Chapter 29. The Lazy URA
Shuta An led the members of the Team Sadalsuud to the Box for those involved in the stands. At this time, the Trainers of other participating Uma Musume were already standing there.
"I heard there's going to be something unique during the presentation. Shuta, do you know what it is?"
Tojo Hana asked the young man.
"I don't know, I haven't paid attention. Maybe Dober and the others are going to do something."
The young man shrugged, offering a casual guess—he wasn't lying this time; Shuta An genuinely didn't know what the 18 participating Uma Musume planned to do during the upcoming presentation.
"I'm really curious." Tojo Hana shook her head.
"Whoever spread the rumor, go ask them then." the young man pointed a way for Tojo Hana. "You're asking me, and I just heard about it from you."
"I only found out when the commentator just mentioned it!" Tojo Hana sighed helplessly. "Everyone seems very surprised."
"It couldn't be the URA Association, could it?"
Shuta An didn't know that his casual remark had hit the truth.
—
Rewind to last night.
After Mejiro Dober and 18 other Uma Musume entered Tokyo Racecourse to prepare for isolation, officials from the URA Association approached them, hoping they would wear the winning outfits of past famous Uma Musume during tomorrow's presentation—
For example, Mejiro Dober chose a Symboli Rudolph winning outfit. Actually, she wanted her Sister Ramonu winning outfit, but other Uma Musume beat her. While Air Groove wanted to choose Tokai Teio's—but found there was no size that fit her, so Air Groove could only reluctantly put on Maruzensky's winning outfit.
Of course, when it came to the official race, they would change back into their own winning outfits. Otherwise, if an Uma Musume who picked her outfit complained after the race that this event prevented her from performing at her true level at Tokyo Racecourse, the URA Association would have to prostrate themselves in apology.
—
When Mejiro Dober, wearing Symboli Rudolph's winning outfit, was the first to step out of the underground passage, Shuta An raised an eyebrow, very surprised.
"So this is the event?"
Although he had thought the URA Association might do something with the winning outfits, merely changing winning outfits was still too petty an event in the young man's eyes.
"If Ann-san were in charge, what would he do?"
Tojo Hana was a little curious.
"Since they can wear something other than their own winning outfits, why not wear cosplay costumes? Cosplay as popular TV drama or anime characters, or even have the Uma Musume cosplay as their Trainers. Wouldn't that be interesting?"
Shuta An shrugged, replying.
"Then I think Miss Dober would rather choose the current option."
Tojo Hana's expression was peculiar—she couldn't imagine Mejiro Dober cosplaying as Shuta An. Tojo Hana estimated Mejiro Dober probably wouldn't want to cosplay as Shuta An either.
"That's true." Coincidentally, Shuta An thought the same.
—
Shuta An watched Mejiro Dober step onto the presentation stage, waving to the audience.
"UNDOUBTEDLY, TODAY'S BIGGEST FAVORITE FOR THE VICTORIA MILE! THE UNDEFEATED TRIPLE CROWN UMA MUSUME STANDS ON THE PRESENTATION STAGE, REVIEWING HER FOLLOWERS!! HER PREVIOUS DUBAI TURF VICTORY SET THE RECORD FOR THE WORLD! THE STRONGEST UMA MUSUME IN THE MEJIRO FAMILY! MEJIRO DOBER!"
Listening to the commentator's introduction, which was largely drowned out by the cheers from the stands, Shuta An commented.
"The Mejiro Family themselves don't consider Dober the strongest in their history."
"Why?" Tojo Hana was very surprised. "Isn't that record enough?"
"Not having won the Spring Tenno Sho means being considered inferior in the Mejiro Family."
Shuta An shrugged.
"That's why the Mejiro Family is becoming increasingly desolate."
Silence Suzuka, of course, had to speak up for Mejiro Dober.
"Indeed."
Shuta An agreed with this. The Mejiro Family still clung to the importance of long-distance races, refusing to keep up with the times. One could say it was admirable, and one could also say it was regrettable.
—
Mejiro Dober waited until the exhibition segment ended, then quickly turned and walked off, heading back to the underground passage to prepare to change into her Winning Outfit in the locker room.
Wearing Rudolph's Student Council President racing silks is still a bit too much pressure for me.
The Undefeated Triple Tiara Uma Musume muttered to herself.
The current me doesn't have the same prestige as Miss Rudolph.
And she knew what direction she needed to strive in to gain that prestige. But what frustrated Mejiro Dober was that, in that direction, there was a visibly formidable opponent she would be very hard-pressed to defeat—Tokai Teio.
Ugh—but it's okay, at least I won in another aspect!
Mejiro Dober clenched her fist, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart as she thought of her lover waiting in the stands to cheer her on.
—
Air Groove followed behind Mejiro Dober, watching her mutter to herself, and a similar sense of helplessness arose in her heart.
To defeat this girl, it won't be easy, no matter how you think about it.
Especially since 1600 meters was an advantageous distance for Mejiro Dober, while Air Groove preferred slightly longer races.
But I have to try, at least for the Trainer who worked so hard to help me.
She took a step, summoning her courage.
Mejiro Dober could hear Air Groove's footsteps behind her and wasn't surprised—after all, their locker rooms were next to each other.
But when we cross the finish line, I'll open up a huge gap between us, she thought silently. Even further than the distance between our two waiting rooms.
Air Groove wasn't sure what Mejiro Dober was thinking; she just felt a distinct, dangerous aura emanating from the Undefeated Triple Tiara senior ahead of her—and the target of this aura was clearly Air Groove herself.
So Dober-senpai actually sees me as a rival.
Air Groove thought, realizing this. She felt both fortunate and nervous.
—
In the stands, Shuta An, waiting for Mejiro Dober to re-enter, looked at the big screen.
"I wonder how well the promotional video for today's Victoria Mile was made. Without previous races as material, it must be quite difficult to follow a formula to create a promotional video."
The young man grumbled.
"Actually, it's easy to handle." Tojo Hana interjected. "Just process the finish line footage of the participating Uma Musume's last victory."
"Ah?" Shuta An hadn't considered that angle. "Isn't that just the compilation of clips from the Dubai draw ceremony?"
"If Dubai can use it, the URA Association certainly thinks they can do the same."
Tojo Hana's lips curled up.
"Sigh, then there's nothing to look forward to."
Shuta An said with regret.
He was more familiar with Mejiro Dober's races than anyone, and he had watched the other Uma Musume's races countless times this week.