Chapter 130.
Sunday was Hong Kong International Races race day. Nine races were held that day, but the four international races drew the most attention.
After Shuta An sent Mejiro Dober into quarantine at Sha Tin Racecourse the night before, he had gone to bed early to rest, so he woke up very early that morning.
Even so, no matter how early he woke, he still had to wait for Kitahara-san and Tojo Hana to get ready before the three of them headed to Sha Tin Racecourse together, since they had been assigned to the same stakeholder box.
After a simple breakfast of congee and rice rolls, Shuta An stood in a corner of the hotel lobby with a cup of warm coffee, waiting for Kitahara-san and Tojo Hana to come downstairs.
By the time the coffee had cooled to a temperature he could drink in one go, he saw the two of them arrive in the lobby.
A smile appeared on Shuta An's lips, and he walked over to them.
"Are we eating breakfast here, or at Sha Tin Racecourse?"
"Ann-san has finished eating, right?"
Kitahara-san sized him up and immediately understood. Then he said,
"Then let's not eat here. Let's go to Sha Tin Racecourse. They should have food prepared for the stakeholders in the box, right?"
"Only if you order it," Shuta An said as he turned and walked ahead. "It's not the kind of place where everything is laid out in the box for you to take freely. At least, it wasn't like that last year."
"Ordering for ourselves is fine," Tojo Hana said. "It would be awkward if the buffet had nothing we wanted to eat."
"Miss Tojo is picky, huh?" the young man muttered. "That's a little surprising."
After the three of them reached the stakeholder box, Shuta An's experience proved correct, so Kitahara-san handed the menu to Tojo Hana and let her order first.
As for Shuta An, he simply took a can of sparkling water from the cabinet.
"The third race is the Sprint, so Kitahara-san should finish eating early and go cheer for Sabuno Hana Park."
"I know," Kitahara-san replied without looking up. "I definitely need to go to the trackside and cheer for Hana Park. It's a pity the start isn't near the final straight. I'll have to go down earlier, to the parade ring, so Sabuno Hana Park can see me in advance."
"I also need to go down early," Tojo Hana added. "If Kikousazan can finish in the top five this time, I won't have let her down."
Shuta An did not say his expectations for Mejiro Dober again. Even without saying it, Tojo Hana and Kitahara-san both understood perfectly well.
What else could it be besides victory?
The annual Hong Kong International Races were undoubtedly a feast for local Twinkle Series fans. Everyone waited in the parade ring for the overseas Uma Musume while also wanting to cheer for the local ones.
Whether in Japan, Hong Kong, or elsewhere, most Twinkle Series fans hoped that their local Uma Musume would defend the crown of victory. That much was beyond doubt.
Sabuno Hana Park could clearly feel the "hostility" from the spectators around her. It was not sharp, but it still made her a little uneasy.
"I can't be influenced. I need to focus on myself," she reminded herself.
Then, just before stepping onto the parade stage, she saw her Trainer, puffing out his cheeks, run behind the railing and wave at her.
"Honestly~ he's just like a hamster."
Sabuno Hana Park gave a helpless smile and raised her hand to acknowledge Kitahara-san.
After Kitahara-san swallowed the bread he had stuffed into his mouth in one bite, he choked and his body jerked.
"Oh no, this is going to be uncomfortable for a while."
He realized the problem, but there was nothing he could do. After Sabuno Hana Park finished her parade, he followed her to the trackside stakeholder area.
Kitahara-san knew there was nothing else he needed to tell Sabuno Hana Park. Everything now depended on her.
"If I can get a good result this year, I'd like to try again next year," he thought.
In the end, Sabuno Hana Park, starting from gate 3, finished fifth. It was not excellent, but it was certainly not bad. Kitahara-san was a little disappointed at first, but after thinking it over, he felt relieved.
"Hong Kong is very strong in the sprint distances, so fifth place is good enough," he muttered, clenching his fist.
"Maybe next year I can go to Australia with Ann-san and give it a try."
There are far too many short-distance Twinkle Series races in Australia.
Kitahara-san still did not know that his friend had no intention of going to Australia next year.
—
After the sixth race of the day ended, it was time for the Hong Kong Mile.
Earlier, after the fifth race, the Hong Kong Vase had already concluded, and it was won by the French Uma Musume Ange Gabriel, while the best local Uma Musume finished seventh as Idol.
"For the Hong Kong Mile, what place do you think Kikousazan can get?"
Kitahara-san asked after returning to the box.
"Third, I think," Shuta An said, raising an eyebrow. "That feels about right. Going any farther might be a bit difficult."
"That confident?!" Kitahara-san's eyes widened. "Tojo said she'd be very surprised if she got into the top ten. It feels like the atmosphere on the track isn't very friendly to overseas Uma Musume."
"Not necessarily,"
Shuta An said, shaking his head as a Trainer who had made many trips to Hong Kong.
"As long as you perform well, the audience here is never stingy with praise and cheers. Look, after the Sprint ended, didn't Sabuno Hana Park also receive applause from the crowd?"
"I always feel that was more like pity."
Seeing the same thing from different angles always led to different opinions. For example, Kitahara-san and Shuta An would never have the same view of the applause from the audience.
The final result did not surprise Shuta An. Kikousazan really did finish third.
"Fifth, third." Kitahara stood up and patted his friend on the shoulder. "Now we just have to count on Miss Mejiro Dober to take first."
"I won't let you down."
Shuta An patted Kitahara's hand.
"Sadalsuud Team's expedition results are always reliable."
"Of course." Kitahara also grinned. "I absolutely believe that."
Shuta An came to the edge of the viewing area and stood behind the railing, watching Mejiro Dober walk out of the passage.
The two of them, linked by an almost telepathic connection, made eye contact at once.
Mejiro Dober's usually indifferent expression instantly melted away, and she smiled brightly at her lover.