Uma Musume: My Dream and Reality Intersected Chapter 12 12

After waking up, Shuta an habitually checked the rewards he received after winning the debut race with Oguri Cap in the Dream World.

"Yesterday was my first race in the Dream World. They can't just give more of Oguri Cap's intimacy again, can they? Then there's no difference whether I go to the race or not." He muttered to himself while calling up the interface in his mind.

"Oguri Cap's debut race victory reward: Kayano running shoes matching Queen plate horseshoes."

"Uh… I'm not a Racehorse Girl, so I probably don't need these, do I?" Shuta An's mouth twitched as he looked at the rewards he received after yesterday's challenge, "Let see where these things were put for ."

He was about to roll out of bed when he stepped on sothing. He quickly retracted his leg, Shuta An leaned over the bed to look down—a tightly sealed box, with a pair of horseshoes on top.

Just by looking at the box's delicate pink color, he made a judgnt: "This really isn't for ."

Reaching out to place the horseshoes on the bedside table, Shuta An then brought the shoebox closer and observed it carefully—

"This shoe size… Japanese standard 27.5, which is exactly Oguri Cap's size." Noticing this, he shook the box, "Then I'll just give her these shoes and horseshoes."

Anyway, it was a prize Shuta An had won with Oguri Cap in the Dream World, so giving it to the real Oguri Cap was naturally the most fitting. After a quick breakfast, Shuta An arrived at the academy, carrying the shoebox and horseshoe.

Oguri Cap's debut race was scheduled for 10:50 a.m. today, but since the Kasamatsu Racecourse was only about a ten-minute walk from the academy, Shuta An had designated the academy gate as the team's eting point the day before.

He stood by the gate, holding the box, oblivious to the curious glances of passersby.

"Only giving a gift to Oguri Cap and not Berno Light might make her feel a bit uneasy. I'll have to make it up to her later," Shuta An muttered to himself as he waited for the two Racehorse Girls under his charge.

No sooner had he spoken—

"Trainer!" The two Racehorse Girls ran out of the academy, one after the other.

Shuta An observed Oguri Cap and Berno Light, noticing that they clearly hadn't done their morning run. He quietly sighed in relief. "If they had seriously done their morning run on race day, I'd be in a lot of trouble."

Once the two stood before him, Shuta An handed the box he was holding to Oguri Cap.

His gaze dropped to the shoes Oguri Cap was wearing. "I think your shoes need replacing, so I've prepared a pair for you. The size should fit. Later, we'll go to the racecourse early to have the horseshoes fitted, and then you can wear them to get used to them."

"…" Oguri Cap froze for a mont after taking the shoebox from her Trainer.

After a while, she bowed slightly and thanked him. "Thank you, Trainer."

Oguri Cap's mind first flashed with the question, Why does Trainer know my shoe size? Then, she felt grateful that Shuta An had quietly bought her a pair of shoes.

I haven't even run a single race, and Trainer has already given such a gift… she thought, noticing a shopping receipt taped to the side of the shoebox.

"Kayano running shoes, plus a pair of 'Queen Plate' horseshoes, totaling 100,000 yen," Berno Light read out loud after spotting the receipt as well.

"The prize money for this debut race is—" Oguri Cap looked at her Trainer.

"850,000 yen," Shuta An replied. "If you co in second, it's 320,000 yen."

That ans I have to win so that Trainer doesn't lose money, Oguri Cap thought.

She hugged the shoebox tightly, t Shuta An's gaze, and vowed earnestly, word by word, "Trainer, I will definitely win today's race!"

"Alright. Even if I hadn't bought you these shoes," Shuta An pressed his forehead, "Oguri Cap, you still have to win the race—after all, our goal isn't just to win at Kasamatsu."

Then, turning to Berno Light, he said, "I'm sorry I didn't buy you shoes, mainly because yours still look quite new."

"It's okay!" Berno Light waved her hand with a smile. "My family owns a sports goods store, so I took running shoes from ho before enrolling. Even if Trainer bought another pair, it'd be a waste."

"I'll make it up to you with a gift later," Shuta An promised.

"No need," Berno Light replied softly. "I'm already very grateful that Trainer didn't despise my lack of talent and agreed to let join the team."

Shuta An found it difficult to respond to that. In truth, he had only agreed to let her join because Oguri Cap had suggested it.

"Let's go to Kasamatsu Racecourse now," Shuta An said, quickly changing the subject.

Upon arriving at the racecourse, Oguri Cap first sought help from the staff to fit the horseshoes onto her new shoes, then eagerly put them on.

After changing, she bounced a few tis, then tried several high-knee drills in place. Stopping, she widened her eyes and looked at Shuta An. "These shoes fit so well…"

"It's good that they fit. Oguri Cap, get used to them a bit more, warm up slightly, and prepare for the upcoming race," Shuta An sighed in relief. "Today marks the first step toward our short-term plan going smoothly. Show the results of all our training over the past month. You will definitely do well."

"I will definitely win!" Oguri Cap clenched her fists. After putting on those pink running shoes, her confidence grew even stronger.

After Oguri Cap left Shuta An to prepare for the race, he glanced at Berno Light and spoke—

"You should also prepare for your race. Your debut race starts at 11:25."

"There's still more than two hours," Berno Light pouted. "I want to watch Oguri's debut race with Trainer, and then leave."

"Alright, suit yourself." Since Berno Light's debut race would likely be her last as a Racehorse Girl, Shuta An didn't refuse her request. "It's also a good opportunity for you to observe the track conditions at Kasamatsu Racecourse and decide how to seize the lead position."

"At least experience what it feels like to run ahead of all your opponents, right?" He raised an eyebrow teasingly.

"Even if I co in last, it's okay?" Berno Light said. "If Trainer doesn't think I'm embarrassing the team, then I have no problem."

"Coming in last isn't embarrassing," Shuta An gently shook his head. "Winning through dishonourable ans is what's truly embarrassing."