Chapter 84. Silence Suzuka's Next Race Plan
No miracle occurred in this timeline after all.
"Prized crosses the finish line! Claiming the Breeders' Cup Turf victory she has longed for!"
As the commentator's excited cry echoed through the racecourse, Shuta An and the two Uma Musume of Team Sadalsuud stared at Silence Suzuka's figure—swallowed by the dense pack.
"Ninth place?" Berno Light spoke first, her voice low.
"Eighth, I think," Oguri Cap corrected quietly.
"It doesn't really matter whether it's eighth or ninth," Shuta An paused for a moment before continuing, "the prize money is the same—forty thousand US dollars, right?"
"I didn't expect to lose so badly—" Oguri Cap stopped herself mid-sentence, then glanced sideways, carefully gauging her Trainer's expression.
"Suzuka didn't reach the target I set before the race, but she executed the tactics exactly as instructed," Shuta An shook his head. "The responsibility lies with me as well. Perhaps entering her in this race was a mistake. The result proves it—two thousand four hundred meters is still too much for the current Suzuka."
With that, he turned around decisively. "Let's go. We'll pick up Suzuka."
"Mhm!" Oguri Cap and Berno Light responded at once. Neither of them chose to remain in the box. In this moment, they understood all too well—leaving Silence Suzuka alone now might only deepen her sense of defeat. No one wanted to sow seeds of unease within the team.
With that shared understanding, the two Uma Musume followed closely behind Shuta An as they left the VIP box.
Before departing, Shuta An casually took two drinks from the cooler.
At the exit of the underground passage, the three waited quietly. Soon enough, Silence Suzuka appeared, luggage in hand.
Reporters noticed them immediately, but thanks to the timely intervention of the racecourse staff, none dared to approach.
Shuta An glanced at the crowd and raised a hand politely. "Sorry. I've already completed all necessary interviews after the Breeders' Cup Mile. I won't be accepting any further interviews today."
As he finished speaking, Silence Suzuka stepped fully into view. Her head was lowered, her steps noticeably heavy—clearly, failing to place within the top five had dealt her a considerable psychological blow.
Shuta An went to her at once, handing her a can of carrot juice while taking the suitcase from her grasp.
"I'm sorry," he said first, without hesitation. "The tactics were flawed. If I'd let you run away this time, perhaps the result would have been better."
Silence Suzuka looked up in surprise. "No—Trainer shouldn't apologize."
Holding the can tightly, she shook her head. "It's my fault. I lost speed on the final straight. I pushed the pace to sixty-two seconds per kilometer up front, but my stamina couldn't keep up. This isn't your fault—it's my lack of ability that disappointed you."
"I'm not disappointed," Shuta An replied steadily.
He met her gaze, his tone calm yet firm. "I told you before—Suzuka, you still need time to grow. Entering a top-tier American middle-to-long-distance turf G1 at this stage and still earning prize money is already beyond my expectations."
"You did well."
He slipped the unopened drink into his chest pocket, then reached out, gently ruffling her hair before smoothing down her wind-tossed sideburns.
"Let's go. We'll return to the hotel, rest for two days, and then head home."
"Mhm…" Silence Suzuka forced a small smile and nodded.
For Shuta An, this year's Breeders' Cup Series was far from perfect—but he was satisfied nonetheless. Oguri Cap's victory in the Mile had proven her strength while leaving ample room for imagination among fans and onlookers alike. After returning home, she would calmly prepare for the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen… and after that, it would be time to deal with matters of retirement.
The first Uma Musume I trained independently is about to retire from the Twinkle Series… he thought as they walked back to the hotel.
His thoughts shifted—then paused.
No…Berno Light retire first.
Realizing the mistake, Shuta An curled his lips faintly. The melancholy in his chest eased somewhat.
Back at the hotel, he returned to his room and sat before the computer, opening the team's official blog to post a brief report on the day's race.
Of course, he knew full well that most fans had already watched the broadcast. Reporting the results was merely a formality.
His true purpose lay elsewhere.
After summarizing the races, he made no attempt to obscure anything. He directly announced Oguri Cap's final two race plans—ones most fans had already guessed—and Silence Suzuka's next arrangement.
"Although Silence Suzuka did not achieve victory this time, the primary issue was excessive distance. The purpose of entering her in the Breeders' Cup was to allow her to experience a world-class stage. Securing prize money already exceeded pre-race expectations. As for her next race: domestically, only the Fukushima Kinen remains, but as a G3 it holds little training value for Suzuka at her current level. Therefore, she will return home to rest. In early December, she will travel to Hong Kong to compete in the Hong Kong International Cup, a 2000-meter turf G2."
To be honest, Shuta An did not consider Sha Tin Racecourse particularly suitable for Silence Suzuka. Yet after weighing all options, if she were to race again within the year, this was the best choice.
Having a G1 Uma Musume run a low-prestige domestic G3 served no purpose beyond prize money—and offered no meaningful training.
'From the current perspective, Hong Kong Uma Musume are generally stronger than Japan's', he reflected. 'And there is precedent for Central Uma Musume challenging races there.'
This time, he did not consult Silence Suzuka. He made the decision himself.
Even if he had asked, the dispirited Uma Musume would likely have agreed without hesitation—as if surrendering.
"If we can win," Shuta An murmured softly, "it'll help her regain some confidence."
For a leading Uma Musume, confidence was not optional—it was essential.
—
On November 7th, Team Sadalsuud flew back to Tokyo from Florida.
After landing, Shuta Trainer did not return to his newly purchased home in Shinjuku. Instead, after seeing Silence Suzuka back to Central Tracen Academy, he brought Oguri Cap and Berno Light straight to the Mejiro residence.
"Prepare to move," he said as he entered the classroom, his gaze sweeping across the room. "We have two days off. Let's use them."
The two Uma Musume nodded. Having already seen photos of the new house, they were more than satisfied with its interior design and layout.
The location—close to Shinjuku's commercial district yet surprisingly quiet—left little to complain about.
The only thing that puzzled Berno Light was the size. "Five LDK—isn't three enough?"
"We need guest rooms," Shuta Trainer replied simply.
That single sentence dispelled her doubts.
The celebration had already taken place back at the hotel in Hallandale Beach, so upon returning to Japan, all three chose rest over anything else. Neither Oguri Cap nor Berno Light had the energy to cling to the young man.
Meanwhile, Silence Suzuka stood alone before the main gate of Central Tracen Academy, suitcase at her side, feeling as though a lifetime had passed since she last stood there.
Recalling the turmoil she felt when she left, she let out a soft sigh. "Even after such a crushing defeat—I still returned as a G1-winning Uma Musume."
She straightened, lifting her head and forcing confidence into her smile. "I am a G1 winner. I have to be confident—just like Trainer said. 'Strong leading Uma Musume are confident to the point of pride.' If I don't believe in myself, I'll never become an excellent leading Uma Musume." (TRUE. Look at Twin Turbo)
Back in her dormitory, Silence Suzuka expected a layer of dust. Instead, the room was spotless.
"Dormitory Head…thank you," she murmured instinctively.
After setting down her luggage, she tidied up, showered, changed into pajamas, and prepared to sleep, just as Oguri Cap and Berno Light were doing.
Yet before sleep claimed her, a lingering question resurfaced.
The Hong Kong International Cup is in mid-December…What will Trainer do then? Senior Oguri still has the Arima Kinen. He can't neglect her training, can he…?
—
In the Student Council office, Symboli Rudolf looked up from her documents.
"Silence Suzuka has returned?"
Tokai Teio, standing before the desk, nodded. "Of course. Lots of Uma Musume saw her."
"Good. Tell them not to disturb her—let her rest and adjust," Symboli Rudolf replied. "I wonder how Trainer Tojo feels about winning a G1 in America this time."
"That Secretariat Stakes win was basically a surprise attack," Tokai Teio said bluntly. "Runaway tactics don't produce miracles again and again."
She had heard the rumors too—some people saying that even a 'failed Triple Crown route' Uma Musume like Silence Suzuka could win a G1 abroad, while the 'Emperor' herself suffered defeat.
She didn't even want to remember the rest.
"Even so," Symboli Rudolf said calmly, "a win is still a win. Everything else is just an excuse."
By the end, the Emperor allowed herself a bitter smile.
She had watched the Secretariat Stakes live. Only she knew what she felt at that moment.
'When it comes to expeditions—perhaps no one in Japan surpasses Shuta-kun.'
If there were a Trainer game, Shuta Trainer would undoubtedly possess a passive skill called 'Expedition—Double Circle.'
"Don't go bothering him these two days, Teio," Symboli Rudolf added. "He needs rest—and he's moving."
"I know," Tokai Teio stuck out her tongue. "I'm not a child."
Are you really not? Symboli Rudolf thought quietly.
—
The move itself required little effort—one call to a moving company was enough.
Beforehand, however, Shuta Trainer paid a visit to the Mejiro family to thank Mejiro Ramonu and inform her of his plans.
"As for training the Mejiro family's Uma Musume, I'll continue," he assured her.
"For those already debuted, like Bright, that won't be necessary," Mejiro Ramonu replied, easing his burden. "But for the others, I'll still rely on you."
Shuta Trainer thought that settled everything—until Mejiro Ramonu glanced around and lowered her voice.
"One more thing. When will Dober officially join your team?"
He wasn't surprised she knew. "As early as the beginning of next year. After Oguri retires, I'll move the team base to Central."
"That's good," she nodded. "Dober's been uneasy without a clear answer."
He understood immediately.
After leaving the Mejiro estate and starting his car, Shuta Trainer casually sent a message.
'Beginning of next year. Dober, you can officially join the team. Just hold on a little longer.'
A reply came quickly—surprised, delighted.
'Understood!'
But upon returning home, Shuta Trainer froze.
"What is going on—?"
He instinctively took a step back, staring at Oguri Cap and Berno Light—dressed in attire far stranger than expected.
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