Chapter 40. Tokai Teio's Demand
Unlike the very enthusiastic live commentator, the audience in the stands was not so enthusiastic. As the live commentator just said, 90% of the audience supported Mihono Bourbon, and then Rice "assassinated" everyone's expectations.
It was impossible not to be disappointed.
Rice Shower didn't think about these things. She knew most people supported Mihono Bourbon, but there were also fans who supported her, and even for them, she had to work hard.
So she turned and stood in the stands, waving her hand with a cheerful smile.
Most of the audience, when faced with Rice's request for interaction, politely returned with applause.
Although it wasn't as enthusiastic as Mihono Bourbon's response at the Satsuki Sho, Rice was already content now.
"I will earn the thunderous cheers like Teio-senpai in the future through my own efforts."
The Black Deer-haired Horse Girl walked back to the underground passage, feeling sweet in her heart—
When she reached the exit of the underground passage, she unexpectedly saw her Trainer.
Shuta stood still, watching the Black Deer-haired Horse Girl walk towards him. He hadn't forgotten Rice's request from last night, so he asked,
"What is it that Rice hopes I will forgive her for?"
Rice pursed her lips, clenched her fists, lowered her head, not daring to meet her Trainer's gaze, and finally, after a long while, she answered in a voice barely audible,
"In the lounge a while ago, I—"
Halfway through her sentence, Shuta An grasped Rice's wrist and gently pulled the sweating Black Deer-haired Horse Girl into a warm embrace.
Rice looked up in surprise, her eyes wide with confusion. The young man took this opportunity to lean down and gently pressed his lips against her forehead.
It was a tender, Onii-samaly gesture—full of care and understanding.
"There's no need for apologies now, Rice."
Shuta An said softly, releasing her from the embrace.
Rice's cheeks flushed even deeper.
Faced with her Trainer's actions, how could she not realize that her previous sneaking around had been discovered?
Rice could even imagine that her Trainer had already been awake when she had snuggled up to him.
"How embarrassing!!!"
The Black Deer-haired Horse Girl turned and fled in a hurry, covering her forehead with both hands.
"Did I go a bit too far?"
Shuta An watched Rice's fleeing back, lightly tapping his own forehead with his index finger, muttering to himself.
Due to the angle, he didn't notice Tokai Teio's ears twitching in his blind spot.
—
Shuta turned and left the underground passage exit, walking for a little over half a minute to reach the media area. Reporters from various media outlets were waiting there, eager for Shuta An to answer their questions.
The young man raised his right index finger.
"Old rule, one question per person."
"Yes!"
The reporters said in unison. The first question was still the usual post-race thoughts.
"I'm very excited, even more excited than when I won other races this year."
Shuta An showed an excited expression,
"I said before that Rice Shower could beat Mihono Bourbon, but a bunch of people laughed at me and refused to believe it. Now the facts are laid out here."
"May I ask what kind of training Rice Shower underwent in the past month or so?"
The second reporter asked.
"Sorry, that's team confidential."
Shuta An refused to answer this question. If he had to say, it was that Rice had worked incredibly hard, but that couldn't be explained to the public.
This could also be considered a training technique that only Shuta An could use.
"Has Rice Shower's next race been decided? Which Kikuka Sho prep race will it be?"
The third reporter's question was even more interesting, directly assuming Rice would run a prep race to warm up.
"Unfortunately, I haven't planned for Rice to run a prep race. Her next race should be the Kikuka Sho directly."
The smiling young man spread his hands, his tone regretful.
Next question—
"Will Rice and Tokai Teio meet at the Arima Kinen this year!? Or will they be used separately?"
"It's too early to discuss that question."
Shuta An brushed it off. How things would actually play out would depend on the two Uma Musume's own ideas.
—
While Shuta An was being interviewed, Tokai Teio hid in a corner, watching her Trainer.
"I joined the team earlier, I joined the team earlier than Mejiro Dober and Rice, I should be—"
She bit her fingernails, feeling very unwilling.
"Because I've been so focused on running, I've slowly overlooked many things?"
The Undefeated Triple Crown felt a little disappointed in herself.
" Trainer can show such care to Rice, but he never does that to me at all."
She lowered her head, then thought about Rice's physique, feeling it wasn't an issue in that regard.
"Where exactly am I lacking?"
Tokai Teio crossed her arms, pondering, and could only come up with one answer.
"I need to be proactive from now on. If the Trainer isn't proactive, then I will be!"
"I'll win the Twinkle Series, and I'll win outside the track too! I won't lose to them!"
With that thought, the Undefeated Triple Crown's eyes lit up,
"Starting tonight!"
—
Shuta didn't know what thoughts Tokai Teio had conjured up. Compared to that, he had something more interesting.
"During the Winning Live, Mihono Bourbon had some strange movements."
On the way to the restaurant Rice Shower had chosen, the young man proactively brought up the topic.
"Ah!? Is she injured?" Teio's eyes widened. "No way? The intensity of this race shouldn't have been that high."
"Rice's finishing time was 2:25.5, considering it was a slightly heavy track, it can be said that the intensity of this race was very high."
At this point, Shuta An reminded Rice,
"Rice, remember to get up early, I will take you to the hospital tomorrow to check for any post-race injuries."
"If Mihono Bourbon is injured, then will the Kikuka Sho be a bit difficult?"
Tokai Teio's thoughts turned to another matter.
"More or less."
Shuta An agreed with Tokai Teio's guess.
"Sigh~ I hope Mihono Bourbon isn't injured, or at least only lightly injured." Tokai Teio sighed. "Otherwise, if I don't encounter her at the Arima Kinen, how will I counter those experts who think Mihono Bourbon has me in check?"
"You remember that too."
Shuta An raised an eyebrow, not expecting Tokai Teio's memory to be so good.
—
After dinner, Shuta drove everyone from Team Sadalsuud back to the Academy. However, as the young man was about to drive home, he unexpectedly found Tokai Teio sitting in the passenger seat.
"Teio, we're at the Academy, you should go back to your dorm."
Shuta An reminded her.
"I want to go home with Trainer today."
Tokai Teio turned her head, looking at her Trainer, her tone stubborn.
"I'm the only one at my house, it's very dangerous if you come."
Shuta An was very subtle.
"I'm not scared!"
Tokai Teio was very direct.
"Be good, go back to your dorm and rest well. Next, we need to prepare for the Takarazuka Kinen."
Shuta An rubbed the Undefeated Triple Crown's head.
"No!"
Tokai Teio lifted her head, pouted, and started to act up.
"Why are you suddenly throwing a tantrum?"
The young man was bewildered.
"I saw everything today!" Tokai Teio stared at her Trainer. "Trainer kissed Rice on the forehead!"
"?!"
Shuta An hadn't expected his protective gesture at the time to be seen by Tokai Teio.
"This has really gone too far." he thought.
"Why is Trainer willing to show such care to Dober-senpai, and Rice, but never does that to me? I joined the team earlier than them!"
Tokai Teio felt more and more justified as she spoke. "I can't accept—"
So the young man sighed gently, then reached out and placed his hand on Tokai Teio's head, leaning down to press a soft, Onii-samaly kiss on her forehead.
Unlike the afternoon gesture to Rice, this time Shuta An lingered a moment longer, making sure Tokai Teio felt the same care and warmth.
"This should appease her, right?" He thought so.
But looking at Tokai Teio's gradually watery eyes and flushed face, the young man felt like he had just stoked the fire even more.
"Trainer... you're really unfair." Tokai Teio whispered, her voice trembling slightly.