, her behavior had long since been noticed by the other Uma Musumes of the Mejiro Family from the same generation.
Naturally, Mejiro McQueen was one of them.
The purple-haired Uma Musume blinked lightly before smiling knowingly.
"Is this about Shuta Trainer?"
"No."
Mejiro Dober instantly denied it in an unusually stiff tone. She immediately turned her face away.
"McQueen should focus properly on recovering from her injury. It's better not to pry into this kind of gossip."
That rigid response was practically equivalent to a confession already.
However, after seeing Mejiro Dober's reaction, Mejiro McQueen wisely chose not to continue teasing her. Instead, she simply threw the topic directly at her.
"If it really is about Shuta Trainer—I think Dober simply needs to become more honest."
Although Mejiro Dober still refused to turn around, her ears noticeably perked up.
"Back then, it wasn't only a few of us in the family who wanted additional guidance from Shuta Trainer."
Mejiro McQueen slowly continued speaking.
"That list itself was personally arranged by Grandmother. And afterward, there were also several girls who wanted to directly join Team Sadalsuud."
"It wasn't only Dober."
"Some even secretly persuaded their elders to speak with Grandmother on their behalf"
At this point, Mejiro McQueen paused briefly before continuing.
"But in the end, the only request Shuta Trainer actually responded to was Dober's."
"Dober. Have a little more confidence in yourself."
"I don't know what McQueen-chan is talking about."
Mejiro Dober abruptly threw out those words before almost fleeing from the scene in embarrassment.
"Could it be—"
After Mejiro Dober's figure completely disappeared from view, Mejiro McQueen frowned slightly and muttered to herself quietly.
"that we guessed wrong? Could Dober simply dislike arranged marriage, while Shuta Trainer merely intends to negotiate with the family in order to fulfill her wishes?"
—
Late at night, Shuta returned to his room and quickly fell asleep.
Just like reality during the daytime, he also needed to participate in the Sprinter Stakes within the Dream World tonight.
And this time, his partner was Sakura Bakushin O.
Ever since Trainer Katsutaro Sakai invited Shuta to ride Sakura Bakushin O, he had consecutively finished second in two separate 1600-meter graded races.
In Shuta's opinion, Sakura Bakushin O genuinely lacked suitability for mile races.
Because of this, even though Horse Owner Jeon Yeon-Sik had already become somewhat dissatisfied with the results, Shuta still barely managed to retain his status as Sakura Bakushin O's main jockey.
"This race absolutely must be won."
Sitting inside the jockey waiting room at Nakayama Racecourse, the young man quietly muttered to himself.
"If I lose again, then my position as main rider will definitely be replaced. Although it's not like no stable has ever removed me from a main rider position before…"
The young man subconsciously paused for a moment.
"and this definitely isn't referring to the Mejiro Family. But if I get removed specifically because of poor results—That would honestly be too embarrassing."
Shuta stretched his neck slightly before glancing once more toward today's track conditions.
"Although the weather outside is cloudy, the turf condition is still rated as 'Good.' Considering Nakayama Racecourse's track structure and the layout of the 1200-meter course today, I'll have to fight alongside Sakura Bakushin O."
The reason he said this was very simple.
Sakura Bakushin O possessed an extremely explosive temperament. The moment the gates opened, he always loved charging recklessly forward at full speed, fully living up to the "Bakushin" in his name.
Under today's circumstances, where there was almost no margin for error left, Shuta Ann no longer wanted to risk unnecessary complications.
Because of that, he had already decided.
From the very start of the race, he would aggressively urge Sakura Bakushin O forward himself, directly controlling the pace through force rather than allowing him to completely run wild on his own.