Chapter 64.
Sunday.
This week, the area around Ascot Racecourse had clear skies, which was quite rare considering it was England.
Yesterday, Tokai Teio clung to Shuta An all day, not stepping into Ascot Racecourse until evening.
Before she left, she even swiped a few bags of snacks from the young man.
"Is it okay?"
Mejiro Dober, who had accompanied Shuta An to see Tokai Teio off, tilted her head and asked in a low voice as she watched Tokai Teio disappear from sight.
"It's nothing, just a few bags of snacks, Teio won't get a stomachache."
The young man said, unconcerned.
"However, the staff at Ascot Racecourse might not allow her to bring those snacks into the lounge. But it's fine if she can't bring them in; usually, snacks and water are already prepared in the lounge, so Teio can just take what they've prepared if she wants something to eat."
"If Ann hadn't brought any small accessories, Teio would probably have preferred to bring one or two in."
Mejiro Dober said, grasping his wrist.
"Let's go, we need to rest early today, and tomorrow we also need to come here early to cheer for Teio."
"Next week is Dober's Nassau Stakes."
Shuta An paused, not continuing.
"Dober just said that, so when the time comes, I'll prepare some small personal accessories for her." The young man thought to himself.
Moreover, next week, Shuta An not only had to prepare for Mejiro Dober's Nassau Stakes but also for Hokuto Vega's Personal Ensign Stakes in the Dream World.
"It's a pity that Hokuto Vega ran the classic three crowns last year; otherwise, it would have been good to try to break Sky Beauty's Triple Tiara in America."
Shuta An sighed at the thought.
—
After returning to the hotel, Shuta An took a quick shower and was about to go to bed.
But just as he was about to turn off his phone, Kitahara sent a Line message—
"Ann-san, there's something I'm unsure about, could you give me some advice?"
"What is it?"
Shuta An was quite surprised; usually, Kitahara's requests for advice were race-related, but at this moment, he couldn't think of any race that would require his input for Kitahara.
"It's like this: I went to watch the academy's simulated races again today. Then I noticed an Uma Musume from the elementary division."
Kitahara typed to explain.
"How should I put it? Although she didn't win the simulated race, I don't think it's a problem with her ability, but rather that she signed up for a turf race, but in my opinion, she's more suited for dirt."
"In this situation, it's indeed easy for other Trainers to overlook her."
Shuta An paused, then pressed on.
"You're not asking me if you should recruit her into the team, are you?"
"I haven't fully made up my mind, after all, you know my situation, Ann." Kitahara sighed. "I'm worried about making a mistake in my judgment."
"Then send me the recording of today's simulated race."
The young man knew what his friend needed him to do—help him watch today's recording and confirm his guess.
"Then I'll trouble Ann-san!"
Kitahara was quite pleased and quickly sent the uploaded recording to Shuta An's email address.
"The one Ann-san needs to keep an eye on is number 5!"
And after Shuta An downloaded the recording and started playing it, since Kitahara had already specified number 5, the young man kept his gaze fixed on her.
To be honest, after watching the entire race, the problem with number 5 wasn't that she couldn't adapt to turf, but rather that she wasn't used to racing.
However, Kitahara's judgment wasn't wrong either; just looking at Uma Musume number 5's running posture, dirt should be more suitable than turf.
"Just like Hokuto Vega."
Shuta An murmured, narrowing his eyes.
"I think it's fine."
After repeatedly watching the race recording several times, Shuta An gave his judgment.
"This child has a lot of potential, but her health might need a little attention."
"OK, OK! Thank you, Ann-san!"
Kitahara immediately sent a message of thanks.
Shuta An originally wanted to ask for the Uma Musume's name, but he was really sleepy, so he just went to bed.
—
The next day, Shuta An woke up very early; after he had washed up and eaten breakfast, Mejiro Dober just got out of bed.
"Eat something simple, and then let's go to Ascot Racecourse."
Shuta An urged.
"The food at the restaurant there definitely won't suit Dober's taste."
"Since Ann said so, then I definitely need to eat more first."
Mejiro Dober stuck out her tongue, then walked past the young man towards the restaurant.
During this time, Shuta An sat in a corner of the lobby, picking up his phone to see if there was any news from this area this morning.
Although the Epsom Derby is not during Royal Ascot Week, its ability to carry a race day by itself shows its significant status.
Although Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom would not be present in person to watch, her son would attend as a royal representative.
Previously, the England URA Association had also reminded Shuta An to prepare for an audience with Prince Charles.
Shuta An himself had no interest in meeting this person, but when in Rome behave like it, so he prepared a suitable suit, waiting to change into it in the Box for officials when it was time to meet Prince Charles.
As for now, he was dressed in a light short-sleeved shirt and shorts; comfort was more important than any demeanor or etiquette.
He wouldn't be an idiot who would sweat profusely under the summer sun, stubbornly enduring until heatstroke.
—
After today's first major race, the Princess Margaret Stakes, the staff of Ascot Racecourse came to the Box to inform Shuta An that he needed to prepare to meet Prince Charles.
"Do you need me to accompany you?"
Mejiro Dober asked as she helped the young man tie his tie after he had changed clothes.
"No need, Dober, just stay in the Box. I'm not a child; aren't you worried?"
Shuta An raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, I'm not worried; Ann is meeting Prince Charles, not a princess, so what is there to worry about?"
Mejiro Dober rolled her eyes.
After Shuta An left the Box for officials, he was guided by the staff to the royal exclusive Box at the highest point of Ascot Racecourse.
Upon entering, the young man glanced around and found that all the other Trainers participating had arrived, except for himself.
"Excuse me, I'm late."
Although he wasn't actually late, he still bowed slightly and apologized.
"Mr. Shuta, long time no see."
Stoute greeted him proactively.
"His Royal Highness hasn't arrived yet; we were just guessing who would arrive first."
"That would definitely be me."
Shuta An shrugged.
"Here in England, there's probably no reason for the host to wait for the guest, right?"
The young man's tone was quite normal for the last sentence, but Stoute felt something was off, no matter how he heard it.
"Speaking of which, his elders seem to be French."
After realizing this, Stoute felt that everything made sense