Although Shuta An found no issues with Dr. Grace's plan, he had already decided he would make subtle adjustments based on Oguri Cap's condition each day. Back on the West Coast, he had minored in sports science. He wasn't a genius like Dr. Grace—who could build her own research team right out of graduation—but reading and adapting to an Uma Musume's physical responses? That was well within his abilities.
"Good thing all the supplements she mentioned can be easily bought in Tokyo" After Berno Light and Oguri Cap left the house, he mentally skimmed through the shopping list again, quietly relieved.
But when he checked the clock, he realized it was still not yet eight. So he decided to head back to Kasamatsu first to retrieve his car from the academy's parking lot. As for buying the supplements—just this once, he would let someone else handle it.
Unlocking his phone with practiced ease, he opened Line and tapped on Symboli Rudolf's name, sending over the entire list Oguri needed. A moment later, her reply appeared:
"?"
Symboli Rudolf using a single question mark—rare enough to be almost alarming. Japanese Uma Musumes generally disliked replying that way; for Miss Rudolf to do it, she must have been truly baffled.
"Didn't Miss Rudolf say before that if I ever needed something, I could ask you?" Shuta replied, amused.
"That's sooner than I expected," she grumbled. "But most of these items are common. They shouldn't be hard to find."
"I need to go back to Kasamatsu. Thinking about it carefully, it's better to trouble Miss Rudolf with this for now. Oguri will start training the day after tomorrow."
"That soon?!" Symboli Rudolf's surprise practically jumped off the screen.
"Normally she'd rest longer," Shuta said. "But with Arima Kinen coming up, I have no choice but to bring out some special methods."
"Alright. I'll gather these at the academy," she finally agreed. "If our conversation ever leaked, it would shock the entire student body."
"Maybe." Shuta didn't elaborate. "I'll leave it to you. No matter what happens at Arima Kinen, Oguri and I won't forget this favor."
After a short pause, Symboli Rudolf sent another message:
"The URA Association's awards for the year are mostly decided. I want Oguri to attend the ceremony."
Shuta blinked. "There shouldn't be any awards for her, right?"
"There are. Not an annual award—an occasional special award. The last time was about five years ago. When the Best Older Uma Musume of the Year went to Kyoei Promise, a special award was given to Amber Shadai, who won the Spring Tenno Sho."
Shuta raised an eyebrow. "That sounds…not very prestigious."
Symboli Rudolf had no counterargument—because historically, special award recipients were all in similar "out of place" circumstances. But Oguri's case was completely different.
She wasn't a Central Uma Musume, yet she delivered the most dazzling performance of the year. Even if she placed last in Arima Kinen, the URA Association couldn't possibly pretend the "French Two Crowns" and the Autumn Tenno Sho + Japan Cup double win hadn't happened. Ignoring it and then hosting an awards ceremony would be inviting disaster from both the media and the public.
So before she could respond, Shuta sent:
"Oguri and I will be there. Don't worry."
This time, the Emperor finally relaxed.
By the time Shuta reached Kasamatsu, it was already noon. He retrieved his car without running into anyone and quietly left the academy. His stomach growled loudly. Instead of heading to the highway, he veered off toward a kishimen specialty shop. Even though kishimen ingredients were off-season, he parked, stepped out, and walked in.
It was his first visit of the year. But the reason for choosing this shop was simple—
"This is where Oguri and I brought Tamamo Cross to eat," Shuta murmured.
Back then, he would never have imagined that Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross would one day meet on the G1 stage. Nor that Tamamo Cross would retire from the Twinkle Series at the end of next month.
"Time really flies—feels like a whole year blinked by." He narrowed his eyes as he ordered an unagi don and a bowl of udon.
"And in another blink—it'll be Oguri's turn to retire."
The thought dimmed his mood. Even though he believed he and Oguri would always be together, the Dream Trophy Series was a different world entirely. Far more commercial. Far more complicated. Once she crossed into that world, many things would be out of his hands.
"I'll need to find her an assistant—someone who actually understands the Dream Trophy industry"
He stared blankly at the table, lost in thought.
By the time he returned to the detached house provided by Mejiro Ramonu, it was past 7 PM. This time, he remembered his keys. After parking in the garage, he unlocked the front door. The moment he stepped inside, an unfamiliar female voice reached his ears:
"Honestly, Berno Light-kun, wouldn't you consider trying this comb I recently developed? I think it would work wonderfully!"
"Huh? A saleswoman?" Shuta froze in confusion. "Why would they let a salesperson inside? Did they get pulled in by someone at the port… and were too embarrassed to refuse?"
With that chaotic guess in mind, he changed into slippers and headed toward the living room—
—only to stop in surprise.
Four Uma Musume were seated there.
Oguri Cap.
Berno Light.
Symboli Rudolf, looking mildly exasperated.
And one unfamiliar Uma Musume in a white lab coat.
Shuta An turned toward Oguri Cap and Berno Light. The chestnut logistics Uma Musume took the lead. "This is Miss Agnes Tachyon. She came with Miss Rudolph."
Symboli Rudolf stepped in with a soft sigh. "That's right. I was planning to come alone, but I ran into her at the school gate. She insisted on coming along…very strongly. I genuinely couldn't refuse."
"I see." Shuta nodded in understanding—then immediately cut in: "We're not buying any combs here."
"Well—" Agnes Tachyon's expression visibly fell for a moment, but she quickly brightened again. "However! My main purpose today isn't to promote the new comb I developed."
She straightened her lab coat. "Symboli Rudolf-senpai told me that Shuta-kun intends to use a special training plan to prepare Miss Oguri Cap for Arima Kinen. I'm… very curious."
"Curious, huh?" Shuta wasn't surprised. Judging by her attire, she was exactly the type who would be drawn to Dr. Grace's plan—an integration of the latest sports science from the West Coast.
"If possible," Agnes Tachyon continued, "I'd like to participate in the plan as well."
"That's not happening." Shuta refused instantly. It was the first time he'd even met her—and she was clearly still young, physically and academically. How much sports science expertise could someone her age realistically has?
This plan revolved around Oguri Cap's body and performance. Shuta had no intention of letting someone inexperienced interfere.
"I understand your concern, but I can prove I'm qualified," Agnes Tachyon said confidently, patting her chest. "I've been working with the West Coast Tracen Academy Sports Science Research Institute since last year."
"Huh?" That caught Shuta off guard. Because the institute she mentioned was exactly where Dr. Grace worked.
"Hold on." He took out his phone and contacted his friend for confirmation.
The reply came swiftly:
"It's true! I thought she was just bragging at first, but she's genuinely been contributing to our institute's projects since last year. If she decides to study abroad, I'd like her to join my team."
"She was telling the truth," Shuta murmured, returning to the living room with a complicated expression. Seeing that look, Symboli Rudolf shifted ever so slightly away from Agnes Tachyon.
"This really is surprising." Shuta sat beside Oguri Cap and placed his phone face down on the table.
"I didn't expect my friend to think so highly of your talent, Miss Tachyon."
"Hehe~" Agnes Tachyon puffed up proudly. She was still young, after all—being praised by a Trainer recognized by all of Central Tracen Academy clearly delighted her.
"You may participate," Shuta continued, "but I need to make one thing absolutely clear."
He lifted a finger.
"For this period, I'm still the one in charge. If you want to make suggestions, you'll relay them to Dr. Grace—the designer of this plan—and she will decide what gets implemented."
"No problem!" The condition didn't bother Agnes Tachyon at all. Participating in the training of Japan's current strongest Uma Musume was something she could use as references for years to come.
After receiving the nutritional supplements from Symboli Rudolf, Shuta checked the expiration date.
"It's fresh," he muttered.
"Of course, it is." Symboli Rudolf rolled her eyes. "As if I'd give you something that's been sitting forgotten in a corner."
"Thanks," Shuta said earnestly. "You really helped me. If I had gone out to buy these myself, I wouldn't have found anything this newly produced."
"It's for Miss Oguri Cap," Symboli Rudolf replied. "As the current 'Strongest in Japan,' she naturally deserves the best Japan can offer."
"Thank you, Miss Emperor," Oguri Cap added quietly.
"No need to thank me, Miss Oguri Cap," Symboli Rudolf smiled. "You should focus on recovering. This year's Arima Kinen won't be complete without you. And I'm sure Tamamo Cross is eagerly waiting as well."
"Definitely." Oguri Cap nodded firmly, confidence radiating from her.
November 30 — Day 1 of Oguri Cap's New Training Plan
"This training requires extensive pool work," Agnes Tachyon commented, flipping through the day's schedule in her lab coat. Since she was participating, she had chosen to stay at the house for the time being. This, unsurprisingly, made Shuta even more reluctant to go upstairs.
"Fortunately, this house has a pool," Shuta said, joining the conversation. "I cleaned it thoroughly yesterday, so it's ready. After breakfast, let her rest a bit before entering the water—Oguri's stomach can't handle going in immediately after eating."
"Being able to eat well is a blessing," Agnes Tachyon nodded, squinting. "Everyone at the Academy eats a lot. I once wanted to research the relationship between appetite and performance, but the President shot me down immediately."
"I'm sure there were problems with your proposal," Shuta replied without hesitation.
"Maybe," Agnes Tachyon admitted, returning to chewing her thickly honeyed toast. At 9 AM, the day's training was about to begin.
"By the way," she said, pointing toward Oguri Cap—who was now in her Academy swimsuit—"are we really going to use an outdoor pool in Tokyo's winter?"
"I'm fine," Oguri answered before Shuta could.
"That's not what I meant! Isn't it weird for Shuta-kun to stay here!?" Agnes Tachyon pointed accusingly at him instead.
"As her Trainer, of course I'm staying to observe her training," Shuta said, pouting. "Isn't that normal?"
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