After the Arima Kinen, besides Tamamo Cross, several other Umamusume announced temporary breaks to recuperate.
Super Creek, though she hadn't managed to win the Arima Kinen, had pushed herself too hard, injured her ankle, and announced she would be resting.
Dicta Striker was also found to be injured and was forced to take time off.
But the most unexpected case of all was Oguri Cap, who was diagnosed with suspensory ligament inflammation and forced to rest.
She might have marched over to Tamamo Cross earlier looking ready to demand answers, but when it came to injuries, she wasn't much better off than Tamamo Cross with her fracture.
Suspensory ligament inflammation was no joke. One wrong move, and Oguri Cap could end up retiring from injury just like Tamamo Cross.
She had awakened the Zone at the Japanese Derby, and by December, she was using it as naturally as a pair of chopsticks at the dinner table.
That level of mastery had not come from nowhere.
Oguri Cap's everyday training was grueling to begin with, and the intensity far exceeded that of an ordinary Umamusume.
That was the only reason she had been able to maintain such overwhelming form.
But high-intensity training was obviously a double-edged sword.
Sure enough, during a routine checkup at the hospital, Oguri Cap was diagnosed with suspensory ligament inflammation.
The trigger for it had been the Arima Kinen a few days earlier.
Fortunately, it had been caught early, so the problem was not as serious as it could have been.
But as for the major spring races next year, those were basically out of the question.
...
"Honestly, you girls... can't you take better care of your bodies?"
Sakuraba Ryo said irritably, pinching Oguri Cap's soft cheeks.
Damn it. These races are a menace. They make me money, and they get the Umamusume I've invested in hurt...
Tch. What rotten luck.
"..."
Oguri Cap let Sakuraba Ryo squish her cheeks into all sorts of shapes without resisting.
Seeing her like that, Sakuraba Ryo could not bring himself to say much more. All he could do was remind her again.
"Compared to racing, I care more about your health."
"I don't care about results. Your health matters more than any of that. Got it?"
"Mm..."
Oguri Cap could only mumble a reply, not daring to meet Sakuraba Ryo's eyes.
From the guilty look on her face, Sakuraba Ryo could already tell that his warning had probably gone in one ear and out the other.
Did she really understand? Not even close.
...Sigh.
Maybe I should invest in medical care at Nishikino Academy.
After a year of investing, I've built up a fair bit of spare cash. Putting some of it into the medical field shouldn't be a problem.
The only issue is that investing in medicine doesn't count as an Umamusume-related loss-making field under the Loss System.
So if I lose money there, the System won't subsidize it.
But Sakuraba Ryo did not mind.
First, I'll invest and build a proper medical setup. That way the Umamusume can stay in top condition while losing me money.
Wouldn't that be perfect?
That said, building a hospital myself won't count toward my loss KPI... but paying the Umamusume's medical bills seems like it would.
Feels like there's an exploit in there somewhere...
Sakuraba Ryo's keen nose caught the scent of a chance to lose money.
"Still, you girls really do know how to run your bodies into the ground."
"One Arima Kinen, and four people came out injured..."
"That's enough to fill a mahjong table!"
Sakuraba Ryo had a growing feeling that opening a hospital around Tracen Academy would probably make a killing.
One race was enough to produce this many injured Umamusume. It was absurd.
Medical fees in Japan were not as outrageous as in America, but they were certainly not low, either.
One trip in and out of a hospital meant a huge amount of money coming in...
The more he thought about it, the more investing in a hospital seemed like a pretty good option.
The Umamusume at Tracen Academy were basically walking yen signs.
He would not have to worry about losing money at all.
If the System treats hospital investment as a different field, and it can't count toward my loss KPI...
Then doesn't that mean that even if I make money in medicine, it won't affect my grand money-losing enterprise at all?
Holy crap! I'm a genius!
Sakuraba Ryo's mind, which had been stuck in a rut from not knowing how to lose money, started turning again.
If I can't think of a good way to lose money for the time being... then why not go find a way to make money instead?
Decided! Next year's goal is to put together a respectable-looking hospital!
"Not bad...!"
"?"
Watching the strange grin spread across Sakuraba Ryo's face as he kneaded her cheeks, a question mark practically popped over Oguri Cap's head.
What is Ryo thinking about that's making him so happy?
If I ask him, will he tell me?
Just then, a strange rumble came from Oguri Cap's stomach.
The girl's gray ears flushed pink with embarrassment.
"Hungry?" Sakuraba Ryo asked with a smile.
"..."
Oguri Cap nodded honestly.
"Then let's head back to Kasamatsu. You can't race or train right now anyway, so it's about time you went back for a visit."
"Norn Ace and the others said they were waiting for you to come back so they could hold a Christmas party."
"A Christmas party?" Oguri Cap asked, puzzled.
"Didn't Christmas already pass...?"
As far as she remembered, Christmas had been two days before the Arima Kinen. By now, several days had already passed.
"Oh, that's a make-up Christmas party everyone's throwing for you."
"They knew you were busy with the Arima Kinen, so they moved the party they'd originally planned for Christmas to today."
"Let's go back to Kasamatsu together. Besides, didn't you say you'd take me home with you for New Year's? This works out perfectly."
"Mhm! Let's go back together!" The moment she heard Sakuraba Ryo was going home with her, Oguri's eyes lit up.
The gloom she had been carrying over missing the spring races vanished along with it.
...
"Whoa, Norn, aren't you going a little too hard...?"
Inside one of the activity rooms at Kasamatsu Academy, Mini the Lady watched Norn Ace work hard decorating the room beautifully.
The floor was piled high with neatly wrapped Christmas presents Norn Ace had prepared.
She had even set up a small Christmas tree in the room. It was honestly a bit much.
"You're way too excited about this, Norn..."
Rudy Lemono thought holding a Christmas party was nice and all, but the way Norn Ace had taken charge of absolutely everything was still a little intimidating.
"Honestly you two, Kasamatsu's pride is coming back. How could we not make it a little grander?"
"Besides, Sakuraba-san is coming back too..."
"That second part was the real point, wasn't it?" Mini the Lady shot back mercilessly.
"N-no! It's not like that! I just, I just... I-I..."
Norn Ace stamped her foot in flustered frustration, but even after a long pause, she could not come up with a suitable excuse.
Rudy Lemono and Mini the Lady turned to look at each other, then lowered their heads and sighed at the same time.
Tsunderes really were a pain...
---
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