Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 196: The Elevator
On the second Sunday of April, almost all the staff of Mejiro Ranch, except for Lavid who stayed behind, went to Hyogo Prefecture outside Hokkaido.

Crossing the new bridge over the Mukogawa River and heading south along Komagamichi, Mt. Ko, now completely dyed green, slowly faded away outside the car window.

Kitano looked at his watch to check the current time.

It’s not even noon yet, so there’s still plenty of time before the eleventh cherry blossom viewing session in the afternoon.

Even so, a strange sense of tension quietly spread in the car.

"If it's the outside gate, it's really not good."

Kikuchi kept sliding his fingers across the phone, staring at the changes in popularity on the screen and muttering to himself.

At the gate position drawing ceremony a few days ago, Sasakawa, as the camp representative, unfortunately drew the outer gate 16.

but--

Even in such a gate position, there is no other strategy except leading and releasing.

Rely on outstanding endurance to control the rhythm and thus determine the outcome of the game.

This was a cherry blossom viewing strategy that was decided long ago.

"At least the starting straight line of the Incheon mile course isn't too short."

What was considered a disadvantage by the camp before the gate turned out to be an advantage at this time.

Although, I didn't expect it to unfold like this at all.

On the green paths leading to the racecourse on both sides, the leaves of the maple trees have changed from red to green, and have completely transformed into the appearance of spring.

After stopping the car in front of the parking lot and confirming that the owner badge on Kitano's collar was correct, the staff of the racecourse waved and let him pass.

When leaving the parking lot reserved for horse owners and staff, I met the owner Matsumoto who had also come to support his beloved horse.

"It's amazing that you're still so energetic, President."

After a slight bow, Kitano greeted with a smile.

"My health is getting worse and worse, and I don't know how many more years I can hold on."

Matsumoto waved his hand, but his face showed a somewhat smug expression, like a parent showing off his child.

"But both Koshiro and Feng said this kid could win the cherry blossom viewing, so I have no choice but to come and see him, even if it means risking my life."

At this point, a middle-aged man wearing the same suit as Matsumoto hurried forward to support him.

"That's an exaggeration, Father."

He said this with a smile.

He is the eldest son of Chairman Matsumoto and the current representative director and president of KISHIRO, Matsumoto Yoshitaka.

"I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Kitano."

"That's my side."

Although nominally rivals, the atmosphere was not tense, and both Mejiro Ranch and KISHIRO employees interacted with each other in a friendly manner.

After greeting each other, the two parties walked into the racecourse together.

However, they soon dispersed to both sides.

The Matsumoto team went to the A stand area on the fourth step of the west stand, while the Mejiro Ranch team went to the S stand area on the fifth step of the east stand.

Among the two representatives of the horse owner, Matsumoto had a lot of social engagements before going to Chairman Ma's seat.

So Kitano had to head towards the horse owner area alone.

While waiting for the elevator, I heard a low voice.

"Ah, Kitano-kun!"

One side of the man's stiff face twitched slightly, while the other side showed a somewhat exaggerated smile.

"Hello, Representative Yoshida."

Kitano nodded and greeted the man in front of him lightly.

Katsuki Yoshida, representative of the Northern Ranch.

The two men shook hands again in a less Japanese way.

"That time in Dubai was really impressive. Mejiro Sakuya ran right past me like a cannonball."

Yoshida Katsuki said with a smile, and obvious wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes.

"Yoshida's team was also very impressive during the Dubai Gold Cup."

Ding--

The elevator arrival signal sounded at this time.

So the topic was temporarily interrupted, Katsuki Yoshida walked in first, and Kitano followed.

After pressing the button to close the door, the old man with neatly combed gray hair raised his head again.

"I wish Kitano-kun would visit the North more often," Yoshida Katsuki said, crossing his arms and half-jokingly.

"The selection is really too expensive——"

Kitano responded in the same somewhat frivolous tone.

"It's all thanks to the continued care of the horse owners."

Katsuki Yoshida raised the corners of his mouth again, and his small green bean-sized eyes were squeezed so tightly that they were almost invisible.

The elevator slowly rose at this moment, as if an invisible weight was pressing down on the body out of thin air.

At the same time, Kitano fell into a brief moment of thought.

Although a little surprised, there was nothing surprising about Mr. Yoshida meeting this person at Hanshin Racecourse.

On the contrary, it would be strange not to see each other at a classic event like the Cherry Blossom Viewing.

The elevator rose at a constant speed at this moment, and the sense of gravity returned to normal.

Then, Kitano spoke.

Although rationally speaking, this isn't the right time to say something like that.

But, I did it anyway.

"Come to think of it, there is indeed a horse I want to get from the north."

“That’s what I mean—”

Katsuki Yoshida turned his head slightly and put on an attitude of listening with interest.

"How's Mejiro Dober?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the wrinkles on the old man's face suddenly became much smoother.

But after a moment, that iconic smile reappeared on his face.

"Speaking of which, it's indeed time—"

As if he was suddenly lost in some memory, Yoshida Katsuki muttered something vaguely.

A light feeling came from under my feet, and the elevator was about to arrive.

"But Mejiro Dober is quite old after all."

"It's okay for you to continue staying at the lakeside. Mejiro can cover the cost of foster care."

“That’s what I mean—”

With a slightly heavy sigh, Yoshida Katsuki nodded as if confirming something.

The somewhat deliberate smile disappeared from his face, and the old man looked at Kitano's face seriously for a long time.

"Well, how about five yen?"

A wrinkled hand reached out.

For a moment, Kitano was a little surprised.

According to my late grandfather, Mr. Yoshida was described as "more cunning than a raccoon cat."

I had already prepared for a fierce battle.

Now it seems that if we propose to buy back the ranch, the other party will probably offer a price that keeps both parties decent.

but--

Let’s just forget about this for now.

The next moment, the equally rough hands were clasped together.

The elevator door opens at this moment.

"The quotation is established."

------------

“——“For Master Takeyuki, the Sakura Sakura Festival is probably also a competition filled with memories.”

——"Yeah, even now I still dream about Mambo losing the Sakura Festival, but I can hardly remember the games we won."

"But this time, it's my brother's rider, Taketoyo, who's on the saddle."

"It would be even better if we could have a foreign rider instead (laughs), but of course Mr. Matsumoto wouldn't agree to that anyway."

——"So, how much are you looking forward to this cherry blossom viewing?"

"That's right. After becoming a trainer, I wanted to repay Mr. Matsumoto for his kindness. However, I often failed miserably before, so I wanted to win this time no matter what."

——Excerpt from "Nikkan Sport" - "Trainer's Conversation in Cherry Blossom Season" Takeyuki Shirō

　I feel a little better after waking up. Today is the normal two updates.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)