No miracle occurred in this tiline after all.
"Prized crosses the finish line! Claiming the Breeders' Cup Turf victory she has longed for!"
As the comntator's excited cry echoed through the racecourse, Shuta An and the two Uma Musu of Team Sadalsuud stared at Silence Suzuka's figure—swallowed by the dense pack.
"Ninth place?" Berno Light spoke first, her voice low.
"Eighth, I think," Oguri Cap corrected quietly.
"It doesn't really matter whether it's eighth or ninth," Shuta An paused for a mont before continuing, "the prize money is the sa—forty thousand US dollars, right?"
"I didn't expect to lose so badly—" Oguri Cap stopped herself mid-sentence, then glanced sideways, carefully gauging her Trainer's expression.
"Suzuka didn't reach the target I set before the race, but she executed the tactics exactly as instructed," Shuta An shook his head. "The responsibility lies with as well. Perhaps entering her in this race was a mistake. The result proves it—two thousand four hundred ters is still too much for the current Suzuka."
With that, he turned around decisively. "Let's go. We'll pick up Suzuka."
"Mhm!" Oguri Cap and Berno Light responded at once. Neither of them chose to remain in the box. In this mont, they understood all too well—leaving Silence Suzuka alone now might only deepen her sense of defeat. No one wanted to sow seeds of unease within the team.
With that shared understanding, the two Uma Musu followed closely behind Shuta An as they left the VIP box.
Before departing, Shuta An casually took two drinks from the cooler.
At the exit of the underground passage, the three waited quietly. Soon enough, Silence Suzuka appeared, luggage in hand.
Reporters noticed them imdiately, but thanks to the tily intervention of the racecourse staff, none dared to approach.
Shuta An glanced at the crowd and raised a hand politely. "Sorry. I've already completed all necessary interviews after the Breeders' Cup Mile. I won't be accepting any further interviews today."
As he finished speaking, Silence Suzuka stepped fully into view. Her head was lowered, her steps noticeably heavy—clearly, failing to place within the top five had dealt her a considerable psychological blow.
Shuta An went to her at once, handing her a can of carrot juice while taking the suitcase from her grasp.
"I'm sorry," he said first, without hesitation. "The tactics were flawed. If I'd let you run away this ti, perhaps the result would have been better."
Silence Suzuka looked up in surprise. "No—Trainer shouldn't apologize."
Holding the can tightly, she shook her head. "It's my fault. I lost speed on the final straight. I pushed the pace to sixty-two seconds per kiloter up front, but my stamina couldn't keep up. This isn't your fault—it's my lack of ability that disappointed you."
"I'm not disappointed," Shuta An replied steadily.
He t her gaze, his tone calm yet firm. "I told you before—Suzuka, you still need ti to grow. Entering a top-tier Arican middle-to-long-distance turf G1 at this stage and still earning prize money is already beyond my expectations."
"You did well."
He slipped the unopened drink into his chest pocket, then reached out, gently ruffling her hair before smoothing down her wind-tossed sideburns.
"Let's go. We'll return to the hotel, rest for two days, and then head ho."
"Mhm…" Silence Suzuka forced a small smile and nodded.
For Shuta An, this year's Breeders' Cup Series was far from perfect—but he was satisfied nonetheless. Oguri Cap's victory in the Mile had proven her strength while leaving ample room for imagination among fans and onlookers alike. After returning ho, she would calmly prepare for the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen… and after that, it would be ti to deal with matters of retirent.
The first Uma Musu I trained independently is about to retire from the Twinkle Series… he thought as they walked back to the hotel.
His thoughts shifted—then paused.
No…Berno Light retire first.
Realizing the mistake, Shuta An curled his lips faintly. The lancholy in his chest eased sowhat.
Back at the hotel, he returned to his room and sat before the computer, opening the team's official blog to post a brief report on the day's race.
Of course, he knew full well that most fans had already watched the broadcast. Reporting the results was rely a formality.
His true purpose lay elsewhere.
After summarizing the races, he made no attempt to obscure anything. He directly announced Oguri Cap's final two race plans—ones most fans had already guessed—and Silence Suzuka's next arrangent.
"Although Silence Suzuka did not achieve victory this ti, the primary issue was excessive distance. The purpose of entering her in the Breeders' Cup was to allow her to experience a world-class stage. Securing prize money already exceeded pre-race expectations. As for her next race: dostically, only the Fukushima Kinen remains, but as a G3 it holds little training value for Suzuka at her current level. Therefore, she will return ho to rest. In early December, she will travel to Hong Kong to compete in the Hong Kong International Cup, a 2000-ter turf G2."
To be honest, Shuta An did not consider Sha Tin Racecourse particularly suitable for Silence Suzuka. Yet after weighing all options, if she were to race again within the year, this was the best choice.
Having a G1 Uma Musu run a low-prestige dostic G3 served no purpose beyond prize money—and offered no aningful training.
'From the current perspective, Hong Kong Uma Musu are generally stronger than Japan's', he reflected. 'And there is precedent for Central Uma Musu challenging races there.'
This ti, he did not consult Silence Suzuka. He made the decision himself.
Even if he had asked, the dispirited Uma Musu would likely have agreed without hesitation—as if surrendering.
"If we can win," Shuta An murmured softly, "it'll help her regain so confidence."
For a leading Uma Musu, confidence was not optional—it was essential.
—
On November 7th, Team Sadalsuud flew back to Tokyo from Florida.
After landing, Shuta Trainer did not return to his newly purchased ho in Shinjuku. Instead, after seeing Silence Suzuka back to Central Tracen Academy, he brought Oguri Cap and Berno Light straight to the jiro residence.
"Prepare to move," he said as he entered the classroom, his gaze sweeping across the room. "We have two days off. Let's use them."
The two Uma Musu nodded. Having already seen photos of the new house, they were more than satisfied with its interior design and layout.
The location—close to Shinjuku's comrcial district yet surprisingly quiet—left little to complain about.
The only thing that puzzled Berno Light was the size. "Five LDK—isn't three enough?"
"We need guest rooms," Shuta Trainer replied simply.
That single sentence dispelled her doubts.
The celebration had already taken place back at the hotel in Hallandale Beach, so upon returning to Japan, all three chose rest over anything else. Neither Oguri Cap nor Berno Light had the energy to cling to the young man.
anwhile, Silence Suzuka stood alone before the main gate of Central Tracen Academy, suitcase at her side, feeling as though a lifeti had passed since she last stood there.
Recalling the turmoil she felt when she left, she let out a soft sigh. "Even after such a crushing defeat—I still returned as a G1-winning Uma Musu."
She straightened, lifting her head and forcing confidence into her smile. "I am a G1 winner. I have to be confident—just like Trainer said. 'Strong leading Uma Musu are confident to the point of pride.' If I don't believe in myself, I'll never beco an excellent leading Uma Musu." (TRUE. Look at Twin Turbo)
Back in her dormitory, Silence Suzuka expected a layer of dust. Instead, the room was spotless.
"Dormitory Head…thank you," she murmured instinctively.
After setting down her luggage, she tidied up, showered, changed into pajamas, and prepared to sleep, just as Oguri Cap and Berno Light were doing.
Yet before sleep claid her, a lingering question resurfaced.
The Hong Kong International Cup is in mid-December…What will Trainer do then? Senior Oguri still has the Arima Kinen. He can't neglect her training, can he…?
—
In the Student Council office, Symboli Rudolf looked up from her docunts.
"Silence Suzuka has returned?"
Tokai Teio, standing before the desk, nodded. "Of course. Lots of Uma Musu saw her."
"Good. Tell them not to disturb her—let her rest and adjust," Symboli Rudolf replied. "I wonder how Trainer Tojo feels about winning a G1 in Arica this ti."
"That Secretariat Stakes win was basically a surprise attack," Tokai Teio said bluntly. "Runaway tactics don't produce miracles again and again."
She had heard the rumors too—so people saying that even a 'failed Triple Crown route' Uma Musu like Silence Suzuka could win a G1 abroad, while the 'Emperor' herself suffered defeat.
She didn't even want to rember the rest.
"Even so," Symboli Rudolf said calmly, "a win is still a win. Everything else is just an excuse."
By the end, the Emperor allowed herself a bitter smile.
She had watched the Secretariat Stakes live. Only she knew what she felt at that mont.
'When it cos to expeditions—perhaps no one in Japan surpasses Shuta-kun.'
If there were a Trainer ga, Shuta Trainer would undoubtedly possess a passive skill called 'Expedition—Double Circle.'
"Don't go bothering him these two days, Teio," Symboli Rudolf added. "He needs rest—and he's moving."
"I know," Tokai Teio stuck out her tongue. "I'm not a child."
Are you really not? Symboli Rudolf thought quietly.
—
The move itself required little effort—one call to a moving company was enough.
Beforehand, however, Shuta Trainer paid a visit to the jiro family to thank jiro Ramonu and inform her of his plans.
"As for training the jiro family's Uma Musu, I'll continue," he assured her.
"For those already debuted, like Bright, that won't be necessary," jiro Ramonu replied, easing his burden. "But for the others, I'll still rely on you."
Shuta Trainer thought that settled everything—until jiro Ramonu glanced around and lowered her voice.
"One more thing. When will Dober officially join your team?"
He wasn't surprised she knew. "As early as the beginning of next year. After Oguri retires, I'll move the team base to Central."
"That's good," she nodded. "Dober's been uneasy without a clear answer."
He understood imdiately.
After leaving the jiro estate and starting his car, Shuta Trainer casually sent a ssage.
'Beginning of next year. Dober, you can officially join the team. Just hold on a little longer.'
A reply ca quickly—surprised, delighted.
'Understood!'
But upon returning ho, Shuta Trainer froze.
"What is going on—?"
He instinctively took a step back, staring at Oguri Cap and Berno Light—dressed in attire far stranger than expected.
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