Chapter 86. Differences in Team Selection
When Mejiro Dober left the track and returned to her waiting room to prepare for the Winning Live, Shuta An headed alone toward the media area.
Accepting interviews and congratulations had already become routine.
The moment he appeared, reporters who had been waiting surged forward. The Trainer of Team Sadalsuud was a perennial favorite among local media. His Uma Musume rarely granted interviews; extracting information from him was often the only way to satisfy public curiosity.
"Well…we still have plenty of time before the Winning Live begins."
Surrounded on all sides, Shuta raised both hands and gently pressed them downward, signaling for calm. "Same rule as always. One question per person."
The first opportunity naturally went to Twinkle magazine, a subsidiary of the URA Association and long-time acquaintances.
"Congratulations, Shuta Trainer, on winning your first domestic G1 in your debut year. How do you feel right now?"
"I'm very happy," he replied without hesitation. "In my first year, I had the chance to win the All-Japan Juvenile Stakes with Oguri Cap. But for the sake of the Kasamatsu fans, we chose to remain there instead of transferring. Personally, however, securing a G1 in my debut year has always been a goal. And this Hanshin Juvenile Fillies was Dober's and my primary target for the season."
The reporter nodded in satisfaction and retreated into the crowd.
The next question followed swiftly.
"After winning the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Mejiro Dober now holds two G1 titles. What is her first target next year? Which prep race will she choose?"
"The target will most likely be the Oka Sho," Shuta answered evenly. "At present, there are no plans for her to run in a prep race. Rather than warming up in competition, I believe increasing training intensity will be more effective. Besides, many Uma Musume have yet to secure entry to the Oka Sho. Leaving those prep races open gives others an opportunity."
A quiet stir moved through the press corps. Going straight to the Oka Sho without a prep race was virtually unheard of.
Yet for Team Sadalsuud, it sounded entirely plausible.
Then came a sharper question.
"Has the Mejiro Family interfered with Mejiro Dober's training or race schedule?"
Shuta paused.
"For that, I must express my gratitude to the Mejiro Family," he said, his tone turning serious. "They have given me complete trust. I do not report Dober's training or race plans to anyone in the family. I only require Dober's own consent. Without that freedom, she would never have been able to challenge G1 company in North America this year — including the Breeders' Cup Series."
The footage played simultaneously in the Mejiro Family's private box.
"Heh…" The old woman smiled faintly, shaking her head.
"I think Shuta Trainer means our family isn't accustomed to extended North American campaigns," Mejiro Ramonu offered carefully.
"I know what he means," the old woman replied, casting her granddaughter a knowing glance. "He understands our financial situation very well. If we were funding it, such a prolonged expedition would have been impossible."
She let out a quiet breath.
"The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf may offer hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money, but look at the photographs Dober sent back. A mansion of that scale, months of accommodation…one can imagine the cost."
"Team Sadalsuud's overseas expenses used to be paid entirely by Shuta Trainer himself," Ramonu said. "Later, the Academy approved reimbursements, but not in full. I've heard he only ever claims fifty percent — even then, Sadalsuud's reimbursement totals exceed any other team's."
The old woman's expression tightened slightly.
"Every expedition, he insists on the best accommodations. Naturally, the expenses soar. I wonder how long he can maintain that pace. No matter how wealthy he may be, his income cannot be limitless."
(He frequently races in the Dream World, and win the prize money. In one dream he could rakes tens of millions. In addition, his inheritances managed by Secretariat. This man ability to make money seems greater than your Mejiro Family)
Ramonu fell silent. She did not know the full extent of Shuta An's finances — only that even without being a Trainer, he would remain a wealthy man.
The old woman continued, her tone softening.
"Still…a Trainer willing to create the finest possible conditions for his Uma Musume is far preferable to those who wish to but cannot. It is unfortunate he only intends to recruit Dober. Otherwise, McQueen truly ought to transfer. What does her current team offer?"
"They produced a Derby winner," Ramonu replied mildly in defense of Team Spica.
"Derby—" The old woman closed her eyes. "The Derby is important — but it is not the entirety of the Twinkle Series. For the Mejiro Family, the Tenno Sho is paramount."
"I've interacted with Team Spica's Uma Musume several times," Ramonu added. "They may be playful, but they are serious in training. McQueen will not be led astray."
"Let us hope so."
Her dissatisfaction with McQueen's team choice was no secret within the family.
—
Back in the media area, after answering several more questions, Shuta glanced toward the stage.
"It seems it's time to enjoy my team's Winning Live," he said with an easy smile. "Excuse me."
Leaving the reporters with only his retreating figure, he strode briskly toward the stands.
Mejiro Dober did not yet have a solo single. Instead, she performed "Brilliant Phantasia," the song designated by the URA Association for the Tiara route.
From below the stage, Shuta watched quietly.
The Association's production capacity truly seemed stretched thin. Not even Suzuka had a confirmed solo release.
Perhaps…it was time to speak with Miss Rudolph. If necessary, he would handle it himself.
After the Winning Live, Mejiro Dober returned briefly to the waiting room to collect her luggage before heading out to meet her Trainer.
Shuta An was waiting at the entrance to Hanshin Racecourse's underground passage, phone in hand.
"I don't plan to pick her up," Mejiro Ramonu replied on Line. "And even if I did, there wouldn't be space in the car. Shuta-kun, please take Dober back to Tokyo."
"Understood," he typed back.
He lowered his phone just as Mejiro Dober stepped out from the passage.
Their eyes met.
She immediately looked away.
Walking at an unhurried pace, she stopped two or three meters in front of him, maintaining that careful distance.
"Let's go, Dober," Shuta said lightly. "I've confirmed with your family. Miss Ramonu intends for me to take you straight back to Tokyo."
Since she did not approach, he closed the distance himself and took the suitcase from the newly crowned Hanshin Juvenile Fillies champion.
"Are we returning immediately?" Dober asked quietly.
He paused.
"Would you prefer to stay in Kansai a few more days?" he asked at once. "Or is there somewhere you'd like to go?"
She hesitated.
"The celebration—Trainer, are you planning to hold it after we return to Tokyo?" Her voice lowered. "I'd like to have something simple here. Today."
"If that's what you want." He pulled out his phone. "Then I'll cancel the tickets."
Restaurant arrangements were, as always, entrusted to his new assistant Mrs. Grace. Despite the time difference in North America, she responded immediately. Within ten minutes, everything was confirmed. The address arrived.
Shuta glanced at it, then looked up at Dober.
"Let's go. The celebration you requested — just the two of us — is ready."
"Mm."
She followed him.
The destination was HAJIME, located in Edobori Itchome, Nishi Ward, Osaka — a creative restaurant that had achieved three Michelin stars in record time after opening.
For a decade, Executive Chef Hajime Yoneda had pursued his philosophy of creating "the ultimate dish in the world," weaving together biology, architecture, neuroscience, business theory, and cosmology into culinary expression. Two years earlier, the restaurant had shifted to accepting only one group per day.
There had been another reservation tonight.
After a call from across the ocean, the guests became the young man now standing at the entrance — and the Uma Musume beside him.
Chef Yoneda had watched the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies broadcast that afternoon. He recognized her instantly. The identity of the man accompanying her required no introduction.
"I didn't expect it to be him," he murmured — but a radiant smile surfaced.
He bowed deeply as they entered.
"Welcome, new Queen of the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, to HAJIME. And welcome, Shuta Trainer. Thank you for choosing us for Miss Dober's celebration."
"It was a spontaneous decision to remain in Kansai," Shuta replied with a polite inclination of his head. "I hope it caused no inconvenience."
"None whatsoever," the chef answered. "Please look forward to the meal."
"I've been anticipating your masterpiece, 'Earth,'" Shuta added.
The chef's posture straightened further. "It will not disappoint."
They were seated opposite each other.
Alcohol had not been ordered — information conveyed discreetly in advance. While regrettable from a business perspective, the chef did not comment.
Non-alcoholic cocktails were prepared instead. Shuta watched the mixing process with quiet interest.
Across from him, Dober searched the restaurant on her phone.
Her fingers slowed. A standard course cost fifty-five thousand yen. With service charge, the total for two exceeded one hundred twenty thousand.
The Hanshin Juvenile Fillies carried a sixty-five million yen purse. After tax, slightly over forty million would enter her account.
Still—
"Isn't this too expensive?" she typed to him on Line. "It's only one Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. There's no need to spend this much. Any family restaurant would be fine."
He replied almost instantly.
"This is your first domestic G1. I truly did book it casually. Relax."
Then, as if anticipating further protest:
"Oguri tasted 'Earth' before. She wasn't full afterward, but she rated it very highly. She even used a photo of it as her Umastagram profile picture."
A screenshot followed.
Dober studied the image.
"It's beautiful—" she murmured without thinking.
"Miss Dober? Do you require anything?" a waiter asked, having caught the sound.
"No — nothing," she replied quickly, flustered.
When the waiter withdrew, she looked at Shuta again.
He sat composed, entirely at ease.
I'm from the Mejiro Family, she thought bitterly. So why do I look like someone from the countryside in front of him?
She straightened slightly.
No more embarrassing myself.
Across the table, Shuta noticed only her tension.
She was fearless on the track. Why is she nervous here?
Before he could dwell further, the signature dish arrived.
"'Earth,'" the waiter began solemnly. "One hundred and twenty varieties of vegetables arranged on a sixty-centimeter Arita porcelain plate. Each prepared individually. The philosophy is that 'eating is hope.' You will find elements of forest, rock, coast, ocean…and finally, love. As diners, you are part of the work. Please enjoy it from both sides to complete the cycle of the Earth."
The plate dominated the table.
Dober stared at it. Her mind caught on a single phrase.
As diners, you are part of the work.
Teacher Dober — the artist — began to imagine. What does Trainer mean by this?
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