Chapter 57. Decision
After the Winning Live ended, Shuta An did not take the Uma Musumes of Team Sadalsuud directly to a celebratory party. Instead, he had Mejiro Dober lead them back to the Academy to rest first, and then he personally took Tokai Teio to the hospital for a simple check-up.
The results of the physical examination came out quickly; Tokai Teio only had minor injuries typical after a race, and a little care would suffice.
"I told you there was nothing wrong." Tokai Teio pouted. "My completion time for this Takarazuka Kinen was there, not particularly fast, so the intensity wasn't that high. It's just that McQueen and the others' middle-distance level is too weak."
"We have to check to be completely at ease." Shuta An rubbed Tokai Teio's head. "Tonight, we'll go to Ikebukuro and try the hot pot restaurant there. I saw Rice seemed eager to try it too."
"It won't affect tomorrow's schedule, will it?"
Tokai Teio was a little suspicious.
"It won't affect it." Shuta An patted his chest, very confident.
—
"This is good!"
The hot pot restaurant in Ikebukuro had not been adapted for the local market, and Shuta An was pessimistic about its prospects, but Rice Shower, who surprisingly could eat spicy food, gave the broth a high rating.
Tokai Teio, who couldn't eat too much spicy food, wisely chose the tomato pot and added a large amount of white sugar to her dipping sauce bowl.
"Ugh, although it's a bit hot, it's quite delicious."
The Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume made her evaluation.
The waitstaff immediately recognized Tokai Teio and the others, but adhering to professional ethics, she did not actively ask for autographs or anything, only informed the manager.
In the end, Tokai Teio and Rice Shower skillfully signed more than a dozen autographs.
"That's really nice..." Kurofune expressed her feelings. "I also want people to ask for my autograph in the future."
"If you want to, you can achieve it by winning a G1 after debuting in the Twinkle Series."
Shuta An offered the simplest method. It's quite difficult to gain a large number of fans without winning a G1, like Nice Nature and Matikanetannhauser. Winning a G1 is the easiest way to accumulate fans.
"A G1 isn't something you can just win whenever you want!" Kurofune retorted. "Trainer, don't make it sound so simple!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
Rice Shower chimed in.
Kurofune rolled her eyes at her. "It's even more embarrassing for a Derby Uma Musume to say that!"
Rice Shower shifted her gaze, showing an embarrassed expression. She had habitually chimed in, but unexpectedly hit Kurofune's "weak spot."
"I will do it." At this moment, Admire Vega suddenly spoke. "I will win a G1."
"I believe Ayabe can do it."
Shuta An reached out and rubbed her head, gently tidying the fur on her ears.
"Trainer, really..." Noticing this action, Tokai Teio pouted and leaned closer. "Tidy mine too!"
After hearing Tokai Teio's request, Shuta An smiled helplessly, then fulfilled her request.
Mejiro Dober didn't act spoiled like Tokai Teio, but just stood by, smiling gently—excluding Kurofune and the others, Mejiro Dober, Shuta An, and Tokai Teio standing together looked like a family of three.
There is no intention to speak ill of Tokai Teio's figure here.
Rice Shower's ears twitched, but she still couldn't muster enough courage to make the same request.
"Next time... when I can win multiple G1 races..."
She drew a line for herself in her heart.
—
When they returned home, Mejiro Dober hugged her lover from behind.
The young man stood still, not speaking.
Mejiro Dober just silently hugged Shuta An, her ears drooping, as she caressed her lover's nape.
After a long while, she finally let go without a word.
Only then did the young man turn around and gently pinch Mejiro Dober's ear. He knew what his lover wanted.
"Alright."
Mejiro Dober was happy inwardly, but still deliberately put on a stern face and pushed Shuta.
"We're flying tomorrow morning, so we should wash up and go to bed early."
"Yes, Dober, you too, get some rest early."
Shuta An straightened Mejiro Dober's ears again before responding.
"The Nassau Stakes is also a very important race."
"I will win it." Mejiro Dober walked past her lover, leaving this sentence. "I will win all the upcoming races, as a final gift to my fans before I disappear from their sight."
"After your advanced studies, Dober, you don't plan to compete in the Dream Trophy Series anymore?"
Shuta An caught the hidden meaning and quickly asked.
"That's right. After all, my energy is limited." Mejiro Dober did not hide it. "After my advanced studies, I plan to focus on painting and creative work. As for running, its priority can only be pushed back."
"In that case, Dober's fans will indeed be very sad."
Shuta An sighed, admitting this point.
Oguri still had many things to do recently, and was preparing to postpone her retirement from the Dream Trophy Series, but it was estimated that by the time Rice Shower entered the Dream Trophy Series, the Gray Uma Musume would no longer be competing.
She had even chosen a location for her future recuperation—she would go to the United States then, to avoid the reporters in Japan.
"There's still more than two years."
Shuta An regained his composure, looking at Mejiro Dober standing in front of him.
"If this is what you want, Dober, then do it. As for the fans' dissatisfaction, I'll handle it."
After saying that, Mejiro Dober took her steps and went up the stairs to rest in her room—she had said she wanted to rest well, so she naturally wouldn't stay in her lover's room tonight to seek intimacy.
—
Shuta An fell into the Dream World, and tonight he appeared in the jockey waiting room at Hanshin Racecourse, because tonight in the Dream World was also the Takarazuka Kinen race day.
However, the young man did not get a partner for the Takarazuka Kinen this time—the jockeys for strong Horse Owners were very stable, and for weaker horses that invited Shuta An, the young man had no intention of accepting the invitation, so he had 11 races to ride at Hanshin Racecourse today, only missing the twelfth race, the Takarazuka Kinen.
"Sigh, let me give myself a task." Shuta An sighed silently. "I'm going to block all the jockeys participating in the Takarazuka Kinen in these races."
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Exciting news for all readers! I'm thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new fan-fiction and continue translating fanfiction for you to dive into:
1️⃣ [What? SHE is My Online Girlfriend?]
2️⃣ [Fate Grand/Master]
Let me know what you think in the comments, and happy reading! ✨