Chapter 141. Skip to Post Race?
When the message was posted, media reporters quickly followed up.
However, because they couldn't interview Shuta and Tokai Teio, they could only publish short text reports.
Some more proactive reporters even went straight to the entrance of Central Tracen Academy, planning to ambush Shuta.
Unfortunately, they waited all night in vain, because after confirming the treatment plan, Shuta simply arranged for Teio to be hospitalized.
"It's just a hairline fracture, such a minor one! There's no need to waste money on hospitalization!" Tokai Teio leaned against the headboard, pouting as she complained.
"A fracture is a fracture. If I send you back to the Academy, will you really be able to rest properly?"
Shuta's lips curved slightly.
"No matter what you promise, I won't believe you."
Tokai Teio lowered her head dejectedly. She knew her Trainer was telling the truth.
"Just rest here in the hospital. Although it'll take six weeks to heal, you can probably come back after two weeks. After all, not moving at all isn't good either. I've talked to Dr. Grace from West Coast, and she says you can start walking by the end of January next year. If you don't move at all, your muscles will be affected too."
Shuta rubbed Tokai Teio's head.
"However, formal recovery training won't begin until after six weeks, and the initial intensity will be very low. To recover to a level where you can compete again, it'll probably take until late March or even April."
"Considering this progress, I've already canceled Teio's registration for the Dubai Sheema Classic. The revised goal will depend on your recovery progress, but I'm personally leaning toward the Takarazuka Kinen. Winning both the Autumn and Spring championships would also be a good achievement."
"So in autumn, can I go on an expedition like my seniors?"
Tokai Teio asked, looking up.
"I do want to arrange an expedition, but Teio's injury this time will make my decisions more conservative,"
Shuta admitted honestly.
"Originally, I planned to have Teio challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next year, but now I personally prefer the Breeders' Cup Turf followed by the Hong Kong Cup route next autumn. The Arima Kinen might be skipped."
"Once I enter my senior year, winning a race I've already won again has no value,"
Tokai Teio said.
"I don't mind going to the Hong Kong Cup instead of the Arima Kinen, since winning consecutively with Dober-senpai would be interesting. But if we go to the Breeders' Cup, that would mean giving up the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Japan Cup, right?"
"If we go to the Japan Cup, I'd rather rest immediately afterward and skip the Arima Kinen," Shuta replied.
"Because of this fracture?" Tokai Teio asked.
The young man nodded slightly.
"Exactly. This injury isn't severe, but it is still an injury. If another one happens in the same spot later, the situation will definitely get worse."
"The Twinkle Series isn't the whole of an Uma Musume's racing career. Maybe you're willing to burn everything for victory like Dai Yuusaku. But as a Trainer, I can't just watch the Uma Musume I train burn out under a high-frequency race schedule."
"So, Teio, you have to cherish your body."
Shuta leaned down, bringing his face close to Tokai Teio's eyes, and gently admonished her.
"If one day the doctors tell me that another injury to Teio's leg could cost you your racing ability, then I'll ignore all your opinions and submit a retirement application for the Twinkle Series immediately. You know what that means."
"..."
Tokai Teio swallowed.
Of course, she knew.
It meant her Twinkle Series career would end because of injury, just like her admired Kaichou.
Following Symboli Rudolf's path in that matter was not what she wanted, because Tokai Teio knew very well how much Rudolf resented having been forced to retire from the Twinkle Series because of injury.
Even now, Symboli Rudolf still had not let go of that unwillingness.
The declaration of "making all Uma Musume happy" behind it—wasn't that also a kind of expression of her lingering longing for the happiness she herself had never obtained?
After returning home, Suzuka, who already knew about Tokai Teio's injury, was quite nervous.
Having also suffered a serious injury before, she rushed into the young man's arms as soon as he entered the door and asked in a low voice,
"Teio's injury isn't serious, is it?"
"Actually, it's not serious—just a non-displaced hairline fracture. But considering my long-standing concerns about her condition, I arranged a month of hospitalization and recuperation for her."
"So Kurofune-chan and the others' eagerly awaited winter training camp is canceled?"
Silence Suzuka looked up at him.
"Yes, because I'll need to visit Teio at the hospital frequently, so I can't take everyone out for winter training camp,"
Shuta said frankly.
"Berno and I can both help take care of Teio," Silence Suzuka suggested. "Ann doesn't need to run back and forth every day."
"Wouldn't that just mean you two would be running around instead of me?"
The young man spun the Uma Musume in his arms around, then placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her back toward the living room.
"I'll go look after Teio every day. You all have your own things to do."
Silence Suzuka could tell that Shuta had already made up his mind and that it couldn't be changed, so she could only nod obediently.
"But if there's anything we can help with, Ann, don't hesitate."
"What could I possibly need help with?" Shuta said dismissively. "I'm very good at taking care of people."
"That's true."
Silence Suzuka, who had once been cared for in the hospital, fully agreed.
Because of what had happened that day, Shuta wasn't in the mood for anything else, so he simply took a shower and went to bed.
Starting tomorrow, he would be commuting between the hospital, Central Tracen Academy, and home for an entire month.
"I hope Teio's injury won't recur in the same spot after it heals," he thought.
If it became a habitual injury, Shuta would truly have to seriously consider Tokai Teio's retirement ceremony.
But for now, that wasn't the most important thing.
He just needed to focus on helping Tokai Teio recover according to the doctor's instructions.
"Tonight, in the Dream World, I'll also participate in the Arima Kinen with Tokai Teio. I hope we can win without getting injured,"
Shuta silently mused as he closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he was surprised.
"Eh?! Where is this?!"
He looked around and realized he was not in the jockey waiting room at Nakayama Racecourse, but standing in the dismounting area of the underground passage.
And Tokai Teio in the Dream World had already been led away by the groom to wash off her sweat.
"This is—skipping straight to the post-race scene?" Shuta realized, unable to hide his surprise.