Chapter 77. New Skill
The next morning, when Shuta An woke up, he immediately opened the attribute viewer.
Although the Personal Ensign Stakes was not a large-scale race, it featured a Triple Tiara mare, and he and Hokuto Vega had beaten her by ten lengths, also breaking the race record. He figured they should receive a good reward.
After entering the attribute viewer, the young man first habitually browsed the data of Rice Shower and Kurofune, and other Uma Musume who remained in Japan, before opening the message notifications.
"After the Triple Tiara mare's revival, you and Hokuto Vega teamed up to shoot her down again at Saratoga Race Course. Sky Beauty's camp is slightly disheartened, but they have decided to regroup in the upcoming Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park Racecourse. You and Hokuto Vega will challenge the Ballerina Stakes half a month later. Although the race schedules are temporarily staggered, both Steve Cauthen and you know that you still have a decisive battle against each other this year at Churchill Downs Racecourse. After that race, Sky Beauty and Hokuto Vega will likely never meet again in the future."
"But no matter what the future holds, Hokuto Vega in the Dream World last night left an indelible scar on Sky Beauty's camp, contending for the lead with Sky Beauty at a fast pace throughout, never giving an inch, and breaking away from her opponent starting from the third turn—
Congratulations on acquiring the skill: Master of Anaerobic Running—improves adaptability to fast-paced running."
"Last night's race in the Dream World was indeed an anaerobic battle—high intensity throughout."
The young man muttered to himself.
"However, this skill is indeed suitable for Teio to use. It can improve her adaptability to fast-paced running, so even if she encounters a runaway Uma Musume in the future, she won't need to be so nervous."
As for Mejiro Dober, she wasn't afraid of a fast-paced start, and Shuta An had never worried about her in that regard.
—
After packing his luggage and having a simple breakfast, Shuta An took the two Uma Musume to Heathrow Airport. They were to depart from there to return to Japan.
They took a direct flight, just like when they came, as transferring was quite a hassle. Shuta's mind was now entirely focused on returning to Tokyo and sleeping soundly at home for a few days.
Although Mejiro Dober's Nassau Stakes wasn't particularly intense, Tokai Teio's Epsom Derby truly kept him on edge. Only now, on the way back, did the young man dare to fully relax.
"I won't have any more overseas expedition plans for a while."
Mejiro Dober said softly to herself, looking down at her phone in the waiting room.
"If you want to travel abroad for fun, it will definitely be more convenient than now, during the Twinkle Series—at least you won't have to worry about being suspended if you stay abroad for more than a month, right?"
Shuta An quickly interjected.
"We still have two years." Tokai Teio said, swinging her legs. "After that, I want to go to the Dream Trophy Series, and then I also want to try to get my Trainer's license."
"Generally, Uma Musume who take the Triple Tiara Route are the ones who try to get Trainer or other certifications to look after their juniors, like Teio."
Mejiro Dober put down her phone and stretched.
"Kyoei March also told me before that she wants to try a race in Dubai next year, and then retire from the Twinkle Series to focus on getting her early childhood education qualification and go back to her hometown kindergarten to take care of children."
"Kyoei March isn't planning to participate in the Dream Trophy Series, like Dober?" Shuta An was quite surprised.
"That's right. She said the prize money she earned in the Twinkle Series is enough for a lifetime, and now it's time to do what she wants most."
Mejiro Dober smiled. "I promised her that I'd draw a set of picture books for the children she teaches in the future."
"Oguri-senpai is also about to retire from the Dream Trophy Series, right?" Tokai Teio leaned closer. "Did Oguri-senpai ever say what she wanted to do?"
"Probably build up Kasamatsu?" Shuta An wasn't entirely sure. "But she still has a few years before retirement."
"I've seen many people say that Oguri-senpai is already tired of running." Tokai Teio shook her head. "But I think that's impossible. As Uma Musume, we can't get tired of running."
"It's just that sometimes there are things we want to do more than participate in races." Mejiro Dober held the young man's hand. "Of course, no matter what, Ann will support us, right?"
"Of course."
Shuta An immediately responded. He didn't need his Uma Musume to run in the Dream Trophy Series to earn money, so his answer was much more confident.
—
Flying from London to Japan, when they landed at Narita Airport, it was approximately 11 AM Tokyo time.
Although the sun was high in the sky outside, Shuta and both Uma Musume were drowsy.
After taking a taxi to drop the two Uma Musume back at Central Tracen Academy, Shuta An didn't go home but chose to sleep in the Sadalsuud team's activity room first.
"Set an alarm. I'll sleep for four hours and wake up at 4 PM to go home."
Before getting into bed, the young man took out his phone to adjust the settings, to avoid sleeping past closing time and having to awkwardly figure out how to sneak out of the Academy.
Meanwhile, after lunch, Rice Shower wanted to find a quiet place to practice oil painting. For her, the first choice was, of course, her team's activity room.
So, she carried her equipment into the Sadalsuud team's activity room. The Derby Uma Musume first habitually scanned the office, and after seeing that her Trainer was not there, she gently sighed.
"I saw Dober-senpai and the others just now, but Trainer wasn't there. He must have gone home to adjust to the time difference, right?" Rice Shower muttered to herself. "If I want to see the Trainer, I'll have to wait a few days—"
Rice Shower hadn't finished speaking when, passing by the lounge, she saw the young man sleeping soundly on the bed.
"E—!"
She almost cried out but managed to stop herself in time, though her eyes were still wide.
"Why is the Trainer resting here? Is he not going home tonight?"
Rice Shower's ears twitched, and she couldn't help but recall the bold move she had made before the Japanese Derby.
But that had been, in the end, just an impulse. Rice Shower's cheeks would flush crimson whenever she thought about it afterward. So, even though Shuta An was again unconscious in front of her this time, Rice Shower still didn't push open the door and go closer.
"I need to practice painting!"
The Black Deer-haired Horse Girl turned her head, admonishing herself.