Chapter 86. The Day the Triple Crown Fantasy Shattered Part 1
On October 27th, Shuta An and Silence Suzuka returned to Japan.
After seeing Silence Suzuka safely back to Central Tracen Academy, Shuta An did not linger. He drove straight home, the quiet familiarity of the city settling around him after the intensity of the overseas campaign. The moment he arrived, he took out his phone and sent a Line message to Mejiro Dober:
"Dober, have you decided on your next race target?"
The message was marked as "Read" almost immediately. A minute later, her reply came.
"It's still the Queen Elizabeth Cup after all—I don't have the confidence to win the Japan Cup against Special Week-senpai and the others."
"Even against Special Week, who's been in terrible form recently?"
Shuta An raised an eyebrow slightly. This wasn't idle speculation—Special Week, who was preparing for the Tenno Sho (Autumn), had only managed seventh place in the Kyoto Daishoten. Her condition had clearly declined, and the criticism from the media had been relentless.
Dober's reply came again, this time longer.
"Special Week-senpai seemed to have had some physical issues before. Recently, she's been training hard with the mindset of redeeming herself, and I feel like my momentum can't suppress hers—And besides Senior Special Week, there are many other strong opponents in the Japan Cup."
"Although the Japan Cup's prize money is higher than the Queen Elizabeth Cup's, I'm confident I can win the Queen Elizabeth Cup, but the Japan Cup— So, from all angles, I think going to the Queen Elizabeth Cup is the more correct choice."
Shuta An read through her reasoning once, then nodded faintly to himself.
"Okay, then I'll register Dober. Kyoto 2200 meters—an increase of 200 meters from the Shuka Sho, but it's definitely not a problem for you."
"Of course, I'll win and end this year's campaign with a victory."
A small, cheerful emoji followed her message.
Because the time difference between Melbourne and Tokyo was minimal, there was no such thing as rest waiting for him. The very next day, Shuta An returned to work.
After arriving at his workstation, he turned on his computer and began preparing the Queen Elizabeth Cup entry form for Mejiro Dober. The familiar process required no hesitation—each field filled with practiced precision.
Noticing his actions, Kitahara-san leaned over slightly from the side.
"Ann-san, have you confirmed Miss Mejiro Dober's next race?"
"Yes," Shuta An replied without looking away from the screen. "She's decided on the Queen Elizabeth Cup."
"She didn't go to the Japan Cup after all—" Kitahara-san sounded mildly surprised. "I thought Ann-san might push for a direct challenge against the previous generation."
"I considered it," Shuta An admitted with a small shrug. "But Dober herself isn't confident. And besides—I heard Mr. Nishizaki is furious right now. I'm not interested in walking straight into that."
"That's true." Kitahara-san let out a quiet sigh. "Special Week already announced her retirement after this season, but her first autumn race was a major defeat. There's been a lot of pressure. I heard Nishizaki-kun wants to prove both his and Special Week's strength in the Tenno Sho (Autumn)."
"I hope they can prove it,"
Shuta An said calmly. He had no runners in that race, and so he could wish them well without reservation.
Then, as if recalling something, his gaze shifted slightly.
"Speaking of which, when you came to me about Sabuno Hana Park's next race, it felt like there was something more behind it. Is there something you need help with?"
At those words, Kitahara-san fell silent for a moment. His fingers, which had been resting on the materials in front of him, tightened slightly.
"It's nothing… just some family matters," he said at last, his voice lower than before. "And it's not something Ann-san can help with."
Shuta An did not interrupt.
Kitahara-san exhaled slowly.
"Her mother is seriously ill. The doctor said she might not make it through this year. So, Sabuno Hana Park wants to win her first G1 before then. She wants her mother to see it with her own eyes."
For a brief moment, Shuta An had no response.
"I see."
The words came quietly.
After a short pause, he added, "Then I hope she succeeds."
There was nothing more to say. Some goals could not be optimized, calculated, or redirected. They simply had to be faced head-on.
That weekend was the Kikuka Sho.
With both the Satsuki Sho winner and Derby champion absent due to injury, Mejiro McQueen—fresh off a dominant victory in the St. Lite Kinen—naturally rose to the position of overwhelming favorite.
Her sister, Mejiro Ryan, had also won her prep race, but the margin of victory had not been as decisive, leaving her slightly behind in public expectation.
The media quickly seized upon the narrative.
"The Mejiro Family continues its dominance across the Triple Crown routes. After Mejiro Dober's historic undefeated Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho now appears likely to fall into their hands as well."
The spotlight returned, once again, to the towering name of the Mejiro lineage.
On Thursday, after the Kikuka Sho gate positions were announced, Shuta An published the next race plans for his team on the official Sadalsuud account.
"After discussions with both Uma Musume, I am pleased to announce that Miss Mejiro Dober will target the Queen Elizabeth Cup (Kyoto Racecourse, 2200 meters), and Silence Suzuka's final race in the Twinkle Series will be the Hong Kong Cup (Sha Tin Racecourse, turf 2000 meters)."
He did not check the reactions.
Placing his phone aside, he stood up and headed toward the training grounds.
On the track, three figures were already moving.
Tokai Teio, Rice Shower, and Kurofune were training together.
At Shuta An's instruction, their training intensity had been deliberately restrained. Rather than pushing limits, they focused on rhythm, coordination, and mutual awareness—each session becoming a subtle exchange of strengths.
Even so, the differences between them were unmistakable.
Rice Shower's stamina stood out, steady and unwavering.
Tokai Teio's speed was sharp and fluid, her movements light yet precise.
Kurofune, on the other hand, carried an explosive power that revealed itself in sudden bursts, as if coiled energy could erupt at any moment.
"Our targets are all different in the future, but right now we can still train together," Tokai Teio complained lightly as she jogged.
"Because Rice Shower and I haven't debuted yet," Kurofune replied calmly. "And Teio-senpai just debuted, didn't she?"
"I hope we all achieve good results on the Twinkle Series stage in the future," Tokai Teio said, her voice carrying a quiet determination.
"Absolutely," Rice Shower echoed from behind, nodding earnestly.
From the sidelines, Shuta An lowered his binoculars, a faint smile forming on his lips.
Their current state was exactly what he wanted.
Balanced. Focused. Growing.
After a moment, his gaze lingered on them just a little longer.
"After Suzuka retires, it's slowly time for your era."
The words were spoken softly, almost to himself. But within them lay the unmistakable certainty of what was coming next, since he personally experienced it.
—
This year's Kikuka Sho did not produce much suspense. Just as it had in the Dream World, Mejiro McQueen overwhelmed the field with absolute authority, claiming victory in the final leg of the classic three crowns without leaving room for resistance.
In the post-race interview, Nishizaki Ryu spoke candidly to the reporters gathered around him. Although the shadow of Special Week's recent poor performance still lingered, today's result had clearly restored a measure of his confidence.
"Miss Mejiro McQueen's next race hasn't been decided yet, but at the moment, the most likely target is the Arima Kinen."
Later that evening, as he drank with friends, his tone became more unguarded.
"Only one Satsuki Sho left. If I win that, I'll be a Triple Crown Trainer."
There was nothing exaggerated in that claim. Unlike Uma Musume, who must secure all three classic titles within a single year, a Trainer's "Triple Crown" could be assembled across different years and with different runners. The Central URA Association had long recognized such achievements, even extending the classification to Trainers competing overseas.
"If I let Rice Shower run the Grand Prix de Paris—and she wins, I'd also be listed as a French Triple Crown Trainer," Shuta An thought quietly at the time.
That night, after finishing his French review session with Oguri Cap, he slipped into the Dream World.
Just like in reality, today was Kikuka Sho day.
Opening his eyes in the jockey waiting room at Kyoto Racecourse, the young man exhaled slowly.
"My declaration after the Derby—it becomes reality today."
A familiar voice sounded beside him.
"This time, the one under pressure isn't Kojima-kun—it's you, Ann-san, isn't it?"
Shuta An turned his head to see Yutaka Take leaning closer, a teasing smile on his face.
"Reporters still remember what you said after the Derby very clearly."
"I was worried they'd forget," Shuta An replied with a slight pout. "After this race, I'll ask them whether my prediction was accurate."
Yutaka Take lowered his voice.
"Do you really have the confidence to beat Mihono Bourbon? Even my father says his strength is already at Triple Crown level. He thinks Bourbon will win the Kikuka Sho without question. Trainer Toyama's hill training method seems incredibly effective—the Ritto Training Center is already planning to study it."
"Hill training is indeed effective," Shuta An acknowledged calmly. Then his tone shifted, steady and certain.
"But Mihono Bourbon won't complete the Triple Crown. He ran into Rice Shower and me."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"He won the first two races beautifully, but Kyoto's 3000 meters—that track suits Rice Shower perfectly."
Yutaka Take blinked, visibly unconvinced.
"He hasn't even run at Kyoto yet, and you're already saying it's perfect? How did you determine that?"
Shuta An smiled faintly.
"Rice Shower told me himself(herself)."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Yutaka Take shook his head, half amused, half exasperated.
"If you don't want to explain, don't make up stories like that."
"Heh~ just focus on your own race," Shuta An replied lightly. "Ride Bamboo Memory's younger brother properly, and watch how I defeat Kojima and Mihono Bourbon."
"Ann-san, you really sound like a villain," Yutaka Take sighed. "Exactly like one from a TV drama."
Shuta An rose to his feet as the signal for the eleventh race preparation lit up.
"For those who want to see an undefeated Triple Crown winner two years in a row, I've been the villain since the Derby."
He adjusted his gloves, his expression calm.
"But for those who want to see an upset—We'll be their hero."
He stepped into the waiting area.
Rice Shower, who had been circling for some time, immediately approached him. With the Groom's assistance, Shuta An mounted smoothly, settling into the saddle with practiced ease.
"His coat looks excellent today," he said, gently stroking his nape. "Trainer Iizuka and Mr. Kawashima have done great work."
"It's nothing," Groom Kawashima replied with a smile. "Since you couldn't ride him during training these past two weeks, Trainer Iizuka insisted we bring him to peak condition. He wanted to surprise you."
"Well, I'm definitely surprised," Shuta An chuckled softly. Then his gaze lifted toward the track ahead.
"Now it's our turn to surprise everyone at Kyoto Racecourse."
"Shuta-kun already has two wins today," Kawashima added, his voice carrying undisguised anticipation. "I'm looking forward to a third."
Even so, the tension beneath his words was unmistakable.
"Believe in Rice Shower," Shuta An said, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "And believe in me."
"Then please don't let Trainer Iizuka or the owner down either," Kawashima replied, meeting his eyes directly. The intensity in his gaze was almost overwhelming.
"I won't."
Shuta An turned his attention toward the stands, raising a hand to acknowledge the small group of fans who had come to support him. He even made a few playful heart gestures, eliciting faint cheers—an unusual moment of lightness before the storm.
In this race, Rice Shower had drawn gate 8. Mihono Bourbon was in gate 7.
When Shuta An saw the draw, his confidence had only deepened.
Positioned side by side, there would be no interference—perfect conditions for a direct marking strategy. And under such pressure, he did not believe Kojima Sadahiro could remain completely unshaken.
There was also another development.
Before the race, the camp of Kyoei Arrow had announced their intention to employ a front-running tactic.
"He will run ahead of Mihono Bourbon."
Shuta An had heard the declaration personally.
"That's interesting," he remarked to Trainer Shoichi Matsumoto at the time. "Mihono Bourbon hasn't faced a true front-runner in nearly a year. And Trainer Toyama hasn't trained him to chase from behind. I'm curious how he'll respond."
"You should be saying that to Trainer Iizuka," Matsumoto replied with a wry smile. "If not for your Derby declaration, I would have wanted to see Mihono Bourbon complete an undefeated Triple Crown."
He paused, then added with a hint of regret:
"If Teio defeated an undefeated Triple Crown winner in the Arima Kinen—that would truly surpass Symboli Rudolf's legacy."
Shuta An spread his hands innocently.
"I can't help it," he said lightly. "I'm just a straightforward person."
But beneath that casual tone, his gaze had already settled forward—toward the track, toward the race, toward the moment that would decide everything.
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