Chapter 92. Kurofune's Opportunity; First Grass Wonder vs. Special Week Battle - Part 1
Today's Arima Kinen featured a full field of sixteen Uma Musume.
Special Week drew gate 7 in frame 4. Grass Wonder drew gate 2 in frame 1—an inside position, and not bad news for her at all.
Before the race, both of them received tactical instructions from their respective Trainers. By coincidence, however, Nishizaki Ryu and Tojo Hana had made the same decision.
Neither of them mentioned that Shuta An had helped.
"Let's talk about it after we win. No need to distract her now."
Their thoughts were almost identical.
Meanwhile, inside the VIP box, Shuta An lay sprawled across the sofa, casually scrolling through his phone.
On Arima Kinen race day, only one race truly mattered.
The Arima Kinen itself.
In Shuta An's eyes, the rest of the race wasn't worth paying attention to. Most were just condition races. It was rare for any Uma Musume capable of making a name for herself next year to appear in them.
And even if one did appear, he could simply collect the data later and analyze her if she ever faced Mejiro Dober.
In his estimation, Mejiro Dober's biggest rival in next year's Oka Sho would be Kyoei March, who had skipped the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. The rest didn't deserve much attention.
As for the other fronts—
Silence Suzuka, according to Shuta An's plan for next year, would mostly compete overseas.
The local competition wasn't something he worried about.
After all, across the entire Central Tracen Academy, it would be difficult to find a second Trainer capable of supporting long-term overseas campaigns the way he did.
Even if the academy introduced reimbursement policies for expedition costs, those came with strict caps.
Arranging accommodation and meals for his team the way Shuta An did would be impossible under those limitations.
"Come to think of it—that policy cap was basically created because of me."
The young man smirked faintly.
Back when he took Suzuka overseas before, he had burned through a budget far beyond what the academy had imagined—in a very short time.
The academy had hurriedly introduced financial limits afterward. Symboli Rudolf had even personally apologized to him about it.
But Shuta An himself didn't mind. If necessary, he could simply pay the rest out of his own pocket.
"Anyway~ I'll just play on my phone until lunch."
—
After lunch, Shuta An first sent the girls back to the VIP box.
Then he headed alone to the grandstand and quickly located Nishizaki Ryu and Tojo Hana.
"Good afternoon, you two."
"Good afternoon, Shuta-kun."
The two exchanged a glance before replying almost simultaneously.
"What were you two talking about?" Shuta An asked curiously as he stood beside them. "Your Uma Musume are about to run in the Arima Kinen, but neither of you looks particularly tense."
"It's not a one-on-one race," Nishizaki Ryu replied, shaking his head. "Why would I be nervous? Though of course—I have my reasons not to lose."
"Same here," Tojo Hana said immediately. "Grass Wonder must win."
"El Condor Pasa could defeat Special Week. Grass Wonder can do it too."
"Special Week won't lose to a teammate twice," Nishizaki Ryu shot back, meeting her gaze. "I'm fully prepared this time."
"Heh." Tojo Hana raised an eyebrow, lips curling upward. "As if I haven't prepared."
Inside, Nishizaki Ryu quietly sneered.
Hana-chan…you'd never guess I found outside help.
Tojo Hana was thinking the same thing.
Does Nishizaki really think I'd rely only on myself to suppress him?
Standing between them, Shuta An felt both amused and helpless.
Only he knew the whole story. Only he understood the hidden meaning behind every sentence they were exchanging.
"Anyway," he finally said, "the race is about to start. Save the argument for after the results."
"That won't work," Nishizaki Ryu shook his head immediately. "If we lose, we won't be able to argue anymore."
"Have some confidence in Special Week," Shuta An said dryly.
"I have full confidence in Grass Wonder," Tojo Hana replied, casting Nishizaki Ryu a triumphant glance.
Meanwhile, Nishizaki Ryu sneered inwardly.
Just wait. When Special Week defeats Grass Wonder and wins the Arima Kinen—
You'll understand how fierce my counterattack really is.
—
After briefly greeting the Uma Musume of Team Spica and Team Rigil, Shuta An returned to the VIP box.
When he pushed the door open, the scene inside came into view.
Berno was leisurely sipping carrot juice.
Kurofune sat nearby with sparkling eyes, listening intently to Oguri Cap, who was explaining something with surprising enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at Nakayama Racecourse. On the track below, the Uma Musume for the next race were preparing to step onto the parade stage.
"On Arima Kinen day," Mejiro Dober said softly, "everyone's attention is on the eleventh race."
"Of course," Tokai Teio replied. "The final showdown of the year."
"The Derby Uma Musume versus last year's Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes champion. I bet most people are waiting for the duel between Special Week-senpai and Grass Wonder-senpai."
"Teio will become the protagonist here someday as well," Mejiro Dober said, gesturing toward the track outside.
Tokai Teio nodded slowly.
"I won't disappoint Trainer."
Her voice carried quiet determination.
At that moment, Shuta An walked in and glanced curiously toward Oguri Cap and Kurofune.
"What are you two discussing?"
"It's about my experience running dirt races in the local circuit," Oguri Cap answered first.
"Kurofune wanted to hear about it. After all, I'm the only one here who's run dirt races."
"I see."
Shuta An looked at Kurofune, who was nodding vigorously.
Suddenly, an idea crossed his mind. The smile on his face widened.
"If you want to hear more about dirt racing from senior Uma Musume," he said casually, "I actually have someone I can recommend."
The moment he said that, Oguri Cap already knew who he meant.
Her pupils shrank slightly. She hadn't expected Shuta An to be willing to introduce Kurofune—who had only recently joined the team—to that person.
"Which senior?" Kurofune asked eagerly.
"Since you grew up overseas," Shuta An said after a brief pause, "you've definitely heard her name."
"She's the Uma Musume my father trained. And the current Student Council President of West Coast Tracen Academy."
"Her name is—"
"Secretariat."
"Secretariat?!" Kurofune almost jumped. "I can really ask Secretariat-senpai for guidance?!"
"No problem," Shuta An said calmly. "Once it's daytime in Los Angeles, I'll contact her for you. You can add each other on LINE. It'll be easier to talk then."
"Thank you, Trainer!"
Kurofune's heart was pounding.
For someone who grew up in America, the name Secretariat was nothing short of legendary.
For every Uma Musume who dreamed of reaching the top of the Twinkle Series—
No.
For every young Uma Musume in the world—
Their idol was that blazing red legend who once stood at the very pinnacle of racing.
Big Red.
—
Their attention soon returned to the track at Nakayama Racecourse.
A little after 2 p.m., all sixteen Uma Musume competing in the Arima Kinen emerged from the underground passage.
"So, who are you favoring this time, Ann?" Oguri Cap asked with a smile. "As for me, I'm leaning toward Special Week."
"Because she's the Derby Uma Musume?" Shuta An didn't answer directly. Instead, he returned the question.
"Mhm. And because she lost the Japan Cup last time." Oguri Cap nodded slowly. "If I put myself in her shoes, Special Week will give one hundred and twenty percent in this race."
"She only officially started training as an Uma Musume at the beginning of this year, yet she already won the Japanese Derby. That proves how talented she is."
"And…like me, she's from rural Hokkaido." Oguri Cap pressed a hand to her chest, her gaze drifting toward the coffee table.
"After losing once—she absolutely doesn't want to lose again."
"Wanting to win isn't enough to take the Arima Kinen," Shuta An said calmly, shaking his head. "Special Week isn't overwhelmingly stronger than the other Uma Musume of this generation yet."
"You still haven't said who you favor," Oguri Cap pouted.
Shuta An thought for a few seconds before answering.
"If I had to choose—I'd lean slightly toward Grass Wonder."
"Tracks like Nakayama aren't especially friendly to Special Week's style. Meanwhile, Grass Wonder has already delivered a record-breaking G1 performance here. So I give Grass Wonder the edge."
"I also favor Grass Wonder-senpai," Tokai Teio said from beside the floor-to-ceiling window, where she was watching the parade ring below.
"The fighting spirit coming from Grass Wonder-senpai right now—it's almost tangible. Even from here, I can feel how badly she wants to win today."
In the end, the box was evenly split.
Three favored Special Week.
Three favored Grass Wonder.
Mejiro Dober also sided with Special Week. Her reasoning was simple: Grass Wonder might not be fully suited to Nakayama's 2500-meter distance. In the previous Argentina Republic Cup—also 2500 meters, though at Tokyo—Grass Wonder had been caught in the final stretch.
Because of that, Dober believed Special Week had the better chance.
By the time the Sadalsuud team finished exchanging their opinions, the parade segment had ended.
The sixteen Uma Musume were heading toward the starting gates.
Shuta An rose from the sofa and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
Oguri Cap moved over and sat where he had been, tilting her head up to watch the television broadcast.
Kurofune stayed where she was.
Tokai Teio, tired from standing, simply sat down to rest.
Which meant that at that moment, only Mejiro Dober and Shuta An remained standing by the window.
In the reflection of the glass, Mejiro Dober could see everything behind her.
Her heart thumped.
Although she had gradually grown used to the Trainer's presence, standing like this—with him beside her while her teammates and seniors were behind them—still made her feel awkward.
I still can't quite get used to being alone with Trainer—
Shuta An noticed her subtle tension. Without saying anything, he quietly stepped half a pace away.
If we're not standing so close, she'll probably relax a little, he thought.
He glanced at her briefly, then turned his attention back to the giant screen outside.
—
On the track, the final preparations were underway.
Special Week and Grass Wonder both stood inside the starting area, adjusting their conditions while watching each other.
They both knew.
Each of them was the other's greatest rival.
It wasn't arrogance toward the rest of the field. Even though they had rarely clashed directly before, both of them acknowledged the other's strength.
I'm going to win this.
Special Week clenched her fist.
After losing the Japan Cup—I want to finish this year with a victory.
She stepped into the starting gate.
In gate two, Grass Wonder waited calmly. After Big Sunday in gate fifteen finished loading, she also walked obediently into the gate.
Her eyes flicked briefly to the left—MatikaneFukukitaru in gate one.
Then to the right—Daiwa Oshu in gate three.
Their usual tactics flashed through her mind.
Neither of them normally pushes forward at the start. Which means I shouldn't have to fight for position immediately—
Grass Wonder lifted her head, ready.
Trainer…please watch me.I will win this race.I'll prove that last year wasn't just a single moment of brilliance.
The gates burst open.
Grass Wonder exploded forward instantly.
But to her surprise, Daiwa Oshu didn't hold back as usual. Instead, she surged forward as if trying to get ahead of Grass Wonder.
Grass Wonder quickly steadied herself.
She noticed that Osumi Tycoon from gate four was also moving up, clearly intending to contest the same position with Daiwa Oshu.
I see—Because of pressure from the outside, they're rushing forward to avoid getting squeezed.
In that brief moment of hesitation, Grass Wonder lost the chance to claim the ideal forward position.
She immediately adjusted.
Fine. Then I'll stay mid-pack for now.
Before we finish the straight and enter the turn, I need to move outside. I can't get boxed in.
With that decision made, she began weaving skillfully through the field as the course sloped downhill into the turn.
Meanwhile, Special Week had made a completely different choice. Right after the start, she calmly dropped toward the rear of the pack. This was her most familiar running style.
Even though Nakayama was notoriously unfriendly to late surger, Special Week had no intention of changing her tactics.
On the track—the thing I trust most is my final burst.So I have to sharpen that weapon even further.
Which means patience.
She glanced forward.
From the back of the pack, she could see Grass Wonder's figure gradually moving outward toward the outside line. Even though Special Week had only begun training this year, her racing instincts were exceptional.
She understood Grass Wonder's intention immediately. But she had no plan to interfere.
In the end—
Special Week muttered to herself.
I'll just move even wider than her—And charge past everyone from the outside.
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